Characteristics Of A True Church

Let us muse from Revelation 2:1 today. It is here that our Lord addresses His thoughts to the church at Ephesus and we find characteristics of a true church. The thoughts are addressed to the angel of the church. The word angel is our word messenger. It is addressed to the pastor. A true church will receive from God, truth, and it will be channeled through a pastor, the man of God. In verse 1 He refers to seven stars, which in Revelation 1:20 we find are the pastors or messengers of these seven churches. To be put in the category of a star is a high pedestal to place God’s man on. If we have a man of God who preaches the Word of God and conforms to the image of God we should consider him the star of our church. Christ says ‘He holdeth these men in His hand,’ The word ‘holdeth’ means to seize for the purpose of giving strength to. He mentions the seven golden candlesticks which we learn from Revelation 1:20 are the seven churches. The church is His light for this world. What a great responsibility is laid upon us. We need not, fear for He says, He walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. The phrase ‘in the midst’ implies the one who is in authority and control of all. What a blessing if a church knows they have God’s man and Christ is in the midst. They can surely be used to light up an area.