The 7 Churches

Dear Class,

Today's readings are taken from Leviticus 25 and The Revelation 3.

Thought I'd just forward a previous devotion on Rev 2,3 as a refresher and for the benefit of newcomers.

Today we start on the final book in the bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ or in short the book of the Revelation. At this juncture, just like to clarify that it is "The Revelation", not what commonly called "Revelations". The title is so used as taken from the very first verse. One of the things which we need to be aware as we read this book, is that it is apocalyptic in form, meaning to say, it is primarily prophetic in nature. Symbolic and figurative language is often used. Unfortunately, the denominational world at large, especially the so-called premillennialists have grossly misused the figures in the book to perpetuate false doctrines.

In chapters 2 & 3, we read of the messages to the 7 churches in Asia minor. Let's take a brief look at each of them
1) Ephesus - first love lost
Right form the start, the church at Ephesus seemed to be doing quite well. They were rich in good works, they did not tolerate false doctrine and were zealous in their labours. Yet, somehow that had changed and were found to depart from the first love/works, or that is to say the former zeal and good works. Such is the case of complacency which has so often plagued mature churches. Very often, churches find themselves "resting on their laurels" so to speak. We need to remind ourselves that we were saved FOR good works (Eph 2:10). There's no retirement age for the Christian! No such thing as "passive income"! We will do the Lord's work and be zealous for it till we expire or when Jesus comes again. Paul gave us the encouragement to look towards our heavenly goal lest any of us should become weary. (Ti 2:13-14)

2) Smyrna - the persecuted church
Here we have a relatively shorter message but none the less powerful and significant, especially the significant 2:10. The message is clear - hold on and press on! Regardless of our estate (poor or rich), regardless of the dire circumstance, knowing which a glorious reward awaits us.

3) Pergamos - the compromising church
Here was a church which seemed to be staunch in faith, even in the face of great temptation and persecution. (Satan's seat refers to the circumstance of being surrounded deeply in worldly practices) But the main thing against them was tolerance to false doctrine. What is the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans? The doctrine of Balaam should sound familiar. (Remember the Balaam puzzle??? :))If you recall, Balaam, son of Beor, was the prophet who was hired by Balak the King of Moab to curse the Israelites (Num 22-24). After failed attempts as we read of the the account, greed drove him to finally succeed in causing the people to sin, indirectly causing the death of 24000 Israelites! (Num 25:9, c.f. Num 31:16) As illustrated in Rev 2:14b, the doctrine of Balaam is basically that of worldliness and greed. Here was a church which had all the bells and whistles with their proclamation of faith, yet allowed members to continue in worldly practices like fornication. Remember that sin is not only in commission but also omission! If we fail to convict erring brethren, it is as good as being an accomplice!
As for the doctrine of Nicolaitans, there are a number of views. Barnes suggests that the Nicolaitans were a specific group of people who held the doctrine of Balaam. Clarke wrote in his commentary that the Nicolaitans were possibly a gnostic sect (people who believed in worldly knowledge in salvation), subscribing to polygamy and mixing of pagan rites. But he too is of the opinion that those who held the doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaitans and the Gnostics as a whole belonged to the same group. It seems unlikely that the inspired writer would have left something of importance to speculation, especially when it was mentioned previously in Rev 2:6. When we examine the progression of the argument in Rev 2:14,15, it seems to support what the commentators suggested. v. 14 was a broad reference to an OT example and v.15 describes a specific group in their time. Essentially, we need to beware of worldliness that has so often crept into the church. It does not help matters that some of the "mega churches" peddle the "prosperity gospel" and perpetuate the bombardstic, ra-ra element of the entertainment industry, making a huge mockery of the sobriety, purity of the gospel truth. Nicolaitans of today are alive and all around! We will all do well to identify such and beware of them.

4) Thyatira - the condoning church
Essentially similar to the case of Pergamos, the church at Thyatira seems to take it one up by allowing a specific individual (most likely not by the name of Jezebel! But Jesus was just using the name as a description of the manner of person the woman was) to perpetuate false doctrine. Yet notice that God always provides space for repentance for the sinning and there is always hope for such if they are willing to repent. (2:21,22)

5) Sardis - the dead church
Except for a remnant few, this is the only church which Jesus had nothing good to say! The diagnosis - imperfect works. The prognosis - death! Notice that works were not lacking, but they were imperfect or incomplete. Perhaps it was the motivation behind, perhaps it was the manner they were conducted (c.f. Mat 7:21-23). Perhaps they were not fully carried out and left to deteriorate (c.f. the rebuilding of the temple, Hag 1) The important thing here is what is our attitude toward the Lord's work? Are we putting in our best or merely paying lip service? Imperfect works are as good as dead!

6) Philadelphia - the steadfast church
In contrast, we have a glorious example of a church that is not slack but patient and steadfast in the Lord. Notice the exaltation that was to be theirs as granted by our Lord (v.9). Obviously, Jesus is not teaching human worship! But an illustration that all power is given unto Him to exalt and to abase. And what manner of exaltation! Even to the point of heavenly beings. Notice yet another figure in verse 12 - a pillar. The Church (universal one that is), is described as the pillar and ground of truth (1Ti 3:15). The pillar in a building is of such great importance. It is the structure that upholds the entire weight of the building. Truly, only the steadfast would be conferred such an honour! As reminded by Paul in 1Co 15:58 (our memory verse for the week, btw), let us continue to be "steadfast and unmoveable", that we too may be "pillars" in the body of Christ.

7) Laodicea - the lukewarm church
Here is a church that is rich but not in Christ! (as contrasted to Smyrna). One of the most often that plagues churches in prosperous regions. The figure used here is interesting  - lukewarmness. The idea of hot or cold is not to be misunderstood as being zealous and totally uninterested. What is meant here is the goodness of water being either hot (hot springs, for cooking, etc) or cold (refreshing, preservation). It is a medical fact that lukewarm or tepid water is most likely to induce vomitting! We need to be zealous for the Lord Ti 2:14! Our physical blessings are in no wise a reason for complacency. Paul instructed the rich not to trust in riches but to be rich in good works (1Ti 6:17-19), for that is the "gold tried in fire" (Rev 3:18) that is the true riches, which does not decay (Mat 6:19-20) but will lead us to everlasting life.

Let us continue to take heed of the Lord's admonishments, examine ourselves and overcome our obstacles, knowing that of such is given the tree of life (Rev 2:7), the crown of life (Rev 2:10) and not taste second death (Rev 2:11), receive power over the nations (Rev 2:26) whose names are written in the book of life (Rev 3:5), who are the pillars in the temple of God (Rev 3:12), who will sit on heavenly thrones (Rev 3:21), and to whom belongs a glorious inheritance as SONS of God! (Rev 21:7)

What a privilege, what a joy divine, what a great comfort! To this we say Amen and Amen!

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ~ 2Thessalonians 3:14,15