Preaching Portion: Revelation 2:18-29
Subject: The Church At Thyatira
Theme: Holding To The Truth
INTRO: No Muslim can pray in the presence of a cross!
·
While visiting the Hagia Sophia a number of
years ago, Erwin Lutzer was told by their guide that no Muslim can pray in the
presence of a cross. In fact the Hagia Sophia shows the historical struggle of
Muslims attempting to destroy the cross and remove it from sight.[1]
·
To illustrate the hatred for the cross, I would
draw attention to the capture of Antioch in 1268 by the Mamluk general Baybars
who afterward wrote to Count Bohemund VI (the ruler of Antioch who was away in
Tripoli at the time), explaining to him what he would have seen if he had been
in the city: “You would have seen crosses
in your churches smashed, pages of the false Testaments scattered, the
Patriarch’s tombs overturned. You would have seen your Muslim enemy trampling
on the place where you celebrate the Mass, cutting the throats of the monks,
priests and deacons upon the altars, bringing sudden death to the Patriarchs
and slavery to the royal princes. You would have seen fire running through your
palaces, your dead burned in this world before going down to the fires of the next,
your place unrecognizable, the church of St Paul and that of the Cathedral of
St Peter pulled down and destroyed…”[2]
·
Regardless of the geographical area Muslims have
destroyed crosses and replaced them with the symbol of the Crescent. Give the
fact the cross is the center of faith for Christians, it should come as no
surprise that Muslims are so strongly against it.
·
But what is really behind such hatred for the
cross? The answer to this question lies in the fact that Muslims do not believe
that the Jews crucified Jesus. There primary text that denies the crucifixion
ever took place is found in the Sura 4:157-159; “They claim we killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the apostle of
God. But they killed him not, nor did they crucify him. They were under the
illusion they had. Those who differ on this matter are full of doubts. They
have no real knowledge but follow only conjecture. Assuredly they did not kill
him. On the contrary, God raised him to himself, and God is all powerful, all
wise.”[3]
·
So according to the Quran, the Jews did not
succeed in killing Jesus, who I the Quran is called the “apostle of God.”
·
You need to keep in mind that the Quran did not
come into existence until more than 500 years after the cross when Muhammad
wrote it. Muslims argue that Allah spoke to Muhammad and Allah would not have
made a mistake; therefore, what was spoken through Muhammad has no mistakes.
Explanation
·
Out text scriptures focuses upon the church at
Thyatira. The city itself was a strategic military city for the Romans and thus
was ruled by a very rough frontiersman attitude.
·
Thyatira was noted for its craftsmanship and its
idolatry. There were gods being worshipped. The primary god was Apollo the son
of Zeus. There were a variety of goddesses that were worshipped for their
sexual activities.
·
There was tremendous pressure placed upon
Christians to participate in the various community celebrations. Jezebel was
the primary culprit in this storyline. Take careful note of what the angel
reports about her activity within the church.
·
Notice first of all that are a number of
commendations announced; works, love, faith, service, and patient endurance all
excel from the first. In other words you have grown.
·
It is interesting at how a spirit of seduction
can coexist with such quality attributes of faith. Jezebel’s time had run out
and judgment was on its way to her and all that associate with her.
·
Do not miss the crucial words of vv.24-25; “But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do
not hold to this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things
of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast
what you have until I come.”
PROP: Do not tolerate false teaching in the midst of
Scripture
T.S: Thyatira teaches us that judgment awaits toleration of
false teaching alongside of Scripture as revealed in Revelation 2:18-29.
1.
The Chastening – Revelation 2:20-23
a.
Take note of the wickedness
i. Toleration
of Jezebel
ii. Jezebel
teaches in church a message of seduction
iii. Sexual
immorality
iv. Eating
food offered to idols
b.
Take note of the warning
i. A
merciful God had given time for repentance
ii. Jezebel
will be thrown on a sick-bed
iii. All
who associate with them will suffer tribulation
iv. Jezebel’s
children will die
c.
Can we catch our breath for a moment and ask the
question how can such sin co-exist in the church? My answer is that it is not
that hard today.
i. Consider
those asked the question “Are you saved by the blood of Jesus Christ?” Only
6-8% of those who confess Christ said yes the blood of Jesus saves me.[4]
ii. In
Christianity Today September 2013 issue it is reported that 60% of sinners do
not even know a Christian in America or Canada.
iii. Our
efforts at becoming attractional seems to trump the manifest presence of God
among us. Contemporization is not a problem as long as the manifest presence of
God is welcome to do what we cannot do in our midst.
d.
“Dualism” meaning Christ plus ________________
[whatever we substitute for the manifest presence of God] will be judged. There
is a holy curse hanging over all sin; “Christ
redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” [Galatians
3:13]
2.
The Counsel - Revelation 2:24-29
a.
Take notice that God is searching the depths of
man’s soul and He knows who is holding to the Bible versus the “deep things of
Satan.” He pronounces that he would not place any greater burden upon them.
i. Notice
the contrast of Jezebel’s followers – sickbed, tribulation, and death.
ii. This
is a sufficient motivation to become a student of the Word. Christ searches the
depths in a critical manner leaving no aspect untouched.
b.
The attention is now turned to His gifts –
namely giving us the authority over the nations. In other words He is giving
the power, the permission and the means to be able to exercise authority over
nations as God’s children.
i. This
is more than an inheritance – this is actually ruling/being in charge with
authority.
ii. Take
notice the extent of authority – with the rod of iron and having the capacity
of breaking into pieces.
c.
Christ will give to them that have authority the
“morning star.” What does this mean?
i. While
there have been numerous suggestions as to the implication, I believe there is
only one that we should focus upon.
ii. Revelation
22:16; “I, Jesus have sent my angel to
testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the
descendent of David, the bright morning star.”
Conclusion
·
In order for the cross to become a symbol of
victory we must be single minded.
·
Destroying a symbol is one thing; destroying the
reality of Jesus’ victory over sin and Satan is quite another. Satan knows that
no matter how many crosses are destroyed his fate is sealed.
·
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and
put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians
2:15
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