OPENED DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY
#426 OPENED DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY
Scripture Revelation 3:8, 20; 4:1 NIV Orig. 10/15/1967
Rewr. 5/12/1987
Passage:
38 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
41After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
Purpose: Calling attention to our present advantage from God if we grasp the meaning of circumstances put before us.
Keywords: Consternation Hope Opportunity Revival
Special Program
Introduction
Checking the meaning of the word “door” in a dictionary, you may find any one of dozens of definitions. A cheap one may say nothing more than “access” or “passageway.” My Brittanica says little more. “Frame used for closing or opening . . . Any means . . . of exit or entrance.” The principal rendering in both examples then would be that a door is something to hide behind.
Scripture uses the word variously, even that way. But there are other meanings and we draw from those other meanings this morning.
The psalmist uses it as a barrier, not to keep closed, but to get opened. “Be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, and the king of glory shall come in.” (Psalms 24:7). Yet again, he uses the idea to suggest humble service. “I’d rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in tents of wickedness.”
Jesus, you remember, drew word pictures often with such imagery. In prayer: “When thou has shut the door, pray.” In parable, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24). As an expression of finality in faith: “They that were ready went in: . . . and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10). As an example of Himself: “I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Notice the strong imagery there that it is not something to lock ourselves behind, it is a place to which we have occasional respite, remembering even as we do, that the greater place for good is beyond those doors.
I. The First of These Doors is the Door of Decision. V20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
We must remember that the one addressing the door is the One who knows our sin. History is full of incidents of people and nations thinking their sin is of no consequence. Jeremiah saw the real trouble for Judah. The northern kingdom had fallen. Jeremiah 7:9f “Will ye steal, murder, commit adultery and swear falsely and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations?’” The remarkable thing about Jim Bakker’s recent media exploitation. His sin of adultery was bad enough. But for seven years he had practiced deceit.
The One standing at the door demands the response of faith and faithfulness. We must never be deceived into thinking that polite acknowledgment and practical indifference will placate the holy and righteous God. Your testimony in your community depends on your faithfulness. Deacon, hear me, faithfulness is expected. Your church may not take action, but God will. Teacher/worker, God expects you to do your best, and to seek to improve.
We are as close as a church can be to losing Church Training to disinterest. Some of you are saying “Who cares?” which is the devil’s remark. Most of us got our basic training in Church Training.
Trusting Christ, we moved forward to grow in Him. We will do well to recall Luke 9:62 “No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit.” It was so easy to feel uplift of revival. Some took the courageous way of openness. Still others felt some innate desire. [The] next Sunday we weren’t even average. Church Training was the lowest in my memory. So, some were out of town for M.D., but why stay absent yourself that night.
Hear me, the One at the door respects your privacy. We ignore Him to our peril. Our children will be less spiritual than we. Our friends and neighbors need to know what it is that we really stand for. Faithful pastors must conclude, “Lord, if I can’t lift their vision, send one who can.”
II. The Next Door is That of Decision. V8 “Behold, I have set before thee, an open door.”
It is not in the sense of time or place. We still hear people talk about the good old days. We remember the value of such times. But we also remember the hardness, and the work. Someone spoke of the days when “a man’s word was his bond.” But it’s tough, in a $90,000 home, waiting for microwave meal to heat, watching Walton Mountain, on a 2T4 HEU, wishing for the “good old days.”
But, you see, God would have us where we are, for Jesus’ sake. The “direction” in missions came at Antioch.
· Acts 11:19 “preaching . . . to none but Jews only.”
· Acts 11:20 “preaching the Lord Jesus unto the Grecians.”
· Acts 11:26 “called Christians first in Antioch.”
It had not to do with time, place.
Nor is direction set by our circumstance. Naught else in all of nature has the power to change circumstance. Birds fly 5,000 miles with seasons. Whales swim thousands of miles to breeding site. Wildebeests migrate by the millions for grass. But all are responding to their inner clock. People can and do often change their circumstance. Tragically, many cannot. Calcasieu River bottom dwellers. And, our changing is sometimes running away. Every believer should claim the proof-text for circumstance and direction: Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”
Such direction is limited only by our dedication. Jeremiah voices a word of consternation. Jeremiah 9:24 “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord that exerciseth lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight,” saith the Lord.
Oswald Chambers quotes Quaker, Mary Hooker. “When Jesus found the Galilean disciples they were mending their nets.” She added, “The majority of Christian people are always washing and mending their nets, but when Jesus Christ comes along, he tells them to launch out and let down their nets.”
It is thusly that He is speaking to us today. Do what you can, where you are, now.
III. Finally, We Must Also Perceive a Door of Division. 4:1 “After this, I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven.”
It is through this door that God’s word gains access. What power is the word allowed in your life? Even if we are in Sunday School. Too often is the first time we’ve touched a Bible since last trip, which for many was not last Sunday, or even the Sunday before. How it should grieve us to learn Mormons’ regard for their book, Jehovah’s Witnesses specially prepared texts, and we [with the] Bible take it for granted.
It is through this door that we experience the resurrected Jesus. Through that door the record is set. Through that door we experience reality. Romans 8:34 “It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
Through that door gains entrance, the convicting and convincing power of the Holy Spirit. You will not remember John Marco Allegro, but his idea of truth caught on with the news media a while back. An ex-lay-preacher, he put forth the junk that Old Testament prophets saw visions as a result of LSD trips, and that early Christians were a politically slanted, drug-taking cult. Media will print and produce garbage if it will sell to the public. The Garbage barge is symbolic.
Conclusion
We experience many doors in our lifetime. Too often, they are “frames for closing” or “Any means of exit” (Brittanica), rather than entrances through which God is allowed to assert His sovereignty in our lives. Heed the message of Walter de la Mare’s Listeners.
‘Is there anybody there?’ said the Traveller,
Knocking on the moonlit door;
And his horse in the silence champed the grasses
Of the forest’s ferny floor:
And a bird flew up out of the turret,
Above the Traveller’s head:
And he smote upon the door again a second time;
‘Is there anybody there?’ he said.
But no one descended to the Traveller;
No head from the leaf-fringed sill
Leaned over and looked into his grey eyes,
Where he stood perplexed and still.
But only a host of phantom listeners
That dwelt in the lone house then
Stood listening in the quiet of the moonlight
To that voice from the world of men:
Stood thronging the faint moonbeams on the dark stair,
That goes down to the empty hall,
Hearkening in an air stirred and shaken
By the lonely Traveller’s call.
And he felt in his heart their strangeness,
Their stillness answering his cry,
While his horse moved, cropping the dark turf,
’Neath the starred and leafy sky;
For he suddenly smote on the door, even
Louder, and lifted his head:—
‘Tell them I came, and no one answered,
That I kept my word,’ he said.
Never the least stir made the listeners,
Though every word he spake
Fell echoing through the shadowiness of the still house
From the one man left awake:
Ay, they heard his foot upon the stirrup,
And the sound of iron on stone,
And how the silence surged softly backward,
When the plunging hoofs were gone.1
1de la Mare, W. (1979). The collected poems of Walter de la Mare. London: Faber.
HOLDING FAST Philadelphia
#233b HOLDING FAST
Philadelphia
Scripture Revelation 3:7-13 Orig. 2/20/1966
Rewr. 3/15/1989
Passage:
7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Purpose: Teaching Revelation to adults in Church Training
Keywords: Christ as Mediator Salvation Mission of the Church Grace
Timeline/Series: Revelation letters Philadelphia
Introduction
Four times already the exhortation delivered to these churches had advised repentance. Only one of the five yet studied (Smyrna), does not contain this message. Philadelphia is one of only two not challenged by this need.
The last two churches will both be challenged by the symbol of doors. Philadelphia, the city of “brotherly love” reveals an “Open door,” opened and unshuttable. The final church, Laodicea, will reflect a closed door. Christ himself is pictured standing before this door, “knocking.” The advice given here is to “hold fast.”
I. First, Let’s Examine the Open Door. V8 “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”
Opened by God Himself. Perfect passive participle—opened to stay open. Such doors are for trusting friends. AARP program for “latchkey kids.”
Doors are opened for the church to move out. Opportunity of service to God. Gibbon: tall column amidst rubble of fallen city. Opened to launch attack against evil. Church not a bastion of defense. V11 “hold that fast which thou hast.” Major on boldness. Isaiah 22:5 “day of trouble.” V22 Eliakim [Eliakim's authority to “open . . . and shut” results from “the key of the house of David” being put “on his shoulder.”]. Peter, Matthew 16:18 “upon this rock I will build.”
II. Consider the Overpowering Love. V9 “Behold, I will make them to . . . know that I have loved thee.”
First mark is forgiveness. Some do not seek. Others cheapen meaning. Harlot (Luke 7) doesn’t return to her trade. Meaning of crucifixion: Jesus didn’t die for “sins.” He died for my sin.
Next mark is faith unto salvation. Jews were claiming to be “Israel.” V9. Romans 2:28f, “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly.” John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil.”
Final mark is eternal life. Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and always keep my commandments, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever.” Galatians 6:8 “He who sows to the spirit will of the spirit reap life everlasting.”
III. Consider Overcoming Grace. V10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee.”
Grace in the hour of crisis. Is it deliverance from trial? Safekeeping in trial? John Vandercook: trials, she, arthritic spine; she wanted to be missionary: John says “140 nations come to them.” Action 3-14-89 to cover insurance ($407/mo.)
Grace in temptation. 2 Peter 3:17 “Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” Ephesians 6:13 “Take the whole armor.”
Grace on the day of judgment. V12 “He shall go out thence no more.” Philadelphia had earthquake problem. Mexico City—escape. Nicaragua—people went back and aftershock hit. These are the people who bring stability.
Conclusion
God is the temple, but faith is the pillars of that temple. God’s name means we are his true children. New Jerusalem means that we belong. Christ’s new name. “Now we see through a glass dimly.”
1 Gibbon, E. (1996). The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire (D. Womersley, Ed.). Penguin Classics.
READY TO DIE BUT NOT PREPARED FOR DEATH SARDIS
#155 READY TO DIE BUT NOT PREPARED FOR DEATH
SARDIS
Scripture Revelation 3:1-6, NIV Orig. Date 10/20/1963
Rewr. 3-1970; 9-29-1974
Passage: “To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Keywords: Sin Revival Image of the Church
Introduction
Many of us have been horrified over the past several months upon hearing of the self-inflicted torturous death on the part of a few Buddhist priests in Vietnam. We seem however to be unaffected by the knowledge that in our own country, tens of thousands of people die at their own hand every year.
I suppose that what caused such consternation over the Buddhists, was that this forced us to analyze our own degree of faith. Do I believe in my faith strongly enough to die for it?
The saddest part of the whole thing is that these priests, and suicide victims all over the world, stand for one proud moment “ready to die, but not prepared to die.”
In another sense, this was the problem at Sardis.
I. Let Us not Ever Doubt that a Church can Die.
Some of us have deluded ourselves. We turn to Matthew 16:18 and salve our own conscience by deciding that this verse proves a church can’t die. Jesus said very plainly, “The gates of hell won’t prevail against my church.” God’s call to Israel depended on obedience. He wasn’t talking about Trinity or Big Creek, Louisiana, or Southern Methodists. He was talking about the universal church.
In the passage read, Jesus has written the obituary of the church. Acts 4:29, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak.” Acts 3, Healing of the lame man. Acts 4, Taken before the Jewish Council, forbidden to preach Christ. Not complaining about trouble. They pray—the Spirit moved.
II. Let Us be Able to Distinguish a Dead or Dying Church.
The death process is very slow. Old Sardis had had that vital, throbbing, virulent faith. There had been a day when they prayed the heavens were shaken. As buzzard attracted to a dead carcass, so the stench of Sardis attracted Satan. The victim is often the last to know. What your best friend won’t tell you. Dr. [. . .] don’t die instantaneously by accident, or ultimately through old age, or by [. . .], inflammatory secularitis, missionary sclerosis, academic encephalitis.
Someone has suggested that the world makes a poor coroner for dead churches. What if a coroner were elected who couldn’t tell a dead body from a live one. He certainly could determine cause.
Suppose a Christian from Antioch was on his way to [. . .] and he made plans to focus on Sardis. Stop at a service station at Derbe and Lystra. Go down to Lystra Ave. to Athens and take a left. Go two blocks. He drives up, parks in parking lot, and as fate would have it, parks right next to one of few saints. He’s sitting in his car, reading his Bible. They don’t ask him to teach anymore because he always tries to use the Bible. Is this Sardis Baptist Church? It used to be.
Brethren, the deadest church can also be the busiest. (Dr. Conner [said] a church can be as busy as a beehive and just as destitute of spiritual power.) We have church members [. . .]. Big churches, little; strong—weak. “I know your works, that you have a name, that you are alive, but you are dead.”
III. Let Us be Sure that Where There is a Flicker of Life There is Hope.
The ultimatum had been given by Christ. Be watchful (For what): for opportunity, for responsibility, for self-discipline. Strengthen (By what means): by joining with, by taking part, by supporting.
Christianity is of the spirit not the body, not the heart, not the mind. Mind—seat of intellect; stomach—seat of appetite; heart—seat of affections. The pulse beat of Christianity is a love for Christ—if that is absent, nothing helps. If that is present, nothing matters.
The watchword of the church is repentance—worldly members, wayward, lost.
IV. Let Us Fan the Spark into an Open Flame.
The message to us “Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain.”
We must respond to Christ not out of fear, but out of love. We should fear his condemnation, but when that comes it’s too late. We’re trying to think up reason why we haven’t honored the church. “Depart from me ye wicked.”
We must work at serving him. Basic to all of this is the freedom of this pulpit. Every Christian shall be united in their efforts to keep the pulpit free. The deacon must accept his responsibility—to free the minister for the ministry of the word. Every member seeking to liberate the pastor from the organizational appeals of the affluent society.
The Rock T.S. Eliot’s warning is all too appropriate.
A cry from the north, from the west and from the south
Whence thousands travel daily to the timekept City;
Where My word is unspoken,
In the land of lobelias and tennis flannels
The rabbit shall burrow and the thorn revisit,
The nettle shall flourish on the gravel court,
And the wind shall say: “Here were decent godless people:
Their only monument the asphalt road
And a thousand lost golf balls.”
Eliot, T.S. 1. (1963), Collected poems, 1909-1962. [1st American ed.] New York, Harcourt, Brace & World.
THE GREAT I AM—THE CLAIMS OF JESUS
#099 THE GREAT I AM—THE CLAIMS OF JESUS
Scripture Revelation 1:10-18, NIV Orig. 7/28/1963
Rewr. 1/1972; 7/1977
Passage: 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Keywords: Christ
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters to the Churches
Introduction
Have you ever seen or talked with someone in the throes of God’s Providence? A person who was facing some heart-rending experience for which there was no earthly explanation. There are some things that happen to men that we can neither explain nor understand. Things which if we do not learn to control, then we can only yield and be dominated by them.
Often I talk with people who have such problems. Some of these good folks are dominated by their own problems. (Bro. Smith, no tears in heaven).
Look at the Apostle John for a moment. If any man who ever lived had the right to be discouraged it was John. After having served God faithfully at Ephesus, God allowed him to be sent to Patmos. That would be like sending Billy Graham to Alcatraz. But John, unlike most of us, knew that even in his suffering he was there for “the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Brethren, let’s listen to his testimony this morning.
I. He is the Resurrected Lord.
He is the only resurrected Lord. Look at the world’s religions:
· Moslems/Mohammedanism—put the word of one man ahead of the Word of God.
· Buddhism—a great stone statue, the spirit emblazoned by the temples going up all over country, not the only icon worshipper; icon in car—if statue could do more than prayer then we don’t have a chance against Buddhism.
· Communism—a form of religion worships power; Stalin—he was the savior of the world.
You cannot find a resurrected Lord in any of the world’s religions.
He is the necessary resurrected Lord. Some pseudo-Christian groups are trying to discount the resurrection. The person who doesn’t believe in the resurrection is not a Christian. It is His resurrection that brings Him into the context of our lives as Living Lord.
A dozen different theories—His body stolen, He was not dead. John 11:25.26. “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”
Jesus doesn’t say “I give,” I teach,” “I show” the resurrection, but “I am” the resurrection. Bro. Smith on Resurrection of dry bones—graphic description of miracle but resurrection of Jesus not a miracle—the purpose of God finding fulfillment in Christ.
II. He is the Everlasting Lord—Resolute (Persevering)
He is from the beginning. John 1:10 “He was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” He caused it to be. He allowed it to be.
There is a classic passage from Colossians that should make us conscious for all time that He is everlasting Lord. Colossians 1:15-17, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things were created in heaven, and in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.”
He continues to work ad infinitum. In Hebrews 1, Jesus is referred to as the one “whom God hath appointed heir to all things.” The passage read [in Revelation] refers to Jesus as alpha and omega. 1:8 God; 21:6 God; 22:13 Jesus.
A Greek concept—Plato speaks of a God who “holds the beginning, the end, and the center of everything.”
A Hebrew concept—Josephus calls God “the beginning and end of all things.” Rabbis had a word for God that incorporated first, middle, and last.
Jesus is the good shepherd—to drive away danger, to deliver from trouble, to return safely to fold. His equipment—a bag, a sling, a rod or staff. Hated by the orthodox—the unorthodox Christ may yet be touching lives. John 10:2-4, [sheep were] kept for milk and wool, known by name; the shepherd led the sheep.
III. He is the Retaliatory Lord.
Most today interpret this as a conciliatory Lord. “And have the keys of hell and of death.” Jesus is a conciliatory Lord; He has set out to bring the peoples of the earth to God.
Do you remember the account of David’s fighting [against] the Philistines, “the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees.”
God speaks a clear word today to people lost in sin. We read Paul’s injunction to Corinthians and get confused. That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. To Christians, He has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
The truth of this scripture is that God will lock tight the door to hell behind the unredeemed. We cannot trust completely any human. But we can trust God to do exactly as He says. You can trust the Commanders to do exactly as they say (if it’s feasible).
James writes of Jesus as the judge standing at the door (James 5:9). Peter—to Him that is ready to judge the living and the dead (I Peter 4:5). Paul—we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10). God judges the secrets of man.
Parables
· Wheat and tares---separation
· Wedding feast—hopelessness
· Talents—cursing
· Rich food—only the material
· Ten virgins
Acts 17:31, “God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.”
HOLDING FAST: Philadelphia
#233a HOLDING FAST
Philadelphia
Scripture Revelation 3:7-13 Orig. 2/20/1966
Rewr. 2-1982; 10/17/1986
Passage:
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Purpose: Continuing the series from the Revelation letters, calling attention to the church at Philadelphia, her faithfulness, how they “held fast,” and how God blessed and used them.
Keywords: Christ as Mediator Salvation Mission of the Church Grace
Timeline/Series: Revelation letters Philadelphia
Introduction
Our series on the Revelation letters began, you remember, on Patmos, an island off the coast of Asia Minor. It was to that place that John, the beloved apostle, had been banished. The city fathers at Ephesus, where John was pastor, resented some turn of phrase, or some spoken word of rebuke.
Little did those enemies of the faith know that God would still use His servant, even though he had been consigned by fellow creatures to an isolated existence. On that windswept, almost treeless island, covering 25 square miles, [while] living in a cave John received the vision of what was yet to be.
The initial recipients of this vision would be the people of the church on mainland Asia Minor, out of sight to John but not out of mind. The first church named was John’s own charge at Ephesus and the nearest to where John was exiled. From Ephesus, the road north goes through the next major city on the coast which is Smyrna, continuing north, and a few miles inland, the road leads to Pergamum. Taking the major road eastward, the next city of note is Thyatira. From there, it is perhaps 30-35 miles to Sardis. All of the aforementioned cities were built on braces of hills affording some protection from attack. You recall that the letter to Sardis calls attention to this protection. History tells it us that when trouble came to Sardis, it came because the citizens took their protection for granted, which, of course, the church at Sardis was doing spiritually.
From Sardis, the road turns east-southeast and runs to Philadelphia. But the people here know nothing of these protective barriers. But here we find a church to whom rebuke is spoken. Rather, they are set forth as a church with an “open door.” As they “hold fast” they will be “held fast.” As they “keep” they will be “kept.”
I. First, Let’s Examine the Open Door. V8 “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”
It is a door opened by God, Himself. Here is an example of the importance of verb forms—it is perfect passive participle—it is open, it will remain, like saying it has been removed from its hinges. Open doors are for trusted. Ours is the age of locked doors. Family members have keys. “Latchkey kids” AARP Seniors 10/86.
These doors are opened for the church’s ministry outside its walls. First, it is opportunity to serve God. Gibbon1, in his history of Roman Empire, says that Philadelphia is like a tall column in the midst of the rubble of a fallen city.
These doors are opened to launch an attack against entrenched evil. The church is not foremost a bastion of defense. There is defense—v11 “hold that fast which thou hast”; not the main thing, not the only thing; tragedy of churches and status quo. (I Corinthians 16:9, II Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3)
We are to major on bold outspokenness. Where we are is where we are needed. In the midst of a “day of trouble” (Isaiah 22:5), God has Isaiah to say of Eliakim “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so that he shall open and none shall shut and he shall shut and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22). In this same context, the Holy Spirit responded to Peter’s outspoken faith (Matthew 16:18), “Upon this rock will I build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”
Centuries ago Portuguese settlers built a great cathedral overlooking the harbor of Macao. Years later it was destroyed by a typhoon, except the façade with the cross still upstanding. Sometime later, John Bowring had been shipwrecked, and landfall finally brought him to this harbor where he saw the cross of the old church inspiring him to write a song we still sing.
In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.
II. Next, Consider Overpowering Love. V9 “Behold, I will make them (the world) to know that I have loved thee.”
First mark of overpowering love is forgiveness. It is inspiration for seeking such forgiveness: Some never find it, others cheapen it. There are those who say the harlot (Luke 7) whom Jesus forgave went home to resume her trade. [These don’t] understand repentance and forgiveness. Once true forgiveness is experienced sin is an abomination to be dealt with: repentance, restoration. It is to grasp the realm of crucifixion: Jesus did not die for impersonal “sins,” He died for “my” sins.
The second mark of overpowering love is faith unto salvation. Problem between church and synagogue—Jews stated they were the “Israel”; Romans 2:28f “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, [no a person is a Jew who is one] inwardly.” Revelation 12:10 Satan “the accuser of our brethren.” Jesus in John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil.” Now this faith unto salvation produces an orderly life and depends upon the power of God.
The final mark of this overpowering love is eternal life. Deuteronomy 5:29 “O that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and always keep all my commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever.” Galatians 6:8 “. . . He who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
III. And, Finally, Consider Overcoming Grace. V10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee.” V11 . . . Hold fast what thou hast.”
It is grace in the hour of crises. Is it deliverance from period of trial? Is it safekeeping through trial? John Vandercook may be a name unknown to you. He has labored for years in Seamans’ Service (faith). Name not even listed by the Seamans’ Service in Book of Reports. She just had surgery to support arthritic spine. He had to carry her on board many ships. She had wanted to be missionary. Says, “People of 140 nations come to us.”
It means also grace in temptation. 2 Peter 3:17 “Beware lest ye also, being led away by the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” Ephesians 6:13 “Take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.”
It means also grace on the day of judgment. V12 “He shall go out thence no more.” One of the serious problems in Philadelphia was a problem with earthquakes. Remember Mexico City, more recently, Nicaragua. People went back and aftershock hit.
Conclusion
Many pagan temples in Philadelphia. Customarily, important people would have their names written on pillars of temples. God’s name is the name of consequence, but believers will become pillars of His true temple through faith.
God’s name means we are His true children.
New Jerusalem means that we are citizens of [that] city.
Christ’s new name—“Now we see through a glass, dimly.”
1 Gibbon, E. (1996). The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire (D. Womersley, Ed.). Penguin Classics.
LAODICEA: THE WORLDLY CHURCH
#236b LAODICEA: THE WORLDLY CHURCH
Scripture Revelation 3:14-22, NIV Orig. 2/27/1966
Rewr. 3/15/1989
Passage: 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Purpose: Teaching Revelation to adults in Church Training
Keywords: Judgment Indifference Worldliness
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters Laodicea
Introduction
Story of little boy who had become a Christian and came to his pastor with a problem. Had been invited to a party, and wasn’t sure how he should act if he went at all. Parties were places to have fun and all that. Alright to go and alright to enjoy himself. “I had a good time, and nobody would have ever guessed that I was a Christian.”
So it was at Laodicea: the people wanted to have a good time, and were not really interested in the way others saw it.
I. The Worldly Church was Bankrupt. V17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich . . . and knowest not that thou art wretched, and . . . .”
Three pieces of information: What they thought of themselves; what God knew about them; what they could do to focus their energy. V18.
They perceived wrongly of themselves v17 “and knowest not that. . . .” Chief banking center of Asia Minor, glorious cosmopolitan city, indifferent to God.
God saw them for what they were. We still try to mask truth: Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Matthew 13:22 “deceitfulness of riches chokes the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Our society is not different: TV evangelists, presidential candidate, Tower campaign—how would Ted Kennedy fare? For believers there is a way to forgiveness and repatriation. V18 “I counsel thee. . . .” Only the believer can invest. Riches are in God’s providence. I Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory.”
II. The Worldly Church was Bare. V17 “poor, and blind, and naked.”
Had a strong clothing industry. Barclay (P181) says they were famous all over Mediterranean world. In this state of destitution, they were without honor. V18 “buy of me.” They had forgotten important things: Christ’s death; joy of seeking from the word; sustenance of Holy Spirit; neighbors lost without Christ. Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice. . . .”
Source of their garments was God. Purification through God. MacBeth (Act II, Sc. II) attempted to wash Duncan’s blood away. “All the water in Neptune’s oceans.” Such garments are personalized through faith. Begins with repentance. Repentance keeps us dealing honestly with the Lord. V19 “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten: be zealous, therefore, and repent.”
Central to all of this is that Christ has been shut out of their fellowship. V20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Important verse of witness. Philadelphia of “open door”—door removed. These have shut themselves in. Christ is denied His bride. Yet, they are given option to repent.
III. The Worldly Church was Blind. V17 “and knowest not that thou . . . art blind.” Eyesalve industry. Trench: “The beginning of true amendment is to see ourselves as we are.” Blind but not sightless. V18 “anoint . . . that”: Surgical; special lenses (Arcadia); miracle.
Conclusion
Helen Keller “To have eyes and not be able to see.”
1 Barclay, W. (1960). The Revelation of John (2 volumes). (2nd edition.) London: The Westminster Press.
LAODICEA: THE WORLDLY CHURCH
#236a LAODICEA: THE WORLDLY CHURCH
Scripture Revelation 3:14-22, NIV Orig. 2/27/1966
Rewr. 3/1982; 10/23/1986
Passage: 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Purpose: To complete the study of Revelation letters, calling attention to the church at Laodicea as a people who were caught up in the world, and were unfaithful.
Keywords: Judgment Indifference Worldliness
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters Laodicea
Introduction
I read the story of a little boy who, at perhaps ten years of age had made his profession of faith, and had joined the church. It was a matter of some importance to him, and he began to concern himself with how he was to act in this new role. He knew that being a Christian was special, and he was to act accordingly. His pastor came by the home for a visit one day, and it was immediately obvious that something was bothering the lad. The wise pastor inquired of his young friend’s unhappiness.
The boy responded by sharing with his pastor of an invitation to a party, and that, now that he was a Christian, he was not quite sure how to act.
Well, of course the boy was reminded that a party was a place to have fun, that he and others would be there to have a good time, that he should join in the festivities, that it would be alright for him to have a good time like anyone else there.
Several days later the pastor encountered the boy at church. “Well, Billy, how was the party last week? Did you have a good time?” To which Billy answered, “I sure did Bro. Smith, and nobody there would have ever guessed that I was a Christian.”
The church at Laodicea had the same problem. They were so interested in having a good time, in being just like everybody else, that they lived in a way that was totally foreign to their stated Christian responsibility.
I. The Worldly Church was Bankrupt. V17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, . . . and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor.”
We are given three vital pieces of information about this church: What they thought of themselves, what God knew about them, [and] what they could do to focus their energy.
They perceived of themselves wrongly. “Because thou sayest I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” The attitude of their surroundings had caved in on them. Laodicea was the chief banking center of Asia Minor. In 61 A.D., devastated by earthquake. Refused outside help to rebuild. A glorious, cosmopolitan city. So proud of achievements, were indifferent to God’s place in their lives.
But God saw through their self-esteem. “[Thou] knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” It is not difficult to mask reality. Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto man, by the end thereof . . . way of death.” Proverbs 20:17 “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” Matthew 13:22 (Sower) “The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and [he becometh unfruitful].”
Our society is not different from Laodicea. Athletic Director of LSU on ethics charges has been forced to resign. Ethics of governors, and congressmen not subject to such scrutiny, Things going on in the lives of congressmembers that break the heart of God. Once you start punitive action, where stop?
But as believers, there is a way to forgiveness and repatriation. V18 “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” As in material things, the poor cannot invest, only those who have. Only those of faith can be restored. Riches are those of God’s providence. Revelation 2:9 Smyrna “I know thy . . . poverty” but I Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
II. The Worldly Church was Bare. V17 “. . . poor, and blind, and naked.”
Laodicea prided itself on its clothing trade. Barclay (R19p181)—“The garments in Laodicea were famous all over the world, and the wool of the sheep of Laodicea was a luxury article which all men knew.”1
In their spiritual destitution, they were without honor. V18, “Buy of me, white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” They had forgotten things important: Christ’s death, and of neighbors lost without Him; the joy of the mediating Word; gift of Holy Spirit and His sustenance. Romans 12:1-2b “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, . . . . And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. . . .”
The true and only source of spiritual garments was the Lord their God. Purification comes through God’s grace. Shakespeare’s Macbeth attempts in vain to wash the blood of Duncan off his hands. “All the water in Neptune’s ocean would not wash” it away. Such personal spiritual garments are personalized through repentance. For the lost, repentance brings grace to the level of reality. For the believer, keeps us at the level of openness with our Lord about our sin. V19 “And as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
The central teaching here, is that Christ has been shut out of their fellowship. V20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” We use this verse to advantage with the lost. But Jesus was left out and ignored. Philadelphia (3:8), “open door” door removed. Here at Laodicea, they shut themselves in. Christ is denied His bride. Contrast I Corinthians 11:20f divided factions: some ate sumptuously, others were hungry. The One who is shut away from the table here is Christ.
III. The Worldly Church was Blind. V17 “ . . . and knowest not that thou . . . art blind.” An important industry was an ointment that was used as a balm for the eyes. They could not assess their poverty. They could not perceive their nakedness. They were blind to the limitedness of their vision. I mentioned recently the “wellhouse” experience wherein Helen Keller began to perceive of the world around her.
R.C. Trench says “The beginning of true amendment is to see ourselves as we are.” (citation unknown)
Robert Burns “O what gift the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as others see us.”
There are two potential problems. We may deny our sin in the face of God’s pronouncement of its reality. We may doubt the gift of faith to do all that the eternal Word declares. Through that Word we have, we are, we see.
The church at Laodicea was blind but not sightless. V18 “. . . Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou mayest see.” Some have recovered sight through surgery. Others are legally blind, but become sighted through special lenses. Some are miraculously restored; friend in New Iberia, after two years of blindness, awoke one morning with his sight restored.
God offers to a rebellious church the restoration of vision. Too many churches continue to shoot their wounded veterans. We are all subject to the cardinal rules of: sin, punishment, forgiveness.
Conclusion
Helen Keller stood at the podium in the chapel of Southern Seminary some years ago. She addressed the student body, and afterward answered their questions. One asked, “Miss Keller, pardon this question, but isn’t about the worst thing that can happen to someone, to be born blind?” “No,” she replied, “the worst thing that can happen is to have eyes and not be able to see.”
1 Barclay, W. (1960). The Revelation of John (2 volumes). (2nd edition.) London: The Westminster Press.
THE VISION OF CHRIST, THE REDEEMING LAMB
#721 THE VISION OF CHRIST, THE REDEEMING LAMB
Scripture Revelation 1:9-20, NIV Orig. 9/3/1978
Rewr. 2/5/1989
Passage: 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:
to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[b] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
Purpose: Continuing a series of lessons for adults in Church Training, here showing John’s detailed description of the Christ.
Keywords: Christ, Authority Christ, Nature Christ, Suffering
Timeline/Series: Revelation
Introduction
I know of one preacher who makes it plain that his knowledge of Bible languages is limited. Because the scriptural material was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, however, there has to be some use of these languages to teach a Bible passage. The preacher then explained that he did know a little Hebrew and a little Greek. The little Hebrew has a dry goods store in Lake Providence, and the little Greek owns a hotdog stand in Delhi.
To know enough to know where to look is a major factor in interpreting Revelation. Whatever position millennially that we hold, the book was written in code, and we have to work at breaking this code.
A series of programs was on public television recently that had to do with governments and their secret communications. One program had to do with Germany during World War II. A major step toward victory was achieved when their military codes were broken and the Allies knew what the next moves would be. Another program addressed the crisis between the USA and Russia over compromised military information.
John wrote in a code known by the early church. He spoke in a language that was the major means of communication throughout the Roman world. Culturally, most of these people shared the same evolving cycle. The early history of the church was Jewish. But the last half of The Book of Acts clearly reveals a change to a gentile church. There were Jewish believers, the leaders were Jewish, but the largest numbers of the converts were coming from gentile or pagan backgrounds. The message given to John was with these multitudes in mind.
I. Last Major Reading in Lesson II was “The Christ John Knew.” V4 “From the One who is, . . . was, . . will be; . . . and from Jesus.”
V5a Who is: “faithful witness”
V5b Who was: “firstborn from the dead”
V5c Who will be: “prince of kings”
II. This Lesson Begins with the Christ John Heard. V10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”
We must not be in too much hurry, and pass by such a significant truth. John was in the Spirit (pneumati). It was the Lord’s day. What happens in our measure of understanding—the awe of expectancy, the authenticity of divinity.
How John came to Patmos (Aegean Sea). Description: covers about 13 square miles of Dodecanese Islands (12), 70 miles southwest of Ephesus, 160 miles ESE of Athens. Circumstance: (a) by command of God; (b) in order to preach; (c) as punishment for preaching.
What John is to do with the revelation. He was to write it down. Then, it would be available to seven congregations: Ephesus (70 miles SE on coast of Asia Minor); Smyrna (40 miles north on coast); Pergamum (50 miles north, inland); Thyatira (30 miles ESE); Sardis (40 miles SSE—65 miles east of Smyrna); Philadelphia (60 miles ESE); Laodicea (30 miles ESE—100 miles east of Ephesus). Its circulation was not limited to these seven churches; they were not time warps of the church; they were churches manifesting the many problems needing confrontation. The word, write (graphon) is imperative—1:11/1:19/seven times in 2-3/14:13/19:9.
One thing more, John’s mention of tribulation (thilipsei)—pictures grindstone: 54-68 Nero—persecutions (fire), 81-96 Domitian—persecutions (Caesar is Lord). Issues with which John deals in letters—lukewarmness, wealth, backsliding, poverty, false doctrine.
III. The Next Lesson is the Christ John Saw. V12 “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me.”
John shows us the posture of a learner. He turns as is necessary for fuller comprehension. The word: epistrepsas—to turn. Same word used by James 5:19, 20—“He which converteth the sinner from.” We must be careful with the application, but John intended to be in a learning posture.
What we can make of what John saw.
Seven golden candlesticks—v20 tells us: these are the churches, seven the mystic number of completeness. They, of course, represent light in darkness. “An unlighted candlestick is just something else to run over in the dark.”
· There are the symbols of royalty.
· The tribunal garments of the judge—“a robe reaching to his feet with a golden sash about his chest.” Lad in New Iberia leading music for Rod. The girdle encircles his heart as an expression of fidelity of love. Various factors of appearance. Hair: white (purity) eternality, similar to Daniel 7:9c.
· Eyes were as flame of fire: suggesting infallible knowledge. Matthew 6:22 “If thine eye be single”; Matthew 7:5 “Cast out the beam”; Matthew 18:9 “If thine eye offend.” Hebrews 4:13 (GNV) “There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes.”
· His feet: like brass which is symbol of judgment. Serpent John 3:14; see Revelation 19:15 “tread the winepress.”
· His voice: many waters—gentle rain/driven storm, brook/flood/hurricane season. Mississippi off Sullivan’s Island.
· There are symbolisms of deity; 1:8 “alpha and omega” (no v11) bounds of vocabulary/communication; the link with Jehovah God—Three times vv. 8, 17, 18; “I am” used for “being” not “becoming.” “Almighty” v8 equivalent “El Shaddai”: Genesis 17:1f “I am the Almighty.” Exodus 3:14 “I am hath sent me.”
IV. There Follows from This Christ His Message to the Churches. V17f “Fear not; I am the first and the last: . . . he that liveth, . . . having the keys of hell and death. Write what you have seen, . . . what is, . . . what will be.”
A reassuring statement of sovereignty. As John has perceived him. He is all that and more.
There is a reminder of his humanity and of his suffering. V18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead.” Gospel writers attest to that life. Foregleam of Suffering Servant—Isaiah 53.
An attestation of the ultimate victory that awaits the people of faith. “I am alive forevermore, . . . (I) have the keys of hell and of death.” V18
· Ephesus: “he that holdeth the seven stars. V16 “he had in right hand seven stars.”
· Smyrna: “the first and the last, dead but alive.” 17c/18a “I am the first/last.”
· Pergamum: “having the sharp two-edged sword.” V16 “Out of his mouth went the sharp two-edged sword.” The word both saves and slays. Emblem: Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12.
· Thyatira: “eyes as flaming fire, feet of bronze,” V14b-15a as above.
· Sardis: “Seven spirits and seven stars,” v16, 20; seven stars, v4, seven spirits.
· Philadelphia: “key of David,” v18 “keys of hell and of death.”
· Laodicea: “Faithful and true witness,” v5 “faithful witness.”
· a) 1:18, The living one with “keys” of hell and death.
· b) 3:7, The one with “the key of David.”
· c) 3:20, Must stand outside the church at Laodicea and knock to gain entrance.
Conclusion
The last verse gives us the promise of the revealed word. We are to search where not made plain.
SARDIS: ONE LAST CHANCE
#230b SARDIS: ONE LAST CHANCE
Scripture Revelation 3:1-6, NIV Orig. 2/13/1965
Rewr. 3/15/1989
Passage: “To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Purpose: Teaching Revelation to adults in Church Training
Keywords: Church Faithfulness Judgment Repentance
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters Sardis
Introduction
Most of us do not take last chance messages very seriously. They refer to opportunities to buy gasoline before the price goes up. On a trip we are forewarned about the last “comfort” stop for 31 miles. Or, it is a message with which we cajole our children to do what we want them to do.
Reports from air disasters often contain such language. The Flight Florida crash in the tidal basin in Washington was one. The report indicated a point as the plane lumbered down the runway at which it had one final opportunity to abort the flight. A last chance for 75 people to live.
Sardis is given such a chance.
I. The Need for Watchfulness. V2 KJV “Be watchful!” NIV “Wake up!”
It was for spiritual “watchfulness”—schooling/nutrition/medical/work; what about unto the Lord?
Scripture compels
· Lamentations 3:40 “Let us search/try our ways.”
· Romans 13:11 “It is high time to wake”
· Philippians 3:8 “Whatsoever things are . . . think on these things.”
· Better starting than finishing
· Faith under stress was no fun. Enshrined organization/cemeteries
· Sardis history: 546 BC Cyrus siege, no guard on watchtower, Again following Alexander the Great.
Watchful morally.
· Cybele worship: deified sensuality.
· Church: what is its interest?
· Church in Gary, IN.
The danger of judgment. “As a thief.”
· Judgment based on knowledge “seven spirits of God” v1
· Second coming
· Matthew 24:42 “ye know not at what hour.”
· I Thessalonians 5:2 “day of the Lord cometh.”
II. They Were to Be Careful About Their Works. V2 “Establish the things that remain, which are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”
What is our standard for measurement? Additions, money, program? Opportunities to help other people?
Their imperfect works were to be reviewed.
· Remember and repent.
· “Perfected” means they were failing to reach their potential.
· Priorities were “good” but unessential things.
The church of today: untroubled by heresy, undisturbed by persecution, unthreatened by personal losses.
The unchanged advice. Repent, v3. Renew, v2. Remain, v5.
III. Watchfulness and Works Result in a Worthy Walk. V4 “Thou hast a few . . . they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy.”
Clothed in white raiment—color of the apparel of heaven
· 4:4 elders wearing white
· 6:11 martyrs
· 7:4 redeemed multitudes before the lamb
· Luke 9:29 “his raiment was white and glistening.”
Leading industry was colorful cloths
Their names were to remain etched in book of life.
· Names there without substance to be removed.
· All trusting Christ have redeeming faith, some make more use of that faith than others.
· Difference between intellectual/saving faith.
· The believer is secure forever. Romans could have names removed from municipal rolls, left with no sense of community. Young Mennonite in Transylvania.
Conclusion
Bunyan’s story of one trying to extinguish the flame, but it continued to burn. Then he saw One, almost hidden, pouring oil on the flame. Likened to church: satan tries to put it out; God keeps it burning.
SARDIS: ONE LAST CHANCE
#230a SARDIS: ONE LAST CHANCE
Scripture Revelation 3:1-6, NIV Orig. 2/13/1965
Rewr. 2/1982, 10/1/1986
Passage: “To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Purpose: Continuing the series on Revelation letters, so that my people may consider the deeper vitality of a faith that does not falter amidst easy living.
Keywords: Church Faithfulness Judgment Repentance
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters Sardis
Introduction
Many of us watched the news report with a rather detached concern. It drew as much interest as it did because it happened in our nation’s capital. Another air disaster had claimed its victims. You remember Flight Florida back in January of ’82, seventy-five people were killed, at least one an infant. As I recall, some deaths occurred among motorists who happened to be on their way home at the wrong time. Lives were snuffed out in an instant. Perhaps some were oblivious to the danger they were suddenly in. It was winter, the tidal basin was iced over. The people on the plane were on their way to Florida, sunny Florida. In a matter of three hours they would have been there.
We were given all the gory details. There were heroes: [Lenny] Skutnik (Jackson, Miss.) who went into the water to help some who were out of the plane. A passenger from Atlanta gave up a ride on the rescue chopper several times, and when it went back the last time, he could not be found.
One of the news reports told about the little black boxes, recovered from the plane. The reconstructed flight took two minutes. As the plane, with ice covered wings lumbered down the runway, the report indicated a point just before take-off “The last point at which the flight could be aborted.” This was their last chance. One foot farther, and this ice-covered coffin would be 200 miles per hour pell-mell to disaster.
We don’t take “last chances” seriously, you and I. To us, it means “thirty more miles before you can buy gasoline.” It threatens us with a protracted distance before we find a rest-room. Or maybe, it’s no more than an empty threat that we use to our children when our patience is exhausted. Rarely, in our lives is it used in any life-threatening way. But, at Sardis, it meant exactly that. “Last chance coming up!”
I. Their Last Chance Involved Watchfulness. V2 KJV “Be watchful”—NIV “Wake up!”
They were to be “watchful” spiritually. Interesting how careful we can be about some things—schooling/nutrition/workplace—while totally detached from others. Scripture compels.
· Lamentations 3:40 “Let us search and try our ways.”
· Romans 13:11 “It is high time to wake out of sleep.”
· Philippians 4:8 “Whatever things are true, . . . honest, . . . just, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . are of good report; if there be any virtue, . . . praise, think on these things.”
What was basically wrong was that they were better starting than finishing; talking than doing.
Faith under stress was not exciting to them. Thought God owed them something; church organized to serve, but they wanted to enshrine the organization. We do well to remember that there are few things any better organized than cemeteries. Faith under fire does not appeal to most Christians today, but extracts a far greater price from the devil.
There was a history lesson that citizens of Sardis should remember. In 546 BC (Ezra led Israel back to the homeland) Sardis came under siege to Cyrus of Persia. The city was so thoroughly protected by battlement and walls, that when an entry was found, the Persians found no guard on the watchtower. The same thing 200 years later after Alexander the Great’s death in battle over territory.
They were to be watchful morally. At Sardis was Cybele worship, deified sensuality. The church in any age will begin to reflect what captures its interest. [Ex.] church in Gary, Ind., with the penchant for fishing trips.
The danger was not only the loss of spiritual respectability, but also the threat of judgment. V3 “I will come on thee as a thief.” By the way, you have heard about the cross-eyed javelin thrower, he never won any meets, but he sure kept the crowd alert.
They will be judged by the One who knows. V1 “These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God.” Every church is unique unto itself. God’s will is similar, but set apart. His judgment reflects faith amidst fortune. God warns of His “coming” “as a thief.” Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come.” I Thessalonians 5:2 “The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night . . . Ye are not in darkness that the day should overtake you as a thief.”
II. In Addition to Being Watchful, They Were to be Careful about Their Works. V2 “. . . Establish the things that remain, which were ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”
What kind of standard of measurement do we select for ourselves? Everything human and social suggests we judge additions/money/program. But God’s standard is the human heart. How we feel about His Word, about His church, about opportunities to help. [Nathaniel] Hawthorne “No man can for any considerable time, wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without getting bewildered as to which one is the true one.”1
Their imperfect works are to be reconsidered. V3 “Remember what you have received and heard.” “Perfected: simply means that they are not fulfilling their potential. They have slipped their priorities to “good” but unessential things. A church untroubled by heresy, undisturbed by persecution, unthreatened by the loss of goods/skills. What they are instructed to do: “Repent” because you love Jesus; “renew” (v2), “remain” (v3). Micah 6:8, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before thy God.”
III. Finally, Then, Watchfulness and Works Result in a Worthy Walk of Faith. V4 “Thou has a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy.”
They were to be clothed in white raiment: The color of the apparel of heaven; the essence of the glorified body: Revelation 4:4 (24 elders wearing white), Revelation 6:11 (martyrs were wearing white), Revelation 7:4 (redeemed multitudes before the lamb in white robes). Luke 9:29 Transfiguration: “His raiment was white and glistening.” Special significance at Sardis—leading industry produced a bright-colored cloth.
Their names were to remain etched in the so-called Book of Life. Some to be removed, they were placed there without substance. Pretty easy to get name on roll. All who trust Christ have redeeming faith, some make more use of that faith than others. Great difference between intellectual and saving faith. Those names remaining suggest the true security of the believer, the one who truly “faithed” Christ is safe forever.
In these Roman states, it was possible to have one’s name removed from the municipal roll. It took away their sense of community, of who they were. But the believer could not be so torn. Young Mennonite in Transylvania.
Conclusion
In a vision, John Bunyan reported having seen a man standing over a flame trying to put out the fire by pouring water on it. It confused him that in spite of the man’s effort, the flame continued to burn. Then he saw, One almost hidden from view, pouring oil on the fire. Bunyan likened this to Satan’s effort to extinguish the flame that is the true symbol of the church in the world, but God’s never-ending grace keeps the flame burning strongly.
1Hawthorne, N. (1878) The Scarlet Letter. Boston, J.R. Osgood and Company.