Victorious life (Rev 2)

To have Victorious life

Rev 2:1- 29

Key verse 2:7 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God

Introduction: One thing we know about our lives is that we must win the victory. In no way we want to be in a position in defeat at the end of our lives.

Today’ word is about this victory and how we can live a victorious life. If we want to win, we have to be sure on few things: what are we against, what we have, how can we get help, and what the goal is.  

Through today’s word, I pray that you may find the ways to victory in your life and earn the rewards and crowns for the victors.

The setting of our lives is what we have learned last week from Rev 1.  In the last week’s study we came to know about Jesus. He is in the fullness of his glory, power, and holiness.  Also we understood that Jesus was in the middle of seven churches holding seven stars in his right hand. This is a picture of what relationship Jesus has with his churches and then to the world.  We will go through what Jesus did for the first four churches today. Through what Jesus knew, what Jesus taught and through the reward he offered, I pray that God may give us keen insight how to live to victory.

Church at Ephesus

It is located at the coast line of Mediterranean Sea. It was a foremost city of Roman province of Asia. It was a cosmopolitan city with large trades. There lived a large number of Jews.  Paul stayed there for three years to establish a sizable church. Eventually he moved on because of riot from idol makers.

Jesus commended this church on many things:

V2-3 The church in Ephesus devoted to Jesus and his name. They were hard working. They were willing to suffer and went through suffering with perseverance. I would give the credit to Paul who spent for three years in teaching them day after day at Ephesus. This church had the best of biblical truth among all. It is expressed in their discerning ability. What else can you ask for from this church? Truly this church was one of the remarkable one.  Nowadays it is rare to find hard working and spiritually discerning church. But Jesus was not fully satisfied with this and said this. (4-5)

They forsook their first love to Jesus. What is the first love? It might mean the enthusiasm and passion in love as we know in today’s term. But to refresh their memory of the first love, Jesus told them to remember the height from which they had fallen. It is the love that they came to know through Jesus. It is characterized by two things: forgiving and life giving. This love is typified by the richness of grace. It is what Jesus did on the cross to give us life by sacrificing his own.  

How is this important? Could they go by just as they had been doing even if they did not have the first love?
Jesus warns 5b. Jesus was going to remove the lampstand from its place. What does it mean?

Jesus’ ultimate goal for churches is to light the world. If a church does not do this job, he is going to exercise his authority over that church. This purpose is pictured in ch 1 as Jesus introduced himself as the one who hold the seven stars in his right hand and walking among the seven lampstands. This is based on the relationship established between Jesus and the churches. Jesus is the owner as one who bought the church through his life, and he is the head of the church.  Jesus expressed his ultimate goal. That is to make sure that each lampstands keep its light into the darkness of the night.

The first love is the essential element to function as the light of the world.  Though she has in depth understanding of Biblical truth, and is able to discern and working hard, if there is no love, then it has no power or ability to demonstrate the love of Jesus. How can we characterize this church? What they do is  just a work in duty and obligation. Some characterize this as legalistic way of life.  Such church may not be able to shine the light to the world. All these must be driven by love, nothing else. In his love for us, while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. This is the love that we must live by and driven by and energized by.  Without love, light cannot be shone.  All biblical truth must be carried by love. Only then the word of truth can shine true light.

Who are Nicolaitans that they hated? Nicola seemed to be a person that taught seemingly sound doctrine. But his teaching was devoid of one thing, genuine love to Jesus and his truth. They can talk and reason and argue with great knowledge and truth. But in life, they had no love. In other word they failed to grasp the essence of the spirit of Christ in its understanding and truth. The church in Ephesus knew of such problem and they hated Nicolaitans. In this regard Ephesians will surely come back in repentance to follow Jesus with the first love that they had.

Church at Smyrna

Smyrna is the second church Jesus mentioned. It has the largest Jewish community. There were many temples of pagan gods. The largest theater was found here. But the living of believers here was most poor near level of destitute, most likely because of persecutions. So the major issue on this church was persecution. It came from Romans.  At least once a year they had to worship the emperor of Rome as God. Believer refused to do so. They were chased after by Roman soldiers. When they were caught, they were put in arena with wild beasts. But these believers in Smyrna stood firm despite of such persecutions and constant threat to their lives.

Also persecution came from some synagogues. Some synagogues as a whole congregation chose to go against Christian Jews even if this might mean to side with Romans.  This was their expression of intense hatred and condemnation to Christian belief. The Jews were one nation by blood and by God’s choice. They, as a nation, were the orthodoxy in faith and truth. It was heart breaking that they were rejected their own people.  This might have caused a serious doubt their wisdom to follow Jesus.

Jesus knew this as well. Jesus called them a synagogue of Satan. They are Satan.  Think about this! Synagogue was the place God’s chosen people congregate for the sake of knowing and worshipping God. But Jesus labeled it a place of Satan. But when they refuse to accept Christ and his people, it became ‘synagogue of Satan’ It seemed that the church Smyrna had no friend in help. Nevertheless, the believers in Smyrna endured all hardships and persevered through it. They did not give up their faith and allegiance to the Lord Jesus.

Persecutions are the ultimate test to faith. To what extent should they hold up their faith? What if one is about to starve to death? Can he just once deny his faith in order to get some food? What if one says no to Jesus just once in order to save his life? A bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp was caught and was on execution stand.

Repent, and say, ‘Down with the Atheists!’” Polycarp looked grimly at the wicked heathen multitude in the stadium, and gesturing towards them, he said, “Down with the Atheists!” “Swear,” urged the Proconsul, “reproach Christ, and I will set you free.” “86 years have I have served him,” Polycarp declared, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” (Romans called Christians the atheists because they rejected to worship any other gods)

In this way he declared that Jesus was his Lord.  So he stood firm and showed that Jesus is his Lord. So he was executed. Like this his faith shines even to us.

Jesus could remove such hardship and persecutions. But he did not. Instead Jesus told them not to be afraid of coming suffering. Also Jesus told them to be faithful even to the point of death.

What does it mean? Our faith is more important than our present life. This is ultimate quality and character of faith that Jesus looking for among his followers. We do not have such threat at all. But in many parts of the world, death threat is real for many believers. What did Jesus mean? Jesus wanted the believers in Smyrna to trust the new life in Jesus and wanted them risk everything, including their own lives to Jesus. Martin Luther King once said, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live." He truly dares to risk everything for the truth that he believed. So now he is hero, Martyr and surely has the crown of life with Jesus.

The world hates Christians because they hate Jesus and his truth. So the more we are in line with Jesus the more we are likely to face oppositions and hardships. So many of hardships and difficulties of believers

In many part of the world, Christians are persecuted. Last year in Nigeria, seven were murdered because they believed in Jesus.

Persecution comes in a various forms. It is even in our schools and among class mates, and even within families. It is simply because the world hates Jesus and his truth and we stands for that truth.

But standing against threats of death is the utmost form of our faith. This is what Jesus showed to us on the cross Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

Stephen followed such faith as he was being stoned to death. He was not sorrowful at all. Rather he was filled with peace and joy. Acts 7:59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  

V11. Through this it is clear that Jesus is telling them that death is coming through persecution. But that death is not the end. Those who are murdered because of Jesus’ name will not face the second death.

One thing we know, we will all die at one point of our lives. This is the first death. This death does not take away our eternal life. But when Jesus comes he will lead us to eternal life. But those who live such ungodly life will face the second death, fiery lake of burning sulfur.  But we believers will not be subjected to this second death. This is the victory that Jesus offered to the Church in Smyrna.

Jesus’ primary goal for believers is not to give easy life on the earth but to secure eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Church at Pergamum

It was the seat of Attalid Empire before Roman Empire took over. It has temples dedicated to Zeus, Athean, Dionyus and Asclepius. Also in honor of Caesar Augustus a temple of imperial cult was built more than 100 years before. So it was called the place where Satanic had his throne. Simply the influence of Satan was overwhelming throughout the city. In such a very hostile environment the gospel was sown and many came to believe Jesus.  They kept their faith in Jesus and were loyal to his name. This faith was not swayed even though one of them, Antipas, was martyred.

But they had weaknesses. They hold the teaching of Balaam. Balaam was a Moabite prophet. Moabite king Balak offered big money to Balaam so that Balaam may prophecy a defeat and a curse to Israel. But God forbid him to do so for three times. Eventually Balak lured men of Israel to sexual immorality with Moabite women. Then, God would punish them.  In this way Israel went under the Moabite King Balak’s scheme and fell under God’s punishment.

Here two things are worthy to note.

·         It is the influence of the world to the church.

·         It came from dishonest and corrupted scheme to destroy faith. It is by money and power and sex.

The fore front of this scheme is sexual allure. If we look carefully, all political powers allow or even encourage sexual promiscuity in order to sooth the minds of people while they hold oppressive powers. It is considered a norm for the nation and kings are the ones who practice this more than anyone else. 

In the world that we live in, such practice is ubiquitous. It is thought to be inevitable and is accepted ways of life. So by the  norm of this world, it should not prohibited or controlled.

This idea sneaked into the church. Most likely this might be a survival tactic under intense pressure from pagan influences and powers.  Though they kept their loyalty to Jesus, they also accepted ungodly practice of life in order to escape overwhelming pressure from pagan theme. It is a syncretic belief. It is inviting worldly means and ways in order to keep the life of faith safe. That shall not be. Another example is entertaining the teachings of the Nicolaitans. As we mentioned in Ephesus, they are the one who seems to have sound doctrine but lacks true life of faith. Their mainstay of ministry is authority instead of love.  The essence of their faith is survival without suffering or pain.  To do so, there comes a great compromise.

What is the remedy? They have to repent. There is no middle ground or any in the middle to mitigating point between the idea of Balaam and godly truth or between Nicholaitan’s and the Gospel.

If they do not repent Jesus will fight them with the sword of his mouth.  Jesus introduced himself as the one who has sharp and double edged sword. It has power to cut and slice and chop. It has power to kill. The word of God has absolute authority. Simply God’s truth cannot be compromised.  No one can go against it and survive.

If one repents and turns away, what was offered? 

·         He offered a hidden manna—‘the meaning of manna’ is ‘what is it?’  Though they did not know what it was, it gave them energy to sustain lives in the desert. It was not known and not similar to anything we have on earth but it gave such a life. More likely it is God’s revelation of his truth to those who repent and obey.  The Psalmist says that God’s word is sweater than honey.  One you taste it, it is so good in our body and our tongue.  There is nothing like it. Think about it! How good it might be to eat and to enjoy hidden manna every day!

·         Jesus will give him a white stone with new name on it. When a jury delivers a verdict, if it is white stone, it is not guilty but if it is black stone, then it is guilty. Also the white stone is used to be admitted to a festival, or party. These things put together Jesus offer of white stone with new name means one will be accepted to the feast of heaven because he is not guilty in God’s eyes. The old sin-stained name is changed to a new name, which is pure and holy. He will enjoy intimate relationship with Jesus. Because of this intimate nature, only those who have such manna and stone will know what it is.

What does this mean to us? In one way or another many believers are involved in such way of life as cheating, cunning scheme, bribery, and many other forms of deception, power play and sexual immorality. It is reported that more than 35% of Christians are involved in pornography.

Success or joy of life is not in those but in having a secrete manna, having a white stone which has a new name engraved as a man of God. Jesus did not ask or condemned what they had done. Jesus is asking to turn away in repentance. If they do so, then, they will be welcomed with a great reward; manna, white stone.

Church at Thyatira

It is a small town relative to other cities mentioned here. It was a town of trade and crafts. There were many guilds, an association of craftsmen. Each of these guilds has their patron deities. In festivity they sacrifice to their patron deities. This is also the occasion for sexual immorality. These two, sacrifice to idols and sexual immorality went together as a norm or accepted life style.  Such practice of life was found in Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry."1 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousands of them died. )

In such environment, the church kept their faith, and love. They did remarkable service and showed great perseverance.  But there was one great problem. 

They tolerated a woman called Jezebel. Jezebel was a Phoenician woman and was stanch believer of Baal and Ashetorath (1 King 16:31) She married to a King of Israel, King Ahab. She became part of Israel leadership. In this leadership, she led Israel to Baal and Astarte worship. (2 King 9:22)

We do not know who Jezebel actually was. But it was a woman leader, prominent in the church, who was very influential and attained prominence in the church through her leadership. In this position of power, she taught a doctrine against God’s truth. This influenced the large segment of the leadership within the church. As Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab her influence was in two ways; pagan worship and sexual immorality. She enforced pagan ideas, rituals and practices within the church. It was far more serious than the church of Pergamum.

As we review the history of the church, there were so many examples of such corruption as we noted in the church of Thyatira.

Why did such thing happen?  Some proposed that the church and the society were so well woven together through the life in guilds. Each craftsmanship had its own guild. In order to make living believers had to belong to one of these guilds.  So guilds, their activity, and their way of life became essential part of believers’ life. So the life in guilds had come into the life of the church.

We are not of the world though we are in the world. The forte of women is building loving and caring relationship within a family. In such small and tightly woven society, there was a blurred boundary between the life of society and life of church. For the overriding importance of keeping cordial and loving relationship, the church tolerated her ungodly practice of life.  But she took this as her authority and called herself a prophet. She offered a deep secret in replacement of mundane biblical truth. This enchanted minds of many leaders. This became so serious to the extent that she and her commanding rule became the way of the church.  

What does this tell us? Can we say that this unveils the weakness of women leadership? Most likely no! But when anything of other than Biblical theme becomes the overriding importance over the church, it is just a matter of time to entertain pagan ideas of the world into the church.  The content of such ‘new idea or deep secret’ may vary but their expression are predictable; acceptance or justification of some form of sexual immorality and syncretic belief.

There are too numerous examples of sexual sins within the church leadership. Also there are intense discussions and arguments on what principle the church has to deal with homosexuals within the church. There are also issues on women leadership in the church. According to the norms of our society, these should never be an issue at all. But within the church they are real issues. They are serious because these two ideas originated its root from the world.  How serious outcome would it be?  Jesus offered the church three different regimens. It is unlike any other churches.

1.    Jesus will cast her on a bed of suffering. He will strike her children dead. Jesus had decided to punish her. The place of her sin would be the place of her judgment. There would be no recourse and final judgment was delivered as they lived sinful life on the earth. We can see the seriousness of the nature of the sins.

2.    Those who were associated with her were given a chance to repent. If they would not, they would face the same fate of Jezebel.

3.    Jesus offered something very special to those who were not involved with her. They will be awarded with leadership over nations.   

Leaders enjoy power and authority over many lives. Because of this, they are very vulnerable particularly to two things; spiritual superiorly induced spiritual autonomy and pride, inability to meet an utmost demand for spiritual purity resulting in most common form of sin, sexual impurity. Be reminded that both of these sins affect greatly on the next generation.

As we noted, there are no perfect church. Nevertheless Jesus is the head of the church and he has a keen eye on each church in order to make sure that that church may be victorious in God’s eyes. By giving them such victory they will function as the light of the world.

I list things that would lead to victory

• ·         Hard work,
• ·         Perseverance,
• ·         Do not tolerate wicked
• ·         Have spiritual discernment, ability to discern false leaders from true leaders.
• ·         Persecuted but endured
• ·         Having the first love.
• ·         Keep faith even to the point of death
• ·         Reject Pagan ideals and sexual sin
• ·         Watch out syncretic beliefs and leadership corruption

One thing we should do is never to give up; we all must win the victory. It is not easy but it is all ours as we look up Jesus who is full of power, glory and holiness.