THE ROLE OF REPENTANCE IN THE REVELATION
REV. 2:1 – 3:22
Sermon Objective: Understanding the role repentance plays in The Revelation helps frame the book and stir us to good works.
INTRO:
How do you like my fancy yellow-lensed hippie glasses? Nifty huh? Or maybe I should say “groovy.” You probably think these glasses make me look rather silly but I assure you, from my vantage point youse guys look pretty odd too! You’ve all got yellow jaundice! In fact, from this perspective, the whole world is yellow! If I did not know better I would declare that the whole world has a yellow tint to it.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that the way we view the world may be too. It might just be “colored” by our experiences, culture, etc. The way we see things may not be entirely accurate. In fact, I dare say no one is immune from such a reality-altering dynamic.
That is also true about how we approach the Scriptures. It is easy to approach them with lenses that color what we read. Our assumptions and presuppositions go far in determining what we do and do not find. They also serve to unconsciously screen out some of what we read that contradicts our assumptions and presuppositions.
And that may never be truer than when we study The Revelation. We bring presuppositions to the book that affect the way we read everything within it. We bring an assumption about its purpose and outcome and we’re prone to rationalize or dismiss anything that might challenge those assumptions.
For example, since about 1853 (when John Nelson Darby proposed a “Pre-tribulation Rapture” and Dispensationalist View of the Scriptures) most Americans have viewed The Revelation as some sort of time-line or count-down to the end of human history. Granted, the book does address the end of human history; but by approaching it wearing these “Dispensational glasses” the book is colored and we fail to understand it the way the majority of Jesus’ Church understood it for the first 1800 years … and the way the church in most of the world still understands it. It is, quite honestly a Western “lens”.
You see, The Revelation has a much more noble purpose than to try and give you a hint about how the world will end. It was intended to stir the first century church (a.k.a. The Seven Churches of Asia) to good works and faithfulness. It was designed to instruct them about how to be “overcomers” in a world that was increasingly hostile to their faith commitment.
Interestingly enough – it was designed to stir the 21st century church to the same end; and every church of every century in between.
Many people read the book wishing to see secrets or the judgments or the sensational and miss the purpose of the book altogether. Remember – it is a REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST not a “code to secrets about the end of the world.” It is designed to draw us close to Jesus – not out of fear – but out of faith and gladness regarding His certain victory. The seals, trumpets, and bowls are all a call to leave “Babylon.” They are a call to align one’s self and allegiances with the Lamb not the world or the state.
If we can take our glasses off for a while when reading the book this will become more clear.
There are key words that help us grasp what the book really is about but if we are wearing our glasses we may miss them. I have talked to you about some of these words already (i.e. “overcome”) but there is at least one more word used throughout the book that, if missed, skews our understanding is the book.
The word is “REPENT.”
Oh we know it is used in the first three chapters a lot; but somehow we fail to see that it is used in other places in the book and called for in even more.
So let’s take our glasses off this morning. We will discover that repentance is a key underpinning of The Revelation; that it underlies every beastly story and every chapter in it. It is a call to take the warnings seriously and change our allegiances.
This can be seen not only in the seven churches but also other passages as well. For example:
Rev. 9:20The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Rev. 16:8The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
It is also illustrated in Rev. 18:4
Rev. 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
THE ROLE OF REPENTANCE IN THE REVELATION
What is repentance?
As with many other Biblical words which we use our “grass roots” concept can become skewed or incomplete. KNOWING WHAT A WORD ACTUALLY MEANS AND HOW IT IS USED WITHIN A BOOK, BY AN AUTHOR, OR IN THE BIBLE AS A WHOLE, IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO PRACTICE OUR FAITH APPROPRIATELY AND “RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH.”
The word repentance occurs 56 times in the New Testament – 12 of them in The Revelation.
There are two words that are used and, even though they have unique nuances, they are in most cases used to the same effect. One author may have an affinity to one word over the other but both of them tell us to:
• To turn away
• To come back
• To change one’s mind, attitude, and/or behavior
1. REPENTANCE IS VALIDATED BY SPIRITUAL FRUIT
Regardless of the word used, genuine repentance is accompanied by fruit that exhibits a changed heart. As John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:8; “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Turning from sin and self is the negative side of the coin but not the only side. The positive side is a changed life with is evidenced by the attributes associated with a walk with God. Things like
• Holiness
• Forgiving others
• Loving your neighbor
• Loving your enemy
• Fruit of the Spirit
• Sharing your faith
• Commitment to Christ’s Body
• Personal growth
• Spiritual deliverance, etc.
Yes, fruit is a SIGNIFICANT element of repentance that must not be overlooked.
I remember a particular television show that I used to watch. Please understand, it was not “vile” per say but it wasn’t wholesome either. I still remember when God’s Spirit convicted me of the show and called me to turn from it. There was no moment of deep emotion … I simply said “Yes Lord” and walked away from it. I have never looked back.
That is a simple, non-dramatic, illustration of repentance. It may not be an earth-shattering experience but it is a volitional choice to turn our heart away from that which is worldly and towards the Living and Loving God. In fact, some of the “turns” we make may not even be noticeable to others … but they are no less significant in our growth and walk. In my case, “fruit in keeping with repentance” you see, was that from the moment I said “Yes Lord” onward I pursued a new love … a new Kingdom.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND --- changed behavior is the FRUIT not the CAUSE of one’s right standing with God; that is a works salvation. I did not forsake the show so God would accept my righteousness and be pleased with me. He already is pleased with me through (and only through) the blood of His Son. No longer watching the show is evidence that my heart has turned to God not the basis for my relationship.
AGAIN, LET ME STRESS – RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE RESULT OF REPENTANCE; IT DOES NOT IMPRESS GOD INTO RESTORING YOU TO FELLOWSHIP – THAT IS WORKS. ONLY GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE CAN RESTORE YOU.
The Bible never says “You are saved by repentance.” It says, “[I]t is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
No material sacrifice (restitution, service, etc.) will replace the internal transformation that comes from turning to God and away from sin.
You see, repentance is a response to a call. It is not even initiated by you. It is the response to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to life.
1. REPENTANCE IS VALIDATED BY SPIRITUAL FRUIT
2. REPENTANCE IS DIFFERENT THAN REGRET
Repentance is also impacted by motive. It is different than regret, for example.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO REGRET THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN WITHOUT ACTUALLY ABHORRING THE SIN (ITS OFFENSE TO GOD AND DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON HUMANITY).
Therefore, repentance must be differentiated from simple remorse. There is a godly sorrow and there is a worldly sorrow. The former brings life, the latter death. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11a says: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. …”
Regretting you got caught is not repentance. It can, in fact, be self-centered, ego-centric, and self-preserving. Its origin is human. Genuine repentance is God-centered and God-fostered. It comes when the Holy Spirit shows you your need. It is God, you see, that takes the initiative and calls us to repentance. John 6:44 says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”
If one “repents” out of self-preserving regret then the repentance will only be temporary … it will not produce spiritual fruit.
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN REPENTANCE DOES NOT INCLUDE HUMAN MOTIVATION. It does. In fact, someone who genuinely loves themselves will repent and turn to the Giver of Life.
In our day we seem to think that there is only one motive for repentance … we’re sinners. But there are many noble motives leading a man to repent; there are many different things turning a person to Christ. In the Scriptures we find people repenting because of:
• God’s kindness (Romans 2:4)
• God’s love (John 3)
• God’s offer of spiritual life and wholeness (John 5:16-23)
• God’s desire and offer to restore us to fellowship (Ezek 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4)
• God’s judgment of sin (Luke 13:1-5)
• God’s invitation to become a citizen of Kingdom of Heaven (Mark 1:15)
These all originate with God and we are invited to experience them by the Holy Spirit’s convicting work. They are all noble and appropriate reasons to come to God. God knows your needs and God knows how to draw us and he lovingly does so.
DOESN’T THIS JUST MAKE YOU WANT TO REJOICE IN HIS WISDOM AND MERCY!!!!!
1. REPENTANCE IS VALIDATED BY SPIRITUAL FRUIT
2. REPENTANCE IS DIFFERENT THAN REGRET
3. REPENTANCE REQUIRES AN ACT OF THE WILL
When God called me to stop watching that television show it required a response from me didn’t it? It required a choice on my part – an act of the will.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT ELEMENTS IN REPENTANCE – IT IS VOLITIONAL. THIS IMPLIES HUMAN FREE WILL AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Repentance always requires an active choice. You don’t grow into it. It doesn’t just happen naturally or by accident. Granted, the Holy Spirit my gradually reveal and call you over time; but the act of turning one’s heart towards God is a conscious choice that comes in a decisive moment.
When a person turns their heart towards God and away from that which offends Him they will know – there will be no misconception about it.
1. REPENTANCE IS VALIDATED BY SPIRITUAL FRUIT
2. REPENTANCE IS DIFFERENT THAN REGRET
3. REPENTANCE REQUIRES AN ACT OF THE WILL
4. REPENTANCE IS CORPORATE NOT JUST PERSONAL
And finally, I would be remiss if I did not speak of the broader implications and expectations of repentance. The call to repentance is far more than a call for individuals to repent of their private transgressions. In fact, in the Old Testament (and in The Revelation), that might not even be its primary purpose. It is included and essential, of course, but not the ultimate objective.
The prophets of the Old Testament were calling the Palace and the Priesthood to repentance as well as the masses. They were calling national and religious leadership systems to turn to God.
The Palace and the Priesthood have such an influence on the masses that they are held to a greater judgment. The call to repentance was a national call; it was far more inclusive than the individual. That is why there is talk in the Scriptures of the nations being judged (Psalm 67, Psalm 82, Isaiah 2, Micah 4, Acts 7, and Revelation 11).
IT WAS GOD’S CALL FOR HIS WILL TO BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
The same is true of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12). There was certainly an individual call (that is why he baptized) but his objective was much bigger. He wanted to see God’s reign on earth. He was calling the Palace and the Priesthood to live under God’s rule. That is why John was murdered … Herod’s wife could not care less what the peasants were doing in the Jordan River … but John’s indictment of the palace was another matter.
And there is reason to see The Revelation as a call to repentance for Palace and the Priesthood too. The call to the seven churches is a call to the priesthood (Rev. 1:5) and the call of the 6th trumpet (9:20-21) is a call to the inhabitants of the earth … not believers.
Repentance is not only a call to personal renewal …it is a call to church renewal, to national renewal and ultimately to global renewal.
It is a call for God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
THE OBJECTIVE OF REPENTANCE HAS BEEN ALL ALONG FOR JESUS TO REIGN SUPREME OVER ALL EMPIRES … not just in your heart and mine. The objective of repentance is to restore and reconcile everything and everyone; just as we read earlier in Psalm 47.
This is why The Revelation is sometimes seen as a very political book (which it is).
It is calling the empires of the world to lay down their claims to sovereignty and acknowledge the Lordship of the Lamb! It is calling the followers of empire (individuals and masses) to abandon their allegiance and embrace the Kingdom of God. John says (Rev. 11:15), “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
That is what the Father is longing for. He is not willing “that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
WRAP-UP
1. REPENTANCE IS VALIDATED BY SPIRITUAL FRUIT
2. REPENTANCE IS DIFFERENT THAN REGRET
3. REPENTANCE REQUIRES AN ACT OF THE WILL
4. REPENTANCE IS CORPORATE NOT JUST PERSONAL
When our children were small Vickie and I travelled a lot. We travelled to our parent’s homes which just happened to be about 700 miles from each other. We often travelled at night. So I had this BRILLIANT idea about how to help the kids sleep and me still be able to do work in the car. I took this red transparent tape that some people put on a broken tail light and I put it over the interior dome lights in the car. I mean it works for people who serve on submarines so why wouldn’t it work in a Mercury!?
But there was one unforeseen problem … the light made everything red and, therefore, reading a map was impossible. Yes, this was before mapquest, GPS units or Smart Phones. Have you ever noticed how many roads on a map are red? Well, with that red light the roads were completely invisible.
Sadly, our tinted glasses can work like that when we read The Revelation. Our assumptions and presuppositions have an uncanny way of making some Biblical truths entirely inconceivable.
REPENTANCE IMPACTS THE WHOLE PERSON AND ALL OF ONE’S RELATIONSHIPS. IT IS, IN FACT, THE FIRST STEP TO LOVING GOD WITH YOUR HEART, SOUL, MIND AND STRENGTH AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF (MARK 12:29-31).
THERE IS NO “RECIPE” OR “STEPS” OR “HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH”; THE ONLY NORMATIVE EXPERIENCE IS A HEART TURNING TO GOD -- MAKING A MORAL SEPARATION AND A PERSONAL DECISION TO FORSAKE SELF AND SIN TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE LAMB.
Repentance won’t save you. But you cannot be saved without it.
Repentance begins with you. But it doesn’t end with you.
Repentance is not the goal or objective either. It is simply a door we walk through.
• Life in Christ is the goal.
• Spiritual wholeness is the goal.
• Communion with God is the goal.
• Fellowship is the goal.
Understanding repentance in The Revelation is important. It is a call to the Christian and the world alike. It is a call for the priesthood and the palace too.
Would you please stand and read the following verse with me?
Psalm 72:18-19 – “Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.”
Oh Lord, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And begin with us.
Amen.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
