Do We Still Have Time???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #211

I want to share two passages of scripture for our consideration today.  They are portions of two of the letters that Jesus sent to two of the seven churches in Revelation chapters two and three.  I hope to dig into the entirety of the seven church letters that Jesus had John write, for they contain so much that we need to appraise today.  The Lord’s return is eminent and there is much to consider.  I chose these two for comparison today because we see that Jesus has a standard, and while He extends grace, mercy and love to His bride, there comes a place where He will tolerate no more.  I think it worth our time today.  And we may follow up with another next time, that is also pertinent (as they all are!). But for today, I want us to simply consider a very obvious difference between these two churches, so read these verses through and then I’ll make a few simple observations with the hope that we can return to them in more detail at a later date.  Remember this is Jesus’ assessment, not mine; I just want to point out the contrast!

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

These things saith he which hath the sharp sword

with two edges;

I know thy works,

and where thou dwellest,

even where Satan’s seat is:

and thou holdest fast my name,

and hast not denied my faith,

even in those days wherein Antipas

was my faithful martyr,

who was slain among you,

where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee,

because thou hast there them

that hold the doctrine of Balaam,

who taught Balac

to cast a stumblingblock

before the children of Israel,

to eat things

sacrificed unto idols,

and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them

that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,

which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly,

and will fight against them

with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation 2:13-16

Here we have a church that allowed false teachers and leaders to bring in dangerous and heretical doctrine and teaching.  Without going into detail, this church was allowing immorality, idolatry, and division (of the sort that set some with “special” knowledge above others who were “lesser” believers—totally contrary to truth!). Note that Jesus reproves the church for allowing such into their midst, and Jesus recognized that they lived in a wicked culture (and no, Satan didn’t have a home there, but his presence, principles and perversions were rampant, much like today!) and had held fast to much of His truth, yet they had compromised in subtle and dangerous issues.

The thing I want us to take note of today is verse 16, where Jesus called them to repent (to eliminate the danger—the false teachers and leaders—from their midst.), to turn away from these things, and the people who were promoting them.  And He gives them an ultimatum:

 “Repent; or else

I will come unto thee quickly,

and will fight against them

with the sword of my mouth”!

In Blanche’s paraphrase, “you can take care of this business, or I will come and do it myself!”  What a warning!  Will we heed the call of Jesus to keep His bride pure and ready for her call, or will we blindly accept the popular methods, plans, and programs to build Jesus’ church, or cling to the Gospel and trust to Jesus’ alone to guide, direct and teach us as we dig into HIS Word?

The other passage has some unique differences, and that is what I want us to consider in contrasting these two churches and Jesus’ message to each one.

“And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write;

These things saith the Son of God,

who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire,

and his feet are like fine brass;

19 I know thy works,

and charity,

and service,

and faith,

and thy patience,

and thy works;

and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,

because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,

which calleth herself a prophetess,

to teach

and to seduce my servants to commit fornication,

and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;

and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed,

and them that commit adultery with her

into great tribulation,

except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death;

and all the churches shall know

that I am he which searcheth

the reins

and hearts:

and I will give unto every one of you

according to your works.

24 But unto you I say,

and unto the rest in Thyatira,

as many as have not this doctrine,

and which have not known the depths of Satan,

as they speak;

I will put upon you

none other burden.”  Revelation 2:18-24

Much like the church at Pergamos, Jesus was pleased with some things that were in the church, and in verse 24 He clearly reveals that there were those who were standing fast to Him, true doctrine, and biblical, godly behavior.  But He rebukes them for the false teachers, whose teaching and behavior was being permitted and practiced by His own children who were following the false ones whom they had permitted to lead them astray. They had welcomed the great “C” word, compromise, and compromise with God’s Word and the true Gospel of Jesus is a dangerous thing to play with.

The thing I most want us to notice and compare here are the differences in Jesus’ judgment upon them; in Pergamos Jesus gave them the opportunity to repent and deal with the issue of the false and immoral teaching themselves, and if they didn’t He would!  Yet, to the church at Thyatira, Jesus made it clear that they had allowed this to go on too long and too far!  Jesus does say that those who were truly His and had become deceived and led into immorality by this false teacher (Jezebel—a name simply in comparison to the Old Testament Character. You can read about her in 1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9.) needed to repent to escape a severe judgment, verse 22.  But Jezebel and her children would be judged with tribulation and death.  Jesus called individual believers to repent, but He doesn’t call the church to take care of the problem, they had let it go too far, and unlike the church at Pergamos, He didn’t call them to take care of the issue; but He does commend those who had stood fast by His truth were promised that, “I will put upon you none other burden” because they had not participated in this deceit within the body of Jesus—the church!

What did He mean?  I can only give you my understanding out of my own study and experience.  When we stand fast for Jesus, His Gospel, and His Word against those who want to “modernize” the church, it is seldom received well.  And when we stand against the enemy, he can and will use deceived, genuine believers to try to bring the stalwarts into compromise.  But we must stand fast digging into God’s Word so that we can stand upon it with confidence!  Because there were those in this church who had stood fast, Jesus promised them that because they had stood firm, He would add no more to their burden of going upstream against the enemy—even when he uses fellow believers whom we love against us!

So my friends, may we feast on His Word and stand fast—no matter the opposition, ridicule or trouble that may come.  Paul said it best:

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18

Suit up my friends—the evil day is upon us, even within the walls of our churches! But remember, in Jesus we win!

“He that hath an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit saith

unto the churches.”  Revelation 2:29

Amen and Amen!!!