How familiar are you with the prophecies mentioned in the book of Revelation about the time of the end?
Several months ago, we covered Church history in the Pastoral Training class. Specifically we covered the seven churches of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 2 and RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3. I observed the most interesting pattern of thought that Christ reveals in the last three churches in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3. There is an interesting message as it began to be discussed in the class with Sardis. There was an interesting message that was for Philadelphia and there was an interesting message that was found in Laodicea. The interesting thing is that all three of those churches had the same basic theme running through them and I thought it was quite interesting. Therefore, what I would like to do in this sermon / BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. study type of atmosphere that I hope to present today, I want to give you some interesting thoughts from the book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). chapter 3 about these three churches. I believe it is a message that can be sent to the end time Church of God so I entitled this sermon 'Prophecies My Father Taught My Mother About the Time of the End' and the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says that he who has ears, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.
Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea speak of the end time - all three of them do – and the prophecies and the warnings written to them. So they are extant, they are for us today as we live in the time of the end. All three churches in context are talking about having some end time relationship with Christ. We'd like to examine that for you this morning in the sermon. Therefore, we should examine each as an end time Church alive at the time of the end living into the return of Jesus Christ. Then we're going to take these words found in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3 and we will look at parallel prophecies this morning to these three churches as well.
Let me read first of all from our booklet titled 'The Book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). Unveiled'. There is an interesting statement that is made here and I want to start with this particular statement because I believe it gives us the overall view of the seven churches of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 2 and 3, but more than that it pinpoints on specifically some things that have to do with what we call the end time churches. You would simply remove yourself from errors – you should simply remove yourself from anything that has to do with perhaps some teachings that go back twenty or thirty years ago. We want to focus not on errors; we want to focus on messages that were given to the end time churches. I'd like to read to you beginning on page 19 from 'The Book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). Unveiled'.
"First of all, each church needed a particular message, and the spiritual state of each church corresponded precisely to the exhortation which was given. The selection of the churches was also governed by the fact that each church was in some way normative and illustrated conditions common in local churches at that time as well as throughout later history." That is why we read the statement, let him who has ears, hear what the spirit says to the churches. "The messages to the seven churches therefore embody admonition suitable for churches in many types of spiritual need.
"Along with the messages to the churches were exhortations which are personal in character constituting instruction and warning to the individual Christian. Each of the messages as given to the churches therefore ends in a personal exhortation beginning with the phrase, He that hath an ear, let him hear. '
"Many expositors believe that in addition to the obvious implication of these messages the seven churches represent the chronological development of church history viewed spiritually." And this is what we believe. This is what we believe. "They note that Ephesus seems to be characteristic of the Apostolic Period in general and that the progression of evil climaxing in Laodicea seems to indicate the final state of apostasy in the church..."
I want to emphasize that because all three churches are dealing at the time of the end with apostasy. They are dealing with the problem that we see with human beings who live in a society that will take them down a road to destruction if they allow themselves to be taken there. It goes on to say,
"The order of the messages to the churches seems to be divinely selected to give prophetically the main movement of church history. " This is a quote from the book entitled The RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). of Jesus Christ, pages 51 and 52. It is John Walvoord who writes this particular book.
The overall message is, of course, that Christ reveals the dominant strengths and the dominant weaknesses of the church, both in John's day and through the ages. And He plainly tells each congregation "he who has ears, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. He reveals what appears to be a sweeping picture of the future of His church – a sweeping picture of the future of His church. So let us examine today and look at the context of these three churches. Let's go to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). chapter 3 to begin. We are going to begin with the Sardis Church . Notice I didn't say 'Sardis era', I said Sardis church because we have as a Church moved away from specific dates such as 31 A.D. to 150 A.D. and then from 150 A.D. to 300 A.D. for the second "era" and 300 A.D. to whatever – we just simply recognize that we do not put dates of this moving from one to the other. However, there is a progression, as John Walvoord said, from going from the apostolic era to the churches at the time of the end. Rev. 3 beginning in verse 3, let's look at the context in which this particular church finds itself. It says,
Rev 3:3 - Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. So we recognize this church has a problem with holding fast to the foundational things and they need to repent of a frame of mind that they had. 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. If you look at the wording in this particular case, you will see this is the same wording that is found Matthew 24, the same wording that is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Peter 3:1 of Christ's return. Therefore this particular church is going to be seeing come upon it the return of Jesus Christ and the problem is this church is not watching. This church is not cognizant. This church is not perceptive. This church is not discerning of this particular period of time. They are caught up in whatever they are caught up in and they are not capable of understanding because it says that He will come upon them as a thief simply meaning that it is unaware to them as to what is going on. They have no idea because they are caught up in a world that they are living in that does not allow them to have this discernment. Let's go on. You must conclude, then, that the Sardis church will be extant at the coming of Jesus Christ based on that scripture alone.
Let's go to the second one. Verse 10, this is Philadelphia. Notice what it says about Philadelphia. He said,
Verse 10 – Because you have kept my command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth.
Here we see in Philadelphia the fact that this is a time period in which the whole world will be under a great tribulation. It is talking simply about the fact that as all the commentators agree, this is the Great Tribulation, which will come at the time of the end – as you and I understand it, the fifth seal. This the wrath of Satan, the Devil, that will come down upon this world and Jesus said here in this particular case that this particular group of people will be kept from 'the hour', meaning they will be protected from that period of time. So we recognize that this particular church is extant. This church is alive. This church is dwelling in that period of time in which they are going to have to live through what is called the Great Tribulation with God's protection somehow. This is the promise that is made to them.
Now let's go to the third one which is Laodicea. Let's go to Rev 3:20. This is to the church in Laodicea. It says,
Rev 3:20 - Behold, 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.
Now He tells us that this particular church has to buy a refinement by reason of going through a fire according the scriptures that come just a little before then in verse 18. We will go back to that in just a moment, but we recognize that Jesus Christ stands at the door of this particular church. That particular term – standing at the door – I think you will find is a direct indication that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, that this particular church is going to meet the return of Jesus Christ. How do we know that? Well, if you with turn with me, keep your finger here in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3 and turn back to James chapter 5 and verse 7. In the book of James 5:7-9 it says,
Jas. 5:7 - Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
Verse 8 - You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
So when James was writing, he was looking at - in the apostolic era - that period of time. They were expecting the return of Christ at any day. So he uses a term here in verse 9,
Verse 9 – Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
And when this particular term is used 'standing at the door', it is a direct indication – it is a direct indication that Jesus Christ is about to return. It is that close. He is at the door and He is ready to come in. He is ready to dine with those who will dine with Him at the great supper at the time of the end.
By context, then, all three churches exist at the time of the end. Therefore we must understand the circumstances that will be faced by the end time Church. And since you and I understand where we are in the four seals of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 6, we understand where we are in the problems of the prophesies of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, we realize that we are living very close to the time of the end period and, therefore, these three messages are for us to understand and to be cognizant of and to be equipped to be able to withstand whatever may come at us between now and the time Jesus Christ returns to this earth.
Now, let's go back to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3. Let's expound this particular section of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and let's open up to see what is actually happening and why God is giving these commands, these rebukes, these teachings, these exhortations to the three churches of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3. Beginning in verse 1, He said,
Rev 3:1 - To the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: " I know your works"... Okay, therefore He knows what they are doing. Notice how He looks at their works. He said, ... "you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead."
That's not a very nice thing to say to a group of people, but He recognized their works, that they were alive, but they were dead. When you look at the fact that they had the name, the name is found in twelve different places in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation., they are called the church of God. That is the basic name. While you have incorporated names that you find all over the world that have to be used, the name of the true church of God is The Church of God. That is the name. And so we recognize that they had His name, that they supposedly were God's children, they were the workmanship of Jesus Christ's hands, but it says, you have the name, but He said, you are dead. But He said you are dead. Now, like the Corinthians, they had the name, but they did not have the works, the conduct or the attitude that depicted a spiritual body of people bearing the fruits of God's Holy Spirit. They were dead.
Now, if you look at the Greek Word of Biblical Meanings, you will find the word, dead, is defined in four different ways:
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The death of a physical body;
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Second, the spiritual condition of the unsaved;
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Third, the ideal condition in regard to sin - as Paul said, be you dead to sin, but alive unto God (Rom 6:11).
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But the fourth one, which I believe all the commentaries say this is the one that depicts the Sardis church: a church in decline; a church in drift; a church that is simply moving away from the basic foundational things that it should be following; a church in decline because it is inactive and barren.
Now when you go back and look at the question of barren, when you read 2 Peter chapter 1 and about verse 4, you will find out it is talking about not bearing the fruits of God's Spirit, not seeing the tangible evidence of their God-worth simply because they are not bearing those fruits in their lives. So we recognize that the Sardis church simply is in a condition where it is in decline, where it is drifting, where it is going backwards. And it is inactive and barren according to what the Greek word seems to indicate. Now, verse 2 seems to indicate this point because of the fact that it says here in verse 2,
Verse 2 - Be watchful ... which they are not – which they are not. They are not actively involved in understanding what is going on in the world that they live in. And, secondly, it says, ... and strengthen the things which remain ... notice what it says, ... that are ready to die ...
These are a group of people who have simply let things drift. They have let things get out of hand and they have not walked closely with God. They have not been plugged into the Spirit of God. They were not doing what needed to be done. And so the end result is they were about ready to die. They were in no condition to meet Jesus Christ. They were, first of all, not watchful and, secondly, they needed to be strengthened. Why? Why were they not watchful? Why were they needing to be strengthened? Because both of these are spiritual conditions that they had entered into because of a lack of something. This Sardis church is lacking something. What other end time prophesy gives us a deeper understanding of what is going on here? Which one? Think about it for a moment. Which other prophecy gives you a deeper understanding of what is going on here? Matthew 25:1-3. Let's turn back there to Mat 25:1-13. It gives us a story about ten virgins. Remember, this is the church of God , remember that it is about ready to die, remember, brethren, that you have in this particular case ten virgins that are found here at the time of the end. How do we know that? Because we read over here in verse 1 of chapter 25,
Rev 1:25 – Then - Then ... it says, ... the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto - then ... What has he been he referring to? He is reaching back to the 24th chapter of Matthew and what you see is simply the fact that it refers to the preceding chapter and the warnings that are given at the time of the end to the Church. And there are numerous warnings that are given to the Church to be watchful, to be prepared, to be looking. I want you to notice with me if you would what it says here in Mat 24:42. It then refers back to this particular time.
Mat 24:42 - Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
Why not? Why not? I think you have to begin to ask yourself some questions - some deep, abiding questions - as to why they were not cognizant of the hour. Notice down in verse 44.
Verse 44 - Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Why? Why should we not be expecting His coming? What is going on with these people that He is giving warning to? Notice verse 46. And He tells us in 46:
Verse 46 - Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
Verse 47 - Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
And in verse 48 - But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,'
Verse 49 - and begins to eat and beat his fellow servants ...
So we ask the question, why? What's going on? Why the internal fighting within the body of Christ? What's going on? Why are these things taking them away from the center of their purpose? People can really lose their center when they get caught up in these things. Notice what it says in verse 50.
Verse 50 - the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him ...
Do you know why? Because he's sitting around, beating up upon his fellow servants - and because he's caught up in drinking with the drunkards and being beaten up and beating up his fellow servants.
Verse 51 - and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.
I will tell you, this is very strong stuff. When people think just because they are in the Church of God and they were baptized and they've been sitting there for how many years – thirty, forty, fifty years – you'd better ask yourself the question. This is serious stuff because these people were not paying attention and the end result is that they were going to be cut in two and their portion would be appointed with the hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth - not just with the unsaved world – because the people didn't get it together and they weren't paying attention to those things.
Notice now in verse 48. Go back to verse 48.
Verse 48 - But if that evil servant shall say in his heart ... I want to take you back to that particular point. ... my master is delaying his coming.
'Say in his heart ... 'If you stop and look at the Biblical statements that are found both in the Old and the New Testaments, you will find that 'in his heart' has to do with the center of where conversion takes place and so, the warning is 'if that evil servant says in his heart' . Why is he saying in his heart? Because the question is simply where is his conversion? Where is his heart? And this is what you have to look at in this particular case. His lack of conversion apparently leads him to beat his fellow servants. His lack of conversion causes him to eat and to drink with the drunkards. Now, we understand that we are not going to go out and eat and drink with drunkards so far as doing something in the society that we are living in. But when you begin to understand that RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 18:3 says the nations of the world had drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and then it says in verse 4 that we are to be warned to come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins and less you receive of her plagues, we begin to understand that people can immerse themselves so deeply into a society that they drink in of the philosophies, the ideas and the concepts of that society instead of standing and sighing and crying for the abominations and resisting them, these people apparently began to eat and to drink with this particular approach, that they didn't see what was out there that was affecting them. And world that they lived in and the spirit of the world that was in the world was affecting those who were not paying attention and they didn't have their guards up to stop that. So we realize that you can be caught up in a world and cannot see.
Let's go over to Luke 21 for just a moment. I think this is a very interesting scripture here in Luke 21 and verse 34. I found it most interesting. This is a prophecy Jesus gave to the Church. Notice what it says in verse 34.
Lk. 21:34 - But take heed to yourselves ... Take heed to yourselves. He is not speaking to the whole world. He is asking the Church to take heed to itself – His disciples, His ministers, all of us - ... take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing ... or as it says simply in the margin, dissipation, getting caught in things that are just simply going to turn your head away. Your hearts are weighed down in carousing, drunkenness – and, again, I am speaking of the 'wine of the wrath of her fornication' according to Rev. 18, which is a part of that system that is going to come on this earth. ... and the cares of this life, and that that Day comes on you unexpectedly.
And this is what happens. There is a dullness that sets in to the Christian mind that, if allowed, we just simply lose the ability to discern what is going on. And it says,
Verse 35 – For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Verse 36 - Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
So we recognize that watching is one thing and that means that you have to have your spiritual eyesight 20/20 and the second thing is to pray always – not to pray that you will escape, but to pray for something that you need to have in order to be able to resist that which is going to be occurring at the time of the end of this society.
So let's go back to Matthew 25. Here in Mat. 25, then we see the statement that says,
Mat 25:1 - Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
So here we see ten virgins. They are all virgins so you must understand we are talking about the people who are converted. We are not talking about people who are, you know, who are outside of the Spirit of God. These are people who have been converted. They are called virgins, according to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 14 about verse 4, and it talks about them being virgins to Christ. The firstfruits were that way and all of those who are children of God. According to Paul, he says that I might present you as virgins espoused to Christ. So that concept shows that this is what they are. This is the Church. And he said,
Verse 2 - Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Isn't that interesting? 50/50. Isn't it interesting? We are going to see some other places in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. that it is 50/50. Why is it that number? I have no idea, but it is scary. It's scary because we recognize the difficulties that we could face. Look at this room. 110–12 people. How about looking at the fact that you could have 55 people sitting here that are going to be five of the foolish. That is scary. That is absolutely scary. And if you think that's not possible, you have to go back and look at what the heretics did to our former association, at how many people we had attending: 150,000. How many people today have remained faithful to just the simple basics of the Sabbath, the Holy Days and those things. We are lucky if we have 40,000. We are lucky if we have 40,000. So, you know, we need to begin to think about, hey, you'd better think about your bacon, ladies and gentlemen, you'd better think about your hide, you'd better think about what you need to be doing – to not be a part of some of these warnings that are given to these three churches. I have to tell you that it's a scary thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Notice what it says in verse 3.
Verse 3 - Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
Verse 4 - but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
We all understand the oil represents the Holy Spirit. It talks about our lamp burning brightly because of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of our lives are brought forward by the light that we present through the Spirit of God.
And He said in verse 4, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
This is going to be interesting in just a moment because I think we've not always understood this particular concept.
Verse 5 - But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Verse 6 - "And at the midnight hour the cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out and meet him!'
Verse 7 - Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
Verse 8 - And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
Or, our lamps are about to go out. Why? Why? I think you will find out as we read verse 9.
Verse 9 - But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
I think it's interesting that the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary tells us what the answer is here. It goes on to say this. It says, "These people lacked the essential preparation for meeting Christ. The supply of oil is the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Watch and pray." When you pray, it simply means that you are asking for the renewal of God's Spirit, you are asking, Philippians 1:19, for the supply of the Spirit of Christ. You are asking for something to be done. You are asking for something to be in the lamp and you are asking for something to be in the vessel that you carry with the lamp. And here's the kicker. Here's the interesting statement. It said, "For they must have had enough oil in their lamps to keep them burning up to this particular moment. But the folly of the five consisted in not making provision against exhaustion ..." the using up of the oil " ... by taking with their lamps an oil vessel wherewith to replenish their lamp from time to time." The lamp and the vessel to fill it every time you see it beginning to burn down to where the oil was used up in the lamp. You see that was their problem. They did not have that vessel that gave them the ability to, as the expression goes, to keep pouring into that lamp and to keep it burning. And so it goes on to say, "Their folly consisted in not making provision against exhaustion by taking their lamps and an oil vessel wherewith to replenish their lamps from time to time and so have it burning until the bridegroom should come."
Ah! So the five were foolish. They did not discern what they needed to be doing. They did not discern the disciplines of Christianity. They did not discern the fact that Christianity is a daily way of life where you have to take up your cross daily to follow Jesus Christ. They didn't remember that prayer, BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. study, fasting, meditation - all of those basic disciplines - and the resisting of evil, and standing against it and having the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. as that shield to go before you. They just simply let it go and they didn't understand what was coming at them.
Notice 1 Corinthians 2:14-15. What is lacking, ladies and gentlemen? It means that the Holy Spirit, the renewal of our minds, is lacking in these individuals within Sardis . Notice what it says here. He said,
1 Cor 2:14 - But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
We recognize about the people in Sardis that they just didn't get it. Spiritually they were acting like an old man in white hair said so many, many years ago back in the '60's and '70's. He told the congregation there at Headquarters, he said simply, "Half of you don't get it. Half of you don't get it." And the sad part about it is that we found out that more than half didn't get it, didn't we after 1995? And so we recognize here the importance that the natural man is not going to receive the things of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness unto him. And neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.
How long can you go without a supply of the Spirit of Christ? The begettal lives for a long time. The renewal has to be daily. You have to ask yourself the question: do you have the vessel to fill the lamp? Do you have it full to fill that lamp, because if you don't, it says in Matthew 25 your lamps are about to go out and you're going to have to buy oil. You're going to have to buy oil. There are two spirits that are seen in the politics of the United States . There are two spirits that are seen there. We call them by a certain name. It was interesting that this white haired old gentleman said something else. He said, "The Church is only six months behind the Country in its approach to politics and its approach to society." Six months behind! I have to tell you that I am not sure it's even that long anymore as I watch what happened just in the struggles that went on in the Democratic Party between those two individuals and the division that was caused within that particular Party and now as it is trying to heal those things. You begin to realize how sad, how sad it was and how much of that gets bombarded on us. And how much we are hearing every day about these two individuals who are running for President and how much of that affects us - how much of it actually affects us. You know, when you are bombarded by the spirit of this world, and by the spirits that are there and you begin to watch people drink of the wine of this system, it dulls people to the reality of what is going on because so many people reflect its values and it reflects their ideas as we begin to watch the attitude toward government that has been portrayed since the 60's and 70's and 80's with a look at the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and the whole thing of problems. You know, you often wonder about the fires out in California coming on in the way that they have, right after they did what they did about marriage. You really do wonder sometimes. You can't prove it, but you begin to wonder, you know, are we beginning to see the punishment of God coming upon our nation because of simply refusing the laws of God and the principles of God that we used to live by as a nation.
So half the virgins are in serious trouble because of their lack of discernment. Notice verses 11 through 13 here in Matthew 25. Notice what it says.
Mat 25:11 - Afterward the other virgins came ... because the bridegroom came and those that were ready went in with him to the wedding, verse 10 said, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
Verse 12 - But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I don't know you.'
Hey, I don't know about you, but that's scary stuff. That's scary stuff! So Jesus said,
Verse 13 - Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
So we begin to see as we look at this with the Sardis people, you begin to realize that there is a great lack there spiritually and as a result, they have a name, but they are dead and they are not watchful. They are not doing the things that are going to make for what I call a spiritual mind according to Matthew 25.
It tells us over in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3, let's go back there for a moment now, we read that even thought the majority of these people are in the condition that they are in, yet the good thing that we see here in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:3-4, it simply tells us that there are a few, verse 4, a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
So we recognize that there are a few and they do have the garments, they are wearing the garments and they are not naked. It tells us in the book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 19:8, that the garments of white linen would be the righteous deeds, or the righteousness of the saints. We recognize that the righteousness of God comes not by just simply doing, but it's by the being. We recognize that you have to have both. You have to be a doer and you have to be a certain way. The heart of man has to be converted. And so we recognize that the garments that these individuals had were the righteousness of God. According to Philippians 3:9 it says, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. So we recognize that this is something that God has to impart to the individuals. You can outwardly look like you're a part, but the difference is what's going on - on the inside – that's what we see with the Sardis people.
Now let's go over to Philadelphia for a moment and take a look at that. Over in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:9 we find an interesting problem that while they have the good works and the doors are set open before them and the fact is that they are going to be protected as a whole from the time of great tribulation to come upon this earth, verse 9 tells us something interesting. It is a hook that allows us to understand what we are facing. Notice verse 9.
Rev 3:9 - Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
And then in verse 11 it says, Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
So we see, first of all, that Philadelphia has to come in contact with someone who is of the synagogue of Satan who comes into their midst because, it says, they are coming and they will actually worship at your feet ultimately. So these of the synagogue of Satan say that they are Jews. Now what are we talking about in this particular case? Well, if you will turn to Romans chapter 2, you will see what He is talking about. This is Romans 2:28-29. It says the following:
Rom 2:28 - For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
Verse 29 - but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
So we begin to realize that this particular church is going to have to face the fact that there will be people coming into their midst who profess to be Christians, who supposedly outwardly, ostentatiously look like they are Christians, but inwardly they are of the synagogue of Satan. And so you have to recognize that this is one of those characteristics that you have to be careful of.
Matthew 13:24 is a very, very interesting parable. I would like you to turn there, if you would with me for a moment because it explains something that is going to go on at the time of the end.
Mat 13:24 - He put forth to them a parable, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field;
Verse 25 - but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
Verse 26 - But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
Verse 27 - So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
Verse 28 - He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him ... What do you want us to do then? ... 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
Verse 29 - But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them'.
So we recognize, if we want to be very blunt, that not everybody who sits in the Church of God is converted. Let's be honest about this. You know by the facts of what had happened in the history to us, and what we saw in the past, that not everybody is. Why is it that almost as many people from 1934 to 1984 left the Church of God as were there attending the Church at that time – 150,000 were there in 1984. And yet almost that many left as the result of disagreeing or not being converted or whatever it might have been. So you begin to realize that even there – I thought it was quite interesting that you almost had a 50% situation – but let's be honest, you have to face the fact that this is what you see. Notice what He goes on to tell us.
Verse 30 - Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
Now, He's giving us an analogy of wheat and tares and I thought it was interesting that both Vines Dictionary of Greek Words and also Paluba's BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. Dictionary give a discussion about the tares that are found here in Matthew 13. Listen to what they say,
They say, "This tare is a kind of a darnel, the commonest of four species growing as tall as wheat and barley and resembling wheat in appearance. The seeds are poisonous to man and herbivorous animals as well producing in them if they eat of them sleepiness, nausea, convulsions, and even death."
So you've got to be very honest now. You've got to watch what some people say and do. You can't always accept what some people say because it can be a poison. You really have to be as close to God in discerning human beings and what they are doing. Now, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says very simply here that you have wheat and tares; they grow together until the harvest. Notice what he said,
"The plants can be separated out, but the custom, as in the parable, is to leave the cleaning out until near the time of the harvest, until the grain is well advanced toward the harvest and can be readily distinguished from all other plants."
So when you get put under the pressure ultimately in the end, we're going to find out where we all are. We're going to find out where we all are. The apostle Paul said that there were six building materials found in 1 Corinthians 3. It was simply gold, silver, precious stones, and it said, wood, hay and stubble: three that would stand the test of fire and be purified. The other three would be burned up - some quickly and some later. But the point is three and three. Here we go again. There is 50%. We have to continue to look at this. Let's not walk away from it. Let's be honest with it. Let's get real serious about what it is he is talking about here. And so we have to realize that the tares will grow with the wheat and sometimes they do look like – they sometimes do look like the wheat. But when we finally get it down to the fact that you put them under pressure at the time of the end, it will show up who is wheat and who is tares. The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says it's going to be revealed by fire. This is what the apostle Paul said. Let's not walk away from it. Let's be honest. We are living into the time of the end. I'm not asking people to be suspicious of anybody. I'm asking you to be suspicious if what comes at you is not of the Spirit of God. You can sort that by the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and by the Spirit of God.
Jesus said the following words. I want you to listen to this closely. In Matthew 7:21-23. This is a priceless statement. He said,
Mat 7:21 - Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Verse 22 - Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
Who? The Church of God ? Yea. Possibly ministers? Yea. You've got to remember all of those things. And then it says in the next verse,
And then ...verse 23...I will declare unto them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Saying certain things and doing certain things outwardly doesn't make the heart honest, correct and converted. And so this is what we have to look at when you look at the statements that are made about this particular group of people that back here in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). chapter 3 have to deal with. The Church in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3 called Philadelphia has to deal with the question of holding fast that no one takes your crown . Who in the world - in the world - is going to take your crown? I don't think we are looking at anybody in the world, I think we are looking at people in the Church of God who just simply for some reason have a way of offending us so we end up seeing that the enemies of truth will abound at this time - the time of the end - according to Barnes' Notes . In this time in history, he simply said, the enemies of truth will abound.
Let's go over to Matthew 24 for a moment now, beginning in verse 8. I want to show you in the context that we are dealing with now as you move away from the four seals of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 6, you are now dealing with things that are pointing at the people in the Church. Notice what it says:
Mat 24:8 - All these are the beginning of sorrows.
We'll see the four seals – wars and famine and pestilence and tribulation – all of those things are found in the first four seals of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). and then, of course, the fifth one as well. But notice verse 9.
Verse 9 - Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
Verse 10 - And then ... at that particular time, notice what happens when everybody gets put under pressure ... many will be offended ... many will be offended and ... will betray one another ... It says in the book of Matthew, the 10th chapter, and a man's foes shall be they of his own household (verse 36). If you want to take it spiritually, you have to as the question if the household of God can also be included in a parallel thought. Notice what it goes on to say, they will ... betray one another, and will hate one another.
The hostilities will rise to the point that the pressures and the struggles that people will face will cause them to turn on one another.
Verse 11 – Then many false prophets will arise and deceive many.
Verse 12 - And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will wax cold.
You begin to realize as you look at these verses that the context is not the world, but you and I and what we will have to face. It's the same type of thing that the Philadelphians will have to face because it says let no man take your crown. When you are living in the midst of people doing things that are wrong, you're going to have to be able to walk past them and get beyond it as a human being. Verse 11 here simply shows that false prophets will arise and deceive many. Why is it so hard to discern false prophets in this scenario? Want to know why? Because they outwardly look just like us. They look just like us. And because they are in the midst of the Sabbatarian world - perhaps we will find them in our organization, as well - it just simply is extremely hard. Because lawlessness will abound – where? In the world? I don't think so. I think as people just allow themselves to slide with the whole society as it is sliding, you are going to find that same spirit is going to give us a lot of trouble in the Church of God because lawlessness will abound. Look at the context. You see it has to do with us in the Church. You have to look at RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3 and see let no man take your crown that those of the synagogue of Satan would come into our midst and we will have to struggle with that sort of thing. This is not a pretty time that we are going to live into. Maybe we already are living in some of those things as well.
I want to go over to 2 Timothy 3. I want to show you something in 2 Tim. 3. A lot of people have put this in an area that is not true. They have put this in an area that has to do with the attitude of the society around us. 2 Tim 3:1. He makes this particular statement. Notice what it says:
2 Tim 3:1 - But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
Now, if you want to go by context, you will find out that this is a time - according to the margin – a time of great stress. But we also realize that it is the end result of what we were reading back in chapter 2. Notice what we read in chapter 2 and verse 19. Notice how this particular thought flows down to chapter 3.
2 Tim 2:19 - Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "God knows those that are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from lawlessness."
Why? Why? Because we are going to find that the infection of the world around us has a way of getting into the Church. Notice what it says.
Verse 20 - But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay ... isn't that interesting - another 50% - gold and silver on one side and wood and clay on the other side. ... some for honor and some for dishonor.
That's what it says: in a great house. This is a great house. This is the Church of God. We are the Church of God. This is a great house in that sense of the word.
Verse 21 - Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Verse 22 - Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Verse 23 - But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes ... A lesson for us, isn't it? ... knowing that they generate strife. That's a good lesson for us to understand. This is the spirit of this world that we see generating that sort of thing – disputes and strife.
Verse 24 - And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
Verse 25 - in humility correcting those who are in opposition ... where? In the world? No, in the Church. Actually, the old King James Version says who oppose themselves. Other translations have the same thing – who oppose themselves.... if God perhaps will grant them repentance...
Verse 26 - so that ... they may come to their senses... Why do you have to come to your senses? Because you have been drunk on what the world has been getting. And when you are drunk, your senses are not sharp. You're dull when you allow yourself to get into this certain frame of mind. You are dull and notice what it says.... and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
The devil has been involved for 2,000 years. The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says that he has come down with great wrath upon the Church. It tells us that there is always going to be, according to Genesis 3:15, animosity between his seed and her Seed. That's the prophecy the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. tells us is going to occur. This is the reality that there is always going to be a fight and he's always going to have his henchmen, he is always going to have his group of human beings who are going to look like the Church of God and you've got to always be sorting them by the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..
2 Tim 3:1 - But know this ... notice that it flows right into it ... know this that in the last days perilous times will come:
Verse 2 - For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy ... There are twenty different characteristics here of these individuals at the time of the end. ... lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient ...
Verse 3 - unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
Verse 4 - traitors, headstrong ... self-willed human beings ... haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Verse 5 - having a form of godliness but denying its power ...
Where are these people? They are in the Church of God ! The prophecy is the Church of God. The prophecy tells us that at the time of the end this is what you are going to have to face. Why? These are people who are not showing – they are not showing the garments of God and you'd better be realizing that it says 'let no man take your crown'. And so we recognize going on in verse 6:
Verse 6 - For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
Verse 7 - always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Verse 8 - Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
Do you get the message? Do you realize what we are going to have to live into? This is a prophecy. Let's stop hiding our heads in the sand because we're going to have to face these things. If you're Philadelphian or if you are Sardis or if you're a Laodicean, I don't care which one of the three you are, but I'm telling you simply that if you don't discern these things, you're lost. You are simply lost.
Let's go to Laodicea with this in mind of 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1 through 7. Let's go to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). chapter 3 and verse 17. Notice what the apostle John writes through the inspiration of God's Spirit.
Rev 3:17 – Because ... he says ... Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' ... and that's an arrogance, that is a lack of discernment, that is a lack of understanding human nature ... and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, and blind ...
He, then, counsels them to buy gold refined in the fire that they may be rich; to have white clothes or garments, that they might be clothed, that the shame of their nakedness would not be revealed; and to have their eyes anointed with eye salve, that they could see (verse 18). So we recognize, it simply says, " because you say " this is a self-deception. It is a deception of human nature. I'm all right. Check. I'm doing just fine. I look out at this society and I'm doing great. The sad part about it is that we may be sliding in the same direction they are, just a little bit later than they are. What's the cause? They're self-confidence, their ignorance of themselves, their vanity and their pride?
Notice Barnes' Notes, what he writes about this. Listen to what he says. He said, "The characteristics of the Church in Laodicea was lukewarm and there was a solemn reproof of the self-confidence and of their pride." Getting at two human nature problems that we're going to see and we have to face at the time of the end. "When they were, in fact, poor, blind and naked. If they had bought from Christ what they truly needed, which would cover up the shame of their nakedness which would have given them a clear spiritual vision." Isn't that interesting? You see pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. This is what Proverbs 16:18 tells us. And it says, by pride comes nothing but strife and contention , Proverbs 13:10. And the end result, if they had removed those things far from them would have given them repentance so they could have come to the knowledge of the truth. Again, RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 16:15 says one who watches and keeps his garments is going to be able to see. "The cause of the Laodicean problem was they lacked spiritual discernment because they lacked the Holy Spirit ..." because they were drinking of the spirit of this world and it blinded them. Their own human nature blinded them to the reality of what they were.
Let me give you seven points about this particular group of people, things that you need to understand.
Point #1 - They have allowed spiritual drift to occur. They allowed spiritual drift to occur. Now what do we mean by spiritual drift? Let me just simply give you for a moment what spiritual drift is. The writer, Arnold Cook, from his book 'Historical Drift' says the following on page 88. He says,
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"Beginning today, I am adopting a weaker commitment to Biblical authority."
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"This company beginning today will no longer hold to our historic core of values."
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"From today forward, I am going to adopt a more contemporary moral standard."
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"As government, we will as of today grant full rights to same sex marriage partners."
He says, "No such changes occur overnight. The process of historical drift is insidious and deceptive because happens poco a poco (Spanish for little by little). It moves slowly over an extended period of time, incrementally breaking down the barriers by softening the opposition. It happens unconsciously like the proverbial frog in the kettle."
Robert Bork in his book 'Slouching Towards Gomorrah' writes these words. "With each new evidence of deterioration, we lament for a moment and then we become accustomed to it." That's what's happening. That's what's happening in our society today. "So unrelenting is the assault on our sensibilities" he says, "that many of us grow numb finding resignation to the rational adaptive response to an environment that is increasingly polluted and beyond, apparently, our control."
There are many, many things that we begin to realize when we begin to look at a man by the name of Joshua when he came into the Promised Land. He and his life portrayed an instructive period for understanding the roles of these generations because Joshua, when he first came out, did the will of God. And then the first generation – he experienced God first hand. Then you had the second generation and that was enthusiastic because they said, "We will follow." And then when you come to the third generation, we begin to see that now they begin to drift as we read in the book of Joshua. You begin to realize that finally when you get to the third and fourth generation you see people letting down in some of the areas simply by spiritual drift.
Speaking of the children of Israel, speaking of our day today, I think we simply see this is what is occurring in our society as you listen to the things happening in our Country and where we're going with some of those things.
Point #2 - The Laodiceans let things slip or drift by through neglect. It is very easy to neglect when we are so busy with all the things we're trying to take care of in making ends meet and living in this society. I understand that. But Hebrews 2:1-3 says,
Heb 2:1 - Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away ... or to float past or to lose our sightings and our moorings or the vision upon which we should be looking.
Point #3 - The Laodiceans did not allow the Holy Spirit to prick their minds. They were so dull of hearing they were not allowing God's Spirit to speak to them and, as it says in the book of Hebrews chapter 3,
Heb 3:7 - Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "TODAY, IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE,
Verse 8 - DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS IN THE REBELLION ... They were dull of hearing when Christ knocked at the door of their hearts.
According to Hebrews 5:11-14, this is what the apostle Paul said,
Heb 5:11 - Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Verse 12 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles ... or the saying of the scriptures ... of God; for you have come to need milk and not solid food. And that doesn't help you grow spiritually. It just gets you started. It's the foundational thing.
Verse 13 - For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
Verse 14 - But solid food belongs to those who are of full age ... or mature ... that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
These are the people that, when the hour comes, will know what's happening. They will discern because they have had their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Point #5 - They simply were unawares. As we say, spiritually they were dumber than a box of rocks. That's just the way they are. They just didn't get it. The just don't have it.
Point #6 - Since they lost their sight, sensitivities and soundness, they were not watchful and the reward is promised to the vigilant because it says, blessed are those servants whom his master, when he comes, will find so watching. (Mat 24:46)
Point #7 - They were so busy eating and drinking of the wine of Babylon, they were too drunk spiritually and they were too busy to stop and listen . And when He stood at the door and knocked they were having such a good party that they just couldn't hear the knocking at the door.
The book of 1 Kings chapter 19, if you'd like to turn over there, this is my concluding thoughts to share with you today. I think there's an answer to the problems of the Sardis, to the struggles that are going to go on as we see in the period of Philadelphia, and I think that we will see in the period of the Laodiceans, there is something that is very, very, very important as we look in 1 Kings 19:9. There is an interesting analogy that we need to look at. It is an interesting conclusion to our dilemma in the 21 st Century of God. Elijah had gone through a terrible battle with Jezebel. He had come out of it, he was tired, he was exhausted, he was depressed and God fed him and He worked with him and He finally led him up to a cave on Mt. Horeb. He brought him way up to the top of the mountain. And I think you will find that it's a most interesting analogy that we'll look at. After he had gone through this battle and he had been fed and he had been made ready, then God began to expound to him. And as he stood there in the door of the cave, a strong and a powerful wind tore into the mountain and literally broke the rocks in pieces. It was beyond what we would call the magnitude of a hurricane category 4 or 5. It just literally ripped through that particular mountain and he stood there and you can just imagine the roar of that wind. You can just imagine the noises that that particular wind made as it was tearing up all of the topography around him. And the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says,
1 Kings 19:11 - ... and the LORD was not in the wind ... Interesting statement – and the Lord was not in the wind.
Then we come to the earthquake and the ground literally shook and everything just literally felt like water underneath his feet. If you've ever been in an earthquake, it is a scary, scary thing. And to get bounced around like that on that mountain side, standing in that cave ... And when the earthquake stopped the book said, ... and the LORD was not in the earthquake ...
And then the third one was a fire. A huge ball of fire that came down and, I'm sure that his face was reddened and, perhaps, it even singed the hairs of his beard and his head.
Verse 12 – ... but the Lord was not in the fire ...
And then it says that God was not in any one of those three. That's very, very important because sometimes we think as we deal with God, we have to have some big, divine revelation that we need in order to prove where God is. Have you ever been in a strong Ohio thunderstorm? You should have. There have been some, which have lasted all night. And they just shook the ground and the air and the crackling of the lightening and the thunder, I mean, it was just awesome. We had some that lasted for hours. And the wind blew and you could just feel the house moving from that type of thing. And then, all of a sudden it is gone. What happens to your senses? They become so sensitive and so acute, you can hear every sound if you open up your window. You can hear every rustling of the leaves. You can hear all the noises that are outside – they just begin to come forward. You are sensitized by that particular thing. So it was with Elijah with the wind, the earthquake and the fire. And God then said to him as He finished, God then spoke to him in ... a still small voice (verse 12). I betcha he was listening real close. I bet he had his senses and his antenna up really well. And the margin says it was a delicate, whispering voice. It was not hard for Elijah to hear because he had his senses heightened by those three events. That's what we see that proceeded him. And the silence, brethren, becomes deafening. The silence becomes deafening. I think we face that question as we look at the prophesies of Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea with the parallels in Matthew and other places and the question is do you hear Christ knocking at the door? Do you hear Christ knocking at the door because the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. So we ask the question, are you listening, my brother, are you listening?
