· What do you think of our church? (Opinions will vary greatly person to person…)
· More importantly, What do you suppose Jesus Christ thinks of our church?
Do you remember the old E.F. Hutton TV commercials? The setting was typically a busy restaurant or other public place. Two people would be talking about financial matters, and the first person would repeat something his broker had said concerning a certain investment. The second person would say, “Well, my broker is E.F. Hutton, and E.F. Hutton says…” At that point every single person in the bustling restaurant would stop dead in his tracks, turn, and listen to what the man was about to say.
“When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen” was their motto.
So it would be if Jesus Christ were to give His evaluation of the church. If Christ were to speak, the churches would listen. (At least they should…)
What if I were to tell you that Christ has spoken?
· Would you want to know what He said?
· Would you be interested?
· Would you care to find out?
· Would you desire to hear His affirmations?
· Would you be willing to make changes in areas that He wasn’t pleased with?
Why should we listen to what Jesus has to say?
1. Because Jesus Cares for His Churches (vv. 9-13)
a. He personally communicated to the churches (vv. 9-10)
Jesus didn’t stay silent. He wanted to reveal His heart openly to all.
· Setting (vv. 9a): We find the apostle John exiled on the isle of Patmos. It was a small, bleak, and rocky island about ten miles long and six miles wide. It was a place where prisoners and undesirables were banished and forced to work in the mines. According to early church fathers like Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Eusebius, John was sent here and forced to work in the mines though he was quite old.
· Why was he exiled? (v. 9b) He was being persecuted “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Because of His unwavering faith and witness of Jesus Christ.
· Moses wrote the Pentateuch in the wilderness.
· David wrote many psalms while being pursued by Saul.
· Isaiah lived in difficult days and died a martyr’s death.
· Ezekiel wrote in exile.
· Jeremiah’s life was one of trial and persecution.
· Peter wrote his two letters shortly before martyrdom.
· Paul wrote several letters from prison.
Thus, in the will of God, the final written revelation was given to John while suffering for Christ and the gospel on the isle of Patmos.
· What happened? (v. 10) John was “in the Spirit.” He was in a time of deep worship. This was on “the Lord’s day.” It is uncertain what this means. It could mean either simply on Sunday, or that John was “transported” by a Spirit-induced trance forward to see visions of the future Day of the Lord, as described at length by the OT prophets. Either way, Jesus spoke, and John listened!
b. He personally named the churches. (v. 11)
· Ephesus
· Smyrna
· Pergamum
· Thyatira
· Sardis
· Philadelphia
· Laodicea
· Jesus knows the name of our church too.
This was the days before denominations came about. There was no E’Free church, Baptist church, Methodist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, Nazarene church, or even non-denominational church.
Illustration: Just Christians
You know there aren’t going to be any Baptists in heaven don’t you? Nor will there be any Methodists or Episcopalians. No, there won’t even be E’Free people. There’s just going to be Christians.
Jesus is concerned about communicating to Christians everywhere. I don’t think He is principally worried about what kind of stripes and spots you have. He is looking for doctrinal purity and devotion of heart.
What did Jesus want John to do?
“Write in A book what you see, and send IT to the seven churches…” (v. 11). John was to write this book, the book of Revelation, which included individual messages for seven different churches. But this one book was to be sent to them all.
· Some have suggested that these messages were for these 7 churches alone, and are therefore not applicable to today’s church at all. The Anglican church, for example holds this view. Their Scripture readings throughout the whole course of the year come from every passage of the Bible, except Revelation 2 and 3.
· Some have suggested that these churches represent the stages of development of the church throughout the course of history. Beginning with the Ephesian church that represents the Apostolic church (33 – 100 AD) ending with the Laodicean church that represents the Apostate church (at the end times, during the Trib).
· I think this is a very interesting theory, and there may very well be some validity to it. However, I understand these letters to be given to seven churches that are representative of the kinds of triumphs, trials, and failures common to all churches in all generations.
c. He personally walks in the midst of the churches. (vv. 12-13)
When John turned to see who it was that was speaking, He saw a man walking in the midst of seven lampstands. This man is Jesus Christ. We would find out later in v. 20, that these seven lampstands represent the seven churches mentioned.
The circle of lampstands with Christ in the center point emphatically to the centrality and priority of Christ. Jesus is the center, the hub, and the heart of the church at large and of each individual local church.
He is not aloof and unaware of the affairs that go on in each of His churches. He superintends over them all. He is keenly interested and involved in the life of every church, including out own.
· Jesus is right here with us this morning. He knows everything that has happened here. He knows the very thoughts and intentions of every individual who comes here. Past, present and future.
· He is in constant attendance with His attention is fully on the deeds of all of His churches.
· Jesus is the Good Shepherd. And He continues to oversee and shepherd His churches even to this day.
Illustration: Caring Person gains an ear
There is a world of difference between a person who really cares, and the person who just says they care. Frankly, it is hard to respect somebody who has never been acquainted with the hardships of life at the bottom of the totem pole. When they say they care – do they really?
When you know somebody has been down on your level, it tends to make you interested in what they have to say. Jesus has been there!
And He has not left us. “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Christ continues to walk amidst the lampstands of the churches.
Jesus is intimately interested in all the churches of the world, because He died and rose again to establish it. The church is His bride.
We should listen to what Jesus has to say because He cares for the church.
2. Because Jesus is Qualified to Judge His Churches (vv. 13-16)
John turns around to look at who was speaking to Him. It was Jesus Christ. But He did not appear in the same way the John remembered Him when He walked with His disciples years ago. He was in all of His heavenly glory. (Much like His appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration…)
Look at His Appearance!
· His Clothing (v. 13b) – a long robe, with a golden sash. This symbolizes His High Priestly office.
· His Hair (v. 14a) – white like wool and snow. This resembles the description of the Ancient of Days (Dan 7). This symbolizes His timeless wisdom of eternity.
· His Eyes (v. 14b) – a flame of fire. They have penetrating vision, searching righteousness, holy gaze. All that He sees is viewed rightly, being tested by righteous fire. (similar to the fire testing at the Judgment Seat of Christ, I Cor. 3).
· His Feet (v. 15) – burnished bronze = “fine brass.” In Scripture both bronze and fire stand for divine judgment as seen in the bronze altar and other items of brass used in connection with sacrifice for sin with burnt offerings in the OT.
· His Voice (v. 15b) – sound of many waters. It was powerful like Niagra Falls. “Not a voice you would talk back to!” – Charles Ryrie
· His Right Hand (v. 16a) – held seven stars. The right hand is a symbol of strength, power, and honor. These “stars” are in a place of honor, but they are also under His authority, strength, and protection.
Verse 20 explains that the stars are the “angels of the churches.” The word “angels” can also be translated “messengers” referring to human beings. It is translated this way in several places in the NT (Matt 11:10; Lk 7:24; Lk 9:52).
These “stars/messengers” probably refer to the leaders in these 7 churches to whom the messages are addressed. The spiritual significance is that these angels are messengers who are responsible for the spiritual welfare of these seven churches and are in the right hand of the Son of Man, indicating possession, protection, and sovereign control.
· His Sword (v. 16b) – “and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword.” The Greek word here is not the same word used to describe the living and active Word of God, as in Heb. 4:12. Rather, it describes the long and heavy broad sword of the Thracians and other barbarous nations who often marched as God’s instruments of judgment over one country after another. It symbolizes the irresistible authority and devastating force of the Lord’s judgment.
· His Face (v. 16c) - “and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.” This is a reference to the brilliance of Christ’s divine glory revealing His holiness and deity. It is a blinding light that is overpowering, yet beautiful.
This is an awesome sight! What a different view of Jesus Christ, than the one we may typically have stuck in our minds – gentle Jesus, meek and mild.
Illustration: the Crown
At a reception honoring musician Sir Robert Mayer on his 100th birthday, elderly British socialite Lady Diana Cooper fell into conversation with a friendly woman who seemed to know her well. Lady Diana’s failing eyesight prevented her from recognizing her fellow guest until she peered more closely at the magnificent diamonds and realized she was talking to Queen Elizabeth!
Overcome with embarrassment, Lady Diana curtsied and stammered, “Ma’am, oh, ma’am, I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t recognize you without your crown!”
Jesus bore no glowing physical attributes that seemed to suggest His eternal majesty… that is because He walked the earth without His crown.
When Jesus walked this earth, “He had no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” (Isa 53:2)
But here, we have a vision of Jesus in all of His glorious majesty and power. This is a Savior who is Holy, Righteous, Glorious, and with Authority.
Jesus has the qualities of holy judgment that demand our attention!
3. Because Jesus Comforts His Churches (vv. 17-20)
It is no wonder that John fell at His feet like a dead man. This is the fear of the Lord in all His holiness! (v. 17)
Though Jesus is in all of His glory and might, He is still the same Person who walked this earth. He has not really changed.
Notice what Jesus does next: He comforts John with some tender words, “Do not be afraid…” (v. 17b)
Jesus’ intention is not to OBLITERATE the church off the face of the planet. John may have felt that way when he saw Him in this vision!
Why should we be comforted, even as John was to be comforted?
a. Jesus is Almighty – “I am the first and the last”
’I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’" (Isa 41:4)
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Rev 22:13)
Jesus is the eternal, Almighty God. He is the beginning of all things, and the ending of all things. Everything is under His control. He reigns supreme. Do not be shaken!
b. Jesus is Alive – “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore”
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
Faith in Jesus secures for us an eternal hope – even when life is bleak. If Jesus overcame death, so to will we – and so too can churches overcome even in the darkest of times.
c. Jesus has Authority – “I have the keys of death and of Hades”
Death cannot reign over us. We do not need to have fear of it.
If you are ever escorted through the halls of a jail or prison, you have nothing to fear as you walk alongside the prison guard. Because he holds the keys…
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (Heb 2:14-15)
If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!
d. Jesus gives Assurance
You will notice as we study each of the 7 letters to the churches, that some get high praise, some get harsh rebuke, most get a little of both. But most importantly, each church (which extends to every individual in the church) is given a promise of blessings for faithfulness.
Illustration: What comfort can do
Douglas Maurer, 15, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, had been feeling bad for several days. His temperature was ranging between 103 and 105 degrees, and he was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. Finally, his mother took him to the hospital in St. Louis. Douglas Maurer was diagnosed as having leukemia. The doctors told him in frank terms about his disease. They said that for the next three years, he would have to undergo chemotherapy. They didn’t sugarcoat the side effects. They told Douglas he would go bald and that his body would most likely bloat. Upon learning this, he went into a deep depression. His aunt called a floral shop to send Douglas an arrangement of flowers. She told the clerk that it was for her teenage nephew who has leukemia.
When the flowers arrived at the hospital, they were beautiful. Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card. It said: “Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I’m 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley.”
His face lit up. He said, “Oh!” It’s funny: Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with millions of dollars of the most sophisticated medical equipment. He was being treated by expert doctors and nurses with medical training totaling in the hundreds of years. But it was a salesclerk in a flower shop, a woman making $170 a week, who—by taking the time to care, and by being willing to go with what her heart told her to do—gave Douglas hope and the will to carry on.
Jesus does judge His churches, but He comforts them by always giving them the promises of blessings that flow to those who keep the hope and the will to carry on faithfully for Him.
This should be comforting to us as well. Because we know that we are not a perfect church. We have some commendable things going on, but we also have room for improvement. The offer is open for us to stay faithful to the good, and correct the err of our ways so that our lampstand will burn brightly in the midst of our dark an hopeless world.
Conclusion:
We should listen to Christ when He speaks, because:
1. He cares for His churches
2. He is qualified to judge His churches
3. He comforts His churches
There may be somebody here today who never thought of Jesus Christ this way – in all of His glory, holiness, and judgment.
Perhaps this has disturbed you because you have become comfortable with the idea of a gentle Jesus who never confronts sin. I want to assure you that Jesus feels the same about sin today and into eternity as He did in eternity past and as He hung on the cross.
I want to give you the opportunity this morning to evaluate yourself. Do you have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ – or just a casual acquaintance?
[Recite John 3:16-18] This offer is still good. Will you trust in Jesus Christ today and join in the assembly of worshipers who love the Lord God?
When Christ speaks… the Churches Listen! (At least they should…) Will you? In these next seven weeks, come prepared to listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
He who has an ear, let him hear…
