From the recording Revelation
It is surely one of the great hopes and aspirations of men to do, to achieve, to leave, to bequest some great thing that might outlive their brief fleeting moment on this earth!
Such is the:
• palaces of kings
• tombstones of graveyards
• pyramids of Egypt
• some Noble bequest / endowment
It is James who tells us:
“For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14
In this section amongst much else of great interest we perceive that it is possible to kindle a light in time, ignite a flame whose light extends into eternity!
When all else invested:
• In this world
• In this life
• In this body
• In those interests
• In this occupation
Has passed and gone, it is possible to be part of something the flame of which is to be found forever!!
Such is the story of the seven churches of Asia!!
I wish to embark upon some reflection on these seven churches.
Over the years believers have come to these seven churches and have generally observed at least four great aspects of truth.
This evening I am going to do something a little different a little new’ish. I'm going to give you a fifth perspective on these seven churches!
They have been seen:
1. Historically
That is matter of fact
Places and people
Here was the church and churches of Asia
Here is what they were like
These were seven literal churches.
Seven literal places; they sat in a horseshoe loop along the western part of Turkey interconnected by Roman roads
2. Prophetic
That is prophetic of the western church
1) Ephesus the 1st century Apostolic Church as indicated by reference to the apostles in chapter 2 vs 2 and as perhaps symbolised in 2:7 by reference back to the very beginning of human history with the garden and the tree. In verse 7 there was the beginning of human history and here at Ephesus the beginning of church history.
2) Smyrna
Persecution, under attack from the Roman Empire in particular Nero.
The church of Smyrna is marked by tribulation and persecution.
3) Pergamos
The name can be translated as marriage, although some would say that whilst it could be translated marriage it ought not to be translated marriage but rather as citadel! It is interesting however that it could be translated as marriage, and that being the case such a title would fit very well with the conditions of Pergamos where we have a fusion, a syncretism between the church and the Pagan world.
This would relate to the period of history under Constantine.
After the persecutions of the early days of the church under Nero and other Caesar's, events took a dramatic and unexpected turn. Constantine professed faith in Jesus Christ. The Roman Empire became nominally Christian. This of course presented something of a problem. It was one thing for a Roman citizen to profess Christianity but Constantine was the head of the whole Pagan system.He was idolised as a God himself. He was a patron to the many temples in Rome. What did he do now that he was on the surface at least a Christian? The simplest approach was simply to Christianise all of the Pagan systems within the empire. So Pagan priests became Christian priests. Pagan altars became Christian altars. Pagan practises worked their way into the Christian Church; such as the sacrifice of the mass, a sacerdotal priesthood, holy water incense burning, auricular confession, the inclusion of idols and the worship of the virgin and child. Here was a great fusion of paganism and Christianity.
4) Thyatira
Marked by its works and its service and yet contaminated with idolatry. In verse 20 it was marked by false teaching, a hierarchy and priesthood. Of note Jezebel; the Pagan partner of Ahab during the history of the nation of Israel would point to a fusion of paganism and Christianity. Here we have the next phase of the western church Roman Catholicism.
5) Sardis
Sardis records at least a partial recovery of the truth. This surely would relate to a period of reformation; the Protestant church.
6) Philadelphia
A mission orientated church given an open door
This very much parallels the period of the 17th through to the beginning of the 20th century of missionary expansion; towards the East; India, Pakistan, China, and Africa; under people like Carrey; and our own David Livingston, CT Studd and many others.
7) Laodicea
Luke warm
Compromised
Prosperous
Spiritually empty
Outwardly rich but inwardly poor.
With a whole load of stuff trying to satisfy the fundamental problem the absence of communion with Christ.
3. Practically
What kind of church am I in?
For most of us the answer to that question will be a fusion of more than one of these churches although for some they may be able to identify where they are with one of these churches
• Roman Catholic congregation with an emphasis on good works, an infusion of Pagan ideas and a smattering of idols and statues and a hierarchical priesthood, works righteousness and sacramentalism; that clearly would identify with Thyatira.
• Perhaps if you are part of a persecuted congregation in China, North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia then Smyrna would very clearly be the church that you would identify with.
• Perhaps a materially prosperous but spiritually impoverished fellowship; filling up on flashing lights, fake gifts, false prophets, phoney Christianity and entertainment rather than being enraptured with Christ, then perhaps you would identify with Laodicea?
4. Personally
It is far better to ask: ‘what am I in this church?’ rather than ‘what kind of church am I in?’
I would like to encourage you to ask that question; ‘what am I in this church?’
As we progress through the seven we will observe:
Collective accountability; all part of the one
In fact as we will see in a moment all one in the Angel in that sense one stands for all!
You and I are representative of the church we are in.
Individual responsibility
As we progress through the seven on each occasion, each and every occasion there are overcomers “to him that overcometh” - those not marked by the collective failure of where they are.
2:24 “as many as have not this doctrine”
3:4 “thou hast a few names even in sardis which have not defiled their garments”
No what kind of church am I in but; what am I in this church?
What do I contribute?
How do I make a difference?
What fragrance do I bring?
Am I surplus to requirement?
Time to step down and give it over to the younger generation?
Perfectly and eternally:
Each of these seven churches are viewed in two ways how many churches do you have?
7?
14?
Each church is viewed in two aspects the stars and lamp stands!
These are oil fuelled not candlesticks which are self consuming fed by their own power and strength but rather oil fuel sustained by the external by the spirit.
Oil is used in the:
Anointing of priest and king
It is a picture of the spirit of God zechariah 4 vs 2-6; v11
These churches are lampstands on earth
They are also referred to as stars in heaven
These stars (v20) are the angels of the seven churches; what does that mean?
1. Guardian angels?
A reasonable suggestion Hebrews 1:14 - angels minister to those who are heirs of salvation.
If there are angels who have individual responsibility; why not collective?
This is the normal meaning of the word in the Book of Revelation
But
Would we write to an Angel? There would seem to be a physical / spiritual mismatch
Could an Angel be held accountable for the whole church?
The Lord speaks to the Angel as though it is the church
2. A messenger?
Such a meaning is certainly used of John the Baptist in Mark 1:2; Matthew 11:10 as well as the disciples in Luke 9:52
But
What about accountability?
I note the position of the star in the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ; it's a heavenly position. This would certainly point to a strongly hierarchical view of the church. This would be pretty inconsistent with the rest of the New Testament teaching on church order and church government.
Leadership:
• with consent “know them that labour amongst you and are over you in the Lord” 1 Thessalonians 5:12
• Consensual; cooperative maintaining the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace
• Exemplary 1 Peter 5:3
3. Representative
Relative to Peter and children
Here is the heavenly representative of the church
The heavenly reflection of the earthly churches in Christ in eternity in heaven!
Raised up together seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
You line often find that in scripture the earthly and the heavenly.
Consider:
David; 2 Samuel 23:1; ‘the sweet psalmist of Israel’
1 Samuel 13:14; a man after God's own heart.
Judah - no mention of the episode with Tamar
Moses the friend of God
A reflection of an eternal reality
This work of Christ fans a flame for ever
An earthly light kindles forever in the heavens in Christ
Yours by Grace in Christ
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
https://vimeo.com/588556541