"Smyrna" Sermon: Revelation 2:8-11 (video)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj7nHdYfNxU

"Smyrna" Sermon: Revelation 2:8-11 (manuscript)

 

“Smyrna”

[Revelation 2:8–11]

October 29, 2023 YouTube

 

          The second of the seven churches that John addresses in the letter – the book – of Revelation is the church in Smyrna, and it was about thirty-five miles north of Ephesus and was founded by Paul.  It had a natural harbor and a flourishing export trade, and it was one of the wealthiest cities in Asia Minor – Turkey. 

Smyrna was controlled by the Romans, but the Jews were accepted and allowed to practice their religion, and since the Romans saw no real difference between the Jews and the Christians, so the Christians were able to practice their religion.  Smyrna hosted the Temple of Dea Roma – the god of the founding of Rome, and they won the honor of having the Temple of Ceasar Tiberius constructed in their city.

As we look at the letter, note that nothing negative is said about this church.

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

We will remember, we understand, the letter is addressed to the real, historical minister and the real, historical church in Smyrna – as well as all ministers and all churches throughout time and space.

Jesus tells the church in Smyrna that the words of this letter come from Jesus, and He is the first and the last.  Jesus is unchangeable and eternal.  He is before all things, and He has no end because He is Divine – He is God.  And He lived a human life and died a human death and resurrected – He came back to life.  Jesus is God in the flesh.  He is the God-Man – Wholly God and Wholly Man able – since He is God and Man – to bring the believers in Smyrna out of tribulation, into His Victory, and into His Kingdom.

Because Jesus is the God-Man, the Christians in Smyrna, and all Christians throughout time and space have hope and comfort and confidence that we all will come through tribulation – no matter how horrible it may be – Jesus will bring His people through it into the Paradise of God.

“‘I know your tribulation 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.

Initially, the Christians were tolerated as a type of Jew, but the Jews eventually made it clear that Christians are not Jews, and the Romans and the Jews cause the Christians to suffer – to have tribulation – in four different ways:

First, they suffered by being impoverished, by being poor, by not having things.  The Romans and the Jews would not allow them to trade or buy or sell because they confessed Christ and lived out their Christianity.  Yet, they were rich in the things of God – in the salvation that Jesus merited for all Christians.

Paul writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (II Corinthians 8:9, ESV).

Jesus teaches, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21, ESV).

“Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life’” (Mark 10:29-30, ESV).

Second, they were slandered.

As we already said, the Jews turned against the Christians, and the Romans turned against the Christians in turn.  The Jews started telling each other and the Romans lies about the Christians – they spread slander about them.  Some of the slander that was being spread about the Christians was that they drown their children and ate human flesh and drank human blood – a perverse caricature of the sacraments.

Jesus says, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12, ESV).

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:18-20, ESV).

Jesus is not saying, “Hey, if they slander you and lie about you and get you persecuted, don’t worry about it – why are you making such a big deal?  Enjoy it and know good things are coming.”  No.  Jesus knows what it is to suffer at the hands of those who slander.

The theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who died in a concentration camp during World War Two, said, “Suffering is the badge of true Christians.”

Remember what Paul writes, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV).

Don’t panic.  Don’t despair.  Don’t try to laugh it off.  And Christians in 2023, don’t think it won’t happen to you.  Jesus has overcome, and no matter how much or how little a Christian endures, Jesus brings him into Paradise and His Kingdom.

What the Christians in Smyrna need to know is that the people who are slandering them – the people who call themselves, “Jews,” aren’t Jews – they are members of the Synagogue of Satan.

How can that be?

Paul explains, “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring” (Romans 9:6-8, ESV).

Paul explains that just because you are born in the line of Jews doesn’t mean you are a Jew.  Likewise, just because you are born into a Christian family and go to church and mouth the right words doesn’t mean you are a Christian.

If you say you’re a Jew and you go to synagogue and you do all the right things, but you don’t believe the Word of God, you are not worshippers of God, you are worshippers of Satan.  The same goes for Christians.

Trust.  Have hope.  Be comforted:  Jesus is already victorious over Satan – the devil.  He is a vanquished foe.  Jesus is bringing us through this – no matter how difficult it is, we will be brought through it and will be with Jesus in glory forever.

“’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 you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Third, some were falsely imprisoned.

Jesus tells them not to be afraid, even though the devil is going to throw some of them into prison.  Of course, Jesus does not mean that the devil will physically throw them into prison, but that the devil will influence and coerce people in power – through slander and lies about the Christians – to have some of them thrown into prison.  The devil will be behind their being thrown into prison.

We shouldn’t understand this to mean that the devil got the better of Jesus and got some of Jesus’ people falsely thrown into jail because, just as Jesus told Pilate, it is true of the devil, “Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin’” (John 19:11, ESV).

Some people talk about the devil and God as though they are two equals fighting it out, but that is not what the Bible tells us.  The devil is a creation of God, and the devil cannot do anything except what God commands and allows.

The devil threw some of them into prison, but only because God let him.

Why?

The author of Hebrews writes, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6, ESV).

The suffering of Christians is purposeful.  There is a purpose for why God allowed the devil to throw some of the Christians of Smyrna into prison.  There is a purpose for all the ways that Christians suffer.  We endure exactly what our Father knows to be what we need to be the person He has called us to be.  He does not sin.  He does not tempt.

He disciplines us and chastises us and grows us by the best and most effective means necessary – whether it looks like it right now or not.

Don’t worry or be frightened that the devil is throwing some into prison but take comfort in knowing that our God and Savior is testing us, and He is bringing us through passing the test by the merit of Jesus.

And, again, showing the Sovereignty and Divinity of Jesus, He says they will be imprisoned for ten days.  The number ten symbolizes wholeness, the law, divine order.  So, they will be imprisoned for a short period of time which has been set in accordance with the Divine order – Jesus’ Sovereignty.

We see the use of ten days in the book of Daniel where Daniel and his friends are commanded to eat the food provided by the king – which is not kosher.  So, Daniel asks, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see” (Daniel 1:12-13).  Daniel and his friends looked better and were healthier than those fed the king’s food by obeying the law – ten.

Fourth, some were put to death.

Sometimes – Jesus Who lived and died and rose from the dead – sometimes – in the plan of God and in love for us, death is the best witness – best confirmation – that our faith is genuine and purposeful.

Jesus tells the Christians in Smyrna to be faithful.  That doesn’t mean you won’t be poor.  That doesn’t mean you won’t be slandered.  That doesn’t mean you won’t be falsely put in prison.  That doesn’t mean you won’t be put to death.  All Christians endure tribulation – like our Lord Jesus – just in different amounts and ways.

Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna until he was burned to death in 156 A. D. at the age of eighty-six for the crime of refusing to denounce Christ and worship the emperor. He was likely one of the first people to read or hear the book of Revelation.  The Romans prepared a stake to tie him to and wood for him to stand on as he burned.  Polycarp said there was no need to tie him up, he would stand there on his own as he burned.

As he burned, he said, in part, “O Lord, Almighty God, the Father of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, I thank Thee that Thou hast thought me worthy this day, this hour to share the cup of Thy Christ among the number of Thy witnesses” (in Joel Beeke, Revelation, 81).

We are to be faithful – in suffering – in tribulation – and when we are not.  We are to be faithful – not to the world – not to the devil – but to Jesus.  Polycarp was faithful. The church in Smyrna was to be faithful unto death.  We are to be faithful unto death.

And if we are, Jesus says, we will receive “the crown of life.”

Is it a gold crown with gems in it like we see on TV and in the movies?  No.  It is a laurel wreath like the one given in the sports games of the day – the winner of a race.  And notice, it is given to us by Jesus – it is not something we merit – it is something given to us by grace for what Jesus has done.

Paul writes about the tribulation – even to death – as he would suffer – and he does not say this lightly or flippantly, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV).

If we suffer or are even put to death for the sake of Jesus, we have won the race – we have received the crown.  That’s not to say the tribulation we endure is easy – I know some of you who are suffering a lot. But we have hope and comfort in knowing that our hope is not here in the way things are now, but with Jesus in the restored Creation and His Kingdom.

“He 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.’

Christians in the church in Smyrna, hear what the Holy Spirit says to you and the other churches – all the other churches and all the Christians in them, if you are one who conquers – are you one who conquers?  Do we conquer?  Has Jesus conquered for us – in our place?

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39, ESV).

Jesus has conquered everything for His people that we would be comforted and have hope through our tribulation knowing that He has conquered the last judgment for us as well.  We are conquerors through Jesus – He has conquered everything and credited it to our accounts and all those who believing savingly in Jesus will not be hurt by the second death.

The first death is our physical death when our body and soul are separated until the last day.  The second death is the final judgment on the last day when everyone who ever lived will be raised from the dead and judged.  But the Christians in the church in Smyrna and all the Christians through time and space will not be hurt by the second death.

Later in the book of Revelation we have a definition: “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15, ESV). The second death is eternal suffering in Hell.

The church in Smyrna suffered a great deal.  They faced poverty due to their confession of Jesus.  They were slandered by the Romans and the Jews.  They were unjustly thrown in prison.  They were even put to death for their faith.

Jesus tells them to be faithful.  “Don’t panic; don’t worry.  Hold on to all you have believed and been taught.  Know that whatever may happen, I am Sovereign.  I am faithful.  I have saved you and made you more than conquerors – winners of the crown of life.  And since I lived and died and rose from the dead, your debt to God has been paid, and you will not face the second death.  You have been delivered from eternal suffering in Hell.”

Let us have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit says to the churches.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we thank you for this record of a faithful church – a church that suffered in many ways under the hands of the Jews and the Romans.  Help us to be faithful in every way.  Keep us hopeful and give us comfort in knowing that the work of Jesus helps us to believe that our suffering has purpose, and we are more than conquerors because He loves us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reformed Wisdom

 

“When you observe that the fire in your room is going down you don’t just put on more coals.  You need the poker to stir the fire.  God often uses the black poker of adversity in order that the flame of devotion may bring more blessing” (A. W. Pink quoted in Joel Beeke, Revelation, 89).

"Ephesus" Sermon: Revelation 2:1-7 (video)

 "Ephesus" Sermon: Revelation 2:1-17 (video) - YouTube

"Ephesus" Sermon: Revelation 2:1-7 (manuscript)

 

“Ephesus”

Revelation 2:1-7

October 22, 2023 YouTube

          We have seen the introduction and blessing of the letter, the explanation of who John is and where and why he is on Patmos.  We have seen that the letter of Revelation is a letter of hope and comfort to Christians suffering persecution. We have seen that the number seven is symbolic for perfection and completeness, stars are symbolic for ministers, lampstands are symbolic for churches, the Son of Man is symbolic for Jesus Who is God the Almighty, Prophet, Priest, and King for His people, and the two-edged sword is the Word of God – the Gospel.  And we have seen that the seven letters to the seven churches are sent to real, historical churches, and to all churches throughout time and space.  And, so, now we look at the churches and the message to each of the historical churches.

          The first letter is for the church in Ephesus.

          “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:”

          Ephesus was a major trade hub, originally having a seaport at one end and being mostly surrounded by mountains.  It was a prosperous commercial city of 250,000 people about fifty miles from Patmos. 

The Temple of Diana – also called Artemus – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – was in Ephesus – and it was said that every civilized person worshipped Diana.  Her temple was four times the size of the Greek Acropolis.  And with the temple came great immorality and the cultic priesthood.

Paul founded the church in Ephesus around 57 A.D., and the church was destroyed by the Goths in 262 A. D.  We have one letter from Paul to the Ephesian church in our Bible.

“‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

          Jesus – the Son of Man – holds the seven ministers – and all ministers – in His right hand, and He walks among the seven churches – and all churches.  He is always with His people – not looking for their faults but upholding and protecting them – us.

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

Jesus begins by praising them for their hard work for the Gospel, for their bearing under persecution and not denying Jesus, for being patient in suffering for standing strong in the face of adversity, and for not growing weary in the fight for proclaiming the Gospel in its purity.

As Paul left the Ephesian church, he said, “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:29, ESV).

Paul wanted them to know it was not just possible that false teachers would come into the church and try to mislead and even destroy the church – they would come into the church and try to mislead and even destroy the church.  They were coming.  And they did come.

And Jesus praises the Ephesians for their intolerance – that they hated evil – that they had no tolerance for heretics. They did not bear with those who were evil.  They tested those who called themselves apostles, and if they proved to be false – liars – imposters – they put them out of the church.

And so, we ask ourselves about these two things that Jesus praises the Ephesians for: 

Do we – as individuals and as the church – do we stand firm against the world when evil people condemn us for our beliefs – and even punish us and harm us and kill us?  Do we stand before these people and say we will never renounce Christ and His Gospel not matter what they do to us?  Don’t answer quickly – that can be a very hard thing to do at times, and it takes strength and maturity in the faith.

And second, do we hate evil?  Are we intolerant of people who lie about who they are and what God has said and try to tear apart the church?  Are we unwilling to allow people to preach and teach in our churches who do not teach the whole truth of the Word of God just as it is written in the Bible and not changed for cultural approval?  Are we unwilling to measure the faithfulness and success of the church by numbers – whether it be people of money?  Will we rebuke and send away those who do not hold on to the faith and do not seek to be obedient, but to turn others away?

Still, there is a criticism of the Ephesian church:

“’But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

The minister – and the church generally – “abandoned the love you had at first.”

What love is this?

It is the love of Jesus – and the Triune God.  And fellow Christians as well – the first and greatest commandment is love of God, and second is love of neighbor – the closet being fellow Christians.

The Ephesians were likely guilty of formalism.  They knew the truth of the Gospel inside out, but they didn’t love each other.  They knew everything about Christ and His cross, but they were no longer central to their lives and worship.  They talked more about God than to God.  They had no actual desire to know God better, only to have all the right services and programs.

So, Jesus tells them to remember – remember where you fell from.  Remember how things were when you first believed.  Remember how you repented of your sin and followed Jesus in love for Him and His people.  Do the things you first did when you believed.  Otherwise, I will remove your church – unless you repent.  “Unless you remember and repent and go back to the love and the obedience you first had for Me and My people, I will do away with the Ephesian church.”

Paul tells the Corinthians that being right and playing church is not enough – there must be love:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (I Corinthians 13:1-3, ESV).

No matter what we say is true and what works we do, if we do not have love for God and each other, it’s worthless.

After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and repented, he wrote Psalm 51, which in part reads:

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:7-12, ESV).

The Ephesians could be rescued if they repented and went back to the things they did when they first believed – following Jesus in love and faith and obedience.

There is a modern expression used primarily about certain Reformed and Presbyterian churches that know all the right things and do all the right things, but don’t love God or any Christians – they are called the “frozen chosen.”

What about us? Do we strive to know the right things and do the right things?  We should!  But do we love Jesus and His people? Understand loving our fellow Christians does not mean that we must become best friends with them.  We don’t have to invite every Christian over for coffee and cocktails.  But we must love them as brothers and sisters in Christ.  We must believe with all our heart that they are people that Jesus died for – just like us – and we must treat them as people that Jesus died for.

When was the last time we felt “the joy of [our] salvation”?  Let us repent of our sins and ask God to fill us with the joy so we bubble over in love for Jesus and His people.  Let us love our neighbor and joyfully tell them Who Jesus is and what He has done – that’s the Gospel.

Another good thing about the Ephesians:

“’ Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

There was a false religion of the false teachers that the Ephesians put out of the church who called themselves “Nicolatians.”  We know next to nothing about this group.  Historical references indicate that this may have been a cult that focused on enjoying self-indulgent, unclean pleasures.

What we do know is that the Ephesians hated their works, and Jesus hates them too.

We have no idea who will come to faith – even during their last breath – so we can’t hate any person, but we can hate the things they do and the things they teach and believe.  There are times in the Bible – like here – where God says that a group of people are evil and to destroy them, but we do not have the knowledge of God.

There are ministers and churches that teach things that are untrue – blasphemous – worthy of hate.  A popular one around here is that if you become a Christian and have faith, you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise.  And if you don’t you don’t have enough faith.  That is a lie.  We ought to hate that lie and expose it and show others why it is a lie – and tell them the truth of the Gospel. Will we?

“’He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

If you are willing and able to hear the message that I have just given you – be willing and able to hear the message that the Holy Spirit gives to each of the seven churches – and to all the churches throughout time and space.  This message is for the Ephesians, and the other six churches, and for every church.

“To the one who conquers” – to each one who has faith in Christ’s work – the salvation He earned and gives to His people – and then follows Him in love no matter what happens.

This one will eat of the tree of life – this one will enter the communion with God that is in eternal life.  This isn’t about apples, but it’s about becoming one in heart and mind with God, so we are of the same love and the same intention with God – as we will be “in the paradise of God.”  As we will be in the restored Creation when all of Creation – including us – are restored and renewed, made holy, brought into Glory – back to the Garden.

Let us work hard, be patient as we suffer for Christ, hate evil, put out those who distort and deny the truth, repent, love, love, love Christ and His people, and look forward in hope and joy with comfort for our communion with God in eternal life.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we thank You for the desire to know what is true and for giving us the willingness to stand for it.  Give us love.  Give us the joy of our salvation. Stir up the joy of communion with You now and forever.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"The Son of Man" Sermon: Revelation 1:9-20 (video)

 "The Son of Man" Sermon: Revelation 1:9-20 (video) - YouTube

"The Son of Man" Sermon: Revelation 1:9-20 (manuscript)

 

“The Son of Man”

Revelation 1:9-20

October 15, 2023 YouTube

          As we turn to our text, this morning, let us, again, remind ourselves of what the book of Revelation is:  it is the declaration of the victory of Christ given to encourage the Christians of the first century living under Roman persecution and for the encouragement of all Christians until the last day.

          John continues in the section of the text by – first – telling his readers who and where he is:

          “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus,”

          John is brother to the Christians in the seven churches that form the semi-circle in Turkey that he is addressing.  Again, not that there were only seven churches in Turkey, but these churches were chosen, and they are addressed in a semi-circle, which we see beginning in chapter two.  John addresses the Christians of these churches as their brother as a Christian – as one of the family of Christ – his brothers and sisters who are the Church.

          Not only is he their brother, but he is their partner in three things – he is united with them in three other ways:

          John is a partner with them in the tribulation.  That is a buzz word for many in the book of Revelation.  What is the tribulation?

          Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

          We’re told of Paul and his co-workers: “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22, ESV).

          John is speaking of suffering for Jesus and His Gospel, for the Kingdom, on a regular basis then and throughout all of Church history.

          John partners with them in being a member of the Kingdom – the Church – and the restored Creation in which all Christians will live.  As we see later in the book, Christians are kings of the Kingdom.

          And he partners with them in patient endurance.   Paul writes, “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:11-13, ESV).

          He patiently suffered for the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they did as members of the Kingdom as they went through the tribulation. And this partnership is true of every Christian throughout time and space.  If we are Christians, we will share together in suffering as kings of the Kingdom in patience.

          “was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

          John was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching the Gospel of Jesus and for giving testimony to the truth that Jesus is God the Only Savior.  Patmos is an island on the western coast of Turkey – the western most of the islands west of Turkey.  It is a rocky island that had mines on it, and it was a place where exiles were sent.  It is about thirteen square miles – very small.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.’”

On the Lord’s Day – Sunday – the Christian Sabbath – John went into a visionary state, and, behind him, he heard a loud voice – like a trumpet – commanding him to write everything he sees in a book and to send it to the seven churches:  to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea for them to read.  The letter was passed from one to another through the semi-circle that the churches made in Turkey.

Second, John tells his readers about the Son of Man symbolically.

“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,”

Remember, we have already seen that the number seven symbolizes completion and perfection.  So, keep the seven golden lampstands in your mind for a moment.

“and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man,”

As we make our way through the book of Revelation, we will see that sections and symbols of the book of Daniel and Ezekiel are used – in part – because the Jews would have known these Scriptures, whereas most Romans would not.  Remember, Revelation is written in symbols to keep it being understood by the Romans.

Daniel records, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14, ESV).

Daniel had a vision, and the Son of Man came down out of heaven on the clouds.  We remember that we already saw that Jesus ascended on the clouds and the angels told His disciples that He would descend on the clouds. So, the Son of Man is Jesus, the Savior.

The Son of Man is presented to the Ancient of Days – God the Father – Who gives Him possession and the holding together of all things in all of Creation.  The Son of Man is the Divine Savior and Lord.  Everything is His, all glory is His, all people serve Him, He has authority over all things, and the rule and the kingdom that He has cannot and will not ever pass away.

John continues with symbols – describing the Son of Man – in this children’s picture book we are reading:

“clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.”

These are the clothes of a priest:

“These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests” (Exodus 28:4, ESV).

“He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on” (Leviticus 16:4, ESV).

The Son of Man is a priest.

“The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow.”

The Son of Man is Pure, Perfect, Holy.

“His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace,”

The Son of Man is a king.

“and his voice was like the roar of many waters.”

Daniel records:

“I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves” (Daniel 10:5-7, ESV).

And Ezekiel records:

“Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple” (43:1-5, ESV)

The Son of Man is the Almighty God.

I hope we understand that the description of the Son of Man that is given is not literally the way He looks.  The symbols must be interpreted, and when they are, we see that the Son of Man is a prophet, priest, and king, Who is also the Almighty God.  This is a comfort to the Christians suffering persecution in the first century and throughout time and space, because God says that no mere human can be prophet, priest, and king – a mere human can only be one or two of these, but not three.

However, the Son of Man is also the Almighty God, so He can be – for His people – prophet, priest, and king – the God Who rules His people and gives them His Law, the prophet Who gives His people His Word, and the priest Who makes the sacrifice to God to free His people from their sins and reconcile them to God.  Is there any greater news in heaven or on earth?  Even if you are being tortured and even killed?

“In his right hand he held seven stars,”

Let’s hold that aside for a moment with the seven golden lampstands.

 “from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword,”

The author of Hebrews explains:

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13, ESV).

The Son of Man speaks the Word of God like a two-edged sword.  A two-edged sword cuts forward against the enemy, but it also cuts back against the one who wields it.  The Word of God goes out the salvation of the elect and cuts back for the damnation of those who never believe.

 “and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.”

          The Glory of the Son of Man shows forth.

          Remember:

          “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:29-30, ESV).

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (Matthew 17:1-2, ESV).

          Third, John interprets the symbols about the Son of Man.

 

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.”

John saw the Son of Man in glory and holiness, and he rightly – like other prophets and apostles – think of Isaiah – understood that he is a sinner, so the only thing that made sense in the presence of the Son of Man in His transcendent majesty was to fall down before Him as thought dead, because He understood that his sin made him worthy of nothing but death and the horrors that follow unforgiven sin.

“But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last,’”

As a tender Savior – as the Good Shepherd – the Son of Man puts His Hand on John to comfort him and to let him know that he does not need to fear the Son of Man but to take comfort and to have hope in Him – because “I am the first and the last.”

We will remember – especially – as we looked at the Gospel of John some years ago – all the “I AM” statements of Jesus and how Jesus said them purposely and one of the reasons He used them was so His listeners would associate them with the statement of God to Moses that He is I AM.  In saying, “I AM,” Jesus says He is God.  And here the Son of Man says the same as well as being “the first and the last” – Who, we will remember, John identifies in verse eight of this chapter – is God the Father.  That does not mean that the Son of Man is God the Father – the Ancient of Days, because He is distinct from God the Father – just as the seven spirits, Who we saw is the Holy Spirit – the Three are the One God.

Jesus’ favorite name for Himself is the “Son of Man.”  He calls Himself the “Son of Man” eighty-one times in the Gospels.  Why is it Jesus’ favorite name for Himself?  One reason is He is the Savior of His people.  Another is the identification we saw of the Son of Man being prophet, priest, and king.

We will remember in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus is before the Sanhedrin, “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.’ 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.’ Then the high priest tore his robes and said, ‘He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy’” (Matthew 26:63-65, ESV).

They ask Him if He is “the Christ, the Son of God,” and Jesus answers, “I am the Son of Man,” and they wail about and say He has blasphemed because He just said He is God.  But it isn’t blasphemy because it is true.

“and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Jesus, the Son of Man is the Victor and the Controller of Death and Hell.  He can lock the door in death – so a person does not enter the Kingdom, and to open the door to resurrect a person to life in the Kingdom.

Finally, John explains the stars and the golden lampstands we are holding in the back of our minds:

“Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.  As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

Note quickly that the things recorded in the book of Revelation will happen – they must happen.

The seven stars stand for the seven angels of the seven churches.  What does that mean?  The word that is translated “angel” can also be translated “messenger.”  We know in this case, it cannot mean the being that is called an angel, because God will condemn some of these in the “letters” to the churches.  So, we must go with the other interpretation – messengers – here, ministers, because ministers do sin, and some are condemned.

And, again, there is the number seven, which we saw means complete or perfection – and so forth.  So, the seven stars are the ministers of the seven churches – the minsters of the real, historical seven churches that will be addressed in the next chapter – and the complete roster of all the ministers who will ever live throughout time and space.

          And the seven lampstands are the seven churches – the real historical churches that will now be addressed, and every church throughout time and space.

          To the seven churches in Turkey – and all the churches throughout time and space – and the seven ministers of the seven churches in Turkey – and all the minsters throughout time and space:

          Be comforted and have hope!  Jesus is the Son of Man, the Almighty and Sovereign God Who is carrying out His Plan, the tender Shepherd, our Prophet, Priest, and King, Who brings all of those who ever believe savingly in Him into His everlasting Kingdom.

          Currently, in the United States, we are not – for the most part – being flogged and flayed, and stoned, and crucified and beheaded for our faith – Christians in other countries are – but not in the United States – not yet.  When it does come, remember Who the Son of Man is and what He has done to save everyone who will believe – and remember, as we saw last time, Jesus loves you.

          Let us pray:

          Almighty God, Father, Holy Spirit, and Son, we thank You for identifying Yourself and Your Persons to the seven churches and to all of us in the very beginning of the book of Revelation.  Give us the hope and comfort You intend through reading and hearing and obeying this book.  And may the thanks and the glory be Yours.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"Him Who Loves Us" Sermon: Revelation 1:4-8 (manuscript)

 

“Him Who Loves Us”

Revelation 1:4-8

October 1, 2023 YouTube

          As we opened the book of Revelation, we saw that it is the Word of God – infallible and inerrant – and thus, it is right for us to read it.  As Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17, ESV).

          John explains that this Word was given by God the Father to Jesus to an angel to John to the servants of God – the things which must happen soon.  And everyone who reads and hears and obeys this book will be blessed.  You will have peace, contentment, and joy.

          Our text this morning tells us to whom this letter is sent:

“John to the seven churches that are in Asia:”

The Word of God that was given to John to be sent to the servants of God, here, are particularly named as the “seven churches that are in Asia.”

What is called Asia or Asia Minor, here, we now call Turkey. The churches that are named form a semi-circle in Asia, and since all seven are mentioned in the text to come, it is obvious that this is a letter that was passed from one church to another.  There are specific messages for each of the seven churches, but the bulk of the letter is for all of them – and for more than them.

The New Testament names more than these seven churches in Asia. So, what is going on here?  Are they the only churches that have issues to address?  Is the message of Revelation to be kept secret from all the other churches in Asia – and around the world?

No, remember we said that apocalyptic literature like the book of Revelation is written with symbols and numbers that have to be interpreted to understand what is being said.  In this case, Revelation is using first century Jewish symbols and numbers that the Romans would not understand to get the message to the believing Jews and Gentiles, but not to the Romans.

So, what does the number “seven” indicate?  In Jewish numerology, “seven” indicates completion, perfection, and other similar words.  So, this letter is written and sent to the real seven church that are named in the chapters to come, but it is also sent to all churches and all believers – Christians – throughout time and space.  This letter is for you and me and Second Reformed and all the other churches and Christians.

“Grace to you and peace”

Grace and peace are given to believers by God. Grace is the unmerited gift of God. Peace are the blessings that God gives by grace.

“from him who is and who was and who is to come,”

We might rightly guess that this is a reference to God the Father.  As we read in Exodus, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14, ESV).

“and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,”

Let’s figure this out: “Seven” signifies complete and perfect.  These “seven spirits” are those who give grace and peace – just like we have seen God the Father do.  But only God can give grace and peace, so the “seven spirits” must be God the Holy Spirit.  There is no other option.

And we might ask, but he says “spirits.”  God the Holy Spirit is One, but there are times when He is spoken of in the plural to show His fulness.

We remember in Isaiah 11:2, “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (ESV).  These are God the Holy Spirit.

And we ask again, “But if this is God the Holy Spirit, why does it say He is “before” the throne, rather than on the throne?”

Being One God in Trinity, God sits on His throne.  What is being indicated here is the activity and power of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit goes out from the throne to cause people to believe in Jesus Alone for salvation and to enable the servants of God to do all that He has commanded.

“and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.”

Grace and peace also come from Jesus Christ. 

He is the faithful witness. He is the faithful witness to Who God is and the salvation He grants through Jesus which we find centered in the cross.  He and His Gospel are the encouragement as we are persecuted and suffer for the His sake.

He is the firstborn from the dead.  He is the firstborn to be resurrected from the dead, conquering it and ruling right now.  He is the firstborn in the sense of the quality of His resurrection.  And He is the firstborn, indicating that there are other latter-born – we are the younger brothers and sisters of Jesus.

So, what do we have so far:

The letter of Revelation was written to seven, real and specific churches that existed when John wrote.  The letter is also written to every believer, Christian, and church throughout time and space.

And He is God in Trinity – Father, Spirit, and Jesus Christ, the Son – who gives grace and peace to all those who believing savingly in Jesus.

Now, John breaks into the first doxology – the first hymn of praise – in the book of Revelation:

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Praise be to Him – Jesus – Who loves us.  Did you hear that?  “Him who loves us.”  It doesn’t say, Him Who loved us, it says Him Who loves us. Jesus loves us from all eternity past, He loves us right now on October 1, 2023, and He loves us throughout all of eternity.  Praise be to Him.

Jesus has freed us from the Wrath of God for our sins.  His blood paid the debt to God for our sins, and we are eternally forgiven. Jesus took our place to receive the full Wrath of God for our sins in what is called the “Substitutionary Atonement.”  Jesus is our Substitute before the Father, and Jesus makes us right with God.

And that blood has made us a kingdom and priests to God the Father.

God told Moses to tell Israel, “’Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel” (Exodus 19:5-6, ESV). Israel was told that if they were perfectly obedient, they would be a kingdom and priests to God.

The believers in Israel and of the Gentiles are continued in the Church today, and the believers in the Church today are the Israel of God.  Believers throughout time and space are a kingdom of God:  a kingdom of priests to God.

As Peter writes, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (I Peter 2:9-10, ESV).

As the people of God who are a kingdom and priests to Him, how do we carry out our service as priests?

The author of Hebrews writes, “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:15-16, ESV).

Our primary work as priests of God is to serve, honor, worship, and praise Him.  Jesus has made the sacrificing of animals and their blood unnecessary since He has offered Himself up and shed His blood, so we are called as priests to praise God in all that we do and say as our priestly sacrifice.

“to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

As believers and priests, we praise God acknowledging that to Him Alone belongs the glory – His Splendor and Worthiness, and to Him Alone belongs the dominion – the sovereign rule over everything and everyone throughout time and space.  Glory and dominion are His forever and ever, eternally His, and never ours.  Amen!

John writes, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.”

Jesus says, “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30, ESV).

Daniel records, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14, ESV).

God says, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10, ESV).

And at the Ascension, we read:

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:9-11, ESV).

The point of reading these verses from the Old and New Testament is to show that there is agreement about this issue regarding the return of Jesus:  Jesus will return with the clouds just as He ascended to the Right Hand of the Father, and when Jesus returns, every eye in heaven and on earth throughout all of the created order will see His return, and those who pierced Him on that day, and those who pierced Him in never believing that He is God the Savior, all of these from every nation will wail and weep – not in repentance – but in anger:  “How can it be You?!  I hate You!  How dare You place demands on me?!  You deserved to die!”

And John writes, “Even so. Amen.”  “Even so” and “Amen” mean the same thing, “so it will be.”  This is something that must be.  So, the meaning is repeated twice, and we know that repetition indicates emphasis.  So, these things must really, really take place.  The ones who never believe will see Jesus’ return and understand that they will receive the full Wrath of God, and they hate Him.

So, we see that Jesus loves all those who believe throughout time and space from eternity past through eternity future, and today.  He became our Substitute before the Father and took our place in receiving the Wrath of God for our sin, so we are forgiven.  And Jesus will return as He was received to His throne at the Ascension, and He will come to the anger and horror of all those who never believe.

This section ends with one of the only statements by God the Father in the book of Revelation:

“’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

Isaiah quotes God, “Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he” (Isaiah 41:4, ESV).

“Alpha” and “Omega” are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  If God is the first and the last, He is sovereign over everything throughout all of history.  From the beginning to the end and in the new heavens and the new earth, everything is under the sovereign control of God – everything is following God’s Sovereign Plan.  Even the devil – who is not in control of this world – can only act as God wills and gives permission.  The devil has no authority or power over God.

          And again, God states His Sovereignty over all things saying that He is now, He was from before all thing, and He is to come to set up His kingdom on earth.  He is the Almighty.  He has all power.  He is Sovereign over every molecule and the greatest kingdoms that will ever be.

          In that day, Christians were suffering torture and death at the hands of the Romans.  “Renounce this Jesus, or we will flay you, or burn you alive, or decapitate you, or stone you, or crucify you.”

          As this text is read and heard and obeyed, the answer Christians ought to give is, “No, this Jesus Who loves me, took my place, suffered and died for me and has made me right before God.  He is Sovereign over all of history. And He is returning to bring us into glory and to punish the wicked.”

Paul, who suffered at the hands of Jews and Gentiles, writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18, ESV).

Knowing that John is recording a message of hope and comfort to the Christians of the first century – and to all those who believe – until the return of Jesus, remember that Jesus is He Who loves us.  Jesus loves all believers.  Jesus loves you.  Jesus loves me.  No matter what is happening now, Jesus loves us now, and He is bringing us into the fulness of His Kingdom.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, from day to day, we forget that the Triune God gives us grace and peace.  We forget the Jesus, our Savior, loves us right now, and He saved us by His blood and has made us His – to serve and worship and praise the Triune God. Forgive us for doubting You and Your Sovereignty.  Cause the Holy Spirit to make us truly believe that no matter what we endure – even being put to death by the government – the glory You are bringing us into is greater than our suffering.  Your plan is coming to pass. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.