Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

To the angel of the church in (America) write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. What sorrow for you who buy up house after house and field after field, until everyone is evicted and you live alone in the land. But I have heard the LORD of Heaven’s Armies swear a solemn oath:  “Many houses will stand deserted; even beautiful mansions will be empty.”

Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

Re 2:7; Re 2:1-2, Ja 5:5, Re 2:4; Is 5:8-9; Ha 1:5-6; Ja 5:2-3; Re 3:17

This verse compilation is from Richard Stearns’ (President of World Vision) “Letter to America” found in his book, The Hole in Our Gospel (Thomas Nelson, 2009, pp 223-224).

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.