The One with the Sword
Apocolypse • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
The Big Idea
The Big Idea
The Big Idea | Jesus possesses the sword; therefore, the church must repent, be bold, commit itself to faithfulness, and take comfort.
Structure of the Sermon
Structure of the Sermon
Now that we have seen the parts, I will go ahead and give you the structure of my sermon which will include all the parts but organized in a way that will hopefully better help us see how they relate to each other.
Sermon Structure
Introduce you to the church at Pergamum and its unique characteristics (v. 13-15).
Call your attention to the truth about God: Jesus is the Highest Judge (v. 12, 16).
Show you how the truth about Jesus as the judge should form out thoughts, feelings, and actions (v. 16-17).
We could say it more simply like this: We will look at the situation of the church, the truth about Jesus, and the instructions for the church both then and now.
Pastoral Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Church | Under Assault
The Church | Under Assault
The Great Assault
The Assault was Satan Led (v. 2:13)
The Assault was Brutal (v. 2:13)
The Assault was Unsuccessful (v. 2:13)
The Assault was Followed by “Plan B” (v. 2:14)
The Assault was Gaining Momentum (v. 2:15)
When we come to the church at Pergamum, we find a church under assault and in great danger. Through John’s words we learn a few things about this assault on the church.
“ ‘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.
The Assault was Satan Led (v. 2:13)
The point of mentioning Satan’s dwelling at Pergamum is not to suggest that he dwells in this city and is not active in others. Instead John desires to connect the opposition they now know to the ongoing war between Satan and Jesus, between Satan’s offspring and the Son’s offspring promised in Genesis 3.
The Assault was Brutal (v. 2:13)
We see this in the death of Antipas. The martyrdom of Christians is hard for us to imagine in the comfortable U.S., but for many Christians in every era, martyrdom was and is a real possibility.
While we do not know the story surrounding Antipas’ death, we do know that during this time the church experienced great hostility. We know that Nero, the emperor of Rome Leading up to the time of John’s Revelation,
“refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire” (Foxe, J. (2000). Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.)
It is during this time that Peter and Paul were both martyred.
Following Nero came another wave of persecution under the emperor Domitian. Under Domitian, John the apostle was boiled in oil and exiled to the island of Patmos from which he wrote the book we are studying (Rev. 19).
This direct assault on Christians through the threatening of their lives by brutal means is a constant characteristic of the war between Satan and the children of God. It began with Cain striking down Abel, it continued with the religious Jews and the Roman authorities in the execution of Jesus, it continued as Paul looked on in satisfaction at the stoning of Stephen, it took place in Pergamum with the execution of Antipas, and it will continue until Christ returns to avenge the blood shed of all the faithful believers. The author of Hebrews highlights the brutality of Satan’s attack against Christians in Heb. 11:35-38
Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—
of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
The Assault was Unsuccessful
In verse we see that the church remained faithful. “They held fast [Jesus’] name and did not deny [his] faith.” (v. 13). This combination of “name” and “faith” refers to both doctrine and practice. The threat of death did not convince them to give up the truth nor to give up the living out of that truth. This is extremely important to note. The Romans were actually very tolerant of religions. They made great efforts to assimilate all gods and religions into their empire. But the Christians were unique and distinct. Their religion was unique and distinct.
I am reading a great book right now called Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley. Here is an excerpt that helps us get at the heart of the persecution.
The main cause of the hatred of early Christians in Roman society lies in their distinctive life-style. “We have the reputation,” said Tertullian in his Apology, “of living aloof from crowds”… Men always view with suspicion people who are different. Conformity, not distinctiveness, is the way to a trouble-free life. So the more early Christians took their faith seriously the more they were in danger of crowd reaction. Thus, simply by living according to the teachings of Jesus, the Christian was a constant unspoken condemnation of the pagan way of life. It was not that the Christian went about criticizing and condemning and disapproving, nor was he consciously self-righteous and superior. It was simply that the Christian ethic in itself was a criticism of pagan life. Fundamental to the Christian life-style and the cause of endless hostility was the Christian’s rejection of the pagan gods. The Greeks and Romans had deities for every aspect of living—for sowing and reaping, for rain and wind, for volcanoes and rivers, for birth and death. But to the Christians these gods were nothing, and their denial of them marked the followers of Jesus as “enemies of the human race.” (Shelley, B. L. (1995). Church history in plain language (Updated 2nd ed., p. 39). Dallas, TX: Word Pub.)
As you hopefully see, the temptation would have clearly been to spare their lives by letting go of their doctrine and practice or to hold to their doctrine while compromising their practice. But the church at Pergamum even as they witnessed their brother’s death as a martyr, would not let God of God’s truth nor its practice. They held to the truth and walked in it, even though they might suffering for doing good.
The Assault was Followed by “Plan B”
Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is relentless and even though the church at Pergamum did not cave under physical threat, Satan did not give up. Instead, he continued his assault in a more subtle way. This second attack came through the false teachers who “hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans.”
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.
We know very little about the Nicolaitans, and that is ok because John tells us exactly what the problem is with the Nicolaitans. They share the same teaching as Balaam. Now John assumes we know the back story of Balaam and Balak. If you do not know what happened with them you can find the story in Numbers 22. Rather than taking the time to tell you the story I will just briefly summarize the significance of John’s tying the Nicolaitans to Balaam.
Balaam sought the destruction of God’s People and so does Satan
He pursued the destruction of God’s people by luring them away from God’s Word so they might fall under God’s wrath and judgement.
His efforts were affective because they offered the hope of security and pleasure while maintaining a form of godliness
Can you see why the teaching of the Nicolaitans might have gained a foothold in the church at Pergamum? After seeing the death of Antipas, many would be hoping for another way. Is there a way to be a Christian and be friendly with the world? Can Christians be at home in this culture without the fear of suffering? The Nicolaitans said yes! They offered a new Christianity, a Christianity that blended in with the world. A Christianity that married a form of doctrine with a pursuit of pleasure and safety.
The Assault was Gaining Momentum
There were some in the church who had swallowed the false doctrines and practices of the Nicolaitans. They had been deceived. Notice how John highlights the way these “some” now “hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” The threat of death did not cause the church to stumble, but the temptation to hold both jesus and worldly pleasure was too much for some. When the church was threatened with the sword they stood their ground, but when they were offered the safety and pleasure of the world they compromised.
Jesus | The Judge and Executioner
Jesus | The Judge and Executioner
The situation of the church at Pergamum is sandwiched between two references to Jesus as the one with the sword. We see this in Revelation 2:12 and in Revelation 2:16
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
The image of Jesus with a two-edged sword would have reminded the church at Pergamum of Jesus’ position as judge. The idea of Jesus as judge with a sword carries with it at least three very important ideas that would have made up the original reader’s understanding of Jesus as the one with the two-edged sword.
Idea #1 | Authority
Idea #1 | Authority
In the Scriptures, those in positions of power had the authority to punish and to execute judgment. The king or the emperor made laws and had the authority to enforce those laws. Perhaps the clearest statement on human authority can be found in Romans 13 where the apostle Paul makes several statements about governing authorities.
Those in authority were placed by God (Rom. 13:1)
Proper authority exist to approve those who do good and punish those who do evil (Rom. 13:2-4)
The exercise of their authority to reward good and punish evil is referred to as “bearing the sword” (Rom. 13:4)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
The image of Jesus as the one with the sword helps communicate John’s message. Jesus possesses the sword - the authority to judge. He has the right to rule on the wicked and the good. And, unlike the earthly kings in the Old Testament, and the emperor in the New Testament, Jesus sits above all authorities. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He has set the boundaries of each humans authority, but He has no such boundary to his jurisdiction. He sits on the throne, and all men from the greatest to the least live and act under the authority who possesses the ultimate two-edged sword.
This image of Jesus is stated emphatically in Revelation 19:11-16.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
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.
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Idea #2 | Justice
Idea #2 | Justice
The thought of Jesus as the one with the sword would have stirred up thoughts of justice in the minds of the original readers. God upholds justice. He always makes right judgment. In this, he is very much unlike the human authorities that often pervert justice and make unjust rulings. Throughout the Scriptures we find several reasons why the people of God possessed confidence in God’s justice.
No Partiality: He favors no one. He has loyalty to righteousness, truth, and the good. In him is no inclination to bend the rules for a particular individual. Paul makes this argument in Romans 2. He masterfully brings both the Jews and Greeks under the wrath of God in their guilt. He wrote:
He will render to each one according to his works:
to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
For God shows no partiality.
No Lack of Knowledge: He knows everything. The suffering Job in the OT had this to say about God as the just judge:
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.
Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
Sometimes I find myself referring an emotional and tear-filled argument between my 3 daughters. Before I even get to their bedroom, each begins stating their case for justice. Each wants the other one punished. Each looks to me to justly rule in their favor. Often I find myself truly struggling to make a ruling. I want to be just and make a right judgment. Who should get that particular set of dress up close and high heels? Who should go sit in isolation? Honestly, sometimes I cannot make a right ruling because I do not know all the information. I didn’t see. I can’t decipher through the emotion to know with certainty what happened. I am inadequately prepared to execute justice.
Thankfully, God is not like me. He knows. His eyes witness both the good and the bad. His eyes are on the godly and the ungodly. When each man stands before him, nothing is hid. Nothing is unknown. When he give a judgment, no knew information will become public at a later date to prove his judgment unjust.
No need of Anything: God has infinite power, authority, and possessions. He has unlimited wealth and resources. There is nothing for God to gain. He has no longing that he does not already possess the ability to meet without dependence on anything or anyone outside himself. This is good news for all who desire a just judge, for God cannot be bribed or bought off. God himself made this clear as he gave His law to the Israelites:
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
He stands in direct contrast to corrupt authorities who come under the influence of others. So often human authorities make judgements to satisfy others who promise them goods in return rather than to satisfy the demands of justice and righteousness. God is not like men. He has no needs, and therefore He cannot be brought under the influence of others who seek to manipulate his judgments through gifts or threats.
Idea #3 | Wrath
Idea #3 | Wrath
When I think of justice and judgement, I think of the courtroom. Our courtrooms have little emotion. The judge and jury are suppose to look at the facts and not let their emotions determine the outcome. In our minds, emotions such as anger cloud judgment and may lead to an unjust sentence. Because human authorities are flawed and sinful, keeping emotion out of the courtroom is probably best, but be assured that when God puts on His judgement robes His wrath will be seen and felt. Notice the image in Revelation 19:17-21
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,
to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.
And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
God’s wrath is dreadful; Certainly it is a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God” for no one can stand in the presence of the wrathful God. Lest we get the wrong picture, let me give you a definition of God’s wrath. I borrow this from John Stott:
“It is God’s personal, righteous, constant hostility to evil, his settled refusal to compromise with it, and his resolve instead to condemn it.”
Stott, J. R. W. (1979). God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (p. 76). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
When God picks up the sword of judgement, He is personally affected. He is both the judge and the one who has been wronged. Just as we are naturally stirred to oppose with great emotion that which we detest, so God comes against sin and the sinner with and red hot anger. So dreadful is the combination of his power, authority, and anger that when men face it they will desire to perish so as to escape his presence. We see this in Revelation 6:14-17:
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
The Instructions
The Instructions
Three Instructions
Repent
Be Bold
Commit to Right Doctrine and Practice
Take Comfort
The truth about Jesus as the judge with the sword was meant to have several implications for the hearers.
Repent
Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Could the instruction be any clearer in the text? “Therefore, repent!” Why should they turn from their error? Because Jesus has a sword and he is coming. He knows everything. And he is just! He will not let the guilty go unpunished. All one must do today is consider your sin. Could you stand before Jesus and live? Is his sword not ready to execute you? John’s words come to us as a demonstration of God’s mercy and grace. An opportunity stands before you now to repent, and you have every reason to repent. Whatever pleasure or measure of security you may stand to lose by conforming to Jesus teaching is not worthy to be compared to the devestation and death prepared for your neck in the sharpened and just sword of the Almighty.
Be Bold
Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Notice what John says. He tells the church to confront the Nicolaitans, because if they do not, “Jesus will make war on them.” Notice what the apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 2 about those who are deceived by the teachings of the Nicolaitans and Balaam:
My attempt to share the gospel on the golf course
When the culture is hostile to sound doctrine and godliness there is a great pull towards remaining quiet, isolated, and reserved. Its extremely tempting to adopt the prevailing convictions of the world around us. We come to church isolate ourselves within the safety and comfort of church community. But John’s words call us out of our retreat to engage those who are in danger. Do you know why you need to correct your children? They are under the wrath of God. No we cannot be silent and hope they find their way. Do you know you CG members need you to get in their business? I think John would tell us, it is better you make them uncomfortable than for God to come with His sword and spill their blood!
Commit to Right Doctrine and Practice
Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Notice that John says that Jesus sword is the “Sword of [his] mouth.” Here we find a crucial point about God’s judgement. Here we find the standard. It is the word of God. God’s spoken word is the standard by which all will be judged. This is John’s way of saying the church must now commit itself to the right doctrine and right practice as laid out in the Scriptures. Right practice and right doctrine or inseparably tied. Wrong doctrine will always corrupt good practice and wrong practice will always corrupt good doctrine.
In a culture hostile to true doctrine and practice, the church is tempted to exchange the standard of God’s revealed truth and moral standard for another. The truth of the judgement should urge the church to hold to the teaching of Scripture and its practice above all other standards.
Politics
We see this playing out right in front of our eyes in the realm of politics. The democratic party has its moral code and system of belief. The Republican party has its own. When the church attempts to identify and conform to one or the other it is forced to exchange the standard of God’s word as the authority of doctrine and practice. When the church holds fast to the teaching of Scripture it is free to stand outside the two party system to affirm what is good and bad in both. Do you see? Republicans wont be judged by the standards set by the democrats, and the democrats will not be judged by the standards of the republicans. Instead, both will be judged by the damning words that come from the mouth of God.
Take Comfort
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.’
Life (manna)
Acceptance and Acquittal
Intimate Fellowship