SERMON - THE BOOK of REVELATION IN WORDS OF UNDERSTANDING part 2

The Book of Revelation

In

Words of Understanding

Part 2

 

 

Jesus Christ, with a voice of supreme authority, bade John to write letter to the Seven Churches in Asia .

To the church in Ephesus AD 33 until AD 270

Revelation 2:1 1"To the angel^] of the church in Ephesus write:
      These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

 

  Ephesus was an ancient city and existed at a time when the church, (Christianity) was in its glory.

 

In verses 2 and 3 Jesus lauds His church for its strong stances on those things that are seen as righteous. But, in verses 4 and 5 He expresses His disappointment in the lapses that are seen to exist. Ephesus has not only become, ‘lukewarm,’ in its expression of love for Christ but has become in danger of being removed as a church.

 

What has happened is that apostasy, a rejection of God’s Word has become prevalent within the church at Ephesus . They are found to be not only falling from God’s truths but are found guilty of some of the things that Nicolaitans practice. The Nicolaitans advocate sexual immorality and loose living.

 

Just as there are churches today that refuse to see God’s Words as supreme and seek to deny them as His will, they, as Ephesus , risk having God remove them from His blessings.

 

There are those that continue to walk in God’s way as they worship Him. They are blessed and are to receive the right to Paradise and wisdom. See Proverbs 3:13 and Corinthians 1:24. 

 

Jesus informs them that they must repent from their ways. To repent is to turn from something or to something. Ephesus is to repent from its sinful ways and to turn to Jesus and cease its ways of apostasy. By reading God’s Word we are constantly taught that it is His will to be done and not ours!

 

 

This time period represents the beginning of the fall of Paganism, the rise of Christianity and the Apostasy of the Roman Catholic Church.   Paganism is known to be falling as Christianity became more widespread. Christians known as, ‘Followers of the Way,’ were the first ‘churches’ as set forth in God’s Word. (Men are churches [the body] with Jesus Christ being the Head of the church.) However a church group, who named themselves as the Roman Catholic Church, sought to supplant God’s will with their own. Quartered in Rome they were a most formidable foe to true Christianity and remain as such today. They began teaching that Matthew 16:18-19, justifies and proves their existence as God’s church. In a sermon to follow Section 1, Parts 1, 2, and 3, I shall set forth many of the claims that are parts of the Roman Catholic teachings that have no basis in God’s Word, the Bible. 1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Peter 2:1.

To the Church in Smyrna AD 270 until AD 530

 Revelation 2: 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
      These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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 the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

 

Smyrna was a city that had many beautiful eating houses that were lighted like fairy houses. It was a city that had potholed streets and was extremely dangerous at night. Bandits, robbers and all sort of vandals roamed about seeking to prey on the unwary. Not only was Smyrna physically unsafe but it was spiritually dangerous. Many, claiming to be Christian roamed as they sought to ‘sell’ their ideas designed to steal the souls of the righteous. 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 2 Peter 2:1 and Titus 1:16 set forth this clearly.

 

The ‘slander’ being used to debase Christian thought was not only by apostasy but by those who never believed in the first place.

 

There were people professing to be Jewish, to be Messianic in belief but who were saying all that was necessary to have their ideas and concepts placed ahead of God’s will. Romans 1:11 , John 1:11 , Acts 13:46 . Many professed to be of God but were not.

 

The true believers in Smyrna were told to expect suffering, and to expect 10 days of it. The ten days is explained in Ezekiel 4:16 to allow us to see 10 days as actually 10 years.

 

Roman Emperor Dioletian reigned from AD 302 to AD 312. Ten years during which Christians were horribly persecuted. Thus, the 10 days is explained.

 

During this persecution many man made laws were sought to be imposed upon true Christians. Man made laws as well as false beliefs. Why I mention this is to alert you to an age old adage. ‘Behind every false doctrine is a false spirit.’ Just like the present day and few past years we have seen man made laws be imposed upon Christians that just are not in God’s Word. I have delivered sermons on these but suffice it to say, eating meat on Friday will not land you in hell. Neither will dying your clothes, swimming with members of the opposite sex, dancing, going to movies and any other man made rule purporting to be God’s Law when it is not! Just like celibacy to be a Priest…it is just not so.

 

Just as God said to the church is Ephesus He also said to the church in Smyrna . Hear the Word, walk in the Spirit and you will not suffer that second death.

 

The time period of Smyrna depicts the synagogue of Satan, the Roman Catholic Church, rose as the persecutions began to come to a halt. However there remained true Christians to whom Jesus spoke.

 

To the Church in Pergamum AD 530 until AD 1530

 Revelation 2:12"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
      These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

 

The double edged sword coming from the mouth of Jesus Christ is authority and truth undeniable. Jesus was telling the church in Pergamene the He was aware that Satan was attempting to assume the throne of God. Even with that being the case there were some that were remaining true to His Word. Though there were some that taught that Balaam, (Numbers 22:5-21, Thessalonians 2:10) through the teachings of Balak, were praying to idols, statues and even sacrificing foodstuffs as a manner of offering prayers to such idols there were those who remained faithful.

 

Just as the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna , the church in Pergamene was teaching and approving of sexual immorality and looseness.

 

It is at this time that Martin Luther broke from the Roman Catholic Church. His claims of praying to Mary and to Saints, such a Christopher, were a method of idolatry. It is well to learn that Christopher has been disproved to even exist!

 

Jesus is very firm as He demands that the church in Pergamene repent or He will fight them with truth! He says that those who listen He will feed and grant Salvation.

 

Jesus referred to the Roman Catholic Church as “where Satan lives,” depicting Rome . Not only was the RCC leading people astray but sexual immorality and idol worship continued to exist. (Much as it does today.)

 

(Closing prayer)

 

Heavenly Father, Lord Most High, please hear our prayer. Praise You and know that You are God and we bow before no other.

 

 Grant us the wisdom to learn Your lessons and to gain the insight necessary to evangelize Your message to any that will heed the Word that You have given us. Allow us, as Your servants, to set forth that which can be awakening to all that listen. Lord, though their number is many, Your Word is that which teaches of Your love and Your granting of Paradise to any that walk the path You have given us to walk.

 

Father, we ask that You be with us, that You continue to teach us and that You bless our days. We thank You for all that You do and will do for each of us. You are El Shaddai and it is You we worship.

 

As Yahweh Saoboth, King of the angels, we ask that You send your angels to protect our military and see them safe. We ask that You guide our judges and elected officials as well as police to deal with us in a fair manner and with Your will as their guide. We ask that those that are charged with keeping this country safe receive Your protection and guidance. We ask that You protect our Christian brothers and sisters and bless their days with peace and mercy.

 

Father, You are most aware of the oppression that many face at the hands of their government and people that would bring them harm. Lord, be with them and strengthen their resolve and feed them Your manna.

 

These things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.