Here the name of Jesus is enough to stir the heart in a sweet and suited doxology. It is the Christian insistence that this world is God's creation and that its sin and sorrow are not his fault, but are caused by the disobedience of men. "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. When they reached the top they found the battlements completely unguarded. At that time the emperor made the declaration that Christianity should be the recognized religion throughout the Roman Empire. Jesus Christ perfectly satisfied these conditions. "Mission for God exists because worship of God doesn't." -John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad Introduction: And unto the angel of the church in Sardis (Protestant Reformation) write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God ( Revelation 3:1 ). In entering Gods kingdom, Jews must follow the way of these Gentiles, not Gentiles follow the way of the Jews (8-9).When God judges the ungodly, Christ will protect those who have remained loyal to him. Only this nearness of the Lords coming to reward the faithful provides an effective motive to be tenacious (Alford; Moffatt)." Even that which connects Him with the Christian, as the One that intercedes for him in the presence of God, is here left out, though I doubt not we may see Him as the angel high priest for others in Revelation 8:1-13. Revelation 3:3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. You will bring many to Christ, because you yourself abide in Christ. On this monumental pillar there shall be an honourable inscription, as in those cases is usual. The A, B, Come and See Revelation A commentary on the Book of . We must leave out the word "Amen" it is spurious, and only mars the sense. The royal apparel is for the man whom the king honours ( Esther 6:6-11). Revelation 10 Commentary Interval before the seventh trumpet (10:1-11) During the lengthy interval before the blowing of the final trumpet, John has several other visions. Churches with few men of learning or eloquence in them may yet be greatly approved of the Lord, who cares more for grace than learning, more for faith than talent. Which shall come upon all the world - The phrase used here - all the world - may either denote the whole world; or the whole Roman empire; or a large district of country; or the land of Judaea. Good men in the dark days of Popery found out the truth, but they only lived, perhaps, in some quiet village, or shut up in a monastery, and the most they could do was to write down what they knew and so keep it. I hold one single sentence out of God's word to be of more certainty, and of more power, than all the discoveries of all the learned men of all the ages. Such a congregation is told that Christ gives that church power sufficient for its work. It began at the coast at Ephesus and it had to find a way to climb up to the central plateau 8,500 feet up. The Church was the Israel of God ( Galatians 6:16). 453-55. In principle it is true of all that are really faithful, but there may be Christians, as we know there are, involved in one or other of the various states which have been described, and which apparently go on to the close. For the posttribulational interpretation, see Mounce, p. 119; aand Ladd, p. Other New Testament passages also teach a pretribulation Rapture (e.g., John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). When Cicero was travelling in Asia Minor it was at Laodicea that he cashed his letters of credit. But the people of Philadelphia well knew what it was to receive "a new name.". Modern ideas do not affect me in the slightest. This meaning is particularly appropriate for Philadelphia. (ii) Laodicea prided itself on its clothing trade. It is Christ coming in judgment. There is a remnant only that overcome, and the promise is for them. Those who still dared to live in the city were reckoned mad; they spent their time shoring up the shaking buildings and every now and then fleeing to the open spaces for safety. (d) It has been suggested that the white robes stand for the resurrection bodies which the faithful will some day wear. Philadelphia was the youngest of all the seven cities. Good men have many conflicts, let us minister to their comfort. Revelation 3:9 Commentaries: Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie-- I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. God is holy because he is different from men; he has that quality of being which belongs to him alone. It is quite another thing for Christians. People do not care about knocking their heads against brick walls, or fighting against pillars of iron; and when they see that you are firm and unmoved, they will say, "We must let him have his own way." (1.) You are children of the light, therefore walk as children of the light." The sides of the ridge were smoothly precipitous; and only where the spur met the ridge of Mount Tmolus was there any possible approach into Sardis and even that was hard and steep. Wealth can do much but there are things that it can never do. Ecclesiasticus ( Sir_43:20 ) speaks of the cold north wind which makes the ice congeal upon the waters. People in Philadelphia well knew what security lay in a promise that "they would go out no more. They had shown this in the trials which they had experienced; he promises now, that in return he will keep them in the future trials that shall come upon the world. He is forward going to look into the future. Thus then it is with the seven golden lampstands. We have yet the last epistle to the angel of the church in Laodicea. Too many of us are Christian one moment and unchristian the next. I have set it open, and kept it open, though there be many adversaries. He is seen as the true God in the outpouring of His wrath upon a Christ-rejecting world. It would seem that Archippus was somehow failing in his duty. If the Lord has rebuked you, then be thankful He loves you. There are opportunities before you now which were not there before: these are placed before you especially because you have been tried, and have been proved faithful. In the writing to the angel of the church in Smyrna, a totally different state of things meets us. This promise recurs again and again in Isaiah. They have the truth in a measure, but not so as to clear souls from bondage, or bring them distinctly into liberty, peace, and the power of the Spirit. It was rich and had acquired wealth and had need of nothing--so it thought. The Christian does not believe in an inescapable fate; but he does believe in a destiny which he can accept or refuse. "I John, your brother, and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the isle which is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus." Let them abide in the place of patience, even though there be tribulation, as there must be if they are content to endure for Christ's sake now. The Jews lost their place to the Gentiles ( Romans 11:11). We just went through one, the celebration of Christmas on December 25th. Cheer up, and get to work. what said those who preferred "great tribulation," rather than commit adultery with her? I am sure Luther is one from whom we may all learn much; whose courage, faithfulness, self-renunciation, and endurance are edifying and instructive. (a) We see the pleading of Christ. In a certain sense it was better to be a Daniel in the midst of ruin than to have had the best position when times were prosperous, and when things looked fair. When the Lord is seen in the vision of chapter 1, these are not the ways in which He is described at all "He that hath the key of David.". The terrible accusation against the Church at Sardis is that, although it has a reputation for life, it is, in fact, spiritually dead. "These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass." Assemblies that worship God in spirit and in truth are the Israel of God; assemblies that either worship false gods, or the true God in a false manner, are the synagogues of Satan: though they may profess to be the only people of God, their profession is a lie. In the ancient world there were at least six cities called Laodicea and this one was called Laodicea on the Lycus to distinguish it from the others. It is rather to be imputed to the encroaching spirit of infidelity, where there is not also a truckling to superstition. Then comes the salutation. He didn't want to become one with the Gentile. It was so before when He was here below in grace, and now He must resume its power and glory and judgment, than which one can hardly conceive a greater and more solemn rebuke on the condition of those who ought to have been His witnesses. never to be marked by anything that men can wonder at or admire? In Revelation 3:20 we have one of the most famous pictures of Jesus in the whole New Testament. So, it wasn't a complete reformation. Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, perfect one" (SS 5:2-6). May every church of the Lord Jesus Christ, whether it have little strength or much, be concerned to be steadfast in the faith loyal to King Jesus firm in the truths which Christ has taught us by the Holy Ghost. It is not a new thing for God thus to set out the strongest contrasts by the same inspired writer. By the power of God upon the hearts of his enemies, and by signal discoveries of his peculiar favour to his church: They shall know that I have loved thee. Here is the picture of Christ searching for sinful men who did not want him. This seems conveyed in the peculiarity of the words: so careful is the Holy Ghost to watch over the glory of Christ even in that which told out the depths of His humiliation. Out in the villages, or in the crowded city hearts await you. Here two great truths meet us. The Christian must live well and live in love because the judge is standing at the doors ( James 5:9). I had sooner stand alone then yield with a crowd to an Act of Parliament which was passed to dictate to me the form in which I may worship God. 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