The Book of Revelation
“God’s Message to Today’s Church”
Revelation 2-3
Revelation chapters two and three are the second part of the three parts the Apostle John was told to write. Jesus said, “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” (Revelation 1:19 NKJV)
And while I am giving you an overview of chapters two and three today, what should be noted is that their importance cannot be overstated, because the letters Jesus writes are a penetrating look into church doctrine and Christian living.
These two chapters deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of the church that Jesus is not only the head of, 1:22; 5:23, but He is also in the midst of it as John records in Revelation chapter one.
“In the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man … (and) the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:13, 20c)
Jesus is in the midst of His church, and by his different introductions to each church what this reveals is that not only does He know what’s going on in every church, but that He will meet every church exactly where it is, and is sufficient to take care of the church, that is, if the church listens to His instructions.
Jesus not only knows Living Waters Fellowship and what we’re doing right, but also where we fall short, and He is available to meet our needs, if we would but listen, “He who has ears, hear what the Spirit is speaking to the church.” (Revelation 2-3 NKJV)
In the same way Jesus knows exactly what you and I are going through as well, and is just as available to meet us and provide what we need to stay strong, and to overcome any weaknesses through His grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
It’s God’s desire to give us a new heart, a new spirit, and a new beginning.
“Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die?” (Ezekiel 18:31 NKJV)
In our study I’d like to look at what Jesus would like the church to know based upon what He said to these seven churches. We’ll look at what Jesus likes, dislikes, the consequences of our actions, and His counsel, or what He says we must do.
This goes along with the blessings of this book, that is, not only in our reading and hearing of this prophecy, but in keeping what it says (Revelation 1:3).
Jesus’ Commendation
a. Our Works
Jesus knows our works, that is, those things we do as unto the Lord. In fact He commends all the churches with these very words, “I know your works.” But with each he adds some other aspects to it, to Ephesus it’s their patience, Syrma it’s their afflictions and poverty, or Thyatira it’s their love, service, faith, and patience.
What we do for the Lord is just as important as what we say. In fact, what we do will mean more to those outside the faith than anything we might say. As the saying goes, “People need to know how much we care, before they care how much we know.”
Doing good deeds is an important part of our faith. In Paul’s quintessential statement of salvation by grace through faith he references this very point.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
Most people stop at this verse and say, see, it’s not about works, but Paul didn’t stop but goes on to say,
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)
The Apostle James tells us that if we don’t do these works, then our faith is pretty much dead. He said, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17 NKJV)
The Apostle John asked, “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17 NKJV)
And so, Jesus commends our faithful service. This is one of the foundations of our ministry and mission statement at Living Waters Fellowship. It says we are to make a difference in our community for Christ.
But not all work is good. There is no way anyone can work their way to heaven, nor earn brownie points with God. And this is where works can do more harm than good.
To the church in Sardis, while they did good works and everyone around them thought they were all that plus a bag of chips, the Lord thought differently.
“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.” (Revelation 3:1b-2 NKJV)
To the church of Laodicea He said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 NKJV)
b. Our Holiness
The meaning of the word, “holiness,” is to be set apart. As His church we need to separate ourselves from all the rotten and bad stuff of this world and dedicate ourselves to the Lord and His message.
This is a commandment from God’s word.
“For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44a NKJV)
This is what the Lord calls Christians to do today.
“As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16 NKJV)
God calls us to separate ourselves not only from the world, but also all that is of the world. But we’re still a part of world. We still live in this world. Therefore we need to fulfill God’s kingdom purposes while we are here and while there is still breath in our bodies.
c. Our Perseverance
To the churches in Ephesus, Thyatira, and Philadelphia Jesus commends them using this word, “perseverance.” To the church of Smyrna Jesus talked about their trials and tribulations and while they’re not rich in possessions they are rich in the faith, which speaks to their persevering in bad times.
Jesus also comments the church in Pergamos in how they persevered holding fast to Jesus’ name and not denying the faith.
Unfortunately it was Sardis’ lack of perseverance that was their downfall.
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.” (Revelation 3:2 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul said,
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9 NKJV)
Our labor in the Lord, while wearisome, is not useless and will produce a harvest of souls in the end. Paul said to the church in Corinth, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)
d. Our Commitment to Truth
To the church in Ephesus Jesus talks about their putting to the test those who say they’re apostles, but are not. These are men who call themselves Christians but teach falsehoods, and the church identifies them and will not allow them to teach. Further they hate the teaching that places people in absolute authority over others. They’re called the “Nicolaitians,” which means to conquer or overthrow the people or laity.
We are called to stand up for the truth, and this is what pleases Jesus. Jesus tells us that it’s only when we know the truth that we’ll truly be free, John 8:32. The Apostle Paul said,
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV)
To the church in Pergamos, Jesus praises Antipas because he didn’t deny the faith and was faithful in His witness. In Sardis there were some who didn’t soil their garments, that is, they didn’t compromise their belief in Jesus Christ nor deny God’s word.
And while the church of Ephesus stood up to false teachings, others churches embraced them, like the church of Pergamos that have some holding to this very doctrine of the Nicolaitians.
This leads me to the second aspect of Jesus’ letters, and that is …
Jesus’ Condemnation
What I found interesting is that there are two churches Jesus found nothing wrong with.
Jesus condemnation of the church is brought out in two main areas within churches
a. False Doctrine
Just as Jesus praised the church of Ephesus for standing upon the truth of God’s word and hating these false doctrines, the church of Pergamos and Thyatira seemed to welcome them. There are three main doctrines that made their way into the churches.
i. Doctrine of Balaam
Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet who Balak, King of Moab, used to help stop Israel’s advance in the wilderness. After being unsuccessful at cursing Israel, Balaam told Balak of another way to stop Israel, and that was getting them to sin through enmeshing themselves with their false gods and intermarrying with Gentiles.
Today this is where the church has married elements of worldly philosophies. Where church is trying it’s hardest to fit in, trying to convince the world that it’s no different than the rest of society and can be just as inclusive and politically correct. It’s a church that instead of transforming the world is letting the world transform it.
ii. Doctrine of the Nicolaitians
This is the church with strong religious leaders that literally rule over the laity, that is, the people in the pews. It’s where laypeople are required to blindly obey the decrees of the clergy.
This is seen in the different Catholic denominations and various Apostolic Protestant churches, also known for their shepherding style of leadership. Whatever the pastor says the people must do or they are disciplined or excommunicated not only from the church but also from their families.
iii. The Jezebel Spirit
Jezebel was wife of Ahab, king of Israel, and she brought in the worship of Baal, the false god of the Phoenicians. The specific teaching was of misleading the people into sexual immorality and eating foods sacrificed to idols.
This is seen in how the church is accepting that which the Bible clearly calls sin. It’s eating at the table of idolatry and convincing believers that sexual immorality is okay, like homosexuality or alternative lifestyles. Churches are now saying these practices are okay and that those who speak against them are intolerant. They’re calling that which is good evil, and that which is evil good.
This leads me into the second aspect of the church that Jesus condemns
b. Apathy
To the church in Ephesus Jesus said that while they were doing all this good stuff, they had left their first love relationship with Jesus. They had become apathetic in their relationship with Jesus Christ, where it was becoming more of a religion than a relationship.
The church in Sardis had the reputation they were alive, but instead they were dead. They had the name of a church, maybe even the name of Jesus Christ attached to it, but they were anything but. Jesus said that while they started well, they didn’t end that way. Jesus told them to wake up from their stupor.
“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” (Revelation 3:2 NIV)
Jesus called the church in Laodicea “lukewarm.” They were neither on fire for God, nor were they cold and able to bring refreshment to weary souls. They thought their wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, when in reality their riches were making them apathetic, and in God’s sight they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
The church in America is not only rife with false doctrines, but it’s also become apathetic to the sin, not only in our society but within the walls of the church itself.
Jesus’ Counsel
To each church Jesus gives counsel as to what they are now to do given their present situation.
a. Remember and Repent
To remember and repent was Jesus’ advise for those churches in which He found straying from the path. And if not to remember then at least repent.
They were to remember how well they started, their relationship with the Lord, and to turn back and start doing it right.
However, if they weren’t willing to repent, then the consequences would be severe.
To the church at Ephesus Jesus said He would remove its lampstand, that is, the church would close its doors. To the church in Pergamos Jesus said that He would literally fight against them and His word would be His weapon of choice. To the church in Thyatira Jesus would place upon the church suffering, and to the church at Sardis Jesus said He would come like a thief in the night. And to Laodicea church Jesus said He would vomit them out of His mouth.
b. Persevere
Not only were they to remember and repent, but they were also encourage to persevere, to hold on to what is left and to what the Lord had called for them to do and to be.
To the church in Smyrna Jesus tells them to be faithful to the end, even if it means a martyrdom. To Thyatira and Philadelphia Jesus tells them to hold on to what they do have that is good.
c. Overcome
Jesus final words to all of these churches, and the same would be His word to us, and that is to overcome. And when we do the blessings of heaven will be ours.
I know there’s a lot more in each of these letters, but hopefully you’ve heard something for your life, and as a church we’ll start seeing more of what God would have for us so that we can repent, persevere, and be overcomers looking forward to that day when Jesus returns.
