Jesus to the Seven Fathers of Asia Minor

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…”

In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus addresses seven distinct churches in Asia Minor. These were real congregations with real struggles, but they also serve a symbolic purpose. The number seven in Scripture often represents completeness, and here it symbolizes the full spectrum of congregational experiences in the first century—and today. Each church receives a personalized message from the risen Christ: a commendation, a correction, and a call to faithfulness.

But what if we looked at these seven churches another way? Many of the flaws and strenghts of those churches can also be seen in fathers. Like those churches, fathers come in many forms—some faithful, some faltering, some asleep at the wheel, and others quietly persevering. Jesus’ messages to the churches can just as powerfully speak to the hearts of men striving to lead their families in faith.

This article explores what Jesus wants from fathers, using His words to the seven churches as a guide. These timeless instructions can challenge, convict, and encourage every father who desires to follow Christ more fully.

To the Father Who Has Lost His First Love (Ephesus – Rev. 2:1–7)

You still work hard. You provide. You lead. You even fight for truth and stand against the corruption of the world. But somewhere along the way, the joy faded. The passion cooled. You serve your family out of duty, not devotion. Your faith has become mechanical, and your fatherhood has followed suit.

The church in Ephesus was doing so much right. They hated sin. They were patient. They persevered. But Jesus said, “I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Rev. 2:4) This wasn’t a case of moral collapse or doctrinal compromise. It was love that had eroded—love for Christ, and in the fatherly parallel, love that fuels joyful service in the home.

Jesus gives three urgent commands:

• Remember your first love (present, imperative) from where you have fallen (perfect, indicative).” The zeal you had when you where first converted. The excitement and joy of serving God, of being saved. Remember also the early days of fatherhood—the joy of holding your newborn, the excitement of teaching your children, the awe of being entrusted with a soul. “Remember from where you have fallen.”
• Repent of going through the motions. Turn again to love. A cold heart must be warmed again by the grace of God and the love of Christ.
• Repeat the actions that once flowed from genuine affection towards God first and also your family: praying with your children, blessing your spouse, speaking life instead of just managing logistics.

“Do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Rev. 2:5)

For a congregation, losing its lampstand meant losing its place as a light-bearing body of Christ. For a father, it means forfeiting your spiritual influence. Heartless leadership is unacceptable to God. He wants fathers who love, not just labor. He wants the flame rekindled, not just the structure maintained. Love is not optional—it’s essential.

Let this be a call to remember, repent, and return.

To the Father Who Is Suffering (Smyrna – Rev. 2:8–11)

You are trying your best, but life has not made it easy. The burdens are heavy—financial stress, emotional exhaustion, strained relationships, or hidden health battles. Maybe you’ve been hurt by others. Maybe you’re simply weary of the constant struggle. And in your darkest moments, you wonder if God sees.

The church in Smyrna knew suffering well. Jesus describes them as “rich in faith” even though they were poor in material things. They were about to face persecution, imprisonment, and even death. Yet Jesus offered no condemnation—only encouragement and a call to courage.

Jesus says:

• Do not fear what you are about to suffer. The road ahead may not get easier, but it will not be faced alone. Fear may be natural, but it must not be in control.
• You will be tested. Ten days of tribulation—a short, complete period. Just like Daniel and Job, your testing has a limit and a purpose.
• Be faithful even if it costs you everything. The kind of faith Jesus calls for is not convenient but courageous.

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10)

This isn’t the crown of a ruling monarch (diadema). It is the stephanos—the crown given to victors in a contest. It was the laurel wreath placed on the head of those who endured and overcame. Fathers who suffer in silence, sacrifice in love, and stand firm in storms may not get applause from the world, but Christ sees. And He promises a reward far better than ease: eternal life and honor in the kingdom.

You may be tempted to give up. The world may offer you an easier way—one that bows to culture or chooses comfort over conviction. But Jesus calls you to remain steadfast. Even if the battle intensifies, even if the prison gates close, even if the sword is drawn—hold fast.

The suffering of Smyrna was temporary. So is yours. The crown lasts forever.

To the Father Who Tolerates Harmful Influences (Pergamos – Rev. 2:12–17)

You love your family and cling to Jesus, but you’ve let dangerous ideas, habits, or relationships thrive under your roof. You may not endorse them, but you tolerate them—thinking silence is safer than conflict, or assuming that exposure without engagement won’t do any harm.

The church in Pergamos was praised for holding fast to Jesus’ name, even in the shadow of “Satan’s throne.” Yet they were condemned for permitting false doctrine to exist within their midst. Some in their number held to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans—teachings that promoted compromise, immorality, and idolatry.

Jesus says:

• Repent of your tolerance. You are called not only to protect but to purify. Tolerating destructive influences under the guise of peace can cost your household dearly.
• Confront the compromise. This may mean tough conversations, setting firm boundaries, and even eliminating access to harmful influences in your home.
• Lead with truth and courage. Your family doesn’t just need provision—they need protection and spiritual direction.

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

The sword from Jesus’ mouth symbolizes His Word and His authority to judge (cf. Rev. 1:16; John 12:48). Fathers who fail to correct falsehoods and protect their homes may find that Jesus steps in Himself—but not in comfort. In love and discipline, He fights against the sin we refused to confront.

Spiritual leadership means more than reacting when things fall apart. It means proactively guarding the gates. Don’t let worldly philosophies, toxic entertainment, or spiritually corrosive voices seep into your household. Take up the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), and lead with conviction.

To the Father Who Enables Sin (Thyatira – Rev. 2:18–29)

You are active in love and service. You give your time. You care deeply. But in the name of kindness or open-mindedness, you’ve let sin go unchecked. Maybe it’s lingering in your own heart—a bitterness, a temptation you excuse. Maybe it’s taking root in your home—an unhealthy habit, an unaddressed influence, or a pattern you quietly ignore.

The church in Thyatira was known for its love, faith, service, and perseverance. But Jesus had this against them: they tolerated Jezebel, a false teacher who led others into sexual sin and spiritual compromise. The problem wasn’t just what Jezebel did—it was that the church allowed it to continue.

Jesus says:

• Stop enabling spiritual adultery. Whether it’s pride, impurity, anger, or idolatry, don’t give sin a safe space in your soul or your household.
• Discipline in love. Loving your family means correcting what is harmful, even when it’s difficult. Jesus gave Jezebel time to repent—but she refused. Don’t confuse God’s patience with approval.
• Hold fast to what is pure. Don’t let the compromise of others steal your integrity. Jesus does not lay additional burdens on the faithful—He simply calls you to stand firm.

“Only hold fast what you have until I come.” (Rev. 2:25)

This is a call to courage and clarity. The world’s philosophy tells fathers to be tolerant at all costs, to avoid judgment, and to celebrate every choice. But Jesus calls us to something better: truth in love. Discipline without affection becomes harsh. But affection without discipline becomes permissiveness—and that isn’t love.

Jesus promises that He will search hearts and minds. Every father must ask: What am I tolerating that Jesus would call me to confront? Am I enabling sin by refusing to correct it?

Be strong. Be watchful. Lead with purity. Because holiness isn’t just about you—it’s about those who follow your lead.

To the Father Who Has Grown Spiritually Lazy (Sardis – Rev. 3:1–6)

You’re respected. You look the part. But the fire is gone. You sleepwalk through your role. Maybe you used to pray fervently, lead your family with intentionality, and pursue spiritual growth with zeal. But now you’re just coasting—running on spiritual fumes while your influence slowly fades.

The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus declared it was dead. They were known for their name, but not for their vitality. They had good beginnings, but failed to follow through.

Jesus says:

• Wake up. Sardis was actually known for snoozing when it should be awake. The city was taken over while the guards slept on two different occasions (once to Cyrus and once to Antiochus). Nobody was watching. We are in trouble when are not alert and paying attention. Many fathers are spiritually drowsy. It’s time to open your eyes to what’s really happening in your home and your heart.
• Strengthen what remains. There’s still something left. A flicker. A spark. Don’t let it go out. Fan it into flame with renewed devotion.
• Finish what you start. Maybe you began teaching your children the Word. Maybe you once made spiritual goals for your marriage or your ministry. Don’t let those good beginnings die through neglect.

“Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.” (Rev. 3:3)

This isn’t just about working harder—it’s about remembering what God has already given you: the gospel, the Spirit, the call to lead, and the grace to rise again. Repentance is not shame—it’s a wake-up call.

Jesus warns that if you don’t wake up, He will come like a thief. That is, His judgment and correction will come suddenly, and you won’t see it coming.

Don’t let your legacy be that you coasted. Don’t be a father who had potential but lacked perseverance. Rise up. Finish strong. The few in Sardis who remained faithful were promised white garments and everlasting honor. Let that be you.

To the Quietly Faithful Father (Philadelphia – Rev. 3:7–13)

You’re not flashy. You feel weak. But you’ve stayed true. You’ve held on when others fell away. You don’t make headlines, but you make breakfast. You don’t seek applause, but you stay present. While others boast, you bless. You may not think you’re doing much—but Jesus sees everything.

The church in Philadelphia was small and overlooked. Yet it was the only church that received no rebuke—only praise. Why? Because despite their “little power,” they kept Christ’s word and did not deny His name.

Jesus says:

• I have opened a door for you. Walk through it. This is a door of opportunity—perhaps in your children’s hearts, in someone you can disciple, or in a quiet ministry no one else sees. Walk through the doors God has opened with courage.
• Hold fast. Don’t let fatigue or distraction pull you away from what matters most. The crown is not for the loud or proud, but for the faithful.
• No one can steal your crown. What you’re building in quiet faithfulness will not be lost. The legacy of love, truth, and example you leave behind will shine long after you’re gone.

“I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Rev. 3:8)

In a world that values charisma over character, God honors humble strength. Quiet fathers who persevere build fortresses of faith for future generations. Jesus calls you a pillar in His temple. You may feel small now, but you are part of something eternal.

So keep showing up. Keep praying over your children. Keep loving your wife. Keep reading the Word and doing what it says. You may not be loud—but your life is a loud testimony of faith.

To the Comfortable, Lukewarm Father (Laodicea – Rev. 3:14–22)

You have success. You have stuff. But Jesus is outside your door. You have built a life of ease, routine, and respectability—but somewhere along the way, you stopped depending on God. You still believe, but not passionately. You pray, but not urgently. Your spiritual life has become lukewarm—neither on fire nor stone cold.

The church in Laodicea was materially rich but spiritually bankrupt. They said, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing they were “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17). Their comfort had numbed their need for Christ.

Jesus says:

• Buy from Me what really matters. Stop investing in things that fade. Seek the riches of Christ—faith, holiness, and intimacy with God. Let Him clothe your shame and open your eyes.
• Be zealous. Repent. Don’t coast on past commitments. Rekindle your fire. Zeal can be renewed. Repentance can reignite what success has smothered.
• Open the door. Let Me back in. Jesus is not far away. He’s at the door—knocking. But He will not force His way in. You must answer.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Jesus’ rebuke to Laodicea is not born out of anger but love. “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.” (Rev. 3:19) He desires restoration, not rejection. He doesn’t want you to just do more—He wants you back.

Comfort is one of the greatest threats to conviction. Fathers who grow too content risk becoming indifferent. And indifference is deadly to spiritual leadership. You may not reject Jesus outright—but are you letting Him lead?

Jesus offers not just correction but a reward: to sit with Him on His throne (Rev. 3:21). But first, you must open the door.

Let Christ reign again in your heart. Let Him back into your decisions, your habits, your parenting, your priorities. The throne of your home should not be occupied by convenience or culture—but by Christ.

Conclusion:

Jesus’ messages to the seven churches offer a mirror for every father—a spiritual report card that both exposes weaknesses and encourages renewal. These are not vague platitudes; they encourage examination and are spoken by the One who walks among the lampstands and searches the heart.

Fathers are the spiritual shepherds of their homes, and the lessons from Revelation 2–3 are a personal call to:

• Remember your first love. Don’t just go through the motions. Rekindle the passion that once burned for God, your spouse, and your children.
• Repent of sin and passivity. When conviction comes, don’t shrug it off—embrace it as an invitation to grow.
• Be faithful in suffering. Trials are not signs of abandonment, but proving grounds for enduring faith.
• Hold fast to truth. In a world full of compromise, cling to the unchanging Word of God.
• Wake up and finish strong. Don’t drift. Don’t settle. Stay alert and fulfill your calling to the very end.
• Let Christ reign again in your home. Don’t just invite Him into your Sunday mornings—crown Him Lord over every area of life.

Some fathers need to rekindle a faded love. Others need to resist compromise, confront sin, or rise from spiritual sleep. Some simply need encouragement to stay the course. But all of us—regardless of where we stand—need to hear the voice of Jesus and respond.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The same Spirit that spoke to Ephesus and Smyrna, Pergamos and Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea now speaks to you.

Fatherhood is not a title. It’s a mission. And Jesus is calling you to rise, to lead, and to overcome.

To him who overcomes—the crown awaits.

By Jeremy Sprouse

Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.