If its not worth doing, then don't do it!
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If its not worth doing, then don't do it! |
     
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Back to the Future Revelation 3: 1-22
This week I finally received a book on Revelation that I ordered way back in July. The major premise of the work is that the book of Revelation was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Now this "radical" idea is very much in dispute because it challenges the foundations of our view of Church history. The pre-millennialists are most abusive about this teaching because it undercuts their hopes of an earthly millennial reign with Christ. The post-millennialists are generally delighted with this understanding because it reinforces their contention for a triumphant Christian Church. My concern with the argument is in the practical implications of our understanding. Several years ago I spent some time wrestling with the millennial concept. I became concerned that premillennialists generally have a pessimistic view of the future while the postmillennialists are overly optimistic. Certainly, our times are in the hand of the Lord and each person and Church experiences history according to His providence. However, the new book's conclusion affirms my concern that our expectations affect our work and witness. If our expectations of the end times include a decline and extinction of Christian influence then our Christian work and witness will be bent in that direction. However if our expectations include an optimistic hope for progress and victory, then the focus of work and witness will dramatically change. It is a fact that too much of the Church belongs to the doom and gloom school of expectations. I am also concerned that the opposite group of Theominists are overly confident in rebuilding a heaven on earth! If the book of Revelation was written before the destruction of Jerusalem, then this book is similar to that of Daniel where historic events can carefully be calculated throughout most of the chapters. Then suddenly, history runs out and an obvious time shift is made to the end times. A time shift in Revelation is not so obvious, but there is a division between earthly and heavenly concerns. This break occurs between chapters eleven and twelve. I want to be very careful in steering a middle course in our study, so let me sum up my concern this way. If the book of revelation was written before the fall of Jerusalem then we can read and see the quick fulfillment of prophecy. Thus some of the extreme scenarios of a future Christian holocaust are out of order. Our choice is simple, either the Church has a past or a future. For most of this century we have been working and acting as if we only had a past. I do not think this has been healthy for the building up of Christ's Church! I know that I personally have had a hard time shaking off the gloom and doom emphasis. But, if we are to have a future as a Church we need to believe that there is a future to be had. It is time to return to the view that we actually have a future! Now it would be very easy for me to preach a straight amellennial position throughout this series. It would be just as easy to preach postmillennialism or even premillennialism. I have the books for every approach. But, what is most difficult is to leave these prejudgments behind and let the text speak for itself. Of course there are dangers in this approach because I may preach around and about revelation instead of the content. For that reason these first three weeks I have tried very hard to give a general consideration of the first three chapters then zero into the theme of Christ's presence in the midst of His very own Church. The first week I emphasized that fact of Christ's presence. Last week I emphasized that Jesus stood at the door of the least of the seven Churches urging them to let Him come in and dine. This week I want to emphasize the primary purpose of Christ's Church! Let us note what is said to each of the seven churches briefly. To Ephesus: Jesus makes note of their previous hard work and dedication to truth, however they have lost their first love to Jesus Christ and probably to each other as well. To Smynra: Jesus here encourages the Christians at Smynra to continue doing what they have been doing even in spite of difficulties. Yes, there may be money problems, there may even be opposition and probably physical danger. But hang on and persevere. To Pergamum: Jesus warns this Church to be watchful. They are living in the Capital, and are under subtle pressure to conform to the needs of the world. Their's could become a harmless faith, where Christians only worshiped and thought of Christ once a week! They were becoming worldly. To Thyatira: Jesus makes note of their four fold ministry in word and deed. Yet, they are warned that they should not tolerate certain teachings and practices within their midst. All things must be done decently and in order and especially within the confines of Scriptural regulation. To Sardis: Here is a tragic situation. Jesus' message to Sardis is simple: "Wake Up!" The Church was almost dead and it didn't even realize it! "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent." To Philadelphia: Now here is an enviable situation. Jesus promises Philadelphia an open door! Even though the Church is small and weak by worldly standards, Christ promises successful evangelism. The opportunities abound for the extension of the Gospel. To Laodicea: Jesus tells this Church that they make Him sick! The Christians here were limp and worthless. They had lost all desire to work and labor. They had lost the vision for growth and service. These scenarios have been repeated time and again throughout the whole mellenic history of the church. These letters center on the work and witness of the seven churches. With the exception of Philadelphia the primary purpose had been subverted. Do you have to ask what is that primary purpose? Remember the first question of the Shorter Catechism? What is the chief end of man? READ: 1 Corinthians 10: 31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Romans 11: 36 "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! ...." God in Christ has to be at the center of our personal and churchly universe! Our purpose is to Glorify God and to enjoy Him forever! And how do we do this? Let us turn to the last verse of chapter three this morning. READ: Revelation 03: 22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Now what injunction is here for us today. Well, it is all so very simple. Open your Bible regularly and pay careful attention to it! Don't just read to be reading so that you can say, "I read my Bible this week!" Prepare yourself, be ready to listen. If you have problems, Pray for understanding and ask for assistance! Then, and this is most important! This is where so much of the church falls short. Then: Receive the word from God with faith and love. If the Word makes you feel like a heal and a worthless sinner, thank God for that, because it is true and you of all people need God's way of salvation. Also Treasure God's word to you in your heart, think and pray about its implications in your own personal life and in the life of our congregation. And finally, Practice the word daily and hourly in your lives. By this method we honor and glorify our Lord and King. By this method we fulfill our purpose of being the light of the world so that others might see and hear our very own Jesus Christ. May that be so, Amen.
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America) Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213 Rev 03c 10 December 89
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