And next week as we get into chapters four and five. Enoch walked with God on earth and continued to walk with him in the heavenly places. [Note: Beasley-Murray, p. Jesus Christ will mark his faithful ones with his new name: what that name was we need not even speculate, for no man knows it ( Revelation 19:12), but in the time to come, when Christ has conquered all, his faithful ones will bear the badge which shows that they are his and share his triumph. The Protestant reads the Bible more at liberty, which is a real good and precious boon; but for this very reason, the Protestant incurs no light responsibility. This may well stand for the beauties of life and character which only the grace of Christ can give. Sardis, Watch! Blessed shall he be who only wanted to know the Lord's will that he might do it unquestioningly, caring nothing what the will of other people might be in the matter. Laodicea, The Claims Of Christ ( Revelation 3:14-22 Continued). Jesus doesn't care. That God should have chosen John to be the instrument of communicating the closing volume of the New Testament is worthy of our consideration. Until less than a hundred years ago great markets were regularly held on its site. Churches with few men of learning or eloquence in them may yet be greatly approved of the Lord, who cares more for grace than learning, more for faith than talent. By implication, this deliverance will coincide with Christs return mentioned in the very next verse: I will come soon (Revelation 3:11). It was on the edge of a great plain called the Katakekaumene ( G2618) , which means the Burned Land. Read full chapter Footnotes On this monumental pillar there shall be an honourable inscription, as in those cases is usual. [48] Edward A. McDowell, The Meaning and Message of the Book of Revelation (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1951), p. 58. There is a general theory abroad that it is quite right and proper to point out to a brother all his imperfections, for it will be a salutary medicine to him, and prevent his being too happy in this vale of tears. We have most of us heard what conflicts he had, and not merely at the beginning of his career but to the end. the Jews). (2.) "I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.". The man who will not submit to Christ has necessarily resisted him. You will sing as we did just now, and as I sang very heartily, "Let all the forms that men devise Assault my soul with treacherous art I'll call them vanity and lies, And bind the gospel to my heart.". I should not wonder that the kindly words of God's people may be but a rehearsal of that "Well done, good and faithful servant" which will one day sound in their ears; and be a useful rehearsal, too, helping them on their weary way. Nothing can be simpler. That is what the Philadelphian Church would see, at least in its beginnings, if its members were faithful. Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches that receive no blame from the Lord, but only praise and encouragement. Furthermore, in addition to the inner possession and the hearty belief of the truth, we must be ready to adhere to it at all times. Revelation 3 - Jesus' Letters to the Churches (Continued) A. ( Acts 20:29-31). "And Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him" ( Genesis 5:24). I believe that result is sure to follow holy conversation and sound preaching. But in the meantime I share the truth of God with those that accept, with those that believe. The result was that twenty pounds weight of gold was seized as contraband in Laodicea and one hundred pounds in Apameia in Phrygia. Good men in the dark days of Popery found out the truth, but they only lived, perhaps, in some quiet village, or shut up in a monastery, and the most they could do was to write down what they knew and so keep it. You will be shielded from half the temptations that fret and worry professors if you take your place and keep it against all comers. ( Rev. That is exactly what the church ought to have been and was not; and therefore He has to take that place Himself. It means: "Never stop keeping the commands of the gospel." "Write therefore [which is undoubtedly genuine] the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and what shall be hereafter." He believed the Lord will come for His saints, meet them in the air, and descend with them to the earth immediately. In the Sunday-school there are little children that you will be the means of bringing to Christ if you take a class; and out at the street corners there are folks that you will turn to the Saviour if you have but the courage to stand up and preach. The church in Sardis: At the time Jesus spoke these words to John, the ancient city of Sardis had seen its best days and had started to decline. The hour needs its man quite as much as the man needs the hour. The terrible thing about sin is that it can take the loveliest things and turn them into ugliness. (a) He must have seen with his own eyes that of which he tells. The Lord bids them in effect to have nothing to do with her, and He will give the true power when He takes it Himself. Oh, that men who have ten talents would not be so anxious to be original in their teaching! No commandment appears more frequently in the New Testament than that to watch. In Revelation 3:9 the promise of the Risen Christ is that some day the Jews who slander the Christians will kneel before them. ], "Probably the most debated verse in the whole discussion about the time of the Churchs rapture is Revelation 3:10." Now I ask any fair mind, whose style does this identification of nature suit but the writer that we are now reading? The Lord accordingly presents Himself with similar latitude. His coming is their joy, and for this they watch more than watchman for the dawn. The characteristics are general. The problem is that the words "because you have a little strength, and because you have kept my word, and have not denied my name," can go equally well with what precedes them or with what follows. If a disputer can once get you away from the Bible, he can swallow you alive; but if you will keep to Scripture, and handle this weapon, "It is written; it is written," the disputer may be the arch-fiend himself, but he cannot possibly get the victory over you. The star, as we are told here, so far acted upon the church for good. "Be watchful, stand firm in your faith," he urges ( 1 Corinthians 16:13). There will be indifference to all that is good; and the only kind of zeal, if there be zeal, will be for what is bad. No wonder that Laodicea could boast that it was rich and had amassed wealth and had need of nothing. Jesus Christ perfectly satisfied these conditions. The history of Sardis had its vivid examples of what happens to the garrison whose watch is slack. Temptation waits for our unguarded moments and then attacks. Third, the Lord also promised to come quickly (Gr. that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." ], Fourth, God promised that He will not just honor overcomers by erecting a pillar in their name in heaven, as was the custom in Philadelphia. In the old story of the kings, Abijah alone of all the sons of Jeroboam was spared because in him was found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel ( 1 Kings 14:13). In the gospel we bear of eternal life in the Son and this in the grace of God given to the believer. Sin is the killer of life's loveliness. The only possible way I can understand of exempting any from the time is by taking them out of the scene. I don't see a super church, or super saints. This seems taken up here, and applied in a far larger way for purposes suitable to the Apocalyptic prophecy. In the three previous churches it may be noticed, the call to hear is first, because the Lord is still dealing with the general conscience of the church. And I turned to see the voice which was speaking with me. Tzamalikos, P. Cambridge University Press 10.1017/CBO9781139208758, pages 120-120, 2013. . We have taken them with the words which precede them. James spoke with respect and admiration of the man who kept himself "unstained from the world" ( James 1:27). Faith sees that the blessed One, the holy and the true, is the same that has the key of David. In glory it is just the same, as we see in the book before us. Nothing is more common among Protestants, than to admit a thing to be perfectly true because it is in the word of God, without the smallest intention or thought of acting upon it. Here we are evidently on broad ground. The disciples go and give the message of him that they followed. 54. The trial was not unlimited: the Lord defined the term of their endurance. The faithful, staunch, God-fearing men that would not budge an inch, or change a letter, or shape a syllable, to please all the kings and princes of the earth, shall be found to praise and honour in the day of the Lord's appearing. They did it under great disadvantages, but that only helped to increase the weight of praise measured out to them. This clearly is what He was on the earth. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars." Daniel is clothed in purple by Belshazzar ( Daniel 5:29). Many say that we ought to keep "abreast of the times," whatever that may mean; and that there is a certain "spirit of the age," to which we should be subject. Where was the endurance of hope? He shall be a monumental pillar in the temple of God; not a pillar to support the temple (heaven needs no such props), but a monument of the free and powerful grace of God, a monument that shall never be defaced nor removed, as many stately pillars erected in honour to the Roman emperors and generals have been. If even what belongs to the world be touched, they are in no small agitation about it. tachy, soon; cf. And here we have for our instruction the fact, that the synagogue of Satan of those who say they are Jews, and are not revives. "Thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith." I hold one single sentence out of God's word to be of more certainty, and of more power, than all the discoveries of all the learned men of all the ages. Here the Lord seems to me to notice its working at the same time that God was in a measure using for good those that were faithful in the heathen persecutions. Laodicea had certain characteristics which have left their mark on the letter written to it. This seems to imply His own willingness to die, as indeed He became what did not belong to Him personally, and what in short seemed extraordinarily incongruous with the glorious person that had been already described. 1. 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. In the beginning was the Word, that the word was with God, all things were made by Him. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.". (iii) We see human responsibility. Revelation 3:10, NASB : Because you have kept Myword of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of thetesting, that hour which is about to come upon the wholeworld, totest those who live on the earth. We have yet the last epistle to the angel of the church in Laodicea. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. The time came when the narrow space on the top of the plateau was too small for the expanding city; and Sardis grew round the foot of the spur on which the citadel stood. Again there is a double background. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, [and here it is, because you've kept His Word], I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the eaRuth ( Revelation 3:10 ). Some think it a great thing to be members of a popular sect, but when the great curtain rolls up, and all things are seen as they are, and not as they seem, do you not think that that church will be most commended which was truest to the teaching of the Holy Spirit in everything? The Gospel; so called because it gives an account of the patience of Christ, in the midst of all his outward meanness and humiliation; and because it is a means of implanting and increasing the grace of patience, which God is the efficient cause of, and Christ is the example of; that patience, which bears a resemblance to his, in enduring afflictions, reproaches, persecutions, desertions, and temptations, and in waiting for his kingdom and glory; and because both the preachers and professors of the word have need of patience, and should exercise it in like manner as Christ did. Jesus will protect Christians who persevere through trials (cp. First I would remind you that our text has in it A WORD OF PRAISE. And so the fullness of the Spirit as it dwelt in Jesus, Isaiah the eleventh chapter. The Risen Christ bids the Philadelphians hold to what they have, that no one may take their crown ( Revelation 3:11). 3. May we not presume that it is for the express purpose of graciously encouraging His servants as well as to anticipate the doubts and cavils of unbelief? (b) It is just possible that there is a reference to the custom of branding a slave with the initials of his owner to show that he belongs to him. The persevering Christian shall win the prize from backsliding professors, who once stood fair for it.". It is the only view that can honestly say that Christ could return at any moment, because it alone teaches that Christ will come to rapture the church before the 70th week of Daniel 9 or the Tribulation period begins and that nothing else must happen before His return." So, Jesus is here laying claim to that prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 22:22 . They are many and most would paint pictures which would be vivid and real to the people of Philadelphia. We long to know Your truth. On the other hand, to be clothed in fine raiment was the greatest honour. The road from Ephesus to the east and to Syria was the most important in Asia. This does not mean that they would be actually kept from calamity of all kinds, but that they would be kept from the temptation of apostasy in calamity. They had lost the very perception of what was for God. 102. Accordingly the division of the next chapter (Revelation 3:1-22) seems to be happy at this point. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Another strong angel = sends us back to Revelation 5:2. (c) In any land and time white is the colour of purity, and the white robes may stand for the purity whose reward is to see God. Let us weigh a little more these remarkable words. Nobody cares a button about him. Here we have for the first time the formal recognition of saints not included in the public state of the assembly, yet not so openly separate as was found at a later day. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. The devil himself does not trouble him much, for he knows that he will do no harm to his kingdom, let him talk as he likes. People do not care about knocking their heads against brick walls, or fighting against pillars of iron; and when they see that you are firm and unmoved, they will say, "We must let him have his own way." By keeping the gospel they are prepared for the trial; and the same divine grace that has made them fruitful in times of peace will make them faithful in times of persecution. And this is seen to be the occasion of the letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. Then John describes himself in a manner adapted to the testimony he is called to render. God was breaking down some of these barriers. This can hardly be denied to Jezebel at least; whilst "the remnant" represents those who, without being Protestants, form a witnessing company apart from popery, yet before the rise of Protestantism. Directly opposite Laodicea, on the other bank of the Lycus, and in full view, stood Hierapolis, famous for its hot mineral springs. In that enervating atmosphere the Christian Church too had lost its vitality and was a corpse instead of a living Church. To this purpose are saints sent into the world to keep this treasure of the church against all adversaries. The Book is our ultimatum. "Behold, I come quickly!" It was not yet a question of coming out from the public body. To get rid of him, Christian said to Hopeful, "Now we will talk a little about experimental godliness and when they began to speak about what they had tasted and handled of divine truth, Mr. Chatterbox dropped behind. To have one's name written in the book of life is to be numbered amongst the faithful citizens of the Kingdom of God. "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King" ( Isaiah 43:15). Remember, Christ praises FAITHFULNESS, not success. There is the desire to be great, to be esteemed of men, "rich, and increased in goods, and in need of nothing." That is my only hope. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the church ( Revelation 3:13 ). There is an old Latin saying that "the gods walk on feet that are wrapped in wool." He is seen in His glorious return to this earth in defeat of His enemies. Now we have the church of Philadelphia, the faithful remnant. There are two possible pictures here. I am not now speaking of what was done out of superstition, either to Mary or the church, when each was made a sort of bona Dea, but of the fruit of looking to Christ however simply. I take it to be this: that the Lord had in view not necessarily an elder, nor a teacher, but one who might be either or both, and before His mind truly represented, and was in a special way bound up with the responsibility of the state of the assembly. 3:14-22 And to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write: These things says the Amen, the witness on whom you can rely and who is true, the moving cause of the creation of God. The condemnation of Laodicea begins with a picture of almost crude vividness; because the Laodiceans are neither cold nor hot, they have about them a kind of nauseating quality, which will make the Risen Christ vomit them out of his mouth. II. The hour of temptation will catch them, no matter where they may hide. Philadelphia, Titles And Claims ( Revelation 3:7-13 Continued). (2.) 1. 3:1-6 And to the angel of the Church in Sardis, write: These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. In the sentence, "You have kept my word, and have not denied my name," both the verbs are in the aorist tense, which describes one definite act in past time; and the implication is that there had been some time of trial out of which the Philadelphian Church had emerged triumphantly true. He still loves the church in this apostate condition. Men's scheme was a mistake, their flight foolish. 3. Scripture does not reveal Jesus Christs new name elsewhere. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. It is quite another thing for Christians. Satan's synagogue. I know it from this fact that, as a general rule, the man that keeps God's word has an open door before him. The exact meaning of the words is to be noted. We shall find it in relation to Christ dealing with church matters in Revelation 3:1-22; we shall find it in His relation to the earth inRevelation 5:1-14; Revelation 5:1-14: but it is always the fulness of the Spirit in governmental power, and not the same Spirit viewed in His unity forming the church into one body. This is the reason why they were golden. (a) They had received and heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are we content to be little, my friends? Supposing that we have not such big heads as some have, and cannot excogitate or multiply sophisms and inventions as they do, it will be no small thing to be commended at the last, in these terms "Thou hast a little strength, but thou hast kept my word." I can understand of exempting any from the world be touched, they are many and would. 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