What if a letter from Jesus arrived at your church this week? What would it say? Would it begin with words of encouragement, reminding us of what we are doing well? Would it lovingly confront areas where we have become distracted, comfortable, or spiritually complacent? Or would it call us to rediscover our first love and faithfully follow Him once again?
Those are not hypothetical questions. Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus gave the Apostle John a series of messages for seven real churches. While each church faced unique challenges, the words of Christ continue to speak with remarkable clarity to His Church today. The circumstances may have changed, but the condition of the human heart has not.
Before we hear those letters, however, we must first meet the One who wrote them. Revelation opens not with mysterious symbols or predictions, but with a breathtaking vision of the risen and reigning Jesus Christ. John sees the glorified Savior walking among His churches, reminding us that Jesus is neither distant nor detached. He knows His people. He sees His Church. He is present in the midst of it all, calling His followers to remain faithful.
Over the next several weeks, we’ll journey through these seven letters together in our new series, Seven. My prayer is that we won’t simply study ancient churches—we’ll allow Christ to examine our own hearts. What would Jesus say to us? What would He say to Scott Valley Berean Church? And perhaps most personally, what would He say to you?
I hope you’ll join us as we listen carefully to the voice of the One who still walks among His Church and still invites us to faithfully follow Him.
I am praying for you. I love you, and I love being your pastor.
In grace and love,
Pastor Brant
