It has stood the test of
time. God's book, the Bible.
00:00:12.21\00:00:21.85
Still relevant in
today's complex world.
00:00:21.85\00:00:26.79
It Is Written,
sharing hope around the globe.
00:00:26.79\00:00:34.00
Thanks for joining me
today on It Is Written.
00:00:41.34\00:00:43.64
I am John Bradshaw.
Have you ever noticed that
00:00:43.64\00:00:47.74
food products you so often
see in advertisements don't
00:00:47.74\00:00:50.95
seem to bear much resemblance
to the food you actually see
00:00:50.95\00:00:54.22
in restaurants
and fast-food places?
00:00:54.22\00:00:57.19
These big glossy pictures you
see in billboards and on signs
00:00:57.19\00:00:59.85
and in magazines and
various ads here and there -
00:00:59.85\00:01:03.49
I've often heard people
say, and I'm sure I've said
00:01:03.49\00:01:05.53
myself, "That doesn't
look a lot like anything
00:01:05.53\00:01:11.90
I've ever purchased..."
McDonald's in Canada recently
00:01:11.90\00:01:13.90
released a video
showing how one of their burgers
00:01:13.90\00:01:15.90
is prepared for a photo
shoot. For a burger to look good
00:01:15.90\00:01:19.21
in an advertisement it
takes a whole team of stylists
00:01:19.21\00:01:21.84
several hours of
preparation. The video shows
00:01:21.84\00:01:25.28
that the burger is prepared
meticulously before being
00:01:25.28\00:01:27.58
photographed in a photo
studio - the cheese is melted
00:01:27.58\00:01:30.95
down with a warmed
knife and mustard and ketchup
00:01:30.95\00:01:33.52
are actually
added with a syringe.
00:01:33.52\00:01:35.59
The bun is then strategically
slanted to show off
00:01:35.59\00:01:38.29
the ingredients in
the most attractive way,
00:01:38.29\00:01:41.03
and then comes - computer
magic. The colors in the photo
00:01:41.03\00:01:45.03
are digitally enhanced, and
all the imperfections in the bun
00:01:45.03\00:01:47.90
are smoothed out so that
everything looks perfect.
00:01:47.90\00:01:51.84
[Music in the background]
You might think you're
00:01:51.84\00:01:53.84
looking at the real
thing, but you're not.
00:01:53.84\00:01:56.88
The real thing is far
less perfect that the publicity
00:01:56.88\00:02:01.62
suggests. I
haven't eaten one of these
00:02:01.62\00:02:07.69
in more than 20 years...
Now, I hope you don't mind me
00:02:07.69\00:02:11.03
comparing a
fast-food burger to the church,
00:02:11.03\00:02:15.20
but I'm about to. It
isn't uncommon to have
00:02:15.20\00:02:18.27
an idea in your mind of
what the church should be like,
00:02:18.27\00:02:21.37
and, then find out that
like this burger right here
00:02:21.37\00:02:24.41
the church often
appears to be more perfect than
00:02:24.41\00:02:28.08
it really is. You
drive past a beautiful
00:02:28.08\00:02:31.68
big building and you might
think to yourself, "Ooooh."
00:02:31.68\00:02:34.68
Or you hear the choir sing
or the pastor speak or you hear
00:02:34.68\00:02:37.12
about the community programs
and you might think, "Those
00:02:37.12\00:02:40.22
people must be so close to God!"
And maybe some of them are.
00:02:40.22\00:02:45.09
I remember the first time
I walked into a church after
00:02:45.09\00:02:47.36
I'd decided to be
a follower of Jesus.
00:02:47.36\00:02:50.13
They sang! They prayed!
00:02:50.13\00:02:52.13
They acted the part! I
thought they were all ready
00:02:52.13\00:02:55.27
to go to heaven right then.
But before too long, the gloss
00:02:55.27\00:02:58.84
started to wear off, in
that I discovered people weren't
00:02:58.84\00:03:02.48
as perfect as I
thought they might have been.
00:03:02.48\00:03:06.05
And over the years, I've
discovered that it's very
00:03:06.05\00:03:08.78
hard to find a perfect church.
00:03:08.78\00:03:10.79
In fact, I've never found one.
00:03:10.79\00:03:13.46
Never even come close.
And this discourages some
00:03:13.46\00:03:16.76
people, you know?
Here's the sad truth.
00:03:16.76\00:03:19.69
Church leaders and pastors
and ministers and members
00:03:19.69\00:03:21.93
frequently get it wrong:
there are moral failings,
00:03:21.93\00:03:26.20
financial messes,
inter-personal friction...
00:03:26.20\00:03:28.60
and some of these things even
make the headlines in the news
00:03:28.60\00:03:31.41
media. People are
imperfect, they act
00:03:31.41\00:03:34.54
imperfectly, and yet
Jesus rested the hopes
00:03:34.54\00:03:39.35
for the future of the
church upon imperfect people.
00:03:39.35\00:03:43.05
And how does He feel about this?
00:03:43.05\00:03:45.72
Well, God's history with
His people is sort of complex,
00:03:45.72\00:03:48.22
in a way. He
created a perfect world
00:03:48.22\00:03:50.29
and put two perfect people
in a perfect garden, and they
00:03:50.29\00:03:53.56
went astray! He
would have to send His Son
00:03:53.56\00:03:56.00
Jesus to redeem the world
and bring the human family back
00:03:56.00\00:03:59.10
into harmony with Him.
Later, God called Abraham
00:03:59.10\00:04:03.14
to follow Him. But
even Abraham didn't
00:04:03.14\00:04:05.14
always get it right.
Then, like his dad, Isaac
00:04:05.14\00:04:08.21
lied about his wife; Jacob
swindled Esau; and the sons
00:04:08.21\00:04:12.35
of Jacob were just
plain dysfunctional at times.
00:04:12.35\00:04:15.68
And these were God's "leaders".
00:04:15.68\00:04:19.32
Israel was in the wilderness
40 years because of their
00:04:19.32\00:04:21.99
unbelief, and they were led
by Moses, who was a murderer!
00:04:21.99\00:04:26.63
They finally made it to the
Promised Land, and acquitted
00:04:26.63\00:04:29.63
themselves so badly 10
of the twelve tribes were
00:04:29.63\00:04:34.14
scattered and absorbed into
the heathen nations around them.
00:04:34.14\00:04:37.34
Then, when Jesus came to
Israel - His church, really -
00:04:37.34\00:04:42.04
He hardly got a great welcome.
00:04:42.04\00:04:44.41
There were hundreds of
prophecies about His coming.
00:04:44.41\00:04:46.61
John 1:11 puts it this
way. He came to His own, and His
00:04:46.61\00:04:52.02
own did not receive
Him. The book of Isaiah says
00:04:52.02\00:04:56.29
in chapter 53:3, He is despised
and rejected by men, A Man
00:04:56.29\00:05:02.70
of sorrows and
acquainted with grief.
00:05:02.70\00:05:06.33
His own people called for
His death, and had Him nailed
00:05:06.33\00:05:10.87
to a cross. His own people!
00:05:10.87\00:05:12.97
And you think YOUR
church has problems.
00:05:12.97\00:05:16.88
Someone who was there
when Jesus was crucified was
00:05:16.88\00:05:19.51
the apostle John.
About 60 years after
00:05:19.51\00:05:22.35
the crucifixion, John
wrote the book of Revelation.
00:05:22.35\00:05:25.32
John was a prisoner on
the Island of Patmos, a tiny
00:05:25.32\00:05:28.32
island in the Aegean Sea,
close to Turkey, measuring
00:05:28.32\00:05:31.69
just 13 square miles in area.
Now for perspective, New York
00:05:31.69\00:05:35.76
City is 468 square
miles. Patmos is just over half
00:05:35.76\00:05:39.90
the size of Providence,
Rhode Island, and smaller
00:05:39.90\00:05:42.90
than Frankfort,
KY. And there was John,
00:05:42.90\00:05:45.51
on Patmos, a prisoner, when
God gave him the vision that
00:05:45.51\00:05:49.24
ended up being the
Book of Revelation.
00:05:49.24\00:05:52.51
And John was aware that
the early Christian church
00:05:52.51\00:05:55.62
was far from perfect!
He'd seen it all - arguing,
00:05:55.62\00:05:59.19
theological debates,
troublemakers in the church,
00:05:59.19\00:06:02.02
faulty church leaders...
But I want you to notice
00:06:02.02\00:06:05.96
something - and that
is, where John saw Jesus.
00:06:05.96\00:06:09.90
Let's look in
Revelation 1, verses 12 and 13.
00:06:09.90\00:06:14.60
"Then I turned to see
the voice that spoke with me.
00:06:14.60\00:06:17.61
And having turned I saw
seven golden lampstands,
00:06:17.61\00:06:20.01
and in the midst of the seven
lampstands One like the Son
00:06:20.01\00:06:23.24
of Man." Now
this is fascinating,
00:06:23.24\00:06:27.85
because we read in
Revelation 1:20 that "the seven
00:06:27.85\00:06:31.72
lampstands which you
saw are the seven churches."
00:06:31.72\00:06:36.66
Isn't that something?
Jesus is shown as being
00:06:36.66\00:06:40.16
in the midst of His churches-
His far from perfect churches.
00:06:40.16\00:06:41.86
What does Jesus say
about these churches?
00:06:41.86\00:06:47.47
We're going to find that
in spite of all her failings,
00:06:47.47\00:06:50.94
Jesus has a lot to say
about the churches that is good.
00:06:50.94\00:06:54.78
In just a moment, we'll open
up Revelation 2, and find our
00:06:54.78\00:06:59.65
what Jesus likes
about His church.
00:06:59.65\00:07:03.89
[music] The Bible provides
00:07:04.05\00:07:09.16
all the information we
need in order to walk with God
00:07:09.16\00:07:12.13
and be ready for the
second coming of Jesus.
00:07:12.13\00:07:14.86
It outlines the signs of
Jesus' return, and tells us
00:07:14.86\00:07:17.83
what to expect in regard
to some major world events.
00:07:17.83\00:07:21.47
It also includes
specific information related
00:07:21.47\00:07:24.07
to the United States, and
its role in the final events
00:07:24.07\00:07:27.54
of earth's history. Let
me send you a free booklet
00:07:27.54\00:07:30.38
called “The United
States in Bible Prophecy.”
00:07:30.38\00:07:33.18
Just call (800)
253-3000 and ask for
00:07:33.18\00:07:36.82
your FREE copy of
"The United States in Bible
00:07:36.82\00:07:39.75
Prophecy.” If
you don't get through
00:07:39.75\00:07:42.02
the first time you
call, please do try again.
00:07:42.02\00:07:44.29
And you can write to us
at It Is Written, P.O. Box 6,
00:07:44.29\00:07:47.86
Chattanooga, TN 37401.
We'll mail a free copy to your
00:07:47.86\00:07:52.40
address in North America.
Again, you can call toll-free,
00:07:52.40\00:07:55.90
(800) 253-3000, or
visit ItIsWritten.com.
00:07:55.90\00:08:02.41
[music] Planning
for your financial
00:08:02.41\00:08:07.85
future is a vital aspect
of Christian Stewardship.
00:08:07.85\00:08:10.65
For this reason, It Is
Written is pleased to offer free
00:08:10.65\00:08:13.49
planned giving
and estate services.
00:08:13.49\00:08:15.96
For information on how
we can help you, please call
00:08:15.96\00:08:18.56
1 (800) 992-2219. To
receive additional material
00:08:18.56\00:08:23.26
on the advantages of
life income plans, such as
00:08:23.26\00:08:26.13
a Charitable Gift Annuity
which could provide you with
00:08:26.13\00:08:29.20
tax benefits and income for
life, call today or visit our
00:08:29.20\00:08:33.51
special website:
www.hislegacy.com.
00:08:33.51\00:08:39.25
You may also
write to: It Is Written,
00:08:39.25\00:08:41.45
Planned Giving & Trust Services,
P O Box 6, Chattanooga,
00:08:41.45\00:08:46.12
Tennessee 37401. Our
toll-free number again is
00:08:46.12\00:08:50.33
1.800.992.2219
and our web address is
00:08:50.33\00:08:54.73
www.hislegacy.com.
In Revelation chapters 2
00:08:54.73\00:09:04.61
and 3, John writes to
seven churches in Asia Minor -
00:09:04.61\00:09:07.51
today we'd call that
part of the world Turkey.
00:09:07.51\00:09:10.88
Now these were literal
churches in literal places -
00:09:10.88\00:09:13.52
Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
00:09:13.52\00:09:17.42
Philadelphia and
Laodicea. So the messages were
00:09:17.42\00:09:21.09
in the first place
for those churches.
00:09:21.09\00:09:23.66
But that number 7 appears
all over the book of Revelation.
00:09:23.66\00:09:27.40
You read about not only 7
churches but seven Spirits,
00:09:27.40\00:09:30.53
the seven candlesticks, seven
stars, seven lamps of fire,
00:09:30.53\00:09:34.80
a book that has seven
seals, the seven horns and seven
00:09:34.80\00:09:38.21
eyes of the Lamb, seven
angels with seven trumpets,
00:09:38.21\00:09:40.98
seven thunders, a dragon
with seven heads and seven
00:09:40.98\00:09:44.75
crowns, a beast with seven
heads, seven angels having seven
00:09:44.75\00:09:47.78
vials containing the seven
last plagues, and the beast
00:09:47.78\00:09:50.99
with seven heads, which
are also said to be seven
00:09:50.99\00:09:53.82
mountains and seven kings.
This repeated use of the number
00:09:53.82\00:09:56.96
seven with so many
different symbols suggests
00:09:56.96\00:10:00.23
there's a
symbolic element to it.
00:10:00.23\00:10:02.70
Throughout Scripture
the number seven, when used
00:10:02.70\00:10:04.70
symbolically, is
generally understood to indicate
00:10:04.70\00:10:07.64
completeness, perfection.
While the messages to the seven
00:10:07.64\00:10:11.34
churches applied to conditions
in the church of John's day,
00:10:11.34\00:10:14.74
it also appears
reasonable to understand
00:10:14.74\00:10:17.91
these messages as descriptive
of the whole church at any
00:10:17.91\00:10:21.52
time during its history.
A Christian writer wrote
00:10:21.52\00:10:24.45
in about 200 A.D. that
"John writes to the seven
00:10:24.45\00:10:27.56
churches, yet he speaks to
all". In other words, there's
00:10:27.56\00:10:31.66
something in there for everyone.
The churches are listed
00:10:31.66\00:10:35.10
in the order a messenger
carrying a letter from John
00:10:35.10\00:10:37.60
on Patmos would
get to those cities.
00:10:37.60\00:10:40.17
And the churches,
though they existed long ago,
00:10:40.17\00:10:43.20
are representative of the
Christian church at various
00:10:43.20\00:10:45.97
stages down through history.
Let's look at that, and let's
00:10:45.97\00:10:49.21
see what Jesus
likes about His church.
00:10:49.21\00:10:52.15
First the church of
Ephesus. The word 'Ephesus'
00:10:52.15\00:10:56.25
means "desirable".
It represents the first
00:10:56.25\00:10:58.65
period of church
history after Christ died.
00:10:58.65\00:11:01.29
Ephesus had been a stronghold
of paganism where the apostle
00:11:01.29\00:11:03.99
Paul had taught and
preached and worked miracles.
00:11:03.99\00:11:06.26
Now this era represented by
the church of Ephesus was one
00:11:06.26\00:11:09.53
when the gospel message
was pure and the church grew,
00:11:09.53\00:11:14.00
and Jesus commends the
Ephesian church by saying
00:11:14.00\00:11:17.07
in Revelation 2:2,3, "I
know your works, your labor,
00:11:17.07\00:11:20.84
your patience, and that you
cannot bear those who are evil.
00:11:20.84\00:11:26.08
And that you have
tested those who say they
00:11:26.08\00:11:28.35
are apostles and are not,
and have found them liars;
00:11:28.35\00:11:32.29
and you have persevered and
have patience, and have labored
00:11:32.29\00:11:34.72
for My name's sake
and have not become weary.
00:11:34.72\00:11:38.23
Jesus says, "I know your
works." I'm aware of your deeds
00:11:38.23\00:11:43.26
as they give evidence of
your moral character, and I know
00:11:43.26\00:11:46.40
how you've
endured.. This was a time when
00:11:46.40\00:11:50.01
the church grew.
Churches sprung up,
00:11:50.01\00:11:52.71
and paganism actually
feared for it's existence.
00:11:52.71\00:11:55.41
Jewish leaders said believers
had turned the world upside
00:11:55.41\00:11:58.71
down. And Jesus commends
00:11:58.71\00:12:00.78
the Ephesians by saying,
"I know how you can not bear
00:12:00.78\00:12:04.99
them which are evil. You
have tried them who claim
00:12:04.99\00:12:07.62
to be true believers,
and you've uncovered them."
00:12:07.62\00:12:10.76
Now Jesus likes it when
we have very little tolerance
00:12:10.76\00:12:13.96
for sin -
especially in our own lives.
00:12:13.96\00:12:16.63
Not intolerance for evildoers,
because there is an evildoer
00:12:16.63\00:12:19.63
inside all of us.
Jesus says, What I like about
00:12:19.63\00:12:23.74
my church, is that they
have accepted my standard
00:12:23.74\00:12:26.94
of righteousness.
Now here's a challenge
00:12:26.94\00:12:30.21
for us. We live
in an age of moral
00:12:30.21\00:12:33.01
relativism.
Preachers are under immense
00:12:33.01\00:12:35.58
pressure to
soft-peddle the Bible.
00:12:35.58\00:12:38.22
But some things are
wrong, and always will be wrong.
00:12:38.22\00:12:41.22
Now you don't want to
sound harsh, but there are some
00:12:41.22\00:12:43.63
things that aren't
consistent with Christianity.
00:12:43.63\00:12:46.53
And surely it's
okay to acknowledge that.
00:12:46.53\00:12:48.56
In fact, we have a
responsibility to do so.
00:12:48.56\00:12:50.77
Now, on the other hand,
if you're immoral, if you're
00:12:50.77\00:12:55.60
breaking the 10
commandments, If you're ...
00:12:55.60\00:12:58.34
whatever you're into
... you may know that you're
00:12:58.34\00:13:01.04
doing wrong, but you may
not know how to fix that.
00:13:01.04\00:13:04.78
My friend, remember, Jesus
is in the midst of his churches.
00:13:04.78\00:13:08.58
He identifies with His
people. If you hear God's voice,
00:13:08.58\00:13:11.95
don't resist. If you
know that God is inviting
00:13:11.95\00:13:14.66
you to make the simple request,
Lord Jesus, come into my heart
00:13:14.66\00:13:17.79
and make me new, He
will do that for you!
00:13:17.79\00:13:22.06
He really will. The
Ephesian church actually
00:13:22.06\00:13:24.53
stood for something, and Jesus
said, That's something I like
00:13:24.53\00:13:28.14
about My church! The
next church mentioned
00:13:28.14\00:13:33.21
is the church of Smyrna,
and we will look at the church
00:13:33.21\00:13:36.98
of Smyrna in just a
moment. I'll be right back.
00:13:36.98\00:13:38.95
[Music] Every
Word is a one-minute
00:13:39.68\00:13:41.58
Bible-based daily devotional
presented by Pastor John
00:13:41.58\00:13:44.49
Bradshaw and designed
especially for busy people
00:13:44.49\00:13:47.16
like you. Look for Every Word on
00:13:47.16\00:13:49.92
selected networks or watch it
on-line everyday on our website,
00:13:49.92\00:13:52.93
itiswritten.com. [upbeat music]
00:13:52.93\00:14:04.14
Jesus often used agricultural
metaphors to explain the
00:14:04.14\00:14:06.94
Christian life, and in Mark 4:28
He said, "The earth bringeth
00:14:06.94\00:14:10.71
forth fruit of herself;
first the blade, then the ear,
00:14:10.71\00:14:13.31
after that the
full corn in the ear."
00:14:13.31\00:14:15.95
He's saying that
we *grow* spiritually.
00:14:15.95\00:14:18.69
We don't come to Jesus
and suddenly have the whole
00:14:18.69\00:14:20.99
Christian life figured out.
Now, I'm not saying that makes
00:14:20.99\00:14:23.53
it okay for us to
stumble or fall or sin.
00:14:23.53\00:14:25.83
But I am saying it is good for
a person to realize that in our
00:14:25.83\00:14:29.70
spiritual lives we have to
GROW. Its good to get a little
00:14:29.70\00:14:32.80
impatient at maybe slow growth,
but do recognize that we grow in
00:14:32.80\00:14:36.17
grace, and it is with
Christ's help that we develop.
00:14:36.17\00:14:39.04
Recognizing that helps us to
lean on Jesus for help, and to
00:14:39.04\00:14:43.48
realize becoming like
Jesus is the work of a lifetime.
00:14:43.48\00:14:48.82
I'm John Bradshaw
for It Is Written.
00:14:48.82\00:14:50.79
Let's live today
by every word. [Music]
00:14:50.79\00:14:55.92
If you're a regular
viewer of It Is Written.
00:14:57.46\00:14:59.49
I'd like you to know a
little more about who we are
00:14:59.49\00:15:01.56
and what we do. Our
ministry is dedicated to
00:15:01.56\00:15:04.17
sharing the
gospel around the world.
00:15:04.17\00:15:06.43
And there are many ways we
try to accomplish that goal.
00:15:06.43\00:15:09.04
To get an inside view through
written and visual reports,
00:15:09.04\00:15:12.21
through photos and
videos, visit our website:
00:15:12.21\00:15:15.01
itiswritten.com.
And while you're there,
00:15:15.01\00:15:18.11
you'll discover the
many inspirational resources
00:15:18.11\00:15:20.88
that are available to help
you in your Christian walk.
00:15:20.88\00:15:24.02
I invite you to
visit itiswritten.com.
00:15:24.02\00:15:27.29
And be sure to follow
us on Facebook and Twitter.
00:15:27.29\00:15:31.59
Thanks for joining me
today on It Is Written.
00:15:32.39\00:15:34.36
Today we are looking
at the churches mentioned
00:15:34.36\00:15:37.53
in the opening chapters
of the book of Revelation.
00:15:37.53\00:15:40.07
The next church we're looking
at is the church of Smyrna.
00:15:40.07\00:15:42.74
Smyrna - might mean
"sweet smelling", which possibly
00:15:42.74\00:15:45.07
equates with the many who
gave their lives for their
00:15:45.07\00:15:48.64
faith in Jesus. Some
scholars say the church
00:15:48.64\00:15:51.31
of Smyrna correlates with
the period of history from about
00:15:51.31\00:15:53.55
the end of the 1st
century to about the beginning
00:15:53.55\00:15:56.25
of the 4th. What
does Jesus like about
00:15:56.25\00:15:58.95
this church? Let's
read Revelation 2:9
00:15:58.95\00:16:01.96
"I know your works, tribulation,
and poverty (but you
00:16:01.96\00:16:06.70
are rich); and I know the
blasphemy of those who say
00:16:06.70\00:16:09.26
they are Jews and are
not, but are a synagogue
00:16:09.26\00:16:13.17
of Satan." He
goes on to urge them
00:16:13.17\00:16:16.44
not to fear, but to
hold fast and be faithful.
00:16:16.44\00:16:19.64
These were people who were
poor in this world's goods,
00:16:19.64\00:16:22.01
but Jesus called them
rich because they were rich
00:16:22.01\00:16:25.41
in faith, and Jesus
liked that about His church.
00:16:25.41\00:16:28.78
Jesus likes it when His
church manifests faith in Him
00:16:28.78\00:16:31.95
no matter what
the circumstances.
00:16:31.95\00:16:34.26
And that's what faith is.
Faith is believing the word
00:16:34.26\00:16:36.62
of God simply because
it's the word of God, and not
00:16:36.62\00:16:39.79
because of anything external
suggesting that you should.
00:16:39.79\00:16:43.57
Anyone can trust God
when things are good, but when
00:16:43.57\00:16:45.80
the chips are down,
that's another matter.
00:16:45.80\00:16:48.77
I read the story of a man
who'd been wrongly imprisoned
00:16:48.77\00:16:51.51
in the State of Oregon
for over 20 years, for a crime
00:16:51.51\00:16:53.91
he didn't commit. When
he was finally released
00:16:53.91\00:16:56.61
he was able to say, God is good.
00:16:56.61\00:16:59.41
No bitterness. You
see, he never lost his faith
00:16:59.41\00:17:01.48
and he trusted in
God, even when the chips
00:17:01.48\00:17:03.52
were down. And that's faith.
00:17:03.52\00:17:05.52
And that's what Jesus liked
about the church of Smyrna.
00:17:05.52\00:17:09.19
Rich in faith, even
when they had nothing else.
00:17:09.19\00:17:13.46
The third church is the
church of Pergamos, which means
00:17:13.46\00:17:16.33
"elevation". What
did Jesus like about
00:17:16.33\00:17:20.44
this church?
When the Roman Emperor
00:17:20.44\00:17:23.07
Constantine embraced
Christianity, the Christian
00:17:23.07\00:17:26.01
faith was elevated to a position
of favor among the Roman Empire.
00:17:26.01\00:17:30.08
Church and state
started to join hands.
00:17:30.08\00:17:32.85
And Jesus says to the
church of Pergamos in Revelation
00:17:32.85\00:17:36.52
2:13, "I know your works,
and where you dwell, where
00:17:36.52\00:17:41.69
Satan's throne is. And
you hold fast to My name,
00:17:41.69\00:17:45.89
and did not deny My faith."
Jesus likes it because they have
00:17:45.89\00:17:51.37
not denied His faith.
Not denied the "faith"
00:17:51.37\00:17:54.90
in Him, and
therefore in His word.
00:17:54.90\00:17:57.77
You know, I don't
have to have answers to all
00:17:57.77\00:18:00.48
the questions that the
Bible raises, and I don't know
00:18:00.48\00:18:02.74
anyone who does,
actually. I might have answers
00:18:02.74\00:18:05.55
for many, but I can't
tell you how Jesus could raise
00:18:05.55\00:18:08.58
the dead. Or give
sight to the blind.
00:18:08.58\00:18:10.82
Or turn water into
wine. Or heal lepers.
00:18:10.82\00:18:14.46
But I don't have
to know how He did it.
00:18:14.46\00:18:16.86
I simply believe that He did it.
00:18:16.86\00:18:19.23
It's that easy. You
know today, a staggering
00:18:19.23\00:18:21.40
amount of churches don't believe
in the Bible account of a 6-day
00:18:21.40\00:18:23.50
creation. Why?
00:18:23.50\00:18:26.13
Because certain scientific
evidence raises questions
00:18:26.13\00:18:29.64
that can be difficult to answer.
00:18:29.64\00:18:31.74
Now it's wise to be as educated
as you can be on different
00:18:31.74\00:18:34.24
subjects, but at the end
of the day I might just have
00:18:34.24\00:18:37.05
to admit that I don't
understand certain things,
00:18:37.05\00:18:39.51
but that I've
understood I can trust God.
00:18:39.51\00:18:44.22
That's faith. I
can't tell how God wrapped
00:18:44.22\00:18:47.16
rings around Saturn or
painted that big red spot
00:18:47.16\00:18:49.69
right there on
the side of Jupiter.
00:18:49.69\00:18:51.69
You know, a group of
scientists calculated that
00:18:51.69\00:18:54.86
there are more than 70
sextillion stars in the sky.
00:18:54.86\00:18:57.97
And these are just
the ones you can count.
00:18:57.97\00:19:01.44
You might ask, How many is that?
00:19:01.44\00:19:04.71
Well, I'll tell you.
More stars than grains
00:19:04.71\00:19:07.61
of sand on all the beaches
and in all the deserts there are
00:19:07.61\00:19:10.85
on planet earth.
These are just the ones
00:19:10.85\00:19:13.72
you can see! In
other words, the universe
00:19:13.72\00:19:15.92
is infinite. And so is God!
00:19:15.92\00:19:18.99
So when Jesus says,
when the church believes,
00:19:18.99\00:19:23.89
has faith, I like
that! We can understand
00:19:23.89\00:19:27.20
what He's saying.
If you're wondering why
00:19:27.20\00:19:29.16
we're ignoring the 'bad' things
about these churches listed
00:19:29.16\00:19:31.40
in Revelation 2 and 3, the
things Jesus 'doesn't' like,
00:19:31.40\00:19:35.64
we looked at those
things in another It Is Written
00:19:35.64\00:19:37.91
program. Yes, there are plenty
00:19:37.91\00:19:39.91
of things Jesus doesn't
like about these churches.
00:19:39.91\00:19:42.11
But again,
remember where He stands.
00:19:42.11\00:19:44.65
Revelation has Jesus standing
in the midst of the churches.
00:19:44.65\00:19:48.22
Even when His people
don't get it right, Jesus stands
00:19:48.22\00:19:51.92
with His church.
The church of Thyatira
00:19:51.92\00:19:55.19
is said to correspond to
the middle and dark ages,
00:19:55.19\00:19:59.43
a time of great persecution.
Here is what Jesus says
00:19:59.43\00:20:02.93
in Revelation 2:19 "I know your
works, love, service, faith,
00:20:02.93\00:20:12.27
and your patience; and
as for your works, the last
00:20:12.27\00:20:17.81
are more than the
first." The last were more
00:20:17.81\00:20:21.45
than the first. In
other words, they experienced
00:20:21.45\00:20:23.45
spiritual growth.
Jesus was able to say,
00:20:23.45\00:20:27.16
I like that about my
church. They're growing.
00:20:27.16\00:20:29.22
They're pushing forward.
They're becoming more like
00:20:29.22\00:20:31.79
me. They're not staying still.
00:20:31.79\00:20:33.80
There was plenty about
Thyatira that wasn't so good.
00:20:33.80\00:20:37.57
But here's a key point:
God wants us to be pressing
00:20:37.57\00:20:41.10
forward in our faith.
You might not be what you
00:20:41.10\00:20:44.27
ought to be, but if you're
not what you used to be that
00:20:44.27\00:20:47.28
could demonstrate
that you're growing.
00:20:47.28\00:20:50.08
Faith in God is to
be a growing experience.
00:20:50.08\00:20:52.28
A continual pressing forward.
You don't want to get to
00:20:52.28\00:20:56.58
the place where you
stop growing, where you quit
00:20:56.58\00:20:58.92
moving forward, where
you've plateaued and you're not
00:20:58.92\00:21:02.59
becoming more like
Christ. Remember what Jesus said
00:21:02.59\00:21:08.20
in John 8:31 &
32. "Then Jesus said
00:21:08.20\00:21:13.03
..."If you abide in My word,
you are My disciples indeed.
00:21:13.03\00:21:15.97
And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you
00:21:15.97\00:21:19.71
free." The thought
there is continuing
00:21:19.71\00:21:22.21
in God's word, not stagnating.
How is it with you, friend?
00:21:22.21\00:21:27.62
Don't be satisfied
with the status quo
00:21:27.62\00:21:30.19
in your experience.
Keep on pressing forward
00:21:30.19\00:21:33.19
with Jesus. The
church of Sardis is said
00:21:33.19\00:21:36.12
to be the church during
Protestant reformation times.
00:21:36.12\00:21:39.09
Jesus says in Revelation
3:4, "You have a few names even
00:21:39.09\00:21:46.80
in Sardis who have not
defiled their garments; and they
00:21:46.80\00:21:51.84
shall walk with Me in
white, for they are worthy."
00:21:51.84\00:21:57.61
There were some here who
stayed true to Jesus, even
00:21:57.61\00:22:00.85
though the
majority had forsaken Him.
00:22:00.85\00:22:03.42
Jesus likes that! And
that tells me that we can
00:22:03.42\00:22:06.55
stay close to Him even
when those around us don't.
00:22:06.55\00:22:10.76
Many people have lived
Christian lives in un-Christian
00:22:10.76\00:22:12.76
homes. Spouses
who have weathered
00:22:12.76\00:22:15.56
difficult marriages to
individuals who looked like
00:22:15.56\00:22:17.97
they'd never change or who
would never make a spiritual
00:22:17.97\00:22:20.54
commitment in their lives.
But Jesus is with His people
00:22:20.54\00:22:24.31
in those difficulties.
Some in Sardis hadn't defiled
00:22:24.31\00:22:27.18
their garments,
and Jesus liked that!
00:22:27.18\00:22:30.95
Then there's the
church at Philadelphia.
00:22:30.95\00:22:32.95
Jesus says in Revelation
3:10, "Because you have kept
00:22:32.95\00:22:36.15
My command to persevere, I
also will keep you from the
00:22:36.15\00:22:40.92
hour of trial which shall
come upon the whole world,
00:22:40.92\00:22:45.66
to test those who
dwell on the earth."
00:22:45.66\00:22:49.23
There's something
about just hanging on to God.
00:22:49.23\00:22:51.67
Here were people who had
kept the word of His patience.
00:22:51.67\00:22:54.10
Jesus liked that. If
we hang on to Him with
00:22:54.10\00:22:57.61
a faith that just refuses
to let go, He will keep us from
00:22:57.61\00:23:00.91
temptation. You
know, the spiritual
00:23:00.91\00:23:03.45
strength we need from
day to day is found in God.
00:23:03.45\00:23:05.98
Really, ours is just to
hold on to God and expect Him
00:23:05.98\00:23:09.88
to do what He
wants to do in our lives.
00:23:09.88\00:23:12.05
The church at
Philadelphia did that.
00:23:12.05\00:23:14.22
They persevered.
And now the church
00:23:14.22\00:23:16.96
of Laodicea.
Laodicea means "a people
00:23:16.96\00:23:19.69
judged", or "the judging
of the people" This Laodicean
00:23:19.69\00:23:22.96
church correlates
to the end-time church.
00:23:22.96\00:23:26.17
There's not much here
that's very complimentary.
00:23:26.17\00:23:28.64
In fact, I can't find anything
in this passage that would
00:23:28.64\00:23:31.61
constitute Jesus saying
something positive, something
00:23:31.61\00:23:34.38
He likes, about His church.
And maybe......maybe that's
00:23:34.38\00:23:39.58
what's most encouraging.
When the church is failing
00:23:39.58\00:23:43.49
Him, Jesus still
says, "That's my church."
00:23:43.49\00:23:46.99
I'm not trying to give a
free pass to unfaithful churches
00:23:46.99\00:23:49.52
or church leaders.
If you read the rest
00:23:49.52\00:23:52.13
of the letters to the 7
churches, you'll find that Jesus
00:23:52.13\00:23:54.60
doesn't give them any
kind of free pass either.
00:23:54.60\00:23:57.17
But to a lukewarm church,
the church of Laodicea, a church
00:23:57.17\00:23:59.77
that doesn't even know
the seriousness of its lost
00:23:59.77\00:24:02.47
condition, Jesus
issues an invitation.
00:24:02.47\00:24:06.68
In Revelation 3:20, 21
he says, "Behold, I stand
00:24:06.68\00:24:11.91
at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice
00:24:11.91\00:24:15.45
and opens the door, I will come
in to him and dine with him,
00:24:15.45\00:24:19.32
and he with Me. To
him who overcomes I will
00:24:19.32\00:24:23.02
grant to sit with Me on
My throne, as I also overcame
00:24:23.02\00:24:26.80
and sat down with My
Father on His throne."
00:24:26.80\00:24:30.90
Even though the church
has let Him down, Jesus issues
00:24:30.90\00:24:34.24
a gracious invitation.
The invitation to repent,
00:24:34.24\00:24:38.97
and to have your
life connected with His.
00:24:38.97\00:24:42.44
Even in this day when
imperfect people often fail
00:24:42.44\00:24:45.91
to represent God as they
could, or should, God offers
00:24:45.91\00:24:49.55
us the chance to
be connected with Him.
00:24:49.55\00:24:52.09
In spite of our own
imperfections, our own
00:24:52.09\00:24:54.32
failings, Jesus is gracious
enough to offer us a seat
00:24:54.32\00:24:58.03
with Him in His
throne. Jesus still sees things
00:24:58.03\00:25:02.23
He likes about His
church. And about you.
00:25:02.23\00:25:05.97
The offer is open, to all
of us, to open the door of our
00:25:05.97\00:25:09.94
hearts and let
Jesus come into our lives.
00:25:09.94\00:25:15.11
I want to ask you, are
you willing to do that today?
00:25:15.11\00:25:19.48
The church might be imperfect,
we might be imperfect.
00:25:19.48\00:25:23.12
Yet, God finds something
about us to rejoice in.
00:25:23.12\00:25:26.29
And perhaps it is
simply this: That we are his.
00:25:26.29\00:25:31.69
Let's pray together.
Our Father in heaven,
00:25:31.69\00:25:34.56
thank you. Thank you.
00:25:34.56\00:25:36.63
Thank you that we can
look at these seven churches
00:25:36.63\00:25:38.63
so imperfect and yet find
that Jesus says, "Here's what
00:25:38.63\00:25:41.64
I like about my church."
Thank you, Lord, that you can
00:25:41.64\00:25:45.47
look at our lives and find
something in us that is worth
00:25:45.47\00:25:49.24
redeeming, something in
us that you wish to save.
00:25:49.24\00:25:51.71
I pray today that as you
find something likeable about
00:25:51.71\00:25:56.82
these churches, as you find
something to be joyful about
00:25:56.82\00:26:01.22
in the seven churches
in the Book of Revelation,
00:26:01.22\00:26:04.49
I am grateful that you can find
in us something that makes your
00:26:04.49\00:26:06.83
heart glad. Lord,
would you take your
00:26:06.83\00:26:08.76
heart and let us be
like these people invited
00:26:08.76\00:26:10.87
in Revelation to open up
the door and let you come in
00:26:10.87\00:26:14.70
so that we might spend real
time, eternal time, with you.
00:26:14.70\00:26:18.87
We thank you
today for encouraging us
00:26:18.87\00:26:21.68
from your word and we
pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
00:26:21.68\00:26:29.15
[soft music]
00:26:31.05\00:26:39.53
The Bible provides all the
information we need in order
00:26:48.10\00:26:51.07
to walk with God and
be ready for the second
00:26:51.07\00:26:53.91
coming of Jesus. It
also includes specific
00:26:53.91\00:26:56.38
information related
to the United States.
00:26:56.38\00:26:59.31
Let me send you a free booklet
called “The United States in
00:26:59.31\00:27:02.18
Bible Prophecy.” Just
call (800) 253-3000 and
00:27:02.18\00:27:06.69
ask for your FREE copy of
"The United States in Bible
00:27:06.69\00:27:09.99
Prophecy.” If
you don't get through
00:27:09.99\00:27:12.39
the first time you
call, please do try again.
00:27:12.39\00:27:14.73
And you can write us at
It Is Written, P.O. Box 6,
00:27:14.73\00:27:18.10
Chattanooga, TN 37401.
We'll mail a free copy to your
00:27:18.10\00:27:22.80
address in North America.
It Is Written is a faith-based
00:27:22.80\00:27:26.71
ministry and your support makes
it possible for us to share
00:27:26.71\00:27:30.15
God's good news with the world.
Your tax-deductible gift can be
00:27:30.15\00:27:34.25
sent to the address on your
screen, or through our website
00:27:34.25\00:27:37.05
at ItIsWritten.com.
Thank you for your continued
00:27:37.05\00:27:40.46
prayerful support.
Again, our toll-free number is,
00:27:40.46\00:27:43.96
(800) 253-3000, and our web
address is, ItIsWritten.com.
00:27:43.96\00:27:50.13
[Music] Thanks
for joining me today.
00:27:51.77\00:27:54.34
I look forward to
seeing you next time.
00:27:54.34\00:27:56.64
And remember - It Is Written:
man shall not live by bread
00:27:56.64\00:28:00.81
alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth
00:28:00.81\00:28:04.71
of God.
00:28:04.71\00:28:06.95