The Seven Churches Which Are In Asia - Part 3

by Smith, A. K. | Category: The Seven Churches Which Are In Asia - Part 3 | May 1978

Sardis

This was a prosperous centre of trade and industry. In the eyes of Christ, however, the church in that place was far from industrious; it was in fact unproductive. "I have found no works of thine fulfilled before My God", the Lord Jesus said. This assembly had shown promise at first but had been overcome by worldliness. Positionally they were a church of God and had a name to live, but as far as Christ was concerned they were dead. Like those mentioned in 2 Tim. 3:5 they were "holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof".

Christ presents Himself to them as the One who has the seven Spirits of God, denoting perhaps that all the perfect, powerful resources of the Holy Spirit are available through Him. Sadly, most in the church were too full of the world's things to be bothered about being filled with the Spirit. Mere formal attendance at meetings and acquiescence to doctrine are not enough. Although God insists on the keeping of correct teaching He also looks for the warmth and vitality of true spiritual life.

The Lord Jesus tells them in effect to wake up before it is too late. "Be thou watchful, and stablish the things that remain". Re-echoed here

are the words of the Lord Jesus on another occasion when He said with sadness to His sleeping disciples "What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40). When asleep one is still alive but almost completely inactive. It was a time for action and the disciples in Sardis were exhorted to revive the dying embers of what remained. This may still be a vital word to churches of God today, "Knowing the season, that it is high time for you to wake out of sleep... the night is far spent" (Rom. 13:11,12).

There were a few disciples in Sardis who were shining bright for the Master, who refused to be defiled by the world. The Lord knew them by name and they were promised the precious reward that they would walk with Him in white. The overcomers too would be arrayed in white garments. Clean and holy living down here will never go unnoticed or unrewarded by the Lord Jesus.

Amidst the promises to these overcomers is a difficult phrase ~I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life". Two main propositions are offered by scholars as to the meaning of this phrase. (1) Some say that it is a reassurance of their eternal security followed by the further promise of personal acknowledgement by the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) It is proposed by others that this book of life is not the Lamb's book of life but is in fact a record of service (see Phil. 4:3). Whichever view is taken it should be emphasized that the eternal security of those in Christ is not in doubt nor does this reference contradict the clear promise of God about our eternal salvation (John 5:24; 10:28,29).

Let us seek to confess Christ here on earth and He will confess the names of faithful witnesses to His Father (Matt. 10:32).

Philadelphia

The church of God in Philadelphia was like that of Smyrna in two main points, (1) in both places there was a synagogue of Satan (denoting strong opposition from the Jews). (2) Nothing is said against the two assemblies.

The Lord Jesus fully knew the weakness of the church in Philadelphia and His main message appears to be one of encouragement. In introducing Himself, He emphasizes particularly two of His divine attributes: one being that of His character, "He that is holy and He that is true"; and the other being that of His power and authority as the One who has the key of David and who openeth and none shall shut. In their weakness the saints are encouraged to look to Himself, the great Example and also to trust implicitly in His strength. Christ works best through us when we realize our weakness because then we rely more on Him. "I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me", wrote Paul.

Perhaps because this letter is primarily concerned with the church's

relations with the Jews it commences with Christ's claim to be the true Messiah, who holds the key of David. The Jews in Philadelphia were only Jews by name because they failed to acknowledge the Lord Jesus as the Christ. However, Christ was going to deal with them and make them humble themselves before the church in Philadelphia.

The Lord Jesus had set before the church an open door of service and no man could shut it. Great opportunities may have been placed at the door of this church and their evident weakness would be no excuse for not taking them. Sad indeed it would be if we use our lack of strength as an excuse for not going forward in service if Christ has opened up the way.

"Thou... didst keep My word, and didst not deny My name." Here are two vital requirements to keep a church of God alive. These words are reminiscent of Paul's message to Timothy: "Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord", and, "Hold the pattern of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:8,13). A church of God will die out if the saints in it veer from the sound doctrine and also if they are ashamed to testify for Christ.

The saints were told to let nothing go of what they had in the Lord but to "Hold fast". Those who did so would be made a pillar in God's Temple. This no doubt speaks of a special 'place of nearness to God in a future day.

Laodicea

This city was famous for its textile industry producing a black glossy wool used for the manufacture of cloth and carpets. Through trade and commerce it had also become well known as a banking centre. To add to its reputation there was a large medical school renowned for its production of ear ointment and Phrygian powder used for eyesalve.

Laodicea was proud of its financial independence and refused customary Imperial aid to restore the damage caused by a shattering earthquake in A.D. 60.

The Laodicean church was a church of God in an affluent society and was itself rich in worldly wealth. The Lord Jesus in His presentation to them appears as the strong positive One, "the Amen, the faithful and true Witness". His appraisal of their works must be the most devastating of all His comments on the seven churches. They were apathetic in witness, lacking in positive love for the Lord Jesus. They certainly were not hot, as perhaps once they had been, and they were not cold either. Hostility to the Lord would have been preferred even to their lukewarm state. How sad to hear those words "I will spue thee out of My mouth", but alas this was all they were fit for. Why had they become lukewarm? It was because they had become like the society they lived in, self-made,

self-centred and self-satisfied. Their lives were filled with the things they possessed and so there was no room for Christ. Leaving Christ out of their lives had made them wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Not all the banks, pharmacies or looms of Laodicea could provide for their spiritual needs. Like the city they lived in they thought they had need of nothing. Forcibly the Lord Jesus points out their immense need of refined gold, white raiment and eyesalve that only He can supply. These spoke of true spiritual riches not valued by the world. The citizens of Laodicea may have been inhospitable to a merchantman who offered what they thought were worthless goods. The church of God too kept their doors closed to the divine Merchantman. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock", He says. That hand that was scarred at Calvary for us may still be knocking at our heart's door longing for communion with us. He will not force Himself in. We must open the door and then we will find the wounded hand that knocked is filled with lasting treasures for us.

Today materialism is still a very real threat to the Lord's people and will choke spiritual life and growth. Let us learn our lesson well from the Laodicean church and accept the invitation of Christ to "buy of Him" and to "sup with Him".

To those who overcame a victor's position was promised with Jesus Christ Himself, the great Victor. No treasure on earth could compare with this eternal reward (see Mark 10:21).

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The Lord Jesus is in the midst of Churches of God today.

He knows and views each golden lampstand.

What does He see?

Would His appraisal be of praise or judgement?

Are there things to be put right?

These questions require sober consideration in the light of Revelation chapters two and three.

Let us always seek to be sensitive to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches".

Smith, A. K. | May 1978
The Seven Churches Which Are In Asia - Part 3