In Revelation chapters two and three we have seven letters, which our Lord Jesus Christ dictated to the apostle John, which were sent to the seven churches of Asia. Each letter was sent to specific local churches in the cities named: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These were literal churches of the apostolic era. But, and this is very important, these seven churches represent all the churches of Christ in this world, throughout the gospel age. They do not represent all the churches of the world, but all the churches of Christ in the world. They are representative of all New Testament churches. These seven churches of Asia do not represent seven different periods of church history. They represent the various conditions of local churches at anytime in history. In a word, these letters are letters of Christ to us. They are just as pertinent to the life and ministry of Grace Baptist Church in Danville, Ky., in 1986 as they were to the various churches named in these chapters. Our Lord's commendations, warnings, and promises in these two chapters are addressed to you and me.
I want us to look at these seven letters together, asking God the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher. May it please him now to take the things that Christ has to say to us and show them to us. In these two chapters, our Lord repeats this admonition seven times: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." This admonition was given seven times, because our Lord means for every believer to pay particular attention to the things, which these seven letters contain. These seven letters contain Christ's Warnings To His Churches.
Proposition:In these seven letters, our Lord Jesus Christ plainly warns us, both as individual believers and as believers assembled together in a local church, of the most prominent dangers we must face in this world.
NOTE: In each of these seven churches, with the exception of Laodicea, our Lord finds something to commend. In five of the seven churches, he finds something to condemn. The only exceptions are Smyrna and Philadelphia.
Divisions:I. Here is A Fact We Must Never Forget. The Lord Jesus Christ says, "I know thy works." 7 times.
He repeats this expression seven times. He says to every church and to every professed believer, both the true and the false believers, "I know thy works." He does not say, "I know thy desires," "I know thy feelings," "I know thy profession," but "I know thy works!"
The works of God's elect are important works have no merit before God. Works cannot atone for sin. Works cannot save us, justify us, sanctify us, or earn some special reward in heaven for us. Any man who is even faintly familiar with the teachings of Holy Scripture must know that God's grace is free and that our standing before him is altogether of grace. We earn nothing from God by our works. But, if you think that works are useless, insignificant, and of no value, because they are not meritorious, I am afraid that your religion is but a sham profession. Grace always produces good works. All true believers walk in good works for the glory of God. There is no such thing as a saved man or woman who does not walk in submissive, voluntary obedience to Christ. Our obedience and our works are far from perfect. In themselves they are filthy rags (Isa. 64:6), of no merit whatever before God. But God's saints perform good works. It is the nature of spiritual men to walk in the Spirit. Let me show you this from the Word of God.
A. All Who Are Saved By The Grace Of God, Believing On The Lord Jesus Christ, Perform Good Works From A Principle Of Inward Grace.
The apostle James tells us most plainly that "faith without works is dead." (James 2:14-26). Good works are the proof and evidence that faith is real. Our Lord says, "Every tree is known by its own fruit." (Luke 6:44). Abraham believed God; and he proved it by his works of obedience to God. Rahab believed God; and she proved it by her works.
1. God has ordained that those who are saved by his grace walk in good works for the honor of his name (Eph. 2:8-10).
And that which God has ordained God will bring to pass. He will see to it that his people honor him by their works.
2. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit makes all believers new creatures in Christ (II Cor. 5:17).
If I am in Christ, I have a new nature. And the bent of that new nature is toward Christ (II Pet. 1:4; Gal. 5:22-23).
B. In The Light Of These Facts, Let Everyone Who Professes Faith In Christ Hear The Word Of Christ – "I Know Thy Works!"
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Pro. 15:30. His eyes are a flaming fire, and the darkness is light before him.
1. You who are hypocrites, mere professors of religion, mere church going moralists, Christ says to you "I know thy works."
You may deceive your pastor, your family, and even yourself; but you cannot deceive the Son of God. He sees through you. All of your righteous deeds, by which you hope to appear righteous, are only abominable works of self-righteousness in God's sight. And, in the end, he will expose you for what you are (Luke 16:15). Hear me, and be warned, Hypocrisy is a losing game. "The hypocrite's hope shall perish!" (Job 8:13).
2. For The Believer these words are full of comfort and cheer.
Our dear Redeemer looks not at the works themselves, but at the motive behind them. He looks into the heart and sees why we do the things we do. And he is well-pleased with the most feeble efforts of sincere, believing hearts. And by the merits of his blood and righteousness, he makes our works a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God (I Pet. 2:5). Imagine that, Christ is well pleased with the faltering steps of his believing people, because they are steps toward him.
The Son of God will not forget your work of faith and labor of love. The works of those that die in the Lord shall follow them." (Rev. 14:13). And they shall be named by the Son of God in the day of judgment (Matt. 25:37-39)! Our Savior says, "I know thy works." What could be more comforting? What could be greater reward?
II. Secondly, Our Lord warns us of Certain Danger We Must Labor To Overcome.
In these two chapters, the Lord Jesus Christ identifies six distinct conditions, which, if they are not resisted and overcome, will result in apostasy and eternal ruin. If these conditions are allowed to go unchecked in any local church, it will soon wither away. It may continue to exist in name. But Christ will withdraw the light of the gospel from it, and instead of being a house of light it will become a den of darkness. My soul, how often I have seen it happen! And if you find yourself described in these letters as one in a condition of decline, I warn you, no, Christ himself warns you to repent and turn to him. Unless you overcome, you will perish at last! Here are six dangerous conditions into which we are constantly tempted to fall. The world, the flesh, and the devil all pull us down into these deplorable pits. May God give us grace to overcome and preserve unto the end.
A. Our Flesh, The Allurements Of The World, And The Temptations Of Satan Are Constantly Pulling Us Away From Our First Love.
The Lord Jesus says, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." (2:4). Is the Savior speaking these words to me? Are they the words of Christ to you?
These Ephesians were zealous in good works patient in the providential trials and afflictions of life, and thoroughly orthodox in their doctrine. But there was a dreadful decay in their love for Christ!
William Hendriksen illustrates this decay of love very clearly. "A wife may be very faithful to her husband and may give evidence of bustling assiduity in all matters pertaining to him – and yet, there may be a decay in love. Her sense of duty may cause her to remain faithful in all the details of attention she bestows upon him." Even so, you and I may be very faithful in all the outward forms of godliness and remain perfectly orthodox in doctrine, though our hearts' love and devotion to Christ declines and decays.
Are you like the Ephesians? Does your love for Christ decline? Do you find yourself more and more concerned about the cares of this world and less and less concerned about the glory of Christ? Repent! Turn to Christ! Renounce all but him, and set your affection on Christ alone (Col. 3:1-3). Like Mary, take your place at his feet, and let your heart be ravished with his love.
B. We Are All Also Tempted To Embrace The Doctrine Of Balaam (2:14).
You will recall, when Balak called for Balaam to curse the children of Israel, God restrained him. And, much to Balak's disgust, Balaam blessed the people of God (Num. 25:1-3), and their sin, we are told, was the result of Balaams counsel (Num. 31:16). "The doctrine of Balaam" is the doctrine of compromise with the religion of this world. Balaam did not advise Israel to give up the worship of Jehovah. He simply told them it would be wise to accept the worship of Baal and go along with their religious customs, traditions, and practices.
Be warned, my friend, compromise with false religion is damning to your soul. Compromise is the way of least resistance. Compromise is the way approved of by the world. And compromise is the way that is easiest for the flesh. But compromise of the truth is an outright denial of Christ (II Cor. 6:14-18). The only way to remove the offense of the gospel is to deny the gospel. We dare not give any credibility to the religion of this world.
Where do we have any agreement with such men? The only way we can get along is for us to deny our God and Savior. And that we cannot do!
C. All Of Us, By Nature, Are Tempted To Embrace The Doctrine Of The Nicolaitanes (2:15)
The Nicolaitanes were a group of heretics in John's day who taught that it was okay for believers to engage in the sexual immoralities of pagan religions. They were antinomians. They were truly against the law of God. Their doctrine was, "Let us sin that grace may abound. Since we are saved by grace, it does not matter how we live." Here are two things you can be sure about–
1. Any man who preaches salvation by grace alone will be accused of antinomianism – (Rom. 3:8).
It is not possible to preach redemption, justification, and sanctification by grace alone through the merits of Christ alone without some legalist accusing you of being an antinomian and a promoter of licentiousness.
2. But any man who is an antinomian is a lost man.God's elect seek holiness and righteousness. They are not self-willed, licentious rebels. Their hearts and lives are ruled by the love of Christ. And love prevents lawlessness!
D. Here is a fourth danger we have to overcome We Are Constantly Pressured To Be Tolerant With False Prophets (3:20).
The Church at Thyatira was charitable, diligent in service, patient in trial, and well established in the faith of the gospel. But they were tolerant of "that woman Jezebel." There was a woman in the church who claimed to be a prophetess. Our Lord calls her "Jezebel", after Ahab's wife, because she was a deceiver. Yet, this church allowed her to teach and to seduce the people with her evil doctrine.
Though the flesh says, "Don't make a fuss about false prophets," and the world says, "Judge not," and Satan tempts us to be silent for fear of creating strife, if we do not expose and denounce those who deny the gospel of Christ, they will devour the church – (Gal. 1:6-8).
E. Another Danger We Must Ever Guard Against Is The Tendency Of Our Flesh Toward Hypocrisy, Ritualism, And Lifeless Orthodoxy.
All of us are prone to hypocrisy. We all pretend too much. We substitute ritualism for worship, a creed for Christ, and orthodoxy for life. "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees!"
1. Let us take care that we live in godliness, but ever fear a form and show of godliness.
2. Let us carefully observe the ordinances of Christ, but ever fear the mere observance of religious ceremony.
3. Let us carefully and tenaciously adhere to the doctrine of Christ, but ever fear doctrinal purity which has no heart.
F. And Our Lord Warns Us Of The Most Dangerous Of All Fleshly Tendencies: Lukewarmness Apathy, and Indifference (3:15-16).
Nothing is more disgusting to the palate than lukewarm coffee, lukewarm stew, lukewarm gravy, or lukewarm milk. And nothing is more revolting to Christ than lukewarm, half-hearted, apathetic, indifferent men and women! Yet, we are ever prone to become lukewarm about the things of Christ! How many I have seen, gradually sink into disgusting apathy. Once the gospel of grace made your face light up with joy. Once the story of redeeming love melted your heart to tears. But now nothing moves you. Are you not lukewarm?
I am sure that somewhere, in these six areas of danger, I have described everyone of us.
III. Now, I want to Hear The Counsel Of Our Compassionate Savior.
If you would overcome these terrible tendencies of the flesh, the Son of God himself tells you what you must do.
A. "Remember from whence thou art fallen" (2:5).
B. Repent and do the first works" (2:5).
C. "That which ye have already holdfast (2:25). The Gospel.
D. "Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain" (3:2).
E. "Buy of me" (3:18).
IV. Here Are The Promises Which Christ Gives To Those Who Overcome These Dangers And Persevere Unto The End.
A. Return To Your First Love, And Christ Promises You The Blessedness Of Eternal Glory – (2:7). You may lose the world, but you won't lose Christ.
B. Holdfast The Doctrine Of Christ And Confess Him In The Midst Of His Enemies And He Promises To Own You As His (2:17). You may be scorned by men, but owned by Christ.
C. Continue In The Way Of Faith, And Christ Will Give You Power Over The Nations – (2:26). The world may oppose you, but Christ will cause you to overcome all opposition.
D. Awake, and Arise From The Dead, And Christ Will Give You The Light Of Life – (3:5; Eph. 5:14).
E. Return To Christ With A True And Fervent Heart Of Faith, And He Will Cause You To Reign With Him Forever – (3:21).
Revelation 3:21 – Christ Jesus is leaning against the door of his church, knocking to his beloved. If anybody here will open to him, he will come in and sup with you.
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