How do I start sharing my thoughts on this? Or what I’ve
learned out of it? But in actuality, I think I learned just a few. Most of it
would be a reminder and a rebuke! I’ve chosen to write my thoughts on these as
a means of mastering / practicing my thoughts on this topic, as I will be
sharing this Bible verses to our brethren at The Living Word Baptist Church
(TLWBC).
It’s a reminder since I still remember before Bro.
Roy Sanoy spoke about these things in the early years of the TLWBC. But I
hardly can remember what were his points or the lessons or message from it. And
that would be a good question to ask the members if they too can remember some
of it. It is indeed interesting that most often, we forget what we learn. But
nevertheless, I’m sure one of the main goal of every teaching / preaching of
God’s Word is a changed life, a life that leads to Christ-likeness. I could
still remember the question of manong Roy every time he speaks, “So what?”
Meaning, what’s the point of learning all these things? And it’s good to ponder
and personally realize it. The Word of God is not just about acquiring facts or
knowledge but it’s about a changed life leading to glorifying God.
Now let me get back to the topic itself! As per my
research, the book of Revelations was written or authored by John, the last
apostle of Jesus also known to be the beloved John. He wrote this book
(Revelations) approximately 90 years A.D. and on this time, Christians were
persecuted still under the Roman Empire. And so, the book of Revelations was
written mostly known to be a prophetic book, but its main content or goal is to
give hope amongst the persecuted Christians. Hope that truly Jesus Christ is
coming again to take His people and to reign as the King of kings and the Lord
of lords! For a truth, it has been 2000 years long and Christ has not come yet,
nevertheless, His coming is sure for God is a Faithful God and does not lie. As
His Word has promised, so shall it be fulfilled and therefore His coming is
very near than it ever was.
It is interesting that even with the current issues
of the government or presidencies; this is a good reminder that there will
never be a real perfect and greater government than that of the Lord Jesus
Christ’s. People these days hope on a man or a person, but so easily man itself
will look for holes or something that will pull the man down. And thing is,
they surely will fall! Because man is not perfect! Only God is! Only the Lord
Jesus Christ! Sad thing is we Christians tend to forget where we place our
hope. I hope it’s not in this world but it is in Christ and for all eternity. Therefore,
please do not bother yourself on the things of this world or even be consumed
by worry or fear. Our life is in God’s hand! So whether we live or die, we are
the Lord’s (Romans 14:8).
Now, about the book of Revelation! It’s a book to
give hope for Christians even in the midst of persecutions or strife or
struggles. And I pray indeed that we are reminded of that blessed hope.
Now, the verses 1-7 of chapter 2 reveals God’s
message to the church in Ephesus. A little background of Ephesus is that the
place is actually a center of trading and a place of dockyards where ships dock
coming from different places. And, understanding this situation we could get to
understand more by picturing our own place of trading, where ships comes in and
foreign people come in. Understanding this, we could at least see the kind of
people live in this place and what are their practices. And it is more probable
that immorality can be visible in the area. The believers then most likely are the
minority. Therefore standing for what you believe in Christ is a great struggle
in the area.
V. 1 “To
the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven
stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands."
Angel of the church as we know is God’s messenger,
which at this time we know as the pastor. “Him who holds the seven stars” talks
about Jesus Christ.
V. 2 “I
know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear
with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and
are not, and found them to be false."
Two things I wish to share from this verse,
First, is the key word “know” from “I know your
works, toil and patience / endurance…”. And if I may ask, “Does God know our
works as a church? Do you think our church is doing well?“ Our churches should
be, unless we choose to be ashamed of our church and that God is not interested
of our church.
Second, is the key word “tested” or “tried” (from
other version). It indicates that the Ephesian church is able to know who’s
who? Who are the true apostles of Christ and are not? How about us? Do we have
the ability to discern who are the genuine and true teachers / preachers of God’s
Word? Or we simply listen to any doctrines and false teachings? Teachers will
not say “I’m now going to teach a false doctrine!” That’s absurd of course.
Thing is false doctrines will look like a good and great doctrine. It will
never manifest itself as false or wrong or evil. And how will we discern which
is which? Be like the Berean Believers (from the book of Acts)! They compared
and checked every word that came out of apostle Paul whether it is indeed
written and in accordance to God’s Word. Be warned! It doesn’t mean it’s a
verse from the Bible and we simply believe it. This requires also extent of
studying and really comparing from other principles or doctrine of God’s Word
because we should understand that no principle or doctrine in the Bible should
contradict itself. If it contradicts principles / doctrines, then there is a
problem on how we understand God’s principles.
Considering these things, a Christian has to really
grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Learning and growing towards maturity is truly a life long journey! It stops
only when you stop breathing. Therefore, never ever be satisfied in what you
already know for if Paul himself declared these words “that I may know him and
the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him
in his death” (Phil. 3:10), how much more ought to be for us?
By the way, growing mature in
our spiritual life does not depend on the years we listen or read God’s Word. It
is measured on how our life reflects what we learn and how we manifest
Christ-likeness as what I’ve shared early on (Romans 8:29).
V.3-4 “I
know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have
not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love
you had at first."
Two things I wish to share from these 2 verses.
First, is the question to reflect, “Are we
also enduring, patient even in the midst of being scorned, persecuted, or in
the midst of a great trial? How are we bearing the name of Christ?” Do we call ourselves
Christian only on times we are fine and happy? Whereas, take it off when we are
in trouble? The Ephesian believers did
not but continued faithfully and steadfastly!
But second
thing I wish to ponder on, is where we would really be shocked or greatly stop
and think hardly of it! The Ephesian believers left their first love! Their
love for God has grown cold! And yet, it is amazing that they could still do
what God has told them. Possible? Yes! Of course, it’s possible! We could
observe that amongst ourselves. Even pastors or workers, especially them, are
the biggest target. Teaching or preaching God’s Word, but the heart is not
right. And if we read furthermore from the verses, the result is disastrous or
tragic.
It makes me
wonder though; do we really personally understand what it means to love God?
For me? The thought of loving God is somewhat indescribable or unfathomable.
How can a creature love an Almighty God, One Who is above and exceeds the limit
of what we can even know? It is for me incomprehensible, but I look to His word
for a better understanding and one that we could relate to. When it comes to
God’s love, the 2 greatest commands come in. Love God with all that you are and
love thy neighbor as thyself! Further on we read I John 4:19-21 and these
verses instruct us that we manifest God’s love on how we love others, specially
the brethren in the Lord. And so we ask? How is our love for the brethren or for
others or even our enemies? Remember Jesus’ words? Some or many would say “impossible!”
Well, yes if we let ourselves have full control of our will and our character
BUT if we let God or Christ live in us and through us, SURELY IT CAN BE DONE! Because
our forefathers in the Faith have already been able to do so! Still, impossible?
Apostle Paul is one example. Have you not even comprehended how great a
sacrifice he had to go through? All in the name of the gospel of Christ! It was
for people he never even knew! The gentiles as we are, filthy in the eyes of
the Jews! And yet the gospel of Christ was spread all throughout the whole
earth. What an amazing love!? And that love comes from the love of God!
In reality, we can never love God unconditionally
like how He loves us. That’s because He already first initiated (chose without
any condition) to love us. And so, we have no other chance to love God unconditionally. We love Him
because He first loved us!
So, how are
we manifesting God’s love towards others? Are we helping, serving, giving and
forgiving others? If not, we ought to check our hearts. But one has to also
check, that doing these things does not guarantee that you really love God. It
is a little bit confusing, but the point is, these things we do for others are
the result of how we really love God. It is not a cause or the initial spark of
our love for God. Instead, it’s a reflection. Or, like the ray of the sun, that
ray represents our action or our love towards others whereas; the sun represents
our love for God.
Well, I hope
we get at least an idea of how do we really love God. And as the verses warns
the Ephesian, hope we are warned too. As Christians or even servants of God, the
enormous number of activities or programs we do is not the measure of how great
our love for God is. And it’s not in numbers of attendees or members I believe
God is interested on, but on how many are truly converted and how faithful and
passionately growing and serving they are. It is my prayer that we Christians
indeed continue to grow, continue to know and continue to love God and others.
But further on, be watchful that our love for God does not grow cold. For when
it does, all our doings or actions or activities or programs are worthless and
vain. It will be for nothing. Because reading verse 5 says, if one does not
repent, God will take away the light as a church. In other words, the church becomes
useless and powerless in the midst of where it stands. It becomes like one of
the dark. The church may be big and has huge number of members, but without the
love for God, it’s just like an organization. Doing all the things they could
do, but without power and no impact on those that surround them. Want to know
how your church is doing? Go out and ask the neighborhood who is not a member
of the church. Then you will know. It’s far from the picture of the first
Christian church, where people’s heart was broken just simply hearing the
gospel of Christ. Souls were moved by the Spirit and the Lord Himself added to
the church daily.
(V. 7) Those
who has ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches…
