In Revelation two and three (Hymn 1274)

Verse 1: In Revelation two and three, The seven local churches see: The lessons there for you and me Are for the Lord's recovery. Verse 2: The words to them are words to us, So that the church be glorious, And all their warnings we must heed So that the Lord can meet His need. Verse 3: To Ephesus, the word is clear: "To your first love you're not so near; You've left to work so far away; Repent, return to Him today." Verse 4: Thus, we must all turn back to Him, Leave other loves, for these are sin. Oh, let us hearken to His call— If we miss this, we've missed it all! Verse 5: Then unto Smyrna, suffering, sore— "You have been tried, but something more— Be faithful unto death," we're told (Not just of body but of soul). Verse 6: Be faithful 'til what's natural dies; Your circumstances don't despise; The Lord has sent them all to you To prove that your first love is true. Verse 7: From Pergamos we clearly see The world has wed Christianity! And faithful Antipas did fall— He dared to stand against it all. Verse 8: To wed the world we all must fear: His spoken word will save us here— If to His speaking we give heed, We'll separated be indeed. Verse 9: Then Thyatira comes at length: Her mixture with the world her strength. Fine flour leavened by the yeast, A harlot riding on a beast. Verse 10: Lord, we are mixed but hardly know; To us this mixture fully show. Each added thing we will refute Until we're wholly absolute. Verse 11: And then from Sardis, we can know Life is the way that we must go! She says she's living, but she's dead; She needs to touch the Lord instead. Verse 12: Lord, take us all the way to life To overcome the deadness rife. Away from deadness we would flee That full of life we'll always be. Verse 13: Now Philadelphia comes at last; That which she has she should hold fast The brothers' love, the name, the word; This church has satisfied the Lord. Verse 14: We as the brothers all are one; We're one by life, and life alone. If we His word and name do keep A glorious building God will reap. Verse 15: Laodicea warns us all: From Philadelphia some will fall. By saying, "I am rich," it's then The Lord is outside wanting in. Verse 16: Lukewarmness we must ever spurn And in the spirit always burn, The inward life experience gain, And pay the price with Him to reign. Verse 17: Lord, shine Your light on us today That we may fully go Your way; Anoint our eyes and let us see So You can have recovery.