Shafter Church of Christ

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17 Aug: Churches: Thyatira

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 2:18-29).

Description of Jesus – Jesus first identified Himself as the “Son of God”, reminding them of His deity (cf. John 1 & 5:17-18). He then said He had “eyes like a flame of fire”. This was a reminder of His power of perception and that nothing could be hidden from Him. He also has “feet…like burnished bronze” so He could tread them under His feet in an act of divine judgment. We need to have a faith and knowledge of who it is that we worship and trust in! As found in Jesus’ prayer in John 17 we need to know that our Savior is one with the creator of this universe. And as God’s children we are one with Him also.
Current circumstances – These brethren were not facing persecution as others were. However, they did have a woman among them who was identified as “Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess”. She was tempting the Christians in Thyatira to commit immorality and participate in idol worship. They, like the church in Pergamum, were tolerating sin within their church – 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Commendations – The Lord mentioned their love, faith, service, and perseverance. He also said, “Your deeds of late are greater than at first” indicating that their growth and progress were admirable. 1 Cor 3:1-3 “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able for you are ill fleshly…”. Heb 5:12,13 “ For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” 1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation”. There is an obvious expectation in Scripture that we are to grow, mature and develop as Christians with regard to our knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and our faith and trust in our relationship with Him.
Condemnations – Despite the good they were doing, they were also tolerating “Jezebel,” who was leading Christians astray, and not trying to oppose or stop her. This woman was leading some of the brethren to compromise their faith and morals in order to be like the world. Not all of them were caught up in this but some had been led astray. 1 Cor 16:13 ““Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” In Ephesians 6:13, Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God, which serves as a protective measure against spiritual battles. This armor equips us to stand firm in our beliefs and resist any negative influences that seek to undermine our faith. 1 Cor 15:33 “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” Rom 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Eph 4:11-14 “And He gave some . . . . for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the statute which belongs to the fullness of Christ. that we henceforth be no longer children, tossed and there by the waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men and their cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”. In order for us to remain faithful, we need to continually be immersing our mind and heart with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. If and when we do not do this there are consequences for our failures and misguided behavior!
Punishment for sin – The Lord promised “tribulation” for Jezebel and her followers. This divine judgment – in whatever form it would take – would be apparent to the other churches. This would happen after she was given time to repent and refused to do so. We need to beware of the philosophies taught by this world and not be carried off into its wisdom or way of life. Romans 1:24 “Therefore God have them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity…” Three times in Romans 1 it states that God gave them over to their passions. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves in the same condition as this Jezebel or the Prodigal Son as he fed the Pigs. 1 Peter 2:1-5 “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. And coming to Him as to a living stone which … you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Following the teachings of Christ, we cannot serve two masters. We are living for the Lord or we are living according to the teachings of Satan. Matthew 7:15-19 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. …. Every good true bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. … A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
So the question is whether we are producing good fruit or bad fruit – remembering that “NO” fruit qualifies for the punishment of bad fruit. If you remember, Jesus cursed one fig tree because is was fruitless and the one talent man was thrown out into eternal darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. On the other hand –

Reward for faithfulness – Jesus promised His disciples that they would have “authority over the nations” and would reign with Him, a reminder that He was the ultimate authority, not the powerful forces around them. They would also be given “the morning star” which is identified later by Jesus as Himself In other words, by remaining faithful, they would enjoy the blessings of fellowship with Him. Revelation 3:21 “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Conclusion

We face the temptation to sin all of the time. Yet at times, this influence can even come from within the church. If tolerated, it will spread, and we will no longer be distinguishable as the Lord’s church.

In some ways, the situation of the church in Thyatira was much like the one described in Paul’s first letter to Corinth: 1 Cor 5:1,2 “It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.”

The Corinthians were boasting over how “tolerant” they were toward the brother who was engaged in sin and refused to repent. Paul told them to “deliver such a one to Satan” (1 Cor 5:4,5). This is the lesson for us today. We must not tolerate sinful behavior within the church (and/or our lives).

Let us instead continue in love, faith, service, and perseverance and keep ourselves from becoming like the world.

10 Aug: Churches: Pergamum Rev 2:12-17

Rev 2:12-17: “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it’”

Current circumstances – They were, figuratively, dwelling where Satan’s throne was. The Lord identified a disciple named Antipas as “My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you”. The Greek word witness (martys) is where we get the word martyr.
Apparently, the faith of at least one believer lost his life here on this earth because of his Christian Walk. We may not be called upon to offer our life for our faith, but we ARE called to take up our cross and follow Him! The Lord says that we cannot serve two masters. And two master’s there are: Ephesians 2:1,2 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 2 Cor 4:4 “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” John 12:31 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” A couple of these verses explains that serving the master of this world is going to lead to death. And what is one of the messages of Revelations, if not THE message – that God is going to be victorious over Satan and his army. Victorious means defeating and casting into the lake of fire those who serve Satan.

On the other side of the equation is the other master who we COULD chose to follow: John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Romans 5:18 “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.” 1 John 5:11 “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” So the choice is ours to make – we serve one or the other.

Description of Jesus – Jesus identified Himself to this church as “the One who has the sharp two-edged sword” (2:13). In the previous chapter, this “sharp two-edged sword” was described as coming “out of His mouth” (1:16). This signifies His words, teaching, and instructions. This is also a clear reference to “the word of God [which is] is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). In this city there was a famous library with some 200,000 books. The Lord is reminding them of the importance and power of His words. John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God . . . .” Rom 15:4 / 1 Cor 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction . . . .” 2 Tim 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Commendations – “and you held fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” They held fast to the name of Christ, and they did not deny Him, even during the persecution that claimed one of their own. This is unlike those Christians represented in the parable of the Sower: Mtt 13:20,21 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.” And Jesus Himself has warned us: Mtt 24:24 “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” And similarly we were told earlier: Rev 2:10 ““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 life as your victor’s crown.”

So it does not matter what circumstances come into our live – in each and every circumstance we have to decide which master we are going to serve. Paul encourages us in Hebrews: Heb 10:23 ““Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” And also in his letter to Timothy were are given this example to follow: 2 Tim 4:7 ““I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” WE, each and every one of us need to hold on to the hope and promise of a life with the Lord after this world is over.

Condemnations – Despite their refusal to deny Christ, they were compromising their faith and tolerating the false religion and sinful practices of the people around them. Some of them held the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans This condemns their tolerant acceptance of these false teachers, unlike the church at Ephesus, which was commended for refusing to accept such individuals (Rev 2:3, 6). The “teaching of the Nicolaitans” included adopting pagan worship and committing acts of immorality. 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world”. Matt 7:15,16 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. . . . .” 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”
Punishment for sin – The Lord warned that He would come and “make war against [the false teachers] with the sword of [His] mouth” (Revelation 2:16). The implication is that those who tolerated them would be caught up in that punishment. We are told in Mtt 7:15ff that we are to beware the false prophets and we can know them by their fruit – and every tree which bears bad fruit will be cut down in thrown into the fire. Rev 20:10 “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Mtt 13:41,42 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
On the other side of the coin are those who ARE faithful: Reward for faithfulness – If they would repent, they would receive “hidden manna, …a white stone, and a new name” This signifies that the Lord would sustain them and claim them as His own. Mtt 24:13 “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Rom 2:7 “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” Gal 6:9 ““Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Rev 2:10 ““Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

CONCLUSION: To obtain that promised crown of life we must be faithful and persevere for the kingdom of God. We also must not participate nor allow false teachings to enter into our worship and/or into our lives. Rom 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”

When false teachings are encountered, we must remove it so that it does not spread and lead to further sin. In numerous places God Himself warned Israel not to fraternize with the other nations and thus be led into idolatry and other sinful ways: Deut 7:2-5 “and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. 3“Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. 4“For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you. 5“But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, and smash their sacred pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire.”

In a likewise fashion Paul warned the Galatians about this at the beginning of his letter to them: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Gal 1:6-9).

Changing the gospel makes it a different gospel, which will never allow us to please the Lord. And the danger is not just in what we personally believe and practice; it also includes the ones we accept into our fellowship who are not worshipping according to truth. Notice what John wrote: “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11).

Let us be focused, on target and servants of the truth!