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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Revelation: God's Vision of Victory” |
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I. Introduction.
A. READ Scripture Text.
B. We’ll begin, in this lesson, where we left off at the
conclusion of the previous lesson. Each of these letters
to the seven churches finishes with the words: “He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.” This phrase does two things:
1. It individualizes the message of the letter. It says
to all who listen: “This means you.” It’s easy, and
typical, to hear God’s word taught and to think: “I
hope the people who needed to hear that lesson
were listening.” We can see how the message
applies to others, but not to us. But, if we’re among
the hearers, then, Christ says, we are among those
for whom the message is intended.2. At the same time, the phrase generalizes the
message of the letter. It indicates that the
message – the commendations and the warnings –
was not confined to those in the seven churches
addressed – either then or now. The Spirit speaks
to all who hear, and to all in each generation.3. The messages are not just “local”, nor are they
temporary. The Spirit still speaks as we read and
study them, today. The Savior who stood “. . . in
the midst of the seven lampstands” (1:13) is alive
today. He pleads with His church today as He did
with His body centuries ago.C. We are still the “imperfect church.” And we still have
lessons to learn, and warnings to heed, from the risen
Christ.
II. The Seven Letters: Thyatira – Laodicea.
A. The fourth letter is to the church at Thyatira
(READ 2:18-21).1. It is somewhat ironic that the longest of the
seven letters is written to the least significant of
the seven cities. The Roman writer, Pliny,
dismisses Thyatira as an unimportant town. It
lies in a long valley which connects two other
valleys, that of the rivers Hermus and Caicus, and
it was situated on the road that connected Pergamos
(or Pergamum) with Sardis, then went on to
Philadelphia and Laodicea. Thus, it was a
commercial town.2. While the town itself may have lacked the
importance of some others, the problem of the
church there was hardly unimportant. The problem
was not one of persecution; it came not from outside the church, but from inside.3. Jesus praises the church for its works, love, and
faith. And, it is commended for its growth in these
areas (“. . . the last are more than the first”,
verse 19).a. On the surface, then, the church at Thyatira
was a strong, flourishing one. Anyone
might be impressed with its energy and
generosity – and its steadfastness. But, there
was something festering at its core that was
threatening to consume the body, and
destroy the church.b. The source of the trouble was a woman,
characterized in the letter as “Jezebel.”
(see I Kings 16:29-31). Who, exactly, this
woman was, we do not know. What she
was, and what she encouraged, we do know
(RE-READ underlined portion of verse 20).c. The labeling of her as “Jezebel” says that
her character, and influence, were like that
of her Old Testament namesake – a woman
whose reputation was one of wickedness –
and idolatry. It says to us that Thyatira’s
“Jezebel” was an evil, seductive person who
undermined the purity of the church.4. The immorality was, most-likely, associated with
pagan religious fertility rites. She is directly
accused of two things: teaching people in the
church to “. . . commit sexual immorality,” and
“. . . eat things sacrificed to idols.”a. Without going into more minute details,
can simply draw conclusion that
“Jezebel” was teaching that a Christian
can accommodate himself, or herself, to
the world. You don’t have to reject
worldly standards to be faithful in the
church.b. To put it another way, she was urging
on the church a spiritual “infidelity,”
which was manifested in physical ways –
in sin. The condemnation of such a
tolerant, compromising attitude is evident
in the latter part of the letter.5. Looking at the church at Thyatira, one might
believe they see a congregation surging with life
and energy, productive in good works. Those who
prospered as a result of compromise with the world
may have been lavish in their giving. Even the
woman “Jezebel” may have, at first glance, seemed
a fine individual – regarded as a “prophetess.” But,
God (and Christ) see beyond the superficial –
“. . . know that I am He who searches the minds
and hearts” (verse 23). It is He who calls the
church to true repentance, and knows if such
repentance is genuine: “. . . I will give to each one
of you according to your works” (verse 23).6. The reward for repentance and faithfulness? To
reign, with Christ. The concept of the martyr-
conquerors reigning with Christ is an important
part of the message of “Revelation.”B. To the church at Sardis, it is written:
(READ 3:1-5).1. W.M. Ramsey says of Sardis that nowhere was
there a greater example of the sad contrast between
past splendor and present decay. The city itself
stood on the plain of the valley of the river Hermus.a. Seven hundred years before this letter to the
Sardis church, that place had been one of the
greatest cities of the ancient world. From
there, the king of Lydia ruled over a rich
domain – one of almost unlimited wealth.b. Through one portion of the city flowed
another river, the Pactolus, which was said
to have gold-bearing waters: from which
much of Sardis’ wealth came.c. Greatest of all the Sardian kings was
Croesus. He ruled at the time of the height
of Sardis’ power and glory – but at the time
of its fall, as well. He embarked on a war
with Cyrus of Persia. He was defeated.d. Sardis became part of the Persian Empire,
then part of the Greek Empire of Alexander,
and, finally, of the Roman Empire. It
remained a wealthy city, but a degenerate
one.
2. In this environment of degeneration and decay, the
church at Sardis had lost its vitality and power. It
suffered from a common ailment: being spiritually
asleep – in fact, spiritually “dead.” (verse 1).a. In spite of its good reputation, the church
was not alive, and mature, in God’s view.
(verse 2).b. The “lifelessness” of the Sardian church had
certain effects. It was untroubled by any
heresy, or false doctrines. There was no
problem with false teachers. Its problems
was lethargy, not heresy. It was also
untroubled by any attack from outside. It
was not persecuted by pagan or Jew.c. It had ceased to matter to anyone, was not a
threat to anyone, and not worth attacking.3. But, even in this darkness there shines a ray of hope
(RE-READ verse 4). Even in Sardis, there were
the faithful few. The opportunity for repentance is
also held out.4. To those who remain faithful, and those who repent
of their sins, there is a threefold promise given:
They will be clothed in white garments; their names
will not be taken out of the Book of Life; Christ
will confess their names before His Father and
angels (verse 5).5. The conquerors are promised the white robes that
symbolize purity and victory.C. From the “dead” church, we go to the “faithful” church,
at Philadelphia.1. The “youngest” of the seven cities, it was founded
by colonists from Pergamos during the reign of
Attalus II (159-138 B.C.).2. “Philadelphos” is the Greek word for “one who
loves his brother.” King Attalus had a great love
for his brother, Eumenes (in fact, Attalus called
his brother “Philadelphos”,) and it was after him
that the city was named.3. The city was established in the area where the
borders of Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia met, as an
outpost of Greek culture and Greek language for
Lydia and Phrygia. This relates to the references
to the “open door” in Revelation 3:8 (READ).
The city had been an “open door” for language
and culture since its establishment – now it was
an “open door” to spread another message –
the gospel of Jesus Christ.4. Of the seven cities, Philadelphia receives the
greatest praise. It is the only church, aside from
Smyrna, that is not rebuked, only praised and
encouraged. Their faithfulness and perseverance
would be rewarded: (READ verses 9 and 10).
Jesus promised them an “open door” to the riches
of God’s provisions.5. The promise of reward is, for eternity, found in
verse 12 (READ).a. The faithful Christian will be “. . . a pillar
in the temple of . . . God . . .” A “pillar”
is one who is supportive and honored.
(James and Peter and John are called
“pillars” of the early church at Jerusalem
in Galatians 2:9). A “pillar” is a very
important part of any structure.b. The faithful Christian will “. . . go out no
more.” This refers to both security and
continuity. It is a settled serenity “in
Christ” that cannot be found in an
unsettled world. It’s a life of untroubled
goodness and peace obtained after the
battles and struggles of earthly life are
finished. It’s a life in the presence of God.c. The faithful Christian will have written upon
him “. . . the name of . . . God,” and “. . . the
name of the city of . . . God, the New
Jerusalem.” This signifies ownership and
citizenship. Christians are God’s special
possessions (I Peter 2:9) and will live
forever in God’s Holy City (Rev. 21:2-3).d. The faithful Christian will receive Christ’s
“new name.” What that name is, we do not
know. In the description of Christ in
Revelation 19:12 it says: “. . . He had a
name written that no one knew except
Himself.” But, Christians will be “branded”
as Christ’s.D. Finally there’s the church at Laodicea. It holds the
distinction of being the only one of the seven about which
Christ has nothing good to say. (READ 3:14-18).1. In the ancient world, there were at least six (6)
cities called Laodicea. This one spoken of in
“Revelation” was Laodicea on the Lycus, founded
in 250 B.C. and named by Antiochus of Syria for
his wife, Laodice.2. This city was a great banking and financial center;
it was a great center of clothing manufacture (the
sheep which grazed around it were known for their
soft, violet-black glossy wool); it was a medical
center; there was a large Jewish population in that
area.3. The condemnation of Laodicea is well-known:
“. . . you are neither cold nor hot” (verse 15).
Theirs was an attitude of indifference. Convinced
of their wealth, they were blind to their poverty
(verse 17).4. Materialism has often plagued the church. An
affluent society fosters a concern for secular
recognition. And, an affluent, materially-oriented
people often lean upon, or rely upon, their own
attributes to solve problems – even as they engage
in the work of God. So it was in the church at
Laodicea.
5. These brethren became a complacent, self-reliant
group, losing touch with the real power of faith and
trust in God.6. The warning to the Laodiceans is to regain their
goal and repent before it is too late. The reason for
the warning is also given – “As many as I love, I
rebuke and chasten.” (verse 19).III. Conclusion.
A. These letters remind us that God is fully aware of what
goes on in the lives of individuals, and in the life of the
church. He knows our strengths and He knows our
weaknesses.B. The challenge to all churches, and all Christians, is to be
faithful and not to compromise with secular society. Goes
back to Revelation 2:10: “. . . Be faithful until death, and I
will give you the crown of life.” The reward for such
steadfastness is eternal life and to reign with Christ.C. God will sustain His church through every type of trial.
We need to trust Him for that. Let us remember our theme
in “Revelation”: we are victorious conquerors through our
faith in Christ. Satan is defeated and condemned.D. As Jesus says to the churches of Asia: repent and return to
God, or turn to Him, before it is everlastingly too late.