Tax time is over, but right about now is when notifications from the Internal Revenue Service are sent out. An IRS audit can put anyone into a nail-biting frenzy. Even if our tax return has been done correctly, there is still an element of impending doom.
As taxpayers, we fear an IRS audit but for some reason we have the misguided philosophy that we can give a mere fraction of our time, talent and treasure to God and we don’t need to worry any further. Going to Mass on Sunday is all we need to do, and God is totally satisfied with that spiritual effort. Unfortunately, that’s the devil talking. Despite its complex and symbolic wording, Revelation has lessons that we can apply to our lives in the 21st century.
Start with Rev 1:9-11: “I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus. I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said, ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.’”
Reading further, John reveals the audit of these seven churches. Where do we personally fit into this audit? Where does our parish fit into this audit? There is one repetitive phrase that should make us stand up and take notice – God knows our works individually and as a community of faith.
Ephesus (Rev 2:1-5): “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: ‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent”.’”
Smyrna (Rev 2:8-10): “To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: ‘The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this: “I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”.’”
Pergamum (Rev 2:12-14): To the angel of the church in Pergamum, write this: ‘The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this: “I know that you live where Satan’s throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives. Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot”.’”
Thyatira (Rev 2: 18-21): “To the angel of the church in Thyatira, write this: ‘The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this: “I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first. Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry”.’”
Sardis (Rev 3:1-4): “To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this: ‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: “I know your works that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you. However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy”.’”
Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-11): “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: ‘The holy one, the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open, says this: “I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying, behold I will make them come and fall prostrate at your feet, and they will realize that I love you. Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown”.’”
Laodicea (Rev 3:14-19): “To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write this: ‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation, says this: “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent”.’”
Use these descriptions of the seven churches to help evaluate your spiritual health. That will help you when it comes time for your own “IRS audit” – an “Internal Routine Spiritual audit” that God will give you at the end of your life.
Bobby Speers is an author who lives in Hickory.