Good morning, all. Hope you had a good day yesterday. It was cool but the sun did shine some...didn't it??
Today we read Jesus' letters to three more churches. As a side note, there were more than 7 churches in the world, but these were selected to be recipients of letters. They were some of the bigger cities in the Roman empire, so they represented "all" of the empire; the issues that they struggled with were examples of issues that all churches were suffering from- so the line at the end of each letter, "All who have ears, listen..." is saying- all churches read and understand what I am saying!
Sardis was a city beginning to decline. It was at very wealthy city at the crossroads of several major highways and trade routes (think Binghamton!); there was money, money, money. And with all that money comes luxury and softness and immorality! They were devoted to God, but began to move away and worship other gods. The city was beginning to get "a reputation" and Jesus calls them out on that ("you have a name of being alive..."). They are dead. No struggle; no fight left; no will to change; given up. But Jesus sees embers of goodness that need to be fostered ("strengthen what remains"). They are not living up to God's standards, but they do have some goodness. Go back to the way you were- full of life and passion when you first heard the Gospel. Many people are like that- full of energy and drive, but they tire out after a few years and begin to turn back to their old ways. There are still some good people left in the city ("not soiled their clothes") and they are the ones that Jesus will save- but they all have the opportunity to turn back to God. If they turn back to God. they will be saved.
Philadelphia ("brotherly love") is the youngest cities in this list and was founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism; the goal of this city was to spread the Greek culture to the world. The city had some huge, beautiful buildings and some of the best roadway systems in the world. There was money. The people in the city had an "open door" (symbolic of evangelism, going out to the world) and they were a strong people devoted to God. The Christians were being persecuted harshly by some Jews (but you can't be a good Jew and persecute others- thus the reference to Satan); as I said yesterday, you can't be a good Christian or Jew and hate others. Jesus would make those evil Jews know that they are wrong and the good Christians will be vindicated. The Christians will be saved from the great tribulation that is coming. Jesus says here that He is coming quickly and that these Christians in Philadelphia must prepare for the second coming. The crown is a reference to the crown an athlete would win at the end of a competition; they had won the contest and this was their reward- the crown being eternal life. They would become pillars (strength, support, beauty) for the church and God.
The final church is Laodicea, a city with a significant Jewish population. The city had a medical college, was the center of trade, had financial wealth, had a booming textile industry, and even exported an eye salve! The reference to their works being "neither cold nor hot" is interesting. Obviously, it means they are "lukewarm" in their mission and ministry. The unusual choice of words references the city's water supply. The city was fed by an aqueduct that came from a hot spring six miles away. By the time the water got to the city it was lukewarm- and you know how you like drinking lukewarm water! Jesus even says that they will be spit out of His mouth (kind of like how we might treat lukewarm water if we expecting a cold drink!). I think we know of churches that have become "lukewarm". The church at Laodicea looked at their current situation- they had money, they had things, they had a "good" life yet they lacked a spiritual life. Jesus wants them to "buy" from Him refined gold and white robes- that is, become spiritually alive and open to God, have a turn in their thinking and come back to God. Turn away from what they have and turn back to God- that is the request from Jesus to this city (and to many people today!). Jesus is sadly standing outside the door, knocking, waiting to be invited in- the city isn't in the inviting mood though! To those that invite Jesus- salvation is available!
There has been lots written about these seven churches; Paul also wrote to seven churches. Seven is a "complete" number, a perfect number, so in essence, Jesus and Paul are writing to the entire church body (completeness). Some look at these churches as examples of what the world was going through at the time (and is today); we know of lukewarm churches, lax churches, dead churches, backsliding churches, licentious churches, and Jesus is writing to all of them offering hope. The key words, I think, are at the end of each letter, "anyone who has ears, listen". We are to read and hear what Jesus has to say to each of these churches and see where our church is. What can we learn from these letters? Where can we improve who we are?
Snowing like crazy up here on the hill! Have a good day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
As you said the main message seems to be to listen. Listening is something I try to work on. Wake up is also mentioned several times which is kind of The same thing. We need to wake up and pay attention. The letter to the Church of Philadelphia says you were not very strong but you obeyed my message. Also they claim to be God's people but they are liars. You obeyed so I will protect you.
ReplyDeleteI do feel many claim to be God's people but don't live life accordingly.
As we enter into Thanksgiving weekend may we concentrate on what we have to be grateful for. One thing I am grateful for is all of you who help keep my faith alive.
I'm wondering if I'm understanding this correctly. These letters from Jesus aren't really from Jesus. They are part of a vision of John. While having his vision, John thinks that Jesus wrote these letters to seven churches, or to all churches.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like the letters are telling all the churches to be alert and not let things go south in their particular area. Jesus want the churches to know that if they are faithful and obey the rules, He will be with them and they will be saved.
It's such a familiar theme in the New Testament. If you do the right things, think the right thoughts, have enough faith, you will be OK. It's sure hard to think I could measure up.
Jesus tells of the faults of all the seven churches he tells how to rectify their faults so I think they may have eternal life basically. However I am thinking the important part of this 2nd and 3rd chapter are the last lines of each church segment since it is repeated each time. He who has and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to teh churches>
ReplyDeletePastor, thank you for answering my question from yesterday. These 7 churches were representative of all the churches in the world. I would imagine that of all the churches in the world today, there are basically 7 varieties, and they are, in general terms, the churches identified and written about here, if this makes any sense. (How’s that for a run-on sentence?)
ReplyDeleteI caught your “think Binghamton!” comment in your blog. Binghamton is at the crossroads of 3 major highways and several railroads. However, with the demise of the great industries (EJ, IBM, GE Aerospace and Link Aviation), Binghamton has become a “has been” city. In 1967, when I first arrived in the Binghamton area, it was called the “Valley of Opportunity.” I haven’t heard those words in years. I believe Jesus would have the same words for Binghamton as He had for Sardis: “… you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” [NIV Translation]. It is tragic for Binghamton, but I believe it is true. Binghamton has the unenviable position of being in New York, with all its regulations and taxes, and in the Rust Belt. Will the area recover? Maybe. If the USA becomes “One Nation Under God” again, I think it will, once New York gets its house in order. Part of the tongue-lashing Jesus gives out is for this very problem.
The other two cities in this chapter are vibrant cities. Philadelphia holds the key of David and Laodicea is a center of trade. Both are young cities and Philadelphia has good words from Jesus. Laodicea has work to do, however. He tells the church people there that that they are “… wretched. pitiful, poor, blind and naked” [NIV translation], and that they must repent.
In the words Jesus speaks to these seven churches, He doesn’t sound like the same Jesus that we have encountered in the gospels or heard Paul speak of. What has changed since the ascension? This is not the benevolent Jesus that we saw earlier, but a mean, vindictive Jesus. What has happened? Even though it will be over 2100 years later and He still hasn’t returned, something is drastically different here. I hope we find out in the future chapters.