Revelation, Part 4
Revelation 2:18 – 3:6
Introduction
Over-arching theme: 2 Tim 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” We ought to be able to give an answer – to give hope to the future and why we believe this way.
Remember the constant of all of this is Jesus. Heb 13:8 – Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
These are letters to the churches -- God’s report card of where we are today. Again, this is present tense means it applies now -- which church do you want to be?
Last week we looked at the first three churches, and today we shall look at the next two.
Pray
I. Church of Thyatira
Read Chapter 2:18-29
Knows your service – Jesus loves the church so much that he cannot take His eyes off it
Doing more than you used to – shows growth
What does the Lord hold against them? They tolerate sin!
The chief sin of this church is that they failed to rise up and call Jezebel out. They failed to show her for what she is, and remove her from being able to teach in the church. *
What the Lord is saying here about committing adultery (fornication) is literal – but it also means to have intimacy with a false god instead of the one True God. *
Time has been given for her to repent – for YOU to repent as well
Strike down all those that lay down with her – including her children
Something to note here – those who repent will not go through the Tribulation that is coming. Jezebel is brought up again in Rev 17 as the woman who is devoured – and it is important to note that those who side with her will see the tough times of the Tribulation. This is the warning Jesus is giving the church. *
For those that avoid satan’s teaching (and are faithful to Christ):
They need to continue being faithful until Jesus’ return
Those faithful persons shall rule with Jesus forever
Note what the closing verse actually says: “He that hath …” The first three churches conclude with a sign that they are capable of repenting. The final four letters show that only a remnant will be saved … this I believe, is key to churches today.
Do you want to all go to Heaven? Or just a few of you?
II. Church of Sardis
Read Chapter 3:1-6
They have a reputation of being alive – they look awake – but they are dead! This is a church that looks like it is well, but the members are dead inside … Spiritually!
The members are not done serving the Lord (re-read verse 2) – We are not done either!
If they continue to sleep – they will miss the Lord’s return
Parable of the 10 virgins – Jesus will come like a thief in the night
This church has SOME members that are faithful, but not all who say they are
The faithful ones are those holding the Gospel doctrine – they are the remnant!!
Names will never be blotted out of the book of life (Matthew 10:32-33 and Luke 12:8-9)
Matthew 10:32-33 says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
Luke 12:8-9 says, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.”
– This is the promise of eternal salvation, if you have it – and those who are faithful will never be removed from the Book of Life. If your name is there, Jesus will speak of you and intercede for you with His Father
I want you to see something interesting about this church. They are not troubled with heresy. They are not being attacked. They are not at war with the devil. Why? Because they are dead! A dead church is just that – while a church that is alive will always be under spiritual attack. There will always be something to come against a church that is prospering.
If you are not butting heads with the devil – maybe it’s because you are on the same path!
Conclusion
Invite singers
Today we saw 2 churches that appear alive, but are dead! These are perfect examples (sadly) of what is seen today all across the world. Churches that practice false doctrine, look they are happy, but they are really dead inside.
I need you to pray for our church
- To pray that these things would come to light if they existed here
- To pray that sin would be exposed and dealt with in a loving way so that we could be pure in God’s eyes
There is a time coming where our church will be sifted – if we are faithful to Christ.
This church has been sifted before – in our hearts can say whether we stood the test or not? Honestly? I want to be able to say – without a doubt – that we will hold up in the coming challenges of this world.
Now most importantly: When the challenges come, will we stand up to God’s scrutiny? Not the world’s scrutiny, because this world will pass away – but will we stand up to God’s standards and doctrine?
I believe that it is no coincidence that we are here today and this message is a warning to churches that have failed to live up to God’s standards.
Maybe today you need to come forward and join this church and stand with us? If that is the case I would love to meet you right down here and be the first to welcome you to our family.
Perhaps however, you need to come forward and repent of something in your own life?
Today is the day – please do not wait until tomorrow, for tomorrow is never promised.
* Research provided from Chuck Missler and his publicized study of this book.
