Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 27 September 2020

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— Revelation 2:26

This verse is the beginning verse of the fourth set of honors (this time to those in Thyatira) promised to the one who “overcomes.” Such a person, as previously noted, is the one who believes in Jesus Christ – the God/Man, calling on His name and being cleansed by the power of His shed blood. That was summed up 1 John 5:4, 5 –

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Jesus next adds on a note of perseverance, “and keeps My works until the end.” It is a phrase found only here in the New Testament. It implies that not everyone who is saved (which is eternal) will be given this power. This is obvious, because of how the term “overcome” is defined elsewhere (including the quote from 1 John 5). There is eternal salvation, but there are also promised blessings for those who persevere in their salvation.

This then is a special blessing to those who not only call on Jesus Christ for salvation, but those who also keep His works. The promised blessing then falls under the category of “rewards” as outlined by Paul –

“If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

It is with this thought, that Jesus’ words are speaking of rewards for perseverance, that He next says, “to him I will give power over the nations.” The word “power” speaks of control or authority. It is an authority given by God to His saints. In its reception, they have authority and ability to act according to His will.

That this is speaking of a granted authority based on perseverance, and not an authority given to all who are saved, is seen in Jesus’ parable concerning the minas, found in Luke 19:11-27. There, Jesus shows that the greater the faithfulness, the greater the responsibility that will be granted to those over the cities. That parable is referring to the kingdom age.

The same idea is conveyed here. The change from “cities” to “nations” is noteworthy. The Greek word is ethnōn. It speaks of the heathen world in contrast to the nation of Israel. Those faithful in Israel during the kingdom age are given rule over cities. Those faithful in the church will be given rule over nations. Jesus will continue to explain this in the next verses.

Life application: There will actually be some who are taken up at the rapture who will be completely surprised by the event. We read this in 2 Peter 1:9 –

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

Peter is speaking about a person who “was cleansed from his old sins” and yet had forgotten about it. This person won’t be the ruler of the nations, but will spend his time watching others, who were faithful in their walk, exercising authority that they will be denied. Obviously, there will be many gradations between the two as well.

The Lord will be perfectly just in His judgments, and also in the doling out of rewards to His faithful. What will be the anticipated rewards for you? Only you can set the course for them now. Make sure that you don’t fall away from the sure rewards that await those who remain steadfast in Christ!

Lord, we are all so very prone to falling away from the full attention we should give to our Christian responsibilities. Therefore, we ask that You guide us, carry us, and strengthen us as we go forth. Keep us from falling away, or even being faithful but unproductive followers of You. Help ensure our lives are properly directed to the things that You deem proper and appropriate in our Christian walk. Amen.

Saturday, 26 September 2020

But hold fast what you have till I come.  Revelation 2:25

Jesus just noted that He would place no other burden on the faithful of Thyatira other than no longer tolerating the horrific woman Jezebel. They needed to clean that up in their church and continue on in their works, love, service, faith, and patience mentioned in verse 2:19. With that understood, He now next states, “But.”

The Greek word is an adverb, plen, that is less commonly used than other conjunctions. It gives the sense of “except,” or “nevertheless.” This is its only use in Revelation. With this fixed in the reader’s mind, He says, “hold fast what you have.”

Those would be the positive qualities mentioned above. They have those favorable traits. The Lord is pleased with them. And, if they will simply cut out the tolerance for Jezebel and those who would participate with her, the Lord will add no other burden on them. The church will continue on, standing approved in His presence. And that will be, as He says, “till I come.”

The Greek reads, “until which (time) I might come.” The words are accentuated by an untranslated particle, an. The inclusion of this particle stamps the time of His coming as indefinite. His return will be whenrever it will be, and the church is not privy to when it will be. But the fact is that the promise of His coming remains. As He said in John 14 –

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2, 3

Life application: Short and to the point… to the faithful in Thyatira, Jesus – who has already acknowledged their good points – asks them to “hold fast.” When an individual or a group is doing what is right, it is often difficult to continue on as things deteriorate around them or attacks come against them. But Jesus is aware of our weaknesses and limitations, and His words here show that He isn’t there to place additional burdens on those who are doing the right thing. Instead, He asks them to simply “hold fast,” even if the time is indefinite – He will come.

In this, there is a time for the works to end and the relief to come. The beauty of what Jesus did was to leave that moment unknown to His children. By promising to return, but by not giving us the date, it could be at any moment. The anticipation of His return, therefore, should be on the minds of all who have called on Him in two ways:

1) They should be of the mind that what they are doing is of eternal effect in the lives of others. This is because if they don’t go about their business and the Lord comes, then those they neglected will never have the knowledge which leads them to salvation.

2) They should be aware that if what they are doing is inappropriate or disobedient, then their last deeds before the judgment will be open and exposed as insufficient for commendation.

Jesus is coming and, though we are hindered by the knowledge of when that that will be, we are also bolstered by that same fact. The masterful plan of Jesus is that He is coming, and therefore we should all be about His business every moment of our lives. Should He tarry, all we can do is praise Him for His patience in dealing with the wayward sons of Adam. Let us remember the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10 –

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

How good it is to know that we could be in the generation that experiences Your return for the church. May this be a motivating factor in our wanting to continue on despite trials, setbacks, and frustrations! O Lord, may You be pleased with the conduct of our lives as we hold fast to doing the good works which are pleasing to You. Amen.

Friday, 25 September 2020

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. Revelation 2:24

There are two main changes between this text and other Greek texts. The words “and” and “will” are not found in them. Including the word “and” gives an inappropriate sense of what is being said to the various addressees. Instead, saying, “Now to you I say, to the rest in Thyatira,” provides a logical division between those already addressed who had been a part of the inappropriate actions of Jezebel and the others. The inclusion of the word “and” eliminates this important division.

Jesus is speaking to all “the rest in Thyatira.” He then explains that by saying, “as many as do not have this doctrine.” With these words, one can more clearly see why the word “and” is inappropriate. He has given His words of correction and warning to those who held to her doctrine. He now addresses those who do not. They are those “who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say.”

The words here are variously explained. First, is the term used by these people, “the depths,” which is then qualified by Jesus as “of Satan,” or is the term used by these people, “the depths of Satan”? It isn’t known for certain, but it seems unlikely that a supposed group of Christians would claim they followed “the depths of Satan.” Another option is that the saying was used by those who were not a part of this group. Looking from the outside, they may have said in an ironic manner, “They claim they know the depths of God, but they are caught up in the depths of Satan.”

This is not uncommon, even to this day. When an aberrant cult is noted for their incorrect doctrine, they are acknowledged as such. The cult – for example, the Mormons – might say, “We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” But those who understand their aberrant doctrine might say, “You are followers of the teachings of Satan.”

Whatever the intent here is, Jesus clearly identifies their doctrine as aligned with Satan, just as He had done when using the term “synagogue of Satan” in verse 2:9. Many involved commentaries talk about what the term, “the depths of Satan,” means. But they are unnecessary. Jesus has already explained the behavior of Jezebel and those who committed her many offenses with her.

She was obviously claiming that her conduct was a deep teaching that could only be fully appreciated by those who followed her. She was claiming that her path was the true path to higher enlightenment and communing with God. But in fact, it was an alignment with the works of the devil. For those who had not followed her, Jesus then says, “I will put on you no other burden.”

Some see this as a connection to the trials and sufferings a church may face. But that conclusion doesn’t logically follow in light of this verse. Rather, Jesus is saying that the conduct of the church is acceptable (verse 2:19), but they needed to remove the wicked strumpet Jezebel from the congregation. With that, He would be pleased, and He would add nothing else to consider them a church in right standing. She was the main hindrance to a positive relationship with the Lord. Once she was removed, there would be a harmonious relationship between them and Him.

Life application: In addition to their faithful service, the church at Thyatira had kept away from what was obviously wrong in Jezebel’s doings. However, they had not excommunicated her. She was most likely teaching doctrines which supposedly revealed deeper and hidden truths of God, something that cults have continuously done since then as well. The problem was that the things she taught were neither “truths,” nor were they “of God.”

Her proclamations and actions came from Satan, and Satan’s teachings are always false and destructive. As Jesus said in John 8:44, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Always be careful of someone who proclaims “something deeper” or “something new.” Check everything you hear against the Bible, and also be cognizant of what has been considered orthodox throughout church history. Jesus Christ doesn’t change and neither does the word that proclaims Him. Hold steadfast to sound doctrine and His instructions won’t be burdensome.

Thank You, Lord God, for the promise of teaching us if we will just listen to Your words. Thank You also for the promise of the glory that lies ahead which You promise to Your redeemed people. In this troubled world of strife and anguish, the promise of rest is our hearts’ desire. Our hearts sing out in joy at the prospect of sharing eternity with such a kind and wonderful Savior – Jesus – whom You sent to bring us back to You! Hallelujah to Your name. Amen.

Thursday, 24 September 2020

I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:23

Jesus, still referring to the wicked woman Jezebel, continues with the promised punishments resulting from her actions. In this, He beings with, “I will kill her children with death.” The words of this first clause are emphatic, with the stress on “children.” Further, the word en, or in, is used. It says, “And the children of her I will kill in death.” The same phrase en thanatō, or “in death” is also used in verse 6:8. The word “children” here does not mean literal children, as will be explained below. It is the unrepentant offshoot (child) of a corrupt teacher who would be subject to judgment as well.

Placing the children in the emphatic position sets these people off as a different category than those referred to in the previous verse. There, it said, “and those who commit adultery with her.” The Lord said that He would punish them “unless they repent.” However, no such grant of grace is extended to “her children.”

What this is probably conveying then is a reference to those who have been “begotten” by her into her wicked ways. They haven’t simply committed sin with her, but they are converts to her ways. This is seen, for example, in the words of Paul to the Corinthians –

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” 1 Corinthians 4: 14-16

Paul makes a similar statement in Philemon -10. Because they have taken on her perverse nature, they have never been converted to Christ. Thus, without ever having the gift of salvation, they will be killed “in death.” The meaning of this is debated, but because the word “kill” is used both here and in Revelation 6:8, it is probably speaking of a form of death, as most translations render it in 6:8, such as “plague,” “pestilence,” or something similar.

In other words, verse 6:8 says, “And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” One might get hit by a sword and live. One might be hungry, almost to starvation, and live. On might get attacked by a beast and live. However, the plague of “death” results in certain death. Once it attacks, the state of death is assured. Thus, to state, “I will kill her children with death,” is a way of showing the surety of what will occur. There is no hope of pulling through whatever affliction they face.

In this, Jesus says, “and all the churches shall know.” What will occur will be so obvious, so purposeful, and so complete in its scope, that what occurs will not be limited to just one church. Rather, all of the churches will hear of it and know that it came about because of judgment. The children of Jezebel – those begotten of her and her wicked ways – will be an example to all. In this, they will understand when Jesus says, “that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”

The phrase, as spoken by Jesus, is a clear and unambiguous claim that He is the Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament Scriptures. Time and again, searching the heart and/or mind of others is something that exclusively belongs to the Lord. For example –

“I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10

This reference in Jeremiah is the exact claim of Jesus in Revelation. He 1) searches out the hearts and the minds, 2) rewards according to the ways that He has sought out. In the New Testament, this same action is also attributed to the Spirit of God. As Paul says –

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27

One can see the harmony of the doctrine of the Trinity when these verses are properly considered. Each member of the Godhead performs the actions appropriate to the situation and the circumstance of the events, and all of them are in harmony with the actions of the other two members. As Jesus next says, “And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

Here, Jesus shows that His actions against Jezebel’s “children” extend to all in the church who are involved with her. Whatever a person does, good or bad – the actions, intents, and fruits – will all be evaluated and rewarded accordingly. We can be confident of this because of the example seen here. God is no respecter of persons. What He decides will be completely impartial, completely fair, and all matters will be brought to their proper end by Him. Jesus is the One to determine these things.

Life application: Far too often, people make the mistake of speaking of God’s love while ignoring His judgment. Jezebel and “her children” would not be the recipients of His love.

It can be inferred that if Jesus cast her on a sickbed of suffering, the chances are that whatever communicable disease she got spread through her followers as well. But this is probably speaking of more than just physical death for these “children.”

In saying that they are her children, it indicates that they never received the truth of the gospel. Therefore, they would not just die a certain death, but they would also die the second death in the Lake of Fire. Such is the nature of appropriate divine judgment, and such is the nature of God’s wrath on sin for those who are never begotten of God through Christ.

Despite the terrifying nature of the words of the Lord here, we must remember that Jesus is a fair judge. What He determines will never be biased or vindictive. Rather, it will be perfectly just for all people. Believers have the full assurance of eternal salvation and rewards based on their faithful service. How much better is this than the prospect of eternal separation from God! Live for Jesus and bask in His grace.

Lord God, please change the hearts of those who are sinning, strengthen the hearts of those who are struggling, and continue to bless the hearts of those who are standing strong and faithfully in You. For those who have never come to You through Christ Jesus, move in a great way in this world so that they will want to have what is so wonderfully offered by You. May they see and call out for salvation through His precious shed blood. May it be so, in His wonderful name! Amen.

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:22

Of the strumpet Jezebel who was given time to repent of her sexual immorality, but who failed to repent, Jesus now pronounces a sentence upon her, beginning with, “Indeed.” It is a note of absolute certainty that action is coming. That action is, “I will cast her into a sickbed.”

The Greek word merely signifies a bed. However, “sickbed,” or “bed of suffering,” is to be inferred. As Charles Ellicott rightly states, “The chamber of voluptuousness will become the chamber of sickness. The spot of the sin shall be the scene of punishment.” The harlot will go from the carnal delights of her fornication to the consequences of it. It is too late because she has failed to repent.

In this, one can see a parallel to what happened to Ahab, the king of Israel. He had committed a great sin, and the promise was made that, because of his sin, there would be consequent punishments laid upon him –

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ¹⁸ “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. ¹⁹ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.’” 1 Kings 21:17-19

Such things were promised to occur in the case of Jezebel so that those who saw it would know that the Lord’s hand was in the judgment. The word is spoken before the punishment so that, when it comes about, others could see and turn from their wicked ways. But just the promise of the punishment is hoped to be enough for some. In the case of those who joined in the sins of this Jezebel, a word of warning is given. Jesus next says, “and those who commit adultery with her.”

The verb is a present participle – “those committing adultery with her.” Jesus’ words to the church remind them that He is aware of all that is occurring there (“I know your works” of verse 2:19). By saying “those committing adultery with her,” He is letting them know that they are not exempt from what is promised to come upon the woman Jezebel. Rather, He will cast them “into great tribulation.”

It is the same word, thlipsis, used earlier in verses 2:9 and 2:10. It is variously translated as persecution, tribulation, affliction, distress, and so on. It signifies pressure. It is as if one is in a narrow place, hemmed in and feeling confined, and thus without options. One might say, “There is no way to escape.” However, added to it here is the adjective megas, or “great.” Those who are engaging in the sin with Jezebel will face the horrible consequences of their actions.

But, in this, they are given a note of grace. Jesus says, “unless they repent of their deeds.” Jezebel’s time was up. She was too far gone, and the disease that was promised would take hold of her. Jesus knew this and His words to her are not one of warning, but of judgment. However, the men of the church – being warned of her affliction – are given the chance to retreat from her, turn from the evil she had introduced, and not catch whatever STD she was surely carrying.

Those who failed to heed the word of the Lord would suffer the consequences of their actions. Those who heeded would be spared. They would learn the lesson vicariously through what they would see in the unrepentant.

In this presentation of Jezebel, one can see an equivalent in the spiritual adulteries of Israel and Judah. The people of Judah had an example of the consequence of what would occur because of their actions of going after other gods (spiritual adultery) in the northern kingdom of Israel. And yet, they went ahead and committed the same actions against the Lord. For example –

The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. ⁷ And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. ⁸ Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. ⁹ So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. ¹⁰ And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 3:6-10

The Lord notes this same type of thing elsewhere in the prophets, but even after having seen the adulteries of the northern tribes, and the consequences of their actions, Judah failed to repent. The Lord thus judged them for their failures, packing them off to Babylon in exile.

Life application: It is the Lord’s intention that people turn from their wickedness. However, there is a time when there is no longer a remedy for such aberrant behavior. Concerning the church at Thyatira, the means of such judgment isn’t hard to imagine. Sexual sins, throughout the ages, have led to the explosion of disease. Entire villages, cultures, and groups of people are destroyed through such diseases. For example, it occurred in Athens in 430BC. At that time, one-third of the people there died. AIDS is certainly such a punishment on sexual sin, as are syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

No matter how the sickbed of Jezebel came, it was the result of her sins, and through rejecting the truth and beauty of properly conducted life in Christ. Jesus asks us to turn from such things before they bring about unimaginable pain and agony.

In comparison to Jezebel of the Old Testament, Jesus promised that this New Testament Jezebel would be cast onto a sickbed. Such a violent casting is reminiscent of Jezebel’s final moments as she was hurled out of the window on a high wall – “…she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. …Then he said, ‘Throw her down.’ So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. … So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands” (Portions of 1 Kings 9:30-35).

The casting of Jezebel in 1 Kings resulted in a gruesome end. The casting of the Jezebel in Revelation would be no less intense as she suffered the consequences of her actions. These examples are given to show us that we can all expect to face consequences for the things we do. Let us pay heed.

Lord God, we know that we have choices to make and that we must face the consequences of our own free-will. Our choice, as believers, is to follow you, and our will is to serve You with wholehearted devotion. Thank You for the release from sin and its consequences because of the New Covenant You have granted to us through the shed blood of Christ. We love You Lord God. Amen.