“The Great Unveiling: Checking Out the Church”
Rev. 2:1-3:22
At the end of chapter 1 we are reminded that the 7 lampstands are the seven churches. That’s an important description of the church – for she is to be the light of the world. And it’s a lampstand; which means we’re dealing with candles – candles that periodically need to be trimmed and cleaned.
That’s what chapter 2 & 3 are designed to do – trim and clean up the church. While we could certainly spend a sermon on each one of the churches, that does not advance our overall purpose in this series. But we do need to take some time to check out the church. As, Peter wrote (1Pt. 4:17 GNT), “The time has come for judgment to begin, and God's own people are the first to be judged.” Judgment begins with the church of Jesus Christ – with us!
So we begin with Jesus’ view of THE PROBLEMS OF THE CHURCH. As we read Jesus’ analysis of the 7 churches, we discover four basic problems. One is WRONG DOCTRINE. It’s dealt with most directly in the church at Pergamum (2:12-17). Jesus was pleased that people had not denied their faith, but displeased that they were ALLOWING HERESIES AND THEOLOGICAL COMPROMISE to enter and reside among them. Only a few people had departed from the faith but many tolerated the errors that led to their departure. Toleration led to compromise which led to worldliness. The truth is doctrine determines how we live. As A. W. Tozer pointed out, “It would be impossible to overemphasize the importance of sound doctrine in the life of a Christian. Right thinking about all spiritual matters is imperative if we would have right living. As men do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles, so sound character does not grow out of unsound teaching. (1)
Tolerance of wrong doctrine STILL PLAGUES THE CHURCH TODAY. There are those, in fact, WHO DISPARAGE DOCTRINE – “I don’t need doctrine; all I need is the Bible.” But since doctrine is, at its core, the content of what one believes, unless one believes nothing, one has doctrine! To downplay doctrine is to ignore what we believe and therefore to lose sight of what we believe. When we lose sight of what we believe, we lose sight of how to live.
Another wrong doctrine being promoted in the Church today is that JESUS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO GOD. In the name of tolerance, we dare not be so exclusive! I have, in fact, been challenged with “How can you be so exclusive? How dare you say that?” Note: I didn’t say it – Jesus did. If Jesus is not the only way, then the cross is emptied of its power and His death meant nothing.
Another error gaining strength is that THERE IS NO HELL; God is simply too loving to send anyone to hell. Point of fact: If there is no hell then Revelation is not necessary and God has lied. Still others promote that IF JESUS DOESN’T MENTION IT, IT ISN’T WORTH MENTIONING. Truth check: there are many things Jesus did not address – that’s why the whole biblical story is important. If we are only bound by what Jesus said, then all we need are the Gospels – the rest of the Bible is unnecessary and invalid.
The final instance of wrong doctrine in the church today is the tenet that TOLERANCE IS PRIMARY. You can have your belief and I can have mine but we should not argue - just respect and love each other; we have no right to insist on our doctrine over that of someone else. Fact check: where in the Bible does tolerance, or love, trump truth?
JESUS CRITICIZED TOLERATION OF INCORRECT DOCTRINE. (2:14-16) “I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam…(and) who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (2:20) “You tolerate that woman Jezebel… (who) by her teaching misleads my servants into sexual immorality…” As Pastor James MacDonald preached, “Tolerance is for people, not principles…If an architect is building a building and the construction guys want to build it on sand, he’s not going to tolerate that. He might be kind in the way he says: ‘Are you crazy, we’re not doing that!’ But he doesn’t tolerate the error.” (2) Hear Paul’s words (2 Tim. 1:13-14 NLT): “Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”
The second problem is MORAL EROSION – not only in society but also in the church. This is mentioned strongly in the letters to Pergamum and Thyatira. While only some in the churches were guilty of participating in sexual immorality, the church was tolerating it in their midst. Is there any doubt that sexual immorality STILL PLAGUES THE CHURCH TODAY? I could share statistics for the next 20 minutes but I think there’s common agreement among us that sexual immorality is rampant and increasing. So let me share just one example of its pervasiveness. In New York City, a new app on the city's Department of Health teen website points kids to the nearest abortion clinic and birth control freebies. The app says "Remember, teens in New York State have the right to sexual health services without getting permission from parents...or anyone else". In Los Angeles's Unified School District, the country's second largest, Qpid.me is partnering with grades 7-12 to bypass parents and text students about sex, STDs, and contraception. "The free service allows students as young as 12 years old to find a 'teen-friendly' [read: confidential] testing location, access their results online and then share their status" with potential sex partners. As part of another California health initiative (paid for by federal dollars) kids as young as 12 can go online and request 10 taxpayer-funded condoms. San Diego and Fresno County are part of the program, which advertises "confidential packaging" so parents won't be tipped off. Under California law, even fifth graders can have condoms delivered to their doorstep without their moms' and dads' consent. (3)
And this sexual immorality has been coupled with massive attacks on biblical concept of marriage and family. Leading the charge are networks such as MSNBC. Professor Melissa Harris-Perry hosts a weekend show. To give you some idea of her views, consider her latest promo spot for more "investments" in education. According to Dr. Perry, America has "never" invested enough in our children because we "haven't had a very collective notion that these are our children." In order to achieve "better investments" we need to "break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents or kids belong to their families." (4) Is it any wonder cities like New York are aggressively targeting our children – they believe our children are really theirs.
JESUS CONDEMNS SUCH BEHAVIOR AND TOLERANCE. “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they…committed sexual immorality… You tolerate that woman Jezebel... By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality… I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’” (2:14-25)
Jesus lists problem number three as WEAKENED COMMITMENT. He accuses the Ephesian Church of having left their first love – ‘having left’ indicates it was a choice to do so. He tells Sardis they are spiritually dead, that they have become nominal Christians. And He chastises Laodicea for being complacent. Jesus does not say that the members of these churches have left the faith, but that they have made it a matter of head and not of heart; it doesn’t impact the way they live. Weakened commitment STILL PLAGUES THE CHURCH TODAY. Just one illustration of how such an attitude creeps into our daily conversations. In the wake of the horrific Gosnell trial, Rep. Trent Franks sponsored legislation to prohibit late-term abortions performed after 20 weeks based on medical evidence that unborn children feel pain. His legislation was approved two weeks ago by the House Judiciary Committee and went to the full House for debate. At a press conference John McCormack, a reporter for The Weekly Standard, asked House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi, "[W]hat is the moral difference between what Dr. Gosnell did to a baby born alive at 23 weeks and aborting her moments before birth?" Unsatisfied with her refusal to answer his questions, McCormack continued to press Pelosi. Visibly angered, she condemned Gosnell's barbaric behavior, but also went on to condemn Franks' legislation as "reprehensible." Then she said what is too often said, in differing words, by members on both sides of the aisle: "I'm going to tell you something. …As a practicing and respectful Catholic, this is sacred ground to me when you talk about this. I don't think it should have anything to do with politics." (5) Faith has no impact on daily decisions – it’s a private affair.
JESUS COMMANDS CHANGE. (2:5) “Repent and do the things you did at first.” (3:2-3) “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” (3:19-20) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Note the power of His words: Wake up – repent – change – get back to living out your faith. Let Him back into your heart and life. One of the old hymns summarizes it well:
“Have you any room for Jesus, He who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission, Sinners, will you let Him in?
Room for pleasure, room for business, But for Christ the Crucified,
Not a place that He can enter, In the heart for which He died?
Have you any room for Jesus, As in grace He calls again?
O today is time accepted, Tomorrow you may call in vain.
Room and time now give to Jesus, Soon will pass God’s day of grace;
Soon thy heart left cold and silent, And thy Savior’s pleading cease.
Room for Jesus, King of Glory! Hasten now His Word obey;
Swing the heart’s door widely open, Bid Him enter while you may.”
The final problem Jesus addresses, largely in the letter to Smyrna, is that of PERSECUTION. Yet most all the churches were facing persecution and the possibility of great suffering or even death for their belief and faith in Jesus Christ. John himself, remember, was being persecuted. PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IS ON THE RISE TODAY. We are keenly aware of it on other countries. But let’s not be lulled to sleep – it is on the rise here in America. Consider Remington Reimer's graduation controversy. The Texas valedictorian, who is still celebrating his acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy, was stunned to hear that his high school principal would try to sabotage those plans after Reimer strayed from his "approved" remarks during graduation. When the Joshua High School senior started talking about his faith, the school surprised everyone by cutting off his microphone. "[M]ost importantly," Reimer told his class, "I want to thank God for giving up his only Son for us to an excruciating death on a cross, so His blood would cover all our shortcomings and provide for us a way to heaven in accepting His grace." Most of the audience missed the rest of Remington's speech, because at this point the microphone was turned off. But the media later published what he went on to say, without the amplification: "We are fortunate," he said, "to live in a country where we can express our beliefs -- where our mics won't be turned off, as I have been threatened to be... I will not have my freedom of speech taken away from me. And I urge you to do the same."
As outrageous as that was, principal Mark Cochran was just getting warmed up. The next day, he warned Remington's parents that he was going to send a letter to the Naval Academy disparaging Reimer's character. The Liberty Institute demanded the school's apology. "The principal said he wanted to try to ruin him for what he did," attorney Hiram Sasser said, "for talking about the Constitution and his faith." To head off a lawsuit and any further embarrassment, Frank Merek complied with the Liberty Institutes demands by releasing a public statement admitting their mistake and offering assurance it would not happen again. Interestingly enough, a new Texas law -- the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act -- specifically protects the speech of students who speak during graduation.(6) Consider also the IRS and its pursuit of not only conservative organizations but also Christians. Are you aware that they actually asked to see the content of the prayers of one organization applying for a tax exemption? And time does not allow me to offer up all the examples of the expression of Christian faith being squelched and forbidden in our armed services.
JESUS OFFERS INSTRUCTIONS for facing persecution. He says to remain faithful – follow Jesus into suffering (2:10): “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Hang in there and do not fear. It’s a summary of what Jesus taught during His ministry (Lk. 21:12-19): “ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.”
Surely there are problems with, in, and for the Church of Jesus Christ. But this is not a doom and gloom message. Consider the PROMISES OF JESUS CHRIST. 2:1: “…Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.” JESUS IS LORD OF THE CHURCH. The church will not be defeated! Jesus firmly holds the leaders in His hands, and He walks among the churches. As He promised at His ascension, He is with us always. He really reiterates what Isaiah had earlier said (54:15-17): “Your enemies will always be defeated because I am on your side. I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed.” Through Jesus Christ the Church will always have life.
As the Lord of the Church, JESUS WORKS THROUGH THE CHURCH to carry out His plan. Paul understood it (Eph. 3:10-11): “ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The church will be threatened and attacked but she is unshaken because she has Jesus. Some individual churches may die (as did the 7 in Revelation) but the universal church is here to stay! God has always worked through His people to change the world – and He continues to raise up leaders and warriors in the Church today.
And JESUS OFFERS REWARDS TO THE FAITHFUL CHURCH. They are available for those who take Christ’s Word seriously and obey. The whole point here is that even as Jesus Christ has overcome the world, we can too. There is (2:7), first of all, THE TREE OF LIFE. The blessedness of the kingdom will be at our disposal. We will stand there, changed from glory into glory, lost in wonder, love, and praise. The second prize – 2:11 – is that we will not be hurt by THE SECOND DEATH – which is reserved for those who never accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Thirdly, there are (2:17) RESERVATIONS. We will receive V.I.P. treatment in heaven. Like Abraham, Sarah, and Paul We will receive a new name, a name which designates how God feels towards us. No one will know that name but us! Some people call me Reverend, some Pastor Curry, some Dad, and one Honey. (Some call me some other names, too!) But Jesus claims there will be one more name, from Him alone. The Bridegroom will speak in private, tender tones, a new name to His bride! The 4th prize is (3:6) that we will be FULLY WELCOMED. We have our names confessed before the Father. We’ve just gone through the graduation season. Anyone who has ever walked across the stage, heard his or her name called out, and grabbed hold of a diploma knows how exciting and fulfilling that is. Well what greater prize can we receive than to have our name announced to the Father as we enter the gates! “Father, here is ,” and to hear the Father respond, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” Prize number #5 (3:12) is that we will be PILLARS IN THE KINGDOM of heaven. The kingdom will rest on us and shine from us! We will represent the glory of heaven in all its completeness. We will be identified with it! The final prize really occurs twice. It comes first in 2:26ff. and then in 3:21. We are told we will REIGN AND RULE WITH CHRIST. We will be joint heirs at the right hand of the Father! We will help judge the world.
Such are the glories ahead for those who are faithful and true to Jesus Christ! Such are the privileges in store for those churches that follow Christ. With the promises God gives us I wonder how we can ever fail to be true to Christ! He is Lord; He rules; He truly is the Church’s – and the world’s – one foundation. And He is telling us the way. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Amen.
(1) Tozer, A Treasury of A. W. Tozer, 174. Morgan, Robert J.: Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, S. 241
(2) James MacDonald, Jesus Confronts Sexual Sin, from Preaching Today
(3) Family Research Council, May 31, 2013
(4) Gary Bauer, Daily Report, April 8, 2013
(5) Ibid, June 14, 2013
(6) Family Research Council
