Revelation 3:1-2 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.”
 
Once the city of Sardis was a strategic and wealthy city. It was the capital of the vast country of Persia. Gold and silver coins were minted there. Vast amounts of goods were traded in Sardis’ shops and ports. Also, Sardis was safe. High natural cliffs from the sea gave Sardis a strong defense.
    But Sardis’ leaders “fell asleep”. Within the high cliffs was one unguarded, seemingly hidden, pathway to enter the city. Watchmen paid no attention to this path. But two times attentive enemy soldiers found the way to enter Sardis to open its gates to invasion. Changing rulers removed Sardis’ wealth and security. Then an earthquake leveled the city in 17 A.D. Sardis was barely a functioning town when the Lord spoke to the Sardis church. 
    Sadly, the Sardis church reflected the city’s history. Founded on the unassailable Word of God, the church was now barely functioning. Leaders had “fallen asleep” against false teaching. They allowed the enemy of lies to walk into the church to unlock the gates to false teachings. Their work lacked spiritual power and focus. Sardis preferred to be a “good” church in the world, forgetting to be God’s church in God’s kingdom.
    A church’s purpose easily changes, doesn’t it? We have hearts to help people. But loving hearts become complacent routine when we forget it’s the Lord’s work. We might be excited to serve at a food pantry or donate to supply school materials for children. But do we remember why we do the work?
    Remember, the church is formed to preach the gospel. It is not a service organization for the purpose to serve. The church serves to point people to God, so they will know him, obey him and receive his salvation. Everything we do must be to proclaim, “Jesus saves.” and to defend our Lord against the world.
    Is your church an organization where “everyone’s friendly”? Or is your church a display of Jesus’ true, strong church? Are you guarding the gateways against lies? Do you hold fast to secure the Bible’s truth? Is your church dedicated to love God and love one another with true teaching? Are you truly encouraging people to confession, repentance, and cross-bearing? Are we eager to teach of sin and call people to salvation?
    Do your ears hear Jesus’ love to reveal his truth to you? How do you know what is true? Let’s see next how Jesus teaches us to be his alert, faithful church.
 
Prayer: I pray, Jesus, I remain faithful to only your word, to remember you are Lord of your church. Amen.

Revelation 2:26-29 “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nation – 27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ – just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
 
ONE of the many unique principles of Christianity against all other belief systems in the world is our sure hope in Jesus. We know that our God-given faith has secured us for eternal life. No one can remove our faith because God’s Spirit has broken sin’s stronghold to give us eternal life. Faith in Christ secures one in this unmovable truth.
    Jesus affirms this doctrine in this portion of his message as he quotes from Psalms 2:8-9 “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
    Iron is the symbol of God’s strength in judgment and salvation. Christ declares the great reward for his faithful followers. In Jesus, we have the power to destroy sin as iron destroys clay pots. As a reward, we will rule over the unbelievers.
    This rule is as a shepherd. When our Good Shepherd leads us in his authority, we will be given authority to lead others to Jesus. We will rule over the sin in our hearts, and we will reign with Jesus in heaven above all sin and death.           
    Does the Lord’s promise fill you with confidence, hope and joy? Do you live in wonder at his eternal grace? As Jesus has received authority from the Father, he anoints his faithful church to minister his justice and grace. Remember he commissioned his disciples (then and now), “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
    His authority transcends to his faithful. His light becomes your light. The morning star is Jesus’ light of salvation bursting forth into the world as the sun breaks forth in the morning dawn. Hearts born in darkness receive the bursting light of salvation.
   
Prayer: I pray faith rules my heart like iron to destroy sin, to be filled with the eternal morning star. Amen. 
 

Revelation 2:18-25 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come.”
 
JESUS continues to speak his holy authority over his church. When he says, “These are the words of the Son of God.” he declares himself above all false gods, especially Rome’s emperor, considered a god. This is God’s command: Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”
    The image of Jesus’ blazing eyes indicate he sees all things; his bronze feet are strength and judgment. Faithful Jews would be reminded of Daniel 10:6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. The all-seeing Lord praises Thyatira’s love, faith, service and patient endurance. The church is getting stronger in these ways of God.
    Then Jesus addresses the church’s problem. Jezebel is a woman in the church who claimed to have special prophetic powers. She was influencing the church to accept sexual immorality. Sexual sin is a great challenge in the church, isn’t it? It was a problem for Abraham, Samson, David and all of Israel throughout history. It is a sin today that destroys more pastors and churches than any other. Immoral sex compromises the family, children and communities. The Righteous Lord Jesus will not tolerate it.
    “Jezebel” refers to Jezebel from 1 & 2 Kings. This pagan queen of Israel, born in Assyria, was the wife of King Ahab. She infected God’s people with her pagan worship of Baal. She murdered God’s prophets (1 Kings 18) and innocent people who blocked her desires (1 Kings 21). She threatened to kill the prophet Elijah when he destroyed 600 of her Baal priests. The Lord God judged Jezebel to a violent death, reflecting her evil life. The One whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze will not tolerate sin.
    It was time for Thyatira to remove the Jezebel among them. Does anything in your life, in your church need to be cleansed?
 
Prayer: Grant us faith and courage, Lord Jesus, to hold onto what you have given us until you come. Amen.
 
Note: Time for a break – be back Tuesday. Grace and peace in Jesus. He’s your authority.
   

Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” 
 
THIS is the third part of Jesus’ words to the church in Pergamum amid the larger letter we know as Revelation (Also known as the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”). Our Lord has revealed his comfort, encouragement and assurance to a church planted amid many spiritual and physical enemies. The Lord has also drawn a sure line against sexual sin and warned the church to stay true to him.
    Now he promises three rewards for the faithful: hidden manna revealed, a white stone and a new name. What are these?
    Hidden manna refers to the biblical theme that God is the author and sustainer of physical and spiritual life. Again, Revelation looks back to the Old Testament to remind the new church God is Jehovah-Jireh, a Provider. The hidden manna refers to the life-sustaining bread our Lord gave to his people in their 40-year desert journey. Six days a week God sent bread from heaven to help feed his people. It ended when they settled in the Promised Land.
    Then Jesus came God’s spiritual bread leads to eternal life. John 6:33-35 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus’ faithful disciples will eat forever of the “hidden manna” revealed in Jesus’ life, death resurrection and ascension.
    The white stone, too, relates to a feast with Jesus. In those times, people invited to a banquet often received a small white stone with their name on it. The stone was their invitation and admission to the banquet.
    The new name Jesus promises is our new relationship with Jesus. Saved in Jesus, we are his brothers and sisters; we are God’s children, new in Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! And savor the truth of 1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. In Jesus, your name is Overcomer.
    The Holy Spirit has given us many images of God’s love graciously poured out for us. From the past to the future, God is continually at work to save his church unto himself. Rejoice in that comfort. Know that in Christ, you have a white ticket to his eternal Feast.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Savior, for saving me. I pray I eat daily of your holy Bread of Life. Amen.  

Revelation 2:14-16 “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
 
THE Lord has just praised and encouraged the church at Pergamum for their faithfulness against idol worship. They have remained faithful to Jesus even as one of their own members has been martyred.
    But then the Lord addresses the sexual immorality infecting the church. This is the reason for his reference to Balaam and Balak written in Numbers 22-25. Again we see how the Living Word of God refers to the entire Scriptures in his teachings. The point here is that Balak, a king in Moab, hired a sorcerer Balaam to curse the Israelite encampment near Moab on their journey to the Promised Land. The sovereign Lord made it clear to Balaam he was not to do such a thing. Ultimately, though, Balaam knew he could corrupt Israel by sending pagan Moabite women to intermarry with the Hebrews. Here’s the result: Numbers 25:1-4 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the Lord's anger burned against them.
4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord's fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
    Idol worship is Satan worship. Idol worship is death. Many pagan worshipers sacrificed children into fires.  With his judgment against the sexually immoral, the  Holy God was protecting his people in the desert. And he was speaking to protect the church in Pergamum. His Spirit continues to command us to be pure in our sexuality and to worship him only. His love was too great then and is too great now to keep quiet about our wanderings away from God’s commands.
    Sexual sin seems to be off-limits in the church today. Remember, though, Jesus is Lord. He is the way, the truth and the life who wields the “sword of his mouth” to judge sin and to proclaim salvation. There is only life in him when we are truly alive his way.
 
Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes to know my sins, so I will confess and live truly in you. Grant me love for others, so I can help them know their sin. Amen. 
 

Revelation 2:8-11 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
 
THE Smyrna church is second of the seven. Note Jesus again affirms his resurrection authority: “of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.”  How often do we consider Jesus’ teachings as coming from the eternal, resurrected Son of God? Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Would this true consideration change your faith walk?   
     The everlasting God is a Protector. Deuteronomy 23:14a For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. The church is the “camp” for his people today. Jesus, Lord and brother, assures Smyrna he knows of their trouble. People of the world spoke evil of the church. We know that today, too, don’t we? The battle is always engaged. Our work is to defend the gospel’s power amid a slandering enemy. We can only call people to faith when we are faithful to the First and Last.
    That’s why Jesus inspires Smyrna. “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” For ten days they will experience persecution that could lead to death for some. Wow! What if your pastor tells you that? You’d quickly dismiss his exaggeration. But this is Truth. The one who died and came to life again prepares us for the possibility we must offer our lives to the church. Graciously, then, he promises a “crown of life” awaits the Lord’s faithful martyrs.
    Jesus again commands the church to “hear”. And trust in your heart that “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”  The One who lives promises death will not hurt believers. Yes, both unbelievers and believers die a first death. But the faithful who die in Christ will not die the second death, which is Jesus’ final judgment over unbelievers: Revelation 20:14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.  
    Yes, the Everlasting God protected his people in the camp of the Exodus journey. He protects his church now. He will protect his own forever. We can believe this for two reasons. One, he has said so. Two, he has died to destroy death. Believe him and live.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your great words of life everlasting to John. Amen.
 

Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
 
JESUS announced his eternal “freedom mission” when he began his ministry in his hometown Nazareth: Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” The King of the Kingdom of God had come to release a world imprisoned in sin and sickness.
              For some time now, our church has continually prayed for the release of a minister imprisoned in a country opposing Christ. His loved ones, church and each of us long to possess the key to open his cell door. We pray God will use a key in the Spirit’s power to release his suffering servant. The key to the cell door is a life link to free the prisoner.
              A key is also a tool to protect, isn’t it? Keys lock away harmful substances such as chemicals or sharp tools. Keys help protect our valued possessions, too.
              Even more, a key is a symbol of authority. In biblical times, a chief steward of a household often held a key to the food storehouses and household valuables. The household functioned under his authority. God also chooses certain people to be stewards over his “house”. Isaiah 22:22 I will place on his (the Messiahs) shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. And Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Heavenly authority comes to God’s anointed.
              Jesus is the Key Holder who comes with the keys of death and Hades to release you to eternal freedom and protection under his authority. All who believe will know he, indeed, has the power and authority to declare “freedom for the captives”. As Jesus has declared in Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” he comes in that power. The Sovereign Lord is heaven’s Chief Steward. He is the First and Last. He is all in all. He will act in his power to purify and protect your eternal home.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for unlocking my life from sin’s chains, so I am securely with you. Amen.

Revelation 1:14-16 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
 
WHO is Jesus? John tells us he is one of wisdom, fire, heat, water, light and conquest. He is majestic and holy; we dare not minimize his power if we believe he is truly Lord and Savior.
     The white hair and blazing eyes are an image of wisdom, dignity and complete understanding. Jesus sees all in your heart. He possesses the knowledge to direct you to the full life of his salvation. He is “the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. (From John 14:6).
    Bronze is an image throughout the Bible of wealth and strength. “More bronze than could be weighed” (1 Chronicles 22:3) was gathered to build the first temple in Jerusalem. Bronze is solid, unyielding. Fire purifies and strengthens bronze. You can confidently stand on the firm foundation of faith in Jesus’ resurrection power. Matthew 16:18b “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
    His voice is as the rushing waters of a great waterfall. It is relentless and unyielding. Jesus’ voice powerfully and persistently commands, urges, encourages, confronts and comforts us. He is Living Water, who is the source of life through his spoken word, sacrifice, risen and ascended power.
    His right hand, the hand of authority, holds the seven stars. God is the Creator who said: Genesis 1:14-15 “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” He has created his church, too, to  illuminate our dark hearts. The stars symbolize the leaders of the seven churches. They are to shine the gospel’s light. The churches are the Lord’s possession. His message will guide the early church and his church on earth until he comes again.
    The double-edged sword in his mouth is a fearful picture, isn’t it? But this image should deeply assure us. The Word of God is the Sword of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.) What does the Word do? It convicts those who sin and separates the unbeliever from the believer. The Word of God cuts the believer from sin and temptation, destroying the Evil One’s deadly slings and arrows.
    The Holy Lord Jesus Christ is your wise, firm and true Savior. Celebrate his majesty. Know the comfort of his authority over his church and his power in you.
 
Prayer: I thank you, Jesus, that you are truly Lord of heaven and earth. Amen.
 

Revelation 1:10-11 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
 
WE have learned that John has been exiled to the island of Patmos. Those opposing the gospel thought they would silence the apostle; the Lord God, though, had other plans.
    Thus, on one particular Lord’s Day – Sunday as we know it – the Holy Spirit had prepared John to hear from the Lord Jesus. With a loud voice like a trumpet the Son of Man revealed a remarkable vision to John.
    The Bible speaks often of visions as God’s “Instant Message” system to his people. The prophet Ezekiel many visions directed the Lord’s words of judgment and restoration to the Jews during their exile in Babylon. In the early church, too, Acts 12 records a world-changing vision to Peter to begin ministering the gospel to Gentiles. Many Muslims today receive visions in the Spirit’s power to reveal the truth that Jesus is Lord. Indeed, no earthly authority can silence the Lord God.
    Jesus instructs this message to go to the seven churches listed here. The church names are given in the order of their location to each other. Ephesus will receive the letter first, and its delivery will be completed at Laodicea. Seven is the complete number. The letter is for all churches for all time. Our Lord, the bridegroom of the church, will warn his bride with great visions of destruction, suffering and triumph. The Lord will awaken the church to love and worship him. He will urge them to steadfastly confront Satan’s evil and to faithfully declare God’s victory. Our Lord God will promise his church of the final victory he has prepared for us.
    How is God communicating with you and your church? It may not be a vision – or it could be. Perhaps in the Spirit’s power, the Lord is speaking through a pastor who encourages you to use your gifts in a new way. Maybe some in your church often encourage you to a certain ministry as they see your faith. As you read the Bible, the Spirit may be pointing you to a particular understanding of God’s direction for you.
    Remember, as you confess Jesus as Savior, you are in the Spirit and he is in you: 1 Cor 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. In Christ, we are called to be alive in the Spirit each day.
    Listen for the Lord. Listen to the Lord. God’s voice is seldom a trumpet. Often it is a whisper, a quiet reminder or a gentle tug. When God’s people are in the Spirit, we will be united for God’s kingdom to come, his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. (from Matthew 6:10)  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for continuing your ministry through the Holy Spirit. I pray I am in the Spirit each day to receive and live out the truth of your Word. Amen.

Revelation 1:9-11 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
 
JESUS told his disciples they would be persecuted as they ministered the gospel. John 15:20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
    I don’t think it’s possible to imagine the depth of opposition to the apostles’ preaching Jesus of Nazareth is the Savior. Consider the opposition to the remarkable miracles of Jesus’ life: born of a virgin, crucified, dead, buried, risen and ascended – then coming again to judge the world!
Acts records the apostle James executed by Herod, great persecution in Jerusalem, plots to kill Paul, poverty among the believers and great controversy to overcome centuries of division between Jews and Gentiles.
    In verse 9, John gives us a concise summary of his own sufferings. John is writing to his brothers and sisters in the church. Ge calls them  his companion(s) in the suffering! Think about this. When you were last in church, did you think you were a brother/sister to the others as you suffered together? This was not suffering as in being sick or facing a hard week in some relationship. This was a suffering of persecution, threats of death, jail, separation form family and struggles against Jesus’ church.
    Further, John notes they are companions in the kingdom, which is good. But then kingdom citizenship requires patient endurance. The church continually had to endure, to suffer, to carry trouble and hardship in their lives because it was, “ours in Jesus” – they belonged to Christ.
    John’s suffering also included his exile on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. John, the apostles, the early church leaders and all members of the new churches suffered because they believed Paul’s words in  Romans10:13: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
    Think of this: When Jesus transformed the Pharisee Saul, who was persecuting Christians, into the apostle Paul, who called the Jews to believe in Christ, he said this to Ananias in Acts 9:16 I will show (Pau) how much he must suffer for my name."
    What would happen if you told an unbeliever, “Call on the name of the Lord and be saved. Truly believe in Jesus Christ as your eternal Savior. And when you truly do, you will surely suffer. Your life will not be your own. You will learn patient endurance through trials and even separation form those you love because Jesus is your Lord. Are you ready?”
    Would anyone accept your invitation? Would you?
 
Prayer: I pray, Lord, I love you enough to suffer for you. In your name I pray. Amen.