The question is what did Jesus preach and teach
about. Within the contents of the bible, we are given an insight of Jesus
message to the multitude, his message to his disciples, and even his message to
the ruling authority. It is only in the book of Revelation, we are given
an example of Jesus messages to the churches. I often compare the message
that Jesus sent to the church at Smyrna a suffering church and the
message that is being delivered to the church today.
Revelation 2:8-11 and unto the angel of the
church in Smyrna write; these things says the first and the last, who was dead
and is alive; I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are
rich) and I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but
are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which you will suffer:
behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried;
and you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give
you a crown of life. He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto
the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
Is this Jesus idea of a message of hope and
encouragement? The devil will cast some of you in prison, you shall have
tribulation, be faithful unto death, then I will give you a crown of life. It would seem as if Jesus would have taken this moment to assure his church that he was waiting to open up the windows of Heaven and pour out his Fathers blessing. A seasoned minister that have mastered the "art of preaching"
would no build an inspirational message around sad metaphors or similes
and promises of blessings after death.
The second church named in the scripture is the
church at Smyrna The message to the church, the period of the great persecution
somewhere around 316 AD. There is seven representative churches
mention in the book of Revelation. The briefest of the spirits messages
to the churches is that message to the church at Smyrna, The longest message is
to the church at Thyatira.
The representative church at Smyrna was
suffering, and Jesus saw and understood their suffering. Jesus commended
them for their suffering and not one word of reproach is addressed to the
assembly there. By the way of contrast, the message to the assembly at
Laodicea is a message of rebuke. Not one word of commendation or praise
is in the message to the Laodiceans.
The church at Smyrna was a representative church,
the number two church of the seven churches. Seven being a representative
number used to indicate the time of, the fullness of, a marker that indicate
the completeness of the works of God. If the man is involved, then the number
seven requires, and is indicative of, an act of faith. Joshua was required to
march around the walls of Jericho seven times; Naaman was required to wash in
the dirty river of Jordan seven times. Now, if we can view the seven
churches as representative churches, then we can see the history of the church
and the message that is passed down to the church of today. If we refuse to
accept these churches as representative churches, then we are justifying the
changing messages to the churches of today
There are those who will debate the relevance of
the book of Revelation and its application to the events taking place
today. Revelation is described by some as a dated book and the events
portrayed or spoken off no longer apply to this age. The Bible is the world best-selling book.
Year after year millions of copies is sold or given away. Most ancient
books have disappeared from memory, the bible continues to be printed more than
any other book and is available in more than 2000 languages. Yet in spite
of its popularity, it has been described as the world’s most misunderstood
book. Although million of people read the bible, many find it hard
to understand. It is the language of the bible that mystifies those who
read without studying
When Jesus spoke to the multitudes he spoke in
parables, yet one would think because of the simplicity of a parable everyone
would be able to understand it. Yet it is because of the simplicity of
the message everyone cannot understand it. Read Matthew 13.
In Matthew 13:9, Jesus gives the same exhortation
to the multitude, that he gave to the churches in Revelation, “Who has ears to
hear let him hear.” It seems Jesus was concern about the day when
humanities ears would become dull, and the ability to hear would become selective.
If we follow today’s learned
dissertations we will have created a model for a book that has no concrete
value or meaning. If we can accept the testimony of Moses and Elisha If we can
accept the four gospels and the teaching of Peter, Paul and the other gospel
writers, why shouldn’t we also accept the VERY testimony of Jesus Christ as
being relevant and ageless? Is it because of the bloodbath
predicted? Or is it because we cannot accept the final consummation of
things?
To simplify, the teaching of the bible was
applicable in the ancient days and is applicable today. It is how we hear
and apply the scripture. There are four applications that the Holy Spirit
inspired Paul to write in reference to scripture, “before and after” I am not
going to try to create a debatable issue as to what period he was speaking
of. In 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
The reduction of the bible to surgically removed
sound-bites and astute messages that bring on a state of euphoria is not in
accordance with Jesus teaching or his final message to the churches. The
purpose of Christianity is the processing of humanity to fill the need of the
Kingdom. Remember God lost a third of his stars or children when the
Devil was cast out of Heaven. Christianity was not designed by God to
make your life easier on planet earth. It was designed to see if you
could stand up to the Devil. Then, If life on earth is a test are we
praying for God to circumvent the test? In church today all types of
promises are made. If you are struggling God will make a way. If you need
a Job God will give you one. If you need a husband or wife God will hook you up.
If you are sick God will heal you. We hear beautifully crafted messages about
walking in God’s favor, or abundant life here on Earth. Have we ever
considered the possibility that we are writing checks on the name of God, and
God is refusing to honor them and we are afraid or ashamed to admit it?
Jesus message to the angels or messengers of the
seven churches should serve as a guide to the pastors, teachers and church
members of today’s church.
Now let us look at what Jesus considerate to be a
message of encouragement to the church at Smyrna. Revelation 2:10, he says
“Fear none of those things which you will suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation
ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”
Jesus did not make any promise to deliver them from their earthly suffering; In
essence he said, “if you die for me I will give you a crown of life.”
Here again, Jesus is speaking of a Kingdom of heaven entitlement. Imagine
the ministers of today speaking to the church at Smyrna. They would be
told, you are suffering because you are not trusting God. Jesus
said, “I know you are poor, but yet you are rich.” By your earthly
standards, you are poor, but by your spirituality you are rich. He did not say
sow a seed and I will bless you.
Seeing how all of these promises are fulfilled in
the Kingdom of God, it is interesting to note that this was what Jesus message
was about, the Gospel of the Kingdom.
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