December 2019 – Page 3

6.c. But I have a few things against you:

Revelation 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Pergamum was known for a few things; Satan’s home and dwelling place, the altar to Zeus, and Asclepius the god of healing )also known as Asclepius the Savior). This is the place where these Christian believers lived. This is the culture they were surrounded in, day in and day out. Every day their faith was being tested and it took conviction and courage to fight them. It appears that some of the people in the church at Pergamos were thinking they could indulge in the pagan practices around them without harm to their own spirituality. Though they had been courageous in maintaining their faith they were beginning to compromise their faith by adding pagan practices to it. They were slowly adopting these practices into their daily lives. When you read this do you think about what has crept into your life that you have adopted because others have adopted into theirs? Do you wonder why there appears no to be a difference between how non-believers and believers live out their lives? Christ gives a clear warning. Repent of these practices and walk worthy of your calling in Jesus Christ.

6.b. Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

revelation 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘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. 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. 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.’

Habakkuk 2:3   For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Matthew 10:22     And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 10:28    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:4-7     And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

The Church of Smyrna was located within a city that worshipped the emperor and second, pagan gods. They were mocked for believing. They were living in poverty for believing. They suffered for believing. In this prophetic letter, written to them, they were told some of them would suffer prison and other testings/tribulations. Some of these testings/tribulations would lead to or end up in the death of the believer. “Do not fear what you are about to suffer” are the words of Jesus Christ to them.

Do we suffer at all for our beliefs? Are we persecuted for our belief? I really don’t think we are. In fact, we may just be on the other side of this altogether, where we are blessed beyond all measure. Where suffering and persecution are put aside and God’s protection against these types of trials keeps them away. What kind of a believer would we be if this life of blessings was removed and suffering, trials, persecution, and tribulations were allowed into our life? Would we stand firm? Would we cling to, rely on, and trust in Jesus Christ. The Church of Smyrna was not warned about anything related to their conduct and lives as believers, their walk was firm. Their belief was firm. Their trust in Jesus Christ was firm. Their hope was firm. They were encouraged to stand firm and not be fearful of what was coming. It is one thing to stand firm when you live in times of blessings and altogether different when living in a time of persecution, trials, suffering, poverty, and tribulation. We would do well to learn to cast all worldly trusts aside and walk in humble service to Jesus Christ, with our eyes focused on Him not what the world has to offer.

6.a.

Revelation 2:1 “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. “‘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. 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. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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.’

We can all learn from the letters to the seven churches listed in Revelation. These letters were written to both those present at the time of receiving the letter and to all in the future. The expectation and application are just as pertinent for their culture as ours, for believing churches then as now, for believers then as now.

The lesson in the letter to Ephesus teaches that truth and love must go hand-in-hand. A church that upholds doctrinal purity at the expense of showing love is just as flawed as a church that upholds congregational harmony at the expense of truthful teachings. Instead, Jesus reveals that a church fashioned in His image must teach God’s Truth in love. (Christianity.com)

Given the high degree of assimilation of North American Christians to our culture’s values—more time spent on entertainment than on witness, more money spent on our comfort than on human need—the prognosis for the society as a whole is not good.

When pagans charged that Rome fell because of its conversion to Christianity, Augustine responded that it fell rather because its sins were piled as high as heaven and because the commitment of most of its Christian population remained too shallow to restrain God’s wrath. Naturally, we recognize that not all suffering reflects judgment; but some do, especially on the societal level. Is Western Christianity genuinely different enough from our cultures to delay God’s judgment on our societies? (Zondervan Academic)

6. Write therefore the things that you have seen

Revelation 1:19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

John is told to write about what he has seen, those that are and those that are to take place. To see something our eyes have to be open and be willing to see what is there and not just what we want to see. How many times in scripture do we read about people and nations who were blinded from seeing the truth because their hearts and minds were on things apart from God? They were unable to see the wonders of God. They were unable to see His awesome power through creation. In Romans it says “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” They were unable to see His grace, mercy, and love through scripture. It is as though they chose to let the light of this world expose things of this world and overshadow the Light of Jesus Christ. In their heart, they say; “I know what I just saw but I don’t believe it”

What do you see as you go about your day? Do you see things of God, God’s power, God’s control, God’s revealing, God’s blessings, God’s directing, God’s discipline, God’s wonders, God’s creation, God’s grace, mercy, and love, God’s answer to prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit? Let the light of Jesus Christ fill your vision with awe, wonder, and praise. It is when our heart, mind, and soul are intentionally committed to living in the light of Jesus Christ that our eyes will be opened and then like the hymn says; “morning by morning new mercies I see” We can not expect to see the light of Jesus Christ while we choose to walk in darkness that is caused by neglect and complacency to God’s Word. Choosing to walk in the light will expose new understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It will light your path and give you direction for every moment of every day. It will give you the courage to face whatever you are facing that day. It will give you a refuge from the fiery darts from Satan. It will give you hope in the midst of trials and trouble. It will give you strength when you are weak. It will be a place of refuge. It will confirm the awesomeness of Jesus Christ. It is when we choose and commit to walking in the light of God’s word that we will reflect the light of Jesus Christ for others to see. It is then we will be able to see things as they are and things that are to take place.

5.z. I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Revelation 1:18 I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Psalms 68:20     Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

Isaiah 22:22    And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Matthew 16:19     I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Revelation 9:1    And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

Revelation 20:1-2     Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.

Revelation 20:14     Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Romans 14:8-9     For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Death has a finality to it and Christ has been all authority over it. To some, this will be death to eternal life. For others, it will be death to eternal torment. The difference is between those who trust in, cling to, and rely on Jesus Christ redemption and forgiveness of sin, and those who choose to reject salvation through Jesus Christ is their eternal destiny. Many live like and eternal destiny does not matter or even exist. This still does not negate what God’s word promises to both. Rejecting Jesus Christ, the one who went to the cross to suffer and die once and for all for our sin seals their eternal death and torment forever and ever. Likewise, those who believe in by faith trust in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sin seals their eternal life and forevermore with Jesus Christ.

God has revealed this mystery throughout scripture. Sin always has consequences and obedience always has a reward. Self-centered Christ-rejecting people do not believe in Jesus Christ, the need for Jesus Christ, judgment, wrath, and anger of God. They reject the idea of judgment and eternal torment. Yet those whose hearts have softened to the call of Jesus Christ sought forgiveness of sin, and chose to believe His sacrifice and promise that it forever cleanses them. To them will be a time of rejoicing at the second coming of Jesus Christ for they will forever be with Him in eternity.

The time for this choice is while we are alive this side of eternity. There is no chance after death to choose. At the time of death, our eternity is sealed forever. Choose faith in the sacrifice and redemption found in Jesus Christ.

5.y.

Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ezekiel 1:28    Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Daniel 10:17-19    How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”  Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.  And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

Genesis 15:1    After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Exodus 14:13    And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today.

Exodus 20:20    Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”

Daniel 10:12    Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

Luke 24:37-39    But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.  And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

I am not sure how we think we would react to seeing the appearance of an angel or our Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t think about it much do we? We may not even believe it could happen. In our culture, we seem to think everything is explainable because the thought of angels or Jesus appearing, or for that matter that there is a loving God of creation active in His creation. The unexplained isn’t seen as a wonder or work of God. It is just discounted as though it did not happen and should someone say it did they are discounted and not believed.

Should we see an angel or the Lord Jesus Christ on this side of eternity, I am sure we would be filled with terror at the glory of His appearance. We would be aware of nothing but the fact we are in the presence of Holiness and unworthy of being there.

Those who await the return of the Lord at His second coming with faith and hope will see Him and humbly fall on their face. I am not sure it will be in terror but in total reverence, thankfulness, and high regard. Those who are not looking for or believe in Him will see Him and when they do terror will fill their soul for they will see the glory of the Lord they did not believe in.

One thing is for certain, there awaits a day for both the believer and the non-believer, when Jesus will call to His own and gather them unto Himself – Heaven, and to those who are not He will cast away into torment forever – Hell. To the believer, be ever watching. To the non-believer, come to Him alone who can save you from the day of wrath that surely is coming soon.