The Glorious Future of the Church
Rev. 2:1-3:14
The Apostle John, now much encouraged by what he saw, continues a discussion on the future of the church. In the next two chapters of Revelation we are given an overview of the Church’s present condition and God’s future for His Church. The Church must be reminded of its bright future. There is so much division, disappoint, distrust, and disillusionment within and without the church, this is a most necessary message. There may be those here who have contemplated leaving the church. There may be others who have become critical of the Church. It is good to know that we are no different from the great apostle John who needed encouragement.
God, himself allows John to see the condition of the churches as God knew them and assures John that He was still at work in His Church. These churches were in different stages of development: different levels of purity in doctrine, different levels of godliness, and different levels of compromise. Each church received a personal word from Christ that would meet their need, suit their case and would be beneficial to every other church and to all Christians in general. Christ knows and observes their condition; though in heaven, yet he walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they lack. So not only is Christ walking among them, holding each messenger in hand, sustaining all parts of it, He is there securing its future!
These is a personal epistles to the churches in Asia, with warnings and encouragements, in chapter 3, to the church at Ephesus; (1-7) at Smyrna; (8-11) at Pergamos; (12-17) and at Thyatira. (18-29) in chapter 4 to the church at Sardis; (1-6) at Philadelphia; (7-13) and Laodicea. (14-22) I will not attempt to be exhaustive in this lesson, but simple observe their warnings and encouragements.
First let’s look at Ephesus: Every message is sent to the Angel, the messenger or minister of the congregation. You see, no matter what we say, everything that happens within the church is tied to its leadership. This church was patient in labor, but impatient of error, the Ephesus church occupied a high position. Would to God that all believers were in as good a condition as the Ephesians were. The church left, not "lost" its first love. If they left it, this was not a misfortune or accident. They left it or departed from it. We ought to love Jesus better as we grow older in the faith and learn more of him. To decline in our love for Him is to do Him great dishonor.
The Church of Ephesus seemed to have suffered an invasion of men who preached up licentious freedom under the pretense of spirituality like certain vicious sects in America. Uncleanness is very hateful to the Lord. The imagery of this first promise and blessing is taken from Eden, the Paradise of God; God was showing John and us that there was nothing lost in Eden which grace of God cannot restore to us. We have a glorious future because God promises restoration.
Now let’s turn our attention to the angel of the church in Smyrna. These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and now much alive. This church was sorely persecuted but remained faithful. It has been called "sweet smelling Smyrna, the poorest and the purest of the seven." That ye may be tried. The persecutors of the Christians, in the endeavor to force them to deny Jesus, would put them to the test, even to the point of death. They may die once, but not twice; they shall inherit life eternal. John is reminded, that serving the Lord will pay off awhile. Death is not the end of God’s saint, for they will live again! This text encouraged me when I am going through. This world with all its pain has an end. We have a glorious future because God promises not only restoration, but also eternal life.
Now the church of Pergamos, this church was faithful to the name of Jesus, yet there were evils within it. In every church you may find a segment of evil. Jesus will not tolerate unrestrained filthiness in a church. He will go to war with unrestrained filthiness and will not endure it. The church was tolerating Satan dwelling among them. Known fornication was present and idolatry was being tolerated, consequently, the Lord expressed His displeasure. Without prayer and repentance, the Lord himself would declare war on them. Yet, if they repent, the Lord offers the equivalent to triumphant acquittal. The Old Testament priest would reach in a bag of black and white stones to determine guilt or innocence. A black stone meant guilty and a white stone meant innocent. The Lord says, I will take out the black stone, denoting condemnation. Our blessed Lord says, I will put in a white stone; and will pronounce you pardoned at the judgment seat, completely justified and accepted in me." John is informed, that there is hope for all in Christ. We have a glorious future because God promises not only restoration, eternal life but also complete pardon, free from condemnation.
Consider the message to the angel of the church in Thyatira: this church grew better and better and did more and more for her Lord. Progress should be the constant characteristic of a church of God. Probably, a certain party in the church led by a woman named Jezebel, seemed to be teaching that the sins of the flesh could be indulged in without evil consequences. The Lord is most jealous of the purity of his church, and those who enter her midst and teach lasciviousness must expect divisive punishment. No church ought to endure such teachers, but should cast them out at once.
The grandest conqueror is the man who overcomes sin and conquer his own spirit. He shall not only conquer the world but shall win the glory of heaven's eternal day. The promise from Jesus to him is to give him the morning star. The kind of star that provide direction and light to the whole world. Every church is encouraged to hear. Ears are meant to hear with, but some have lost all power to hear the voice of the Spirit. If grace has opened our ear, let us attend to every word which the Spirit utters. We have a glorious future because God promises not only restoration, eternal life, complete pardon, free from condemnation, but also that we will be a witness and guiding light for us to follow! We will be a morning star.
Let’s go to chapter 3 and give our attention to the angel of the church in Sardis. This church had once enjoyed preeminence among the churches. It had a stellar reputation. It was known throughout the region, but now things had changed. The bulk of the members were formalists and hypocrites, yet the church kept up its reputation, and it does not appear that any serious heresy had to be contended with. How beautiful may a fruit appear upon the outside and yet be rotten within.
This message helps John recognize that the Lord does not punish the righteous with the wicked; he discerns the pure in heart and separates them from the unholy. Are we among those whose garments are unspotted? This is a choice reward. We are to be clothed like our Lord and to be owned by him. Who will not fight on till he conquers when such a prize is set before him? We are not to hear what the churches say to us, but what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Be not satisfied with echoes, hear the grand original. We have a glorious future because God promises restoration, eternal life, complete pardon, free from condemnation, a position as His witness, guiding light for others to follow! We will be a morning star. This is promise of identity, we will be like Him, dressed in robe of white. We will be identified with Him.
The message to the six church is to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. The church of brotherly love was a loving, but weak church. Sometimes the weakest church may be the best. We shall not be called to account for the strength which we do not possess, but the Lord will commend us if we are faithful in that which is least. The love and faithfulness of this church is seen in the special love the Lord shows them. The special promise is that their bitterest foes shall be compelled to honor them. The world may not recognize our goodness, faithfulness, and hard work. You may witness other less-worthy people being exalted, yet God knows our works, labor and our hardships. The faithful will be rewarded. You have the crown of being found faithful, never lose it. Hold fast to that which thou hast until I come. The faithful will hold forth their reputation to wondering ages. Their records of divine love and faithfulness will be a permanent banner in the temple of God. Just like as a pillar bears an inscription of a great or commemorates a great victory, they will have a permanent testimony. They are to be forever celebrated in the presence of their Lord. We have a glorious future because God promises restoration, eternal life, complete pardon, free from condemnation, a position as His witness serving as a guiding light for others to follow! We will be a morning star. Then this is promise of identity, we will be like Him, dressed in robe of white. We will be identified with Him. Though overlooked by the world, we will be celebrated with him. Not only restoration, eternal life, pardon, position, identity, but also a crown of authority! I shall wear a crown!
Finally, we come to the message to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans. This church like all the rest fail to properly see themselves. The church overestimated who they were. Their fires burned low. They had become lukewarm. This is the introduction of a new word. Luke-warmness is nauseous to the Lord. The bad may be reclaimed, but those who are neither one thing nor the other are in a hopeless condition, for they are too full of conceit to be led to repentance. When words of kind counsel are not sufficient, the Lord uses sharper means with his chosen. He will not let them slumber on in indifference. Notice that the text, does not call them to revival, He invited them into His presence. Jesus seeks fellowship with the church as the best means of restoring her. Communion with Jesus makes the heart burn with love, and effectually chases away the lukewarm spirit.
If we are growing chill, let us listen to this solemn rebuke. It will be terrible for us if we ever come to be loathed by our Lord on account of Luke-warmness. This sin is common all around us, and we are very liable to it; let us pray for more grace, and, above all, let us open wide our hearts for Jesus to come in. One spiritual feast with him will be of more service to us than all the groaning and moaning in the world. Come, Lord Jesus, and sup with us even now!
The Church has a glorious future because God promises restoration, eternal life, a full complete pardon, free from condemnation, a lasting position as His witness serving as a guiding light for others to follow. We will be as a morning star. Then the Church has a promise of identity, we will be like Him, dressed in robes of white. We will be identified with Him. Though overlooked by the world, we will be celebrated with him. Not only restoration, eternal life, pardon, position, identity, but also a crown of authority! I shall wear a crown! More than that the Church has a promise of fellowship with the Father and the Son. One spiritual feast with him will be of more service to us than all the groaning and moaning in the world. Come, Lord Jesus, and sup with us even now! Yes, a glorious future: Restoration, Eternal Life, Pardon, Position, Identity, a Crown of Authority and Constant Fellowship in His presence! Don’t give up on the church, it has a glorious future!
