September 26, 2006
Prayer:
Jesus, you are the First and the Last, the Power of Truth, the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. Direct our paths, open our hearts and minds, and chastise if You must that we maybe the church, which brings You honor and glory. In Your name, we pray, amen.
Introduction:
The seven churches, not only represent the seven actual churches that exited at the time John wrote the Revelation, they represent the seven eras of church history. We can also apply them to our individual lives. Just as we grow through stages physically—infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence, young adult, and adult—we grow through stages in our Christian life. Unlike our physical stages of development, our Christian development shifts back and forth. And Laodicea is not the ultimate level of Christian maturity. But we can look at Jesus’ comments, criticisms, and instructions and benefit a great deal in our development.
The Lesson:
Ephesus (2:1-7) means love, but this church lost her first love. This church represents the first century church historically.
Jesus holds the seven stars in His right hand—as we learned last week, His right hand signifies power and protection. The seven stars represent the messengers of the churches. This could indicate the guardian angels appointed to each church or the pastors of the churches. Consider the significance of Jesus delegating His power and protection to our pastors. The Holy Spirit instructed the Psalmist to pen: … Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm (Psalms 105:15 KJV). Jesus walks among the seven golden lampstands which are symbolic of the churches. He sees them and nothing is hidden from Him.
Jesus found the church at Ephesus hard working, patient, perseverant, haters of evil. But the church grieved Him because they lost their first love. What was the first love of the church? The great commission: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…(Matthew 28:19-20a KJV). The Ephesians had bake sales to earn money to feed the poor, held seminars to teach the workers how to alleviate stress, performed dramas to entertain the teens, and maintained support groups for divorcees and singles. These were not bad attributes. Jesus complimented them on their efforts. But they forgot their main purpose in life, which is to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Jesus advised them to repent and go back to their first love. If they didn’t repent, He would come quickly to remove their lampstand. However, if they were obedient, He would permit them to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in God’s garden. How wonderful is that? Jesus restores what Satan took from us in the beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned, God cast them out of the Garden of Eden and placed Cherubims with flaming swords at the entrance to guard the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24). If Adam and Eve would have eaten of it after they sinned, there would be no hope of deliverance for humanity. NOTE: Cherubims are not the chubby baby creatures with wings so many artists like to portray. They are mighty warriors.
Smyrna (2:8-11) is the same word used for Myrrh, which is a sweet perfume. Because they were willing to suffer for Jesus, this church was a sweet aroma to the LORD. Smyrna represents the time from Nero to Constantine (A. D. 64 to A. D. 316) historically.
Jesus describes Himself to the church at Smyrna as the First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to Life. He understood their suffering. He, too, was hated, persecuted, and crucified for them. He resurrected victorious over sin, death, and His enemies. He reassured them with His description that they too were victorious through His sacrifice.
Jesus found nothing to criticize this humble church for. He instructed them to continue in their faithful service. He cautioned them that they would face persecution for ten days (a short time). However, if they persevered to the end, they would receive the Crown of Life and would not be harmed by the second death. Those who remain faithful to Jesus have nothing to fear in the eternal judgment, which is the separation from God forever. What hopelessness!
The Crown of Life is a special reward for faithful service and is in addition to Salvation.
Pergamos (2:12-17) means marriage. From this point until the end of the church age, we find the church settled into the world. Married to compromise. Prophetically it began in A. D. 316.
Jesus reveals Himself to Pergamos as He who holds the sharp two-edged sword—the power of Truth. He is greatly to be feared. Second Thessalonians 2:8—And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the LORD will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming (NKJV). When Jesus returns, He will return in all His glory, majesty, and sovereignty.
Jesus found Pergamos faithful to His name. They understood His plan of salvation and staked their lives on His reputation. Yet, they compromised with false doctrines that encouraged idolatry and sexual immorality. Do we feel the burn as they say on our exercise tapes? What do we compromise to enjoy worldly pleasures? Are we attempting to “Christianize” pagan practices to achieve a higher experience with God when He has repeatedly told us to stay away from it?
Jesus said and is saying, “Repent or I [Jesus] will fight you with the Sword of my mouth.” Look again at II Thessalonians 2:8 and then at Revelation 1:12-16. Do we find comfort knowing that the King of kings and LORD of lord is prepared to fight our battles for us? Or, do we shudder at the thought of Him fighting against us?
If they will repent, Jesus gives hope to the compromising church. He says He will feed them with hidden manna. He called Himself the Bread of Life according to John . Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world. Then they said to him, Lord, give us this bread always. And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he who comes to Me shall never hunger; and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. (John 6:31-35 NKJV).
Jesus will also give the overcomer a white stone with a new name on it. When a child is born, we give him/her a new name. God is our heavenly Father. When we are born into His family, He gives us a name no one else has. If God counted and named the stars (Psalms 147:4), naming each of us is a simple pleasure for Him.
Conclusion and Challenge:
Remember when you first became a Christian, you thought everyone needed to come to the LORD for His saving grace. Are you still as zealous for the salvation of others? If not, repent and return to your first love. Later, we’ll enjoy the fruit of the Tree of Life with those we brought to the LORD.
Do you feel that God has given you more than you can bear? Maybe, He has. He does that sometimes. Many people miss quote I Corinthians 10:13, which states that God will not permit temptation to overtake us beyond what we can bear. God does permit tribulation to overpower us. Why? Because in His infinite wisdom, He wants us to get to the end of ourselves. He desires us to fully rely on Him. Unfortunately for most of us, it is only through suffering that we achieve God-centeredness and Christ-likeness. So if you are in deep turmoil, rejoice and be exceedingly grateful, God is refining your faith with the marks of the suffering of Christ (I Peter 1:6-7). Later, we’ll receive the Crown of Life.
Are you standing on the promises of salvation while compromising some standard? Ask yourself, does this glorify the Lamb of God? If you can’t honestly answer yes, chances are it doesn’t. As a child of God, do you really want to participate in something that disgraces Him?
Jesus says repent and He will satisfy you with His goodness. He is the Bread of Life who fills the hungry soul and sooths the parched lips. Later, we will introduce ourselves by a new name.
Prayer Requests:
Melinda & Barry and family, Phyllis and husband, Don, John, Ray, Ray and Ginny, salvation for unsaved, April, Tony and Kathy, the Meiser family, the Dreese family, our Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.
Praise Report:
Wayne and April are expecting their first baby April 2007. Congratulations.
Anita’s Daughter-in-law received a good report from her doctor.
Samantha wrist healed after a long summer of treatments.
Elizabeth is home from the hospital and able to stay in her own home.
I had the great pleasure of hearing the testimony of one of my loved ones who is now saved. WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.
We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.
Next Weeks Study:
Our next Bible Study is September 26, 2006. Read Chapter 2:18-3:22, what does Jesus’ comments to the churches of Asia have to do with us?
Invitation:
Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. It sounds hopeless and unfair. But in His infinite wisdom and abundant love, God has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.
If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. And tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.
If you’d like to participate in our Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests at twosmallfish@verizon.net.
A special reminder: to find out what other readers have to say check out the comment page.
May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Brenda Hendricks.
You turned my mourning into
dancing
You stripped me of my sorrow and clothed me with your joy
I cannot be silent, I will sing Your praises forever. Psalms 30:11&12
(paraphrased by me)
