Chapter 2: The Testimonies for the Church
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalm 19:7,8
Jesus begins with seven letters for the church, using that ancient number to indivisibly connect the closing book of the New Testament cannon with the book beginning the Old, “And on the seventh day God ended His work.” Gen. 2:2. That number holds the same reverence today as it did in the days of Adam, Moses and John. The Old and the New cannons form one interwoven whole. Everything in the old Book is relevant. The New beautifies the Old, the Old undergirds the New. The Old is full of grievous chastening; but the New yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness from those who will be exercised by the Old.
Gentle yet serious, straight talk full of reproof, encouragement, and hope come to John, so reminiscent of the Jesus he loved. As in a moment of time, they are given for church periods down through the Christian dispensation. And we should look at each church closely, for the sequence of letters applies not to the whole dispensation alone, but to our church, and our personal experience with heaven today.
Ephesus (chap:vs) 2:1: To the church representing the current church of John’s day the message came (paraphrased), “You have lost your first love. Remember the covenant We had when We started, and return to it.” First and of the highest priority to God is the relationship we must have with Him. Losing this is the beginning of the end, “or your lamp will go out and I will take it away.” Then pressed again with repeated emphasis yet ever gently the Saviour urges, “So repent.” “I will be a tree of life to him that overcomes the spirit of the world’s self-sufficiency...” Although still appearing pure and loyal, even by John’s day the apostolic church was in increasing danger of sliding away from the gospel.
Smyrna (2:8): Times were to get rough. “I know your motives and tribulation and poverty (you who have invested in heaven) and I know the hypocrisy of those who say they are of spiritual Israel, and are not, but are really of the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of these things which you will suffer...Be faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life.” A time of trouble and persecution for the church was foretold. The majority of the church did not return to its first love and Christ would allow Satan to buffet it. The half-hearted brought disdain upon the whole of Christianity in the eyes of the Roman Empire as Satan pitted spiritual backsliders to work contrary to the spirit of Christ, and they became the cause of the greatest persecution to the faithful element.
Pergamos (2:12): Love and trust would continue to be slighted by the church and those qualities would disappear. Now, Jesus’ rebukes come across even stronger. “These things says He that has a sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth, I know your display of righteousness, and I know you are dwelling in Satan’s seat. My church professes My name, but Baal worship has made deep inroads.” The church, however, is still the object of the Redemer’s supreme regard. Sadly but solemnly He pleads from the Holy Place in heaven, “Repent or I will come suddenly and fight against you.”
Thyatira (2:18): But the church would not heed His warning through the centuries, and, like Israel of old, acted like He wasn’t even there. The priests continuing their empty rituals, the monks begging from house to house, the people apathetic and ignorant of God, the Christian church of the Dark Ages was on the verge of rejection by heaven, and desperately in need of reform. Yet, so very wonderful are the patient ways of our Intercessor. “These things says the Son of God, whose eyes are like searching beams of light. I know your high worship service, your empty moral living, and great religious profession. You allow Jezebel to be your prophetess; your teachings are all complete seductions and My servants only know a prostitution of truth they believe to be true worship. I gave her opportunity to repent and she refused, so I will throw her and her servants into great tribulation—Unless they repent.”
This is promise to forgive is aimed at the dead papal church! Again and again can be heard heavy censure mingled with longsuffering mercy for wayward Christianity! But finally, sweeping with great force, the Reformation broke like the plague upon the unrelenting church. Those who discerned love in the accusations of the reformers joined with the Protestants and moved forward with the truth. Though Jesus means business, He extends mercy to the very end. He is fully committed to His people.
To those today who think they’ve gone too far from God—think again; His love does not easily let go. Angels and men who have known Him adore Him for this. “Thou art fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into Thy lips; therefore God hath blessed Thee forever.” Ps. 45:2. Do you see yourself as papal? as pagan? There is loving-kindness and grace even for you, by both Son and Father.
Then a brief message for the faithful in darkness: “But to you and the rest...as many as do not have this corrupt doctrine, and which have been preserved from the depths of Satan; I will put upon you no other burden, except that which you have already hold fast till I come.” “He that overcomes and keeps My words to the end, to him will I give power over the nations; and he will rule them with a rod of iron, even as I received of My Father. And I will put a conviction in his heart that burns like the sun.” Jesus seeks to nurture the heart of His faithful ones, not to burden them further. If they will maintain what they have, He can add to that when they are ready. They will accomplish big things if they accept the simple requirement to come in close and allow the restful influence of His friendship to do its special work.
Jesus begins with seven letters for the church, using that ancient number to indivisibly connect the closing book of the New Testament cannon with the book beginning the Old, “And on the seventh day God ended His work.” Gen. 2:2. That number holds the same reverence today as it did in the days of Adam, Moses and John. The Old and the New cannons form one interwoven whole. Everything in the old Book is relevant. The New beautifies the Old, the Old undergirds the New. The Old is full of grievous chastening; but the New yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness from those who will be exercised by the Old.
Gentle yet serious, straight talk full of reproof, encouragement, and hope come to John, so reminiscent of the Jesus he loved. As in a moment of time, they are given for church periods down through the Christian dispensation. And we should look at each church closely, for the sequence of letters applies not to the whole dispensation alone, but to our church, and our personal experience with heaven today.
Ephesus (chap:vs) 2:1: To the church representing the current church of John’s day the message came (paraphrased), “You have lost your first love. Remember the covenant We had when We started, and return to it.” First and of the highest priority to God is the relationship we must have with Him. Losing this is the beginning of the end, “or your lamp will go out and I will take it away.” Then pressed again with repeated emphasis yet ever gently the Saviour urges, “So repent.” “I will be a tree of life to him that overcomes the spirit of the world’s self-sufficiency...” Although still appearing pure and loyal, even by John’s day the apostolic church was in increasing danger of sliding away from the gospel.
Smyrna (2:8): Times were to get rough. “I know your motives and tribulation and poverty (you who have invested in heaven) and I know the hypocrisy of those who say they are of spiritual Israel, and are not, but are really of the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of these things which you will suffer...Be faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life.” A time of trouble and persecution for the church was foretold. The majority of the church did not return to its first love and Christ would allow Satan to buffet it. The half-hearted brought disdain upon the whole of Christianity in the eyes of the Roman Empire as Satan pitted spiritual backsliders to work contrary to the spirit of Christ, and they became the cause of the greatest persecution to the faithful element.
Pergamos (2:12): Love and trust would continue to be slighted by the church and those qualities would disappear. Now, Jesus’ rebukes come across even stronger. “These things says He that has a sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth, I know your display of righteousness, and I know you are dwelling in Satan’s seat. My church professes My name, but Baal worship has made deep inroads.” The church, however, is still the object of the Redemer’s supreme regard. Sadly but solemnly He pleads from the Holy Place in heaven, “Repent or I will come suddenly and fight against you.”
Thyatira (2:18): But the church would not heed His warning through the centuries, and, like Israel of old, acted like He wasn’t even there. The priests continuing their empty rituals, the monks begging from house to house, the people apathetic and ignorant of God, the Christian church of the Dark Ages was on the verge of rejection by heaven, and desperately in need of reform. Yet, so very wonderful are the patient ways of our Intercessor. “These things says the Son of God, whose eyes are like searching beams of light. I know your high worship service, your empty moral living, and great religious profession. You allow Jezebel to be your prophetess; your teachings are all complete seductions and My servants only know a prostitution of truth they believe to be true worship. I gave her opportunity to repent and she refused, so I will throw her and her servants into great tribulation—Unless they repent.”
This is promise to forgive is aimed at the dead papal church! Again and again can be heard heavy censure mingled with longsuffering mercy for wayward Christianity! But finally, sweeping with great force, the Reformation broke like the plague upon the unrelenting church. Those who discerned love in the accusations of the reformers joined with the Protestants and moved forward with the truth. Though Jesus means business, He extends mercy to the very end. He is fully committed to His people.
To those today who think they’ve gone too far from God—think again; His love does not easily let go. Angels and men who have known Him adore Him for this. “Thou art fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into Thy lips; therefore God hath blessed Thee forever.” Ps. 45:2. Do you see yourself as papal? as pagan? There is loving-kindness and grace even for you, by both Son and Father.
Then a brief message for the faithful in darkness: “But to you and the rest...as many as do not have this corrupt doctrine, and which have been preserved from the depths of Satan; I will put upon you no other burden, except that which you have already hold fast till I come.” “He that overcomes and keeps My words to the end, to him will I give power over the nations; and he will rule them with a rod of iron, even as I received of My Father. And I will put a conviction in his heart that burns like the sun.” Jesus seeks to nurture the heart of His faithful ones, not to burden them further. If they will maintain what they have, He can add to that when they are ready. They will accomplish big things if they accept the simple requirement to come in close and allow the restful influence of His friendship to do its special work.
posted by David | 10:20 AM
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