Apocalipse 2
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - “There are also working Christians who do not approach to laboring; yet a lifetime of such work as theirs would not exhaust a butterfly. Now, when a man works for Christ he should work with all his might.” ILLUSTRATION OF "I KNOW" - By means of satellite imagery and software programs that can find almost any address on the planet, I can see almost any church building in the world from my study at home. If, for example, I want to see a certain church in South Africa, I can open a software application and a spectacular picture of our blue and green planet spinning in space appears on my computer screen. I type in Africa and the spinning planet rotates to the giant continent of Africa. I then type in South Africa and zoom in on the country of South Africa. I type in Barberton (a city west of Swaziland), and in seconds I see the entire city. Finally, I type in the address of the church. Before I know it, I’m looking down at the roof of a church building 9,800 miles (15,680 km) from my home. As powerful and amazing as this technology is, however, I still can’t see inside the building. I see only the roof. I cannot see or hear God’s people as they worship, nor can I look into the hearts and minds of the people who gather there. But there is one who can see perfectly into every human heart. He can perceive the corporate spirit of a church. Not only can he see into every church and every heart, he can walk among the churches on earth without being detected! And he does it all without the benefit of our feeble computers, cameras, or satellite imagery. (1) Your deeds (ergon) - This could refer to specific deeds are encompass all the deeds that follow in Jesus' commendation. Most versions have "Your works." Works don't save a person. We are not saved by good works (Eph 2:8,9+, Titus 3:5+), but for good works (Eph 2:10+) and if Jesus commended their deeds, they are Good Deeds! Jesus should know for as He told the disciples "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit (aka "Good Deeds"), for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Good Deeds are evidence of genuine faith (see James 2:17-26+). And keep the cultural context in mind -- these saints lived in a cesspool of idolatry and paganism (even the Imperial Cult where you were required to say "Caesar is Lord!") as well as unspeakable debauchery and immorality. And yet they are commended by Christ for good works in the face of opposition, antagonism and hatred. Do you serve Christ because you love him, or has He gotten lost in your good works? -- Joseph Stowell Rod Mattoon - He approved them for their SERVICE. The Greek word for "labor" means "toil or diligent labor, even to the point of weariness and exhaustion." It was a beehive of Holy Spirit directed activity. They did not just attend church, but they labored for Christ. There are three groups of people in every church. 1. The Shirkers—who do nothing. They let others do the work and giving. 2. The Jerkers—who start out fine, give a jerk or two, and then run out of gas spiritually. They become indifferent and unreliable. 3. The Workers—they work. Ephesus was a working church. Related Resources: What does it mean that good works are the result of salvation? | GotQuestions.org Why is faith without works dead? | GotQuestions.org Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? How can salvation be not of works when faith is required? isn’t believing a work? Why is salvation by works the predominantly held viewpoint? | GotQuestions.org What is the biblical understanding of faith vs. works? | GotQuestions.org And (2) your toil (kopos) - The Church at Ephesus was not a lazy church, but willing to work up a little "holy sweat," so to speak, because the Greek word for toil refers to exhausting physical or mental labor and in some contexts describes work that is fraught with difficulties, hardships or burdens. The saints at Ephesus did not shrink back for this type of work. Adrian Rogers says toil "means that's the price of the works. This speaks of the perspiration; this speaks of the hard work. There's no cheap way; there's no easy way; there's no lazy way to serve the Lord Jesus..... I know the blood, sweat, and tears that you have put into your church and your work for Christ." You know what the deacon's prayer is, don't you? "Now I lay me down to sleep. The sermon's long; the subject's deep. If he should quit before I wake, give me a nudge, for goodness sake." Now, there are a lot of deacons like that, a lot of Sunday School teachers like that—just simply asleep. Not this church....I saw a tract the other day that captured my attention. It said, "How to Build a Great Sunday School." Well, I was looking for some deep, dark secret; and so, I opened the tract up, and, on the inside, in big, bold, boxcar letters, it said this: "Go to work." Amen? "Go to work." John MacArthur on their toil - The Ephesians were diligent workers for the cause of Christ. Theirs was no spectator mentality; they did not want merely to be entertained. Nor were they content to eat the fruit of others’ labor, but were willing to plow, plant, and harvest their own crop. In the midst of the pagan darkness that surrounded them, they were aggressively evangelizing the lost, edifying the saints, and caring for those in need. (See Revelation Commentary) And (3) perseverance (endurance, steadfastness) - Jesus goes on to commend their perseverance (hupomone), a word which speaks of steadfast endurance when circumstances are difficult (clearly the implication is that the source of "energy" for this kind of endurance is the Holy Spirit - Gal 5:22). This is not a passive acceptance but a strong fortitude even when faced with opposition. Jesus uses this same word (hupomone) again in Rev 2:3 stating "you have (present tense - continually) perseverance." The difficulties in our lives, The obstacles we face, Give God the opportunity To show His power and grace. Perseverance (hupomone) - see note below "This commendation indicates that, despite their difficult circumstances, the Ephesian believers remained faithful to their Lord" (MacArthur) Charles Swindoll on perseverance (hupomone) - The Greek term hupomone, used already in Rev 1:9+, implies endurance under extreme hardship, in the face of life-threatening challenges or against seemingly impossible odds. The Ephesian Christians faced special challenges. Because they refused to bow the knee to the goddess Diana or the images of the emperor, they found themselves maligned, slandered, boycotted, and abused. Not unlike Jewish merchants in Berlin in the 1930s, Christians in Ephesus would have been the objects of physical violence, social ostracism, and economic repression. Yet they endured. They bore up under the load. Clearly, Ephesus had been taught well by its predecessors, Paul, Timothy, and John. (See Insights on Revelation) DOCTRINAL DISCERNMENT and (4) that you cannot tolerate evil men - Tolerate is bastazo used again in Rev 2:3. More literally this reads "you (absolutely) cannot tolerate evil." ESV = "you cannot bear with those who are evil." In context the evil was those men who were lying and claiming to be apostles. Vance Havner said, "The temperature was so high that he killed the germs."
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - This was grand of them: it showed a backbone of truth. I wish some of the churches of this age had a little of this holy decision about them; for nowadays, if a man be clever; he may preach the vilest lie that was ever vomited from the mouth of hell, and it will go down with some.” William Newell - “Ministerial courtesy” had no place at Ephesus! Plain scripture tests are given. The saints have “an anointing from the Holy One.” (1 John 2:20+) They may know, if they will, false teachers, those who do “not abide in the teaching of Christ” (2Jn 1:9) We are not to receive them into our house, and we are to give them no greeting (2 John 1:10); much less are we to suffer them to preach and teach in our assemblies. Ephesus had both the discernment and the spiritual energy to reject those whom she “found false.” (Commentary on the Revelation) and (5) you put to the test (peirazo) those who call themselves apostles (apostolos), and they are not, and (6) you found them to be false - NLT = "examined the claims." The Ephesians sought to ascertain the character and truthfulness of those who continually claimed or professed to be apostles. They also tested and hated "the deeds of the Nicolaitans" (Rev 2:6+). Today people call themselves apostles but by Biblical criteria they cannot be true apostles because they have had no first person exposure to the resurrected Christ (Read Acts 1:21, 22+, 1 Cor 9:1+). 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Adrian Rogers - "A true church, a New Testament church, has a right to screen out the bugs, when it lets in the light." That's what this church was doing—screening out those teachers who did not take a stand...Before we let you teach, we're going to examine you; we're going to find out what you believe. Tony
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - A church has no reason for being a church when she has no love within her heart, or when that love grows cold. Lose love, lose all.” When love dies orthodox doctrine becomes a corpse, a powerless formalism. Adhesion to the truth sours into bigotry when the sweetness and light of love to Jesus depart. Left (863)(aphiemi from apo = prefix speaks of separation, putting some distance between + hiemi = put in motion, send) conveys the basic idea of an action which causes separation. Literally aphiemi means to send from one's self, to forsake, to put away, disregard. It conveys the basic idea of an action which causes separation and refers to detachment and/or separation from a previous condition. In secular Greek aphiemi initially conveyed the sense of to throw and in one secular writing we read "let the pot drop" (aphiemi). From this early literal use the word came to mean leave or let go. It is translated forgive/forgave/forgiven 48 (of 133 uses). Aphiemi in Revelation - Rev. 2:4; Rev. 2:20; Rev. 11:9 🙏 THOUGHT - After Peter had denied Jesus three times, the risen Jesus ask "Do you love me?" three times (Jn 21:15, 16, 17). How would we (I) answer if Jesus ask me this question three times today? Vincent on first love - The first enthusiastic devotion of the Church to her Lord, under the figure of conjugal love. (Revelation 2) Joseph Stowell - In Revelation 2:4 Jesus speaks of wanting our “first love” (see also John 21:15–17). The word first in this text refers to priority. It is a love that motivates and drives all that we do. We have been loved with the deepest love possible. After all, who would go to the cross for offensive sinners if it weren’t the purest kind of love? And being loved with such amazing love, the only response our heart can have is, “How can I love You in return?” (Borrow Strength for the journey : day-by-day with Jesus)
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - The divine anointing causes fragrance to distil from the robes of the Mighty Hero. He is delightful to every sense, to the eyes most fair, to the ear most gracious, to the spiritual nostril most sweet. The excellences of Jesus are all most precious, comparable to the rarest spices; they are most varied, and to be likened not to myrrh alone, but to all the perfumes blended in due proportion. The Father always finds a pleasure in him, in him he is well pleased; and all regenerated spirits rejoice in him, for he is made of God unto us, "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." Note that not only is Jesus most sweet, but even his garments are so; everything that he has to do with is perfumed by his person. All his garments are thus fragrant; not some of them, but all; we delight as much in his purple of dominion as in the white of his priesthood, his mantle as our prophet is as dear to us as his seamless coat as our friend. All his dress is fragrant with all sweetness. To attempt to spiritualise each spice here mentioned would be unprofitable, the evident sense is that all sweetnesses meet in Jesus, and are poured forth wherever he is present. The first and the last (see Rev 1:17+) - In ancient letters the writer of the letter always identified himself at the beginning of the letter, not the end. So Jesus begins His identification by a title that was used by the prophet Isaiah (see passages above). The Revelation ends with another designation of Jesus as the First and the Last (Rev 22:13+). Jesus' use of the first and the last which was used in Isaiah to describe God is tantamount to Jesus stating that He is God. (See First and the Last - study by A B Simpson) This description speaks of His eternality to the church at Smyrna because in the midst of suffering an eternal perspective is what is needed. "In the midst of trials, let us remember that Jesus existed before time, that He rules over time and the at He will reign for all time! What we suffer here is insignificant compared to the eternal glory that awaits us there....It was His victory over death that causes the church to be victorious in the face of death." (Steve Lawson) Lehman Strauss said, He is the one Who created, controls, and will consummate all things. (Ephesians 1:10; Colossians 1:16-17) (Borrow The Book of the Revelation: Outlined Studies) Who was dead, and has come to life - The first and the last speaks to Jesus as the eternal God and yet here Jesus clearly alludes to His humanity and the incredible truth that the eternal God died as a man, but He came back to life, a description of Christ's resurrection from the dead. This would be an encouraging truth to this church that faced the prospects of death for their faith, knowing that even if they died, they would live again because they were in Christ.
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon says "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" And as an aside there are some 1218 uses of "behold" in the Old and New Testament, which should give us sufficient opportunities to practice using this word to help us in our study of Scripture. Behold in the Revelation (There is a lot to BEHOLD in the Revelation!) - Rev. 1:7; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 2:22; Rev. 3:8; Rev. 3:9; Rev. 3:20; Rev. 4:1; Rev. 4:2; Rev. 5:5; Rev. 6:2; Rev. 6:5; Rev. 6:8; Rev. 7:9; Rev. 9:12; Rev. 11:14; Rev. 12:3; Rev. 14:1; Rev. 14:14; Rev. 16:15; Rev. 19:11; Rev. 21:3; Rev. 21:5; Rev. 22:7; Rev. 22:12 Death (2288) thanatos (see in depth note) is a permanent cessation of all vital functions and thus is the end of life on earth (as we know it). The separation of the soul from the body and the end of earthly life. Spiritual death is separation from the life of God forever by dying without being born again. The first use in the Septuagint is in a well known promise from God "you shall surely die (Lxx = thanatos apothnesko).” (Ge 2:17) followed by the second use in the deceptive lie by Satan “You surely shall not die (thanatos apothnesko)!" (Ge 3:4) Death is natural to humanity as part of the created world. Death is a result of Adam’s sin (Ro 5:12). Death is universal - no one can escape it. Crown (4735)(stephanos from stepho = to encircle, twine or wreathe) was a wreath made of foliage or designed to resemble foliage and worn by one of high status or held in high regard. The stephanos was a familiar metaphor in the athletic games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. The stephanos was literally an adornment worn around the head as a crown of victory in the Greek athletic games, this reward being given to the runner who crossed the goal first, to the disc thrower with the longest toss, etc. Apart from recognition of athletes and winners of various kinds of competitions, in the Greco-Roman world, the awarding of a crown or wreath signified appreciation for exceptional contributions to the state or groups within it. The recipients were usually public officials or civic-minded persons serving at their own expense. Stephanos is the Greek word used to describe all 5 of the crowns believers will receive. The most dramatic use is the first one in Matthew = "And after twisting together a crown (stephanos) of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”" (Mt 27:29) Stephanos in NT (most uses in Revelation) - Matt. 27:29; Mk. 15:17; Jn. 19:2; Jn. 19:5; 1 Co. 9:25; Phil. 4:1; 1 Th. 2:19; 2 Ti. 4:8; Jas. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 3:11; Rev. 4:4; Rev. 4:10; Rev. 6:2; Rev. 9:7; Rev. 12:1; Rev. 14:14 QUESTION - Why does God test us? Watch the associated video. ANSWER - When we ask why God tests us or allows us to be tested, we are admitting that testing does indeed come from Him. When God tests His children, He does a valuable thing. David sought God’s testing, asking Him to examine his heart and mind and see that they were true to Him (Psalm 26:2; 139:23). When Abram was tested by God in the matter of sacrificing Isaac, Abram obeyed (Hebrews 11:17–19) and showed to all the world that he is the father of faith (Romans 4:16). In both the Old and New Testaments, the words translated “test” mean “to prove by trial.” Therefore, when God tests His children, His purpose is to prove that our faith is real. Not that God needs to prove it to Himself since He knows all things, but He is proving to us that our faith is real, that we are truly His children, and that no trial will overcome our faith. In His Parable of the Sower, Jesus identifies the ones who fall away as those who receive the seed of God’s Word with joy, but, as soon as a time of testing comes along, they fall away. James says that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, which leads to maturity in our walk with God (James 1:3–4). James goes on to say that testing is a blessing, because, when the testing is over and we have “stood the test,” we will “receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). Testing comes from our heavenly Father who works all things together for good for those who love Him and who are called to be the children of God (Romans 8:28). The testing or trials we undergo come in various ways. Becoming a Christian will often require us to move out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and completeness. This is why James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). The testing of faith can come in small ways and daily irritations; they may also be severe afflictions (Isaiah 48:10) and attacks from Satan (Job 2:7). Whatever the source of the testing, it is to our benefit to undergo the trials that God allows. The account of Job is a perfect example of God’s allowing one of His saints to be tested by the devil. Job bore all his trials patiently and “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22). However, the account of Job’s testing is proof that Satan’s ability to try us is limited by God’s sovereign control. No demon can test or afflict us with beyond what God has ordained. All our trials work toward God’s perfect purpose and our benefit. There are many examples of the positive results of being tested. The psalmist likens our testing to being refined like silver (Psalm 66:10). Peter speaks of our faith as “of greater worth than gold,” and that’s why we “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6–7). In testing our faith, God causes us to grow into strong disciples who truly live by faith and not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we experience the storms of life, we should be like the tree that digs its roots ever more deeply for a greater grip in the earth. We must “dig our roots” more deeply into God’s Word and cling to His promises so we can weather whatever storms come against us. Most comforting of all, we know that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle by His power. His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). “That is why,” Paul said, “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” GotQuestions.org WHAT IS THE MEANING OF TEN DAYS R L Thomas' summary of the ways 10 Days have been interpreted: (See Revelation Exegetical Commentary) (Note: Numbers have been added to the various interpretations) Different interpretations of the ten days of affliction have emerged. (#1) A widely held view says it refers to ten specific periods of persecution under the Roman emperors during the first three centuries of the Christian era. The ten persecuting emperors that are sometimes listed are Nero (A.D. 54), Domitian (A.D. 81), Trajan (A.D. 98), Hadrian (A.D. 117), Septimus Severus (A.D. 117), Maximin (A.D. 235), Decius (A.D. 249), Valerian (A.D. 254), Aurelian (A.D. 270), and Domitian (A.D. 284). (Scott, Revelation, p. 72(n.); William R. Newell, The Book of Revelation (Chicago: Moody, 1935), p. 46; Smith, Revelation, p. 67. The dates cited are the beginnings of reigns, not necessarily the beginning of the persecution under that emperor.) Besides these persecutions being well-known facts of history, this interpretation is weak. It is somewhat fanciful (Alford) in light of the writing date of the Apocalypse. In A.D. 95, if this view were valid, one of the persecutions would have been in the past and the second one almost at its end. This would render the future tense hexete (“you will have”) inexplicable. That this prediction pertained to the church in Smyrna only, not to the church throughout the Roman Empire, is another negative consideration against this view. (#2) Another way of understanding the ten days is to take “day” symbolically to refer to a year. This then is a prediction of ten years of affliction (Lee). This symbolism is used elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Ezek. 4:6), and the fact is that the persecution under Diocletian lasted for approximately ten years, from February 23, 303 to June 13, 313. (Lee, “Revelation,” 4:481, 520, 532.) Furthermore, the persecution under Decius and Valerian lasted for ten years, from 249–259, as did that under Domitian, from 81–91 (Lee). The prophecy of Daniel’s seventy weeks is best explained on the basis of the year-day theory too (cf. Dan. 9:24–26; cf. Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:6). The problems with this view include the fact that the persecution of 81 to 91 transpired before the writing of the book and could hardly fulfill this prediction. Also the nature of the prediction necessitates its fulfillment to that generation, not to a generation many years later. The year-day symbolism is appropriate to the apocalyptic portion of the book, from chapter 4 on, but not to these seven messages that are epistolary in style. Various schemes have sought to apply this theory, and each has proved inadequate (Lee). (#3) A third explanation of the ten days is also symbolical, making it refer to a long period of time (Lee). In the Bible ten often represents a very large number (cf. Gen. 31:41; Num. 14:22; Job 19:3; cp. Deut. 23:3 with Neh. 13:1). This view is more in keeping with the seriousness of the impending crisis the Lord predicts. (Ray Summers, Worthy is the Lamb (Nashville: Broadman, 1951), p. 113; Mounce, Revelation, p. 94.) The immediate context dooms this attempted solution, however. Whatever else this prediction may do, it is provided as an encouragement for those in Smyrna. To accomplish this, the period of their suffering must be of limited duration rather than being so extended. Were the latter the case, their incentive to be faithful would be quelled rather than strengthened. (#4) A further attempt to find symbolic import in the ten days sees the words referring to an indefinite period of persecution, in a short and limited time (Alford; Swete; Scott; Walvoord). “Ten” is said to be a well-known symbol for a very short period (cf. Gen. 24:55; Num. 11:19; 14:22; 1 Sam. 1:8; 25:38; Job 19:3; Dan. 1:12). (Alford, Greek Testament, 4:567; Trench, Seven Churches, pp. 114–15.) It is a round number denoting fullness or completeness quite often in the Bible and in apocalyptic writings. Here it denotes a period that is not long, but long enough to bring severe trial to the sufferers (Lee; Beckwith). Ten days of suffering and suspense might seem an eternity while they lasted, but in retrospect they would be but a moment (cf. 2 Cor. 4:17). The trial might be long, but it had a limit known to God (Swete). This view also accords with the significance of the case of hēmerōn. As an adverbial genitive of time it does not denote duration of time, which would have been expressed by an accusative case. It indicates the kind of time period during which this affliction transpires. (Swete, Apocalypse, p. 32; A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (Nashville: Broadman, 1934), p. 495; BDF, par. 186.) This view encounters difficulty in two areas, however. First is the observation that numerical symbolism is more characteristic of the apocalyptic portions of the book, which begin at chapter 4. The OT examples cited in support are literal ten-day periods and are not symbolic. A second difficulty is to observe that nothing in the context of this message indicates that the expression is intended to be symbolic (Bullinger). (#5) In light of these difficulties a fifth interpretation of the ten days is preferable. The ten days are literal and refer to an unknown persecution within a definite period of time during the generation to which this message was addressed. Such limited periods of persecution are well known in biblical history (Gen. 7:4; 40:12, 13, 20; Num. 14:33; Esth. 3:13; Ezek. 4:1–8; Matt. 12:40).52 This is the most natural understanding of the expression in epistolary literature such as this. No reason to take the ten days as symbolic exists. This explanation also allows for a proper understanding of the genitive case of hēmerōn, which was cited above in connection with the fourth view. It is a “ten-day” affliction. The view is illustrated by, but not fulfilled by, the persecution of Polycarp in this city in the mid-second century.53 A similar surge of opposition against some Christians in Smyrna apparently came a short time after the publication of the Apocalypse. THE CROWNS FOR BELIEVERS Crown of Exultation 1 Th 2:19+ For those who win others to Christ (ARE YOU SHARING THE GOSPEL?) Crown of Righteousness 2 Ti 4:8+ For those who have loved His appearing (CONTRAST 1Jn 2:28+) Crown of Life Jas 1:12+ For those who endure persecution unto death Crown of Imperishability 1Cor 9:25+ For those who run the race of life in purity and self control Crown of Glory 1Pe 5:4+ For those who lead the church with humility Insights on Revelation - Charles Swindoll What are the five heavenly crowns? | GotQuestions.org Related Resources: Discussion of First & Second Resurrection What is the first resurrection? What is the second resurrection? | GotQuestions.org What is the verse about casting our crowns before the feet of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org What are the five heavenly crowns that believers can receive in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org What is the Judgment Seat of Christ / Bema Seat of Christ? How can we store up treasures in heaven? What is the purpose of there being rewards in heaven? What do I need to do to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" when I arrive in heaven? THE FIRST AND SECOND RESURRECTIONS Order Which Timing Who Description Scriptures 1 First The Third Day Jesus Christ The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (Click here for 3 charts on "Feast of Firstfruits") Mat. 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18; 1Cor. 15:20 2 First Shortly after Christ’s Resurrection. A Few OT Saints At the earthquake attending the crucifixion, graves were opened. Shortly after the resurrection of Christ, these saints were raised Mat. 27:50-53 3 First Before the Tribulation. Church The resurrection of Church-age believers at the Rapture. John 14:3; 1Th. 4:13-18; 1Cor. 15:50-53 4 First Middle of the Tribulation Two Witnesses God’s two witnesses will be raised after being killed by The Beast. Rev. 11:11-12‣ 5 First After Jacob’s Trouble (Jer 30:7+) OT Saints Old Testament saints will be resurrected to enter the Millennial Kingdom.54 Dan. 12:1-2‣; Isa. 26:19; Eze. 37:13-1455 6 First Beginning of Millennial Kingdom. Tribulation Martyrs The Tribulation martyrs will be resurrected so that they can rule and reign with Christ. Rev. 20:4-6‣ 7 Second End of Millennial Kingdom Unbelieving Dead56 At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, the final resurrection will consist of all of the unbelieving, wicked dead. They will be found guilty at the Great White Throne Judgment and cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 20:11-15‣ Source: Tony Garland Revelation 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.' He who has an ear: Rev 2:7 13:9 the second death: Rev 20:6,14 21:8 Revelation 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Luke 12:4-5+ I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! NOT HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH He (singular) who has an ear, let him hear (akouo) what the Spirit (pneuma) (present tense - continually) says to the churches (ekklesia) - See detailed note above on this urgent command. This (to hear) is our RESPONSIBILITY, to respond to His living and active Word of Truth! This is Jesus' command to hear not just with our physical ears (in one ear and out the other, cf Lk 6:46-49+, cf James 1:22+), but with spiritually opened ears that truly grasp the words heard, so that we obey them (enabled by the Spirit) as the general direction of our life. As discussed in the note above these are genuine overcomers. As overcomers we all possess the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables each of us to obey Jesus' command, giving us first the desire to HEAR and then the power to HEAR what Jesus is saying (cf Php 2:13NLT+, cf Lk 24:45+). Note that He is singular thus speaking to each individual, while churches is plural, so that these words are applicable to every church of every age. Spurgeon Some people have ears, but they have not “ears to hear.” They have ears, but they close them to that which they ought to hear. When a man is really willing to listen to the truth, then may God help him to listen with all his heart, and spiritually! But how many there are that have ears and do not hear! The external organ is affected, but the internal ear of the soul is not reached at all. Blessed are they who, having ears, do in very truth hear. May God give us such ears as can hear his voice, and may we take to heart the solemn teachings of our Lord! Amen. William Newell - The saints may have to bow their heads to those who execute the first death—who “kill the body”; but over these, we read, “the second death hath no authority” (Revelation 20:6+). No real believer is coming into judgment. (cf John 5:24). Believers’ works will be examined (2 Cor 5:10+, Ro 14:10-12+, cf Rev 22:12+), but not as sin: that is gone forever, borne on the cross! (1 Pe 2:24+) Hebrews 9:28+: “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Revelation 2) He who (present tense - continually) overcomes (nikao) will not be hurt (adikeo) by the second death (thanatos) - Genuine believers will continually overcome, not by their might or power, but by the enabling power of the Spirit. Not is a double negative (ou me), the strongest way one can express a negative in Greek. The Second Death is described in Rev 20:14-15+ says "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." So what is the Second Death? This passage teaches two points (1) All those not written in the book of life (all non-believers in Jesus Christ) and (2) they will be cast into the Lake of fire, which "burns with brimstone' (Rev 19:20). In Rev 20:10 indicates this will be a place of conscious torment "day and night forever and ever." (See eternal punishment - note the Second death is absolutely NOT annihilation!). In other words those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ will "die twice!" The old saying puts it this way "Born Once, Die Twice. Born Twice, Die Once.” The caveat is that this old saying is not a "fire insurance policy" and the saying is valid only if one has truly been born again (and is not relying for example on a prayer prayed years before that was never associated with a significant change in one's lifestyle - see What is the prayer of salvation? What is the sinner's prayer?).
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - Holding fast the faith (From his sermon Holding Fast the Faith preached Feb 5, 1888, which was a plea he made several weeks before the climax of the Downgrade Controversy on April 23,1888, when the Baptist Union overwhelmingly voted against the stand he had been taking! So sad. The "Spirit of Pergamos" had crept into the church of Jesus Christ!) ‘I know … where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith.’ Revelation 2:13 The faith I hold bears upon it marks of the blood of my ancestors. Shall I deny their faith, for which they left their native land to sojourn here? Shall we cast away the treasure which was handed to us through the bars of prisons, or came to us charred with the flames of Smithfield? When my bones have been tortured with rheumatism, I have remembered Job Spurgeon, who in Chelmsford Jail was allowed a chair because he could not lie down by reason of rheumatic pain. That Quaker’s broad-brim overshadows my brow. Perhaps I inherit his rheumatism, but that I do not regret if I have his stubborn faith, which will not let me yield a syllable of the truth of God. When I think of how others have suffered for the faith, a little scorn or unkindness seems a mere trifle. An ancestry of lovers of the faith ought to be a great plea with us to abide by the Lord God of our fathers and the faith in which they lived. I must hold the old gospel: I can do no other. God helping me, I will endure the consequences of what men think obstinacy. If the Lord does not speedily appear, there will come future generations, which will all be tainted and injured if we are not faithful to God and to his truth today. We have come to a turning-point in the road. If we turn to the right, our children and their children may go that way, but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to his Word. I charge you, not only by your ancestry but by your posterity, that you seek to win the commendation of your Master, that though you dwell ‘where Satan’s seat is’, you yet hold fast his name, and do not deny his faith. (Read Spurgeon's full sermon Holding Fast the Faith or listen to well done the audio version) FOR MEDITATION: (Our Own Hymn Book, no. 409 The Way, the Truth, and the Life v.4—George W. Doane, 1826) ‘Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life; grant us that Way to know, That Truth to keep, that Life to win, whose joys eternal flow.’ Revelation 2:14 'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of] immorality. NET Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. NLT Revelation 2:14 "But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. ESV Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. NIV Revelation 2:14 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. GNT Revelation 2:14 ἀλλ᾽ ἔχω κατὰ σοῦ ὀλίγα ὅτι ἔχεις ἐκεῖ κρατοῦντας τὴν διδαχὴν Βαλαάμ, ὃς ἐδίδασκεν τῷ Βαλὰκ βαλεῖν σκάνδαλον ἐνώπιον τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ φαγεῖν εἰδωλόθυτα καὶ πορνεῦσαι. KJV Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. ASV Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. CSB Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. NKJ Revelation 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. NRS Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. YLT Revelation 2:14 'But I have against thee a few things: That thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam, who did teach Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom; NAB Revelation 2:14 Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot. NJB Revelation 2:14 "Nevertheless, I have one or two charges against you: some of you are followers of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap for the Israelites so that they committed adultery by eating food that had been sacrificed to idols; GWN Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you: You have among you those who follow what Balaam taught Balak. Balak trapped the people of Israel by encouraging them to eat food sacrificed to idols and to sin sexually. BBE Revelation 2:14 But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh. I have: Rev 2:4,20 Balaam: Nu 24:14 Nu 25:1-3 Nu 31:8,16 Jos 24:9 2Pe 2:15 Jude 1:11 a stumbling block: Isa 57:14 Jer 6:21 Eze 3:20 44:12 Mt 18:7 Ro 9:32 11:9 Ro 14:13,21 1Co 1:23 8:9 1Pe 2:8 eat: Rev 2:20 Ac 15:20,21,29 21:25 1Co 8:4-13 10:18-31 to commit immorality: Rev 21:8 22:15 1Co 6:13-18 7:2 Heb 13:4 Revelation 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Acts 20:29+ (FALSE TEACHING IS INSIDIOUS & IS AN INSIDE JOB) "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 2 Peter 2:15+ (BALAALM) (False teachers described in 2Pe 2:12-14) forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; Jude 1:11+ (BALAALM) Woe to them (Jude 1:10)! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Nu 22:11, 12+ (BALAALM) (King Balak to Balaam) Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Numbers 31:8+ (BALAAM) They killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of their slain: Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. Joshua 13:22+ (BALAAM) The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner, with the sword among the rest of their slain. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18+ Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. Jude 1:3+ Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 2 Timothy 2:22-25+ Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, Balaam on His Talking Donkey (Nu 22:21-41+) CHRIST'S CONDEMNATION FOR COMPROMISE Compromise describes something that combines qualities or elements of different things and is often associated with a weakening or reduction of fundamental principles or standards. In this case sound doctrine was being polluted by false teaching held by "some". And as the definition of "compromise" states the addition of different things (teachings in this case), weakens the whole structure. So here we see Christ's rebuke of the spiritual compromise of some in the body. As Swindoll says "The church in Pergamum harbored Balaamites and Nicolaitans, compromising their otherwise positive reputation as faithful Christians." But - Term of contrast. - Always pause and check the context to help understand the "change of direction." Even though this church was holding fast in a very difficult environment (Satan's throne!), this did not excuse the accepting of false teaching Jesus will now describe. Like the church at Ephesus that had many good things, but the good things do not give liberty to allow license! Jesus is building a pure church, John describing the Bride of Christ "It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." (Rev 19:8+, Eph 5:25-26+) I have a few things against you - How many things against Ephesus? Just one ("you have left your first love." - Rev 2:4). How many things did Jesus have against Smyrna? None. Why? Persecution had purified that church and made them spiritually rich. The few things refers to the false teaching He describes and the implication is that the believers in the church at Pergamum knew about the false teaching, but had compromised their convictions. As Lawson says "Their real danger was not with persecution. I was with perversion within the church. If Satan can't defeat a church, he'll join it!" (Final Call - page 118) Swete comments that "At Ephesus the attitude of the Church towards the Nicolaitans was matter for praise, but at Pergamum it invited censure (contrast ἔχω κατὰ σοῦ with v. 6 τοῦτο ἔχεις). The Church which could resist Satan in the form of the Emperor-cult was not equally proof against an insidious heresy. (The Apocalypse of St John) The present tendency to minimize sin in the church has reduced her spiritual tone to a subnormal status. -- Strauss Strauss - It is ever and always sinful to countenance (admit as acceptable) evil among an assembly of believers. It is not enough to be grieved, and even shocked; the guilty one must repent and forsake his evil way. And if there be no repentance, those who have the oversight can take no other course of action except to expel. Though not guilty themselves, they failed to censure those who were guilty. They tolerated them when they should have tried them. The present tendency to minimize sin in the church has reduced her spiritual tone to a subnormal status. Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8+ for a lesson in church discipline. Paul did not wink at that flagrant example of incest. The member of the church at Corinth who was guilty of immoral relations with his stepmother, and who would not repent, was purged out. Moral dereliction, moral delinquency in the church tends toward the corruption of the whole. "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6+). Those who have the oversight of the local assembly need to be concerned about the influence that the sins of one person will have upon the whole assembly. (ED: DEAR ELDER PLEASE READ THAT SENTENCE AGAIN!) When we compromise with evil, we make the word "compromise" a most immoral word in the English language. So said John Morley, and I agree with him....I am merely making the point that discipline should be exercised in the local assembly whenever and wherever it is needed. There can be no peaceful coexistence between light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness, Christ and Belial. Our Lord taught the need for discipline in the Church of God (Matthew 18:15-17), therefore we must not be afraid to exercise it. In this the assembly at Pergamos had failed. (Borrow The Book of the Revelation: Outlined Studies) Related Resource: What does the Bible say about church discipline? | GotQuestions.org Because (term of explanation) - What is Jesus explaining? Is this not the "few things" that He had against them? You have there some who hold (krateo) the teaching (didache) of Balaam - NET = "You have some people there." NLT = "You tolerate some among you" What is the implication? This is an "inside job," the very thing Paul had warned the Ephesians elders about in his parting words (Acts 20:29,30+). There is another implication and it is that they believers knew this was an issue in their body, but had chose to turn a blind eye and to tolerate it (we call that spiritual compromise, which always yields rotten spiritual fruit). Note the adjective is some, not many, but the problem is that you just need a small amount of leaven to spread throughout the whole body (1Co 5:6-7)! Jesus uses the same Greek word for hold (krateo) He had used krateo to commend them, saying "you hold fast (krateo) My Name." (Rev 2:13). Here krateo conveys a negative meaning and in the present tense indicates some members in the church body were firmly, continually holding to the teaching of Balaam. So the sad irony is that while most of the saints at Pergamum were holding fast to Christ (Rev 2:13), some were holding fast to the false teachings. So what is the teaching of Balaam? Jesus immediately explains this teaching in the next phrase, so we do not have to guess. Lawson points out that "Christ's complaint is not directed to the small group teaching this heresy. His rebuke is against the majority in the church who tolerated the teaching of Balaam....the teaching of Balaam is to compromise with the world. It is the mixing of holy things with unholy things. It is having one foot in the church and one in the world. Trying to play both ends into the middle. This small group in the church at Pergamum was threatening to destroy the whole church. Only one link has to break before the whole chain is useless....A little leaven affects the whole lump. A small pocket of sin will infect the whole body. It must be dealt with. Now!" (ED: COMPARE Mt 6:24+) (Final Call - page 118). Swindoll comments "Christ’s reference to Balaam reaches back to events recorded in Numbers 22–25, in which that quintessential “prophet for pay” (ED: a "non-profit prophet") tried to lead Israel astray....Christ directed His rebuke toward the faithful believers in the church who failed to take action against the Balaamites." (Insights on Revelation - Page 50) Peter uses Balaam to characterize false teachers writing "forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Pet. 2:15+, cf the only other mention of Balaam in the NT in Jude 1:11+. cf their "errors" in Jude 1:4, 7, 8, 10+) Error will not be suppressed by compromising with it. -- Lehman Strauss Strauss - Error will not be suppressed by compromising with it. The false religious ideologies of Christendom can be overthrown only by the sword of the Spirit, the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. And if men will not repent, Christ's saving Word becomes their Judge (John 12:47-48). His holy sword becomes their executioner (ED: CF "THE SWORD OF MY MOUTH" - Rev 2:16). Balaam himself was slain with the sword (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:22), and so will all those who reject Jesus Christ. (Borrow The Book of the Revelation: Outlined Studies) A Snare...A Trap Who kept teaching (didasko) Balak to put a stumbling block (skandalon) before (enopion) the sons of Israel - Balaam was teaching Balak king of Moab how to trip up Israel. He could not curse those who God had blessed. Stumbling block is a great word picture for what happened to the men of Israel. The stumbling block was a trap used for animals and if the animal took the bait, the trap would snap shut on the victim! In Numbers 25:1-3 Balaam had recommended to Balak to "bait" the trap with sensuous, seductive Moabite women who were to be paraded "BEFORE" the men. The word "before" is enopion which literally means in the face of or right in their line of sight! Needless to say, the Hebrew men were tempted, took the bait and were caught by the eye catching "bait." THIS TRAP ALWAYS WORKS, MEN! Remember that only the first look is "free"! A glance can easily turn into a gaze! The modern version of "skandalon" is seductive images of women plastered all over the internet (right before our eyes), even in the advertisements! I need say no more! (See our need as men for Spirit enabled praying of Ps 119:37 and practicing of Ps 101:3) So what Balaam was not allowed to accomplish through SORCERY (God would not let him curse Israel as in Nu 22:11, 12+, cf Nu 23:7,8, 11, 13, 25, 27+, Nu 24:9,10+) he accomplished through SEDUCTION. In other words, since Balaam could not CURSE them he sought to CORRUPT them! While Israel remained at Shittim (LAST STOP BEFORE PROMISED LAND! Josh 2:1), the people (MEN) began to play the harlot (Septuagint = ekporneuo) with the daughters of Moab (ENTICED WITH THE MOABITE WOMEN). 2 For they (MOABITE WOMEN) invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor and the LORD was angry against Israel. (Numbers 25:1-3) And Moses said to them, “Have you spared all the women? 16 “Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. 17 “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. 18“But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves. (Nu 31:15-18+) NET NOTE emphasizes how serious this stumbling block was to the Nation of Israel - What Israel experienced here was some of the debased ritual practices of the Canaanite people. (The evidence indicates that Moab was part of the very corrupt Canaanite world, a world that was given over to the fertility ritual of the times.) The act of prostrating themselves before the pagan deities was probably participation in a fertility ritual, nothing short of cultic prostitution (Wikipedia - Prostitution in ancient Rome § Prostitution and religion). This was a blatant disregard of the Mosaic covenant and the Law. If something were not done, the nation would have destroyed itself! 🙏 THOUGHT - Apparently the saints at Pergamum had not heeded Paul's admonition in Romans 16:17+ "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances (skandalon) contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them." Osborne - As Balaam showed the Moabites how to lead Israel into sin, so the false teachers were showing these Christians how to fall into sin. (Pdf - Revelation Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) To eat things sacrificed to idols (eidolothuton) - Things sacrificed to idols "refers to sacrificial meat, part of which was burned on the altar, part was eaten at a solemn meal in the temple, and part was sold in the market for home use.” This teaching would encourage the fellow church members to integrate with the culture. As Beale says believers "were expected to pay their “dues” to trade guilds by attending annual dinners held in honor of the guilds’ patron deities. Homage to the emperor as divine was included along with worship of such local deities." As
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - Beloved, no truth ought to be more frequently proclaimed, next to the first coming of the Lord, than His Second Coming. You cannot thoroughly set forth all the ends and bearings of the first advent if you forget the second. At the Lord’s Supper, there is no discerning the Lord’s body unless you discern His first coming, but there is no drinking of His cup to its fullness unless you hear Him say, “Till I come” (Revelation 2:25). You must look forward as well as backward. So must it be with all our ministries; we must look to Christ on the cross and on the throne. We must vividly realize that He, who has once come, is coming again, or else our testimonies will be marred and one–sided. We will make lame work of preaching and teaching if we leave out either advent. R L Thomas writes "The nearness of His coming (ED: THOMAS SAYS "CHRIST'S SECOND ADVENT" WITH NOT MENTION OF RAPTURE) is held up as an incentive to stand true in the face of pressure to compromise right standards of behavior." (See Revelation Exegetical Commentary) THOUGHT As an aside the Spirit of God has inspired the NT writers to allude directly or indirectly to the fact that Jesus will come again in approximately 1 of every 20-25 New Testament passages. Why would the Spirit do this? He clearly wants the return of Christ on every believer's "radar screen" so to speak. It is what I like to call the principle of Vertical Vision, a truth that is found all through the Scriptures (and not just related to the return of Christ). For example in Colossians 3:1+ Paul commands "Therefore if (SINCE = ASSUMED TRUE) you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." In other words, Paul is commanding believers to maintain an attitude of "Vertical Vision." Why is Vertical Vision seen so often in the New Testament? In simple terms, what one is looking for, will (or should) radically impact what one is living for. In other words as a believer am I living for the temporal or the eternal? Colossians 3:2+ amplifies this idea with another command "Set your mind on (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the things above, not on the things that are on earth." If we are seeking Jesus and setting our minds on Jesus, we are much more likely to be living for Jesus, living for the eternal, rather than for the temporal. See more discussion on Vertical Vision. Walvoord adds that "It is remarkable that here first in the seven churches there is reference to the coming of Christ for His church as the hope of those who are engulfed by an apostate system. (Revelation 2: The Letters To Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, And Thyatira) Rod Mattoon - They are to be faithful until the Lord returns and that is what we are to do. We are to hold the fort, fight the Lord’s battles and the battle for the souls of men till He returns. The Lord closes the book of Revelation with a promise to come quickly. This is the first mention in Revelation of the Lord’s coming for His church. Rewards at Our Lord's Return - Robert Neighbour "And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12). According to the Word of God, the believer during this age may expect persecutions and sorrows and sufferings. The more truly we live for God, and the closer we walk with God, the more will we be hated of the world. Our rewards, for the great part, lie beyond this age. Down here, we may receive blessed tokens for Christian life and service, but these are only foretastes of what awaits us when our Lord appears. Matt. 16:27—"For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father * * then He shall reward". Luke 12:43, 44—"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath". Luke 14:14—"Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just". II Thess. 1:5, 7—"That ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer * * and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven". Rev. 2:23, 25—"I will give unto every one of you * * hold fast till I come". Rev. 11:18—The time hath come "that thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants and prophets, and to the saints". Rev. 22:12—"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me". The above passages suffice to show us that Jesus Christ will bring His rewards with Him. "When Jesus comes to reward His servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to Him will He find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright? "Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching, In His glory they shall share; If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, Will He find us watching there?" Hold Fast - krateo- J D Watson - Word for the Day While the Greek katechō means "to hold down, quash, or suppress," there is a subtly different picture in the word krateo. It means to "lay hold of, seize, adhere to." Herod, for example, "laid hold" of John the Baptist and put him in prison (Matt. 14:3), and the Roman guard "laid hands" on the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:50). Even more significant, the idea of adhering to something is reflected in Matthew 28:9, for example, where the disciples "held [Jesus] by the feet, and worshipped him." We read this idea also concerning the Pharisees, who adhered to the tradition of men instead of the commandments of God (Mark 7:8). This brings us to perhaps the most vivid occurrence of krateo. In his letter to the church at Thyatira, our Lord commands, "But that which ye have already hold fast till I come" (Rev. 2:25). Here is a challenge to all believers to hold fast, to adhere to and never let go of that which they have. And what is it that we have? The Lord Jesus Christ. We are to cling to Him until He comes to take us home. This is actually the first mention of Christ coming for the church in the book of Revelation. We should also point out that the verb tense here is the aorist (punctiliar action). The significance of this is that these believers had "let go" of certain truths and needed first to grab hold of them again and then never let go. How we need to grab on to the truth! How we need to cling to the Savior, not the world and its philosophies! Another instance of this word provides an additional challenge: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold (krateo) the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2 Thess. 2:15). The greatest desire of the Christian should be to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). The driving force of our lives should be to know and adhere to biblical doctrine, not human tradition or anything else. To what do we hold fast and adhere to in Hebrews 4:14 and Hebrews 6:18? Things to Hold Fast 1. HOLD FAST TO ALL THAT IS GOOD 1 Thess. 5:21 2. HOLD FAST TO THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS 2 Tim. 1:13 3. HOLD FAST TO OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE GOSPEL Heb. 3:6 4. HOLD FAST OUR PROFESSION Heb. 4:14 5. WITHOUT WAVERING Heb. 10:23 6. HOLD FAST TO GOD’S PLAN Rev. 3:3, 11 7. HOLD FAST TO THE END Rev. 2:25 1. An Ideal Believer. “Hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). 2. A Faithful Witness. “Holding fast the faithful word” (Titus 1:9). 3. A Tenacious Evangelist. “Hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13). 4. A Cleaving Confessor. “Hold fast our confession” (Heb. 4:14, R.V.). 5. An Expectant Waiter. “Hold fast the confession of our hope” (Heb. 10:23, R.V.). 6. A Resolute Steward. “Hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:25). 7. A Jealous Watcher. “Hold fast that which thou hast” (Rev. 3:11). Until the Rapture 1. Show the Lord’s death, worshippers 1 Cor. 11:26 2. Hold fast his truth, warriors Rev. 2:25 3. Occupy in his service, workers Luke 19:13 4. The Lord descends in the air 1 Thess. 4:16 5. The dead in Christ are raised 1 Cor. 15:20–25 6. The living saints are changed 1 Thess. 4:17 7. Incorruptibility given the dead 1 Cor. 15:52 8. Immortality given to the living 1 Cor. 15:54 9. Caught up together 1 Thess. 4:17 10. Received by Him John 14:3 From the Book of 750 Bible and Gospel Studies, 1909, George W Noble, Chicago Hold fast till I come, Phillip Bliss Oh, spirit, o’erwhelmed By thy failures and fears, Look up to thy Lord, Though with trembling and tears; Weak Faith, to thy call Seem the heav’ns only dumb? To thee is the message, Hold fast till I come. Refrain Hold fast till I come, Hold fast till I come, A bright crown awaits thee; Hold fast till I come. Hold fast when the world Would allure thee to sin; Hold fast when the tempter Assails from within; In sunshine or sadness, In gain or in loss, To falter were madness; Oh, cling to the cross. Refrain Thy Savior is coming In tenderest love, To make up His jewels And bear them above: Oh, child, in thine anguish, Despairing or dumb, Remember the message, Hold fast till I come. Refrain Vance Havner - LIVING IN THE GREAT "UNTIL" It's exactly the other way around for the Christian. I'm not waiting for the abolition of war and poverty or urban renewal. I'm living in the great "until." If somebody asks you what time it is, tell him it's "until. " He might look at you funny, but it will give you a chance to get in a word. We are living in the great "until":' 1. "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). 2. I'm waiting "until he [that hindereth] be taken out of the way" (2 Thess. 2:7). 3. I'm judging "nothing before the time, until the Lord come" (1 Cor. 4:5). 4. I'm waiting "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). 5. I'm waiting "till He hath put all enemies under His feet" (I Cor. 15:25). 6. I'm waiting until He subdues "all things unto Himself" (Phil. 3:21). 7. I want to "be sincere and without offense till the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:10). 8. I want to "hold fast" what I have until He comes (Rev. 2:25). 9. And when I partake of the Lord's Supper, I "show the Lord's death till He come" (1 Cor. 11:26). 10. And He told me, "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13). 11. I'm waiting "until" His enemies be made His footstool (Ps. 110:1). (Borrow Vance Havner Notebook) HOLD THE FORT Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 - Play Hold the Fort (Disclaimer - I do not like the depiction of Jesus "arm wrestling" Satan at 1'50''! Our fight is NOT a POWER struggle, but a TRUTH struggle!) Only hold on to what you have until I come. (Revelation 2:25) God’s call to each believer is to be obedient and faithful—not to seek a life of earthly success. Difficulties and defeats are a normal part of every Christian’s life. Our response to negative situations can either shatter us or they can intensify our perseverance and confidence in a sovereign God. It has been said that a mark of a champion athlete is not how he/she responds to a victory, but how a difficult loss on a previous day has been met. As was true of so many of Philip P. Bliss’ gospel songs, this stirring hymn was inspired by an illustration used by Major Whittle, an officer in the American Civil War, while addressing a YMCA meeting on the text from Revelation 2:25. Major Whittle’s illustration was about a small Northern force of soldiers in charge of guarding a great quantity of supplies. They were being hard pressed by greatly superior Confederate forces. Finally, the Confederate general, General French, commanded the Federal troops to surrender. At that moment the troops saw a signal from their leader, General Sherman, on a hill some miles away, which said, “Hold the fort, I am coming. Sherman.” The story so captivated Bliss’s interest that he could not retire that evening until he had completed both the text and the music for this rousing gospel song. It later became a great favorite in the Moody-Sankey campaigns both in Great Britain and in the United States. We too have a commander now in heaven who has promised to return for us. Victory is certain! Our responsibility is to faithfully “hold the fort” and to “occupy till He comes” (Luke 19:13KJV). Ho, my comrades, see the signal waving in the sky! Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on; Mighty men around us falling, courage almost gone! See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow! In our Leader’s name we triumph over ev’ry foe. Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near; Onward comes our great Commander—cheer, my comrades, cheer! Chorus: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven, “By Thy grace we will.” Reflect seriously on these lines: “Christ’s cause is hindered everywhere, and people are dying in despair. The reason why? Just think a bit—The church is full of those who quit.” Carry this musical truth with you. (Borrow Amazing Grace) But hold fast what you have till I come. REVELATION 2:25 Before the Lord pours out judgment on a wicked world (Rev. 6–18), he first passes judgment on seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 2–3), because divine judgment begins in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17). Five of these churches had lost something from their Christian life and ministry and would be chastened because of it. The church of Ephesus had lost its passionate love for Jesus and was only going through the motions. G. Campbell Morgan said they had “reputation without reality.” The church at Pergamos had lost purity of doctrine and the congregation in Thyatira, though faithful during suffering, had lost the godly people needed to lead and teach their church. Only a remnant of true believers walked in holiness, and the believers in Laodicea had the wrong values and were lukewarm in their relationship with Jesus. Jesus is coming again and every believer will stand before him at the judgment seat of Christ. But first he will give his people opportunity to repair their losses and get ready for this awesome event. How can we hold fast and keep from losing what the Lord has given us? We must realize that what we hold is a precious gift from God. Holy men of God paid a price to write the Bible, and the Bible cost Jesus his life. Down through the centuries, dedicated servants of God were persecuted, imprisoned, and even slain because they translated the Bible, distributed copies of it, or preached from Scripture. Are pastors showing love for God’s truth when they fail to study the Bible and instead borrow other preachers’ sermons? If we plan fun and games for Sunday school but ignore Scripture, what does that say to the next generation? Do we use worship music that is based on Scripture? We must also realize that what we have is necessary for serving God effectively. The early church focused on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). How can the Spirit convict the lost if we fail to declare God’s truth? Jesus taught his disciples and they in turn taught the people to love Jesus, love one another, and love the lost; because of their loving witness, thousands were swept into the kingdom. I fear that technology and entertainment are more important today in many churches than are the Word of God and prayer. Christians are imitating the culture instead of living countercultural lives. “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Consider this: what we hold today can be lost tomorrow. Each local church is one generation short of extinction. I wonder how many church members are truly born again? Are we careful in the choosing of leaders and teachers? Do we practice 2 Timothy 2:2? Satan is a counterfeiter, and one of his chief stratagems is to get religious unbelievers into places of leadership in local churches. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6). What we have can be protected. We must appreciate the spiritual treasures that we have; magnify the Lord Jesus Christ; preach, teach, and sing the Word of God; train carefully each new generation; win the lost and mentor them; and keep our eyes open for the devil’s traps. When leaders sleep, Satan plants counterfeits (Matt. 13:25), and counterfeits destroy churches. It is important that we watch and pray and make certain we are obeying the Spirit of God. By the grace of God, let’s be awake and alert and determined to hold fast what we have! Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (Warren
Apocalipse 2
Spurgeon - “And I will give him the morning star.” Rev. 2:28. - Faith's Checkbook UNTIL the day break, and the shadows flee away, what a blessing it is to see in Jesus “the morning star”! I remember when we read in the newspapers the idle tale that the star of Bethlehem had again appeared. On enquiry we found that it was only “the morning star”; but no great mistake had been made after all. It is best to see Jesus as the sun; but when we cannot do so, the next best thing is to see him as that star which prophesies the day, and shows that the eternal light is near at hand. If I am not to-day all that I hope to be, yet I see Jesus, and that assures me that I shall one day be like Him (1Jn 3:2). A sight of Jesus by faith is the pledge of beholding Him in his glory and being transformed into His image. If I have not at this hour all the light and joy I could desire, yet I shall have it; for as surely as I see the morning star I shall see the day. The morning star is never far from the sun. Come, my soul, has the Lord given thee the morning star? Dost thou hold fast that truth, grace, hope, and love which the Lord has given thee? Then in this thou hast the dawn of coming glory. He that makes thee overcome evil, and persevere in righteousness, has therein given thee the morning star. Revelation 2:29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' NET Revelation 2:29 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' NLT Revelation 2:29 "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. ESV Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' NIV Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. GNT Revelation 2:29 ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις. KJV Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. ASV Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. CSB Revelation 2:29 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. NKJ Revelation 2:29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' NRS Revelation 2:29 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. YLT Revelation 2:29 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies. Revelation 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries He (singular) who has an ear, let him hear (akouo in aorist imperative = calls for urgent response!) what the Spirit (pneuma) (present tense - continually) says to the churches (ekklesia) - See detailed note above Notice that in contrast to Rev 2:7, 11, 17, this exhortation follows the promises to the overcomers. J.C. Philpot, Ears from Harvested Sheaves. - Rev 2:29 - These words extend the message beyond the church to which they were spoken, and address themselves to every one to whom the word comes, and to whom an ear is given to hear and receive it. Thus each message sent to the churches becomes a message sent personally to us. If we have a spiritually circumcised ear, if we are willing to listen to the voice of the Lord, He speaks to us in every message as personally and as distinctly as He spoke to each individual church. It is indeed an unspeakable blessing to have this ear given to us that we may receive in humility, simplicity, and godly sincerity what the Lord speaks in the Word of His grace. It is by His word that He knocks at the door of our hearts; and what a blessing He has pronounced on the man who hears His voice and opens the door when he hears the knock, like a fond and affectionate wife when she hears the knock of her husband at the door of his house: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). Grant Osborne sums up the letter to Thyatira - There are three areas of emphasis in this letter, and all relate closely to the church today. First, it is crucial to be growing in the same deeds—love, faith, service, and perseverance (2:19, 25). The church today is facing the same pressures as Thyatira, and it would be good if the Lord could say of us too, “Your latter deeds are greater than your first.” Second, as already stated in the previous letter, we too are fighting many heretical cult movements and need to take a strong stand. We must protect the church from the unscrupulous who lead their followers astray in order to build their own kingdom, who water down the faith to make it more amenable to the secular market. Third, the major area Thyatira differs from Pergamum is that the greatest pressure came not from pagan religion but from the world of business or commerce. This in many ways fits our culture even more closely, for many Christians compromise their walk with Christ to enhance their profits or to keep their jobs. The judgment of Christ can fall upon our churches in the same way it did Thyatira. We must make certain that God is our primary business partner, and that we consider our careers a calling from God and an opportunity to magnify Christ. Otherwise, we may end up like Jezebel. (Grant Osborne - Pdf - Revelation Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) The First and the Last A B Simpson I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:13). As we think of the friends of life, how few there are that were linked with our earliest associations and memories! There was a period when every friendship began, and many of those we love the best we only knew for the first time a little while ago. But here a Friend addresses us who was before all other friends, who loved us long before we knew the love of brother, or even mother; long before we were even conscious of our own existence. "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love'" (Jeremiah 31:3a). Jesus is indeed the First. And then, how many of those that were the first in our life are not the last? The very mother, on whose sweet face our eyes gazed before they recognized any earthly countenance, has long since passed from our view. Only a few of the friends of youth remain, and how many of the fondest attachments of life have been like rivers that run into the desert and are lost amid the sands. But here we have One who will be there at the close, who will remain when all others have passed away, for Jesus is the Last. Amid the passing years and the passing forms of loved ones and the changing scenes of life, how sweet it is to know that Jesus is the First and the Last! Let us gather up by the help of the Holy Ghost some of the precious lessons of this wonderful name that covers all the present and the future. The First His preexistence 1. This expresses the eternal preexistence of Christ. We find Him constantly declaring this in His own addresses in the Gospel of John. "He was before me" (John 1:30b) is the witness of John to Him. "I came from the Father and entered the world" (John 16:28a) is His own testimony. "Before Abraham was born, I am" (John 8:58b). Even in the Old Testament we have some sublime pictures of the eternal Christ. "He will be called... Everlasting Father (or the Father of Eternity)" (9:6b) is Isaiah's picture. "Whose origins are from of old,/ from ancient times" (5:2) is Micah's picture. Proverbs 8:22-31 is Solomon's inspired picture of the eternal Logos, His ancient love to the world and the men that He was coming in the fullness of the ages to redeem. His preeminence 2. This expresses His preeminence. This also is most clearly taught by the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures and claimed by Christ Himself. "That in everything he might have the supremacy [preeminence, KJV]" (Colossians 1:18b) is the Father's purpose regarding His dear Son, for His is the preeminence of deity. He is higher than all men, higher than all angels, very God of very God, the brightness of the Father's glory, the express image of His person, the King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no doubt that this is what He claimed Himself, and for this claim His life was threatened again and again by the Jews, and taken at last in His final judgment and crucifixion. "He must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God" (John 19:7b) was their charge. The hands into which we commit our souls are divine and infinite hands. The ransom which has been paid for our sin is of the infinite value of deity. The grace that is sufficient for our full salvation is the grace of the infinite God. The kinship to which He has raised us is nothing less than to be partakers of the divine nature and sons and heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Let us not fear to bring forth every diadem and crown Him Lord of all. The work of creation and providence 3. This expresses His relation to the work of creation and providence. This thought is expressed by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Colossians in these strong and significant words: "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. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (1:16-17). This expresses Christ's relation to the natural creation and to the affairs of providence. It was through His hand that the material universe was framed, and it is by His constant superintendence that the whole machinery of providence is carried on. By Him all things consist or, literally, "hang together." He is the cohesive force that holds the whole universe in order and harmony. All power is given to Him in heaven and in earth. Like the Roman centurion, all beings and forces are at the service of His will, and He can say to this one, "Go," and he goes, or to this one, "Come," and he comes, and to all things, "Do this," and they do it. To Him we ascribe all the sublime descriptions that Jehovah gives us in the Old Testament of His sovereign power and glory. Every robe of majesty and might will fit the Son of God as perfectly as the Father, for it is He that does according to His will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stop His hand from working, or say, "What are you doing?" In the midst of the throne ever sits the enthroned Lamb, while all angels and all creation sing in adoring reverence and love, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:12-13) This is our Christ: the first and the last. His relation to the Bible 4. This expresses also His relation to the Bible. Christ is first in these sacred pages. The one object of the Holy Scriptures is to reveal the person and portrait of Jesus. This is the key to its interpretation; this is the glory of its pages—Jesus in the story of creation, already planning the new creation; Jesus supreme above the ruins of the fall; Jesus in the ark, the rainbow and the dove; Jesus in the sacrifice on Mount Moriah, the ladder of Jacob and the story of Joseph; Jesus in the Paschal lamb, the desert manna, the smitten rock, the smoking sacrifice, the fragrant incense, the suffering scapegoat, the enrobed priest, the golden candlestick, the sacred ark, the sprinkled mercy seat, the hovering cherubim, the awful Shekinah, the glorious tabernacle and all its ministries and furniture; Jesus in the land of promise, in the temple of Solomon, in the story of Joshua, the Psalm of David, the throne of Solomon, the visions of Isaiah and the panorama of ancient prophecy as it unfolds toward the advent, the manger, the cross and the throne; Jesus in the apostles; Jesus in the apocalypse. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. The face of Jesus can be traced like water lines in fine paper back of every page, for He is the Alpha and the Omega: the first and the last of this Holy Book. His relation to redemption 5. This expresses the relation of Jesus Christ to redemption. He is the first in the plan of salvation. Long ago He was heard exclaiming, "I have come... I desire to do your will, O my God" (Psalm 40:7-8a). It has all been accomplished through Him, and His glory is all to return to Him, and He is forevermore to stand as the center and head of God's grandest work—the restoration of a ruined race, the salvation of sinful men. Christ is not only first in redemption: He is all. This winepress He hath trodden alone; none can share with Him this glory. His was all the cost; His alone the honor shall ever be. No name is so sublime in heaven as the Lamb, no song so loud as that which celebrates His redeeming love, and therefore all who receive this great redemption must give Jesus the supreme glory, or they cannot share it. Relation to individual salvation 6. This expresses His relation to our individual salvation, for every soul must acknowledge Jesus as the first. "You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16a), He tells us. The first desire to come to Him came from Him. The very hunger that longed for Him was His grace beginning to enter our hearts. He has loved us with an everlasting love and, therefore, with loving-kindness has He drawn us. Not only has He pardon for us when we repent, but He is exalted to give repentance to Israel and the remission of their sins. Not only will He fulfill our earnest prayers, but He makes intercession within us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Not only will He meet us in blessing if we will come to Him, but He will even take our will and work in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. His arms reach down to us at the lowest depth. His grace is beforehand in all its manifestations. Christ will take us at the very alphabet of Christian life and from the very beginning will count us His disciples and then will set us free. Let us fully learn this precious truth, and always take Him for the very thing we need the most and the first and even the very thing for which we ourselves are responsible and yet insufficient. He will not only do His glorious part, but He will enable us to do ours. Relation to our Christian life and work 7. This expresses the relation of Christ to our Christian life and work. This is the true aim of a consecrated life—to make Jesus first. Let us give Him the first place in our heart, in our thoughts, in our aims and motives, in our plans, in our affections, friendships, occupations, our business, our pleasures, our families and our whole existence. Let us always come to Him first for help. Let us bring to Him the very first beginnings of temptation. Let us catch the lions and the dragons while they are young, and so shall we trample them under foot. And we will never see any old lions if we do so without fail, for they will all be disposed of before they have time to grow formidable. Let us take to Him the merest thing that needs help, whether it be for soul or body, for secular business or sacred experiences. Jesus first—let this ever be our simple watchword, and life's tangles will all be unraveled, will not have time to grow serious, and so the touchstone that will settle every question of perplexity and duty will be Jesus first. Will I do this? Will I please this person or Him? Will it be something else, or will it be Jesus first? Oh, how this will consecrate, elevate and glorify our life and enthrone Him and us with Him in a kingdom of constant peace and victory! We must bring the crowns and lay them at His feet and write on everything: "From now on, Jesus first." The Last The eternal existence of Jesus 1. This implies the eternal existence of Jesus. He is, as He Himself expressed it, alive for evermore; or, as the old prophet put it still more sublimely, the Father of Eternity. It is glorious to have one that covers all the future and has in His hand the scroll of every destiny and the control of every future event. The Lamb in the midst of the throne holds the sealed book of all our destinies, and forevermore can fix every event of our existence. No matter what is coming, Jesus is coming with it. Though it be trial, temptation or death, He will be there. The heavens and the earth will pass away, but He will remain. The friends we have known will disappear, but He will abide. We will change, but He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The things we commit to Him are committed against that day. The interests that He is guarding are safe forever. Beyond the smiling and the weeping, beyond the parting and the meeting, He stands in eternity with our title and our crown safe in His keeping. How often have we felt that the present sorrow or even death were nothing if it were all safe beyond, if it would be safe at last! Blessed be His name! He is the last, and His mighty works reach beyond all present vicissitudes and guard our treasures and trusts forevermore. The things He gives us will stand. The things that are linked with Him are eternal. There is One amid all changes Who standeth ever fast; One who covers all the future, The present and the past; Jesus is the Rock of Ages, The first and the last. Jesus is the first; Jesus is the last; Trust to Him thy future, Give Him all thy past; Jesus is the Rock of Ages, The first and the last. Finish His work 2. Christ will finish His work in us and carry to consummation all that He begins. Therefore, He is called "the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2b). "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me" (Psalm 138:8a). "My sheep listen to my voice," He says, "and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27, 29). He takes us forever, and He will not leave us until He has done all that He has spoken of to us. He never leads His flock out to desert them in the hour of need. He never leads us out into the difficult enterprise without promising to stand by us and crown our work with success. He says of every true enterprise begun in His name and at His bidding, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you" (Zechariah 4:9). The end and substance 3. Christ is not only the finisher of our life and work, but Christ Himself is the end and substance of all things. When we are done with things and people and see Him as He is, we shall find that His heart is the fountain of all love, His smile the substance of all joy, His life the life of all life, Himself the first and the last of everything, and we will have nothing that is not part of Him and linked with Him. Every face we see will simply reflect His beauty. Every joy we feel will be but a radiant from His heart. Every glory we wear will be but a reflection of His holiness. Every throb of our immortal life will be but a pulsation of His being, and Christ shall be all, and in all, and we will have reached the last line of the old chorus, "Everything in Jesus, and Jesus in everything." So let us step out writing over every day and hour and moment, "Jesus first," and we will find surely that Jesus is "the last." (The Names of Jesus - A B Simpson online)