Are Warning Messages for the Revelation 2-3 Churches for the Unsaved?

Jesus had several disturbing things to say of the seven churches in the book of Revelation chapters two and three. They are so disturbing that many Christians find it difficult to apply the warnings to Christians. When we apply such verses to unbelievers, we throw away God’s admonitions to His children – which are directly related to helping us get ready for Christ’s coming. For example:

“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev. 2:16).

Are you basing your conduct on a principle, or on God’s Word?

“Who is a faithful and wise servant?” Jesus asked in Matt. 24:45. To answer this question, Jesus gave us a picture of a man who kept at his appointed work until his master returned. What was the reward for faithful obedience? The master “will make him ruler over all his goods” (Matt. 24:47).

“But if that evil servant says in his heart…” (Matt. 24:48). Now here is where a difficulty arises. If a person is from the camp where Scripture warnings do not apply to believers, then this second servant is an unbeliever. In this case, one then examines this verse from a principle rather than from the words actually given us by God.

Why write about the judgment to come?

Why have I spent so much of my time writing on the judgment to come? It’s a fair question. Here’s my answer.

I’ve heard of people who read the Bible through the lens of “Jesus loves me. Because He loves me He would never hurt me.” Many have interpreted any passages on negative judgment as falling upon the unbeliever. Thus, passages that would help them to prepare for Christ’s return are ignored.

A God of no judgment?

Several Christians have responded to the idea of a future judgment for Christians with, “Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me,” as though there will be no judgment. We forget that the God who brought out Israel from Egypt with a strong hand later killed 14,700 after the people murmured against God’s leadership (Num. 16:41-50). He later brought in poisonous serpents to kill “many” of the people of God who complained (Num. 21:4-9).

Has God acted any differently in the New Testament? We forget that the Savior who gave us the Lord’s Supper to remember Him by also killed many in the church, chastening those who mistreated these symbols (1 Cor. 11:27-32). Did He leave or forsake His people then? No, for the saved but disobedient and unbelieving will rise up, their names in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:12-15). They will avoid the Lake of Fire, but will miss the Millennium Kingdom because they persisted in carnality.

The Lord will not forsake us, but neither will He honor those who forget Him.