20220724 The Love of God in John's Revelation part 2

Before the children leave

Revelation 2 ESV

1 “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. 2 “ ‘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. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 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. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 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.’ 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 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.’ 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 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. 14 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. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 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.’ 18 “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. 19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 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. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 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. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Prayer to dismiss children

This morning’s message:

Jesus is all powerful, all knowing and all present. Jesus Christ is aware of our works, our love, our faith, our service, our patient endurance. It is our visible, outward perseverance and striving for holiness that demonstrates true love for Jesus.

The Book of Revelation

Apocalypse, Unveiling, Revelation - revealing a mystery, an unknown, something that is known by God and God alone, and now God is revealing it. unveiling it.

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chapter 3: The Vision of the Glorified Son (Revelation 1:9–20))

By the close of the first century, Christianity had become a hated and despised religious sect in the Roman Empire.

Apart from the natural hostility of fallen men to the truth of the gospel, Christians were hated for several more reasons. Politically, the Romans viewed them as disloyal because they refused to acknowledge Caesar as the supreme authority.

Religiously, Christians were denounced as atheists because they rejected the Roman pantheon of gods and because they worshiped an invisible God, not an idol.

Socially, Christians, most of whom were from the lower classes of society (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26), were despised by the Roman aristocracy. Christians declined to participate in the worldly amusements that were so much a part of pagan society, avoiding festivals, the theater, and other pagan events.

Economically, Christians were seen as a threat by the numerous priests, craftsmen, and merchants who profited from idol worship.

Near the end of the first century, Emperor Domitian instigated an official persecution of Christians. Little is known of the details, but it extended to the province of Asia (modern Turkey). The apostle John had been banished to the island of Patmos, and at least one person, a pastor, had already been martyred (Rev. 2:13). The persecuted, beleaguered, discouraged believers in Asia Minor to whom John addressed the book of Revelation desperately needed encouragement. It had been years since Jesus ascended. Jerusalem had been destroyed and Israel ravaged. The church was losing its first love, compromising, tolerating sin, becoming powerless, and distasteful to the Lord Himself (this is described in Revelation 2 and 3). The other apostles were dead, and John had been exiled. The whole picture looked very bleak. That is why the first vision John received from the inspiring Holy Spirit is of Christ’s present ministry in the church.John’s readers took comfort in the knowledge that Christ will one day return in glory and defeat His enemies.

The love of God in John’s Gospel

John, in his writings, refers to love for Jesus as the specific member of the Trinity we are to love

He also uses the term “love one another” rather than love your neighbor.

The love of God in John’s Epistles

Since love is an action, the use of the one another’s points to the what and the how of love in Scripture.

The love of God in John’s Revelation

The things that you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place.

Chapter 1, chapter 2-3, chapters 4-21.

John on the Island of Patmos around 98 AD. Banished, imprisoned.

The love of God in John’s revelation:

agapaw

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.43 ἀγαπάω; ἀγάπη, ης

to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard

(1) Remembering Christ’s love for his church

Revelation 1:5 ESV

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Christ loves his church

Revelation 3:9 ESV

9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

Christ desires the world to see his love for the church and died for his church. Only the church has been freed from their sins by his blood.

Efficient, sufficient

Revelation 3:19 ESV

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Christ’s love is a purifying, sanctifying love. He will not hesitate to reprove and discipline

Reprove:

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.417 ἐλέγχω; ἔλεγξις, εως; ἐλεγμός, οῦ

ἐλέγχω; ἔλεγξις, εως f; ἐλεγμός, οῦ m: to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing—‘to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach.’

ἐλέγχω: ὁ δὲ Ηρῴδης ὁ τετραάρχης, ἐλεγχόμενος υ’π̓ αυ’τοῦ περὶ Ηρῳδιάδος ‘Herod the tetrarch was rebuked by him because of Herodias’ Lk 3:19; μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐλέγχετε ‘but rather rebuke them’ Eph 5:11.

ἔλεγξις: ὃς μισθὸν ἀδικίας ἠγάπησεν ἔλεγξιν δὲ ἔσχεν ἰδίας παρανομίας ‘who loved the money he would get for doing wrong and was reproached for his transgression’ 2 Pe 2:15–16.

ἐλεγμός: πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν ‘all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for rebuking’ 2 Tm 3:16.

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament ἐλέγχω

The use of ἐλέγχω in the NT is restricted. In the act. it is almost always used with the acc. of person, and in the pass. it is used also of persons. It means “to show someone his sin and to summon him to repentance.” This may be a private matter between two people, as in Mt. 18:15; Eph. 5:11. But it may also be a congregational affair under the leader, as in the Pastorals: 1 Tm. 5:20; 2 Tm. 4:2; Tt. 1:9, 13; 2:15. It is also the work of the Holy Spirit in the world (Jn. 16:8), of the exalted Christ in the community (Rev. 3:19), and of the Lord in judgment at the parousia (Jd. 15).

Discipline:

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 38.4 παιδεύω; παιδεία, ας

παιδεύωc; παιδείαc, ας f: to punish for the purpose of improved behavior—‘to punish, punishment.’

Do not despise the Lord’s discipline - where is the Lord working in your life?

(2) Restoring our love for Jesus

In John’s writings, it is love for Jesus that demonstrates true love for God. And it is love for one another that demonstrates true salvation.

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 4: Ephesus: When Loves Grows Cold (Revelation 2:1–7)

Many things characterize Christians, including reverential fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 2:12; 1 Pet. 1:17), a desire to imitate Him (Eph. 5:1; 1 John 2:6), holiness (Matt. 5:48; 2 Cor. 7:1; Titus 2:11–12; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15–16; 2:24; 2 Pet. 3:11), and obedience (John 10:27; 14:21; 15:14; Rom. 1:5; 16:26; Heb. 5:9; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 John 3:24). But the supreme characteristic of a Christian is love for his Lord and God. When challenged to name the single greatest commandment of the law, Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment

Matthew 10:37–38 ESV

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

The church in Thyatira

Revelation 2:18–19 ESV

18 “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. 19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Christ is aware: our works, our love, our faith, our service, our patient endurance. Christ is giving his approval

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 4: Ephesus: When Loves Grows Cold (Revelation 2:1–7)

While love for the Lord Jesus Christ will always be present in true Christians, it can fluctuate in its intensity. Christians will not always love Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to fail to do so is sin. There is no better illustration in Scripture of the seriousness of allowing love for Christ to wane than this letter to the church at Ephesus.

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 4: Ephesus: When Loves Grows Cold (Revelation 2:1–7)

The seven churches addressed in chapters 2 and 3 were actual existing churches when John wrote. But while not precisely duplicated, they also represent the types of churches that are generally present throughout the entire church age. Five of the seven churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia being the exceptions) were rebuked for tolerating sin in their midst, not an uncommon occurrence in churches since. The problems in those five churches ranged in severity from waning love at Ephesus to total apostasy at Laodicea. Further, any church in any age could have a mixture of the sins that plagued these five churches.

Though Christ may have addressed the Ephesian church first because it was first on the postal route, it was also the most prominent church of the seven. It was the mother church out of whose ministry the other six were founded (cf. Acts 19:10) and gave its name to the inspired letter of Ephesians penned four decades earlier by the apostle Paul. The contents of this first letter form the pattern for the other six. It contains seven features: the correspondent, the church, the city, the commendation, the concern, the command, and the counsel.

The church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1–5 ESV

1 “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. 2 “ ‘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. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 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.

Revelation 2:4–5 ESV

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 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.

Jesus says, I know:

Once again Christ is presently aware of what we are doing. Christ is giving his approval.

Our works, our toil, our patient endurance, our doctrinal purity.

But he does not mention their love.

What does Jesus mean when he says , you have abandoned the love you had at first?

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Concern

That love could include love for God and Christ, love for each other, and love for the lost. It is love defined as obedience (2 John 6). They had sunk to the place where they were carrying out their Christian responsibilities with diminishing love for their Lord and others.

Without a doubt it is love for Jesus - In his gospel and epistles it is love for Jesus that is to be our first love

Verse 5

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Command

First, they needed to remember (lit. “to keep on remembering”) from where they had fallen. Forgetfulness is frequently the initial cause of spiritual decline, and the Ephesians needed to recognize the seriousness of such a lapse. Second, they needed to repent in a deliberate rejection of their sins, because to fail to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength is sin (Matt. 22:36–38). Finally, they needed to demonstrate the genuineness of their repentance and do the deeds they did at first. They needed to recapture the richness of Bible study, devotion to prayer, and passion for worship that had once characterized them.

Remember - therefore from where you have fallen

Repent - deliberate rejection of their sins

Return - do the works you did at first

Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Command

remember your past, repent of your error, return to your best.