Weekly Devotional 7-10-17 A Return to Respectful Worship
In the Book of Revelation God the Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to the apostle John and commanded that he carry a message to seven churches in Asia Minor. This message, however, was intended for the entire church. The seven named churches had conditions in them that were, and are, representative of the entire church as it has existed down through theses many centuries. The message began with a series of commendations, condem-nations and warnings. For instance, to the first church men-tioned, the church at Ephesus, Jesus said, “1These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:1-5 NKJV).
We note that these Ephesian Christians were faithful in many things and were very active, but they had left their first love; the love they had for Jesus, a love that elevated Him above all else, a love that worshipped and adored Him. However, according to Jesus’ assessment they had walked away from the intensity of their love for Him and began focusing more on their activity than on Him. Jesus warned that unless they returned to their initial love for Him He would remove their lampstand, their testimony. Why would He do this? Because He knew what was to follow.
As we read from the message delivered to the other six churches, we see a steady decline of a respect for His person, a walking away from truth, a tolerance of false doctrine, and an eventual casting Him aside. These things come to fullness in His condemnation of the last of the seven churches, the church of the Laodiceans. We read; “14These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ‘15I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me’” (Revelation 3:14-20 NKJV). What an assessment!
As stated above, the seven churches are representative of the entire church, almost from the time of its birth until now. There is a remnant, however, that has stayed true. They still love Jesus as they did when they first met Him. They have held to true doctrine and have denied false teaching. They are represented by the congregations of the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. To these persons and this part of the church Jesus said/says, “21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21 NKJV).
The church of our day for the most part seems to be identified by the five churches who received condemnations and warnings rather than those in Smyrna and Philadelphia who did not. The question for us is, why have we fallen, and what can we do about it? Certainly we should return to Jesus in the love we had for Him that grew out of our redemption. We must return to our respect for Him, esteeming Him above all else. We as a church and as individuals are to be a witness of His glorious Being. We cannot fulfill that role if we live apart from respecting Him as the Head of the church. For me this means that I should not, I must not, entertain anything that demeans Him in anyway. I pray that His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, aids me in this endeavor. And I would pray the same for you. Each one of us must determine for himself or herself what Jesus would have us do. Remembering that there is none like Him. He is Lord of lords and King of kings.
Blessings
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