hang

Hang in there baby!

Revelation 2:7 (NASB)
7'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

Most likely at some time in your Christian life you have heard a sermon about being an over comer. I find it very interesting that the word here "overcomes" in the Greek is the English word for subdue, conquer. Now if you just happen to have a dictionary handy take at look at the definition for both words. It might surprise you to find out that they mean to take something by force. The exact definition in my dictionary is to "put down by force." With this in mind I want to look at the seven churches found in Revelation and compare them to our lives and hearts.
In six of the seven churches described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 we see a warning and then a promise. Each promise begins with he who conquers. Before we go any further I want you to notice something very important in each of the seven churches. Christ is describing a religious organization. With each instance He is talking to a body in Christ. In the Greek the word church means to be called out. But even in today's dictionary it is defined as "one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship." Notice even the latest dictionary does not speak of a building but a group of individuals with the same ideas and beliefs. Examples of this in today's world would be the Assemblies of God, the Baptists, the Episcopalians, the Catholics. These are bodies of individuals with their own form of worship and ideas.

But what I want you to notice and this is very, very important to your eternal salvation. The promise in each of the 6 churches that Jesus condemns is "to he who". This is individual, personal, one on one. Jesus is saying to the one conquering I will do the following. Again what I have been trying to say for years my friends is that it is not your "religious preference" that will get you to heaven. It is if you personally conquer the things in life you need to. What matters is your personal relationship with Jesus not your church. Six times Jesus shows us in Revelation the need for the personal relationship not the religion. Lets look at each promise from each church and see if we can find the pattern.

The Church of Ephesus was what most Christians today would call an alright church. They would test the false teachers and not put up with them. They were workers for the Lord but for the wrong reason. On first glance most of us would say that the church of Ephesus is like any corner church of small town America, just alright. They were inclusive and would not put up with what they considered false doctrine. They are active in the community with their after school programs etc. But what does Jesus have against them. Jesus tells them that they have left their first love. Jesus is very harsh, return, repent or He will come quickly and remove their candlestick from the seven in Heaven. Remember at the beginning of this discussion of the Church of Ephesus Jesus reminds them that He is the holder of the seven stars and seven candlesticks. Now comes the promise,
Revelation 2:7 (KJV) 7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. You cannot read this any other way but that Jesus is telling the individuals that are stuck in this religious body that if they overcome and return to their first love they will be partaking of the tree of life in the middle of heaven. In other words they will be saved, they will be in heaven not hell for eternity. But again notice it was their personal overcoming that did this not their religious group.

Continuing on to the Church at Smyrna. This church is really given the greatest gift both before and after judgment. Jesus knows what they are about to suffer and He knows it is because they follow Him. The people in the church of Smyrna are suffering, they live in poverty, they are slandered for their faith and some are being thrown into prison for their belief in Jesus. The Greek here for suffering is èëßøéò thlipsis thlip'-sis pressure (literally or figuratively):-afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. The Greek here for poverty is ðôù÷åýù ptocheuo pto-khyoo'-o to be a beggar, that is, (by implication) to become indigent (figuratively):-become poor.

Lets just take a look at these two. This church is afflicted, burdened, persecuted. They are beggars and are indigents or homeless. Through this they remain faithful. Yet, Jesus tells them they are rich. He does not just tell them they are rich but they are abundantly rich. Think about it my friends, would you stay true to Jesus if you were in the situation of this church? How many of us have even missed a meal for Jesus in America? I cannot count how many prayer requests we get from "Christians" that are wanting to throw in the towel and some who are threatening to kill themselves over the smallest things. I hate to believe it but I have a gut feeling that many churches would be empty if true percussion happened to the church today.
Yet again Jesus tells them he who conquers, overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. What does Jesus mean here. We are told by the author of Hebrews that we die only once. Hebrews 9:27 (NLT) 27And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, Therefore, Jesus is talking about judgment and the second death or the punishment of spending eternity in hell. Jesus tells the Church here "Remain faithful even when facing death, and I will give you the crown of life." Be faithful to what? Be faithful to Jesus, not rules, not regulations, not religions but Jesus.

At the church of Pergamum things start to get really messy. We start out with a warning. Jesus is described as the two edged sword. Gods word is too great here we see a church that is involved directly in a physical sin and Jesus is described as having a two edged sword. Look at the what the author of Hebrews says about the word

of God in the diagram above. Just like the trinity the word has three parts. First it divides the soul and spirit. The word of God is so sharp it exposes the deepest darkest things in our souls and spirits. Secondly it divides the joints and marrow. It exposes the good and bad in our physical nature. The third and final thing is it is the discerner of our thoughts and hearts. Do you see it? Do you see that there is nothing that you can hide from the word of God. I.E. Jesus!
What was the sin of Pergamum? It was that they put up with those in the church that were living in direct conflict with the word of God. They had those who followed the teachings of Balaam. They worshiped demons and sacrificed to those devils. But they went further they used sexually immorality as part of their devil worship rituals. Yet, the church turn a deaf ear to them and let them be part of their religious body. The second sin again was physical. They also had Nicolaitans in the church. This group believed simply if it feels good do it. They felt that they had to be on a "spiritual" plane and therefore they could do anything physically and it did not matter. This included all forms of sexual sin including homosexuality. Does any of this sound familiar? Look at today's churches you see it more and more. But what does Jesus say? REPENT or else! Here comes the promise. Revelation 2:17 (NLT) 17"Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. Wow! Eat of the manna in heaven and be given a full pardon with a new name. Notice this was spoke to the individuals again not the church as a whole.

        At the Church of Thyatira the Lord describes the work of the church as " Love and faith and service and patient endurance and that your latter works exceed the first." With a start like that you would think this church had it made. But, wait! They tolerate the false doctrines of Jezebel. These include immorality, idols and worse, the deep things of Satan! Do you see here that even though the church on the outside appears beautiful Jesus says " I am He who searches the mind and heart and will give each of you as your works deserve". Jesus goes so far as to say He will strike her ( those who spew false doctrine) children (followers) dead. He says he will give to each of as your works deserve. Ouch! This is why we must be aware of what the church we attend stands for.   Here again Jesus switches from the religious group to the individual. He instructs those who have not learned the deep teachings of Satan, who have not held to this teaching, to hold to what they have until He comes. Revelation 2:26 (KJV) 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: …   Again, He the individual who overcomes and keeps the works of Jesus. This individual will be given the reward of power over nations.
        The best word to describe Sardis is dead. Jesus tells them that they have the name of being alive.   Do you get the importance of this to our study.   Jesus did not say they tell everyone they are alive but, they have the name of being alive but are dead. The Greek here for dead cannot be confused it means a corpse. How many churches today are like this. They have the reputation of being alive and vibrant but, upon close examination they do not have Jesus they are dead. Why do I say they do not have Jesus. What is Jesus warning here.   Revelation 3:3 (NLT) 3Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again. Unless you do, I will come upon you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.   Why would Jesus come upon them suddenly? Because they are not looking for him. They are looking to themselves. They have gotten the me gospel bug. Be honest with yourself. Are you a Christian because you love Jesus with all your heart and want to tell others of His saving love? Or are you a Christian because what Jesus can do for you. Does your church reach out the sick and dying and bring them to repentance and salvation in Jesus? Or does your church embrace everyone in the name of love so it can get more numbers in the pews?
        This time the warning is stern but the reward is greater.   Revelation 3:5 (KJV) 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.   He that overcomes will not have his name blotted out of the book of Life but, receive eternal salvation. A great promise but also this blows the once saved always saved right out of the water. Jesus said that they should go back to what they first believed and if they don't their name will be blotted out of the book of life. I don't see how you can read that any other way. Lose their reward and salvation in heaven! Hum, another teaching!
        Now we come to the good church as I call it the Church of Philadelphia.   Jesus had nothing against them. In fact He says that he is placing an open door before them which no one is able to shut.   One the interesting things here is that the King James and other Bibles read. " Revelation 3:8 (KJV) 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.     Other versions use little power. But if you go to the original Greek and to the base words that make up this phrase, you find it means "for I know you are little but have power!"    You see the church at Philadelphia was a small group of dedicated Christians that had the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit and they were about their Fathers business. What is that you ask? Spreading the Gospel and saving souls.
        The good church gets the best promise. They will be kept from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world. Most Bible scholars agree that this means the rapture of the saints. Jesus says that this trial will try those who dwell upon the earth. The only worldwide trial I find in the New Testament is the 7 years of tribulation. So Jesus means one of several things here. One the Father will kill all true Christians before the 7 years of tribulation, or second the Father will allow all true Christians to die off before the 7 years of tribulation, or finally, the truth, the rapture will take the true Christians from the earth before the tribulation begins.   Now you have to note that up to the Church of Philadelphia each individual in the churches has been told " He who overcomes."   Here Jesus says I will keep you from the trial. Do you get it. The rapture is only going to be for the workers, the true Christians that fit the Church of Philadelphia. Each of the six churches is told they must overcome to receive the promise. The Church of Philadelphia is told I will keep you. They do not have to do anything additional. They just have to keep on keeping on!
        The final church Laodicea, is in my opinion, the prevailing church of today. Why because they are the big church, fat church, the lukewarm church that put on the airs of being Christians but would not know Holiness if it came up and kicked them in the rear. Jesus says it; Revelation 3:17 (NLT) 17You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Sound familiar? Come on we have pastors preaching in the mega churches doctrines that are straight from the pits of hell.   We have churches openly embracing sexual predators, homosexuals, sinners into their midst and not teaching them the truth of repentance. I just read a true story of a child molester who was a choir member in a Baptist church. The pastor knew his past but warned no one. He molested a 5 year old boy and instead of the pastor helping to put him in jail he sent him down the road to the next Baptist church where he confessed his sins and is now in the choir again. That my friends is the church of Laodicea.   Jesus tells us what He thinks of the Lukewarm.   He says they make Him sick to His stomach. But, He goes even further he says that He will puke them out of his mouth. I do not think we are going to see any of those lukewarm pew sitters around the throne of God in heaven. Why? Listen to the promise here. Revelation 3:21 (ASV) 21He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.   Do you get it? Jesus did not say "he who is in the lukewarm church will sit down with me in my throne. "   Nope again He indicates that he who does not overcome the lukewarm church will be puked out of His mouth.   My friend, I do not think you will be showing up at the pearly gates with the Lords puke all over you. I believe you will be having it burned off of you by the fires of hell.

        The seven churches in Revelation are in that book for a reason. I personally believe that they show the progression with the Church and Jesus' advice to each. But, no matter how you shake it out the individual in six of the seven churches had to overcome the religious body and thinking they were in to get the promise.   They had to get beyond mans doctrines, get beyond denominations, get beyond their religious beliefs and get back to the only thing that matters. The pure word of God and Jesus!   They had to overcome, they had to use force to get beyond what man was telling them to what Jesus wanted them to hear.
        I will leave you with this illustration of how religions versus Jesus handle things. I do not know how many of you have spent time in the marshlands of our country. But, in those areas there is what is called quick mud or quick sand depending on whether it is wet or dry. But, both have the same properties. If you are unfortunate enough to walk into either they will suck you to your death. If you stay perfectly still you might have 20 to 40 minutes before you are sucked under. If you fight and struggle you may have 5 minutes at most. The only way to get out of this situation is with some ones help.
        Picture this if you can. You have accidentally stepped into quick mud AKA quicksand. You are now sinking at a rate of about an inch a minute. Your only hope is that someone will come and pull you out. If the following came to your rescue here is what you would most likely hear.
        The follower of Confucius would tell you that "You should stay away from such places" and then would go on his way and let you sink.
        The Buddhist would tell you "This should be a lesson to you, learn not to do this again. Next time your are reincarnated you will know better" and leave you an inch lower.
        The Muslim would tell you "this is the will of Allah you infidel" and you sink another inch.
        The Christian Scientist would tell you " it is only an error in your thinking, you are not really in trouble, you are just perceiving it wrong" and another inch passes you by.
        The Hindus would tell you " Sorry you got a bad trip but if you were good you will be reincarnated to a higher position next time" and your now up to your waist.
        The Evolutionist will tell you " it is alright all you need it more time, time will fix anything" and of course you are deeper still in that black ooze.
        The Darwinist would tell you " Sorry kiddo it is the survival of the fittest you know" and your up to your shoulders.
        So you finally look to the Christian religions to help you out of your muck and mire. You are now so deep that your sinking fast.
        The Joel Olsten belief will tell you " My boy I guess you just did not get your best life now. You need to read my books, go to my seminars and it will get you out of this muck". Your neck sinks the muck.
        The Purpose dripple will tell you " You just did not have a defined purpose for your life. If you had followed my advice you would be safe." You sink another inch.
        The Word of faith crowed would tell you " Sorry you just did not have the faith to make it out of the muck. If only you had truly believed. Better luck next time." Ops there goes your mouth under.
        The Prophetic movement follower would tell you. " Boy the Lord has given me a word for you. This is not unto death but you will be restored" then wait and watch you sink to see if it came true.
        The Blab it and grab it group would tell you. "Boy! You need to sow your seed to meet your need. You need to sow that seed to activate your miracle now!' and head down the road without a second thought.
        The Methodist (from their latest commercials) would tell you " boy you need to find your own way out. Then come and share with us" It is almost too late for you now.
        The Episcopalian will tell you " We will accept you just as you are my boy! No reason to worry. You do not really need to get out of the ooze. Just fellowship with us and it will be fine." Up to the bottom of your ears now.
        The Catholic would tell you " I'll get a priest for you my boy! He will absolve you sins and be able to pray to Mary to get you out of the ooze. " It's getting to your nose and almost too late.
        Then you see a light so bright you cannot really tell who it is. But as He approaches you know it is Jesus. He simply says "I am the way the truth, the light and the only way to the Father. Take my hand and I will pull you out. " 7'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'
        Will you overcome, my friend or will you follow the crowd. They hung my Savior on a Cross for not following the religious of the day and if it comes down to it move over repentant thief. Because they can hang me on a cross before I would follow the religions of today over Jesus.

God Bless
Pastor A. J.