Revelation 2:19 “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.” –Jesus
Jesus knows what is going on in His church. The local body in Thyatira receives high marks and they are getting better. They appear to be the model church. Here are the characteristics demonstrated.
Love…the Greek word αγαπε/agape. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence, to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly. This love is the nature of God.
Faith…the Greek word πιστισ/pistis. There is the dictionary definition and then there are times where Scripture defines the term. This is an example where the Bible is the definitive authority. The author of Hebrews defines “faith”.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The idea of “hope” is the expectation of reality at some point in the future. “Hope” is not happen stance…well maybe? Gee, I hope so? No, Biblical “hope” is the belief the promise will come to pass.
Hebrews 11 is the chapter in the Bible on the topic of faith. The chapter has been called the “Heroes of Faith.” Faith was the issue, is the issue, and will be the issue. Do we believe God and what He has to say?
Hebrews 11:2-3 For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
Service…the Greek word διακονια/diakonia. It means: service of the office of prophet, apostle, evangelist, elder, administration, or a deacon; those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men; the service of those who prepare and present food.
In the sense of the body of Christ, we are all ministers. We can all serve the Lord in one way or another. We have different skill sets and gifts. We all need each other in Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…
The book of 2 Corinthians discusses this term more than any other book in the New Testament.
Perseverance…the Greek word ηυπομονε/hupomone. It means: constancy, endurance; in the New Testament the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith by even the greatest trials and sufferings; patiently and steadfastly enduring.
Love one another. Have faith in the promise of God’s word. Serve one another whatever your calling. And persevere and endure until He comes and gets us.
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