The Conduct in the Churches that Jesus Notes
The Book of Revelation #3
The conduct in the churches that Jesus notes:
CONDUCT = Ephesus is warned: “Repent, and do the works you did at first, …” Rev 2:5
This is not addressed to us as individuals; this is addressed to a church. Churches often start well, full of enthusiasm, and then fade as things settle into routine. Complacency settles in. Read the account in Acts 19 about the early days of the church at Ephesus. The Ephesians were the guardians of “Dianna’s image/rock” which fell from heaven (a meteor ?) which all of Asia thought was a gift from the goddess Dianna to them, a token of her presence with them, where they could enquire of her for help etc. The great temple of Dianna was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Artemis .
They practiced all kinds of demon worshipping rituals there, for remember, the Greek Mythological system was demon worship; their gods (theoi) were demons. Paul clearly says, “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils/demons.” 1Co 10:20
So huge was the Cult of Dianna, that when those who wanted to follow Christ, burned their books and paraphernalia, it total 50,000 pieces of silver (Act 19:19); even if that was a mere $50,000 US Dollars, that was a huge amount of money. And this did not include the books and paraphernalia the pagans continued to hold; they would not have burned their stuff, they continued to worship the Dianna and the demons; this is only the value of the stuff those people who were convicted that this was wrong burned. Their conviction was due to the evil spirit attaching the 7 sons of Sceva, when they tried to cast him out, claiming to be using the name of Jesus (Act 19:15).
The entire Greek and Roman Mythological system was one big system of demon worship.
What church do you know that has had such a dramatic, in the face of the un-believing multitude, city-wide, start? The church of Ephesus started so well, but then petered out, and Christ rebukes them for that!
Jesus does not want us to be polite, socially un-offensive people. He wants us to challenge head on, the pagan society in which we live; and make no mistake, America today, in 2024, is 110% pagan. We need not be obnoxious, rude, etc, but we must not be silent.
If we lose our zealous fervor, we become salt that has lost its saltiness, and is good for nothing!
Pastor, Elder, Deacon it is your job to awaken your flock, and then lead the charge and attack the gates of hell.
Do a Google search for witches covens in your town, and you will be amazed how pervasive demon worship is right in your own backyard!
CONDUCT = Smyrna is commended: “I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich).” Rev 2:9
So much for the “Prosperity Gospel”! The saints at Smyrna were in fact poor! But NO, they are rich! They were poor in the things of the world, but they were rich in faith, which lead to the attacks of Satan upon them. It would seem they challenged the statements of these “Jews”, whether real Jews or some sort of cult is not relevant, and in so doing incurred the wrath of Satan, which shows that Satan uses false Christians to infiltrate local churches, to do them harm; none-the-less, these people must be challenged!
So not only do the Christians at Smyrna put the lie to the “Prosperity Gospel”, they put the lie to the teaching that says Christians will always have peace, that God will always protect us: they suffered tribulation.
They are commended for challenging the pagan world; and when Satan’s wrath is unleashed against them, that wrath is shortened, but not prevented. Christian as you obey, you will suffer. Church of Jesus Christ, as we hold forth the gospel light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Php 2:15), those crocked and perverse people, who are in fact the devils’ people, will seek to do us harm, and the Lord may not protect us.
Think of Cain and Abel: “Cain, who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s works were righteous. Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you.” 1Jn 3:12-13
Abel was murdered!
CONDUCT = Pergamum is commended: “I know your works and where you live, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Rev 2:13
While the statement, “this is my father’s world” it true, yet, there are geographic locations where Satan not only dwells, but where, in a special way, his throne is: where he rules in a special, more decisive way. Where is Satan’s throne today? I do not know, but it is somewhere on this earth. Remember the whole world lies (reclines) in the lap of the evil one (1Jn 5:19).
Satan is alive and well, and is still the active enemy of Truth, and of Jesus, and of Jesus’ people; he wants us dead! Think of Job, of Daniel, of Peter, of Paul, of Jesus himself.
There is a cloud of witnesses watching us from heaven (Heb 12:1), and Antipas is one of them. He did not shrink back from death; let us do the same.
As Ignatius was en-route to Rome to be tried and murdered in the Coliseum (sometime around 108-140 AD), he sent a letter ahead to the Christians in Rome, and said, “Now am I beginning to be a disciple.”
CONDUCT = Sardis is warned: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfected (fulfilled) before God.” Rev 3:2
This is not saying the works were not perfect in the sense of “sinless” or “well done”; they were not fulfilled, they were not finished; they stopped half-way, they did not finish. That is why he says “ready to die”; they did not take advantage of the opportunities he gave them, they fell into sin.
That is why he says “some have not soiled there garments,” they were ones who had not fallen into sin.
That is why he said “overcome,” they were people who had quit half-way there.
The world allured them, and they turned off the narrow path, and went to Vanity Fair (Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress). The world got them! Like Demas, they loved this present age (2Ti 4:10)
Jesus clearly says, “You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Mat 10:22 While we cannot lose our salvation, that means something.
CONDUCT = Philadelphia is encouraged: I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Rev 3:8
By great contrast, Philadelphia is told “they have little strength, but they have kept on, and not denied Jesus name” either by forsaking him to the allurements of the world, or by denying him in the face of satanic attack / persecution.
What a contrast between Sardis and Philadelphia!
Philadelphia with little strength keeps on keeping on. Christian, do you look down on yourself, at your lack of grace and strength and wisdom and knowledge? The Lord does not judge by those measures, he judges by our keeping on, and not denying his word or his name!
“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luk 12:8-9
CONDUCT = Laodicea is warned: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.” Rev 3:15
Laodicea just did not care abut spiritual things. They said, “We are rich”; but Jesus says “NO”!
Is this not the case of so many Christians today – lukewarm; true, born-again, evangelical Christians, but … lukewarm!
If you notice, there are common denominators in the situations of all these churches:
Satan is an enemy
the world is an enemy
laziness is an enemy
riches are an enemy
Some overcame; some did not.
12 June 2024