JESUS SEARCHES HEARTS
AND MINDS
Revelation 2:12-29
Key Verse: 23b – “..all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.”
INTRO
The book of Revelation was written in a time when early believers were under strong persecution. The believers needed the support of Christ and His comfort. Jesus appeared to John in the Island of Patmos, and gave him much comfort through this Revelation writing, not for him alone, but also for the early Church and most important, for you and me (believers today). Jesus knows our deeds, our suffering and our faithfulness, He also knows our secret/open sin. Jesus, who sees all our faith and actions, wrote seven letters to encourage the church in areas where we are faithful, and also to warn the church in areas where we are failing.
We have studied Jesus’ letters to two of the churches in the last message. (Ephesus and Smyrna): Jesus praised the Church at Ephesus for their hard work and endurance, He also rebuked them for forsaking the love they had in the beginning. Jesus advised them to remember, repent and go back to their first love, and begin to do the good things they did when they newly put their faith in Him. Smyrna church was commended for their perseverance in suffering and Jesus promised them a crown of life. Jesus wants all Christians to be faithful no matter the troubles we face and we will be crowned with eternal life.
In our world today, Christianity is seen as old-fashioned, awkward and uninteresting (some Christians also feel this way about themselves). For this reason, some people want to bring flavor to the gospel, and in many cases, it led to the introduction of false teachings in the church. In today’s message, Jesus writes to the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira. A common thing for the two churches is that they were influenced by false teaching. Jesus exposed three false teachings of that time (Balaam, Nicolaitans, Jezebel) that tolerate sexual immorality and idolatry which was the popular sinful lifestyle in their city. Jesus warned the church to repent! Otherwise He would strike them with fierce judgment. Let us learn from these two churches and understand that Jesus searches our hearts, and He rewards those who say no to false teachings, but will punish those who follow falsehood.
PART 1: REMAIN TRUE TO MY NAME (12-17)
[vs. 12-13] – “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live – where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city – where Satan lives.”
Jesus addresses each letter to “the Angel of the Church” in that city. The Angel of the Church may be taken as the Pastors/Shepherds in charge of teaching that Church. So in each letter to the Church, Jesus is passing a message across through John to the Pastors and all the believers. Pastors/Shepherds/Bible-Teachers are hereby charged with a sacred responsibility to deliver the true message of Christ to their audience.
Jesus called Pergamum – a city where satan lives – it was like a world capital for idol worship. It was the chief center of worship for many pagan deities – zeus, asclepius (medicine/serpent), athena, dionysus, it was also a center of emperor worship. This environment was hostile to Christians. In those days, Christians were actually referred to as atheists. It was not easy for Christians to keep their faith; it was easier to compromise. Jesus knows that Pergamum (USA) is a satanic city, but He also knows that many believers can live a victorious life in a sinful world. Many who worshiped Christ were severely persecuted, Brother Antipas was praised to be one of such faithful believers who took his stand for Jesus even until death. The severe persecution may be one reason why some believers began to compromise and accommodate false teachings/practices. They want to be accepted by the world at the same time they want to be members of the Church. Jesus wrote to the church to rebuke them and make them repent. Although Pergamum is a city where satan lives, many Pergamum believers remained true to Jesus. They did not deny Jesus in the face of persecution or temptation, they lived as true Christians no matter the corruption in the land. Their Christian identity was not hidden to the world even though they were persecuted. They manifested Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before others, that they will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Can we live like this today? Can you confidently identify as a follower of Jesus Christ in your home, at school, at work, in the community? And practically, in your heart/closet, are you true to the name of Jesus?!..
In this letter to the Church in Pergamum, Jesus describes Himself as The One that has the sharp, double-edged sword. This description reminds us of the Word of God that is living, active and sharper than two-edged swords.., and it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the hearts of people (Heb. 4:12). The Church in Pergamum needed the true Word of God for them to be able to judge and identify the false teachings that have crept into their hearts. It is only with the Living Word of God that we can live the true life that pleases God. Let us practice consistent weekly/daily Bible study and attend other Bible meetings, because it is through consistent study of God’s Word that we may gain stamina to stand against fear, temptation and falsehood in the world. In Eph. 6:13,16, we can learn to put on the full armor of God,.. with the Word of God as our sword with which we can stand against all evil. Sharpen your sword everyday. Study the Bible.
The depiction of Jesus holding a sharp, two-edged sword also refers to the Lord’s readiness to bring judgment on those who do not repent of their false lifestyle. In the end when God judges all people, the standard will be The Word of God. Rev. 20:11-12 – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
False Teachings: [vs. 14-15] – Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Jesus praised the true believers in Pergamum Church who resist the evil in the land, but He also identified some of them who followed the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.
I will give a short talk about Balaam and Nicolaitans: Balaam was a gentile prophet who was hired (by Balak) to curse Israel during their journey in the wilderness. He seemed to be a prophet working for profit. In Numbers ch. 22-25, after Israel had defeated the Amorites, the next city along their way was Moab. Balak the king of Moab was afraid of Israel, so he hired prophet Balaam to curse Israel, so that they would be defeated by Moab. Balaam told Balak that he would only speak what God allows him to say. He made three attempts to curse Israel, but God rather made him to bless Israel. (Num. 23:23) Later in Num. 25:1-3 and 31:16, we learn that Balaam had advised Balak to seduce the men of Israel with women of Moab (and idols), and this sin made God punish Israel with a plague. Balaam worked against God’s people because of his greed for money. Anyone giving advice that can cause the downfall of another person is operating the way of Balaam. Repent. Balaam might have advised Balak; don’t fight Israel, just get along with them, entice them with your women and God will punish them. Pergamum believers live in the city where satan lives, they might be enticed by a lot of evil desires, but no excuses, God did not tell them to come out of the city, but to have the true Word of God – it will keep them. It is a spiritual battle, and when you win you will be rewarded.
Nicolaitans were a group in the Church, who were indifferent to the prevalent sin of the flesh. They taught the Church that the spirit is saved, and it does not matter what the flesh does – that you don’t need to be strict about separation from the world in order to be a Christian. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence, they are indifferent to adultery, and to eating things sacrificed to idols. In other words, they participated in the unrighteous practices in Pergamum. That was their way of tolerating/coexisting with the people of the land so that they will not be persecuted. Though they are members of the Church, they compromise to please the world and follow their lustful desires.
Today we have many false teachers that seek to entice people into their fold. Different strategies have been employed to weaken the sound teachings of Jesus Christ so that it can be pleasing to the hearers. 2Tim. 4:3 – For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
TESTIMONY – Once I got close to the false teaching of once saved forever saved. I was tempted by what it had to offer me, because the teachers taught that I can serve God with confidence, and even when I sin, I need not pay any attention to it because Jesus had already forgiven my past, present and future sin. Though it is true that Jesus has forgiven all my sins, I could not live a victorious life meddling with sin. I felt trapped under the bondage of sexual pleasures and pornography. By God’s grace, after meditating on God’s Word, I understood from John 10:10 that the devil is present in the world to steal, kill and destroy, and I imagined that if truly I am once saved and forever saved, then there was no point for satan to be tempting me with worldly pleasures, because it will only mean that he is wasting his time. Then I realized that satan is the source of such a teaching that pleases the flesh and is making believers sit silent and do nothing about their life of sin. Jesus had said in John 14:15 – If you love me, keep my commands. Also in Rev. 21:8 – the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. That is the true Word of God.
[16] Jesus advises them – and every believer who is wandering away from the truth – to repent! Jesus is full of mercy, and He gives much opportunity for sinners to repent. But this opportunity is not forever, and anyone who does not repent would be judged and condemned in the end by the Word of God. No more excuses!! Repent!!
In vs.17, Jesus promised to reward those who remain faithful to His true Word. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Jesus promised to give them some of the hidden manna, and also a white stone which bears their special name. From Bible study, we can understand that Jesus is this manna (John 6:48-51,58) – I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. Those who believe in Jesus and remain true to Jesus till the end, will be rewarded with the everlasting life of Jesus Christ. The special white stone will be our special invitation into the great feast of heaven with God and the Angels.
PART 2: JESUS SEARCHES OUR HEARTS (18-29)
[vs. 18-19] – To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
To the Church in Thyatira, Jesus introduced Himself as the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. These descriptions all meet at one point – Jesus The Holy one.Jesus is the holy Son of God (John 14:8-9 – Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father...) Jesus’ blazing eyes may be considered as His
holy eyes that see all our actions and thoughts. Nothing is hidden from Him. And His shiny bronze feet could mean that Jesus is strong and powerful to crush sin and satan and all his false teachers.
After identifying Himself, Jesus affirms the church’s positive actions: “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” Five qualities are listed: 1) love, 2) faith, 3) service, 4) patient endurance, and 5) greater works.
The Church in Thyatira experienced a similar situation as the Pergamum Church. They were a minority, in a city that worshiped many idols and the emperor. One thing to note is that it was really hard for Christians to do their trade in this city because it was a city with many trade unions. No merchant or trader could hope to prosper or make money unless he was a member of his trade guild. As a member, you have to participate
in their feasts and yearly events during which they host sexual parties and idol worship. Some believers complained; “how shall we survive..” Christians were expected to stand in the face of this kind of pressure. One ancient Christian named Tertullian wrote about Christians who made their living in trades connected to pagan idolatry. A painter might find work in pagan temples or a sculptor might be hired to make a statue of a pagan god. They would justify this by saying, “This is my living, and I must live.” Tertullian replied, “Must you live?” In our world today, many situations of survival confront the believers and many compromise. In school we see our classmates who cheat in order to get best grades, and sometimes we compromise. At work so much is needed in order to be promoted or in order to secure a business deal. Bribing, eye-service and lowering of moral and godly standards just to survive. Some other person may be planning to cheat the system this season of filing taxes. I want to ask again, “must you survive through sin?!” Let us repent, because Jesus – the one who searches every heart and mind knows where we fail. He wants to help us with His Word today. Repent.. I beg you, Repent.
In such sin-city, Jesus could still find the faithful ones who loved righteousness and love one another. Despite the persecution and struggle to survive, He could find some who were faithful, serving His purpose and doing more godly works than they did when they first believed. Jesus found believers that were growing in faith instead of shrinking back like some believers in Ephesus Church (Rev. 2:4-5). Jesus encouraged them and us with His words; “I know your deeds..” He knows our struggle to live a righteous life in this sinful world.
Next, Jesus notes their sin: [vs.20] – “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”
In Thyatira Church, they had a prophetess that was described as Jezebel whose teaching misled the servants of God to practice sexual immorality and idolatry. In Thyatira (as in Pergamum), it was easier to live a double life of being a Christian and pleasing the world so as not to be persecuted. This can be their reason for tolerating Jezebel’s false teaching. Her teaching appeals to their flesh and it supported their business ambition. They could go to Church and also do their business anyway even if it involved immorality and idolatry.
Jezebel is commonly known as a promiscuous woman. In the Bible (1Kings 18:13,19) we learn about Queen Jezebel, wife of Israelite King Ahab, another wicked king. Jezebel supported the prophets of Baal, and she killed many prophets of God to the extent that a powerful prophet – Elijah ran into hiding. In the end God judged her for all her sins.
Jesus warns the Jezebel of the Church to repent. The Jezebel of the Church is anyone, male or female, that encourages believers to sin against God. Jesus warned the false prophetess to repent, but she is not willing to repent. Then her judgment was pronounced. The greatest judgment that will befall everyone who fails to repent is death and eternal separation from God’s Kingdom. Jesus does not really want anyone to perish, but those who take Him for granted will soon cry when He punish them and crush them with His hard bronze feet.
The judgment of the false teacher will be a sign for us to know that Jesus searches every heart and He repays according to our deeds.
For the faithful believers in Thyatira, Jesus encouraged them to continue doing the right thing – hold on to what you have until I come. That is, they are to hold on to the true Word of God. Again, it is a spiritual battle, when you win you will be rewarded.
Jesus lists His promises to the believers in Thyatira: “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. This morning star is Jesus Himself, as Revelation 22:16 reveals – “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star..” Jesus will give Himself to His church, and they will fellowship together forever.
vs.29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches.. all these instructions are meant for the Church and all believers…
May we be a Church that will not practice nor tolerate false teachings, but hold onto the true Word of God till the end. May we partake in the eternal life and fellowship which Jesus Christ has promised to the victorious. Amen.