EMMDEV 2012-02-10 [Revelations Reassurances] Letter 6: Philadelphia - Enduring

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. Revelation3:11-12

Philadelphia (Modern day Alashehir) was a city of commercial importance conveniently located as the gateway to the provinces of Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia. Its gateway position was by design as it was built to broadcast Greek Culture to these provinces and by 19AD many in these regions had completely adopted Greek Culture. The city was plagued by persistent and frightening aftershocks of a great earthquake that took place in 17AD.

Jesus commends this congregation: Like the city, they have an open door of ministry in front of them and although they have little strength, they have kept and shared the faith in spite of strong opposition.

What does Jesus have to say to this enduring congregation?
- He is coming soon: the people in Philadelphia had learned to live in readiness for the persistent aftershocks. Jesus' coming will be as unexpected as the aftershocks and we should be ready.

- Hold on to what you have: So often we concentrate on what we don't have. Jesus isn't concerned about what we DON'T have. He would like us to use what we DO have. I hear many people say "I can't preach like so-and-so" or "I can't lead like such-and-such." But God asks us to use what we have. His gifts to us are our crowns if we use them to His glory!

- Overcomers are pillars: In Philadelphia, the frequent aftershocks meant that pillars were needed to strengthen the buildings. When your buildings were dodgy and the aftershock came, you would have to run out onto the street for safety. But overcomers are pillars and if your building has pillars you don't have to flee ("leave") to the open when the shaking comes!

Overcomers are those who recognise that Jesus is coming and use what they have to serve Him and He makes them pillars to His glory.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-02-09 [Revelations Reassurances] Letter 5: Sardis - Snoozing

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. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Revelation3:1-3

The city of Sardis has an amazing history. It had an impregnable geographic position which made besieging it a pretty hopeless task. But Sardis was twice defeated by small groups of soldiers who mounted a stealth mission to go up a crack in the mountainside and on reaching the top, they found the city gates unguarded and let their comrades in.

The city of Sardis had a reputation of becoming flabby, lazy and complacent in the wake of their past successes. They lacked discipline and were disorganised: Trusting in their past successes, they were asleep in the light.

Sadly, the Church in Sardis seemed doomed to repeat its home-city's mistakes.
- They looked alive, but were pretty much dead.
- The little bit of life they had was slipping away.
- They had very little to show in terms of action.

But they didn't need anything new: they didn't need a new preacher, a new course, or a new angle - they just needed to go back to what they had received and heard. They had all they needed, but they were asleep in the light and needed to wake up.

It seems that one of the church's greatest enemies is comfort and success. The church in Sardis wasn't being persecuted and there were no false teachers misleading them. They had simply fallen asleep. They were flabby, lazy and complacent.

Have we become like this? We have been blessed by God and have enjoyed peace and prosperity and this has lulled us to sleep. We look alive, but actually we are dead. The Risen Christ urges us to:
1. REMEMBER: Go back to simple basics (don't chase "new" novelties)
2. OBEY: Put those simple basics back into action.
3. REPENT: Make sure we don't fall asleep again.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-02-07 [Revelations Reassurances] Letter 4:Thyatira - Flirting

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 (Jezebel's) 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.
Revelation2:23-25

This letter is unusual: it is the central letter and the longest, but the historical city of Thyatira is not nearly as noteworthy or influential as the others. The most notable feature was that it was on a prominent trade-route and there were a number of trade-guilds that dealt in purple-dyed woven linen.
(Lydia, dealer in purple cloth, converted in Acts16:14, came from Thyatira.)

Jesus commends the congregation for their service and perseverance which came from their love and faith, but he is concerned about a "Jezebel" who leads the congregation into idolatry and immorality. Even more concerning was a notion that in order to defeat Satan one had to enter his stronghold, i.e., experience evil deeply.

In all likelihood, the scenario was that the various trade-guilds would hold banquets in the temples where food would be dedicated to idols and as the wine flowed the immorality started. Not attending these meals would take Christians out of the business "loop."

There are many parallels today: think of the businessman who is tempted to go for drinks with the guys in the office after work and the trouble that often comes from that.

So, there may have been prominent women who were in the linen business, like Lydia was, but who said "It's not so bad, you can go, after all, you don't know whether your faith is firm unless you have tested it!

It's kind of like the teenager who, when caught, said "Yes I am smoking, but I'm not inhaling it into my lungs..."
If you read the whole letter, it portrays a fierce picture of Christ and delivers an urgent message: You can't play on the Devil's Playground and think you won't get hurt.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-02-03 [Revelations Reassurances] Letter 3: Pergamum - Compromising

13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
14 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. Revelation2:14-16

Pergamum had long been a capital city and was once famous for its great library (the word "parchment" is derived from "Pergamum" *) and culture with a temple to Zeus and Asclepsios. Pergamum was also the administrative centre of Asia Minor, making it the place where Caesar worship was promoted and enforced from. This is why Jesus identifies it as the place "where Satan has his throne."

Jesus commends them for being faithful - they live (without running away) in the most dangerous city in Asia Minor. Even when Antipas, one of their leaders, was martyred - they continued to "hang in there."

But there is a concern: Jesus is concerned that they are being tempted to compromise - Baalam and the Nicolaitians are one and the same - both promoted having an "open mind" toward idols and sexual immorality. This form compromise had two key thoughts:
"Go with the flow - don't make waves" and
"If it feels good - do it."

Jesus is greatly concerned at their compromise - He is concerned that they have lost their grip on the truth. Keeping ourselves away from idols and away from licentious living are core-values for those who have their eyes on Christ.

The threat against the church in Pergamum is probably the most relevant to us today. We have a strong history of giants of the faith who have taken their stand, but day-to-day the thoughts and value systems of everyday Christians are being eroded as we are tempted by the idols of wealth, materialism and social acceptance. And while this is going on the media bombards us with sensuality that is far removed from the secure foundation of love and marriage.

Jesus warns that He will come to combat these with the "sword of His mouth" - this is a reference to His Word and we are reminded that solid Biblical Teaching is the antidote to compromise.

Are you clear on where you are being pressured to compromise? If you throw a frog into a pot of hot water, he hops out. Heat the water slowly and he doesn't realise he's in trouble until it's too late...

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* The interesting background here is that Pergamum tried to seduce the leading scholar at the library in Alexandria to come to their library. The Egyptians, enraged at this, refused to export papyrus to Pergamum forcing them to invent parchment.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-02-02 [Revelations Reassurances] Letter 2: Smyrna - Faithful

2 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.
Revelation2:2-10

When I look at how easily I complain and get discouraged, I feel a bit like a "Spiritual Wimp" when I look at that challenges that were faced by the church in Smyrna.

The city of Smyrna was the jewel of Asia Minor. It was a city that had been destroyed and then rebuilt from scratch - one of the few cities that had been properly surveyed, planned and laid out. Although it was a free city, it's residents were fiercely loyal to Rome and there was a large Jewish Population.

The letter to Smyrna speaks of the afflictions (Greek: "Huge Pressure") and poverty (literally "destitution") of the church. It speaks of the strong resistance and persecutions that they experienced.

What is chilling is how prophetic this letter turned out to be. Some sixty years after this letter was written, the Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna was put to death by burning and in the account of this we read that the Jews brought wood for the fire even though it was a Sabbath. (This is why the letter speaks of the Synagogue of Satan.)

What rattles my cage is the brevity of the letter. It is terse and crisp - kind of like orders passed on a battlefield. Jesus doesn't spend a lot of time saying "O shame, you poor dears going through such a tough time..."

Here are the key thoughts:
1. Smyrna was rebuilt, but Jesus died and rose again!
2. God knew their suffering and poverty.
3. They experienced a richness of faith in spite of the challenges.
4. There's more trouble coming - so brace yourselves!
5. Be faithful and you'll receive His reward.

The letter to Smyrna reminds me that I have no right to plain sailing or smooth roads. It reminds me that faith requires courage and perseverance. And it reminds me that my ultimate hope lies not in this life's comfort, but the eternal life that Jesus offers me.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-02-01 [Revelations Reassurances] Letter 1: Ephesus - Lovelost

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation2:4-5

The first congregation to receive a letter is in Ephesus. It was a great and busy city with a congregation founded by Paul, pastored by Timothy and later by John himself. Legend has it that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was buried there.

The congregation worked hard and were diligent. Jesus recognises this in the early part of the letter: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary."

But hard work and good doctrine faded away in the light of the basic diagnosis: heart-sickness. They had forsaken their first love. Going through the motions had become the order of the day.

Sometimes this is us too. We are adept at the rituals and traditions, we say the right things, attend the services and meetings, but the thought of the cross doesn't take our breath away and privilege of worship doesn't make us want to lift our hearts and hands.

There is a prescription for the "lovelost condition."
1. _R_emember what it was like when you first understood God's love.
2. _R_epent of the things that distracted you. (Repent means "turn around.")
3. _R_e-do the things you did when you were "love-full."

As with many prescriptions, it's pretty obvious and simple, but if we follow it, the results are a heart that starts to come alive again.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-01-31 [Revelations Reassurances] God's plan: The Church

Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches Revelation1:19-20

Revelation chapter one ends with John being instructed to write down Seven Letters to Seven Churches in Asia Minor. These letters are lovingly dictated to John by Jesus Himself.

There has been much scholarly debate about these Seven Letters and the congregations they are addressed to. Some have postulated that each of these letters represent a historical chapter in the church's journey. But this is problematic: If we knew the end of the world would be soon, then we'd be the Seventh Church, but if it is another thousand years before Jesus returns, then which church are we? I think there is a better explanation...

The Seven Letters were written to seven real congregations in seven real geographical contexts in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and they all existed at the time that John wrote to them. The number seven is symbolic of completeness and I think it is best to say that at any time in history there are congregations that are loveless, persecuted, tempted to compromise, overwhelmed, depleted, courageously faithful or lukewarm. (Or some combination of these!)

These letters represent God's heart toward the churches and there is a phrase repeated in all the letters: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

As we noted earlier, Jesus stands among the Lampstands, He is passionate about the church. His plan is to be at work in the Church. John had been at the first church, Ephesus, for many years. These Seven Churches would have been familiar to him. As he writes, he experiences God's care, concern and priority for these congregations, and we are once again reminded that God cares about the local church.

So, if God cares about the local church, so should we.
I found this great quote recently:
If you don’t cross over from "What-can-I-get?" to "What-I-can-give?", your church will become increasingly unsatisfactory to you. (James MacDonald)

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-01-27 [Revelations Reassurances] Do not be afraid

17 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. Revelation1:17-18

"Fobos" is the Greek word for fear, terror and fright.
It is used in the New Testament to describe the fear Peter felt of the wind and waves when he was walking on the water, the fear Joseph felt when an angel appeared to him, the fear the temple-bouncers who were supposed to arrest Jesus felt of the crowds, the fear of the lazy talent servant towards his hard master, and the fear of the three disciples at the Transfiguration.

It is a primitive, knee-buckling and debilitating fear. It brings the worst out in us, it paralyses us and inhibits faith. The Bible regularly reminds us that this kind of fear does not belong. In fact, those who count these things tell us that the Bible says "do not fear" some 365 times - one for each day of the year.

But I am interested in _why_ we do not have to fear:
1. He places His right hand on John. It's a simple gesture, but one of great comfort and closeness.

2. He is the First and Last - there are no surprises to Him. He knows where we have been and He knows the road ahead. We can trust Him to guide us through.

3. The greatest fear we have is for our lives, but Jesus has conquered death. He has conquered our mortal (pun intended) enemy. Not only has He overcome, but He has dominated death - He holds the keys.

We are often tempted to "fobos" but we don't have to be debilitated, paralysed or inhibited - Jesus is close, Jesus has the bigger picture and Jesus is our Victorious Champion!

Don't let fear bully you!

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-01-26 [Revelations Reassurances] Not the beard and sandals

... and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 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. Revelation1:13-16

As glorious as the truth of the incarnation is, there is a danger inherent in the picture of Jesus walking in the dusty streets of Nazareth or teaching on the peaceful shores of Galilee. The danger is the temptation to reduce Jesus to beard and sandals. The risk we run is that we might limit and domesticate Him.

John inoculates us against this danger. He does so by describing Jesus in all His glorious majesty. Paul tells us that when Jesus came to earth, "He made Himself nothing" and "humbled Himself even to death", but now we can see Him in His fullest resurrection glory.

So what does John see?
1. Christ is _among_ the lampstands (i.e. with the church) (we discussed this yesterday...)
2. His robe and sash depict kingly and priestly majesty.
3. His head and hair suggest wisdom, purity and dignity.
4. The blazing eyes hint at omniscience, justice and purity.
5. Glowing bronze feet most probably indicate judgement.
6. His voice, like rushing waters, indicates power and glory.
7. The stars are messengers of the churches, held in His right hand show that He is in charge and interested in the leaders of the church.
8. The double-edged sword from His mouth reminds us the authority of His Word.
9. His face is glorious and majestic - and as happy as we are to see the sun after a dark night, John is happy to see the face of Christ.

This is a glorious picture and it challenges us never to domesticate Jesus. In the "Chronicles of Narnia", CS Lewis depicts Christ as Aslan the lion. In his story one of the characters says "Aslan is not a tame lion." To which someone responds "Is He safe?" And I love the response: "He isn't safe - but He's good!"

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/

EMMDEV 2012-01-25 [Revelations Reassurances] Among the Lampstands

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. Revelation1:12-13

John is describing his transition from worship to vision. He has _heard_ the voice of Jesus instructing him to write down what he sees and to send it to the churches.

Now John turns to _see_ the voice that was speaking to him...
So what did he see?
"Seven golden lampstands and someone like a 'Son of Man' among them."
(The lampstands are a symbol of the church)

So wait a minute! If Revelation is about Jesus being the victorious champion and John was turning to look for this voice that was speaking to him, why does he see the symbol of the church first?

Surely he should have eyes only for Jesus? Surely he should have seen Jesus first? And why is Jesus "among" (in the midst of) the lampstands?

Because Jesus _chooses_ to be revealed and seen in and through the church. Because He _chooses_ to be at work in and through the church. The church is God's plan in the world and Revelation consistently describes the church as the Bride of Christ. The church is the reason He came to the cross and the reason He is returning again.

But not the organised structural church with all its faults and foibles, but the church made up of people who love His name and long to have Him "among" us.

No matter how tough times are: Jesus is among His faithful church!

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/