THE DEAD CHURCH

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Sardis

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Read Revelation 3:1-6

      "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Revelation 3:1b NKJV

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      The church in Sardis may have been an active busy church, but spiritually Jesus pronounces them dead – or at least ready to die. He says, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God." (3:2)

      This church was not looking for the return of Jesus and though there was a spark of life, it was ready to go out. He warns them, “Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” Revelation 3:3b

      Like many cold churches today, Sardis had some who were still trusting in Christ. He says of them, “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (3:4)

      This reminds me of the parable of the wedding feast where a man tried to enter without the proper wedding garment. This garment is the righteousness which true believers receive when they trust in Christ – sins washed away as white as snow.

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      Father, I am anticipating Jesus’ return, hoping that perhaps our generation will be the one that sees the return of Your Son. Thank you that He is the One who makes us worthy to walk with You in white.

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      "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."    Matthew 25:13 NKJV

DISCERNMENT

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Thyatira
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Read Revelation 2:18-29

      "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you... Revelation 2:19-20A NKJV

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      The church at Thyatira, much like Pergamum, was influenced by pagan religion and immorality. Like many today, they mixed their Christianity with occult practices. Jesus refers to these practices as the "depths of Satan." (2:24).

      Teachers of this corrupt form of Christianity were followers of demons and will be judged along with Satan in the future. When judgment comes He says, “...all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” (2:23)

     There was still a remnant of faithful believers at Thyatira and to them He says, "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come” (2:24-25)

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      Lord, these verses remind me how careful we must be about what is taught in our churches. False teaching seems to creep in so easily and true believers need discernment. Keep us in Your Word so that we can recognize counterfeit Christianity by knowing the Truth.

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      "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ," Philippians 1:9-10 NKJV

A NEW NAME

THE COMPROMISING CHURCH
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Read Revelation 2:12-17

      “...you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Revelation 2:13b NKJV

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      These faithful believers in Pergamum were standing up for the faith even unto martyrdom. “But” Jesus said, “I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14)

      The idolatrous culture around them, including temple prostitution, was a snare to the church. This was such an important matter that Jesus said “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:16)

      What a horrible thought that the Lord Jesus himself would fight against a church. We must not take lightly the instructions for purity in the Christian’s life. It is possible to be right in the main, and yet compromise our values in our personal lives and the teaching of the church.

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     Lord, protect our church against the infiltration of false doctrine and immorality. Give us the ‘hidden manna” of Your Word and help us to live consistent lives that are worthy of our “new names” written in Heaven.

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      He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”     Revelation 2:17 NKJV