BY PHIL HARRIS
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Rev. 1:17-20).
Observations
The seven churches outlined in chapters two and three of Revelation are all addressed by Jesus Christ as being members of the universal body of Christ, the visible church here on earth.
Some denominations, including Seventh-day Adventists, teach that these seven churches represent successive separate ages leading up to the return of the Savior. Note, however, that Jesus is addressing seven city-churches that all co-existed in the Roman province of Asia at the time of this vision. I therefore understand that they, taken together, represent the whole church worldwide in all ages leading up to a time of the rapture, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
The timing of the rapture within the context of Revelation, however, is much-debated. What we know for sure is that Jesus has said it will be at a time when none expect it (Matt. 24:44).
At the time of John’s vision, there were no such things as denominations as we have today. Instead Christians, those who are members of the universal church, were simply identified in the context of the city where they lived. Within each city the elders would collectively oversee the affairs of the local church under the protection of their respective angel and the indwelling leading of the Holy Spirit as described in Romans 8:1-11.
The message revealed to us in these letters from our Savior is that each local church has a “lampstand” that is to shine out to the world of the unsaved with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Similarly, if the lamps of the individuals who compose the local churches aren’t shining out to the world of the lost and perishing, that means they either never had a light or they have lost their zeal for what Jesus Christ has done for them at Calvary.
If we are uncertain about the condition of our lamps, we can know exactly what our zeal as born-again members of God’s church should look like:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
The seven stars Jesus held in John’s vision are angels who personally oversee the needs of the universal church worldwide in all ages. Throughout Scripture, including the book of Revelation, angels, backed by the unlimited power of God, are able to confront the unseen evil forces.
While each saint of God has direct access to the Savior Jesus Christ and is equipped with the command to share by mouth and deed the gospel message of Jesus Christ, our witness is intended to be carried out from within the context of local elder leadership. Thus the Holy Spirit-indwelt elders are under the leadership of Jesus Christ who appoints protective angels to guard His body on earth.
As we walk through these seven letters, notice that the angel who shepherds each of the churches is first addressed as Jesus gives the special message to each of the seven churches. As we encounter unstable times as the world moves toward Jesus’ return, not only will the Holy Spirit never depart from the individual members as Adventists learned He would, but we learn that the angels of the churches tasked by Jesus to protect them/us from the evil forces will also never depart from their assigned tasks.
This certainty of angelic protection in the spiritual realm reminds us of another city that was under God’s angelic protection. Israel was being threatened by the king of Syria, and Elisha was relaying God’s instructions to the king of Israel. The king of Syria was angered that Elisha was helping Israel, and he sent soldiers to the city of Dothan to capture Elisha. Elisha’s servant was terrified:
When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)
In this account of God’s protection of Israel in the face of a deadly enemy, we see that His promises and protection are sure. In the same way, what the Lord Jesus reveals in Revelation is truth, and His promises will come to pass. Isaiah expressed this certainty:
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:10-11).
1. The Church of Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7): Loveless Church
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (ESV)
As we read these messages to the churches, it’s important to remember that we are not speculating or inventing these commendations and warnings. These are the words of Jesus to His own body, and these words are for our understanding and spiritual growth as we live for Him. As Paul said to the Corinthians:
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:5-6).
Ephesus, while not the capital of the Roman province of Asia, was its most important city. It was located at the southern end of the Aegean Sea on the sea route across from the city of Corinth. While its harbor is now silted up, it used to lead into the whole interior of the province. It was also the site of the temple of Artemis which was known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. To His church in this city Jesus addressed His first letter:
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ’The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands…” (Rev. 2:1)
Jesus personally holds and directs the overseeing angel of each church as it stands among all the lampstands that function as the ‘light to the world’.
- Verses 2-3
Jesus commended the Ephesians for their toil and patient endurance and for the fact they cannot bear those who are evil or are teaching false doctrines. Yet they have a deadly flaw: they have become weary.
- Verses 4-5
While good doctrine certainly is important and not to be neglected, the Ephesian church had lost the love they had at first, the love that identified them as being a “lampstand” (the love resulting from embracing the message of Calvary, the biblical gospel) to shine out to the lost and perishing of those around them.
We learn of godly agape love, the love the Ephesian’s have lost, in this passage where Jesus is confronting the questioning Pharisees and Sadducees:
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love (agapao) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love (agapao) your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:34-40).
Jesus teaches that all the law of the Old Covenant, all the law given through Moses, had been founded upon these two laws. Therefore, in contrast with Adventist muddled thinking, these two laws, not the assumed, undefined moral law of the Ten Commandments, are what remained when Jesus fulfilled the whole of the Old Covenant law at Calvary.
This passage in the gospel of John defines godly agape love:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved (agapao) the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:14-17).
The apostle Paul, who was the founder of the Ephesian church, stresses the primary importance of agape love in First Corinthians chapter thirteen:
So now faith, hope, and love (agape) abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (agape) (1 Cor. 13:13).
The Ephesian church Jesus addressed had neglected the meaning of this command:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love (agapao) one another: just as I have loved (agapeo) you, you also are to love (agapao) one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love (agape) for one another” (John 13:34-35).
The Ephesian church, however, was without excuse, for this is the kind of love Paul had taught them:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved (agapetos) children. And walk in love (agape), as Christ loved (agapao) us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2).
In their pursuit of doctrinal purity, the Ephesian church had lost its zeal for expressing and sharing God’s agape love for the lost and perishing of the world around them.
Furthermore, all Christians, both individually and collectively, are to be salt and light to the world:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16).
If you have lost your first love, Jesus is saying you are no longer the “salt of the earth”. If a light is to be of any use, it must shine out from “a hill top”, not to be hidden.
- Verse 6
Nicolaitans means “followers of Nicolas”. Clearly this sect was something that the Ephesian church hated, and Jesus compliments them because He hates them also. The context of what Jesus says in Revelation 2:12-17 suggest that this is an issue of sexual immorality, which the Ephesians oppose. This is an important credit to them because the temple of Diana/Artemis was still located in their city at that time. In fact, we learn how central Diana worship was to the Ephesians in Acts 19:23-41. There we find the account of the riot caused in the city because the maker of silver shrines, devoted to the worship of Diana, was loosing business because so many were turning to the one true God.
However, even the Ephesian church’s opposition to immoral cultic worship isn’t enough if they do not regain their first agape love.
- Verse 7
Jesus now says; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” All who conquer will be granted the privilege of eating of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God. That wonderful promise is for all the saints who are in the kingdom of God.
2. The Church of Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11): Persecuted Church
Smyrna was located at the head of a gulf forming an ideal harbor on the coast about 40 miles north of Ephesus. It was a most beautiful and prosperous city known as “the pride of Asia’; however, it had two major problems for Christians. First, the city included several pagan temples including one erected by Tiberius Caesar for the required worship of the emperor as god. Therefore, Christians in this city were considered atheists by the Roman authorities because they would not worship the emperor.
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life” (Rev. 2:8).
The name Smyrna comes from the root word myrrh—a gum-resin extract which had a number of biblical uses including the embalming of the dead. In fact, myrrh It was one of the three gifts brought by the “wise men from the East” when they came to worship the infant Jesus. When Jesus says He is the one “who died and came to life”, He is personally identifying Himself with the persecuted Christians of Smyrna; He understands their faithfulness in the middle of aggressive unbelief.
‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan’ (Rev. 2:9 NAS).
Second, their other problem is that the Jews of the local synagogue were persecuting the Christians by accusing them of blasphemy because they worshiped Jesus as the Son of God. Thus the Smyrna church was accosted both by the local pagans who insisted on emperor worship as well as the local gods, and by the unbelieving Jews who bitterly opposed them.
- Verse 10
Because Jesus is “the first born from the dead” he assures the Christians in Smyrna to “not fear” the things they are about to suffer because this is but “a testing”. Instead, He tells them to “be faithful unto death”, and He will give them “the crown of life”.
This is assurance to all Christians who are suffering for their faith in this present life, that it is as nothing compared to the joy of what is awaiting them at the return of their Savior Jesus Christ. His promise that he will keep them from “the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world” can be a reference to the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:14-17).
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death’ (Rev. 2:11).
To understand the “second death” we will look ahead at these verses:
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6)
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15).
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
In Revelation 20:4-6 we learn those who have not worshiped the beast are in the “first resurrection” and will reign with Christ for a thousand years. Over such the “second death” has no power. In Revelation 20:6 we learn that Death, Hades and those who are not in the book of life are thrown in the lake of fire. This is the “second death”. Revelation 21:8 describes those who will experience the “second death”.
All Christians who truly worship and have an agape love for Jesus Christ need have no fear of the second death. The question remains, however: how does one generate a true love for Jesus Christ? This question is not answered by false religions and by groups such as Seventh-day Adventists. Rather, the answer is found in the pure gospel of Jesus’ death for our sin, His burial, and His resurrection.
In John 3:1-18 Jesus tells Nicodemus about our common need to be born again. This miracle happens when we hear the gospel of our salvation and believe and are then sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13–14). From these passages we have developed a well known saying: “Born twice and die once, or be born once and die twice.”
Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church reminds us that people who are born again and growing in Jesus will suffer as the church at Smyrna was suffering. MacArthur says, “Scripture links persecution and spiritual strength.” James, Jesus’ half-brother and the author of the earliest book of the New Testament, also writes:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
In short, Jesus’ message to the suffering church of Smyrna was the encouragement that what they were enduring was not in vain. He saw and understood their pain and grief and tribulation—but they were blessed. Their trust in Him was growing, and they had His promise that their suffering would be redeemed as they would one day reign with Him in joy and glory.
3. The Church of PERGAMUM (Rev. 2:12-17): Compromising Church
Pergamum was the Roman capital of the province of Asia and was located about 50 miles north and 15 miles inland of Smyrna. While ancient Pergamum is in ruins, the modern day city is very beautiful.
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword’ (Rev. 2:12).
From the mouth of Jesus comes comes the warning that He has a “sharp two-edged sword”. The book of Hebrews identifies this powerful weapon:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
Furthermore, in chapter 19 of Revelation, John has a vision in which he sees Jesus coming from heaven as a warrior on a white horse armed with a sword coming from his mouth:
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty (Rev. 19:15).
When we withstand what is evil covered by the armor of God (Eph. 6:13–17), we stand victorious because there is no power on earth that can withstand the sharp two-edged sword of God. Paul tells us that the “sword of the Spirit” is part of our armor of God—and it is the only offensive weapon in our otherwise protective ensemble.
Now consider the significance of Jesus speaking to the church at Pergamum with this very same sword—the word that comes from His mouth. Nothing can escape the purifying surgery of being pierced by the living word of Jesus.
“’I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells” (Rev. 2:13).
Here Jesus declares that Satan’s throne is in this city. Since Satan is a created being who can only be in one place at any given moment in time, it seems he must have felt comfortable ruling from his throne located here in Pergamum.
In spite of the challenges of living in Pergamum, a city claimed by evil, the Christians hold fast to the name of Jesus and have not denied the faith. Their faithfulness is rather remarkable, because historians tell us there were many temples here (the ruins still exist) including three devoted to emperor worship and a temple of Zeus which may have been Satan’s throne mentioned by Jesus.
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:14-15).
In Numbers chapters 22–25 we find the account of Balak, king of Moab, who was in great dread of the Israelites. Balak called upon Balaam, a pagan prophet, to put a curse upon Israel, but God would not allow him to curse His people. Instead (and in spite of his own efforts to curse them) he blessed Israel three times. God’s word defeated Balaam’s evil intentions, and he uttered what God made him say.
After that incident the men of Israel began whoring with the daughters of Moab. The anger of the Lord is turned against Israel in the form of a plague, and the plague doesn’t end until we come to Numbers 25:6-9. Several chapters later we learn that this whoring after the daughters of Moab was caused by Balaam:
Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD (Num. 31:5-6).
What the Lord has against some of the Pergamum Christians includes “the teaching of the Nicolaitans” which seems to be related to how Balaam caused Israel to sin. These warnings of our Savior alarm me because they appear to be addressing immorality that is very much like what is happening in many of our modern-day churches. Jesus says,
‘Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it’ (Rev. 2:16-17).
Jesus tells the Christians indulging in immorality to repent or He will soon come against those who don’t with the sword of his mouth which is the word of God. This certainly is a warning addressed to all churches including any in our time who don’t repent of this kind of sin.
For those who do conquer, Jesus promises “hidden manna” and “a white stone” with a new name written on it. The hidden manna reminds us of the food Israel ate during the forty years they were in the wilderness, whereas the white stone appears to be a promise that they will survive the tribulations they are facing. They can be assured that Jesus promises them His total protection.
Jesus identified Himself with the manna—the bread from heaven—when He fed the 5,000 people as recorded in John 6:
Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave 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.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:32-35)
Jesus’ words to the believers in Pergamum remind them that He is their protection and provision, and all who trust Him rather than being overcome by the lure of evil will have eternity with Him.
4. The Church of Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29): Corrupt Church
Thyatira was located in the interior about 35 miles southeast of Pergamum. It was not a large city, yet it was active commercially, filled with what we would now call skilled “blue collar workers”.
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze’ (Rev. 2:18).
In Revelation this is the one and only place Jesus identifies himself as the “Son of God”, thus stressing His deity. His eyes are “like a flame of fire” that can pierce any subterfuge. His feet of “burnished bronze” will tread upon and judge any and all sin.
- Verse 19
Jesus says of the Thyatira church that their works of agape love, faith, service, and patient endurance exceed what they have done in the beginning.
- Verses 20-23
Yet they tolerate “that woman Jezebel” who claims to be a prophetess and encourages her followers to practice sexual immorality coupled with eating food sacrificed to idols—activities from which she refuses to repent. Whoever does so with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent.
Jesus, the Son of God, reminds all the churches that He is the one who “searches mind and Heart” and will give to each according to their works.
The name of Jezebel is a clear reference to the first Jezebel who was the pagan queen of king Ahab first mentioned in 1 Kings 16:31. The prophet Elijah challenged and killed 850 of her pagan prophets (1 Kings 18:19 & 40). Her end came by being thrown down to the ground and being eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:30-33).
Jesus declares that this Jezebel in Thyatira faces the same kind of ending where she is to be thrown on her sickbed since she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. All those who commit adultery with her and do not repent will have the same epitaph.
All Christians including those in Thyatira are reminded that Jesus searches minds and hearts and will receive according to their works. This should be a warning to those who practice sexual immorality in our modern day churches.
‘But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come’ (Rev. 2:24-25).
For those who have not tolerated these practices of sexual immorality including the so called “deep things of Satan” Jesus lays no other burden other than to hold “fast what you have until I come.”
‘The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ (Rev. 2:26-29).
5. The Church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6): Dead Church
Sardis was a rich and strongly defended city built upon a mountain spur.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars’ (Rev. 3:1a).
The introduction to this church gives us a clue as to what they need the most. They are so asleep we should call them “the walking dead”. Most of all they must come alive through the outworking of the Holy Spirit.
As with the other churches, the life of Sardis is revealed in the nature of its deeds.
- Verses 1b-3
We learn that Jesus knows their works which have the pretense of their being alive, yet they are near death. They are to wake up before it’s too late and strengthen the little life that remains.
Their works are lacking in the sight of God, so they must remember what they received, repent, and return to their earlier works.
The warning for those who are asleep is that Jesus will come against them at a time they will not expect. The church of Sardis seems so asleep that they have lost their apape love for the lost and perishing around them.
- Verses 4-6
Nevertheless, there are a few people who have not soiled their lives with sin. Jesus reminds them that the one who conquers will wear white and walk with Jesus. The one who conquers will never be blotted out of the book of life. Furthermore, the one who conquers will have his name confessed before the Father and his angels, he will be taking the gospel message of Jesus’ salvation to the lost and perishing.
6. The Church of Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13): Faithful Church
Philadelphia means “city of brotherly love”. In modern Turkey this city is called ‘Allahshehr’ which means ‘the city of God’.
In verse seven Jesus has “the key of David”:
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens’ (Rev. 3:7).
We find the Old Testament reference for this image in Isaiah chapter 22. It is a prophetic lament over the coming fall of the city of Jerusalem to the invading Babylonians. In verses 15-19 Isaiah denounces Shebna, the king’s secretary (2 Kings 18:18), who is replaced by Eliakim, (vs. 20-24). Eliakim is a type of Jesus Christ, a foreshadowing we see in Isaiah 22:22 as John uses the same imagery Isaiah used in his prophesy about the house of David:
And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open (Isa. 22:22).
In biblical Hebrew the name Eliakim means: “Resurrection of God”.
Jesus who was born of Mary was of the line of the house of David and is the holy one who opens what none can shut, and shuts what none can open, because he is has the only key of the house of David.
- Verses 8-9
Jesus sets before them Christians at Philadelphia an open door that none can shut. This is a promise for all who are truly surrendered, born-again Christians filled with agape love for the lost and perishing.
This church has but little power, yet they have kept Jesus’ word and have not denied his name. Their works were done in humility with all done through the power of their Savior.
The Jews who are of the synagogue of Satan will be forced to bow down to the Philadelphia church. Today there are many churches who are not able to claim this promise of an open door.
- Verses 10-13
Jesus promises those who keep his word in patient endurance that:
- They will be kept from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.
- He is coming soon, so they are to hold fast so none may seize their crown.
- He will make them a pillar in the temple of God, and they will never go out of it.
- They will have the name of God the Father, Jesus’ name, and the name of the New Jerusalem written on them.
7. The Church of LAODICEA (Rev. 3:14-22) Lukewarm Church
Laodicea is near Colossae and about one hundred miles east of the port city of Ephesus. Laodicea was noted for its banking and commercial wealth along with its health spas, the ruins of which are still visible.
This church, however, was in far more trouble than the other six to which this letter was sent.
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ’The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation” (Rev. 3:14).
By saying “amen” Jesus indicates that He is saying something very important. The phrase “the faithful and true witness” is the equivalent of His saying, “The truth, the whole truth ,and nothing but the truth.” The last phrase shows that Jesus is the source of all creation. The Laodiceans should have known of the letter to the Colossians, Col 4:16, so they would have had this understanding concerning Jesus as the source of all creation:
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him (Col. 1:16).
- Verses 15-17
Their works are founded upon their material wealth. While they do not indulge in obvious sin, they are not filled with agape love for the lost and perishing of those around them. Their material wealth is so great they are blinded to their real needs.
Jesus sees them as; “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”. The “taste” of them is so bad Jesus is ready to spit them out of His mouth.
- Verse 18-19
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Rev. 3:18-19)
Jesus counsels them to “buy” from Him eternal riches instead of being focused on their material possessions. Paul talks about our works as being our building upon the foundation of the gospel of Christ. Paul says he laid the one foundation—Christ—and our work is to build on that foundation. The church cannot have two foundations. Paul (and the apostles) laid it, and our job is to build on it:
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire (1 Cor. 3:10-15).
The lukewarm Laodicean church is so satisfied with their material wealth they are in danger of having nothing that will survive the testing of fire (2 Cor. 5:10). Although it isn’t said here, they also have lost their first love for their Savior Jesus Christ.
- Verse 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Rev. 3:20).
This is a well-known verse that is used by many in their message to the lost and perishing of the world. However, notice that these words of Jesus are directed toward a church who are nominal Christians who are asked to repent before they are spit out of the Savior’s mouth. As such this is not an invitation directed to the general unsaved population who need to hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ. This is directed toward people who claim to be Christian but really are not.
Seventh-day Adventists, in their evangelistic efforts, often quote this verse while teaching something that is not the gospel. They preach “another gospel” that clings to the Mosaic Law, and they put their converts under the curse of the law. Further, they self-identify as the Laodicean church! They teach a beautiful deception that leads to the very thing Jesus condemned in Matthew 23:15:
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
The apostle Paul, however, defines the true gospel centered on faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus outlined in 1 Cor. 15: 1-5. He also says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved! Read his words in Romans 10:5–13:
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ’Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ’Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The apostle Paul had already shown in Rom. 3:23 that no sinner has ever kept the Mosaic Law, and therefore all fall short of the glory of God. Then, in Romans chapters four and five, Paul uses the life of Abraham and the comparison between Adam and Christ to teach us of our true nature and to show us that justification and salvation have always been through faith in the works of God—even when God’s people were under the Mosaic law! Humans have never obtained God’s forgiveness and justification by performing good works.
What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:1-3).
Those who rely on their own works instead of coming to Jesus in faith are in just as much trouble as those in the Laodicean church whose works counted as nothing.
Salvation is totally a work of Jesus Christ who fulfilled the law at Calvary, died, and arose three days later. Then He ascended into heaven to sit down forever at the most holy place in heaven: the right hand of the Father because victory over sin was complete!
Today, if you hear His voice, believe! †
—All biblical quotes unless stated otherwise taken from the ESV.
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