Matthew begins his gospel with these words, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." These often overlooked words and passages of Scripture are rich with importance. Matthew writing to a uniquely Jewish audience is attempting to point out the legal claim of Jesus to the throne of his father David, which he accomplishes. What is so different about this particular genealogy, and its counterpart in Luke 3.23, is that it begins with Jesus. This is a departure from the Old Testament genealogies in which the oldest and most important person is mentioned first, as in Genesis five where Adam is mentioned first, and in Genesis ten with the sons of Noah. The New Testament begins not with Adam, Abraham or David, but with Jesus Christ, establishing him of preeminent importance. The first readers of these gospels would have immediately picked up on this point.
Some have attempted to point out an apparent inconsistency as to the claim of the gospel writers as to Jesus' identity as the son of David. If Jesus was born of a virgin as the gospels claim (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38), then technically is Jesus the son of David? The short answer is yes. The scriptures continually point to the legal claim of Jesus as the son of David. For example, when Jesus preached in his home town of Nazareth he was recognized after his sermon in Luke 4:22 "And all spoke well of him and marveled at his gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, 'Is this not Joseph's son?'" It is clear that people recognized Jesus as the son of Joseph who is the son of David, this passage was recorded by Luke who also recorded that Jesus was born of a virgin. So in a legal sense Jesus was both the son of David and born of virgin. Only in this way could he fulfill both the legal and prophetic requirements of what it meant to be the Messiah.
Beyond this, the scriptures testify that the identity of Jesus as both the "the root and the descendant of David"(Revelation 22:16). The point is clear if the legal line established by the genealogies of Matthew and Luke are not enough to convince you of the identity of Jesus as the prophesied savior, His claim that He was God and further demonstration of that fact through miracles, signs and wonders culminating in His own resurrection from the dead should once and for all trump any and all pedigrees, if any discrepancy existed, but none do.
This is most evident in the gospel of John, perhaps an overlooked genealogy is contained in the opening passage, "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, the Word was God..." Then in John 1:14 "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...", speaking of course of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. This is clearly what Jesus was pointing out when he quoted the Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 110:1, in Luke 20:41-43 "But he said to them, 'How can they say that Christ is David's son? For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?'" Here Jesus was pointing out his identity as both God and Man, fully God and fully Man, both Messiah and Yahweh.
As Paul points out in 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Indeed Jesus is uniquely qualified by word and deed to be the one and only savior of the world, this is the good news of Christmas. As Matthew declares by echoing the words of the prophet, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which means God with us", and the angels declare to the shepherds in Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." We can rejoice along with all of history and creation, Jesus Christ, the son of David, the Son of God, is the Savior of the world!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Women of Prayer by Ja Juanna Ogborn
Women of Prayer
By: Ja Juanna Ogborn
In an article titled, “A Season” the author, Lisa Marshall, reminisces of a time when saints spent many hours praying, spending a season of prayer with the Lord. Then, things evolved and prayer was just a time spent with the Lord. She says that now it seems we only pause to have a word with the Lord. Prayer has gone from a SEASON, to a TIME, to a WORD.
We all know that there are times when all we can do is say a word of prayer. I work in an office on a computer all day and there have been times that I just laid my hand on my computer and said, “In the name of Jesus, Satan I command you to come out of this computer!” Y’all know what I mean. But that can’t be the only time of prayer that I spend with the Lord.
As women, we have been given a responsibility. That responsibility, that obligation, that duty (Bro. Kimsey preached on duty the other night), is to be a Titus 2 woman. The older women are to teach the younger women. We must set an example and I believe that it must begin with prayer.
We’ve all knelt down before the Lord and the phone rings, or the distractions from day-to-day come to mind, or our mind wanders. Maybe you feel like you don’t know how to pray. My little brother preached here at the beginning of the year and he said that our mother told him one time if you don’t know what to say when you’re praying, just say “JESUS.” Say it over and over and over again. There’s power and authority in that name!
One lady that I feel really knows how to pray (and I’m not here to embarrass her) is Sis. Marlene Case. I’ve sat beside her in the prayer room and it’s not like I was trying to listen, but I just couldn’t help myself. Her prayers just flowed. I found myself saying, “Yes, Lord, what she said Lord,” because she was praying the things that I wanted to pray, but I just couldn’t find the right words. The kind of prayer that I hear her pray comes from spending many seasons in prayer.
One night about 2 years ago, I was in the prayer room and I heard Lynelle Roberts praying before church. It was exuberance in the prayer room that night. Everybody was praying out loud, not in hushed tones. And Lynelle said, “Lord, let the Holy Ghost fall like a rushing, mighty wind.” If she said that prayer one time, she said it one hundred times. And the Holy Ghost fell that night. That’s what the power of prayer can do.
I’m very blessed to have praying women in my life. Both of my grandmothers were prayer warriors and that has filtered down to my mother and my aunts. What a legacy my cousins and I can leave when we get on our knees and touch God.
I don’t want the stars of Hollywood to be the role-model for the young girls of our church. Bro. Kimsey said the other night when he preached on duty: Anything other than duty is immaturity. I don’t want to be an immature Christian woman. I’m not a young girl or a young lady anymore. I’ve got a torch to carry on. I must become a Titus 2 woman. The very lives of our future Titus 2 young ladies are dependent on it.
You see:
Baby Girls turn into Little Girls and Little Girls turn into Big Girls and Big Girls turn into Tweens and Tweens turn into Teenage Girls and Teenage Girls turn into Young Ladies and Young Ladies turn into Young Women and Young Women turn into Middle-Aged Women and Middle-Aged Women should become Seasoned Women.
As godly women we must be a role-model. There are times that we may be the only example that some young ladies see. Can you think back to your younger days and think of any women that made an impact in your life? I can. My two grandmothers, Sis. Bertha Coody & Sis. Pearl Chelette, my mother, Robbie Evans, my aunts, Velma Gass, Lorraine Moore, Reba McManus, Patsy Hall, Annette Chelette, Louise Chelette, & Gwen Chelette, others include: Mary Whited, Ruby Willingham, Leoma Gass, Lille Mae Coody, Dorothy Brooks, Pebble Moore, Lorraine Bennett, Theo Cupp, Doris Malone, Cindy Malone, Debbie Camp, Patsy Brooks, Linda Brocato, Becky Bowen, and the list goes on and on. I can think of at least one thing from each of these ladies that exemplifies a Titus 2 woman. Will you be on someone’s godly woman list one day? I hope I am.
On the CD “Woman Thou Art Loosed, Worship 2000” Bishop T.D. Jakes says that Praise is when you give God thanks because you have shoes, and a house, and money to buy groceries, and a job. And we’ve got lots to Praise God for. We’ve got a beautiful church, with wonderful saints, tremendous pastors and pastors’ wives. But Worship is when you Praise God even if you don’t have shoes, or a house, or money to buy groceries, or a job. That’s true worship. When you Praise God just because he’s GOD. Not for what he’s done for you, but just BECAUSE. Another CD that I have from “The Anointed Pace Sisters” has a song called, “God’s World.” One of the phrases of the song is: from Prayer to Praise & from Praise to Worship. You can’t get to true Praise & Worship without prayer.
May God bless the women of The Sanctuary of Praise to be the women that He intended us to become. Women of power, authority, godliness, and most of all Women of Prayer.
By: Ja Juanna Ogborn
In an article titled, “A Season” the author, Lisa Marshall, reminisces of a time when saints spent many hours praying, spending a season of prayer with the Lord. Then, things evolved and prayer was just a time spent with the Lord. She says that now it seems we only pause to have a word with the Lord. Prayer has gone from a SEASON, to a TIME, to a WORD.
We all know that there are times when all we can do is say a word of prayer. I work in an office on a computer all day and there have been times that I just laid my hand on my computer and said, “In the name of Jesus, Satan I command you to come out of this computer!” Y’all know what I mean. But that can’t be the only time of prayer that I spend with the Lord.
As women, we have been given a responsibility. That responsibility, that obligation, that duty (Bro. Kimsey preached on duty the other night), is to be a Titus 2 woman. The older women are to teach the younger women. We must set an example and I believe that it must begin with prayer.
We’ve all knelt down before the Lord and the phone rings, or the distractions from day-to-day come to mind, or our mind wanders. Maybe you feel like you don’t know how to pray. My little brother preached here at the beginning of the year and he said that our mother told him one time if you don’t know what to say when you’re praying, just say “JESUS.” Say it over and over and over again. There’s power and authority in that name!
One lady that I feel really knows how to pray (and I’m not here to embarrass her) is Sis. Marlene Case. I’ve sat beside her in the prayer room and it’s not like I was trying to listen, but I just couldn’t help myself. Her prayers just flowed. I found myself saying, “Yes, Lord, what she said Lord,” because she was praying the things that I wanted to pray, but I just couldn’t find the right words. The kind of prayer that I hear her pray comes from spending many seasons in prayer.
One night about 2 years ago, I was in the prayer room and I heard Lynelle Roberts praying before church. It was exuberance in the prayer room that night. Everybody was praying out loud, not in hushed tones. And Lynelle said, “Lord, let the Holy Ghost fall like a rushing, mighty wind.” If she said that prayer one time, she said it one hundred times. And the Holy Ghost fell that night. That’s what the power of prayer can do.
I’m very blessed to have praying women in my life. Both of my grandmothers were prayer warriors and that has filtered down to my mother and my aunts. What a legacy my cousins and I can leave when we get on our knees and touch God.
I don’t want the stars of Hollywood to be the role-model for the young girls of our church. Bro. Kimsey said the other night when he preached on duty: Anything other than duty is immaturity. I don’t want to be an immature Christian woman. I’m not a young girl or a young lady anymore. I’ve got a torch to carry on. I must become a Titus 2 woman. The very lives of our future Titus 2 young ladies are dependent on it.
You see:
Baby Girls turn into Little Girls and Little Girls turn into Big Girls and Big Girls turn into Tweens and Tweens turn into Teenage Girls and Teenage Girls turn into Young Ladies and Young Ladies turn into Young Women and Young Women turn into Middle-Aged Women and Middle-Aged Women should become Seasoned Women.
As godly women we must be a role-model. There are times that we may be the only example that some young ladies see. Can you think back to your younger days and think of any women that made an impact in your life? I can. My two grandmothers, Sis. Bertha Coody & Sis. Pearl Chelette, my mother, Robbie Evans, my aunts, Velma Gass, Lorraine Moore, Reba McManus, Patsy Hall, Annette Chelette, Louise Chelette, & Gwen Chelette, others include: Mary Whited, Ruby Willingham, Leoma Gass, Lille Mae Coody, Dorothy Brooks, Pebble Moore, Lorraine Bennett, Theo Cupp, Doris Malone, Cindy Malone, Debbie Camp, Patsy Brooks, Linda Brocato, Becky Bowen, and the list goes on and on. I can think of at least one thing from each of these ladies that exemplifies a Titus 2 woman. Will you be on someone’s godly woman list one day? I hope I am.
On the CD “Woman Thou Art Loosed, Worship 2000” Bishop T.D. Jakes says that Praise is when you give God thanks because you have shoes, and a house, and money to buy groceries, and a job. And we’ve got lots to Praise God for. We’ve got a beautiful church, with wonderful saints, tremendous pastors and pastors’ wives. But Worship is when you Praise God even if you don’t have shoes, or a house, or money to buy groceries, or a job. That’s true worship. When you Praise God just because he’s GOD. Not for what he’s done for you, but just BECAUSE. Another CD that I have from “The Anointed Pace Sisters” has a song called, “God’s World.” One of the phrases of the song is: from Prayer to Praise & from Praise to Worship. You can’t get to true Praise & Worship without prayer.
May God bless the women of The Sanctuary of Praise to be the women that He intended us to become. Women of power, authority, godliness, and most of all Women of Prayer.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Why Give?
The Apostle Paul speaking to a group of Ephesian elders in Acts 20:32 reminded them of his faithfulness to the ministry, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’” Paul had a clear understanding that the gospel is propagated through giving.
Pastor Kimsey has challenged us from the Word of God to give, a challenge which is empowered by the Holy Spirit and the testimony of Scripture. So why should we give?
First, the Bible models it, over and over again when giving is exemplified it is rewarded. The principle of the New Testament is to give and give generously. A common characteristic of the early church is revealed in Acts 4:34-35 “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” If we are to be Apostolic then we must give. The Old Testament gives us the principle of the tithe, but the New Testament, while confirming that principle, challenges us to move beyond obligation to generosity. Jesus challenged the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” True justice, mercy and faithfulness necessitate stewardship and generosity.
Next, I give because by doing so; I participate in the ministry of the gospel. As Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 9 in his defense of gospel workers being remunerated for their service, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense, who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit, or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.’ Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” Paul then goes on to point out in verse 15, “But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision….What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” The Apostle clearly links giving with the propagation of the gospel. When you and I give we participate with every ministry at the Sanctuary of Praise and beyond.
Finally, by giving I leave a legacy and example for my children and grandchildren. It is always important to remind ourselves that the Kingdom of God is greater than ourselves and will extend far beyond our lifetime and influence. If I want my children to know the joy of a life lived unselfishly then I must exemplify it before them.
In conclusion, my brothers and sisters at the Sanctuary of Praise, my pledge to you is that from this point forward my family and I join with yours in giving in support of our church, our ministries, our building and ultimately the Kingdom of God which knows no end. To God be the glory!
Pastor Kimsey has challenged us from the Word of God to give, a challenge which is empowered by the Holy Spirit and the testimony of Scripture. So why should we give?
First, the Bible models it, over and over again when giving is exemplified it is rewarded. The principle of the New Testament is to give and give generously. A common characteristic of the early church is revealed in Acts 4:34-35 “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” If we are to be Apostolic then we must give. The Old Testament gives us the principle of the tithe, but the New Testament, while confirming that principle, challenges us to move beyond obligation to generosity. Jesus challenged the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” True justice, mercy and faithfulness necessitate stewardship and generosity.
Next, I give because by doing so; I participate in the ministry of the gospel. As Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 9 in his defense of gospel workers being remunerated for their service, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense, who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit, or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.’ Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” Paul then goes on to point out in verse 15, “But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision….What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” The Apostle clearly links giving with the propagation of the gospel. When you and I give we participate with every ministry at the Sanctuary of Praise and beyond.
Finally, by giving I leave a legacy and example for my children and grandchildren. It is always important to remind ourselves that the Kingdom of God is greater than ourselves and will extend far beyond our lifetime and influence. If I want my children to know the joy of a life lived unselfishly then I must exemplify it before them.
In conclusion, my brothers and sisters at the Sanctuary of Praise, my pledge to you is that from this point forward my family and I join with yours in giving in support of our church, our ministries, our building and ultimately the Kingdom of God which knows no end. To God be the glory!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Seven Messages to Seven Churches; the Disgusting Church at Laodicea.
Revelation 3:14-22
• The Diagnosis of the Church
– The Laodicean Church is a compromising church
• The heart of man is described three different ways in the New Testament, a burning heart in Luke 24:32, and Matthew 24:12 speaks of a cold heart. But in the Laodicean church there was a lukewarm heart.
• A triad of cities (Colossians 4:12); A reference to the water situation, hot water springs in Hierapolis and cold water springs in Colosse, pipes and aqueducts transported the water result/lukewarm.
• The Laodicean Church is a conceited church.
– The church at Smyrna thought it was poor when in fact it was rich, the church at Laodicea though they were rich when in fact they were poor.
– “The Laodicea church was a half-hearted church, a Christianity which was both flabby and anemic. They had taken a lukewarm bath of religion.” –John Stott
• The Laodicean Church was a Christ less Church.
– Jesus is standing on the wrong side of the door. The Greek word for “dine” refers to the last meal before the dawning of a new day. He was ready to give the Church a new day but he had to be invited in.
– “When the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)
The Counsel to the last Church
• Prescription one for spiritual compromise: Repent (Revelation 3:19)
• Prescription two for spiritual poverty: Gold refined by suffering (Revelation 3:18)
• Prescription three for spiritual nakedness: White garments of righteousness (Revelation 3:18)
• Prescription four for spiritual blindness: Salve (Revelation 3:18)
• Prescription five for their Christlessness: Open the door (Revelation 3:20)
Open the door
The only cure for the lukewarmness is the readmission of the excluded Christ. Apostasy must be confronted with His fidelity, looseness with conviction born of His authority, poverty with the fact of His wealth, frost with the mighty fire of His enthusiasm, and death with the life divine that is in His gift. There is no other cure for the loneliness of heaven, for the malady of the world, for the lukewarmness of the Church than the readmitted Christ.” - G. Campbell Morgan
• What do the following scriptures reveal to us about fervency in one’s walk with the Lord?
– Acts 18:25
– Romans 12:11
– Colossians 4:12
– James 5:16
– 1 Peter 1:22
– 1 Peter 4:8
• How could you apply the concept of “fervent heat” to the spiritual life? (2 Peter 3:10, 12)
• Describe as many different elements as you can from 1 Corinthians 15:58 about what it means to be fervent for the Lord:
• The Diagnosis of the Church
– The Laodicean Church is a compromising church
• The heart of man is described three different ways in the New Testament, a burning heart in Luke 24:32, and Matthew 24:12 speaks of a cold heart. But in the Laodicean church there was a lukewarm heart.
• A triad of cities (Colossians 4:12); A reference to the water situation, hot water springs in Hierapolis and cold water springs in Colosse, pipes and aqueducts transported the water result/lukewarm.
• The Laodicean Church is a conceited church.
– The church at Smyrna thought it was poor when in fact it was rich, the church at Laodicea though they were rich when in fact they were poor.
– “The Laodicea church was a half-hearted church, a Christianity which was both flabby and anemic. They had taken a lukewarm bath of religion.” –John Stott
• The Laodicean Church was a Christ less Church.
– Jesus is standing on the wrong side of the door. The Greek word for “dine” refers to the last meal before the dawning of a new day. He was ready to give the Church a new day but he had to be invited in.
– “When the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)
The Counsel to the last Church
• Prescription one for spiritual compromise: Repent (Revelation 3:19)
• Prescription two for spiritual poverty: Gold refined by suffering (Revelation 3:18)
• Prescription three for spiritual nakedness: White garments of righteousness (Revelation 3:18)
• Prescription four for spiritual blindness: Salve (Revelation 3:18)
• Prescription five for their Christlessness: Open the door (Revelation 3:20)
Open the door
The only cure for the lukewarmness is the readmission of the excluded Christ. Apostasy must be confronted with His fidelity, looseness with conviction born of His authority, poverty with the fact of His wealth, frost with the mighty fire of His enthusiasm, and death with the life divine that is in His gift. There is no other cure for the loneliness of heaven, for the malady of the world, for the lukewarmness of the Church than the readmitted Christ.” - G. Campbell Morgan
• What do the following scriptures reveal to us about fervency in one’s walk with the Lord?
– Acts 18:25
– Romans 12:11
– Colossians 4:12
– James 5:16
– 1 Peter 1:22
– 1 Peter 4:8
• How could you apply the concept of “fervent heat” to the spiritual life? (2 Peter 3:10, 12)
• Describe as many different elements as you can from 1 Corinthians 15:58 about what it means to be fervent for the Lord:
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Seven Messages to Seven Churches Lesson seven; The Faithful Church at Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
• It is possible to be part of a church with which the Lord Jesus is pleased. But what kind of church is it? Is it one measured by the size of buildings, member rolls, or financial giving? Jesus commended the church at Philadelphia, but not for meeting our modern standards of success.
The Destination of the Letter
• The word Philadelphia is almost identical to the city we know by the same name, Philadelphia, and means “brotherly love.” The noun and adjective forms of the word occur seven times in the New Testament besides its use as a city name. It is normally translated as “kindly affectionate” or “brotherly love”
• (Romans 12:10; 1Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews13:1; 1Peter 1:22; 3:8; 2 Peter 1:7).
The Designation of the Lord
• Holy, True, Having the key of David, able to open and shut according to His will.
• The preeminent, holy God, alone qualified to call the Christians at Philadelphia to a life of faith in Him.
• The key of David: Isaiah 22:22 “The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So shall he open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.”
The Diagnosis
• They have an open door
– 1Corinthians 16:8-9, 2Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3
– Philadelphia was situated at a corner where three regions came together: Lycia, Lydia, and Phrygia. The city was founded in 140 B.C. by Philadelphus, the king of Pergamos. The city was founded to be a gateway for the spread of Hellenism.
• They have a little strength
• They have kept the word
• They have not denied the Lord
– Many church growth experts have identified the four characteristics of the Philadelphia church as characteristics of growing congregations: identification of open doors of ministry, dependence on the Lord for strength, commitment to the Word, and submission to the Lordship of Christ.
The Declaration of Christ to the Church
• He promises to humiliate their enemies
• He promises to keep them from the hour of trial
• He promises to come quickly
– All of the commendable traits will be unprofitable unless we walk through the door God has opened for us.
Questions
• According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
– How was Paul made weak?
– Who was the source of his weakness?
– What was the purpose of his weakness?
– What normal response did Paul have to his weakness?
– What was God’s response to Paul? What was his plan for making Paul strong?
– What was Paul’s response when he understood God’s plan?
• It is possible to be part of a church with which the Lord Jesus is pleased. But what kind of church is it? Is it one measured by the size of buildings, member rolls, or financial giving? Jesus commended the church at Philadelphia, but not for meeting our modern standards of success.
The Destination of the Letter
• The word Philadelphia is almost identical to the city we know by the same name, Philadelphia, and means “brotherly love.” The noun and adjective forms of the word occur seven times in the New Testament besides its use as a city name. It is normally translated as “kindly affectionate” or “brotherly love”
• (Romans 12:10; 1Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews13:1; 1Peter 1:22; 3:8; 2 Peter 1:7).
The Designation of the Lord
• Holy, True, Having the key of David, able to open and shut according to His will.
• The preeminent, holy God, alone qualified to call the Christians at Philadelphia to a life of faith in Him.
• The key of David: Isaiah 22:22 “The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So shall he open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.”
The Diagnosis
• They have an open door
– 1Corinthians 16:8-9, 2Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3
– Philadelphia was situated at a corner where three regions came together: Lycia, Lydia, and Phrygia. The city was founded in 140 B.C. by Philadelphus, the king of Pergamos. The city was founded to be a gateway for the spread of Hellenism.
• They have a little strength
• They have kept the word
• They have not denied the Lord
– Many church growth experts have identified the four characteristics of the Philadelphia church as characteristics of growing congregations: identification of open doors of ministry, dependence on the Lord for strength, commitment to the Word, and submission to the Lordship of Christ.
The Declaration of Christ to the Church
• He promises to humiliate their enemies
• He promises to keep them from the hour of trial
• He promises to come quickly
– All of the commendable traits will be unprofitable unless we walk through the door God has opened for us.
Questions
• According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
– How was Paul made weak?
– Who was the source of his weakness?
– What was the purpose of his weakness?
– What normal response did Paul have to his weakness?
– What was God’s response to Paul? What was his plan for making Paul strong?
– What was Paul’s response when he understood God’s plan?
Friday, August 17, 2007
Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth (Sis Edwina Roberts)
Women's Bible Study
Tuesday July 31,2007
Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth
2 Tim 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
What is truth? According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, truth is conformity to fact, faithfulness to an original or standard. In the Old and the New Testament truth is a moral and personal quality of God.
In Psalm 119:142 the Psalmist declared, "Your law is truth", in Psalm 119:151 "All your commandments are truth" and in Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of your word is truth.”
Because of His perfect nature and will, God has to speak and act in truth; He cannot lie. 1Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 6:18, James 1:17-18
Jesus is the Word of God who became flesh, "the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) God is truth, the Spirit is truth, and Jesus is truth.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."(John 14:6) Jesus and the revelation which the Spirit of truth gave through His apostles are the final-ultimate definition of truth about God and man.
"The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17
Now that we understand that "truth" is everything that is written in the Bible, we come to the "rightly" dividing of that truth. “Rightly Dividing-Correctly handling the Word of God in both analysis and presentation”, “Analysis-Separation of a whole into its component parts”, and “Presentation-Something offered or given”.
We now know that every scripture is truth and there is a reason and purpose for it.
So in "rightly" dividing, let us go to 1 Cor 14:34-35 "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."
We have already established that if it is in the Bible it is truth. So obviously that scripture means exactly what it says.
The question is why don't we preach it and obey what it says? It is Bible and therefore it is truth.
This is where "rightly" dividing the Word of Truth comes in. In 1 Cor. 14:34-35 the apostle Paul was talking to the Corinthian Church about something that was happening in the Church in that day. So what was happening? It was a question of authority and submission. Women were usurping the authority of the men in their churches by speaking out when it was not appropriate. They were not being respectful or obedient to their "head" their husband. Therefore Paul was telling them to wait and ask their question at home.
How do we know that Paul did not intend for that scripture to be interpreted to mean that women should never speak in Church, although that is what it said, and although it is Bible and although it is truth, because it would have contradicted the following Word of Truth.
Acts 21:8-9 “And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.”
Notice; in order to prophesy we have to speak!
Luke 2:36-38 "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
Some of the finest leaders in Israel were women, in spite of the fact that the culture was male-dominated. God revealed His Word through Prophetesses.
In Acts 18:26 God used Priscilla, a woman and her husband Aquila to explain the way of God more perfectly to Apollos the preacher.
Why would Paul mean that women should never speak in church when clearly according to the Word, according to truth, God Himself used women to help reveal His Word.
Paul was asking the women in the Corinthian Church to be submissive to their husbands in order to preserve order within the Church and to be a witness to outsiders.
This should be a case in point as to what it means to "rightly" divide the truth. If there is a "rightly" then there most also be a "wrongly."
If we had wrongly divided the truth of 1Cor. 14:34-35 look what we would have missed---the anointed ministry of Thetus Tenney, Vesta Mangun, Nona Freeman, Joy Haney, to name a few.
Another case in point; Matthew 28:19: Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
At first glance it appears that Jesus is saying what is to be said over the individual in baptism. After all it is Bible, it is the Word, and it is truth.
But in "rightly" dividing the truth we find that Jesus is the name of the Father, Jesus is the name of the Son and Jesus is the name of the Holy Ghost.
We also see that in the book of Acts everyone was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This scriptural truth is validated in the 8th chapter of Acts, 10th chapter of Acts and the 19th chapter of Acts.
The prophet Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:" Hos 4:6
We need to be very careful that we "rightly" divide the Word of Truth.
Respectfully,
Edwina Roberts
Tuesday July 31,2007
Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth
2 Tim 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
What is truth? According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, truth is conformity to fact, faithfulness to an original or standard. In the Old and the New Testament truth is a moral and personal quality of God.
In Psalm 119:142 the Psalmist declared, "Your law is truth", in Psalm 119:151 "All your commandments are truth" and in Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of your word is truth.”
Because of His perfect nature and will, God has to speak and act in truth; He cannot lie. 1Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 6:18, James 1:17-18
Jesus is the Word of God who became flesh, "the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) God is truth, the Spirit is truth, and Jesus is truth.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."(John 14:6) Jesus and the revelation which the Spirit of truth gave through His apostles are the final-ultimate definition of truth about God and man.
"The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17
Now that we understand that "truth" is everything that is written in the Bible, we come to the "rightly" dividing of that truth. “Rightly Dividing-Correctly handling the Word of God in both analysis and presentation”, “Analysis-Separation of a whole into its component parts”, and “Presentation-Something offered or given”.
We now know that every scripture is truth and there is a reason and purpose for it.
So in "rightly" dividing, let us go to 1 Cor 14:34-35 "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."
We have already established that if it is in the Bible it is truth. So obviously that scripture means exactly what it says.
The question is why don't we preach it and obey what it says? It is Bible and therefore it is truth.
This is where "rightly" dividing the Word of Truth comes in. In 1 Cor. 14:34-35 the apostle Paul was talking to the Corinthian Church about something that was happening in the Church in that day. So what was happening? It was a question of authority and submission. Women were usurping the authority of the men in their churches by speaking out when it was not appropriate. They were not being respectful or obedient to their "head" their husband. Therefore Paul was telling them to wait and ask their question at home.
How do we know that Paul did not intend for that scripture to be interpreted to mean that women should never speak in Church, although that is what it said, and although it is Bible and although it is truth, because it would have contradicted the following Word of Truth.
Acts 21:8-9 “And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.”
Notice; in order to prophesy we have to speak!
Luke 2:36-38 "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
Some of the finest leaders in Israel were women, in spite of the fact that the culture was male-dominated. God revealed His Word through Prophetesses.
In Acts 18:26 God used Priscilla, a woman and her husband Aquila to explain the way of God more perfectly to Apollos the preacher.
Why would Paul mean that women should never speak in church when clearly according to the Word, according to truth, God Himself used women to help reveal His Word.
Paul was asking the women in the Corinthian Church to be submissive to their husbands in order to preserve order within the Church and to be a witness to outsiders.
This should be a case in point as to what it means to "rightly" divide the truth. If there is a "rightly" then there most also be a "wrongly."
If we had wrongly divided the truth of 1Cor. 14:34-35 look what we would have missed---the anointed ministry of Thetus Tenney, Vesta Mangun, Nona Freeman, Joy Haney, to name a few.
Another case in point; Matthew 28:19: Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
At first glance it appears that Jesus is saying what is to be said over the individual in baptism. After all it is Bible, it is the Word, and it is truth.
But in "rightly" dividing the truth we find that Jesus is the name of the Father, Jesus is the name of the Son and Jesus is the name of the Holy Ghost.
We also see that in the book of Acts everyone was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This scriptural truth is validated in the 8th chapter of Acts, 10th chapter of Acts and the 19th chapter of Acts.
The prophet Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:" Hos 4:6
We need to be very careful that we "rightly" divide the Word of Truth.
Respectfully,
Edwina Roberts
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Seven Messages to Seven Churches; The Dead Church at Sardis
Revelation 3:1-6
• The fifth letter of Christ to the churches was sent to the church at Sardis. More than anything, it is remembered as the city defeated by a surprise attack, a piece of history which may have prompted Jesus’ admonition to the church to be watchful.
• The Lord designates himself as the one who has control over the pastors of the seven churches. Revelation 3:1
The City of Sardis
• Considered to be one of the most impregnable cities of its day. Situated fifteen hundred feet above the valley floor on the top of a mountain spur, it was surrounded by sheer cliffs.
• The greatest king of Sardis was Croesus, whose overconfidence was his downfall when he went to war with Cyrus, king of Persia.
• Defeated when underground passageway to the city was discovered.
The Denunciation of the Church
• The Church is denounced for its outward profession and inward deadness. Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 23:27.
• The Church is denounced for its incomplete works. Revelation 3:1-2
• “We can have pomp and ceremony, color and ritual, liturgical exactness and ecclesiastical splendor, and yet be offering a worship which is not perfect of ‘fulfilled’ in the sight of God. -John Stott
The Direction to the ChurchRevelation 3:2-3
• Become Vigilant (Ephesians 5:14)
• Become Vigorous (At Sardis there were a “Few” who had not “Defiled their garments”)
• Become Victorious (“Remember what you have received and heard”)
• Become Vibrant (“hold fast…” 1Cor. 15:2; 1Thess. 5:21; 2Tim. 1:13; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23)
• Become Virtuous (“Repent”)
The Declaration to the ChurchRevelation 3:5-6
• To those who are overcoming, they shall be clothed in white: Being clothed in white signifies righteousness. Revelation 19:8
• … they shall be continued in the book: Ancient cities kept records of citizens, if a citizen committed a crime their name was blotted out of the book.
• …they shall be confessed before God: Matthew 10:32
How does a Church Die?
• What we can rule out:
– Death from an outside enemy
– Death by suicide
– Death by abandonment
“A Church is in danger of death when it begins to worship its own past…when it is more concerned with forms than with life…when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ…when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things.”-W. Ramsey
What causes death?
• The church died through the death of its individual members.
• The church died from relying on its past reputation. Spiritual movements go through four stages: a man, a movement, a machine, a monument.
• The church died because it was sensitive to its own spiritual condition.
Questions
According to Matthew 23:1-39, what was a sure sign that the Pharisees were hypocrites? (verse 3b) Who were their works done for? (verse 5)
What is the warning statement about man-centered religion? (verse 12)
What does God always preserve for Himself even in times of spiritual deadness? (Romans 9:27; 11:5)
• The fifth letter of Christ to the churches was sent to the church at Sardis. More than anything, it is remembered as the city defeated by a surprise attack, a piece of history which may have prompted Jesus’ admonition to the church to be watchful.
• The Lord designates himself as the one who has control over the pastors of the seven churches. Revelation 3:1
The City of Sardis
• Considered to be one of the most impregnable cities of its day. Situated fifteen hundred feet above the valley floor on the top of a mountain spur, it was surrounded by sheer cliffs.
• The greatest king of Sardis was Croesus, whose overconfidence was his downfall when he went to war with Cyrus, king of Persia.
• Defeated when underground passageway to the city was discovered.
The Denunciation of the Church
• The Church is denounced for its outward profession and inward deadness. Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 23:27.
• The Church is denounced for its incomplete works. Revelation 3:1-2
• “We can have pomp and ceremony, color and ritual, liturgical exactness and ecclesiastical splendor, and yet be offering a worship which is not perfect of ‘fulfilled’ in the sight of God. -John Stott
The Direction to the ChurchRevelation 3:2-3
• Become Vigilant (Ephesians 5:14)
• Become Vigorous (At Sardis there were a “Few” who had not “Defiled their garments”)
• Become Victorious (“Remember what you have received and heard”)
• Become Vibrant (“hold fast…” 1Cor. 15:2; 1Thess. 5:21; 2Tim. 1:13; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23)
• Become Virtuous (“Repent”)
The Declaration to the ChurchRevelation 3:5-6
• To those who are overcoming, they shall be clothed in white: Being clothed in white signifies righteousness. Revelation 19:8
• … they shall be continued in the book: Ancient cities kept records of citizens, if a citizen committed a crime their name was blotted out of the book.
• …they shall be confessed before God: Matthew 10:32
How does a Church Die?
• What we can rule out:
– Death from an outside enemy
– Death by suicide
– Death by abandonment
“A Church is in danger of death when it begins to worship its own past…when it is more concerned with forms than with life…when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ…when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things.”-W. Ramsey
What causes death?
• The church died through the death of its individual members.
• The church died from relying on its past reputation. Spiritual movements go through four stages: a man, a movement, a machine, a monument.
• The church died because it was sensitive to its own spiritual condition.
Questions
According to Matthew 23:1-39, what was a sure sign that the Pharisees were hypocrites? (verse 3b) Who were their works done for? (verse 5)
What is the warning statement about man-centered religion? (verse 12)
What does God always preserve for Himself even in times of spiritual deadness? (Romans 9:27; 11:5)
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Thyatira; The Adulterous Church
• The destination of the letter: Unlike some of the other cities Jesus addresses, the city was not known for its grandeur, culture, or learning. But it was known for its commerce.
• The designation of the Lord: Rev. 2:18
– The Son of God: Authority
– The All-Seeing God: Knowledge (John 2:24)
– Feet like fine brass: Judgment (Deut. 28:23)
• Thyatira was a…
– Laboring church
– Loyal church
– Longsuffering church
– Maturing, Progressing, Growing Church
• There more recent works, Jesus said, are more than the first. In other words, this was a church that was maturing, progressing and growing-a church making progress in sanctification. While this was a commendable church in many respects, that in which they were failing overshadowed the good.
• “If the devil cannot conquer the church by the application of political pressure or the propagation of intellectual heresy, he will try the insinuation of moral evil. This was the dragon’s strategy in Thyatira.”-John Stott
• The woman Jezebel
– Wife of Ahab
– Priestess of Ashtaroth, (a.k.a. Aphrodite and Venus)
– Persuaded Ahab to build a temple, supported 850 false prophets, and systematically killed the prophets of God. Elijah ran for his life from her.
• The Message to the Cult: Rev. 2:21-23
• The Message to the Christians: Rev. 2:24-25 (keep on doing what you’re doing)
• The Message to the Conquerors: Rev. 2:26-29
– The right to rule and reign with Christ
– Possession of the Morning Star
– “I Jesus…am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”-Rev.22:16
• The designation of the Lord: Rev. 2:18
– The Son of God: Authority
– The All-Seeing God: Knowledge (John 2:24)
– Feet like fine brass: Judgment (Deut. 28:23)
• Thyatira was a…
– Laboring church
– Loyal church
– Longsuffering church
– Maturing, Progressing, Growing Church
• There more recent works, Jesus said, are more than the first. In other words, this was a church that was maturing, progressing and growing-a church making progress in sanctification. While this was a commendable church in many respects, that in which they were failing overshadowed the good.
• “If the devil cannot conquer the church by the application of political pressure or the propagation of intellectual heresy, he will try the insinuation of moral evil. This was the dragon’s strategy in Thyatira.”-John Stott
• The woman Jezebel
– Wife of Ahab
– Priestess of Ashtaroth, (a.k.a. Aphrodite and Venus)
– Persuaded Ahab to build a temple, supported 850 false prophets, and systematically killed the prophets of God. Elijah ran for his life from her.
• The Message to the Cult: Rev. 2:21-23
• The Message to the Christians: Rev. 2:24-25 (keep on doing what you’re doing)
• The Message to the Conquerors: Rev. 2:26-29
– The right to rule and reign with Christ
– Possession of the Morning Star
– “I Jesus…am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”-Rev.22:16
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Pergamum; The Church at Satan's Seat
Rev 2:12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
This capital city is where Satan has his throne, the serpent, the symbol of healing of the pagan god Asclepius was everywhere in the city. It was also a centre of Caesar worship, it had a temple dedicated to Rome and it also had many heathen temples.
v12 - "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. - The double-edged sword is a reference to the Word of God, Heb 4:16 see also Rev 1:16, 19:15. He will use this sword to fight against the Balaamites and Nicolaitans in v16.
v13 - I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. - In the case of the other church (except Smyrna) Jesus says 'I know your deed' here he says 'I know where you live--where Satan has his throne', he knows that they are living where Satan seemingly reigns, this must bring comfort to the church. Pergamum was a centre of both pagan religion and Caesar worship, Asclepius the serpent God of healing was worshipped there and so the city can truly be described as one where Satan reigns, i.e. has his throne. However this is precisely the place where Christians are to witness, c.f. 'Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified' (11:8). The Greek word used here for witness is martys, thus by the witness of his life and death Antipas bore witness to Jesus, becoming an example for much of the book later. Jesus knows our circumstances, he knows that the church at Pergamum is where Satan has his throne, he knows about the martyrdom of Antipas this should bring comfort to the saints. Jesus is the faithful witness (1:5), Antipas is one who followed the example of Jesus and remained faithful unto death (2:10, 14:12), just as Christ remained faithful until death, and is called here my faithful witness; being faithful under persecution is one of the key messages of revelation. But after death Christ rose again, just as the two witnesses came to life again (11:11). In Revelation we find those who died for the sake of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus, but they are alive in heaven and will live for eternity as they drink from the waters of life. Just as Christ's death brings many sons to glory so the death of the martyrs is a necessary part of God's plan for the world. The martyrs are the seed bed of the church and the death of the martyrs acts as a testimony to men and will result in some people coming to repentance. The testimony of God's people through their life and death is a part of God's plan, just as the life and death of Jesus was.
v14 - Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. - While the church coped with the external threat of persecution it did not deal with the threat from within the church. They had been infiltrated by Satan's servants who introduce destructive heresies. The book of Revelation is largely about the external enemies of the church yet we must not forget the false prophets within the church. The word of God warns us about false prophets, Mat 7:15, 24:24, 2 Pet 2:1, 1 John 4:1. In the letters to the seven churches Jesus is purifying his church so that it will cope with the coming persecution. For Balaam the false prophet see Numbers 22-25:3, 31:16, 2 Pet 2:15. He enticed God's people to commit sexual immorality and bow down and eat food offered to idols, Num 31:16. These sins all involve spiritual and physical compromise with the world, the church of God is to be blameless and holy (11:2, 14:4-5, 20:6, 21:2). Idols are mentioned because God wants to purify his church of anything that resembles idolatry (2 Cor 6:12-7:1 cf. Rev 18:4) which is the fundamental sin of those who worship the beast and his image (cf. 13:14-15, 14:7, 9-12).
v14 - eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality - These are the same things mentioned in the letter to Thyatira, there they tolerated the woman Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, but who by her teaching misleads God's servants into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols, Rev 2:20. Paul covers these topics in 1 Cor they are also mentioned in Acts 15:28, these are clearly matters that troubled the Christians of the time, see Acts 15:28-29, 1 Cor 6:18, 8:1. They involve compromise with the world; the church is to be holy and separate from the world, in the world but not of it. John was clearly concerned by idolatry (1 John 5:21).
v15 - Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. - For the relationship between the Nicolations and Balaam see Rev 2:6 in the letter to the Ephesians. They permitted compromise with the world. This heresy is one that all God's people are tempted with throughout church history, it is nothing new. Another OT figure, Jezebel, is used while describing the same sins in Rev 2:20 again she compromises with the world. The saints are to be pure for they are the bride of Christ, Rev 14:4. False teaching is one of Satan's main weapons against the church, see his river of lies (12:15). If he cannot destroy the church from without he will try to destroy it from within, in 2 Cor 11:13-15 Paul talks about Satan's servants masquerading as apostles of Christ.
v16 - Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. - Christ first commands them to repent, that is the whole church for allowing this sin within and in particular those actually committing the sin, but if they do not then He will fight against them, that is those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolations, not against the church as a whole. He will fight against them with the word of God, compare with the description of Christ at his second coming in Rev 19:15 in which he will strike down the nations with the sword that comes out of his mouth. This could therefore be a reference to the second coming which is also mentioned in the letter to the church in Sardis (3:3), or it could refer to some other judgment.
v17 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. - Note the formula: 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches', we need to heed what is being said here. Manna was the daily food for the Israelites in the desert (Exo 16:31, Psa 78:24), it alludes to the proper heavenly food that is Christ (John 6:57-58) in contrast to the food offered to idols. There could also be a connection to the fruit of the tree of life, 'If anyone eats of this bread (i.e. Christ), he will live forever' (John 6:51). In the ancient law courts white and black stones were used for registering the verdicts of Juries, black for condemnation and white for acquittal. This would mean that the Christian is acquitted in God's sight because of the work of Jesus Christ. In the ancient world there was a common custom to carry a charm or amulet. It could be just a pebble on which there was a sacred name.
To know a God's name was to have a certain power over him and to summon him in times of difficulty. It was thought to be doubly effective if no one else knew the name inscribed on it. Lang remarks that Pergamum was tempted to eat defiled food, but he who defeated this temptation should eat of the sacred food of heaven, Christ, now hidden from men. Each who held fast the profession of His name, when it meant death to do this, shall receive His right to use His new name in the kingdom. Isaiah said that God would give his people a new name (Isa 62:2). As well as a new name in Revelation there are references to the New Jerusalem (3:12, 21:2), a new song (5:9, 14:3), a new heaven and new earth (21:1) and in 21:5 God says 'I am making everything new'. The new name would be appropriate to a new life and status in God's new creation and society. The old order of things has passed away, the saints will live in a new body and the new name signifies the demise of the old life lived in a decaying body amidst a corrupt world and the start of a new incorruptible life. The new song could only be learned by those redeemed from the earth and the new name is part of ones reward for remaining faithful to Jesus while on the old earth. It is interesting to note that Sarai, Abram and Israel all were given a new name by God to denote a change from their old life to a life after some new revelation of God (Gen 17:5, 15, 32:28).
Sandford says the following about the white stone; "Alchemists were fond of speaking of the 'lapis lazuli,' or white stone (actually a rich azure or sky-blue)... ...Alchemists sought by science and discipline to build themselves into perfected stones - actually to become the white stone by which they could possess total knowledge and wisdom... ... On the island of Patmos, whether or not John was aware of alchemy, the Holy Spirit certainly was, and the Lord promised, [quotes Rev. 2:17]. In Hebrew culture, a white stone was given to a man who had been forgiven great sins. Wearing the stone was a sign that he had been forgiven. But the Holy Spirit may also be saying something like this: 'To him who overcomes will I give a perfected soul; no one has to study alchemy to achieve it.' Every Christian is in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, which will finally be accomplished in 'the twinkling of an eye' (1 Cor. 15:52) - as a gift and not by alchemic science or its modern counterpart, New Age humanism."
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
This capital city is where Satan has his throne, the serpent, the symbol of healing of the pagan god Asclepius was everywhere in the city. It was also a centre of Caesar worship, it had a temple dedicated to Rome and it also had many heathen temples.
v12 - "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. - The double-edged sword is a reference to the Word of God, Heb 4:16 see also Rev 1:16, 19:15. He will use this sword to fight against the Balaamites and Nicolaitans in v16.
v13 - I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. - In the case of the other church (except Smyrna) Jesus says 'I know your deed' here he says 'I know where you live--where Satan has his throne', he knows that they are living where Satan seemingly reigns, this must bring comfort to the church. Pergamum was a centre of both pagan religion and Caesar worship, Asclepius the serpent God of healing was worshipped there and so the city can truly be described as one where Satan reigns, i.e. has his throne. However this is precisely the place where Christians are to witness, c.f. 'Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified' (11:8). The Greek word used here for witness is martys, thus by the witness of his life and death Antipas bore witness to Jesus, becoming an example for much of the book later. Jesus knows our circumstances, he knows that the church at Pergamum is where Satan has his throne, he knows about the martyrdom of Antipas this should bring comfort to the saints. Jesus is the faithful witness (1:5), Antipas is one who followed the example of Jesus and remained faithful unto death (2:10, 14:12), just as Christ remained faithful until death, and is called here my faithful witness; being faithful under persecution is one of the key messages of revelation. But after death Christ rose again, just as the two witnesses came to life again (11:11). In Revelation we find those who died for the sake of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus, but they are alive in heaven and will live for eternity as they drink from the waters of life. Just as Christ's death brings many sons to glory so the death of the martyrs is a necessary part of God's plan for the world. The martyrs are the seed bed of the church and the death of the martyrs acts as a testimony to men and will result in some people coming to repentance. The testimony of God's people through their life and death is a part of God's plan, just as the life and death of Jesus was.
v14 - Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. - While the church coped with the external threat of persecution it did not deal with the threat from within the church. They had been infiltrated by Satan's servants who introduce destructive heresies. The book of Revelation is largely about the external enemies of the church yet we must not forget the false prophets within the church. The word of God warns us about false prophets, Mat 7:15, 24:24, 2 Pet 2:1, 1 John 4:1. In the letters to the seven churches Jesus is purifying his church so that it will cope with the coming persecution. For Balaam the false prophet see Numbers 22-25:3, 31:16, 2 Pet 2:15. He enticed God's people to commit sexual immorality and bow down and eat food offered to idols, Num 31:16. These sins all involve spiritual and physical compromise with the world, the church of God is to be blameless and holy (11:2, 14:4-5, 20:6, 21:2). Idols are mentioned because God wants to purify his church of anything that resembles idolatry (2 Cor 6:12-7:1 cf. Rev 18:4) which is the fundamental sin of those who worship the beast and his image (cf. 13:14-15, 14:7, 9-12).
v14 - eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality - These are the same things mentioned in the letter to Thyatira, there they tolerated the woman Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, but who by her teaching misleads God's servants into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols, Rev 2:20. Paul covers these topics in 1 Cor they are also mentioned in Acts 15:28, these are clearly matters that troubled the Christians of the time, see Acts 15:28-29, 1 Cor 6:18, 8:1. They involve compromise with the world; the church is to be holy and separate from the world, in the world but not of it. John was clearly concerned by idolatry (1 John 5:21).
v15 - Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. - For the relationship between the Nicolations and Balaam see Rev 2:6 in the letter to the Ephesians. They permitted compromise with the world. This heresy is one that all God's people are tempted with throughout church history, it is nothing new. Another OT figure, Jezebel, is used while describing the same sins in Rev 2:20 again she compromises with the world. The saints are to be pure for they are the bride of Christ, Rev 14:4. False teaching is one of Satan's main weapons against the church, see his river of lies (12:15). If he cannot destroy the church from without he will try to destroy it from within, in 2 Cor 11:13-15 Paul talks about Satan's servants masquerading as apostles of Christ.
v16 - Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. - Christ first commands them to repent, that is the whole church for allowing this sin within and in particular those actually committing the sin, but if they do not then He will fight against them, that is those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolations, not against the church as a whole. He will fight against them with the word of God, compare with the description of Christ at his second coming in Rev 19:15 in which he will strike down the nations with the sword that comes out of his mouth. This could therefore be a reference to the second coming which is also mentioned in the letter to the church in Sardis (3:3), or it could refer to some other judgment.
v17 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. - Note the formula: 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches', we need to heed what is being said here. Manna was the daily food for the Israelites in the desert (Exo 16:31, Psa 78:24), it alludes to the proper heavenly food that is Christ (John 6:57-58) in contrast to the food offered to idols. There could also be a connection to the fruit of the tree of life, 'If anyone eats of this bread (i.e. Christ), he will live forever' (John 6:51). In the ancient law courts white and black stones were used for registering the verdicts of Juries, black for condemnation and white for acquittal. This would mean that the Christian is acquitted in God's sight because of the work of Jesus Christ. In the ancient world there was a common custom to carry a charm or amulet. It could be just a pebble on which there was a sacred name.
To know a God's name was to have a certain power over him and to summon him in times of difficulty. It was thought to be doubly effective if no one else knew the name inscribed on it. Lang remarks that Pergamum was tempted to eat defiled food, but he who defeated this temptation should eat of the sacred food of heaven, Christ, now hidden from men. Each who held fast the profession of His name, when it meant death to do this, shall receive His right to use His new name in the kingdom. Isaiah said that God would give his people a new name (Isa 62:2). As well as a new name in Revelation there are references to the New Jerusalem (3:12, 21:2), a new song (5:9, 14:3), a new heaven and new earth (21:1) and in 21:5 God says 'I am making everything new'. The new name would be appropriate to a new life and status in God's new creation and society. The old order of things has passed away, the saints will live in a new body and the new name signifies the demise of the old life lived in a decaying body amidst a corrupt world and the start of a new incorruptible life. The new song could only be learned by those redeemed from the earth and the new name is part of ones reward for remaining faithful to Jesus while on the old earth. It is interesting to note that Sarai, Abram and Israel all were given a new name by God to denote a change from their old life to a life after some new revelation of God (Gen 17:5, 15, 32:28).
Sandford says the following about the white stone; "Alchemists were fond of speaking of the 'lapis lazuli,' or white stone (actually a rich azure or sky-blue)... ...Alchemists sought by science and discipline to build themselves into perfected stones - actually to become the white stone by which they could possess total knowledge and wisdom... ... On the island of Patmos, whether or not John was aware of alchemy, the Holy Spirit certainly was, and the Lord promised, [quotes Rev. 2:17]. In Hebrew culture, a white stone was given to a man who had been forgiven great sins. Wearing the stone was a sign that he had been forgiven. But the Holy Spirit may also be saying something like this: 'To him who overcomes will I give a perfected soul; no one has to study alchemy to achieve it.' Every Christian is in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, which will finally be accomplished in 'the twinkling of an eye' (1 Cor. 15:52) - as a gift and not by alchemic science or its modern counterpart, New Age humanism."
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Perseverance outlast Persecution; the letter to the church at Smyrna
Rev 2:8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Smyrna is today called the city of Izmir; it lies about 35 miles north of Ephesus on the Aegean coast of Turkey. It has an excellent harbor. It had a strong allegiance to Rome and in 195 BC it became the first city in the ancient world to build a temple in honor of Emperor worship. Later in 23 BC, Smyrna won permission to build a temple to the emperor Tiberius. The strong allegiance to Rome plus a large Jewish population which was actively hostile to the Christians made it exceptionally difficult to live as a Christian in Smyrna. The most famous martyrdom of the early church fathers was of the elderly Polycarp, the 'twelfth martyr in Smyrna', who, upon his refusal to acknowledge Caesar as Lord, was placed upon a pyre to be burned. Christians in those days were known as atheist because they refused to worship Caesar. Polycarp was given an opportunity to recant simply by pointing to the other Christians that were with him and saying the words, “away with the atheist.” Instead he pointed to the legions gathered to witness the executions in the coliseum and said “away with the atheist!” Polycarp knew who the true Lord of Glory was and refused to worship any other.
v8 - "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again - This a repetition of his self designation, see Rev 1:17-18. He is the first and the last word in human history and therefore is sovereign over what is in between. Through him the world was created and human history will end when he comes again. He died and came to life again and hence conquered death, he is the firstborn of many brothers, this should be of comfort to those in Smyrna who are about to be persecuted and some will die.
v9 - I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! - For the other churches (except Pergamum) Christ says 'I know your deeds' but here he says 'I know your affliction and your poverty - yet you are rich'. They were physically poor but spiritually rich contrast this with the Laodiceans who thought that they were rich but were poor, 3:17 (Jam 2:5). Physically the church in Smyrna suffered from persecution from the Jews and they were poor, they had few luxuries and possessions, yet spiritually they were rich in the sight of Christ. Jesus sees their affliction; he knows about it, this must be of comfort to this persecuted church.
v9 - I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. - Again he says 'I know the slander...' he sees their situation, he is aware of it and its injustice, once again this must bring comfort to this church. These Jews follow Satan in slandering God's people, the word Satan means accuser (12:10), but the Devil means slanderer. Behind these Jews stands Satan; it is he, not Abraham, who is their spiritual father, John 8:44. Slander, that is telling lies to blacken the character of people, is one of Satan's weapons against the church; see the river of lies, Rev 12:15. Again in the letter to Philadelphia there is a reference to those who claim but to be Jews but are liars; they are actually a synagogue of Satan (3:9). See also other examples of Jewish antagonism in Acts 13:45, 14:2, 17:5, 18:6, and 25:7. Paul defines a real Jew not as one physically circumcised but as one circumcised in the heart by the Spirit (Rom 2:29) and who believes God just as Abraham believed God (Gal 3:6-7).
v10 - Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Here we find John's first warning concerning the persecution of the Church, the second occurs in the letter to the church in Pergamum. First Christ counsels them not to be afraid of what they are about to suffer. Christ by telling them beforehand is indicating that, as the all knowing God, it is part of his plan and under his control. In John 16:33 Jesus tells his disciples that in world they will have tribulation, but to take courage; he has overcome the world, cf. 3:21, 5:5. In Luke 12:4 Jesus warns us not to fear man who can kill the body but do no more, we should fear God who, when the body is dead, can cast us into hell. 1 Pet 3:13-18 tells us not to be afraid if we suffer for doing right, we have the example of Jesus who died for doing right but he was raised again (cf. 1 Pet 2:19-25, Isa 51:7-8). Ten days is a limited, but complete, period of time known by God, note that Daniel asked to be tested for ten days to see whether he would still look well on a diet of vegetables (Dan 1:12). The devil will put some of them in prison to test them, not the devil himself but using his human subjects just as he uses the beast to wage war against God's servants later, 11:7, 13:7. The Lord encourages them to be faithful by stressing the reward that this will bring them just as he did in Mat 5:10-12 in which those who are persecuted because of Him will have a great reward in heaven. There were in fact ten periods of persecution during the time of the Roman Empire until the 'conversion' of Constantine in 316 AD. Christ is aware of what is about to happen to them, but he does not intervene because it is for their ultimate good that they be tested even unto death so that they will receive the great reward of the crown of life spoken of by James. Just as Jesus overcame by dying, so the saints overcome by being faithful even to the point of death. The church of Pergamum did not renounce their faith in the face of martyrdom, 2:13. The fact that Christ died and came to life again (v8) also ensures that even though they die they will live again.
v10 - Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life. - By dying they will gain their (eternal) life (John 12:25). He who stands firm to the end will be saved. Martyrdom is a common theme in the book, but there is also a promise that he will receive the crown of (eternal) life. Jesus had already conquered death, he came to life again, verse 8. They will be tested; this is in harmony with the rest of scripture, after which they will receive the crown of life, Jam 1:12. They must be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life, a wonderful Christian paradox, John 12:25. The word for crown used here is the victors’ crown, rather than the royal crown, which is appropriate for those who have overcome i.e. won the victory. The crown of life is eternal life, which is signified by the water of life and the tree of life later in Rev 22:1. Here in one line is the message of the book of Revelation: Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life. This message is further expanded in the death of the two witnesses (11:7) and later when the beast wages war on the saints and overcomes them (13:7), but in both cases God vindicates his servants because the two witnesses are raised to life again (11:11) and we find those who are victorious over the beast praising God in heaven (15:2).
v11 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. - Note the formula: 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches', we need to heed what is being said here. This verse again emphasizes the reward for being faithful, even to the point of death; the far worse second death will not hurt them (21:7-8). The second death is contrasted with the crown of life of v10; the second death is lake of fire, Rev 20:14. It takes only a short while to endure the pain of the first death even as a martyr, the pain of the second death lasts for eternity. Those who endure to the end (Mat 10:22, 2 Tim 2:12) and are faithful to the death will be saved from the lake of fire. Note how the saints in 12:11 overcome Satan, who is mentioned here as the devil v10, 'by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death'.
The lesson we can take away from this church, is that we too will face persecution and adversity but God is faithful.
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Smyrna is today called the city of Izmir; it lies about 35 miles north of Ephesus on the Aegean coast of Turkey. It has an excellent harbor. It had a strong allegiance to Rome and in 195 BC it became the first city in the ancient world to build a temple in honor of Emperor worship. Later in 23 BC, Smyrna won permission to build a temple to the emperor Tiberius. The strong allegiance to Rome plus a large Jewish population which was actively hostile to the Christians made it exceptionally difficult to live as a Christian in Smyrna. The most famous martyrdom of the early church fathers was of the elderly Polycarp, the 'twelfth martyr in Smyrna', who, upon his refusal to acknowledge Caesar as Lord, was placed upon a pyre to be burned. Christians in those days were known as atheist because they refused to worship Caesar. Polycarp was given an opportunity to recant simply by pointing to the other Christians that were with him and saying the words, “away with the atheist.” Instead he pointed to the legions gathered to witness the executions in the coliseum and said “away with the atheist!” Polycarp knew who the true Lord of Glory was and refused to worship any other.
v8 - "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again - This a repetition of his self designation, see Rev 1:17-18. He is the first and the last word in human history and therefore is sovereign over what is in between. Through him the world was created and human history will end when he comes again. He died and came to life again and hence conquered death, he is the firstborn of many brothers, this should be of comfort to those in Smyrna who are about to be persecuted and some will die.
v9 - I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! - For the other churches (except Pergamum) Christ says 'I know your deeds' but here he says 'I know your affliction and your poverty - yet you are rich'. They were physically poor but spiritually rich contrast this with the Laodiceans who thought that they were rich but were poor, 3:17 (Jam 2:5). Physically the church in Smyrna suffered from persecution from the Jews and they were poor, they had few luxuries and possessions, yet spiritually they were rich in the sight of Christ. Jesus sees their affliction; he knows about it, this must be of comfort to this persecuted church.
v9 - I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. - Again he says 'I know the slander...' he sees their situation, he is aware of it and its injustice, once again this must bring comfort to this church. These Jews follow Satan in slandering God's people, the word Satan means accuser (12:10), but the Devil means slanderer. Behind these Jews stands Satan; it is he, not Abraham, who is their spiritual father, John 8:44. Slander, that is telling lies to blacken the character of people, is one of Satan's weapons against the church; see the river of lies, Rev 12:15. Again in the letter to Philadelphia there is a reference to those who claim but to be Jews but are liars; they are actually a synagogue of Satan (3:9). See also other examples of Jewish antagonism in Acts 13:45, 14:2, 17:5, 18:6, and 25:7. Paul defines a real Jew not as one physically circumcised but as one circumcised in the heart by the Spirit (Rom 2:29) and who believes God just as Abraham believed God (Gal 3:6-7).
v10 - Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Here we find John's first warning concerning the persecution of the Church, the second occurs in the letter to the church in Pergamum. First Christ counsels them not to be afraid of what they are about to suffer. Christ by telling them beforehand is indicating that, as the all knowing God, it is part of his plan and under his control. In John 16:33 Jesus tells his disciples that in world they will have tribulation, but to take courage; he has overcome the world, cf. 3:21, 5:5. In Luke 12:4 Jesus warns us not to fear man who can kill the body but do no more, we should fear God who, when the body is dead, can cast us into hell. 1 Pet 3:13-18 tells us not to be afraid if we suffer for doing right, we have the example of Jesus who died for doing right but he was raised again (cf. 1 Pet 2:19-25, Isa 51:7-8). Ten days is a limited, but complete, period of time known by God, note that Daniel asked to be tested for ten days to see whether he would still look well on a diet of vegetables (Dan 1:12). The devil will put some of them in prison to test them, not the devil himself but using his human subjects just as he uses the beast to wage war against God's servants later, 11:7, 13:7. The Lord encourages them to be faithful by stressing the reward that this will bring them just as he did in Mat 5:10-12 in which those who are persecuted because of Him will have a great reward in heaven. There were in fact ten periods of persecution during the time of the Roman Empire until the 'conversion' of Constantine in 316 AD. Christ is aware of what is about to happen to them, but he does not intervene because it is for their ultimate good that they be tested even unto death so that they will receive the great reward of the crown of life spoken of by James. Just as Jesus overcame by dying, so the saints overcome by being faithful even to the point of death. The church of Pergamum did not renounce their faith in the face of martyrdom, 2:13. The fact that Christ died and came to life again (v8) also ensures that even though they die they will live again.
v10 - Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life. - By dying they will gain their (eternal) life (John 12:25). He who stands firm to the end will be saved. Martyrdom is a common theme in the book, but there is also a promise that he will receive the crown of (eternal) life. Jesus had already conquered death, he came to life again, verse 8. They will be tested; this is in harmony with the rest of scripture, after which they will receive the crown of life, Jam 1:12. They must be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life, a wonderful Christian paradox, John 12:25. The word for crown used here is the victors’ crown, rather than the royal crown, which is appropriate for those who have overcome i.e. won the victory. The crown of life is eternal life, which is signified by the water of life and the tree of life later in Rev 22:1. Here in one line is the message of the book of Revelation: Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life. This message is further expanded in the death of the two witnesses (11:7) and later when the beast wages war on the saints and overcomes them (13:7), but in both cases God vindicates his servants because the two witnesses are raised to life again (11:11) and we find those who are victorious over the beast praising God in heaven (15:2).
v11 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. - Note the formula: 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches', we need to heed what is being said here. This verse again emphasizes the reward for being faithful, even to the point of death; the far worse second death will not hurt them (21:7-8). The second death is contrasted with the crown of life of v10; the second death is lake of fire, Rev 20:14. It takes only a short while to endure the pain of the first death even as a martyr, the pain of the second death lasts for eternity. Those who endure to the end (Mat 10:22, 2 Tim 2:12) and are faithful to the death will be saved from the lake of fire. Note how the saints in 12:11 overcome Satan, who is mentioned here as the devil v10, 'by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death'.
The lesson we can take away from this church, is that we too will face persecution and adversity but God is faithful.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Losing our first love; the message to the church in Ephesus
"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."-Revelation 2:4 ESV
This letter is addressed to the angel, or messenger, or the church at Ephesus, which is probably a reference to the pastor or elders of the church. Unlike today, in the first century church the Bible was read in community, so it could be discussed and properly understood. I believe the church of today would do well to return to this practice. We do glean from God's word any time it is opened and read, but together we can answer questions and learn together which is often much more effective than going it alone.
Ephesus was the most prominent city in Roman Asia Minor, serving as a religious and commercial center for that part of the world. It was home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the temple of Diana, a Greek/Roman goddess. The temple was able to seat 24, 000 people and was a center of immorality which included a bank and an art gallery. Great revenue was derived from the sale of statues of Diana.
The Church in Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey, and he would later spend three years there. The letter which we know as Ephesians was written by Paul to Christians in the city. Later Paul established Timothy as the pastor of the church, and the two letters written to Timothy from Paul were received by him while he was there. It is also likely, that John the Apostle became leader of the church following Timothy's ministry. The point is that the church at Ephesus was not lacking in quality leadership.
The message to the church begins in Revelation 2:1 and concludes in verse seven. The challenge to the church is a challenge to us as well. "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left your first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."(Revelation 2:4-5 KJV) This church in spite of the good qualities and leadership it possessed was in danger of losing their place of influence because they had abandoned their first love. They were commanded to remember their former place of dedication, repent of their present place of apathy, and repeat the works they did in the beginning when their love for God was em passioned.
We would all do well to take a lesson from the Ephesians and ignite the passion for Christ in are lives afresh and anew.
This letter is addressed to the angel, or messenger, or the church at Ephesus, which is probably a reference to the pastor or elders of the church. Unlike today, in the first century church the Bible was read in community, so it could be discussed and properly understood. I believe the church of today would do well to return to this practice. We do glean from God's word any time it is opened and read, but together we can answer questions and learn together which is often much more effective than going it alone.
Ephesus was the most prominent city in Roman Asia Minor, serving as a religious and commercial center for that part of the world. It was home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the temple of Diana, a Greek/Roman goddess. The temple was able to seat 24, 000 people and was a center of immorality which included a bank and an art gallery. Great revenue was derived from the sale of statues of Diana.
The Church in Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey, and he would later spend three years there. The letter which we know as Ephesians was written by Paul to Christians in the city. Later Paul established Timothy as the pastor of the church, and the two letters written to Timothy from Paul were received by him while he was there. It is also likely, that John the Apostle became leader of the church following Timothy's ministry. The point is that the church at Ephesus was not lacking in quality leadership.
The message to the church begins in Revelation 2:1 and concludes in verse seven. The challenge to the church is a challenge to us as well. "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left your first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."(Revelation 2:4-5 KJV) This church in spite of the good qualities and leadership it possessed was in danger of losing their place of influence because they had abandoned their first love. They were commanded to remember their former place of dedication, repent of their present place of apathy, and repeat the works they did in the beginning when their love for God was em passioned.
We would all do well to take a lesson from the Ephesians and ignite the passion for Christ in are lives afresh and anew.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”-Revelation 1:1(ESV)
It is with these words that perhaps the most least understood book of the Bible begins. But like all of scripture it is divinely inspired and ordered by the Holy Spirit for our instruction. As Paul points out in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”, and this would certainly apply to the Revelation of Jesus Christ, just as it does to the entirety of the cannon. When reading the book of Revelation, we must as with all of scripture, “rightly divide the word of truth.” We do this by first understanding the context of the passages involved; remember that although all of scripture is for us, it was not written to us. All of scripture, including the book of Revelation was written to specific groups of people living in a real historical context and culture. So in order to better understand the message that the Word of God has for us, it is helpful to understand to whom that Word was originally addressed. In the case of the book of Revelation, this letter was addressed by the Apostle John to “…the seven churches that are in Asia.” These churches are listed for us in Revelation 1:11 as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Again these were real cities with real Churches facing a very difficult time in history and the more we understand about what was addressed to them, the better we can understand what the Holy Spirit has for us.
First we must understand this is a book about Jesus Christ, and the unveiling of things to come and the revealing of the Lord of Glory. This book is not about the anti-christ, it is not about a tribulation, the book is about what every book of the Bible is about, Jesus Christ. Every book in the Bible, regardless of its genre or story is ultimately about Jesus Christ. As Christ told the Pharisees in John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness of me”, so the book of Revelation with all of its seemingly mysterious text is about Jesus Christ.
Next, the book was written by John as instructed by Lord who came to him in a vision while exiled on the isle of Patmos.
– “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Sprit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet…”-Rev.1:9-10.
John refers to the Lord’s Day, but this is not a reference to the day of the week but rather it is an Old Testament reference to “the day of the Lord” which speaks of the judgment of God on disobedient Israel. In fact, as pointed out by the Christian Research Institute the book of Revelation contains 404 verses, of these, 278 allude to Old Testament prophetic passages.
Patmos, the place of John’s exile was no Bahamian vacation in fact; the isle of Patmos is only ten miles long and six miles wide. Patmos is located in the Aegean Sea ten miles southeast of Ephesus (modern day Turkey). According to the New Testament scholar Sir William Ramsey, exile was “preceded by scourging, marked by perpetual fetters, scanty clothing, insufficient food, and sleep on the bare ground in a dark prison, and work under the lash of military overseers.” It was in this harsh and cruel environment that John saw the Lord.
Finally as Bible teacher David Jeremiah points out, John received this vision while in the Spirit which is referenced in Revelation 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10. In this glorious vision John sees the Lord in a magnificent manner which syncs with the entirety of scripture when describing the greatness of our God.
• His clothing: Rev.1:13; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 11:5; John 13:4-5
• His head and hair: Rev.1:14; Daniel 7:9-13
• His eyes: Rev.1:14b; Psalm 11:4; Heb.4:13
• His feet: Rev.1:15; Isaiah 52:7; Rom.10:15
• His mouth: Rev.1:15b-16; Psalm 29:4; Ezekiel 43:2; Eph.6:17; Heb.4:12; Rev.19
• His hands: Rev.1:16; Daniel 12:3
• His face: Rev.1:17; Matt.17:2; Acts 26:13
This vision has a very profound impact on John. This picture of Jesus paralyzed John until touched by the Lord and then Jesus tells John not to fear for three reasons
“Fear not, for I am the Eternal God”
“Fear not, for I am the Resurrected Christ”
“Fear not, for I have the keys of death and hell.”
As we move forward in coming weeks and discover together what these seven churches were facing, it should become clear to us that the same Christ which spoke to them and called them by name continues to guide us by his Word. So that we, as did the seven churches in Asia, can be confident in the fact that Christ knows where we are at and what we are facing and has not, nor will not forsake us.
It is with these words that perhaps the most least understood book of the Bible begins. But like all of scripture it is divinely inspired and ordered by the Holy Spirit for our instruction. As Paul points out in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”, and this would certainly apply to the Revelation of Jesus Christ, just as it does to the entirety of the cannon. When reading the book of Revelation, we must as with all of scripture, “rightly divide the word of truth.” We do this by first understanding the context of the passages involved; remember that although all of scripture is for us, it was not written to us. All of scripture, including the book of Revelation was written to specific groups of people living in a real historical context and culture. So in order to better understand the message that the Word of God has for us, it is helpful to understand to whom that Word was originally addressed. In the case of the book of Revelation, this letter was addressed by the Apostle John to “…the seven churches that are in Asia.” These churches are listed for us in Revelation 1:11 as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Again these were real cities with real Churches facing a very difficult time in history and the more we understand about what was addressed to them, the better we can understand what the Holy Spirit has for us.
First we must understand this is a book about Jesus Christ, and the unveiling of things to come and the revealing of the Lord of Glory. This book is not about the anti-christ, it is not about a tribulation, the book is about what every book of the Bible is about, Jesus Christ. Every book in the Bible, regardless of its genre or story is ultimately about Jesus Christ. As Christ told the Pharisees in John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness of me”, so the book of Revelation with all of its seemingly mysterious text is about Jesus Christ.
Next, the book was written by John as instructed by Lord who came to him in a vision while exiled on the isle of Patmos.
– “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Sprit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet…”-Rev.1:9-10.
John refers to the Lord’s Day, but this is not a reference to the day of the week but rather it is an Old Testament reference to “the day of the Lord” which speaks of the judgment of God on disobedient Israel. In fact, as pointed out by the Christian Research Institute the book of Revelation contains 404 verses, of these, 278 allude to Old Testament prophetic passages.
Patmos, the place of John’s exile was no Bahamian vacation in fact; the isle of Patmos is only ten miles long and six miles wide. Patmos is located in the Aegean Sea ten miles southeast of Ephesus (modern day Turkey). According to the New Testament scholar Sir William Ramsey, exile was “preceded by scourging, marked by perpetual fetters, scanty clothing, insufficient food, and sleep on the bare ground in a dark prison, and work under the lash of military overseers.” It was in this harsh and cruel environment that John saw the Lord.
Finally as Bible teacher David Jeremiah points out, John received this vision while in the Spirit which is referenced in Revelation 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10. In this glorious vision John sees the Lord in a magnificent manner which syncs with the entirety of scripture when describing the greatness of our God.
• His clothing: Rev.1:13; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 11:5; John 13:4-5
• His head and hair: Rev.1:14; Daniel 7:9-13
• His eyes: Rev.1:14b; Psalm 11:4; Heb.4:13
• His feet: Rev.1:15; Isaiah 52:7; Rom.10:15
• His mouth: Rev.1:15b-16; Psalm 29:4; Ezekiel 43:2; Eph.6:17; Heb.4:12; Rev.19
• His hands: Rev.1:16; Daniel 12:3
• His face: Rev.1:17; Matt.17:2; Acts 26:13
This vision has a very profound impact on John. This picture of Jesus paralyzed John until touched by the Lord and then Jesus tells John not to fear for three reasons
“Fear not, for I am the Eternal God”
“Fear not, for I am the Resurrected Christ”
“Fear not, for I have the keys of death and hell.”
As we move forward in coming weeks and discover together what these seven churches were facing, it should become clear to us that the same Christ which spoke to them and called them by name continues to guide us by his Word. So that we, as did the seven churches in Asia, can be confident in the fact that Christ knows where we are at and what we are facing and has not, nor will not forsake us.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
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