JCSLK 78 Jesus John and the Churches Revelation 2, 3

 

JCSLK 78 Jesus John and the Churches

Revelation 2,

 Sermon Video

Introduction:

Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are also a wake-up call from the Lord to every generation and church since it was founded. Before John wrote the book of the Apocalypse, Paul was trying to wake up Christians and churches. Romans 13:11-12 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

I shared this quote last week, let me use it here for the introduction. AW Tozer who over 50 years ago was also trying to wake up a sleeping Christianity. “Evangelical Christianity is now tragically below the New Testament standard. Worldliness is an accepted part of our way of life. Our religious mood is social instead of spiritual. We have lost the art of worship. We are not producing saints. Our models are successful businessmen, celebrated athletes and theatrical personalities. Christianity is so entangled with the world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere. The world is whitewashed just enough to pass inspection by blind men posing as believers. The Church has sprung a leak and the world is leaking into the Church.” – A. W. Tozer.

Let’s do a quick review of the beginning of Revelation.

The Churches’ Christ

Jesus Seen by John and The Churches

John hears Jesus speaking and commissioning him to write this epistle. Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

John turns after hearing the attention demanding voice of Jesus, Revelation 1:12-16 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 -- His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Jesus Standing In the Midst of His Churches.

His garment and hair are white which shows His sinlessness and purity.

His eyes like flame, his feet like brass just pulled from the furnace, and a sword proceeds from his mouth. Jesus as the righteous judge, and avenger of those who harm His churches.

His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Jesus in His great glory and power, putting even the sun to shame.

The seven stars, Jesus says, are the angels of the seven churches which are represented by the seven lamp stands. The angels of the churches, I believe are the pastors who are messengers of God when they preach the word of God.

The outline of the Book is given to us by Jesus Christ as well it is in Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, (John’s vision, Revelation 1) and the things which are (the situation of the 7 churches in the present, Revelation 2-3) and the things which shall be hereafter (the consummation of the age, the final week of Daniel’s prophecy, the coming of the King. Revelation 4-22)

The Churches’ Corrected

The Church Corrected

Ephesus – The Church That Left Their First Love: Revelation 2:1–7

The Description of the church at Ephesus. This was a hardworking, active church. It did not tolerate evil, or false teachers, it was strong and enduring for the name of Christ.

And yet there was something that the Lord needed to correct, and it was not a minor issue. “Nevertheless, he says, “I have somewhat against thee, because you have left your first love.” First love here means first in order of priority. The first love of a church is Jesus and Ephesus had fallen out of love with their Savior and Lord. They were busy for the sake of busyness not for the love of their savior.

Pergamos or mum: The Church Polluted with the Worldly - Revelation 2:12–17

Jesus says the church still holds to the name of Jesus in spite of dwelling where Satan’s seat is. As metaphorical as that sounds, there was a famous altar in Pergamos” that was dedicated to Zeus and was one of the wonders of that ancient world. The Pergamon Altar, the Altar of Zeus, was a large, throne-shaped altar built in the first half of the 2nd century BC on the terraces of the acropolis. Interestingly, in 1878, a German engineer began excavations on the Acropolis. He dismantled the relief panels and transferred them to Berlin. In 1930, the altar was displayed in East Berlin’s Pergamum Museum during the rise of Hitler. The altar caught the eye of a young man named Albert Speer, the new chief architect for the Nazi Party. Adolf Hitler commissioned him to design the parade grounds for the party rallies in Nuremberg. For inspiration, Speer turned to the Pergamon Altar. Satan’s seat indeed.

Pergamum, which once stood strong even when confronted by death, has now opened itself to the teachings of Balaam and also allowed in their membership those which believe like the Nicolaitans. Balaam was an OT prophet who set Israel on the path to compromise with the idolatrous nations around them, and Nicolatianism is a word that means "Rule over the laity" in other words these were people who were spiritual elitists, they believed they had superior ability or spiritual insight and therefore they should rule over others in the church.

Jesus tells them to “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

There are many Pergamos churches today. It is a church that has allowed the world to mix or even define its worship of Jesus. It is also a church which has usurped local church authority, with elitists either inside the church or denominations outside the local church ruling in the place of the Holy Spirit in each person in the church membership.

Thyatira: The Church Of Sexual Immorality - Revelation 2:18–29

Thyatira was a working church, it is a church that exemplifies charity, service for the Lord, and faith in the Lord. They are doing more now than they were doing when first founded. But, there was a serious problem of immorality. Jesus charges them, “you allow that woman Jezebel, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.”

Once again there are many Thyatirian churches today filled with people, and pastors who see no conflict with sexual immorality and God’s word. Jesus punishment for those churches will be harsh.

Sardis: The Church That Is Dying - Revelation 3:1–6

The church at Sardis had no qualities that the Lord could commend. It was a dying, nearly dead church. They had a reputation, or perhaps a high opinion of themselves but the truth was that they were in truth dead in the eyes of their Lord.

Laodiceans: The Church That Is Lukewarm - Revelation 3:14–22

Ahh, the famous church at Laodicea. The church Jesus tells them, they are lukewarm and they will be spat out in disgust, like a foul tasting drink of water. The church sees itself as rich and needed nothing but Jesus sees them as wretched, miserable, poor blind and naked. Here as it was at Sardis there is nothing positive that the Lord can commend.

The remedy for Laodicea and all the churches was always Jesus. Repent and go to Jesus. Ephesus, He is your first love, Pergamus, He is your hidden manna, Thyratria, He is your morning star. Sardis, He is your companion who will walk with you in white raiment. Philadelphia, He is the one who stands at the door and knocks, seeking an invitation to dwell with you, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

The Gauge of Godliness

Revelation chapter 2 and 3 are a gauge by which the Lord’s churches today are to measure themselves. We need to examine ourselves and see if we have lost our first love, or if we are dying, worldly or lukewarm. And in every case, wherever the Holy Spirit convicts us that we are, the cure, the remedy is the same. Repent and turn to Jesus. These churches are not church ages they are church gauges and we need to “hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.”

After all those problem churches lets conclude with the two churches that Jesus does not tell to repent and has no correction, but only consolation and encouragement. Lets look at the

The Churches’ Comforted

The Churches Jesus Consoles

Smyrna: The Church Under Persecution - Revelation 2:8–11 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus is portrayed as “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” Once again, the description repeats the vision of chapter one. To a church like Smyrna under severe persecution this description would give hope. Hope because their Savior had suffered be He overcame even death.

Jesus describes the church by looking at the tribulation and the poverty the world sees, but he tells them that in His eyes they are truly rich. This is the exact opposite of Laodicea which saw themselves as rich and lacking nothing but in Jesus eyes they were poor miserable, blind and naked. Jesus assures the church at Smyrna that he is aware of the lies against them, He calls it the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, the very people who are persecuting the church. Jesus says, they are not Jews, but are members of Satan’s synagogue.

He comforts and encourages them by telling them not to be afraid. Yes, they will be tried, but the trial will be limited and those who are faithful will receive a crown of life. They will overcome, and because believers always overcome, the second death will not touch them.

This is a church that is undergoing a life-threatening trial or persecution but they will overcome because it is a church that is filled with believers. Believers, who are the true children of God, the truly saved, will always remain faithful no matter the trial, pain or suffering they must pass through. They are faithful, strong and persevering because they are the children of God. They may stumble in the midst of trial but they will not stay down.

Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

A Smyrna Church today: 

Today, is a church enduring persecution, problems or tribulation and like Smyrna, such a church must always remember that Jesus has not forgotten them. He knows the pain, the sorrow, the loss, the hurt they are struggling through. But He sees not what they lack but who they love. He does not see their poverty, instead He sees their power.

When a church is hurting, it must remember that believers are overcomers who will not quit, because Jesus Christ, their Savior and Lord, did not quit. He suffered the beatings, the mocking, and the cruel cross, but even death could not defeat Him. And they should know that they are overcomers through Jesus. He sees faithfulness in persecution and it means more to Him than a façade of piety.

He encourages the church “Be faithful even unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Philadelphia: The Church Of The Open Door - Revelation 3:7–13 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

To the church in Philadelphia, Jesus shows himself as, “He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth:” This is Jesus as the one who has the authority and power over Israel, the church and the entire world. Jesus has the power to open any and all doors.

Jesus used keys once before to show authority, this time the authority he was giving to the church, Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This was the power of the Gospel, given to the church to open the doors to the kingdom of heaven.

When he describes the church at Philadelphia, it is once again from His perspective, He says they have been given an open door, opened by Him and no man can shut it. This speaks of God given opportunity for the church to take the Gospel and change the city of Philadelphia and the authority to go wherever Jesus opens the door and change the world. No matter what men, governments or nations try to shut out the church, it will always fail, because Jesus has the authority and has given us the key that opens all closed doors.

Matthew 28:18-19 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore!

But pay attention to the reason Jesus opens this particular door for the church at Philadelphia, Revelation 3:8 for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The door is opened by Christ because they were weak in their own strength but have found strength by keeping His Word and by being faithful to His name.

He also promised to reward them by proving they were justified by Him and to make those who persecuted them as they did at Smyrna, those in the synagogue of Satan, to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

He also promises Revelation 3:10-11 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

They will not, nor will any of the Lord’s overcomers go through the tribulation. He makes that promise right here. He then tells them He is coming quickly and to hold fast what they have and not to let anyone take their heavenly reward for serving Him faithfully. 

The reward to the overcomers of the church at Philadelphia is in Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

They would be a pillar in the Temple of God, have three names written by Jesus on them, the name of God, the name of the city of God and the new name of Jesus. These rewards, as are all the rewards to the overcomers, are about being with the Godhead and being honored by God and Jesus in the halls of heaven.

 Being a Church Of The Open Door

Wouldn’t it be something to be a Philadelphian church? Every pastor prays for it, hopes that it might be true for the church he leads. To be a church with a Jesus opened door. Where nothing can hinder or hurt it, a church where real revival is happening. Where people are excited about coming, excited about inviting others to some and see what the Lord is doing in our church. Come and see, people are getting saved, getting baptized, being discipled.

It has happened before and we should be praying, Lord, let it happen again. But also you must understand that you can’t make it happen in your own power or plans. No pastor can do that and neither can anyone sitting in the pew. Only Jesus can open this door. But we must keep our selves ready to walk through when He opens it.

We must be a church like Philadelphia and Smyrna. We must see ourselves as weak in our strength, poor in our eyes but know that we are strong and rich in Jesus Christ. We must be faithful and hold fast to the testimony of Jesus because only those churches judged by the Lord as worthy experience the doors being opened. 

 Conclusion

Jesus Invitation

No one can predict when the Lord might need our church to go through tribulation for His name’s sake. No one can know when the Lord might open the door of our community or country with the power of His name and the Gospel. All those things are in the power, plan and providence of God. But there is one thing I can absolutely predict and know. It here in the invitation Jesus gives to each and every church in Revelation 2 and 3.

Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

When Jesus preached on the earth he often used this same invitation, Matthew 11:15 “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

He is speaking to individual hearts, individual ears and telling them, “Listen and then act on what you hear.” It is not a passive listening that Jesus is talking about. It is an invitation, it is a command, it is a warning. “if you hear, then understand and then do that which the Holy Spirit of God is telling you to do.”

The invitation, the command, the warning is the same for us this morning. If you are hearing, then you should be acting. Do what the Spirit of God is telling you, through the Word of God, to do.