Month: July 2019

Greetings to the seven Churches (part 5)

Greetings to the seven Churches (part 5)

Revelation 2:18-28 ESV

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.“

Thyatira, an ancient city of Greece, known for its colorful clothing lines. That sounds better than being known for its dyeing facilities. It was a hub of trade and tradesmen of wool-workers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and bronze-smiths. It also had a significant number of Christians. In writing to the seven church, Thyatira makes the list.

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith, and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.“

Being known for love, faith, service, patient endurance, and work that exceeds their first acts of faith is a great compliment. It would be easy to look and stop there. We have arrived! But, like all of our previous churches, we read a warning.

20 “But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

Jezebel, was it a real woman or a figure of speech? Well, we understand the term Jezebel to mean, from Websters Dictionary: “often not capitalized: an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman.” We also know Jezebel from the Old Testament: “the Phoenician wife of Ahab who according to the account in I and II Kings pressed the cult of Baal on the Israelite kingdom but was finally killed in accordance with Elijah’s prophecy.” Was this Jezebel in Thyatira a real person or just the idea of a Jezebel spirit among the people? Either way, we see that a sexually immoral and double-mindedness mindset was invading the believers and the Lord sent a word of warning. 

Of all sins, sexual sin is regarded as a “sin against his own body.” As we read in 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” It holds a different place, yes, sin is sin, and all sin separates us from God and requires a repentant heart. However, sexual sin is called out here specifically as a sin against our own body and for those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within, “thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

24 “But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’“

We are to flee the devil. If sexual sin is considered here among the deep things of Satan, why would we want any part? If you are breathing, you still have an opportunity to repent! He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

You are loved,

cj

Greeting to the Seven Churches (part 4)

Greeting to the Seven Churches (part 4)

Not long ago, there was an advertising agency that came up with a catchphrase that has become so popular that it is now often changed to suit other things. It was an ingenious slogan; “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” Even when it’s changed to some other town or place, everyone knows the original phrase and place, sin-city, Las Vegas. It is a dreadful place, really. i have son’s who live in Vegas, and so as i visit them, i am reminded how depraved the place really is. How incredibly full of sin and sexual filth. To the Church in Pergamum, the Angel was told this by the one with the two-edged sword, Jesus himself.

“I know that you live in the city where that great throne of Satan is located, and yet you have remained loyal to me. And you refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you by Satan’s followers.” Revelation 2:13 NLT

It is clear that there is a Church, a remnant of believers, in this sin, awful place referred too in this verse.  However, as with most of these letters to the seven churches, there is a warning.

“And yet I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you who are like Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to worship idols by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.” Revelation 2:14 NLT

Balak was King of Moab and tried very hard to get Balaam to curse Israel. Fortunately, God had other plans. In fact, some of the Jewish prayers said to this day, even one that includes a prophetic word of the coming Messiah, are taken from the blessings that came from Balaam even though Balak’s desire was for a curse. Even still, there is obviously some harm that came as the Lord speaks of it here in Revelation. Beware! That the devil will use anything to cause you to stumble. We must remain diligent in our efforts to follow after Jesus with all that we have!

“In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation 2:15-16 NLT

Here are the Nicolaitans again, remember from a few weeks ago? Here we get another glimpse into what they were teaching, idol worship, and sexual sins. There is a growing tolerance within the Christian community for idols and sexual sins. We gloss over them with the word “grace” be mindful, sin is still sin, and there will be judgment as written here in Revelation! Repent, return to the Lord!

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 NLT

There is victory only in Jesus, and although love covers a multitude of sins, it is clear that obedience to the Word of God in relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, will we be victorious! 

You are loved,

cj

Greetings to the Seven Churches (part 3)

Greetings to the Seven Churches (part 3)

To the Church in Smyrna

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Jesus declares to the Church in Smyrna that He is aware of their struggles. Poverty, and slander by those according to the synagogue of Satan. This title, given to “those who say that they are Jews and are not . . .” should be to us a warning. You see this was written at a time when the Church was still meeting in the synagogues and Jews were still very much interested in the teachings of Jesus. However, this particular group was not even recognized as Jews for their hearts were far from God. It reminds me of 2 Timothy 3:5; “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” This can very easily apply to many in the Church today. 

This passage as a whole fly’s in the face of those who would preach a prosperity gospel. Clearly, this group is about to suffer some tremendous tribulations. Yet, they are instructed to “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Now to us, many followers of the Way are struggling in poverty, although they are rich, rich in perhaps faith, or rich in a way, as to be, not nearly as poverty-stricken as many others around the world. Regardless, it is easy to see that our prosperity will come with the crown of life. The reality of these Churches should reveal that yes some in prosper in ways others don’t. Still, other Churches will be successful while others struggle. For reasons that will be revealed only after this life. We aren’t called to worry about such things, only that we remain faithful with what we are given for as long as we are alive!

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

You are loved,

cj

Greetings to the Seven Churches (Part 2)

Greetings to the Seven Churches (Part 2)

Ephesus was considered a great city in its day. The Capital City of the Roman province known as Asia Minor, it was also rich in culture and a center for commerce. Ephesus was also a religious hub including a sect known as Christians or at the time, “followers of the Way.” It just so happens it is our first stop on our tour of the seven Churches written about in Revelation. As i stated last week i believe the Churches written about in Revelation are both, historical, as they were written to, as well as, future, they will be present throughout history and even at the time of Jesus’ return. As you read through these letters, my hope is that you will see yourself and if called to repent, you will do so! If encouraged, you would be so! If challenged, you would live so!

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.” Revelation 2:1

Very clearly from the start, we read that Jesus is an active participant in the churches. He desires to lead, but we must be willing to listen and to follow.

“I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” Revelation 2:2-3

What high praise! They are diligent in their work, toil, patience, they disdain evil, they test those who teach to ensure they are truly of the Way. In all this, they have not grown weary. Wow, this is definitely all good things! Yet, still, Jesus desires something of them:

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2:4-5 (5 in part)

Here we read and learn that the journey that we are on has moments of running hot and cold. Like in our own relationships with others, there are times that we are really connected and times we are aloof. It appears the church in Ephesus was in a period of “going through the motions” they lost the reason and significance of what they were doing! The work was there the passion was not! They became more about the task than about the person of Jesus! At this, they are called to repent! To return to their first love and the love they had at first. Can you remember when you first followed Jesus? The desire to know Him more and more intimately. Your love at first ran HOT! Where are you now? Do you know why you do what you do or do you do because you have simply always done? There is a warning! A call to repentance! So there must be a reason and here it is:

 “If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Revelation 2:5 (5 in part)

He isn’t just speaking to fill the air with His voice! There is a reason and that reason is holiness! Yes, we are covered in the blood of Jesus and made holy in Him! But that does not give us a license to live outside of holiness. We must rise above, through the power of the Holy Spirit and live as called.

“Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Revelation 2:6

The Nicolaitans were apparently a group calling themselves “Christians” or “Followers of the Way” but obviously they were only fooling themselves. Can you think of groups of folks calling themselves Christian today and teaching and doing falsely? We need to be alert and we, like the Lord, must hate their works, for they are doing more harm than good as they lead astray those that are not rooted in Truth!

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7 ESV

Do you have ears? Then hear and listen! Become a conquerer, and on that day Jesus appoints you will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter your rest.” You will enjoy the fruit of your labor from the tree of life in the paradise of God!

You are loved,

cj