(PART 1: The Seven Virtues)

INTRODUCTION

In May 2019, The Lord gave me a teaching on what he called, ‘The Seven Mysteries of the Bible.’ Within that teaching I mention the mystery of the seven stars and the seven lampstands, as one of the seven mysteries of the bible.  I greatly encourage the reader to look into that teaching first before continuing with this one.

RECAP

Here is a summarised recap. In Revelation Chapter 1, John sees a wonderful vision, of Jesus Christ in his glory, standing in the midst of Seven Lambstands with seven stars in his right hand. He is told:

Revelation 1:20 New International Version (NIV)

20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

So in summary, here is the teaching:

The seven angels are seven actual angels ministering over seven kinds of churches. These seven angels in total reveal the seven spirits of God. So each angel and therefore each church, is a reflection of a unique aspect of one of the seven spirits of God.
When John is on earth he sees the seven lamp stands, but when he ascends to the throne of God, he then sees there seven flames and is told what they are.

Revelation 4:5 New Life Version (NLV)
5 Lightning and noise and thunder came from the throne. Seven lights of fire were burning before the throne. These were the seven Spirits of God.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES AND THE SEVEN SPIRITS

The Seven Spirits of God are a revelation of the seven dimensions of operation of Spirit of God. In revelation chapter 2, the Lord delivers messages to the seven churches. Each message is addressed to each of the seven angels, revealing Christ’s judgements on the works done within his church. John himself sent the letters to the seven saints, who minister with these angels as overseers of the church.

Revelation 1:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

”Each letter ends with the text, “Let he who has ears to hear listen to what the spirit is saying to the churches.” 

This statement is written seven times, because there is a spirit of God speaking in each church, making up the seven spirits of God. 

In 2 Peter 1:5, the apostle Peter tells the saints seven things that they must add to their faith in order for them to be mature, complete and perfected. 

2 Peter 1:4-8
(4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

So in this scripture, Peter lists seven qualities that must be added to the faith of the believer as he partakes in the divine nature. These Seven qualities are what the Holy Spirit revealed to me as one of the revelations of The Seven Spirits of God. These are what I have decided to call, the Seven Virtues of The Seven Spirits of God.

Here is a list of the seven things that Peter said must be added to your faith. I have tried to place the words as they appear in different English versions.

1. Virtue/Moral Excellence
2. Knowledge – 
3. Self Control / Temperance
4. Perseverance/ Patience
5. Godliness – 
6. Brotherly Kindness – Brotherly affection 
7. Love / Charity
   

As you go through the seven churches, you will note that these are the things that are revealed as needed in each of the seven churches. There was a church that needed virtue, a church that needed knowledge, the church that needed love, the church that needed self control, the church that needed brotherly kindness and the church that needed perseverance etc. The order of the churches is not the same as the order that Peter gives, but once you get this revelation it becomes easier to see which church is which.

1.VIRTUE- LAODECIA

The apostle Peter says that the first thing we must add to our faith is virtue. Other versions simply put this as excellence. This is because Virtue refers to moral excellence. Used in a general sense, it refers to something operating at it’s maximum potential or fulfilling its complete purpose. The apostle Paul describes virtue as character that is worthy of praise, such as honor, truth, purity.

Philippians 4:8 
(8) Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. 

The words that the apostle Paul has used in the above scripture, are a good description of virtue. The church of Laodecia was lukewarm. It needed excellence, it needed the spirit of virtue.

Revelation 2: 14-16
(14) And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things: (15) I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot. (16) So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

The challenge with the church of Laodecia was that they were no longer fellowshipping with Christ. They were now rich in material things and thought they no longer needed continuous fellowship with the Lord. As a result they lacked spiritual excellence and their work became lukewarm.

Revelation 2:17-29
(17) Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, (18) I counsel you to buy from Me gold tried in the fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent. 

Many christians only talk to God when they need help. So when they now have money, they no longer have any reason to commune with him, and that’s what happened with the church of Laodecia. The Spirit admonishes them to have fellowship with Christ in order to achieve their full potential, in order to achieve the excellence that can only come from the faithful and true witness, the head of God’s creation.

Rev 2:20-22
(20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me. 

Dining, refers to fellowship. So the spirit of virtue/ moral excellence works through regular fellowshipping with Christ. The Spirit then concludes with something quite remarkable.

Rev 2:20
(21) To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne. (22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

This promise is not just for the future but also applies in our everyday lives as christians. Ephesians 2:6 says, we are sitted with Christ in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.

So, this sitting in the heavenly places only manifests through deep fellowship with Christ. When we fellowship with him, we sit with him on his throne in the heavenly places, above all principalities, powers and forces of the enemy.

2. KNOWLEDGE – PERGAMUM

The knowledge here, is not academic knowledge, but knowledge of the truth, knowledge of Jesus Christ which comes from knowledge of his word. Jesus had taught that when we know the truth, the truth would make us free. The church at Pergamum, lived with Satan the Father of lies. 

Revelation 2: 12-13 NKJV
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

The throne of Satan is the throne of lies, and the Lord told John that this throne was in Pergamum. This is the church that needed knowledge of the word to guard it against Satan the Father of lies. Jesus goes on to tell us that two evil doctrines had now entered the church, the teaching of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 2:14-16
(14) But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. (15) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (16) Repent! But if not I will come to you quickly, and will fight with them by the sword of My mouth. 

Jesus is revealed to the church in Pergamum as the one who has the double edged sword in his mouth. The double edged sword represents the word.

The throne of Satan is the throne of lies, and the Lord told John that this throne was in Pergamum. This is the church that needed knowledge of the word to guard it against Satan the Father of lies. Jesus goes on to tell us that two evil doctrines had now entered the church, the teaching of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 2:14-16
(14) But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. (15) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (16) Repent! But if not I will come to you quickly, and will fight with them by the sword of My mouth. 

Jesus is revealed to the church in Pergamum as the one who has the double edged sword in his mouth. The double edged sword represents the word.

Ephesians 6:17
(17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, 

(Compare with Hebrews 4:12)

So the weapon that is used to overcome the throne of Satan is the word of God, which we can only receive and understand via the Spirit of knowledge because he is the spirit of truth.

John 16:13
(13) However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come. 
Let’s hear what the spirit of truth, says to Pergamos and all the churches.

Revelation 2:17
(17) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it. 

The Manna and the White Stone

There are two things that come from the Spirit of knowledge, the Manna and the white stone. These are two dimensions of the revelation of the Word of God. Two ways in which Christ is revealed to us.

MANNA

Manna fell everyday, and you had to gather manna for each day. Yesterday’s manna could not be eaten today except on a sabbath. So is the Rhema word. It is the word for the moment. This is mainly indicative of the guidance of the spirit by the inward witness.

John 6:57-63
(57) As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. (58) This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (59) He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. (60) Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?” (61) But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? (62) Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? (63) It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. 

In this chapter Jesus is showing that the manna that came from heaven was representing him, and that everyone must eat his flesh in order to live. However, when the disciples murmur at the thought of eating his flesh, he reveals to them that what they must really consume are his words. When Jesus says, “the words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life” The greek interpreted as WORD is Rhema. So he is saying The Rhema that I speak to you is spirit and life. So the words of Christ are like manna in the desert. And as he later says in John 16, the spirit of truth was the one who would deliver the rhema to us.

THE WHITE STONE

While Jesus is the bread, Jesus is also the rock. This rock represents the written word, which is solid and can not be broken. Jesus says in John 10:36 that scripture can not be broken. When the Rhema word is written it becomes rock. 

The written word gives you the wisdom of Christ.

2 Timothy 3:15-16(15) From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. (16) Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 

The written word, gives you spiritual growth

1 Peter 2:2 
(2) as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow, 

TEMPERANCE – THYATIRA 

The third thing that Peter said must be added to your faith is Temperance. Other versions put self control. The greek word used here means to master one’s senses. It denotes the ability to control your sensual desires. To be in control of the desires of your flesh. There is a church that was committing sexual immortality and it needed the spirit of temperance. It needed self control. This is the church of Thyatira.

Revelation 2: 18-29)
(18) And to the angel of the church at Thyatira write: The Son of God, He who has His eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like burnished metal, says these things:  (18) And to the angel of the church at Thyatira write: The Son of God, He who has His eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like burnished metal, says these things:

(19) I know your works and love and service and faith and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.    

(20) But I have a few things against you because you allow that woman Jezebel to teach, she saying herself to be a prophetess,   and to cause My servants to go astray, and to commit fornication, and to eat idol-sacrifices. 

The term Jezebel is making reference to the wife of Ahab, who called herself a priestess, killed the prophets of God and established priests and prophets of Baal in the nation of Israel. Jesus is saying this woman has been allowed in the church in Thyatira, to prophesy and cause the servants of God to commit sexual immorality. Jesus announces his judgement for the woman, and for those who were committing fornication with her.

Revelation 2:21-23
(21) And I gave her time that she might repent of her fornication, and she did not repent. (22) Behold, I am throwing her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their deeds. (23) And I will kill her children with death. And all the churches will know that I am He who searches the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. 

To this church, Jesus has revealed himself as the Son of God whose eyes are like a flame of fire. It is these spiritual eyes by which he sees the deep sins hidden in people’s hearts.

Hebrews 4:13 New International Version
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Revelation 2:24-29
(24) But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will put on you no other burden. (25) But that which you have, hold fast until I come. (26) And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations. (27) And he will rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will be broken to pieces, even as I received from My Father. (28) And I will give him the Morning Star. (29) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Remember temperance means self control: The ability to master one’s body. The Spirit is admonishing that the one who succeeds in ruling his own body will be given the authority to rule the nations. This reward is not just for the future, it applies even today.

Jesus has given the church authority over all the powers of the enemy. However, if a person does not manage to rule the desires of his own body, he won’t be able to exercise his authority over the world. This is because you become a servant of whoever, you submit yourself too.

Romans 6:16 New Living Translation
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

The spirit of temperance grants you self control, and those who by the spirit are able to rule their own desires, will be able to exercise authority over the nations.

PATIENCE- PERSEVERENCE

The fourth virtue that Peter says one must add to their faith is Patience. This word, is also translated as Patient endurance, or perseverance. Its found in the following scriptures. (2 Cor 1:6, Rom 2:7, Luke 21:19, Rom 5:3, 2 Thes 1:4) (JAMES 1:12). It means to be steadfast. It refers to the ability to endure suffering for a long time because you choose not to fight back. The church in Smyrna needed patient endurance.

Revelation 2: 8-10
(8) And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The First and the Last, who became dead and lived, says these things: 

(9) I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and I know the blasphemy of those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (10) Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried. And you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

The Lord reveals himself to this church as the the first and last who has power to resurrect from the dead. He then promises that those who endure, and remain faithful to death, will receive life as a crown. James the elder, speaks also of this crown of life.

James 1:12 New International Version (NKJV)
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Revelation 2:11
(11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. 

The Second Death

The spirit of endurance grants people the ability to go through suffering for christ. The second death is the lake of fire. It is the place where both body and soul shall be destroyed. 

Revelation 20:14 New International Version
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

Matthew 10:28 World English Bible (WEB)
28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Gehenna refers to a place of unquenchable fire. (Mark 9:45). This is the lake of fire, where the second death, the death of the soul will take place.

Luke 21:16-19 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

If your faith is not harmed by the suffering of this present world, then your soul can not be harmed by the fire of the next world.

GODLINESS- SARDIS

Eisebia, Reverence towards God. Piety. Holiness 
(1 Tim 6:3, 1 Tim 3:16)

The fifth thing that the apostle says we must add to our faith is godliness. The greek word here refers to piety, holiness or reverential fear towards God. In simple terms, it refers to acting in a way that God approves. 

The church of Sardis is the church that needed godliness.

(Revelation 3: 1-6) NKJV3 
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 

3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 

In 1 Timothy 3:16, we are told that the mystery of godliness is that God was revealed in the flesh through Jesus Christ. In the same way, God must be revealed through our lives.

Jesus tells the church of Sardis that their works were not complete before God. They were not reflecting God in their daily lives. God is holy, and so he demands that we be holy also.

1 Peter 1:15-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Revelation 33 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 

A few names who have not defiled their garments

It is possible to be in a church that is dead, and yet remain undefiled. There were a few people in Sardis who remained undefiled. When something is defiled, it is no longer pure. It is spoiled and dirty. Jesus tells us how people can become defiled.

Mark 7:20-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

The apostle Paul tells us that when one stays away from the things that defile the body and the soul, his holiness will be made complete. But this perfection of holiness is achieved in the fear of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

So the spirit that grants us godliness, the spirit that keeps us holy is the spirit of the fear of the Lord. Holiness is completed or perfected in the fear of God, because the fear of God brings hatred of evil. 

Proverbs 8:13 New International Version (NIV)
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

The Bible is clear that if followers of christ do not live a holy life, they will not see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Revelation 3:5-6
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

The spirit of the fear of the Lord who is the spirit of holiness, helps us to live in godliness. Now he tells us that those who overcome, will be clothed in white garments and their names will not be blotted from the book of life.

BROTHERLY KINDNESS- PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia (Romans 12:10, Thes 4:9, Her 13:1)

The sixth thing that we are told to add to our faith is brotherly kindness. The greek word translated brotherly kindness is “Philadelphia”.  It is formed by two words, Phileo + adelphia which means love of siblings or love of the brethren. It is translated as brotherly kindness, brotherly love or brotherly affection. 

One of the seven churches is called the church of Philadelphia.  It’s one of the churches that Jesus had nothing to rebuke. This is the message for the church of Philadelphia.

(Rev 3: 7-13)

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

What is interesting, is that the Key of David, which opens doors that no man can shut and closes doors that no man can open, is used to the church of brotherly love. There is another interesting link between keys and brotherly affection. Jesus told Peter that he was going to give him the keys of the kingdom. Mathew 16:19

After the resurrection, as Jesus was about to ascend, he has an interesting discussion with Peter, in which he grants him authority over the sheep.

John 21:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

The word for love that Jesus and Peter use in this very verse is Phileo, where we get Philadelphia.

Revelation 3
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jesus says, that he who overcomes will be made a pillar in the temple of His God and he will receive The name of His God, The name of the New Jerusalem and the New Name of Jesus Christ.

The Temple of God represents the household of God, which currently is seen as the church.

Ephesians 2:19-21 World English Bible (WEB)
19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, 20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;

A Pillar in the Temple

When Paul had encountered an issue with the false brethren who wanted to introduce wrong doctrine, they went to Jerusalem to present before the three pillars of the church at that time.

Galatians 2:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

When the New Jerusalem comes, it will have it’s pillars and those who have love and affection for the brethren will be made pillars in the kingdom of God.

The Name of God, the City and The Son

If you are wondering where these names shall be written, it’s on the foreheads.

Revelation 22:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Revelation 14:1 New International Version (NIV)
14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion,and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.

So, firstly, having God’s name on your forehead is a public and visible mark that you belong to him. So you will be clearly marked as belonging to God, to the city (church/ kingdom) and to Jesus Christ in his new authority. Having God’s name on you also means you carry his authority on you. 

Exodus 23:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him.

You will move in the full representation and authority of the Father, The Son and The Bride of Christ which is the church. You will carry the authority of the kingdom of God within you.

However, the Spirit is promising this as the reward for those who love the brethren, which is the saints  Brotherly love is the expression of the main commandment which is given to the church; Love one another. 

1 Thessalonians 4:9 World English Bible (WEB)
9 But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

LOVE – EPHESUS

The 7th and final thing that we are supposed to add to our faith is love. The word translated as love here is Agape. This is the word which is used to describe the nature of God.

1 John 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Agape Love is the fullness of God

Ephesians 3:19 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Agape Love, contains all other virtues within it.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never ends. 

Agape Love is the glue that brings completion/ perfection/ maturity to the other six virtues.

Colossians 3:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The church that had excelled in everything, but needed Agape love as the bond of perfection was the church of Ephesus.

Revelation of John 2
(1) To the angel of the Church of Ephesus write: He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, says these things. (2) I know your works and your labor and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tried those pretending to be apostles, and are not, and have found them liars. (3) And you have borne, and have patience, and for My name’s sake you have labored and have not fainted. (4) But I have against you that you left your first love.

Jesus starts by reassuring the angel that he holds the seven angels in his right hand and is still walking in the midst of the churches. He is protecting and watching over them. The Message ends with the spirit giving an admonishment to Ephesus and all the churches in regards to Love.

Revelation 2:7
(7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give him to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

So what is the link between the tree of life and love. When Adam and Eve were cerated, they were given free and complete access to the Tree of Life, but however, when they disobeyed God, they were chased away from the garden of Eden and blocked from accessing the tree of life. Agape love, is revealed by our willingness to obey the commandments of Christ.

1 John 2:5 New Life Version (NLV)
5 But whoever obeys His Word has the love of God made perfect in him. This is the way to know if you belong to Christ.

Adam’s disobedience was a sign that his love for God was no longer perfect, and being distanced from God’s nature of Agape Love, he was being distanced from the life that came with it. In the same way, when we walk in Love, we are walking in obedience to his word and therefore receiving access to the tree of life.

THREE KINDS OF LIFE

In the seven rewards to the seven churches we come across three kinds of life: The Tree of Life, The Book of Life, and The Crown of Life.

The Tree of Life – Salvation of the Body (Ephesus: Rev 2:7)

The Tree of life and the tree of knowledge of Good and evil were actual trees that Adam was supposed to eat and they would affect his body on a DNA level.
The Tree of Life deals with the body, and gives the body immortality. If Adam had eaten the tree of life in his fallen state, he would have lived forever, but being forever fallen and forever separated from God. 

Genesis 3:22 New International Version (NIV)
22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

Eating the tree of life would have brought Adam immortality of the body. It would not have transformed his character, but it would have transformed his body. So by chasing Adam away from the tree of life, and allowing his body to die, It was God’s way of saving him so that he can be reborn through resurrection.
We shall get back this immortality when we get New Bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:52-54 New International Version (NIV)
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

The Book of Life – Salvation of the Soul (Sardis: Rev 3:5)

If your name is written in the book of life, you are spared from the second death.

Revelation 20:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
14 …The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

This second death, which takes place in the lake of fire, is the death of the soul. 

Matthew 10:28 New International Version (NIV)
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

So having your name written in the book of life, saves your soul from death.

The Crown of Life – Spirit Life

Revelation 2:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

A crown represents rulership or authority. So you are being given life as your own authority. This life is specifically, eternal life.

Eternal life is not about time, or length of life but rather type of life. Eternal Life is the type of life that God has. In the bible there are two beings who truly have eternal life within themselves. That’s God and Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 5:26 New International Version (NIV)
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

As for us. We can’t exist by our own selves. So currently, we live by the Life that is in Christ. The Eternal Life that we use to connect to God, is not ours but belongs to Jesus. So a person who has Jesus can be said to have eternal life.

1 John 5:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Jesus however promises that he will give the Overcomers their own eternal life. 

Jude 21 New International Version (NIV)
21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Mark 10:30 New Living Translation (NLT)
30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I will list the seven Churches along with the seven virtues to be manifested by each.

Love: Ephesus
Perseverance: Smyrna
Knowledge: Pergamum
Self Control: Thyatira
Godliness: Sardis
Brotherly Love: Philadeliphia
Excellence: Laodecia

Part 2: The Menora