January 14, 2001
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Revelation 1-5
Series on the Book of Revelation by Pastor Kunihiro Nishida of Tama Newtown Christian Church - 8/6/2006
Chapter 1
8/6/2006 Rev. 1:1-6 The Approaching "Time"
Tradition has it that the disciple John wrote this book, so we will assume that is true.
1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw - what is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."
The knowledge that is about to be revealed is knowledge that has been hidden by God and knowledge that will be revealed only by God. It is not the result of any human investigation, not could it be. God controls the entire process of history from beginning to end. There is a definite, established channel of communication here, from God to Christ to the angel to John. The point is that it is from God Himself, and is to be told to all.
John was suitable to be chosen to receive and convey this message. He tells us that he was on the Isle of Patmos, most likely in exile for preaching the gospel. John had been present with Jesus as one of his disciples, and had shown a consistent good record as a witness to the things that Christ did on earth.
3 "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
These blessings remind us of the blessings that Jesus spoke in Matthew 5. They are a sovereign declaration of God that anyone who listens, hears and obey these words are blessed. The time is near. An event will take place, and time will end. The event in question is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When will this happen? "Soon." Revelation was probably written about 90 AD, so we might have expected that the event would have taken place by now. We tend to think of "soon" as happening in our lifetime, but the timing of the event is be decided by God. God is outside of time, and with him one thousand years are the same as a day, so we really cannot dictate the definition of "soon" to God. Not knowing the exact time in human terms tends to create a kind of tension which needs to be balanced with the comforting fact that an almighty God is in control of world events.
4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. "
John begins with a greeting to seven churches in Asia, present day Turkey, and wishes them grace and peace. Let us examine the word "grace." Grace is the assurance to undeserving sinners of receiving something that we could not possibly expect or have any hope of receiving. We are not worthy and could never hope to make ourselves so. There is no amount of money that we could bring no number of good deeds, nothing that would make us sufficient. But through Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, we have received salvation!
Our salvation is promised and sealed by God himself, who was, is and is to come. He is the ruler of history, no matter how things look. We find stability and peace in knowing that God is indeed in control, and peace in knowing that we receive no longer condemnation, but salvation.
Jesus Christ is a faithful witness that all God says is true, and the highest example of true faith. He is the first to rise from the dead, which gives us the same hope of resurrection. The hope of eternal life with the creator has opened up to us. He is the true ruler of all kingdoms. This must have been a great comfort to those Christians suffering persecution from the Roman Empire under such leaders as Nero and Domitian.
The reference to the seven spirits is probably the Holy Spirit. Seven is a number that traditionally expresses perfection. The Holy Spirit is not limited to that number, and does a common work in all believers.
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. "
Here we have a benediction or blessing. It praises Christ, and declares all power and glory to belong to him. It is he who loves us. It is he who freed us once and for all from sin by his death on the cross. It is he who has made us kings and priests to reign with him. Even though the readers were facing persecution, each and every individual could put his name in the blessing and find comfort. All of the church members could insert their names and know that they were not alone.
In Matthew 24;42-51, Jesus says: 42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
It is easy to forget that Christ will return. Let us not be lax, but ready and watchful.
8/13/2006 Revelation 1:7-8 When He Comes
In the previous passage we saw how the word "blessed" was used as a mechanism to remind us of Christ's words on Matthew 5 which we are familiar. John will continue to use this technique.
"7Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen."
Here begins the prophecy and the explanation of the content of "it is near." It is an event that will take place "soon" according to God's decision. Let's state the conclusion first: the event spoken of is the Second Coming of Christ. (With that, Pastor Nishida announced that sleepy people were free to sleep away, because they already heard the main point. They could have slept at home, but they made the effort to come and get their rest at church, which is to their credit.)
There are three things said about the Second Coming. The interesting thing is that none of the information is new. It has all been said before in other places in the Old and New Testaments. First, Christ will come with clouds. He himself predicted it in Matthew 24:29-31.
29"Immediately after the distress of those day 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. "
Daniel, the Old Testament prophet also mentions the same scene in Daniel 7:13. 13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
John knew all of the Old Testament prophesies, and was not left to piece them together and interpret them for himself. He was shown the same vision that Daniel had seen! Compare Daniel 7:9-10 with Revelation 1:12-16. The similarity in the two visions is more than striking.
The second statement, "those who pierced him" is also not new information. Let's look at John 19:31-37.
31 "Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
It was the cruel but also merciful practice of Roman soldiers to break the legs of those being crucified to help them die more quickly, and this was done to each of the two thieves on either side of Jesus. The soldiers could see that Jesus was already dead, so there was no need to break his legs. However, just to make absolutely sure they had performed their duties, they pierced the body through the heart with a spear, an action meant to be absolutely sure that the "criminal" was indeed dead. Their actions were nothing unusual, except that this chain of events had been predicted in connection with the Messiah. He was to be pierced, and none of his bones were to be broken.
(See Exodus 12:46, Psalm 34:20 and Isaiah 53:5)
Third, all will mourn. Zechariah 12:10 reads, "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. "
John was shown that those who had not accepted Christ as their Messiah would grieve and mourn as was prophesied in the Old Testament. It is the all the same vision and the same message given by the same God.
8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Rather than using the letters of the Greek alphabet, we could also use A to Z or in Japanese "A" to "Un," from beginning to end. The Hebrew concept of "beginning to end" included everything in between, a totality. God is the creator and the completer and holds all time and history in his hand. He is in control.
We can see this concept in three verses in Isaiah, Isaiah 41:1-4, 44:1-8 and 48:12, where God says, "I am first and last!" "I am in control of time and history, and the one continually working for the salvation of spiritual Israel is ME and none other!"
Christ will return, and those who did not believe that he was the Messiah will mourn. God give John the same vision that he gave to Daniel, and guarantees that what he has declared will come to pass. What a comfort that must have been to those suffering persecution under the Roman Emperor.
9/3/2006 Revelation 1:9-20 In His Right Hand
To properly understand today's text, we have to remember that the writer John knew Old Testament prophecy, and that if we want to understand the New Testament, we must know the Old Testament, too. We have been and will continue to look at Revelation 1 in the context of the Old Testament book of Daniel. It was also not the first time for John to see the transfigured Christ. He had done so before in Matthew 17:1-8 at the time of the Transfiguration.
" 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."
Let's look at the main text. Rev.1:9 "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
John says that he is both brother and friend of the readers, and establishes a common bond with them and the suffering that they are enduring, perhaps under the Roman emperor Domitian. John is suffering, too, and assures his readers that the suffering is nothing that has not been predicted, and urges them to endure to the end when they will all enter God's kingdom. It was the policy of Rome to exile church leaders to remote areas in the hope that the churches would then die a natural death. John has been sentenced to exile on the Island of Patmos, and is probably forced to do hard labor.
v.10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
John receives his vision on a Sunday during a time of worship, and is guided into a state of mind to receive the vision. He heard a voice that was like a loud trumpet behind him. The voice instructed him to send his revelation to the seven churches named. We don't know exactly why these seven churches were chosen, but we may guess that then were major cities located on the Roman Road and capitals of emperor worship. It may have been that persecution was at its worst in these cities. John turns around and sees a vision.
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. 13 And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
The lampstand would have been familiar to one acquainted with Jewish temple worship, because a lampstand was one of the standard furnishings inside the temple. Next John sees a person, the Messiah of the Second Coming, the glorified Christ. His clothes are white with a golden sash, which is the attire of a priest acting as an intermediary between God and man. Hebrews 4:14-16 makes it image clearer for us.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are遥et was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Rev.1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
How is the Christ of the vision portrayed? He is brilliant and glorified, and John collapses in the presence of his holiness. We can see similar examples of people being knocked down during an encounter with the glorified Christ. Saul (Paul) was knocked to the ground by a brilliant, solid flash of light when he saw Christ on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. It happened to Daniel in Daniel 10. We are also told in I John that "God is light," so we should not be surprised by this.
Christ touches John and tells him not to be afraid. He states that he is the "first and the last," words that are explained in the previous sermon, and clearly identifies himself as God and Christ, the one who was crucified, died and rose from the dead. He is the one who was victorious over death and now rules over it. He holds the keys of death and Hades, the place where the dead go, and is not sovereign over it all.
19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
John is instructed to write that which he is about to hear about the present and what is to come. The seven lampstands are seven churches and the seven stars are seven angels assigned to the churches. It is necessary here to back up to Daniel 10 to assist us in understanding about the angels. The similarities in these two passages are so amazing that one might almost think that John copied Daniel. They both begin, "I, Daniel," and "I, John." They both tell where they were when they received their vision, Daniel on the banks of the Tigris River and John on the Isle of Patmos. They both tell the time of their vision. They both see the same brilliant person, and fell down "unconscious" and "as dead." Both are told not to be afraid and touched by the hand of God.
John's vision contained seven angels assigned to the seven churches mentioned, and Daniel's vision mentions angels as well. In Daniel 10, translation matters aside, Daniel mentions the earthly kings assigned to their respective realms, but also mentions that each realm has a ruler in the spiritual dimension as well, and that battles also take place between the angels in the spiritual realms. Considering the similarities between the visions of Daniel and John, it would not be too far a stretch to infer that this spiritual dimension still exists and functions, and that each church did have an angel assigned to it.
The constellation Ursa Minor is made up of seven stars, and was considered a symbol of sovereignty in Rome. It might also be inferred that no matter how things may appear, Rome is not the one who holds the actual power. It is actually Christ, and he holds the seven stars in his very hand! The churches are being persecuted and the angels are engaged in battle, but it is sure that the angels are going to be victorious, because they are held in the hand of God himself.
There are certainly heated spiritual battles happening between the angels of both sides assigned to Japan, too. One cannot ignore the fact that spiritual forces are at work. The angel of Tama Newtown Christian Church is in the hand of Christ, too.
Chapter 29/10/2006 Revelation 2:1-7 Return to your First Love
This is a continuation of the message from the Glorified Christ. It is clear that this is Jesus, because in Revelation 1 He speaks of himself as the one who died on the cross and was then resurrected from the dead, and the conquering one who holds the keys to death and hell. Our attention was again directed to the Old Testament book of Daniel and previous references to angels. As an interesting aside, there are conversations and events going on in the spiritual realm that we limited humans know nothing about. The example of Job was given, in which God and Satan have a conversation regarding Job's faithfulness. God claims that Job is faithful, but Satan claims the Job is only faithful to God's blessings and asks to put Job to the test. God grants permission, and when Job indeed proves faithful, God rewards him with double the blessings that he had before the trials. The human realm, however, knows nothing about the heavenly conversation. Job's friends assume that Job is suffering because he is sinful, but nothing could be farther than the truth. Their comments are made out of ignorance and are totally irrelevant. It is safe to assume that heavenly conversations are taking place in the background of Revelation, too, and we need to remember that we are not granted a full picture.
Let's turn to Christ's message to the church at Ephasus.
1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
First, the church is praised for its endurance in its fight against false teachers. Paul's last sermon in Ephasus gave a warning to the church to be on guard against wrong doctrine and keep watch for false teachers. In Acts 20:29-32 he warns: 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
The false teachers apparently appeared and the church at Ephasus must have had some difficult issues to deal with, and they were also apparently successful since they earned praise for their endurance from Christ himself.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. However, the church is blamed for having left its first love. What is meant by this? A standard interpretation might be that the church was no longer in a honeymoon state of enthrallment with its relationship with God. The thrill was gone. But let's dig a bit deeper. In verse 5 they are encouraged to remember from where they had fallen and to return to their first works. There must have been something about the quality of their works that had changed, and it was such a serious problem that the church is warned that it may even cease to exist if the problem is not remedied.
What is the problem? We don't know much about the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Perhaps they were spreading popular teachings that the human body and soul were separate entities and that as long as one's soul was saved, the body could do anything it desired, including visiting shrine prostitutes. It was certainly right to hate such vile teachings, but could it be that the church was hating not only the teachings of the Nicolaitans but also the Nicolaitans themselves? Is it right that a church operates based on hate? Is it possible that the church was so busy hating that it forgot that its purpose was to be a place that communicated God's love?
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Christ loves the church at Ephasus and wants them to know the remedy for the problem that is endangering their existance. He reminds them of the promise that they have received concerning the tree of life. We read about the tree of life in Genesis, and it was always God's intention that man eat of this tree and live forever. The church at Ephasus seems to be so busy hating the false teachers that it has lost its joy over God's promise.
Let's look at a similar situation in Luke 10:17-20. Jesus had sent his disciples out on a trip to preach the Gospel, and they returned rejoicing in their success. Jesus, however, corrects them as to what the true source of their joy should be. 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." The disciples were told that their joy should not be focused on the works that they had performed, but on what God had done for them. Their names were written forever in heaven, and it was in Christ's name that they had been victorious.
Rejoicing in one's own works rather than in having a relationship with God can be the beginning of one leaving one's first love. The works of the Ephesian church were also too closely entwined with hate for its enemies when it should have been filled with thankfulness and joy that their names were written in heaven and that they had an eternal relationship with a God who is love. Rejoicing over the wrong thing was a trap hiding in the victory that they had achieved.
I John 5:5 says, Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
If we believe Jesus work on the cross and confess Him as Lord, we have the promise that we can eat of the tree of life. Christ has taken the penalty for our sin and given us his righteousness. All we have to do is believe it and the promise is ours. The fact the our citizenship is in heaven should fill us with the deepest of thanks and give us joy in all circumstances. The early churches were undergoing persecution for refusal to bow down to images of the Roman emperors, even to the point of martyrdom. But they endured because they remembered Christ's work on their behalves and His promises for their eternities.
9/17/2006 Revelation 2:8-11 Be Faithful unto Death
We continue learning about the letters to the seven churches in Asia. These letters were directed towards specific churches, but the messages that they contain have something to say to all churches of all ages. The church at Ephasus had forgotten that its purpose was to be thankful for all that God had done for it and to communicate this to the world. If a church becomes nothing but a human organization it has lost its true reason to exist. We need to remember that our names are written in heaven, and it is there that we have our citizenship and owe our allegience. This was a very practical concept to the early churches who were ordered to worship the emporor as subjucts of the Roman Empire.8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
God refers to Himself as the eternal "I Am," the first and the last existing without beginning or end in all of eternity and the Glorified Christ refers to himself in the same manner, leaving no doubt that he is equal and one with the Creator. To leave no doubt as to His identity, He makes it clear that He is the same Jesus who suffered and died on the cross and came back to life. Christians are those who know that Jesus was victorious over death.
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
The church must have been comforted in knowing that Jesus was perfectly and totally aware of what it was suffering. It was likely that their poverty and afflictions were the result of faithfulness to their belief in Christ. It would also be a comfort to know that Jesus had also experienced suffering, and was mocked and nailed to a cross. He already had experienced everything that they were enduring and more. If the church really understood how deeply and totally it was loved, the members would have been greatly encouraged. Those who were denying that Jesus was the Christ were on the side of Satan, and if one truly understands who Jesus is, this fact is clear.
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The church is encouraged not to be afraid in its present or future sufferings. It was Roman policy to target and remove church leaders and put them in prison in hope that the churches would die natural deaths without their pastors. Peter and Paul were already in prison. The church is also assured that the suffering would not go on forever. In the Old Testament book of Daniel (Chapter 1) we see Daniel and his friends undergoing trials for a time, and in the New Testament we read that Jesus also underwent a 40 day period of testing in the wilderness. No trial goes on forever, even if the way out is a direct passage to heaven through martyrdom.
Even if the church is called on to be faithful unto death, it is promised a crown of life. This is the same eternal life promised to the church at Ephasus. Most would associate a crown with the laurel wreath given for success in an athletic competition, and Smyrna did have one of the biggest arenas in the area. The promise of a wreath would hold a special meaning to those dwelling in Smyrna, however; it was a posthumous award given to specially honored citizens who had made contributions to the arts, sports, the military and so on. The promise of a crown of life must have had a very special meaning for the church at Smyrna.
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
All will be ressurected to judgement someday. We must remember that in Genesis, God tells us that it was always His intention that we eat of the tree of life and live forever, but Adam broke the contract that stood between him and God to remember that God was the Creator and that he was the created. When the contact was broken, Adam was no longer able to eat of the tree of life, and death came into the world. We not experience the first death of our bodies, but though Christ's death on the cross we are given eternal life. If we choose to ignore Christ and his work on our behalf, we choose not to eat of the tree of life and the eternal death of our souls, cut off from God.
Pastor Nishida then shared the true story of the martyrdom of one of the church leaders in Smyrna, a man named Polycarp. It is not a pretty story, but one of great courage and devotion. It was most likely written by Pionius, another influential person in the church as Smyrna who was also probably martyred later.
The Church of God which sojourns at Smyrna, to the Church of God sojourning in Philomelium, and to all the congregations of the Holy and Catholic Church in every place: Mercy, peace, and love from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution, having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his martyrdom. For almost all the events that happened previously [to this one], took place that the Lord might show us from above a martyrdom becoming the Gospel. For he waited to be delivered up, even as the Lord had done, that we also might become his followers, while we look not merely at what concerns ourselves but have regard also to our neighbours. For it is the part of a true and well-founded love, not only to wish one's self to be saved, but also all the brethren.
All the martyrdoms, then, were blessed and noble which took place according to the will of God. For it becomes us who profess greater piety than others, to ascribe the authority over all things to God. And truly, who can fail to admire their nobleness of mind, and their patience, with that love towards their Lord which they displayed?--who, when they were so torn with scourges, that the frame of their bodies, even to the very inward veins and arteries, was laid open, still patiently endured, while even those that stood by pitied and bewailed them. But they reached such a pitch of magnanimity, that not one of them let a sigh or a groan escape them; thus proving to us all that those holy martyrs of Christ, at the very time when they suffered such torments, were absent from the body, or rather, that the Lord then stood by them, and communed with them. And, looking to the grace of Christ, they despised all the torments of this world, redeeming themselves from eternal punishment by [the suffering of] a single hour. For this reason the fire of their savage executioners appeared cool to them. For they kept before their view escape from that fire which is eternal and never shall be quenched, and looked forward with the eyes of their heart to those good things which are laid up for such as endure; things "which ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have entered into the heart of man," but were revealed by the Lord to them, inasmuch as they were no longer men, but had already become angels. And, in like manner, those who were condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful tortures, being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and subjected to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them to a denial [of Christ].
The most admirable Polycarp, when he first heard [that he was sought for], was in no measure disturbed, but resolved to continue in the city. However, in deference to the wish of many, he was persuaded to leave it. He departed, therefore, to a country house not far distant from the city. There he stayed with a few [friends], engaged in nothing else night and day than praying for all men, and for the Churches throughout the world, according to his usual custom. And while he was praying, a vision presented itself to him three days before he was taken; and, behold, the pillow under his head seemed to him on fire. Upon this, turning to those that were with him, he said to them prophetically," I must be burnt alive."
And when those who sought for him were at hand, he departed to another dwelling, whither his pursuers immediately came after him. And when they found him not, they seized upon two youths [that were there], one of whom, being subjected to torture, confessed. It was thus impossible that he should continue hid, since those that betrayed him were of his own household. The Irenarch then (whose office is the same as that of the Cleronomus), by name Herod, hastened to bring him into the stadium. [This all happened] that he might fulfil his special lot, being made a partaker of Christ, and that they who betrayed him might undergo the punishment of Judas himself.
His pursuers then, along with horsemen, and taking the youth with them, went forth at supper-time on the day of the preparation? with their usual weapons, as if going out against a robber. And being come about evening [to the place where he was], they found him lying down in the upper room of a certain little house, from which he might have escaped into another place; but he refused, saying, "The will of God be done." So when he heard that they were come, he went down and spake with them. And as those that were present marvelled at his age and constancy, some of them said. "Was so much effort made to capture such a venerable man? Immediately then, in that very hour, he ordered that something to eat and drink should be set before them, as much indeed as they cared for, while he besought them to allow him an hour to pray without disturbance. And on their giving him leave, he stood and prayed, being full of the grace of God, so that he could not cease for two full hours, to the astonishment of them that heard him, insomuch that many began to repent that they had come forth against so godly and venerable an old man.
Now, as soon as he had ceased praying, having made mention of all that had at any time come in contact with him, both small and great, illustrious and obscure, as well as the whole Catholic Church throughout the world, the time of his departure having arrived, they set him upon an ass, and conducted him into the city, the day being that of the great Sabbath. And the Irenarch Herod, accompanied by his father Nicetes (both riding in a chariot), met him, and taking him up into the chariot, they seated themselves beside him, and endeavoured to persuade him, saying, "What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar, and in sacrificing, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, and so make sure of safety?" But he at first gave them no answer; and when they continued to urge him, he said, "I shall not do as you advise me." So they, having no hope of persuading him, began to speak bitter words unto him, and cast him with violence out of the chariot, insomuch that, in getting down from the carriage, he dislocated his leg [by the fall]. But without being disturbed, and as if suffering nothing, he went eagerly forward with all haste, and was conducted to the stadium, where the tumult was so great, that there was no possibility of being heard.
Now, as Polycarp was entering into the stadium, there came to him a voice from heaven, saying, "Be strong, and show thyself a man, O Polycarp !" No one saw who it was that spoke to him; but those of our brethren who were present heard the voice. And as he was brought forward, the tumult became great when they heard that Polycarp was taken. And when he came near, the proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp. On his confessing that he was, [the proconsul] sought to persuade him to deny [Christ], saying, "Have respect to thy old age," and other similar things, according to their custom, [such as]," Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists." But Polycarp, gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the stadium, and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, said, "Away with the Atheists." Then, the proconsul urging him, and saying, "Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach Christ;" Polycarp declared, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"
And when the proconsul yet again pressed him, and said, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar," he answered, "Since thou art vainly urgent that, as thou sayest, I should swear by the fortune of Caesar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear them." The proconsul replied, "Persuade the people." But Polycarp said, "To thee I have thought it right to offer an account [of my faith]; for we are taught to give all due honour (which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God. But as for these, I do not deem them worthy of receiving any account from me."
The proconsul then said to him, "I have wild beasts at hand; to these will I cast thee, except thou repent." But he answered, "Call them then, for we are not accustomed to repent of what is good in order to adopt that which is evil; and it is well for me to be changed from what is evil to what is righteous." But again the proconsul said to him, "I will cause thee to be consumed by fire, seeing thou despisest the wild beasts, if thou wilt not repent." But Polycarp said, "Thou threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a little is extinguished, but art ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt."
While he spoke these and many other like things, he was filled with confidence and joy, and his countenance was full of grace, so that not merely did it not fall as if troubled by the things said to him, but, on the contrary, the proconsul was astonished, and sent his herald to proclaim in the midst of the stadium thrice, "Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian." This proclamation having been made by the herald, the whole multitude both of the heathen and Jews, who dwelt at Smyrna, cried out with uncontrollable fury, and in a loud voice, "This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods, he who has been teaching many not to sacrifice, or to worship the gods." Speaking thus, they cried out, and besought Philip the Asiarch to let loose a lion upon Polycarp. But Philip answered that it was not lawful for him to do so, seeing the shows of wild beasts were already finished. Then it seemed good to them to cry out with one consent, that Polycarp should be burnt alive. For thus it behooved the vision which was revealed to him in regard to his pillow to be fulfilled, when, seeing it on fire as he was praying, he turned about and said prophetically to the faithful that were with him," I must be burnt alive."
This, then, was carried into effect with greater speed than it was spoken, the multitudes immediately gathering together wood and fagots out of the shops and baths; the Jews especially, according to custom, eagerly assisting them in it. And when the funeral pile was ready, Polycarp, laying aside all his garments, and loosing his girdle, sought also to take off his sandals,--a thing he was not accustomed to do, inasmuch as every one of the faithful was always eager who should first touch his skin. For, on account of his holy life, he was, even before his martyrdom, adorned with every kind of good. Immediately then they surrounded him with those substances which had been prepared for the funeral pile. But when they were about also to fix him with nails, he said, "Leave me as I am; for He that giveth me strength to endure the fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to remain without moving in the pile."
They did not nail him then, but simply bound him. And he, placing his hands behind him, and being bound like a distinguished ram [taken] out of a great flock for sacrifice, and prepared to be an acceptable burnt-offering unto God, looked up to heaven, and said, "O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before thee, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me, worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before Thee as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, according as Thou, the ever-truthful God, hast fore-ordained, hast revealed beforehand to me, and now hast fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen."
When he had pronounced this amen, and so finished his prayer, those who were appointed for the purpose kindled the fire. An executioner went near and pierced him through with a dagger. But when the adversary of the race of the righteous, the envious, malicious, and wicked one, perceived the impressive nature of his martyrdom, and [considered] the blameless life he had led from the beginning, and how he was now crowned with the wreath of immortality, having beyond dispute received his reward, he did his utmost that not the least memorial of him should be taken away by us. The centurion placed the body in the midst of the fire, and the fire consumed it. Accordingly, we afterwards took up his bones, as being more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, whither, being gathered together, as opportunity is allowed us, with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already finished their course, and for the exercising and preparation of those yet to walk in their steps.
This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent with the Gospel of Christ. For, having through patience overcome the unjust governor, and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all the righteous[in heaven], rejoicingly glorifies God, even the Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church throughout the world.
Since, then, ye requested that we would at large make you acquainted with what really took place, we have for the present sent you this summary account through our brother Marcus. When, therefore, ye have yourselves read this Epistle, be pleased to send it to the brethren at a greater distance, that they also may glorify the Lord, who makes such choice of His own servants. To Him who is able to bring us all by His grace and goodness into his everlasting kingdom, through His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, to Him be glory, and honour, and power, and majesty, for ever. Amen. Salute all the saints. They that are with us salute you, and Evarestus, who wrote this Epistle, with all his house.
Matthew 10:28-33 says: 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
9/24/2006 Revelation 2:12-17 Flee Baalam's Teaching
12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
Again we are hearing the words of Christ himself, and see the same sharp sword that was in Chapter 1. He tells the church in Pergamum that he knows their conditions, a source of comfort and thanks. He knows us like a shepherd knows his sheep, and because of His death we are free from sin and citizens of heaven.
13 I know where you live - where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city - where Satan lives.
There were many shrines in Pergamum, to Bacchus, Athena, Zeus and the Roman emperors, to name a few. Asclepius, the god of healing also had a shrine in Pergamum, and many came seeking both miracles and medical treatment. Asclepius' symbol was a snake, also a symbol of healing. Antipas was a church leader in Pergamum, and tradition has it that he was roasted to death. He was killed for his refusal to deny Christ, and the church is commended as being faithful.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
To understand this it is necessary to read the Old Testament story in Numbers 22-25. Israel had to pass through several countries on its way to the promised land, and sometimes the kings would not grant permission and battles ensued. When Israel was faithful to God it was the victor. Balek, the king of Moab attempted to hire Baalam, a sorcerer to curse Israel, and God foiled the plot in a rather humorous manner. Balek decided to try something else, and encouraged the Israelites to worship the local idols. God takes a very dim view of this and equates idolatry with spiritual adultery, and those Israelites who fell prey to the scheme were punished severely.
The problems in the church at Pergamum could have been literal adultery in the form of visiting shrine prostitutes. It could also have been that church members who prayed for healing and felt that their prayers were not sufficiently answered paid side visits to the shrines of healing "just in case" the Christian God was not enough. The problem is still small, however, and still solvable if action is taken. The church at Pergamum is urged to repent and return to the place that it should be. They are to trust in Christ's words alone, and have no business attending any other shrines for any reason.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
What is the sword? It is the Word of God, as Paul says in Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. We can choose to live by the Word of God or to be cut down by it, but we must decide which side we are on.
17 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
The church at Pergamum receives two promised though the Holy Spirit. The church at Ephasus received a promise of partaking of the tree of life. The church at Smyrna was promised a wreath of life. Pergamum is promised the same thing but in a different metaphor. In Exodus, the Israelites had no food in the wilderness, and God provided them with manna to eat every day. It stopped falling from the sky after the promised land was entered because it was no longer needed. In the same way, the church at Pergamum is promised daily spiritual manna in the form of loving support from God himself in times when endurance needed. It was promised until the church was to reach its heavenly destination, when it would no longer be needed. We too will be provided for spiritually from today until our very last day on earth.
And what of the white stone? There are a couple of possibilities here, each equally blessed. One brings to mind the jury system that was used in Pergamum's courtrooms. The jurors would listen to the case and then vote using stones. If a juror considered the accused person innocent, he would put a white stone in a jar that was passed around. Christ declares us innocent of any sin - pure as snow and not guilty.
Another possibility is that in that time a white stone was given as a kind of ticket for admittance to speeches, banquets and other events. One could not enter without the stone, but those with the stone were ushered in. One day we will all be invited to heaven, and we have already been "given the stone."
It is not totally clear what is meant by the "new name." In some traditions people are given new names upon baptism, but we cannot be sure of the specific meaning here. We will have to wait and have God explain it to us later.
In conclusion, we are to have nothing to do with any kind of idols and are to separate ourselves from them. We are to trust the words of Christ alone, and endure as he did. Trusting the words of Christ may earn us persecution and make more endurance necessary. But, we also have the promise of provision for all that we need, a declaration that we are made righteous through the death of Christ as a sacrifice for our sins and an invitation to spend eternity with God himself.
2006/10/1 Revelation 2:18-29 The Lord Knows our Hearts
18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
This letter also begins with a description of the glorified Christ. It focuses on the eyes of Christ which are able to see all and to burn through any deception, and His feet which stamp out all wrongdoing and evil. We also see the phrase "Son of God" which is also used in Psalm 2. This Psalm was used during the coronation of Kings in Israel, and was also considered to be prophetic of the coming Messiah. "Son of God" points us to Christ's position of ruler and king.
19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Jesus knows this church as a shepherd knows his sheep, and nothing is hidden. He knows the service that they do out of their love for God and the perseverance that comes from their strong faith. They are doing more now than they did before. They are growing and maturing, and worthy of praise; however, there is also a problem that may be hidden to the church but not to the eyes of Christ.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
We cannot be sure if "Jezebel" is a real name. It is most likely symbolic and reminds the readers of the Jezebel in the Old Testament. We can read about her and how she led Israel into idol worship in I Kings 16:29-33. "29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. 30 Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. 31 He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him."
We can also read about what kind or nasty person she was in I Kings 21, where she plotted to have a land owner murdered simply because her husband thought he wanted man's property.
The "Jezebel" was leading people of the church in Thyatira into "idolatry." This could be literal immorality and/or worship of idols. The letter says that she is "tolerated." Is it possible that the church allowed her to remain in a high position even though they knew what she was doing? Is it possible that they did not realize that she was misleading people with false teaching?
21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
She had been allowed time to repent, but would not, and the result would be that she would become ill. Those who listened to her false teaching would also experience suffering. It is very possible that since people were being taken in by her deception that it was not obvious, but it would become so if she were to become ill as prophesied.
We can see a similar situation in Ezekiel 8. Ezekiel was in exile in Babylon, but was shown in a vision that there were idols hidden in the temple in Jerusalem and that the idols were indeed being worshiped. These were not obvious either, but God saw them and it grieved His heart.
Even if the members of the church at Thyatira did not see the problem, Christ did. The sickness of "Jezebel" would be obvious outward evidence of the hidden problem, and when she became ill, it was to be a warning both her and others that they needed to repent. Jesus would deal with the problem directly. What was hidden would come out. This must have inspired both fearful awe and thanks in the church.
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come.
These are tender words to those who have not been taken in by false teachings. They are urged to continue on in their loving service and faithful perseverance. What is meant by the "deep teaching?" Perhaps Jezebel thought that she had some special knowledge, but Jesus saw it as belonging to Satan. It may also be that she was teaching about Satan so that people could "understand him better." Whatever it was, it was causing people in the church to be drawn into sin.
26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - 27' He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' - just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The church is encouraged to continue the loving service and faithful perseverance that is so pleasing to God. Verse 27 is a quote from Psalm 2:9, and speaks of Christ as Messiah and King. The morning star was the planet Venus and was considered a symbol of leadership by the Roman Empire. The church may be suffering under Roman persecution, but the time will come when the positions will be reversed. Christ will be King and all earthly kingdoms will be nothing.
The Christ who indwells us sees all. For sinners who stand in judgment this is a fearful concept, but for those who have believed in His saving work on the cross there is nothing but thankfulness for the grace of being totally known by God himself. Jesus saw the love and the faith in the church at Thyatira along with the lies of Jezebel. Let us also be encouraged to imitate the loving service and faithful perseverance that were so pleasing to God.
Chapter 3
2006/10/8 Revelation 3:1-6 You Call Yourselves Alive...
The city of Sardis was famous for being impregnable. It was on a hill surrounded by cliffs and was a natural fortress. It was attacked twice and successfully invaded. The first time was in 549BC by a Persian king. He offered a reward to anyone who could find a way into the city. His army observed that a solder stationed at the top of the wall dropped his helmet and climbed down to retrieve it. The Persian army took the hint and used the same path to climb up to launch their attack.
The second attack came in 218AD by Antiochus III. The gaurds were either asleep or away from their posts, and his soldiers got in and opened the city gates themselves from the inside, allowing the rest of the invaders to enter freely. Sardis was a classic example of being "asleep at the switch." Jesus proves that he knows the history of this city well as He delivers his message to the church there.
1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
The Holy Spirit is emphasized here, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit that is desparately needed in the church in Sardis. The glorified Christ knows their true condition. They are alive in name and reputation only. Their ways do not reflect life, but rather death. What does Jesus mean here? In a prophetic sense, the church is asleep and if it does not wake up and change its ways, it is as good as dead already even if the disasterous end has not yet taken place. Jesus sees all time simultaneously from beginning to end. If the end result is death, then even if the church is merely asleep at this point, the final result is already decided with 100% surity unless they repent and make some changes.
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
Here we see the problem. There was more that God wanted this church to do, but the deeds that God expected were only half done. There was no maturity, no ripened fruit. The goal was there, but they had not reached it, because they had fallen asleep.
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
The few that were still awake were challenged to inform the sleepers that sleeping is actually the next step to death. But how is it possible to strengthen those who don't recognize that they are as good as dead? They are to remember what they first heard about the Gospel and get back to the basics. What did they first hear and believe?
Here we see God's grace. He does not cut the sleepers off, but gives them another chance. He tells them to remember the start line and begin to run the race anew. The workers are not fired, but told to take their product back to the drawing board and start over. They are to wake up and go back to where they belong. The sleepers are also challenged to get moving immediately, because they don't know how long they have to repent and make the necessary changes. They know neither the time of the second coming of Christ, nor the time that their own deaths will take place.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
This could be interpreted as those church members in Sardis who had already gone to be with the Lord. They could be martyrs who refused to bow to emperor worship. They are dressed in the pure white of Christ's righteousness. At the final judgment they will be named as those who have been forgiven in Christ, and will receive eternal life. The sleepers are encouraged to remember these who have gone on before.
5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
What do these warnings say to us today? Am I "dead?" How was I saved? I need to return to the basics and remember what God did for me in Christ. I am saved by faith, and my deeds are not worth anything in relation to my salvation. However, if I am thankful for what I have received from God, deeds will come as a result of that thanks. If we really understand what it means to be alive, we will be thankful and works will come. Remember what God's marvelous plan for your salvation was, and how you became a Christian. You will become excited and find it impossible to "fall asleep."
Pastor Nishida also drew our attention to questions 61-14 of the Heidelberg Catechism:
Question 61. Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?
Answer: Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, is my righteousness before God; (a) and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only. (b)
(a) 1 Cor.1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Cor.2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (b) 1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
Question 62. But why cannot our good works be the whole, or part of our righteousness before God?
Answer: Because, that the righteousness, which can be approved of before the tribunal of God, must be absolutely perfect, (a) and in all respects conformable to the divine law; and also, that our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin. (b)
(a) Gal.3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Deut.27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. (b) Isa.64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Question 63. What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and in a future life?
Answer: This reward is not of merit, but of grace. (a)
(a) Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Question 64. But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
Answer: By no means: for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness. (a)
(a) Matt.7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Here it is in the original German:
Frage 61: Warum sagst du, daﾟ du allein durch den Glauben gerecht seist?
Nicht deswegen, weil ich wegen der Wuerdigkeit meines Glaubens Gott gefalle, sondern weil allein die Genugtuung, Gerechtigkeit und Heiligkeit Christi meine Gerechtigkeit vor Gott ist (1.Kor 1,30; 2,2) und ich diese Gerechtigkeit nicht anders als durch den Glauben annehmen und mir zueignen kann (1.Joh 5,10).
Frage 62: Warum koennen aber unsere guten Werke nicht die Gerechtigkeit vor Gott oder ein Stueck davon sein?Weil die Gerechtigkeit, wenn sie vor Gottes Gericht bestehen soll, absolut vollkommen sein und mit dem goettlichen Gesetz ganz uebereinstimmen muss (Gal 3,10; 5.Mose 27,26), wohingegen auch unsere besten Werke in diesem Leben alle unvollkommen und mit Suende befleckt sind (Jes 64,6).
Frage 63: Verdienen aber unsere guten Werke nichts, wenn sie doch Gott in diesem und im zukuenftigen Leben belohnen will?
Diese Belohnung geschieht nicht aus Verdienst, sondern aus Gnade (Lk 17,10).
Frage 64: Macht aber diese Lehre nicht sorglose und verruchte Leute?
Nein; denn es ist unmoeglich, dass diejenigen, die Christus durch wahren Glauben eingepflanzt sind, nicht Frucht der Dankbarkeit bringen sollten (Mt 7,18).
2006/10/15 Revelation 3:7-13 Keeping Jesus' Words Part 1
7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
To have a correct understanding of this passage, we have to consider the Old Testament Jewish background. How is the glorified Christ portrayed here? As holy and true. This would remind a Jewish reader of the following place in Isaiah 6:1-3. "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
(There is another verse from Isaiah that portrays Jesus as true, but I have to find it.)
Jesus is thus portrayed as equal and the same as God, having all authority and rulership. A Jewish reader would be especially sensitive to these references. Another place in Isaiah refers to the "key of David." Isaiah 22:20-22 "In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
He who possesses the key of David is the top authority in the realm. We can read about the contract that God concluded with David in II Samuel 7. I will not reproduce the entire chapter here, but we can read in it of God's promise that David's kingdom would never end. The Jews took this as a Messianic promise, and expected that the Messiah would establish a kingdom on earth. We can see from Acts 1 that the disciples still misunderstood the true nature of the spiritual kingdom over which Christ would reign, and asked the risen Jesus when he was going to set up his earthly kingdom.
God's promises to David were not based on anything that David had done. The promises were made entirely according to God's grace and sovereignty. Everything that God had done for David was according to His will to glorify Himself. (There is danger in becoming too proud of being chosen by God, and the Pharisees fell into this trap.) David's response was to repeat God's words back to Him. "It is written! You said this! You did this! I believe it!" This is a good pattern on which to model our prayers.
Jesus is both the key and the door to the eternal kingdom. If we have Jesus, we have eternal life, and Jesus is the only way into the kingdom. Believe in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross is the only way; there is no other. It is only through Jesus' death in our place that we receive forgiveness and righteousness and salvation. He is the door, and he holds it open to all, but it is through this door alone that one can enter the kingdom. The door is open to the church in Philadelphia.
8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Christ knows their works, and that they had only a little strength, but they succeeded in His eyes by keeping His words and not denying His name. There were powers working against them that made these works difficult. Perhaps these early Christians were being persecuted by the Jews, and says that the Jews in the flesh are no longer real Jews and that the door would be closed to them. Their inheritance would go to the new "spiritual Israel," the church in Philadelphia.
9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars - I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
Those who are working against the church or Philadelphia will be falling at the feet of those that they persecuted. The positions will be reversed. There is a similar idea in Isaiah. When Israel returns from captivity in Babylon, it is prophesied that the foreign kings who were Israel's captors would become worshippers and fall at the feet of the true God. Again, the positions were to be reversed. The persecutors would fall at the feet of the persecuted. Isaiah 60:10-14 reads:
10 "Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
in favor I will show you compassion.11 Your gates will always stand open,
they will never be shut, day or night,
so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations・
their kings led in triumphal procession.12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;
it will be utterly ruined.13 "The glory of Lebanon will come to you,
the pine, the fir and the cypress together,
to adorn the place of my sanctuary;
and I will glorify the place of my feet.14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you;
all who despise you will bow down at your feet
and will call you the City of the LORD,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.Why are the places reversed? Israel had been sent into captivity because it committed idolatry, and was redeemed and brought back because of God's love. Isaiah 43:1-7 says:
1 But now, this is what the LORD says・
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."What was given to the Jews? Status as chosen ones, and along with the status, the unending love of God. But they misunderstood both their status and God's love, and their inheritance was given to new spiritual Israel. The door was opened to whosoever would enter. The church at Philadelphia kept Christ's words and did not deny Him. The Heidelberg Catechism says in Q64 that if we understand our status that we will have the fruits of thanks and love. The church at Philadelphia understood this, and were indeed thankfully experiencing Christ's love. They could not have kept Christ's words on their own. It is not natural, but supernatural.
An example of this has been seen recently in the reaction of the Amish community to the family of the man who killed their children. This community is truly keeping Christ's words in the midst of a heartbreaking situation. These are people who live in the belief that the door is open. We believe the same Bible as do they. Let us also not deny Christ. Let us also do what Christ says.
11/5/2006 Revelation 3:7-13 Choosing to Keep Christ's Words
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
A promise is given to the church at Philadelphia. First we have the reason for the promise, which is that the church has endured by keeping Christ's words and not denying Him during times of persecution. The content of the promise was that the church would be protected in the "hour of trial" that was to come. It had been protected when persecuted by Jews who had attempted to make the church fail at keeping Christ's words and encouraged the church to deny Christ. It would also be protected during the time of Roman persecution that was to come. The Roman Emperor Nero has begun the persecution and it would continue until the early 300's. The "whole world" would be understood by the readers of the time as being the realm of the Roman Empire.
If the church would continue to follow Christ's teachings and not deny Him, then they were guaranteed of certain and unfailing protection and help during the trials that were to come. It was their faith that would be protected and not necessarily their physical bodies. There was the possibility of martyrdom, but the best end is to enter the gates of heaven and gain eternal life. It the church continues to keep Christ's words and not deny Him, this is the unshaking promise that it has. Compare Matthew 24:15-22 for similar teachings on the end times.
12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
The ones that overcome are the ones who have kept Christ's words and not denied Him. They are to become pillars in God's temple and to be an eternal part thereof. The temple is where the "Emmanuel" principle takes place, that is, "God with us" and we in God's presence and this state is to continue forever.
The pillar metaphore would have had a special meaning to Philadelphia, as there was an earthquake there in 17AD which destroyed many buildings and crushed the pillars that had supported them. God's temple is an eternal one, never to be destroyed.
Three names to be engraved on the pillars are mentioned. One is God's name, because we are now His property and belong totally and only to Him. One is the name of New Jerusalem the City of God, and indicates that our names are in the rolls of the place of our new citizenship. One our new name, indicating that we are new creations in Christ, our status as those redeemed by His saving work on the cross.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
These words were actually written as a letter and a prophecy for the church at Philadelphia, but as with many cases of prophesy it also has a message for us today. There was encouragement for the church at Philadelphia and there is encouragement for us, too.
Christ promises that if we obey his words and do not deny Him, that our faith will be protected, just as was that of the church at Philadelphia. This is a continuing response of choosing to do so every day in one's life. We are promised the protection. Let us continue to learn Christ's words so that we may know them, do them and never deny Him.
2006/11/12 Revelation 3:14-22 Welcome Christ into your Heart
The city of Laodicea was wealthy. It was destroyed in an earthquake in 60AD and was rebuilt without any assistance from the Roman government. The city was known for two products, black fabric made from the wool of black sheep raised in the area and eye medicine which was a black powder that was rubbed into the eyes. (Furugiya no Funmatsu) These products were sold throughout all of the known world. It is very probable that the members of the church at Laodicea had read Paul's letters to the Colossians, as the church is mentioned in Colossian 4:12-16.
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.
As in the other letters, the glorified Christ is portrayed. Here he is called the "Amen," which is a word from Hebrew that was imported into the Greek language, and it conveys various meanings. Amen is accurate truth, unchangable firmness and believable faithfulness. Christ then, is a witness that is true, firm and faithful.
This reference to the God of Truth would remind readers with a Jewish background of Isaiah 65:16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.
Isaiah 56 then continues to proclaim that the God of Truth will create a new heaven and a new earth, and that He is the Creator and the Ruler of all creation. Colossians 1:15-20 further expands on this idea. 15 He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Rev. 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
Christ knows their deeds, and that lukewarm, useless works arise from their lack of faith. A standard reading would be that a lukewarm faith is undesirable, and that it would be better to be either cold or hot. That a hot, glowing faith is desirable is logical. What is meant by a cold faith? If a cold faith is better than lukewarm is it all right? Does it refer to those who do not know the gospel and are still in rebelion against God? No, because those who do not know the gospel do not yet have faith. Let's approach the problem from a different angle. In the winter we like hot tea and in the summer we like cold tea, so rather than using water at room temperature we act upon it to make it hot or cold. Either is useful in its respective season, whereas lukewarm water is not. As lukewarm water is not useful as it is, neither is lukewarm faith. It is dead and useless.
16 So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Why were they lukewarm? Could it have been that they had received too many economic blessings and become complacent? They thought that they were fine and had not a problem in the world. When seen through the eyes of this world, they seemed wealthy, but seen through Jesus' spiritual eyes, they were poor indeed, but had not realized the fact. The problem was not their riches, but it was rather because they had not recognized their true spiritual condition. There was still time to change. They had not been rejected yet, but were in danger unless they changed their ways.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
What is the solution to their problem? They needed to realize that they were valuing what had no eternal value. Instead of buying things in this world, they were told to "buy" spiritual things from Christ instead. They needed the 24 carat pure spiritual gold which would never fade away, but last forever. They were to seek Christ's best and not be complacent. They needed to understand that even though they were clothed in fine black garments, that they were spiritually naked and needed to be clothed with the pure spiritual righteousness of Christ. They needed to know that their eye salve would not do them any good spiritually, and that they needed their spiritual eyes opened.
We can see the same concept in Ephesians 1:17. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
What happens when our spiritual eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit? We understand the greatness and the hope our salvation and of the kingdom of God. The church at Laodicea had a faith that did not seek after spiritual riches, righteousness. They made no attempt to open their spiritual eyes. They needed to seek what God could give them and not what the world offered. So how were they to "buy" what they needed from Christ? The next two verses give us the answer.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
]The ones who are poor, naked and spiritually blind need to be earnest and repent. And how are our eyes opened? Through loving rebuke and discipline. This is not as the world does it, sometimes in anger and with impure motive. Christ's rebuke and discipline is done out of nothing but the purest love. The proper response to love so great is nothing but repentance and earnestness.
Verse 20 has often been used to encourage people to open their hearts to Christ, and there is nothing wrong with this, but let's examine the context. Why is the Laodicean church lukewarm? Because it is functioning without Christ's presence, without "Immanuel." He is shut out and rejected. But there is still time left to change. If the church does not change God says that he will spit it out, but He has not done this yet, and does not really desire to do so. Repentance and change would gladden his heart more, and it is our of love that He sends rebuke and discipline to make them notice their dangerous condition.
It is important that they understand that the rebuke and discipline comes in proportion to the love that Christ has for them, repent and become earnest in works.
In Philippians 3:10 Paul writes the following. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death... Sometimes we experience trouble as a result of belonging to Christ. We are called not only to believe on His Name, but sometimes we are also called to suffer for His Name. This is different from discipline and rebuke, and we can usually tell the difference if we are honest in our hearts. If we catch ourselves being lukewarm, we should always repent and let Christ back on the throne of our hearts.
Christ says that He will come in and eat with us. This refers to the ceremonial meal that took place after sacrificial "peace offerings" depicted in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It is here that we truly experience peace with God and "Immanuel," God with us.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
This is not a throne of judgement, but a throne of honor and rejoicing. Christ will ask us, "Is this where you always wanted to be? Well, come and sit with me!" Let us be sure that we are not going through life with Christ shut out. If so, let us repent, invite him back in and gain peace with God. And, let us be thankful that God always extends His loving hand to us whenever we ask Him.
Chapter 4
2006/11/18 Rev. 4:1-8 The Path of the Victors
The letters to the seven churches have ended, and here begins the prophecy. John looks before him to see an open door, the same open door mentioned and promised to all victors in the letter to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:8. If we enter the gate, what do we see? The writer John is described as being "in the Spirit" and in a vision enters the gates of Heaven and sees the throne of God.
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
When the original Greek is examined it is difficult to tell exactly which jewels are being referred to, but perhaps they were jewels attached to temple garments worn by priests. The exact appearance of the One on the throne was concealed by the light emitted from the jewel-like glow. We also see a rainbow, which brings to mind the rainbow that God placed in the sky when He made a promise to Noah never to destroy the earth by flood again. It is the same eternal God that we see portrayed here!
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
These 24 elders will be dealt with in the next sermon. We see that they have white clothes of the kind mentioned in the letter to the church at Sardis. The thunder and lightning bring to mind Mount Sinai, where God made a covenant with Israel and gave it the Ten Commandments.
6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
To understand this more fully we must examine it in light of Ezekiel 1. The similarities in these two visions are fascinating and amazing. Ezekiel 1 is printed below for purposes of comparison. Ezekiel wrote in Babylon during a period when Israel was in captivity around 593BC. John wrote his vision around 90AD.
When both visions are compared, we read that Ezekiel and John saw the same "animals." The depictions are a bit different, as Ezekiel describes four animals with four heads each and John describes four animals with one head each. It could be that in John's case the four headed animals were each flying with a different face turned to the front. Some commentaries discuss the meanings of the different faces, but we will not do that here. Both passages mention an abundance of eyes. Another interesting point is that Ezekiel sees the same rainbow and hears the same thunder and lightening.
A fascinating difference is that Ezekiel is looking up into Heaven in his vision, and the crystal expanse mentioned appears to him as a sky through which he can see into Heaven from below. In John's vision, he is ushered directly in through the heavenly gates. The crystal expanse does not appear as the sky, but as a sea.
The readers would hear of John's vision and immediately remember Ezekiel's vision; however we no longer have to peer into Heaven from below. Through the death for our sins of Christ on the cross we are graced with direct access to God upon His throne. There is no curtain blocking us from the Holy of Holies as there was in the temple in Jerusalem. We need no more sacrifice or intermediating priest.
This vision must have been a comfort to those suffering under the Roman persecution of the emperor Domitian. The readers knew that Ezekiel concluded with freedom and a return to Jerusalem, and they would also conclude that their end would be a similar one. The would also gain freedom and entry into the New Jerusalem in Heaven, and it would be every bit and even more real then Ezekiel's historical return to Jerusalem. They would be victorious. Babylon fell, and so would Rome. Jesus was the true king, and not the Roman emperor.
Ezekiel 1 1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth of the month - it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin - 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him.
4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north - an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.
15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not turn about as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked like an expanse, sparkling like ice, and awesome. 23 Under the expanse their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
25 Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
2006/11/26 Rev. 4:9-11 Learn from Heavenly Worship
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Those familiar with the Old Testament would immediately recall a similar part of the book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
There are three common points in these two visions; God seated on the throne, the six-winged seraphim (so named in Ezekiel 10:20-22) and the "holy, holy, holy" worship. It would seem that the chief occupation of the seraphim would be praise, and the heavenly worship took place constantly.
As they sing their praises, 24 elders also fall down before the throne in worship. They throw their crowns before the throne, and with their crowns, they express submission of the rights that go along with their crowns and give God full sovereignty.
What is the reason that God is being worshiped? Because He is the Creator and because He alone is Lord and God. This would be a clear challenge to the authority of the Roman emperor, because Domitian commanded that he be called lord and god, and believed himself to hold the power of life and death over those who refused to worship him. God alone is worthy to receive worship, not any Roman emperor. God is the creator and giver of life, and it is thanks to Him that all things exist. It is foolishness for Domitian to think that he has control over anything, because it is God who determines whether things exist or not.
There are various interpretations of the 24 elders. Perhaps they are representatives of those who walked in faith. Perhaps they are representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples, and unify the Old and New Testaments. Perhaps they call back to the Jewish temple system of teams of 24 people on temple duty. It is difficult to know which is right, but perhaps that is not the point here. The point is what the elders are doing. They are declaring that God is the creator through which all things exist and no Roman emperor.
What can we learn from this heavenly worship? The real prophecy begins from Revelation 6, and in chapters 4 and 5 we have a glimpse of the place from which the message is coming. We are shown what occurs there. We are shown that God's plan, heart and will are expressed in a place of worship.
What happens in our present earthly place of worship? God's Word the Bible is read and explained, and we discover his will. God is worshipped and given honor and glory. God is thanked. When we come into God's presence, do we really seek to know His will? Do we come with a heart full of praise? Do we come to thank Him for all that He has done, all that He is doing and all that He is going to do?
Chapter 5
12/3/2006 Revelation 5 Worshipping Jesus Christ
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
There is a scroll mentioned in Ezekiel 2:9-10, and it is the same one. The scroll in Revelation is not yet opened, but sealed with seven seals. John, however, knows that there is writing both inside and out. Compare the Ezekiel passage: 9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
The angel asks, "Who is qualified and worthy to open the scroll so that we may know what is written therein? But he looks around and finds no one worthy, no one who has ever existed on the face of the earth. His reaction is to weep bitter tears. It is the same kind of weeping that Peter did after he denied Christ. John is broken and disappointed that there is nothing that he is able to do.
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
But the elders rise up and declare that there is one who is worthy. We can find reference to the Lion of the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:9 and to the Root of David in Isaiah 11:1. It is obvious that the elders are declaring Jesus Christ as worthy.
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
The Lamb is the same Lamb mentioned by John the Baptist in John 1, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Jesus Christ. Horns were a symbol of power, and seven horns would indicate perfect power. The seven eyes (seven spirits) refer to the Holy Spirit. The letters sent out to the seven churches are not only for the seven churches, they are for whoever has ears to hear. All will listen to the words of the Holy Spirit, so when He speaks, all must listen.
7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
When the Lamb who is worth takes the scroll, worship breaks out! The first round of worship is done by the four creatures and the twenty four elders. The elders hold bowls of incense, which are prayers. Every prayer that is prayed by believers makes it to God's throne. Let us be sure that our prayers are persistent and worthy.
9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
John says that this is a new song that he has not heard before. The second round of worship is made up of all of the heavenly beings.
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Last, all of creation joins in worship of God.
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The point of Revelation 4 is the person who is deserving of worship. It is important to note that God is addressed as "our Lord and God." These are the very words that the Roman emperor demanded be addressed to himself, and God makes it very clear that it is He alone that is worthy to receive worship and not the emperor Domitian. Even if it meant martyrdom, it was God who was to be worshiped, and God alone. Both Jews and Christians would agree with this.
Revelation 5 continues to worship God, but the emphasis shifts. Although Rome demanded emperor worship, it made an exception and did not demand it of the Jews. As long as Christianity was considered a Jewish sect is was allowed, but when Christians began to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and recognize Him as the Messiah, they were chased out of the Jewish system and fell prey to Roman persecution.
Why is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God declared worthy of worship in Revelation 5? Because of the results of His saving work on the cross. He totally and sinlessly walked the path set out for Him by His Father all the way to His death on the cross in our places. And because of His death, all who believe are citizens of Heaven and members of His kingdom, priests to reign with Him.
It is here that the Jews and Christians split. I John 2:18-23 sheds more light on this.
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us - even eternal life.
The Jews had left the fellowship of believers because they denied that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. Those who are "annointed" or who have the Holy Spirit know that Jesus is Lord and worship Him as such.
