Called to Repent or Perish

February 26, 2023

There were seven churches in Asia, established by Paul, representative of the whole body of Christ. The revelation of Christ’s second coming was given to them as well as to us. The traits and character of these churches describe the churches of today as the membership. Therefore, we should take special notice, enjoy the blessing of reading and hearing (Revelation 1:3), and come to understand the truth. God wants to bless us and will if we glorify Him through obedience. Israel did not, and then was destroyed after having been saved from Egyptian bondage. They may have been thinking, ‘Once saved always saved’, but later discovered that this was Satan’s lie. Their disobedience cost them the promised land as surely as Adam’s sin cost him paradise and walking with God in the cool of the evening.

The seven churches were commanded to repent, to resist temptation, and to be overcomers. That is consistent with the gospel of grace and with every denomination in ‘Christendom’. They all teach repentance, making it a requirement even though some say, ‘There is nothing you can do to gain salvation’. Although, this is not exactly consistent with logic or Biblical truth.

That fact that Revelation was written to Christian churches and to Christian church members cannot be denied, so we must conclude that they were saved but subject to falling from grace. Like us they are warned not to tread upon the blood of Christ nor abuse the brother whom we have seen. To the Ephesians he said, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). Can you be deceived by Satan or can you understand these words?... Remember. Fallen. Repent.

What does the expression, “Remove thy candlestick out of his place”, really mean if it did not have a place to begin with? Is the definition of repentance not clear to all in the Christian community? Why repent if you have not fallen? Why the New Testament if God was not and is not concerned for Christians and temptation?

Kenneth E. Morrison