Drew Boswell

a place for us to share ideas, talk about life, and learn together.

“Tolerating the Unrepentant” Revelation 2:18-29

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Tolerating the Unrepentant”

Revelation 2:18-29

Introduction

The city of Thyatira was established by one of Alexander the Great’s successors after the destruction of the Persian empire. It was located in a rich agricultural area, and was famous for the manufacture of purple dye (see Acts 16:14-15, Lydia). But it is a relatively small church in a fairly obscure city – yet they receive one of the seven letters, and it is the longest of all the letters. The city did not have much religious pressure toward the church; they were not encouraged to worship emperors. Nor was there a sizable Jewish population.

The city was known for its manufacturing, “Thyatira’s main industry was the production of wool and dyed good (especially purple goods), but inscriptions also mention guilds for linen workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave dealers, and bronze smiths.”[1]

The pressure faced by the Christians in Thyatira came from the trade guilds (collegia). To hold a job or run a business you had to be a member of the guild. Each guild had a patron deity, in whose honor they would hold feasts that included meat sacrificed to those idol and there was sexual immorality that was part of the event. If a Christian chose not to attend the event they may potentially lose their livelihood.

Prayer

Jesus Is Described (v. 18)

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Jesus’ description helps us understand his message to the church, “Here Jesus is represented as calling himself by the title “Son of God” 26:63 The religious leaders have arrested Jesus and are making claims against him, “But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” And then they accused Jesus of blasphemy – claiming to be God.

Jesus is called the Son of God and the Son of Man – both of these are titles the Bible uses to describe Jesus. When you see Jesus as the Son of Man it is a reference to His humanity and how God took on human flesh to suffer. Hebrews 2:18 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

And when you see the title Son of God it is a reference to His deity. He is not coming as a sympathetic high priest who comes to take away their sin, as the Son of God He is coming in divine judgement.[2]

Earlier in Rev. 1:15 Jesus is described as having “The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.” Jesus’ eyes see things as they truly are – fire burns away (dross, impurities, that which corrupts the metal) that which is not true.

Jesus’ feet are described as “whose feet are like burnished bronze,”[3] – as the Son of God who is coming to judge and as he sees sin, he will stomp it out, but the sin will not affect His holiness and purity. He will remain bright and clean, while He judges and encounters sin. This will not be true for the church at Thyatira – when it encounters sin, it is persuaded and will join in on its’ rebellion against God.[4]

Jesus Commends the Church In Thyatira (v. 19)

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Their good deeds that Jesus “knows” about are divided into four categories: They are showing love for God and for others, and they are strong in this area (where Ephesus is weak). They are commended for their faith. From that love and faith grows service and patient endurance. They are meeting the needs of others. And they are growing in all these areas. They were maturing in their Christian lives and advancing the gospel.[5] They are making progress.

In Ephesus they were faithfully serving, but because of a church conflict and split, their love for God and each other had grown cold. Here in Thyatira, they are commended for their love for one another, but that love has taken a turn toward tolerating sin within the church. Jesus has “eyes of fire,” – he burns the sin out, and with burnish bronze feet, he stomps sin out – yet He is love. True love is when we encourage others to be like Christ, and hold each other accountable when we sin.

Love for others does not include tolerating their sin.

Jesus’ Warning Against the Church In Thyatira (vv. 20-23)

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

In each of the churches we have looked at so far there have been imposters. “In Ephesus they are dealing with “those who call themselves apostles but are not,” (2:2). In Smyrna they are dealing with “those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (2:9). And in Thyatira they have this woman “who calls herself a prophetess” (2:20)”[6] but she is not.

There is one thing the church was doing that brought the “eyes like flames of fire” of Jesus upon them. Within the church was a woman John calls Jezebel who was teaching the people “to participate in the idolatrous feasts by eating food sacrificed to idols and they were instructed to take part in the immorality which characterized the worship of idols.”[7] The culture around them was evil and the church leadership was encouraging them to patriciate and embrace that culture. And instead of pushing her out, they tolerated her presence.

This word, prophetess is used only here (Revelation 2:20) and in Luke 2:36.[8] This was when Jesus was brought to the temple as an infant. Simeon was an old righteous man who, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit came and blessed Jesus. Then we are introduced to an old righteous woman, “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” A genuine prophetess devotes herself to the Lord, fasting and prayer, gives thanks to God – and is waiting for the redemption of a lost city.

This false self-proclaimed prophetess was “teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” Both women Anna and Jezebel are referred to with the description of prophetess, but one was genuine and one was false. The church in Thyatira seems to either not know the difference – or, knowing she is a false self-proclaimed prophetess, tolerates her because they enjoy sexual immorality and the things that go along with idol worship. They enjoy the feelings that go along with accepting and participating in the culture that surrounds them – even though it clearly goes against God’s Word (just because the majority supports it, does not mean it’s right).

1 Kings 16 tells of how the Israelite king Ahab came to be power, and one of the worst things he did as king that angered the Lord was to make Jezebel his wife,1 Kings 16:30-31 “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.”

Her influence over king Ahab made Baal worship sweep through God’s people, leading to the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 21:25 “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.” The king connects himself with an evil woman, and allows himself to be influenced by her evil – this ripples out to God’s people. She did not belong to the people of God, she infiltrated His people, and then led them into idolatry.

 Be very careful who you bring close.[9]

(v. 21) “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.” Speaking of the city of Jerusalem, God speaks to their rebellion, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Jesus has given this woman called Jezebel time to repent, but she was not willing, she refuses. The answer to all the church’s problems so far (and the answer is the same today) is for them to repent of their sin.

An unrepentant person in a church is a very dangerous thing.

The church must not tolerate unrepentant persons

because their rebellious spirit spreads.

(v. 22) There is a group within the church at Thyatira that are described as, “those who commit adultery with her,” – These are her spiritual children, those who follow her false teachings. If they don’t repent they will be struck down in judgement. “She loved the bed of idolatry and sexual immorality, and so will be confined to bed – most likely stricken with sickness (1. Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20).”[10]

“History records that the church in Thyatira fell prey to the Montanist heresy (a movement led by a false prophet who claimed continuing revelation from god apart from Scripture) and went out of existence by the end of the second century.”[11] Churches that don’t push out sin, and guard its’ doctrine, will follow one false trend after another until they crumble apart.

Jesus’ Promise to the Faithful Church In Thyatira (vv. 24-28)

24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.

 In the church there were some who did not hold to the false teaching of this self-proclaimed prophetess, and have not learned “the deep things of Satan” – they are not given something else to do, only hold fast – wait for Jesus’ arrival. This group was able to discern that she was false and that her teaching was false. So, keep discerning the truth. “This is the theme of Revelation so far: to receive the final reward, believers must continue to be faithful until Jesus returns.”[12]

 The idea of “the deep things of Satan” could mean several things, but what we know is that Jezebel’s teaching led to idolatry and immorality. So, the teaching could go something like this, “the only way to confront Satan was to enter into his strongholds; the real nature of sin could only be learned by experience, and therefore only those who had really experienced sin could truly appreciate grace (Rom. 6).

So, by experiencing the depths of paganism, one could better be equipped to serve Christ, or be an example of freedom to his brothers.”[13] Or, another “deep thing of Satan,” The only way to reach lost people, is be enough like them so that we can relate. Or once you are member of this elite part of Christianity, there is hidden information that will be revealed (a secret handshake to get you into heaven, special words you can say to make others do your will, etc.)

“It reminds us of Jesus’ statement that “he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24;13), and of Paul’s words to the Colossians about continuing in the faith “established and firm” (Col. 1:23). The proof of authentic trust in Jesus is steadfastness of belief and continuance in the will of God till Christ returns or death comes.”[14]

 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces,[15] even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The epistle of James is clear that salvation is not earned, we cannot work our way into heaven by being good, or doing good deeds. But our deeds and actions do reveal our spiritual condition.

A saved person will express their faith by doing good works. So, to the Christian who faithfully does the work of the Lord until the end, they are promised: 1) “Authority over the nations,” and ) the “Morning Star”

God gave Adam and Eve the command to rule the world, but because of the fall they did not do this as God designed and intended. This original command will be realized by believers at the end of time.

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Jesus is the bright and morning star. So to the one who conquers, they are promised Jesus. But, the morning star only appears when the night is over and a new day has appeared.

Jesus never changes the definition or lowers his tolerance toward sin, and those who have sin or tolerate sin the end is always judgement. Yet there is also grace and mercy – Jesus gives Jezebel time and opportunities to repent. It is not loving to allow someone to think that sin of ok, and not define it as the Bible defines it. Because if you do that you are guilty of Jezebel’s sin. To not repent and to tolerate sin we are promised judgment – to repent of your sin and to place your faith in Jesus you are promised forgiveness and grace.

____________________

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 98.

[2] MacArthur, 96.

[3] See Rev. 19:13.

[4] 1 Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; . . .”

[5] Two motives and two actions, “Love for others had produced service, faith in Christ had assured perseverance in their commitment to him.” Kendell H. Easley, Holman New Testament Commentary, Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Holman Reference, 1998) 40.

[6] James M. Hamilton, Preaching the Word, Revelation (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2012) 97.

[7] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moddy Press, 1966) 74.

[8] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume VI, The General Epistles and The Revelation of John (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 309.

[9] Proverbs 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

[10] Thomas R. Schreiner, Expository Commentary, Volume XII (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2018) 582.

[11] MacArthur, 103.

[12] Schreiner, 583.

[13] Alan F. Johnson, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1981) 445.

[14] Johnson, 446.

[15] Quoted from Psalm 2:8-9

“Creeping Toward Compromise” Revelation 2:12-17

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Creeping Toward Compromise”

Revelation 2:12-17

Introduction

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

The church is constantly fighting against the culture and it’s influence upon us. The church in Pergamum are told that they faithfully say they are Christians, even when it is very dangerous to do so, but they are dangerously close to compromising what it means to “carry His name.”

 Prayer

Jesus Has Some Words For the Church (v. 12)

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Earlier Jesus is described as walking amongst seven lampstands, where the lampstands are said to be churches. As Jesus walks among these seven churches he has a letter specifically written for them (Ephesus is faithful in duties, but cold in heart, Smyrna is warned of tribulation that is coming and they are commanded to remain faithful, even “unto death.”) Now Jesus turns his watchful eye toward Pergamum. In each of the letters to the churches, Jesus is described, and in that description is a clue that helps us understand and interpret the message to them.

Here Jesus is described as “him who has the sharp two-edged sword.” – This is the same wording as earlier in Rev. 1:16, “. . . from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword . . .” and in 2:16 if they don’t repent of their sin, Jesus will “war against them with the sword of my mouth,” and later in Rev. 19:15, “. . . From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. . .” The Word of God has two edges. On one side there is salvation and on the other side is judgement. When Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

It is the good news that Jesus has come to give those who place their faith in His name salvation (he is the way). But to those who reject His name and seek to go to God some other way, then there is judgement. Jesus’ Word brings both salvation for those who believe, and judgement for those who do not. He sets the standard for truth and righteousness.

(v. 12) This is a picture of judgement. Jesus is described walking amongst the churches, who is eternal and is over life and death, who now comes in judgement – He judges with the words from His mouth.

Holding Fast to the Name of Jesus (v. 13)

13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Jesus tells each of the seven churches that He “knows . . .” For Ephesus it was that Jesus knew of their faithfulness, and for Smyrna Jesus knew of their tribulation, poverty, and the slander being said against them. For Pergamum, Jesus knows “where you dwell,” where “Satan’s thrown is,” and “where Satan dwells.” “Yet,” in spite of the fact that they live where Satan lives, they “hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith” –

One person in the city of Pergamum is highlighted, “even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you” – Jesus is described as being “the faithful witness,” Revelation 1:5 and later in 3:14 Jesus is again described as “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness.” Jesus gives this person who died as a martyr (Antipas), the same title of faithful witness.

“To deny the faith in the face of death would be to declare that one believes life in the here and now is better than Jesus, better than having the life he promises, which cannot be defeated by death. By holding to Jesus’ name and not denying the faith, even when Antipas was killed for the faith, the Christians in Pergamum declare that Jesus is better than life.”[1]

Old Lies Repackaged in a New Day (vv. 14-15)

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Jude v. 11 “Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.” Balaam’s story is found in Numbers 22-25. A Moabite king named Balak wanted to hire a prophet of the Lord, named Balaam to curse the Israelite army. Balaam taught Balak how to destroy God’s people. He created a plan that they threw in front of God’s people and they stumbled over it.

Balaam originally sent them away, but the more he thought about it the greedier his heart became. Balaam then returned to the king and said something like, “I can’t curse them (God had told him not to do it), but I have a plan which will cause God to curse them for you (for a fee of course). So, Balaam arranges for women to invite Israelite men to a big sensual feast. Fornication took over and the curse of God came upon His people, resulting in 24,000 Israelites being judged and killed. Balaam used his spiritual insight to obtain material gain.

2 Peter 2:15-16 says, “They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.” Balaam’s error was that he used his position as a prophet to lead God’s people into destruction “for the sake of gain.”

Both the “the teaching of Balaam,” and the “teaching of the Nicolaitans,” are to be rejected by God’s people, yet they are allowing these teachings to make their way into the church. While we don’t know exactly what the Nicolaitans taught, by comparing them as John does, we know that the teaching would have the same result in the end.

False teaching leads to idolatry which leads to immorality.

They are both teachings that create ways “so that they might,” do things their hearts desire (sexual immorality and eating foods sacrificed to idols/idol worship). There is a loosening of morality and an acceptance of what is culturally acceptable.

The sin of idol worship and fornication often go together – and it is a combination that has repeatedly been a stumbling block for God’s people.

(v. 13) commends the church for holding up Jesus’ name, “Yet you hold fast my name,” and in times of persecution they did not deny Christ, “and you did not deny my faith.” While at the same time there is a danger of this compromising with culture that is a serious threat to the church. False teachers are hanging around that are advocating a lifestyle that results in idolatry and immorality. And once the church gives over to this, the name of Christ becomes compromised.

How the Church lives is a direct reflection on the name of Jesus.[2]

For and OT example got to Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” How big of a deal is taking the Lord’s name in vain? Leviticus 24:16 “Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.”

All of the verses that deal with “using the Lord’s Name” are rooted in the idea of a relationship. He is our God, and He allows us to be called His people – He allows us to use His name (and all the privileges that goes along with it). I am a child of the King of Eternity – that attachment has privileges but it also has responsibility and a need to guard it.

(Exodus 20:7) “in vain,” means “empty,” “nothing,” “worthless,” or “to no good purpose.” We are forbidden, therefore from taking the name of God (or taking up the name, or bearing the name) in a manner that is wicked, worthless, or for wrong purposes. The most obvious way of doing this is to blaspheme or curse the name of God.

Later in Jeremiah 23:25 “You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” If they offered their children this way, they were to be stoned. God did not want His name associated with this way of living. You can’t live and be associated with the One True God and call yourself His people, while sacrificing your children to a another (false) god. When you carry the Lord’s name (when you attach yourself to Him) – then how you live your life, has God’s reputation associated with it.

The consequences of thinking God to be something He is not is eternally devastating. If you, his child, curse His name, (OT) or hold to a false teaching, that leads to idolatry in your life, that then leads to immorality, (NT) then how will the world ever understand who God truly is? This church is standing on the edge of compromise.

Don’t Substitute the Gift that God Intends to Give You (v. 16)

16 Therefore repent.

Jesus’ command to the moral compromise they had made was to turn from it (immediately).

The parallel between the Israelite men and the church in Pergamum

If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

In Numbers 25, the conclusion of the Israelite men giving over to the trap set for them by Balak resulting in the curse of God killing 24,000 people. Is God serious about His name and it being attached to a group of people – yes. If the Israelites were to be “a nation of priests” who represented Him to the world, then they would have to follow His ways, and “hold fast my name.”

God has always set a standard for those who use His name are expected (commanded) to follow. Again, the sword coming from the mouth of Jesus is a symbol of judgement. The church that drifts too far into false teaching, idolatry and immorality will face the judgement of God.

It is interesting to note who is being commanded to repent. It says, “Therefore repent” or “you must repent” is given to an individual[3] (the angels of the seven churches), and then in the same verse it says, “and war against them,” which is the church as a whole. So who needs to repent of this sin, the leadership or the church? Both.

Matthew 18:15-20 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” The false teaching in the church in Pergamum has to be dealt with or the judgement of Christ is coming – so who deals with it?

The leadership and the church together repent and push it out. The church should listen to what the Spirit is saying to them. As a member of a church you have both an individual responsibility to represent Christ, but there is also a collective responsibility to represent Christ and relate to other believers within the church.

God Gives What False Teaching, idolatry, and Immorality Can Not Give.

To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

 “the one who conquers” is promised two things, 1) hidden manna and a 2) white stone. Manna was God providing for His people in the wilderness. There were rules related to when to collect it, how much to collect, but at the end of the day, God provided food for His people for forty years. They did not have to worry about starving, and when they complained about it, He gave them quail meat.

The white stone is an old word for pebble, “and was used in the courts of justice, black pebbles for condemning and white pebbles for acquitting.” And a name would be given to them, that only God and them shared.

There are two things that people crave: 1) I want to feel safe (food, water, security, the future, etc. ) what do I need to do to make sure I have what I need, my family needs, and that I am secure in the world? 2) I want to feel intimacy with other people. I want to be known. In marriage there is an intimacy that is only to be shared between a man and his wife. Everything else is a false substitute. Why are people addicted to pornography, or commit adultery, or any other sexual sin? Because they crave intimacy with another person.

Satan offers substitutes to these two things 1) a false sense of security – focus on this world, because that’s all there is. Believe in yourself and your wisdom and your ability to discern truth. Worship idols and they will give you what you need. All of these things keep us focused on right here and now. 2) a false sense of intimacy – immorality is a lie because it has the appearance of being known but it is false and the person ends up feeling used and empty. These lies always leave you craving more yet never having enough.

In this life we have a name, and there are people who know us partially, but in the life to come we will be given “a new name,” Your creator will tell you how he intended for you be, and when he writes that new name on the pebble and hands it to you, and you open it and read it – you will feel fully known. Your God “gets you” completely. There will be a complete feeling of being know.

But until we enter into eternity, those who lift up the name of Jesus, and seek to be His faith witness, will constantly feel the pressure to fit into the mold of this world, Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

___________________

[1] James M. Hamilton Jr., Preaching the Word, Revelation, The Spirit Speaks to the Churches (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2012) 88.

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_q5fkTY8Yk 5:09 to 6:26 For an example of a compromised teaching. This pastor’s teaching will lead to idolatry and immorality.

[3] Second person singular

“Faithful Unto Death” Revelation 2:8-11

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Faithful Unto Death”

Revelation 2:8-11

Introduction

In the book of Job we find a man who endures great suffering. He loses his children, his house, and his health. He finds himself sitting on an ash heap covered in boils and is absolutely miserable. He is left with a wife that tells him, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” and he has friends who ask him foolish questions and give him bad advice. We are told that in all that he went through he was faithful and loved the Lord – but he was never given an answer for why he had gone through all that he had gone through.

What Job cannot know and cannot see is a reality beyond what he can see and experience. Satan goes to God and they talk about Job – of which Job never knows about. Jesus wants the church to know that there is a reality beyond what can be seen and experienced here, that if we remain faithful, we will receive eternal life. But why things happen here the way they do, we may never know, yet Jesus expects us to remain faithful, even unto death.”

Prayer

Jesus is Bigger Than Death (v. 8)

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

This is the second letter that is written to the churches in John’s Revelation, and is specifically written to the church in Smyrna. It is the next stop on the route of the seven churches that are mentioned. “If one traveled from Ephesus to Smyrna, he would cover a distance of about thirty-five miles to the north.”[1]

Smyrna was a wealthy seaport city, and is the seat of Roman emperor worship. “Under Emperor Domitian, it became a capital offense to refuse to offer the yearly sacrifice to the emperor.”[2] Every Roman citizen on threat of death, once a year had to burn incense on the alter of the godhead of Caesar, after which he was issued a certificate. You burn a pinch of incense and say, “Caesar is Lord (kyrios).”

Remember, that Jesus is described in the opening verse in such a way that helps us apply the message that is given to the specific church. In v. 8 Jesus is described as “the first and the last,” and the one “who died and came to life.” As the first that ever was and the one who will outlast all that will ever be, Jesus is eternal. “The first and the last” is an OT title for God (Isa. 44:6; 48:12; 41:2). Yet, the eternal one died and came back to life. He has never ceased to be and will never cease to be, yet for a moment He died.We who have not always existed, have been born, and in a moment (like steam) will pass from this earth, and yet remain eternal (either with Christ in eternal life, or in eternal separation from Him, that John will later call “the second death”).

Jesus is Eternal (over time and circumstances)

and the God Who Died and Rose Again (over life and death).

Nothing that is happening is outside of His Plan.

 Jesus Knows His People in Their Suffering (v. 9)

9 “‘I know your tribulation (pressure) and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

For the church at Ephesus, Jesus says that He knows how they have faithfully served, but He told them that they needed to repent of the sin of an unloving heart. Their love for the God and other Christians had grown cold. But there is no reprimand for the church in Smyrna.

Jesus says to the church in Smyrna, “I know . . . ,” This church is facing tribulation, poverty, and slander. When the church faces persecution and tribulation, or when you as a Christian have to endure hardship (specifically because you are a Christian), Jesus is telling you, “I know.”

He doesn’t tell them, that “it’s really not that hard, or that bad,” He doesn’t tell them that “if they had more faith then the situation would be better,” He reminds them that He is God “the first and the last, who died and came to life.,” He has the power over all life and death, and He fully understands their suffering.

The word used for poverty here is the word for abject poverty, “denying even the basics of life.”[3] They were not just poor, they were extremely poor. Probably robbed of their possessions or businesses because of their faith in Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:8b-10 “. . . We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” We may not have what the world counts wealth, we have what is in reality wealth.

(v. 9) Is God being cruel by saying that He knows the hardships they are enduring, “your poverty (but you are rich).” No, He is pointing them to a true reality, an eternal perspective, beyond what is happening to them in the moment. These believers are rich, but not in the way the world views riches.

“Unlike the Nicolaitans (with the church at Ephesus), who endanger Christian faith from within, religious Jews, especially strong in Smyrna, were members of a distinct religious community which persecuted Christians as outsiders.”[4] Also, in the church at Ephesus, they were commended for faithfully withstanding the teachings of so-called/false apostles, the church at Smyrna have so-called/false Jewish followers.

 “and the slander[5] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” – These are Jews in name only, “after the flesh and not after the spirit. Rom. 2:28,”[6] but they use that religion to attack and hurt other people, becoming, “a synagogue of Satan.”

“Regardless of their national descent, they had become by their bitter opposition to the church and its message, a synagogue carrying out the activities of God’s supreme adversary, Satan.”[7] The Roman authorities might be the ones carrying out the persecution, but it was in reality Satan, behind the scenes, testing them through imprisonment and tribulation.

“Unbelieving Jews commonly accused Christians of cannibalism (based on a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper), immorality (based on a perversion of the holy kiss with which believers greeted each other,[8] breaking up homes (when one spouse became a Christian and the other did not, it often caused conflict cf. Lk 12L51-53), atheism (because Christians rejected the pagan pantheon of deities), and political disloyalty and rebellion (because Christians refused to offer the required sacrifices to the emperor and talked about “fire from heaven” they were accused of being arsonists (Patterson, 96). Hoping to destroy the Christian faith some of Smyrna’s influential wealthy Jews reported these slanderous allegations to the Romans.”[9] What others are saying has cost them greatly.

 “Those Jews who had been guilty of the slanderous accusations against the Christians had not only reject the Jewish Messiah but had also indulged in behavior clearly forbidden by Jewish law in order to guarantee their own physical and financial well-being.”[10]

Jesus Calls His People to Be Faithful unto Death (v. 10)

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days[11] you will have tribulation. Be faithful 

unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Jesus tells them that as they are going about being a Christian, doing what Christians do, worshipping how Christians worship, they will be arrested and tested for ten days. “Worse things than poverty and slander are about to come.”[12] Some of them, will die because of the persecution. But, Jesus doesn’t tell them to dial it back a little bit, don’t be quite so dogmatic. Jesus doesn’t tell them to not share their faith, or in any way change what they were doing. Keep being faithful (all the way to the end).

“that you may be tested,” – the suffering they were about to endure (being thrown in prison for 10 days) was being allowed by God so that they would be tested. Jesus’ command was for them “to be faithful.”

Jesus has nothing against this church, “The purifying fires of affliction caused the lamp of testimony to burn all the more brilliantly.”[13] “Hypocrites do not stay to face persecution, because false believers do not want to endure the pain. Trails and persecution strengthen and refine genuine saving faith, but uncover and destroy false faith.”[14]

By this time in church history, “John himself is in exile. Peter and John had often been in prison together. James the brother of John, Paul, and Peter had all suffered martyrdom.”[15]

In this life what are you willing to die for? What we are willing to die for, ultimately shows what is most important to us. We may not live under tyranny but every day you get up and give your life to/toward something.

Jesus Promises His People Life (v. 11)

11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

“The one who conquers,” points back to the one who remains faithful even unto death. “We need this. Not just because some of us might die as martyrs, but because all of us live.” But which reality do we dedicate our lives to? Jesus says that if we choose to remain faithful – He does not promise a reprieve from the suffering but instead Jesus will be with them during the trial, and will be with them for eternity afterwards.

The promise to the believer is two-fold, “I will give you the crown of life (the victor’s crown),” and “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Revelation 21:8 explains what the “second death” is, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Those who persevere to the end, will have no part with this lake of fire.

The reward for the faithful believer is eternal life.

“. . .the first death is defined as the separation of the soul from the body, whereas the second death is the separation of the soul from God and its confinement in the place the Bible denominates as hell.”[16]

2 Timothy 4:6-8 are the apostle Paul’s words as he faces the end of his days, and he knows that his end is coming soon, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” The church is not promised ease, fortune, or popularity – It is however, promised the presence of God for those who remain faithful all the way to the end.

“The ‘crown’ usually referred to a garland of flowers worn chiefly in the worship of the pagan gods such as Cybele or Bacchus, who was pictured on coins with a crown of battlements. Faithful servants of the city appeared on coins with laurel wreaths on their heads.”[17] The crown mentioned here is the stephanos, the victor’s crown. It was awarded to the athlete who had won an athletic event. You can be loyal to this world and have your face on coins, and be celebrated by those of this reality – or you await a day when Jesus will give you a crown of righteousness.

Of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, which one would you predict to make it until today? Of the seven, only Smyrna remained. The incredibly poor, greatly persecuted, and slandered group of believers kept pushing on and the current city has about 2/3 population of professing Christians. Rome has long since fallen, but the church still stands strong despite Satan’s best efforts to crush it.

“Gen. William Nelson, a Union general in the Civil War, was consumed with the battles in Kentucky when a brawl ended up in his being shot, mortally, in the chest. He had faced many battles, but the fatal blow came while he was relaxing with his men. As such, he was caught fully unprepared. As men ran up the stairs to help him, the general had just one phrase, “Send for a clergyman; I wish to be baptized.” He never had time as an adolescent or young man. He never had time as a private or after he became a general. And his wound did not stop or slow down the war. Everything around him was left virtually unchanged–except for the general’s priorities. With only minutes left before he entered eternity, the one thing he cared about was preparing for eternity. He wanted to be baptized. Thirty minutes later he was dead.”[18]

Why would God want this church to be so close to death? Because it forces us to ask the questions, of what do we daily give our lives to, and what is truly important in this life.

_____________________

[1] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1966) 59.

[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 69.

[3] Paige Patterson, The New American Commentary, Volume 39, Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman Publishing, 2012) 96.

[4] Robert W. Wall, New International Biblical Commentary, Revelation (Peabody, Massachusetts; Hendrickson Publishing, 1991) 73.

[5] For example, see Acts 18:12-17

[6] R. H. Charles, The International Critical Commentary, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John (Edinburgh, Scotland; T & T Clark Publishing, 1963) 57.

[7] Robert H. Mounce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1977) 93.

[8] See Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26

[9] MacArthur, 72.

[10] Patterson, 97.

[11] Patterson also suggests that there is some evidence that the 10 days mentioned may be a reference to a 10-day process for gladiatorial games.

[12] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In the New Testament, Volume VI, The General Epistles and The Revelation of John (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 302.

[13] Walvoord, 65.

[14] MacArthur, 68.

[15] Robertson, 302.

[16] Patterson, 99.

[17] Alan F. Johnson, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1981) 439.

[18] https://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/d/death.htm

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

Contact Drew