September 26th, 2016
Letters to
the Church: Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-17
Pergamum
(v. 12a)
·
Located about 10 miles inland from the Mediterranean
·
Contained an ancient citadel and fortress
·
Atop the citadel was the temple to “Zeus the
Savior”
o Also known
as the throne of the city
·
It also contained the temple to “Aesculapius the Savior”
o The Greek
god of healing
o Which
included a hospital
o And a
doctrine of personal salvation
A Vision of
Jesus (v. 12b)
·
Jesus describes Himself as having a “sharp two-edged
sword”
o A reference
to His role as conqueror (see 1:16; 2:16)
“I know…”
(v. 13)
·
Jesus assures the Church that He understands their
circumstances
·
They dwell where “Satan’s throne” is
o Possibly a
reference to the temple to Zeus or Aesculapius
·
Yet, they remain true to their faith in Christ
o With some
(Antipas) even dying as a result
“But I have
this against you…” (v. 14-16)
·
Yet,
Jesus reprimands the Church for a few things
·
They
have some in their midst who have fallen under false teaching
o
Balaam
(see Num. 22-24; 31:15-16)
§
Eating
food sacrificed to idols & engaging in sexual immorality
o
The
Nicolatians
§
Possibly
a form of Gnosticism
•
Salvation
through secret knowledge
§
And/or
a group of false Apostles
·
Jesus’
concern is not just with Orthodoxy, but with Orthopraxy
o
Orthodoxy:
Right belief
o
Orthopraxy:
Right practice
The Call to Conquer (v. 17)
·
Jesus
promises that those who overcome by persevering in their faith in Him will
receive:
o Hidden manna: God’s provision (see Ex.
16:32-34)
o White stone: May be a reference to the stone
used in a vote of acquittal (see Acts 26:10)
§ Or a reference to an invitation to the
Jesus’ banquet (see 19:9)
§ Or to being a stone in the Temple of
God (see 3:12)
• White marble was only found in temples in
Pergamum
o New name: Either a reference to believer’s new
identity in Christ
§ Or the name of Jesus Himself (see 3:12;
14:1; 19:12; 22:4)
So What?
·
Are we known for our orthodoxy & orthopraxy?
·
Is our identity found in Christ?
Meditation Verse: Revelation
2:17
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September 19th, 2016
Letters to
the Church: Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna (v. 8a)
·
A major city in Asia Minor
o Ismir, the
third largest city in modern Turkey, is built on the rubble of ancient Smyrna
·
Contains a protected harbor and was built upon the
slopes of Mount Pagus
·
Contained temples to Cybele, Apollo, Aesculapius,
Aphrodite, and Zeus
·
It was the center of Imperial worship for all
Asia
A Vision of
Jesus (v. 8b)
·
Jesus describes Himself as “the First and the Last”
(see Rev. 1:8, 21:6; 22:13)
o A reference
to His eternal nature
o Which
stands against the temporality of the Church’s suffering
·
He is the one who ‘has become dead’ and lives again
o A reference
to His ultimate victory
o One in
which the Church will share (v. 11b)
“I know…”
(v. 9)
·
Jesus commends the Smyrnan Christians for their:
o Endurance under persecution
o Perspective in their poverty
§ Because they
are rich in Christ
o Fortitude while
being slandered
·
“Synagogue of Satan”
o Possibly a
reference to the “Curse of the Minim” (c. 90 AD), which expelled Jewish
Christians from synagogues
Encouragement
(v. 10)
·
This
letter has no correction
·
But
rather, an encouragement to continue to endure under the growing hardships the
Church will face
o Including imprisonment
o And even death
§ Gladiator games
§ Martyrdom of Polycarp (Feb. 23, AD 155)
The Call to Conquer (v. 11)
·
Those
who endure such tribulation will experience need not fear death
o Because Jesus has conquered it
So What?
·
Are we known for our faithful endurance? Have we ever
really experienced tribulation?
Meditation Verse: Revelation
2:11
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September 12th, 2016
Letters to
the Church: Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus (v.
1a)
·
City on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
·
Center for commerce
·
Center for the Imperial Cult and the Temple of Artemis
·
Center for the spread of the Gospel in Asia
Minor (see Acts 18-20; Ephesians)
o Also
closest city to Patmos, the island where John wrote Revelation (Rev. 1:9)
A Vision of
Jesus (v. 1b)
·
Jesus is portrayed as being holding the churches in
His right hand and walking among them
o A symbol of
both His power and His presence
“I know…”
(v. 2-3)
·
Jesus commends the Ephesians for:
o Their hard
work
o Their patient
endurance
o Their impatience
for evil
o Their sound
doctrine
§ Especially
by testing those who would claim to be in authority
·
The Nicolaitans (v. 6)
·
Would Jesus commend us for these things?
“This I
have against you…” (v. 4-5)
·
The
Ephesians have lost sight of their first love
o This may be a reference to love for:
§ God Himself
§ One another
§ The Lost
·
They
are called to return to the basics
·
They
lost their focus
o Have we?
The Call to Conquer (v. 7)
·
The
Ephesians are called to conquer* through truth, unity & love
o Conquer: a play on the name ‘Nicolaitan’
§ Not conquering people
§ Conquering lies, division and apathy
So What?
·
How are we doing as a church? Have we lost our focus
on loving God, each other, and the lost? Are we defined by truth, unity and
love?
Meditation Verse: Revelation
2:4-5a
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September 7th, 2016
Chasing the
Wind: The End of the Matter
Ecclesiastes 11 & 12
Invest
Wisely (11:1-8)
·
Solomon commends us to divest our interests (v.
1-2, 6)
o Both financially
and otherwise
·
Because life is unpredictable & uncontrollable
at times
o Like the
rain and the wind (v. 3-4)
o Like how a
child is formed in the womb (v. 5a)
o Mysterious and
perhaps unknowable
·
But these reflect the way God works in the
world (v. 5b)
o Thus, we
should invest in eternal things
·
We should not waste time worrying about what might
happen (v. 4)
o But rather
deal with things as they are
·
Thus, we should live life to the fullest (v.
7-8a)
o While
remaining aware of the risks (v. 8b)
On Aging,
Death & Contentment (11:9-12:7)
·
Solomon encourages us to enjoy life while we can
o To make the
most of opportunities (v. 9a)
·
While remaining aware of our standing before
God (v. 9b)
o Thus, we
ought to live with eternity in mind (v. 10a)
§ In a way
that pleases God
§ And gives
freedom from stress
·
He reminds us that our youth is fleeting (v.
10b-12:7)
o Using
various illusions to the process of aging (loss of eyesight, hearing,
teeth, strength, sexual desire)
·
These are the reflections of an aged man who lives
with regrets
o His advice:
Make God honoring choices now, so you have nothing to regret later
The End of
the Matter (12:8-14)
·
Solomon concludes by repeated his call of hebel
(vanity)
·
He reflects on his own desire to share wisdom
(v. 9-10)
·
Claiming that wisdom is meant to move us forward
(goads), and anchor us (nails) (v. 11)
o While
coming from God alone (one Shepherd)
·
But even wisdom has its limits and should be
pursued in measure (v. 12)
·
What
is not hebel, what has real meaning is God alone (v. 13)
o Thus we should revere and love
Him
o And live with eternity in mind (v. 14)
So What?
·
Are we living wisely by making the most of
opportunities and investing in eternity?
·
Are we finding our life’s meaning in God alone?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13
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