Holding Course in a Seductive World (Revelation 2:1-3:22)                         2009.12.27                                  Pastor Richard Yu

        Towards the end of chapter one, John gives his hearers a magnificent description of the Lord who is entirely awesome, absolutely powerful, totally pure and holy. It is this One who stands in the midst of the seven churches and speaks to the angel at each church through John.         We know that seven is the number of completeness; these messages addressed to the seven churches in the province of Asia suggest that they are intended for all churches to hear. These seven messages serve as a preview of the spiritual conditions of the church throughout history – in particular her sin and complacency within, and persecution from without. Although we cannot be sure of the identity of the angel, what is clear is that what Jesus speaks to the angel of each church is meant for the ears of the whole congregation, and for all the churches.

        These messages show that all the churches face a common problem; and that is the temptation to conform to the values, principles, and systems of the world – that is, to be absorbed into the contemporary culture. This dangerous threat of cultural assimilation is suggested by Old Testament types such as “Jezebel” (2:20) and “Balaam” (2:14); by allusions to soiled clothes (3:4); and by sexual terms referring to detestable religious and social behaviors (2:20, 22).

        From this perspective, the challenge for Christians has always been: Should believers accommodate to the contemporary cultural values and ways? Or should they persevere in their journey to the promised future? And how should they overcome the inevitable problems associated with their unwillingness to conform to society’s norms, values, and mode of operations? These seven messages are designed to address this challenge head-on. And the answer is clearly, No. Christians should hold their course while journeying through this seductive world.

        The messages to all, except Laodicea, start out with their commendable condition, then come the rebuke or warning against certain downward sliding towards disaster, followed by an exhortation to remember, repent and hold fast, and if heeded the disaster is averted, followed by an upward movement towards a new, more desirable, condition. Take the church at Ephesus for example (2:1-7):

        They are commended for their deeds, hard work, and perseverance. They are praised for their intolerance toward wicked men; they tested false apostles, and they hated the deviant practice of the Nicholaitans. Yet Christ rebukes them for the lost of their first love; and exhorts them to remember, repent and do the things they did at first, otherwise he will remove their place among the churches. But if they heed the warning and repent, they will be given the right to eat from the tree of life.

        The Ephesians have been successful in resisting unreliable, deceitful teachers; as well as rejecting those who apparently advocate assimilation to the dominant culture. Yet the Ephesians’ success is not sufficient to reverse the downward turn toward an undesirable condition because they have abandoned the love they had at first (2:4).

        What is this first love that they have lost? It could mean: (1) Their love for Christ. They have failed to maintain an affectionate and intimate relationship with their Lord. Their love for Christ has become cold for various reasons. Some people describe this as being “no longer in love with Christ.”  (2) Their love for one another. Perhaps their unwillingness to tolerate wickedness and their fight against false teachings hardened their hearts to one another? (3) Taking the cue from verse 5, in which they are exhorted to do the works they did at first – the former faithful witness; the first love they have lost is most likely their former zeal and enthusiastic love for Jesus by witnessing to him in the world.

        Jesus’ followers were called to be his witnesses in the world, which they did fervently immediately after his ascension. But by now, they have become complacent and lukewarm; they no longer demonstrate the passion and eagerness in witnessing to the resurrected Christ.

        Today, perhaps not too many of us are holding this perspective of our relationship with Jesus in the proper place. Our mind-set tends to be inward – “Me and my Jesus.” We seldom put our relationship with Christ in the right perspective of being his representatives, his witnesses, in the world. As the result, instead of being transformed by God’s grace and his Word, we are being conformed to the values of materialism, earthly comfort, entertainment and financial security of the contemporary culture. Instead of outward oriented and others-focused, we become inward oriented and self-focused in our ministry. 

        The exhortation is found in what is required of the Ephesians: "remember," "repent," and "do" the works they did at first (2:5). They are to remember where they had begun, to change direction, and to return to doing the works they did at first. And if they take heed to what the Spirit says to them, they will eat from the tree of life, which is a symbol of our Lord Jesus. He feeds us and sustains us, and we draw our strength from him.

    What might be some things that our ears need to hear what the Spirit has to say to us today through this passage? How have we been uncritically adapting to the ways of the world and compromised in our faith practice? What is it that you and I need to remember, repent of, and persevere? And what is it that we need to overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit?