Revelation 2:12-17 - Confidence in Crisis

Stock markets go down and stock markets go up.  Wars, civil unrest, crooked politicians, the rise and fall of another celebrity pastor.  There is nothing new under the sun.  Even during the Civil War and every war since, the sun rises daily and the seasons come in order.  God's mercy is new each morning.

        Disorder and dysfunction - yes, indeed.  We have them aplenty.  But don’t miss God’s patience and the consistent growth of His Church.  In the midst of seeming calamity be ever more confident in Christ.

        God’s church is forcefully advancing worldwide.  The Rock that broke the Roman Empire is growing His church into a Great Mountain that will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2).  We hear in Revelation that Jesus is the ruler of all the Kings of the world (1:5).  This does not mean that each corrupt leader like Chavez or Castro, Trudeau, Stalin, or Mao reports to Jesus or that Jesus blesses them.  He cannot and will not bless evil.  It is against His character.  But Jesus is so Sovereign that He gives men free will.  Jesus does have power and authority over the Neros of this world and the authority to end their rule and to determine their ultimate fate.  

Jesus is up to something far greater than a stock market crash or a presidential election.  He is growing His church.  A thousand days is like a day to God.  He is outside of time.  His patience is our benefit.  No one knows what hour He will finally return.  God brought His judgment on  Jerusalem (AD 70) just as He promised and He brought down Nero as He will every evil ruler in His good time.  We need to focus on the glorious growth of the church today and the standard for His people rather than becoming doom and gloom artists and revisionist historians.

        Jesus made those that believe in the Son of Man into a Kingdom of priests for God his Father (Revelation 1:6).  As God’s prized possession we are set apart, special to God, responsible to God, and able to bring people into relationship with God.  We are a royal priesthood.  Yes, that’s each of us who confesses Jesus Christ as our Saviour, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and baptized publicly to show to whom we belong.

        We are children of the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty One.  And on this royal priesthood is a royal responsibility.  Before God Almighty, we are fully exposed; He knows our innermost thoughts and desires and He does not give us a ticket to sin, a pass to participate in evil deeds.  To the contrary, God sets a high standard for His people.

In the Book of Titus, we hear the Christian leader is to lead a blameless life (Titus 1:5-9).  Are our church leaders living up to that standard?  Do we set that high expectation today?  How committed are we men of the church to leading our families with love and commitment to God our Savior?  We must love what is good, live wisely, and be just.  And we must live a devout and disciplined life.  We know the standard, but we must encourage each other to live up to it.

You will have the opportunity to decide who leads.  Just as you have the opportunity to be disciplined today and to decide how you will live.  You have that opportunity because God in His grace gives us that free will.  Make sure the leaders in your organization, those who serve others by their example, are disciplined.  With the power and authority God gives us we influence and we lead.  As you appoint leaders consider whether or not they are leading their families wisely.  Do they work hard and do they get good rest?  Do they plan well?  Do their dispositions reflect joy faith and unity in Christ?  Or do they jockey for position, scheme, and emulate the world and its idols?

        The word devout seems to have taken on a negative connotation.  It shouldn’t have.  The Christian is to be devout disciplined, and honest.  And well-adjusted physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  Jesus is our example.  He celebrated well.  But He also took time out to recharge, to work hard, and to rest well.

Jesus will rescue us.  He already has, and He will through every storm of life.   Until His final return on Judgment Day, we are to live according to the standard He sets for us.  We hear in this blessed message to the church in Perganum (an important center of learning and famous for its worship of those with power and greed and its great alter to Zeus) that the Son of Man (with a gold sash across His chest) will give those who are faithful and victorious certain things.

        Jesus will give us the crown of life, the fruit of the tree of life, and a white stone engraved with a name that only the recipient will understand.  Just like every sand dollar and every snowflake is unique every heavenly white stone will be unique.  You are a new creation in Christ.  And in eternity God will give us a new body and a new name.  Trust God today, for His promises are good and He yearns for a relationship with His prized possession, His dear children.

        Jesus says that if we have ears - and most of us do - that we must not tolerate the fraudsters who use the church as their piggy bank.  They are like Balaam - committed to making a buck off of the gullible.  The use their positions to manipulate others.  They openly engage in idol worship and sexual sin.  To the extent you can, have nothing to do with them.

        Jesus says, “repent of your sin” (2:16).  Our standard is Jesus’ standard for us.  No hint of immorality.  Men of God that are committed to unity and willing to fight to remove the greedy false teachers in the church.  Men who know what is proper for a saint of God - always thinking of what is loving kind and pleasing to God.

        Lord God, no matter what is happening in this world today, help us to trust your promises.  Please increase our faith and our holiness.  Rise up the next generation of Christian men and women to love you even more than the last.  Please help us today to love what is good and to live courageously for you.  Amen.

Kari and her friend from high school, Stephanie.