Building a house
Beginning a couple of months ago, I taught through the book of Ruth. I began with an overview – teaching the entire book and how the book fits into the Old Testament and the whole of Scripture. Then, over the next four weeks, I taught chapter by chapter.
As I was studying this short book, I was amazed at the focus on “house” at the end of chapter 4:
Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman. (Ruth 4:11-12 ESV)
Since Ruth ends with David, this focus on “house” reminded me of the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7. In 2 Samuel 7:1-17, David looks around at the house that he’s built for himself and decides that he should build a house for God. God, however, has other plans. God plans to build a house for David:
Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. (2 Samuel 7:11b ESV)
While this seems like a simple statement among a larger covenant, this is the point that causes David to be in awe and to praise God, which is recorded in the second half of this chapter. David says:
For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever. (2 Samuel 7:27-29 ESV)
David understands the distinction that God is making here. David knows that he already has a house – that is, a physical dwelling place – but God has now promised to build David an eternal house – that is, an eternal family. Furthermore, God promised that one of David’s descendants would rule his house for eternity.
While Solomon thought that he and the temple were the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy (1 Kings 8:11), the authors of the New Testament picked up on this theme and applied it to Jesus. They understood Jesus to be the seed of David who will rule the house of David for eternity. But, what is the house of David that God promised and that Jesus rules over?
This is how the author of Hebrews interprets this house:
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses- as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. (Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV)
Did you catch that last sentence? We are his house! When God promised David to build an eternal house, he was talking about us – his children. I think David understood that God’s people would be an eternal house, and this is what caused David to be in awe and to praise God.
But, have we lost the awe of the fact that God is building us into his house – his dwelling place? Do we understand that God dwells with us and in us (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19)? Do we understand that we are living stones being built into a house that offers spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5)? Do we know that we function as God’s house – God’s dwelling place – and grow when we work together with the abilities that God supplies to each one (Eph 2:19-22; 4:15-16)?
I know that in some ways I have lost the awe of understanding that God dwells in me. If I understood the magnitude of this, I think I would live differently. I would respond to other people and to situations differently. Worry and stress would be things of the past. Fear? How could I be afraid if God is WITH me? More than that, I think I would expect God to communicate with me and I would listen more for him to communicate with me.
God is building a house, and we are that house! What a blessed people we are!
What if we met to edify one another?
Occasionally, I’m asked if I think churches today should meet in the same way that churches met in the first century, as described in the New Testament. This questions is usually followed by a statement such as, “Should we also wear robes and sandals when we meet together?”
Certainly there are major differences between the twenty-first century and the first century. While I do not believe that we should do everything exactly like the church did in the New Testament, I do believe that we who live in the twenty-first century can learn something from those who lived in the first century – even when it comes to the church meeting.
First of all, consider the standard church meeting of today. These meetings usually center on locations, leaders, music, preaching, and money. Are these bad things? No. People need a place to meet. It is good to recognize leaders. Singing praise to God is a good thing. Preaching and teaching are important. Money is necessary for some of the things that we do. But, do we find these things the focus of the church meeting in the New Testament.
I suggest that if we study the meeting of the church in the New Testament, we will not find a focus on location, leaders, music, preaching, or money. Are they important. Yes, but they are not most important. I suggest that instead of changing the way the church meets today, we would learn more by changing our focus during the meeting to the focus of the gathered church in the New Testament.
What was the focus of the gathered church in the New Testament? The purpose of the church meeting was to allow each believer an opportunity to exercise his or her spiritual gifts in a manner that built up other believers, that is, that encouraged them toward maturity in Jesus Christ. If the church changed its focus today, would it change the way that we meet? I think that it would. However, if we start with changing the way that we meet, then we are starting with the wrong thing. Let’s start with our purpose. If we start with the purpose of building up one another in Christ, then the format of the meeting will fall into place.
If we start by recognizing that we should meet together so that we can build up one another, then the reason for locations, leaders, music, preaching, and money also falls into place. Similarly, we can make decisions based on the reason that we meet together as a church.
Think about the way your church meets. Does the meeting of your church reflect the purpose of allowing each believer to exercise his or her spiritual gifts in order to build up others toward maturity in Christ?
The Churches of Revelation – Summary
In Revelation chapters 2-3, Jesus sends seven messages to seven different churches in Asia: the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. However, at the end of each letter, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. It seems that Jesus intended for all of his followers to listen to and learn from each letter sent to each specific church.
Some of these churches were living during a time of persecution, other churches had just gone through a time of persecution, and for other churches persecution was coming soon. Some of the churches were wealthy and influential by the standards of this world, while other churches were poor and weak by the standards of this world. But, there is one thing that each church shared in common with all of the other churches: each of the churches had works.
All of the churches were doing something. However, Jesus did not praise the churches nor did he warn the churches simply based on the fact that they were doing something. Works themselves did not earn praise from Jesus nor did works on their own earn Jesus’ reproach. Instead, Jesus examined the motivation and intention behind the works. Jesus was looking for works that were motivated by love and done out of faith and dependence upon him. Works without love are worthless. Works without faith are worthless. And, works done on human strength and ingenuity are worthless.
On the other hand, Jesus praised works that were motivated by love – even when those works seemed powerless. Jesus praised works that demonstrated and responded to faith in him. Also, Jesus praised works that were done in complete dependence upon him. Thus, the magnitude and effectiveness of the works themselves are not a standard of measurement. Jesus measures works – either good or bad – based on love, faith, and dependence upon him. In other words, Jesus does not measure our works based on what we can do for him, but on what we allow him to do for and through us.
However, when we refuse to do works based on our own strength, and instead wait for Jesus to work in and through us, there is a tendency to push ahead of where Jesus is working. Because of this, Jesus also praises those churches who demonstrate patience and endurance. It takes patience and endurance to wait for Jesus in the midst of persecution, trials, antagonism, and even during good times. It is natural to want to push ahead and to do as much as possible and to be as effective as possible. Again, these are not the measures of success for a church. Instead, churches are measures by love, faith, and complete dependence upon Jesus.
Also, the churches in Revelation were continually warned to stand against false teaching, and once again this false teaching is defined as that type of teaching that leads to works that are contrary to the gospel. Specifically, Jesus mentions idolatry and sexual immorality. But, we could also extrapolate this to include any works – any lifestyle even – that does not demonstrate “good works”. We have already seen that “good works” for Jesus are works that are motivated by love, faith, and dependence up him. Thus, churches should stand against those teachings that lead people toward works that do not demonstrate or are not motivated by love, faith, and dependence upon Jesus.
There are magazines, studies, web sites, and gurus that will help you measure the success of your church. In reality, there is only one measure: Jesus Christ is both the measure (standard) and the judge. In these letters to the churches of Asia, he continually stressed love, faith, and dependence upon him. Notice specifically that Jesus did not count numbers, nor did he measure financial wealth, nor did he consider political influence, nor did he count education, nor did he consider buildings and property. Instead, Jesus measured each church based on their love, faith, and dependence on him. Perhaps these are the measures that we should use when determining the success of our churches in the perspective of the head of the church.
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary
Weekend with Friends
God has been very gracious to us this weekend. Friday evening, our family was able to spend a quiet evening at home. This was a needed break, because the last few months have been very busy.
Saturday morning, our children took part in a Tae Kwon Do demo at a Fall Carnival at the local Catholic church. Some friends stopped by the watch the demo and support them. We’re always grateful for friends who will take the time to share their lives with us.
Saturday afternoon, our family travelled south of Raleigh to a cornfield maze (see pictures at our family blog). Seven other friends with us. Even though the corn was short because of the drought, we all had a great time racing through the maze, playing horseshoes, and just hanging out.
Our church did not meet as normal Sunday morning. Our location had been leased to someone else for the day, so we met at a different location Sunday afternoon. Since our morning was free, we decided to spend it with our neighbor and their church. We also had lunch with our neighbors. It was great to be able to spend time with them and get to know them better. We were very encouraged, and I hope they were as well.
Sunday afternoon, we met with our church. One of our brothers taught about the Davidic covenant from 2 Samuel 7. From the last half of that chapter it is obvious that David is awed at the fact that God is going to build David an eternal house. Similarly, in Isaiah 55, we are all invited to take part in God’s covenant with David – that is, to be part of David’s house.
Finally, after our Sunday meeting, a young lady invited us and several other friends to her house for chili and cake. We had a great time eating, chatting, joking, and watching Monk DVDs.
Yes, God was very gracious to us this weekend.
The Churches of Revelation – Laodicea
The seventh and final letter in Revelation 2-3 is addressed to the church in Laodicea:
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 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. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 3:14-22 ESV)
I think its possible to learn something from the text of this letter without knowing anything about the aqueducts leading into the city of Laodicea. Unlike the church in Philadelphia which Jesus had nothing to say against, it seems that Jesus has everything against the church in Laodicea.
What does Jesus say about the church in Laodicea? 1) He knows their works. 2) He knows that they are “neither hot nor cold”. 3) He knows that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
This is all negative. The church in Laodicea has deceived themselves into believing that they are prosperous, while in fact they are just the opposite. Apparently, they are not measuring themselves in the same way that Jesus measures them. They are using the wrong comparison, perhaps comparing themselves to the people of their culture instead of comparing themselves to Jesus Christ himself. More than that, they seem to think that they are independent, not needing anyone or anything outside themselves.
What does Jesus have against the church in Laodicea? While Jesus does not mention anything specific that he has “against” the church in Laodicea, everything in this letter is negative. It seems that Jesus has everything against these people.
Furthermore, for the first time, Jesus mentions that he reproves and disciplines those that he loves – suggesting that this includes the church in Laodicea. This is a warning, but also offers hope. Yes, Jesus is going to discipline his followers in Laodicea in order to teach them to trust him alone. But, more than that, he continues to love them in spite of their faithlessness.
What is Jesus’ remedy? 1) They are to be zealous (eager or earnest). 2) They are to repent.
Jesus wants the church in Laodicea to be zealous or eager. This probably explains why they are “neither hot nor cold” – they are not zealous. In this letter, Jesus tells them some of the ways in which they need to repent – to change their minds and their lives. Primarily, he says that they are to come to Jesus for their gold, garments, and ointment – those things that they Laodiceans consider to be important. In other words, anything that is important comes from Jesus.
This letter helps us see what is important to Jesus and what is not important to Jesus. What is important to Jesus? Faith in him and reliance on him. What is not important to Jesus? Wealth, fine clothes, etc. These things may be important to the culture, but if we define ourselves by these and depend upon our ability to create our own riches, then we are walking away from our trust in Jesus. Only he can supply what we truly need.
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary
The Churches of Revelation – Philadelphia
The sixth letter in Revelation 2-3 is written to the church in Philadelphia:
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie- behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 3:7-13 ESV)
Once again, Jesus says nothing “against” the church in Philadelphia. What can we learn from the church in the city of brotherly love?
What does Jesus say about the church in Philadelphia? 1) He knows their works. 2) He knows they only have a little power. 3) He knows that they have kept his word. 4) He knows that they have not denied him.
Again, Jesus begins the letter with a focus on the works of the people. In this case, the works, keeping Jesus works, and refusing to deny Christ are all accomplished with only a little power. More than likely, this refers to influence within the city of Philadelphia, since Christ himself has unlimited power (“who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens”). Perhaps this refers to political or financial influence. Whatever kind of power these people lack, they are able to please Jesus without much power – remember, he has speaks nothing against them. Combined with works, Jesus also mentions their obedience and their faith. These are continuing themes throughout these letters.
What does Jesus want the church in Philadelphia to do? He wants them to hold fast. Once again, Jesus does not add to his requirements for his followers in Smyrna. He only wants them to live according to the faith that they have – in fact, he wants them to continue living as they are.
What does Jesus promise the church in Philadelphia? Like the church in Smyrna, Jesus makes a promise to the church in Philadelphia. But, this time, he promises that they will avoid persecution. But, the avoidance will not be by their own hands. Jesus himself will keep them from persecution.
Again we see Jesus focusing on works, faith, obedience, and persecution. And again, we see that for those who are living their life in the righteousness of Christ, he only asks that they continue to hold fast to him in faith. Jesus requires his followers to trust him if they are living in persecution or if they are not living in persecution. He expects his followers to live a life of faith if they have much influence in their community, or if they have little influence in their community. Whatever the situation or circumstance, Jesus asks his followers to hold fast to him in faith.
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary
The Churches of Revelation – Sardis
The fifth letter in Revelation 2-3 is addressed to the church in Sardis:
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 3:1-6 ESV)
This letter is a very discouraging letter. But, perhaps we can learn even more because of its tone.
What does Jesus say about the church in Sardis? 1) He knows their works. 2) He knows that their works are dead, although they appear to be alive.
This is very important in our understanding of these passages. When Jesus tells the church in Sardis that he knows their works, this is not a good statement. He is not commending them for their works. Therefore, we need to recognize that when Jesus says he knows the works of the church in Ephesus, this also may not be a positive statement. We have to look at the context to see what Jesus says about their works. In the case of Sardis, their works are dead.
What does Jesus have against the church in Sardis? Jesus does not specifically say, “I have this against you” as he does to the other churches. However, we can assume that he has their dead works against them.
What is Jesus’ remedy? 1) They are to remember what they received and heard – probably the gospel. 2) They are to obey what they received and heard. 3) They are to repent.
Apparently, like the church in Galatia, some within the church in Sardis have turned away from the gospel. Their works are dead because they are depending upon their works to make themselves worthy of a relationship with God. However, these are not the kind of works that Jesus desires. He desires works that are alive. Works that are alive are works that are done in response to a relationship with God.
There are some within the church in Sardis who have not turned aside – they are not doing dead works. Jesus does not add any requirements to them. These continue to walk with Jesus in white garments – righteousness. This appears to be a contrast to those who do dead works. Living works are performed by those who walk with Jesus in the righteousness that they receive from him. Dead works are performed by those who attempt to earn their righteousness on their own.
In this letter in particular we can learn that works are not an indication of righteousness. We should work, yes. But, we must also ask ourselves why we work. If we are working so that God will like us more, or so that God will accept us, or so that we will be more holy, then we are doing dead works. If we are working in response to the work that God has done and is doing in us, then we are doing living works.
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary
The Churches of Revelation – Thyatira
The fourth letter in Revelation 2-3 was written to the church in Thyatira:
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. I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 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. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 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, 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 as your works deserve. 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. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 2:18-29 ESV)
This is another interesting letter. It is very long, and it addresses two different groups within the church in Thyatira.
What does Jesus say about the church in Thyatira? 1) He knows their works, love, faith, service, and patient endurance. 2) He knows that their latest works exceed their first works.
This seems to be a reference back to the church in Ephesus. Not only does Jesus mention works and love together, along with faith, service, and endurance, he also compares their latest works with their earlier works. When addressing the church in Ephesus, Jesus found their later works lacking. But, for the church in Thyatira, he finds their later works to surpass their first works. Again, this indicates that Jesus was talking about love in relation to works when addressing the church in Ephesus; he was not talking about loving Jesus per se.
What does Jesus have against the church in Thyatira? 1) They tolerate the teaching of “Jezebel”.
Again, we are not told the identity of “Jezebel”, but we are told the results of this teaching: sexual immorality and idolatry. As with the church in Pergamum, false teaching is that teaching which leads people toward unrighteousness instead of toward righteousness and maturity in Christ. Apparently it is too late for “Jezebel” or those who teach in this manner in Thyatira.
What is Jesus’ remedy? 1) For those who are following this false teaching: Repent. 2) For those who do not follow this teaching: hold fast.
Again, this is similar to previous letters. Those who are following teachings that lead to unrighteousness should repent, turning back toward righteousness found in Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, those who are not following false teachings are encouraged to hold fast, trusting in Jesus to take care of them and the false teachers. Interestingly, they are not told to fight against the false teachers. Apparently, by standing fast in their faith and living in works, love, faith, service, and endurance, they are demonstrating the truth of their teaching. When their lives are compared with the idolatry and immorality of those who follow “Jezebel”, they also demonstrate the lack of truth in the false teaching.
Perhaps this can help us learn how to respond to false teaching. Of course, it also shows how important living a life of righteousness in this regard. If we live in a manner that demonstrates the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we are proclaiming the truth of our message far louder than any words could proclaim it.
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary
The Churches of Revelation – Pergamum
The third letter in Revelation 2-3 was written to the church in Pergamum:
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.’ (Revelation 2:12-17 ESV)
This is a very interesting letter. Apparently Pergamum was a very difficult location – the throne of Satan. Perhaps this refers to a certain temple or cult, but it definitely affected the believers in Pergamum.
What does Jesus say about the church in Pergamum? 1) He knows that they live in a difficult place – probably a spiritually difficult place. 2) He knows that they held fact to his name in spite of past persecutions. 3) He knows that they did not deny his faith in spite of past persecutions.
It seems that the church in Pergamum had been through persecution, and at least one person, Antipas, was killed during this time. While they were being persecuted, the believers in Pergamum did not forsake the name of Jesus nor did they deny his faith. Thus, they did not reject Jesus in spite of their situations and circumstances.
What does Jesus have against the church in Pergamum? 1) Some hold to the teachings of Balaam. 2) Some hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans.
According to this letter, Balaam taught Barak how to tempt the children Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality. This may indicate that there are some who are enticing others into idolatry and immorality. Some within the church in Pergamum were accepting these kinds of teachings. Similarly, some were accepting the teaching of the Nicolaitans. We already know from the letter to the church in Ephesus that Jesus hates the works of the Nicolaitans, which would include their teachings. We do not know what this teaching is, but we know that it was not good for the church in Pergamum to accept this teaching. If this is similar to the “teaching of Balaam”, then we can assume that the teaching of the Nicolaitans was leading believers into unrighteous living.
What is Jesus’ remedy? Jesus gives only one remedy in this letter: repent. He expects the believers in Pergamum to change their minds and their ways. He expects them to stop holding to the “teaching of Balaam” and the “teaching of the Nicolaitans”. In general, they are to stop holding to teaching that does not encourage people to live a life that honors God.
It is interesting that this letter follows the letter to Smyrna. The church in Smyrna was going through persecution and was about to face more persecution. The church in Pergamum had been through persecution, but it seems to have ended. The church in Smyrna was being faithful through the persecution. The church in Pergamum was faithful during the persecution, but had now begun to follow false teaching.
It is also interesting that this letter describes false teaching in a similar fashion to the false teaching and false teachers described in the “pastoral epistles”. In other words, false teaching is any teaching that leads people to live their lives contrary to the gospel. As Paul encouraged the Ephesians, we are to “walk worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called”. (Eph 4:1 ESV) We have been called into the family of God and into the righteousness of Christ, and we are to live in a manner that demonstrates that calling.
Similarly, we are to hold to teachings that lead to this type of life. Teachings that lead to idolatry and sexual immorality are to be avoided, but so are teachings that lead to pride, independence, arrogance, covetousness, greed, hypocrisy, lying, stealing, murder, etc.
Some people within the church today may find themselves living in very difficult spiritual circumstances. However, regardless of our circumstances, we cannot hold to teachings that live to ungodly living. Instead, we must follow teachings that exhort us toward maturity in Christ and encourage us to walk in the Spirit, demonstrating the righteousness of Christ in our lives.
[UPDATE: It is an unplanned but happy coincidence – if you believe in coincidences – that this post was published on Halloween – the eve of All Saints Day. All Saints Day is the day when Christians traditionally celebrate the faithfulness and example of those who died for their faith, and this passage in the Revelation mentions the faith of believers and the martyrdom of Antipas. As far as I can tell, the first celebration of the faithfulness of martyrs occurred sometime around 270 AD. Now that’s a tradition!]
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary
The Churches of Revelation – Smyrna
The second church addressed in Revelation is the church in Smyrna:
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.’ (Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)
There are some differences between this letter to the church in Smyrna and the previous letter to the church in Ephesus. Primarily, Jesus does not mention anything that he has against the church in Smyrna. Apparently, the church in Smyrna was under persecution, and more persecution was to come. However, Jesus promised that the persecution would have a limited time duration.
What does Jesus say about the church in Smyrna? 1) He knows about their tribulation and poverty. 2) He knows that they are actually rich. 3) He knows that they have been slandered by some who claim to be Jews.
“Tribulation and poverty” are very strong terms, pointing to oppression and extreme poverty. Because of these strong terms, we should understand their “riches” as being spiritual wealth, not physical wealth. Similarly, “slander” is a strong term usually translated “blasphemy”. Those who blaspheme the church in Smyrna claim to be Jews – perhaps Jewish Christians? But, by their actions they show that they are truly follow Satan, not God.
What does Jesus want the church in Smyrna to do? 1) He does not want them to fear. 2) He wants them to remain faithful.
He wants them to face their current situation and the upcoming persecution with courage and faith. This seems to indicate that the opposite of faith is fear. He does not tell them to repent as he did the church in Ephesus. He did not tell them to attempt to avoid persecution. Instead, they are to remain faithful and fearless in the face of persecution.
What does Jesus promise the church in Smyrna? 1) He promised further persecution. 2) He promised that some would be thrown into prison. 3) He promised that some would be tested (tempted?). 4) He promised that the additional persecution would only last a short time. 5) He promises a crown of life.
These may not seem like good promises. But, notice that Jesus does not threaten to remove the lampstand from the church in Smyrna. I wonder which the church in America would choose: a threat to remove their lampstand, or a promise of persecution. We treat persecution as if it is harmful to the church, but in reality Scripture shows just the opposite. As Paul exhorted the churches, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”. (Acts 14:22 ESV)
Today, it seems the church is more willing to compromise than to face persecution. Do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am not talking about political disagreements or the possibility of paying property taxes or having people disagree with you. I am talking about the loss of health, wealth, comfort, and even life. We are very good at loving ourselves and taking care of ourselves. We are better at loving ourselves than we are at loving others, and thus, than loving God.
Around the world, there are many church that are facing persecution. Jesus has promised them a crown of life if they remain fearless and faithful. I wonder if the church in America is closer to the crown of life or the loss of a lampstand. Similarly, it seems that we should not pray for persecution to end, but instead we should pray that those who are under persecution to stand faithful and without fear.
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The Churches of Revelation Series
1) Introduction
2) Ephesus
3) Smyrna
4) Pergamum
5) Thyatira
6) Sardis
7) Philadelphia
8) Laodicea
9) Summary