We turn now to the addresses to the Seven Churches. As before, we could easily bury ourselves in detail, but too easily lose the primary message that way. Thus, I summarize the high points.
A brief note about terms. The Nicolaitans: From whatever source the name of this group comes, the context and early church scholars offer a usable description of their heresy. It was a branch of Gnosticism. For now, it's enough to know that fancy word represented a Western style rationalist logical clarity. Either Jesus was divine, or He was human; he could not be both, they would insist. Two branches of Gnosticism arose chasing one or the other choice. In the case of the Nicolaitans, it seems they believed Christ was a phantom, divine and spiritual, but not flesh. Thus, there was a belief the flesh was so utterly fallen, one need not concern oneself with it's lusts and sins. There's nothing you can do about it, so enjoy yourself.
The phrase Throne of Satan seems tied to emperor worship, because John mentions it in places where major temples to the emperor were found. Synagogue of Satan describes the presence of a strong Jewish persecution of Christians. Finally, the twin symbols of eating food offered to idols and sexual impurity were far more than the mere actions described. Together they indicate any form of compromise, raising any thing to the level of devotion belonging to Christ alone. Paul made it clear an idol was nothing, and temples reselling food from the altars were simply adding to their income. While eating this food itself was no sin, Paul was careful to point out how sinners considered it a strong indication one supported the pagan worship. That was reason enough to avoid it. Adultery was of the spiritual sort, but could easily include the physical kind. The spiritual adultery might cause all sorts of sin.
We believe the Church at Ephesus was John's home church, the central office as it were, for John's ministry. There in the city was a major temple, a major port, and a regional seat of government. These people knew how to get things done. Jesus speaks to that body as the Light of Truth, who held the power of every church's witness in His might right hand. It would be typical of such a congregation to have built up a solid base of organization. Their message of truth was clear, as was their commitment, and the high standards which naturally resulted. But in their organization, they had lost contact with the spirit of agape. Their witness was no longer a light to the lost, because they had regulated the life out of their work. The promise of obedience to the Law of Love was living eternally in that love.
Smyrna had seen many sackings and looting over the centuries. This church had learned to hold quite loosely to the things of this world. They had so little material goods, and constant persecution took their earthly peace. Indeed, it was about to get worse, and some would lose their earthly lives. Jesus called to them as the Lord of Eternity, and stood ready to welcome them into that eternal existence, where nothing could ever harm them again.
As the sword represents authority to punish evil, the Church of Pergamos faces Jesus as ultimate Wielder of the Word in judgment against sin. They did have a testimony for Jesus' name, but failed to fulfill the meaning of serving Him. One, they had teachers acting as Balaam did, inciting the church to compromise on issues which seemed minor at first, but brought them to moral ruin. Two, this gave room for Nicolaitans to operate. In both cases, the claim of "free from the Law" was carried beyond scriptural boundaries, discarding every restraint. We note this city had an impressive wide array of temples to various pagan deities, so the temptation to stray from high moral standards faced them at every turn. They must distinguish themselves by feasting on the Bread of Life (manna), not by aping the Jews, but obeying the higher Law of God Jesus taught. We note the Jews perpetuated a legend the Ark of Covenant had been hidden before Babylon invaded around 600BC, with the manna and such still inside it. This image was taken by John to signify Jesus was the true manna, promised from the beginning, hidden until His birth. As for the "white stone," this would be any one of several tokens of some special status, showing one is favored by the powers. This token could be presented as proof one held a privileged place, and could demand special treatment. The ancient practice of giving high-ranking servants a new name or title is included.
The church at the great commercial center of Thyatira faced a Christ whose pure vision did not require outside illumination, but made their own, to see the heart of every matter. His feet, resembling bronze while still in the oven, which process produced a flame too bright to gaze upon directly, walked in that purity and truth, treading down evil like brazen feet in grass. This church had made a home for some cult, a demonic presence in the form of a self-appointed prophetess. As with Jezebel, queen of Ahab, she was the dominatrix behind a male authority figure, probably the local pastor. The original Jezebel demanded all bow the knee to her idols. This woman served Satan directly, tempting the believers with her beauty and delightful presentation to compromise. Her refusal to be corrected would see her sicken and die, and those who clung to her teachings would join her. Aside from this the church had no major trouble, so anyone with sufficient self-discipline to escape this trap was qualified spiritually to rule far more under the authority of He who ruled all other power and authority absolutely. This was hardly a promise of political power, but the power to serve Christ regardless of puny human efforts to stop the gospel message. This pure testimony would give them a spiritual brightness second only to Christ Himself.
Sardis was once the capital of Croesus, the richest king of legend. Now the town was insignificant, but so was the church. Jesus spoke to them with symbols of greatness to show their lack of it. The church was dead. It had all the appearances of honor, but most of the congregation were not regenerate. They were converts of mere habit and custom. The image of citizenship rolls hearkens to the ancient practice of cities keeping a list of full citizens. Those who died had their names erased in the annual ceremony of roll call. Jesus was about to call the roll and correct the register. Those not His would have their names removed. Those who stood firm against this hypocrisy would find themselves in His robes of righteousness, recognized before the Father.
In the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, the Jews had no love at all. They never understood their rejection of Christ left them outside the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ, having inherited the full authority of David, who could admit or deny anyone citizenship, had full authority to ignore custom and pass his throne to any of his sons, was asserting that authority to open the gates to Eternity in defiance of Jewish claims. Those who found a home for their souls in the gospel message preached by the church would be welcomed into the Kingdom. When the "hour of trial" came -- the test of citizenship through which all the world must pass -- they would be inside the gates already. The coming of such a test would be sudden, so Christians cannot rest, lest they lose the crowns by which they would honor His Name. Indeed, these would not only be inside, but would form the pillars of God's royal court, never to depart again. It did not rely on their strength, which was little, but God's. Yet, with His strength, it was sufficient to mark them as true priests of God, who in times past wore in the earthly Temple the words, "Holiness to the Lord" on their heads. Thus, theirs was the high privilege of serving as recruiters for the Lord's Kingdom.
Laodicea could afford to refuse Roman aid and rebuilt their city from private funds after an earthquake around 60AD. They produced black wool, and had a fine medical academy built around the hot springs issuing from the rocky hill above the city, and the Phrygian eye salve made there. This church apparently faced no threat from Jews or other persecutors. This made them morally fat and lazy, spiritually naked, blind and wretched. This would be a church which could afford anything they wanted to spice up church gatherings, which otherwise had no meaning. Their testimony before the throne was as unpalatable as the water running in open sluices from the hot springs, having cooled too much for bathing, but not yet cold enough to refresh in drinking. Wealth and comfort were not inherently sinful, but this church was not what Christ built on earth in the souls of men. This church was built by those hardly changed. They could afford criers to share the gospel for them, musicians to worship for them, refined and educated speakers to teach them, builders to make a beautiful and comfortable facility. Our Lord was outside trying to come in and change their lives, but they saw no reason for it. Thus, they could hardly expect to join Him when this world passed away.
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Ed Hurst
13 August 2007
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