Praise and Rebuke (Part 2)
Notes
Transcript
As we’re diving into the book of Revelation, last week we began reading the letters to the seven churches. We noted that there are 5 characteristics of these letters:
The royal author describes himself in terms of chapter 1.
“I know” introduces his diagnosis of the churches condition, both positive(except for Sardis and Laodicea) and negative (except for Smyrna and Philadelphia).
Comfort and commands flow from the diagnosis
Command to hear and heed all the letters. All of the churches are commanded to hear and heed all of the letters (“what the Spirit says to the churches.)
A blessing is promised. A blessing is promised to “the one who conquers,” fore shadowing the final visions in the last chapters of the book.
So with that, this week we’re diving into two new churches as we make our loop up the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea we’re now looking at Pergamum and Thyatira. Pergamum is North of Smyrna, and it’s not a coastal city, it’s inland. And Thyatira is even more so.
There seems to be a common theme within these two letters:
Faithfulness in a Compromising World
Faithfulness in a Compromising World
Our world is full of compromise. We lament about the compromise we see in our political leaders, but how about in our own lives? And even in the church?
Within this passage we see the stark contrast between the faithful and the unfaithful within these two churches. It acknowledges the good works of the church, yet it highlights the grave dangers posed by false teachings and moral compromise. It serves as a warning that faithfulness to Christ requires not only belief but also action against the temptations that seek to lead believers astray.
As we start with the church at Pergamum, the letter begins with Rev 2:12
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Back in the opening chapter we read a description of Jesus saying, Revelation 1:16 “… from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword…”
The vision of a sword might give you memory of Heb 4:12
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.
or the full armor of God in Ephesians 6 where it refers to the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” And goes on to say to Pergamum, Rev 2:13
“ ‘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.
Satan’s throne? Where Satan dwells?
Pergamum hosted temples dedicated to various gods, including a large altar dedicated to Zeus. The worship of the emperor god was strongly emphasized, even required in the province of Asia, and it was a major problem for christians at the time. All of this qualifies Pergamum to be called the site of Satan’s throne.
Pergamum is praised for standing firm, and then the other shoe drops. “but…”
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.
Balaam you may remember was a prophet in the Old Testament who basically would prophesy for the highest bidder often without any reference to the Word of God. You might remember the story of the talking donkey.A story of great irony as the Prophet of God, Balaam couldn’t see God’s angel standing in the road. I’ll let you look it up.
The message here is:
1. Stand Strong: Reject Compromise
1. Stand Strong: Reject Compromise
Revelation 2:12–17
Despite living in a city filled with all of these temples and the altar of Zeus, the church of Pergamum has held fast to Christ’s name, and did not deny faith. But had also allowed some to compromise.
Why do we compromise? Why do we give in?
I would contest that it is because we are all on that spectrum between belief and unbelief, trust and doubt. Its easy to say we trust in God’s Word, and that we believe God will respond the way the Bible claims. It’s another thing in the face of challenge, in the face of temptation, in the face of counter arguments to hold on to our faith.
You could emphasize that while the church in Pergamum was praised for holding fast to Christ's name, the issue of compromise through accepting false teachings and immoral practices was a severe concern. Highlighting the call to repentance can be a powerful reminder that Christ's grace allows believers to find redemption despite past errors. Christ as the one 'who has the sharp two-edged sword' symbolizes His authority to correct and guide the church, encouraging the congregation to adhere strictly to His Word and resist cultural pressures that contradict biblical teachings.
Moving on To Thyatira - we find some similar challenges.
“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.
Again Jesus is described in ways that he was in chapter 1, this time with eyes like a flame of fire, that see through everything. They see through whatever potential facade we might seek tp present, and feet are solid.
“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
I love this. Here at Mission Woods we refer to ourselves as a growing place: growing closer to God, to one another, to our community. Our goal is to continue to grow in our love for God, our faith together, and our service. This afternoon we’ll be doing just that with our new One Parish One Prisoner team training.
Thyatira is praised, and they are also rebuked.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Clearly food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality is an issue with these two churches. Both churches are called to repent.
Not only are we to stand strong and reject compromise, we are called to discernment and to reject corruption.
2. Discernment: Reject Corruption
2. Discernment: Reject Corruption
Revelation 2:18–23
What we need to be mindful of here is that these calls are not just to congregations, but to individuals as well. The congregation is called to discernment, encouraging them to identify and reject corrupt influences and embracing the truth in Christ. It's crucial not just for the congregation, but for individuals as well to reflect on their spiritual lives and evaluate their commitment to purity and truth.
Thyatira tolerated Jezebel who was not only calling herself a prophetess, she was teaching and seducing other believers leading them astray.
We see that Jezebel has had her opportunity to repent, but refused to do it. Would we tolerate such a person? Would we allow such corruption to remain among us? Does such corruption exist in your life? If so what shall we do?
We’re told in Rev 2:16, repent. Turn from the lies, the corruption, turn back to Christ in all of your ways. The Rev. Fred Rogers (known to most as Mr. Rogers) often said, “Whatever is mentionable is manageable. In our Bible from the book of James we read: James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Part of the difficulty we have with our sin is that we tend to try and deal with alone. It isolates us, in doing so it causes us to doubt. We’re afraid of what will happen if people (or God) finds out. We don’t believe Jesus’ own words that he did not come to condemn but to save. So we keep quiet and continue to struggle.
Don’t give in to the lie; remember the promise. 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let’s look at what happened to those in Thyatira that did not follow false teachings:
3. Rewards of Faithful Integrity
3. Rewards of Faithful Integrity
There are rewards not only in eternity, but in our lives here today. In the closing of our passage. Jesus said, “I do not lay on you any other burden,” and challenges us:
Only 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,
Each of these letters speaks of the one who conquers. Victory is the objective in a Christian’s spiritual warfare. We need to remember that Jesus, The Lion of Judah, conquered as a slain Lamb is redeeming the people for God from every nation.
So for each of us, we have questions to ask:
Are we holding fast?
Do we deny the faith?
Are we growing and moving forward in our faith?
Are we tolerant of immorality in ourselves or others in our church?
Do we see ourselves as conquerors?
As we journey through this book with all of its mysteries and images, we must continue to seek the truths it reveals. These letters raise the bar for each of us and call us to self examination, and corporate examination as we seek to live the life we are created for.
To God be the glory, AMEN. Let me pray for you.
Praise and Rebuke (Part 2)
Praise and Rebuke (Part 2)
