Revelation 3:17 Be a Church on Fire

Revelation 3:17  Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

    

Laodicea is condemned by Jesus more than any of the other seven churches. 

    

Some believe that each church stands for a church age.  If that is true Laodicea would stand for the present church age which began in 1900 A.D. and goes until the rapture of the church. 

  

   There has never been a time in history in which our churches have been so rich.  Yet many of our churches reject the inspiration of the scripture, the virgin birth of Jesus, the atonement and many basic doctrines of the Bible are openly denied.

    

 Many of our churches today are the finest money can buy.  We have fabulous architectures, million-dollar buildings, fund raising

, organizations, and strong church membership.  We think we do not need anything because all of our physical needs are met. We  do not realize we are in a poverty stricken state spiritually in the sight of Jesus.   Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing."  We can organize, teach, promote, but only the Holy Spirit can transform the lives of men.  (Matthew 7:22-25.)  Jesus says,

"Many will say to me in that day, have we not prophesied, cast out demons, and done many wonderful works, and I will profess unto them I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity.

    

In the view of this world Laodicea was very successful.  Jesus saw the church with spiritual eyes and He said Laodicea was  "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."  Jesus was looking at their spiritual condition.

The Seven Stages of the Church Age

Revelation 3:14   And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea's write.

     Some people believe that the seven churches not only represent seven actual churches in Asia, but they also represent the seven church ages.  

1. Ephesus:  "The Apostolic Church"  A.D.30 - A.D.100   This was the church age where the disciples and people who saw Jesus lived.

2. Smyrna:  "The Persecuted Church:  A.D.100 - A.D.312    Ten Roman Emperors severely persecuted the church, urged on by the Jewish synagogue Leaders,  The persecution began with Nero and ended with Diocletian.

3. Pergamum: "The Indulged Church"  A.D. 312 - A.D. 606  In 312 Constantine  made Christianity the religion of Rome.  Persecution ended, but many of the Pagan practices became part of the church.

4. Thyatira: "A Pagan church" A.D. 606 - A.D. 1500  This church depicts the "middle ages"  and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church.  This age is know as the

"Dark  Ages" where paganism merged with Christianity.

5. Sardis: "The Dead Church"  A.D. 1500 - A.D. 1750   This age is known as  "The Reformation Period".  This age came to a crises when martin Luther, on Oct. 31, 1517 A.D. nailed his famous 95 Theses on the church door at Wittenberg, Germany. 

6. Philadelphia:  "The Church Jesus Loved" A.D. 1750 - A.D. 1900  This is the age where missionaries were going all over  the world preaching the gospel.  Jesus said, "I have set an open door before you and no man can shut it.  Jesus did not have one word of condemnation for this church.

7. Laodicea:  A.D. l900 - A.D. - to rapture   There are no words of praise given to this church.  Jesus said the church was lukewarm, just going through the motions of worship.  His presence was not in the church. They thought they were rich and increased in goods and in need of nothing spiritually.  They did not know that spiritually they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.  Jesus said, "Ask of me and I will give you gold tried by fire, white raiment to cloth you, and salve to anoint your eyes so you can see.

Revelation 3:10 God Will Save Us From the Hour Of Trial Coming Upon the World!

Revelation 3:10  Because you have kept my commandments to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth.

    

 The church is promised deliverance from the hour of trial which will come upon the whole world. The word "trial" means the same thing as "tribulation."  This does not refer to normal "trials" or "tribulations" that we all face each day, but to a special hour of trial that will involve the whole world.  In some countries Christians are going through great tribulation and facing death each and every day.  This does not fulfill this verse because the persecution is not world wide.  The promise of the Lord is that the church will be kept from that hour of tribulation.

   

  This verse seems to indicate the church will be taken up to heaven  (ruptured) from the earth before the 'hour' of trial comes upon the whole earth. In the rapture Jesus meets His church in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.) The word rapture isn't used here, but it says in verse 17 "Then we which are alive shall be "caught up".  The dead in Christ will be raised first to meet Jesus in the air and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

    

There are three main views of the rapture. l. Jesus will rapture the church before the tribulation. 2. Jesus will rapture the church in the middle of the tribulation 4. Jesus will rapture the church at the end of the tribulation.  The tribulation period will last seven years.

The most important thing to remember: "Jesus is coming for those who are looking for His coming.  We should be looking for Him to come at any moment.  Hebrews 9:28  'Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.'

Revelation 3:11-13 Jesus is coming quickly! Hold Fast to What you Have!

Revelation 3:11-13 Behold, I am coming quickly!  Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.  he who overcomes, I will make him a pillow in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more.  I will write on him My new name.  He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the church.

    

Jesus promised to come quickly.  Two thousand years is a very short time for Jesus, who has always existed.

    

Jesus has another warning.  "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."  It isn't a question of someone stealing your crown.  It is a question of God taking your crown and giving it to someone else, because we are not worthy to wear the crown.  We must overcome the world.  All sin can be put in three categories, lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and pride of life.  Sometimes God gives us a task to do for Him.  For some reason we do not depend upon Jesus to help us and we get discouraged and do not complete the task God has given us to do.  God will give the task to someone else and we loose the blessing Jesus had planned for us. 

    

 Even if we fail Jesus will forgive us and give us another chance to follow His plan.  Jesus says,  "He will make the overcome a pillar in the temple of God and he shall go out no more".  A pillar speaks of stability and going out no more speaks of security.  We can have stability and feel secure in Jesus all our life only in serving Jesus.  Christians are often persecuted for their faith.  Jesus will identify us with the seal of His name and we will see Jesus face to face.  Jesus said,  "If you have  an ear listen to what the Sprit says.  We need to kneel and ask Jesus to come into our life, to cleanse us of all our sins, and save our soul. 

Revelation 3:9 The Synagogue of Satan

Revelation 3:9  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie, indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

    

Jesus spoke these same words to the church of Smyrna.  Jesus said to Smyrna, "I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  When Jesus came as the promised Messiah, the religious leaders who belonged to the synagogue did not believe Jesus was the Messiah.  They persecuted and tried to kill Jesus before it was time for Him to die on the cross for our sins.  

 It was the Jewish religious leaders who convinced the Roman government to crucify Jesus on the cross.  After Jesus' death, resurrection and  assertion into heaven to be with His heavenly Father, these same Jewish leaders began to persecute the Christians.  Paul was part of this persecution of the Christians until his conversion on the way to Damascus to arrest and kill more Christians.

    

These Jewish religious leaders were also persecuting the church  at Philadelphia.  Jesus again says these Jewish leaders belong to the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie, and belong to Satan.  Jesus adds, "I will make them come and worship before your feet and to know that I have loved you."

God Gave to Them An Open Door

Revelation 3:8  I know your works.  See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;  for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

    

Jesus recognizes what we do as we serve Him.  Not one moment of what we do for Him is forgotten or lost.  Jesus told the church of Philadelphia, "I know your works.  Because of this assurance from Jesus, we should never get discouraged or give up.  Jesus set an open door before the church at Philadelphia and no one can shut the door.

    

 Jesus commends the church for their strength.  They do not have a lot of strength, only a little strength.   We do not need a lot of strength because Jesus will be our strength.  We need a willing heart to serve Him.

   

  Jesus commends the church because they have kept the word of God and did not deny the name of Jesus.  They not only believed the word of God, but obeyed the word of God.  Satan believes and trembles at the word of God.  (James 2:19)   We are to be doers of the word, not just hears of the word.  (James 2:22)

   

  We need to study the word of God and then put the word of God into our daily lives.  In our present life there is a temptation to compromise in order to gain opportunities in business.  It is our responsibility to do what is right and God will open doors of opportunity for us. Jesus told the church of Philadelphia, "You have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:7 The Four Aspects of Jesus

Revelation 3:7   And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:   These things said He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, he who opens, and no man shuts, shuts and no man opens.

    

 The Philadelphia church was located in the center of Greek civilization.  This church remained an influence until the l4th century, when it was conquered by the Turks.    Philadelphia means "brotherly live."

    

 Not one word of condemnation was spoken against this church by Jesus.

   

  Four aspects of Jesus character are revealed to the Philadelphia church.  Jesus is holy.  1 Peter 1:16 says, "Be ye holy; for I am Holy."Jesus wants us to be separated from the world and live holy lives.  The second characteristic:  Jesus said he was true.  John l4:6 says "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. "True" means perfectness and completeness.  Jesus is the true bread from heaven.  John 6:32-35  The third characteristic, Jesus has the Key of David.  This refers to the future when Jesus will rule the world. 

 We are looking for the second coming of Jesus when He will return to earth with all the saints returning with Him.  (1 Thess. 3:13 and Zech l4:5)    Jesus returns as King of King and Lord of Lord.   (Revelation 19: l6).  The fourth characteristic: Jesus opens and no man can shut, He shuts and no man can open. It is our duty to be obedient and follow Jesus.  He has everything under control.

Revelation 3:5-6 God Gives Promises To He Who Overcomes

Revelation 3:5-6   He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.  He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

   

  The church, as a whole, might not heed the Lord's call, but there will always be a remnant who will be faithful to Jesus.  It is to those who stay true to Jesus and obey His words that Jesus promises a white garment.  Jesus makes this promise in Revelation 3 verse 4 and 5.  When a verse is repeated it is to emphases the importance of this promise.  This white garment is given to us by Jesus because we overcame the world through the blood of Jesus.  Jesus gives us His righteousness. 

 I John 2:l5-l6 says "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

 Jesus promises the "over comers", "I will confess your name before the Father and before His angel. Jesus tells us "Open your ears and listen when the Holy Spirit speaks to us.  Jesus sent the Holy spirit into the world to help us continually day and night.

Revelation 3:3 Remember that God is Good!

Revelation 3:3  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.  Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

     Jesus is saying, "Remember how you heard and believed the gospel, keep on remembering day and night.  Never allow yourself to forget the enthusiasm you had when you first heard the message of the good news of the gospel.  We must remember the cross and the great gift of salvation Jesus gave us through His death on the cross.  Jesus died for our sins to give us life for ever and ever.

    

We are to keep the commandments of the gospel, walking always, day and night in the love of Jesus.  We can not be Christian one day and un-Christian the next day.  We are commanded to be ready and to watch for His second coming.  He could come at any moment in the twinkle of the eye. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)   We are to make every effort to be ready for His second coming.  He will come as a thief in the night.  (I Thessalonians 5:2.)  We do not know when a thief will come for this reason we do all we can to protect ourselves all the time.

    

Jesus is saying make this same careful preparation for His second coming.  We must not allow the trials of life to damper our love for Jesus.  We must not go through the motions of worshiping Jesus, but worship him in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

Revelation 3:3 Jesus is Coming Again!

Revelation 3:3  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.  Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

     Jesus is saying, "Remember how you heard and believed the gospel, keep on remembering day and night.  Never allow yourself to forget the enthusiasm you had when you first heard the message of the good news of the gospel."  We must remember the cross and the great gift of salvation Jesus gave us through His death on the cross.  Jesus died for our sins to give us life for ever and ever.

    

 We are to keep the commandments of the gospel, walking always, day and night in the love of Jesus.  We can not be Christian one day and un-Christian the next day.  We are commanded to be ready and to watch for His second coming.  He could come at any moment in the twinkle of the eye. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)   We are to make every effort to be ready for His second coming.  He will come as a thief in the night.  (I Thessalonians 5:2.)  We do not know when a thief will come for this reason we do all we can to protect ourselves all the time.

    

Jesus is saying make this same careful preparation for His second coming.  We must not allow the trials of life to damper our love for Jesus.  We must not go through the motions of worshiping Jesus, but worship him in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

Revelation 3:1-2 The Spiritually Dead Church

Revelation 3:1-2      And unto the angel of the church in Sardis;  These things says He that hath the seven Spirits of God; and the seven stars.  I know your works, that you have a name that you live, but you are dead.  Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 

   

  Jesus introduced himself to the church at Sardis as the one who has the seven Spirits of God.  Isaiah 11:1-3 tells us that the seven spirits would rest upon Jesus.   Seven is the number of completeness and perfection, both physically and spiritually.  The number seven is used in the book of Revelation and throughout the Bible over and over. 

    

Jesus also holds the seven stars in His hand.  The seven stars represent the seven angels or ministers of the Church.  Jesus said, "I know your works that you have a name that you live, but you are dead."  Sardis was a very active church, but the Holy Spirit, from God, was not in the church.  We are to seek God's will for our church, and work to fulfill this will.

    

The church at Sardis believed they were alive, but they were spiritually dead.  Jesus urged them to strengthen all the things that remained, but were about to die.  Sardis is like so many of our churches today.  They were going through the motion of serving Jesus; but Jesus is not in the worship service.  They appeared to be spiritually alive but they were dead.

Revelation 2:24-29 Jesus KING of KINGS and LORD OF LORDS

Revelation 2:24-29   "now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.  But hold fast  what you have till I come and he who overcomes, and keeps my works, until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.  He will rule them with a rod of iron,  They shall be dashed to pieces like the Potter's vessels" as I also have received 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.

   

  The letter to Thyatira ends with a series of threats and promises.  The first part of this promise has to do with the return of Jesus to the earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to reign and rule on the earth with a rod of iron for one thousand years.  This is speaking of the millennium reign of Jesus  on the earth.  We will be with Jesus and help Him in the millennium reign of Jesus on the earth.  No persecution of any kind will exist and Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit for the thousand year reign of Jesus.

    

Jesus gives the church just a small glimpse of things to come.  These promises are made to the overcome.  It is the overcome who rules and reigns with Jesus.  The overcome will assume their royal position as kings and priest.  We will rule and reign with Jesus as He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.   Revelation 22:16 says "I am the Root and offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.

Revelation 2:22-23 Receive the Mercies of God!

Revelation 2:22-23   Indeed I will cast her into a sick bed, and those who commit adultery with her into  great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.  I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.  And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 

    

The woman Jezebel had been given all the freedom that divine mercy could give her.  If she does not repent she will be cast into a bed of sickness and her followers will share the same fate. 

    

 Even now Jesus is extending mercy and grace and giving us a chance to repent.  Jesus died on the cross to be able to offer forgiveness to everyone no matter what we have done.  Jesus offered Jezebel that same forgiveness.  If we repent we will live forever with Jesus.  If we do not repent we will face death, without hope for ever and ever.  Jesus said, "All the churches will know I look at the mind and heart.  Everyone will be rewarded according to their works."

Revelation 2:20-21 God Ask His People to Repent

Revelation 2:20-21  Nevertheless I have a few things against you because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

    

The source of the trouble in Thyatira was a prophetess  called Jezebel.  Whether this was her real name or if Jesus was comparing her to Jezebel, wife  of  King Ahab who was the king of Israel, no one knows for sure. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, and the prophetess of Thyatira were guilty of the same sin.  Jezebel, Ahab's wife, caused Israel to Worship her idols instead of the true Living God.  You can find her story in 1 Kings Chapters 16-22.  Jesus said,"You allowed Jezebel to teach and to seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things offered to idols."

     

These sins were not committed in the church, but in the temples dedicated to various Idols.  All citizen in Thyatira  were required to worship in these temples.  The Romans believed in many gods.  The Romans did not mind a Christian God to be added to their many gods. They just did not want the Christian God replacing their many gods.  This made it difficult for Christians because they believed in only one God. 

     

Part of the worship of these idols was a feast where they ate meat offered to idols.  Each temple also had temple prostitutes.  A Christian could not eat things offered to idols and commit  sexual immorality .  Exodus 2:3 says,"You shall have no other God's before me."

Revelation 2:18-19 Jesus, Our Savior

Revelation 2:18-19  And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write;  These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass;  "I know your works, love, service, faith and your patience,  and as for your works, the last are more than the first."

    

 The city of Thyatira wasn't one of the more important cities of the age they were living in.  It was located about sixteen miles from the region's capital city, Pergamum.  It was at Thyatira that  Paul met Lydia, a seller of purple, and led her to the Lord.

   

  Jesus introduced Himself as the Son of God.  Jesus isn't just a great prophet.  He is the only Son of the living God.  Jesus is described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass which speaks of judgment.  If Jesus does not judge sin and allow only  the pure in heart, born again Christians, into heaven there would be no difference between heaven and the earth as we know it.  People would behave in heaven just like they behave on the earth. That would not be heaven.  All we have to do is tell Jesus we are sorry for our sins and ask him to  forgive us. He will forgive us and puts a clean heart in us that makes us want to please Jesus instead of the world.

    

When you serve Jesus, you want to work for Him, You love all people, you want to serve and be of service to all people. You have total faith in Jesus knowing He does not give us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind. 11 Timothy 1:7.

Revelation 2:15-17 Is Compromising to Fit Into Society Wisdom From God?

Revelation 2:15-17   Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight 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 I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."

    

 The Nicolaitans was a doctrine of compromise.  Jesus praised the church of Ephesus because they rejected the deeds of the Nicolaitans.  In the church of Pergamum it had become a doctrine of the the church to compromise.  And Pergamum allowed the doctrine of the Nicolaitans to become a part of the church.  Jesus hates compromise.  Jesus says, "Repent, or I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth, which is the word of God.

    

 Jesus says, "To him who overcomes I will give hidden manna to eat."  God fed Israel angel food while they were in the wilderness on their way to the promise land.  Phil. 4:19

"But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory  by Christ Jesus."

    

 In ancient times when a man had been tried for a crime, and given a white stone, it meant  they were found not guilty.  If a black stone was given it meant they were found guilty.

  

 Jesus will forgive anyone who calls upon Him for forgiveness and salvation.  He will give them a white stone, they will not be found guilty before God.   Our sins are completely forgiven and we will stand before Jesus guiltless.  Jesus died for our sins and gave us His righteousness.  He will give us a new name that only we will understand.