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Fundamental
Evangelistic Association
selected
articles from:
©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Christ Speaks
to the Seven Churches
And Christ's Message to the
Church in the Twenty-First Century
Part 1
by Matt Costella
©Foundation Magazine, Jan-Feb 2001
B ELIEVERS IN FUNDAMENTALIST churches today often take the
time to study and scrutinize Paul's epistles to the early New Testament
churches, but they often overlook John's epistles to the seven churches
in Asia Minor. Yet these seven "mini-epistles" found in
Revelation chapters two and three contain a wealth of truth for the
church today, just as Paul's epistles to the churches at Corinth,
Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, Thessalonica and Colossae are applicable to
the lives of all believers in this present age. As the Word of God,
these letters to the seven churches should be studied and applied just
as any other portion of the New Testament, for they contain words of
encouragement, exhortation or rebuke to believers in the twenty-first
century Church.
Sadly, the Church through the ages has usually taken one of two
approaches to the interpretation and application of these
"mini-epistles." On the one hand, many tend to either neglect
the study of the entire book of Revelation or spiritualize it in a
manner so as to drain it of any relevance to the Church today. On the
other hand, many tend to view these messages primarily as a collective,
panoramic view of church history throughout the ages, thus failing to
apply the messages for each church to believers in the present age. Yet
the messages to these churches must be interpreted and applied as one
would interpret and apply any other epistle written to an early New
Testament church. These letters to the churches must be taken literally,
for they were literally written to living believers at a particular time
in history. Yet these letters are also exemplary in that they can be
applied to the church today just as the Pauline, Petrine and other
Johannine epistles were written to literal local churches in the past
but apply to the New Testament Church in the present.
The apostle John wrote the letters to these churches, and the entire
book of Revelation, while exiled on the isle of Patmos as a result of
his testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:19 contains a
general outline of the entire book of Revelation; in this verse, Jesus
Christ tells John to "write the things which thou hast seen, and
the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." The
first chapter of Revelation contains a detailed description of those
things that John had already seen up to that point–the resurrected,
glorified Christ as He stood in the midst of the candlesticks
(signifying the seven churches to which John wrote). "The things
which are" refers to Christ's messages to seven different churches
that existed at the time John penned the book of Revelation. These
accounts of "the things which are" comprise the second and
third chapters of Revelation. Finally, "the things which shall be
hereafter" refers to John's vision of that which is still yet
future, even today–the seven-year Tribulation, the second coming and
millennial reign of Christ and the eternal state. These events are
recorded in chapters 4-22.
As Revelation chapters 1-3 reveals, Christ is walking in the midst of
the churches today acting as their Inspector and Judge. He is observing
the outward actions and attitudes as well as the hearts and motives of
those within the church. A careful study of Christ's messages to the
seven churches in Asia Minor is important for the Church today for
several reasons. First, such a study reveals the strengths and
weaknesses of the early churches, and today's churches can likewise
measure themselves against the positive and negative aspects of those
local bodies of believers. Second, such a study reveals the mind of
Christ concerning the various motives and activities of the local
churches. The reader can discover Christ's thoughts concerning
suffering, false doctrine, love, lethargy and many other characteristics
of these early churches. Finally, such a study should serve as a true
blessing and encouragement, for it reveals to the reader that Christ is
walking in the midst of the churches and is intimately acquainted with
their every thought, word, motive and deed.
In a day when it seems as though the majority of professing
Christians are readily espousing a pragmatic philosophy of ministry
while searching for ecumenical unity at almost any cost and are
lethargic in their approach to applying and understanding sound
doctrine, it is necessary to read and study Christ's words to these
seven specific churches in Asia Minor, for the messages of these
mini-epistles are just as applicable to the Church today as they were to
the early churches approximately 1900 years ago. God's Word is timeless
and always relevant in every age.
Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7
Background: Accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, the apostle Paul
founded the church at Ephesus (Acts 18: 18-22). Shortly after the
establishment of this church, wicked men attempted to imitate the
apostle Paul's special gifts. But such signs were soon proven to be
counterfeit, and the Word of God grew and prevailed in this city (Acts
19: 8-20). Yet Paul knew that in this region, false teachers lingered
and were ready to destroy the work of God. He called the Ephesian elders
together at Miletus and warned them about the wolves in sheep's clothing
that would arise and attempt to destroy their church (Acts 20:17-38).
The church at Ephesus was surrounded by materialism, paganism,
heathenism and immorality.
Christ's Commendation: Christ commended those in the church at
Ephesus for several qualities. First, they were hard workers, or
"laborers, " for Christ who persevered for His name's sake.
These believers were not lazy nor idle. Rather, they spent their time
working diligently and therefore growing weary as a result of their
labors. Second, they were patient and steadfast. Despite the fatigue
from their labors, they were persistent in doing that which they knew
needed to be accomplished. Third, they hated and condemned that which
was morally wrong. They kept themselves pure from immorality despite the
fact that licentious behavior surrounded them. Finally, Christ commended
them for abhorring that which was theologically wrong. Apparently, the
leaders in the church at Ephesus had heeded Paul's warning to them
recorded in Acts 20: 17-31. The believers in-this church hated the deeds
of the false teachers known as the Nicolaitans (v. 6). They exercised
spiritual discernment and kept themselves pure from compromise and
theological error. They did not tolerate false teachers, nor did they
give up in the battle for truth even though it was often wearisome to
carry on. While they physically grew weary in the work, they did
not grow weary of the work. They persevered patiently and worked
diligently for Jesus Christ.
Christ's Complaint: Despite such admirable works, Christ had a solemn
rebuke for this church: It had left its first love (v. 4). While the
church at Ephesus appeared to be the perfect church from the outside,
Christ knew their hearts, and He knew that something was missing: a love
for Him that fueled their motivation for service. The first-generation
Ephesian believers possessed an unwavering love for Jesus Christ, as is
evident in Acts 19:17-20. These believers changed their lifestyles as a
result of their unwavering love for Him. But this second generation of
Ephesian believers consisted of callous Christians. They worked hard for
the cause of Christ as they contended for the faith and fought for
doctrinal purity, but they lacked a yieldedness to Him due to their
waning love for Him.
First, the Lord commanded them to
"remember" (v. 5)–they were to take time to recall the joy
of their salvation that they experienced when they were first abiding in
Christ and feeling the peace of God in their hearts. The church will not
realize its need to possess a love for Christ unless it remembers what
it is missing in the first place. Second, Christ commanded this church
to "repent" (v. 5)–this is an act of the mind that
determines a change in behavior. Once these believers remembered the
joy, sweetness and reality of their "first love," they needed
to decide with God's help that they would desire to know that same love
once again. Finally, Christ counseled them to return to Him-this is an
active change of behavior. He said, "Do the first works" (v.
5). What were the "first works"? They consisted of simple
faith in Jesus Christ and a genuine love for Him for what He had done
for them on Calvary's cross.
Love for Christ is the proper motivation for Christian service. Most
likely, many Fundamentalists today are valiantly contending for the
faith and fighting one battle after another; but for some, their
motivation for service falls short: Love for their Savior is no longer
the reason behind their preaching, teaching and contending for the
Faith. It is certainly easy to become so caught up in the battle that a
proper perspective and motivation for service is lost, but Godly,
Bible-believing Fundamentalist churches today need to especially take
heed to Christ's message to the church of Ephesus: Outward "good
works" mean little to Christ if one is serving Him for the wrong
reason.
The consequences of failing to heed Christ's counsel were serious.
Christ said He would cause the church of Ephesus to lose its influence
to the point that it would no longer exist as a light in the midst of
darkness (v. 5). Eventually, their light did burn out. Even today, any
work not motivated by love for the Savior is empty and futile. First
Corinthians 13: 1-3 further reveals the importance of love as the
impetus for service. Perhaps some Fundamentalist churches and ministries
through the past century have ceased to exist as a result of an improper
motivation for service. Fundamentalist ministries today that seek to
preach, teach and contend for the faith should carefully consider
Christ's message to this church at Ephesus and evaluate their own
reasons for service to Christ.
Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
Although Smyrna was a beautiful seaport town just 35 miles north of
Ephesus, it was a city full of hatred against Christians. The church at
Smyrna was plagued by severe physical persecution at the hands of evil
men and false teachers within the city who were fueled by the Jewish
community which hated the followers of Christ. Even several years after
John had penned this small epistle to the believers in the church at
Smyrna, the pagans within the city murdered Polycarp, the 90-year-old
bishop of Smyrna who served as a student of the apostle John.
Christ's message to the church at Smyrna was short-only four verses
long. Yet these four brief verses contain unparalleled words of comfort
to this church. Christ introduced Himself as "the first and the
last, which was dead, and is alive" (v. 8). Even this introduction
was comforting, for it revealed to the readers in the church at Smyrna
that Christ is the eternal One who humbled Himself and came to earth,
who willingly suffered and died on Calvary's cross but is now alive
forevermore! Christ's resurrection assured these saints at Smyrna, who
were being martyred for their faith, of their own future resurrection
and everlasting life. This comforting introduction revealed to the
believers that the one for whom they were dying was the one who had the
power to guarantee their personal resurrection one day yet future.
Jesus Christ knew about the "tribulation" that the saints
at Smyrna endured (v. 9). This strong word does not merely refer to
trials or difficult situations but rather to physical persecution and
even martyrdom. He was also aware of their "poverty," that is,
their utter lack of material possessions. This abject, physical poverty
consisted of the loss of all material possessions as a result of the
persecution these believers were called upon to endure. History reveals
that the Jews in Smyrna incited the pagans in the city to unlawfully
loot the possessions of the Christians and drive them into hiding. Yet
Christ also knew "the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews,
and are not" (v. 9). The Lord could see the very hearts of those
who were afflicting His children and knew that the believers at Smyrna
were being persecuted falsely in the name of religion. He explained to
them that Satan was the mastermind behind this great persecution,
calling the instigators the "synagogue of Satan." In verse
ten, Christ even tells the believers that Satan himself would cast some
into prison and mastermind an intense period of persecution that would
last for ten days. The church today must remember that in the past,
Satan has persecuted the true church in the name of "religion"
and he will continue to do everything in his power to ruin the
testimony of the church.
Christ's Commendation: The resurrected, glorified Christ declared to
these faithful saints, "Thou art rich" (v. 9). While they were
physically destitute, these saints at Smyrna were spiritually wealthy.
Christ's statement of commendation tells today's church much about the
way in which the believers reacted to their persecutors. They did not
act like victims and wallow in self-pity. Rather, they continued
steadfastly in the work of the Lord and refused to allow their intense
persecution to detract from what they knew needed to be accomplished for
Christ. Once again, Bible-believing Fundamentalist churches can learn
much from the believers at Smyrna. While today's North American church
does not even remotely begin to experience any form of persecution
similar to that of the church at Smyrna, believers today can learn from
this text that when they are scorned, scoffed or ridiculed for the
Biblical positions they take, they must not retreat from the battle nor
act as though they are the "persecuted remnant" who are left
alone to fight the battles of the faith. Rather, their attitude should
be one of holy resolve and persistent diligence in that which God has
called them to do.
Christ's Complaint: Christ did not utter one word of complaint
against this church. He did not find any fault with the way in which the
believers at Smyrna responded to their persecution or with the works
accomplished by these faithful saints. Concerning the absence of any
charge against the church at Smyrna, G. Campbell Morgan noted that in
this instance, "silence is more eloquent than all language. "
The conduct and the character of this church perfectly satisfied the
Savior.
Christ's Counsel: Christ's instruction to the church at Smyrna was to
"fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer" and
"be thou faithful unto death" (v.10). Christ never gave them
advice on how to avoid the persecution but only exhorted them to be
fearless and faithful to Him even though they would suffer for His sake.
They would one day receive a crown of life (v. 10) and would not
experience the second death (v. 11). These martyred believers had no
need to fear–nor do faithful believers today, for they will receive
the approval of their Savior and are assured of escaping the lake of
fire (Rev. 20:11-15).
Christ likewise exhorts His children today to diligently honor and
serve Him at all costs. Believers must know why they believe what they
believe and remain rooted and grounded in the Faith (1 Pet. 3:13-18).
They must also realize that God often allows suffering in order to make
the believer more suitable for the Master's use (notice Phil. 1:27-30
and I Pet. 4:1-2). The church today must be aware that in the midst of
trials and temptations, the manner in which it responds is vitally
important. Believers need to use such times of difficulty to honor and
glorify Christ who suffered and died for all (1 Pet. 4:12-16).
Pergamos
Revelation 2:12-17
The city of Pergamos (or Pergamum), which was located approximately
50 miles north of Smyrna, was the great religious center of the Middle
East at the time John wrote the book of Revelation. Pergamos was home to
the imperial cult which centered around the worship of the Roman
emperor. It also contained several notable temples to pagan gods and
goddesses and was the site of the altar to Zeus. Christ introduced
Himself to the church of Pergamos as the One having "the sharp
sword with two edges" (v. 12). Symbolic of the Word of God which
discerns both the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12), this
sword is used by the Lord to judge and declare a verdict against
whatever does not conform to His Word of Truth. The believers in the
church at Pergamos needed to see Christ in this light.
Christ told the believers in this church that He realized the
difficult situation in which they found themselves: "I know...
where thou dwellest" (v. 13). This comment is especially
noteworthy, for Christ then adds that they were actually living in the
very midst of Satan's domain. At the time of the writing of Revelation,
Pergamos was the center of Satan's seat of power. Not only did he use
its paganism and false religious systems to destroy the lives of its
unsaved inhabitants, but he also attempted to destroy the local church.
Despite popular belief, Satan is alive and actively working today as
well, and he is the ruler of this present, evil world. But Christ knows
that Satan controls the world system. He knows where Satan is located,
and He knows how the believer can gain victory over the enemy of his
soul.
It is important to notice that Satan chose Pergamos, not Smyrna, to
be the place of his personal, concentrated work. Although he fueled the
persecution of the church at Smyrna, his own individual work focused
upon pagan religion and the attempted infiltration of such a world
system into the church. Likewise today, Satan is using
"religion" and false teaching even within the church-to lure
unsuspecting individuals away from a relationship with God. The Lord
told the believers at Pergamos that He knew the difficult situation in
which they found themselves. He knew that they were surrounded by
unparalleled worldliness and paganism. Even though these believers lived
"in the world," they needed to refrain from partaking "of
the world."
Christ's Commendation: Christ commended the believers for holding
fast to His name and not denying the faith (v.13). They remained loyal
to Jesus Christ, the center of their belief. They resolutely affirmed
the Person, work and deity of Christ as they preached sound doctrine.
Despite the many false religions around them that certainly mocked their
belief in Jesus Christ as God and as the only Savior of mankind, they
held fast to the Person of Christ and did not renounce Him nor embrace a
doctrine that rejected His very nature. Furthermore, they did not
distort nor misrepresent the nature or Person of Christ in a misguided
attempt to draw unbelievers to a knowledge of God. Christ told them,
"Thou ... ~hast not denied My faith."
Such "faith" to which Christ refers pertains to the body of
truth that concerns His perfect, finished work on Calvary's cross and
the pure teaching that had been delivered to the church. This faith
belongs to Christ. It was not theirs to distort or deny. The church at
Pergamos believed the Truth and faithfully affirmed It, even to the
point of death. Sadly, the church today often feels as though it has a
right, or even the prerogative, to change the message, to dilute the
message or to make the message more palatable to the masses. Yet the
body of truth revealed to believers is God's message-the believers at
Pergamos understood this and respected it. They preached sound doctrine
and did not succumb to the pressure to deny or misrepresent their
Savior.
Christ's Complaint: Despite the fact that these believers did not
deny nor distort God's message, Christ brought a grave charge against
them: They did not always separate from false doctrine. Christ said,
"Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam " and
"so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans" (vv. 14, 15). Christ's complaint against the church at
Pergamos centered around its lack of separation from those who espoused
false teaching. While the corporate church body did not hold to false
doctrine, some in the assembly did, and the church did not separate from
them. The problem with the church at Pergamos was that these believers tolerated
error even though they did not embrace it themselves. The church was
guilty of fellowshipping with those who held to false doctrine.
Christ's Counsel: First, Jesus Christ instructed the church to
repent-they had to change their mind concerning who they would allow to
remain in their fellowship. Notice that He directed this exhortation
toward the church ("thee"), not to the individuals who were
espousing the false doctrine ("them"). Second, He instructed
the church to take action. The only course this church could take was to
separate from those who embraced false doctrine-to exclude them from
their fellowship. Christ said, "Repent; or else ..." (v. 16).
He did not leave room for dialogue or compromise. He knew the course of
action they needed to take, and if they refused to exclude these people
from their fellowship, Christ said He would "fight against them
with the sword of [His] mouth" (v. 16). Again, the Word of God is
the standard by which man will be judged, and those who reject or twist
the Scriptures will do so only to their own destruction.
The message to Pergamos is extremely relevant to the church today,
for many Evangelical and even Fundamentalist churches tend to preach
sound doctrine, proclaim the Gospel to the unsaved and even contend for
the faith but refuse to separate from those who embrace false doctrine.
Many leaders within professing Christendom today undermine the Biblical
doctrine of separation when, in reality, God's Word clearly declares
that separation from false doctrine, and even from believers who espouse
false doctrine, is necessary. Refusing to take God's Word seriously
concerning this matter is a dangerous mistake, for compromise and
tolerance of error are greatly displeasing to the Lord. Fundamentalist,
Bible-believing Christians today must make sure that they are not only
doctrinally sound (like those in Pergamos) but also doctrinally pure in
their fellowships.
Continued in Part 2
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