Comments for December 22

30:1 - It seems that we are being given an insight here into the changes that are taking place in Job's own attitudes by virtue of having the tables reversed on him. Wisdom obtains only from these situations of chastening. We should pray for wisdom (James1:5) but we should steel ourselves against the possibility that the answer to our prayer might be very hard to bear.

Job 29 - Job continues
And so Job laments his current situation wishing that things could be as they were before his calamities.

Job 30 - Job continues
He now contrasts how he was viewed before his calamities with how he is now viewed. Whereas then he was esteemed now he is reproached.

ch.29 shows us just what a marked contrast there is between Job's former position and his current one. The implication here is that he feels God has deserted him, as in v.5 he describes the former years of plenty as when the Almighty was yet with him, and yet we know that God never forsakes us. Whatever happens to us in our lives, we must never forget that.

29:1 In using the word 'parable' as in 27:1 we see a shift in Job's approach.

30:1 Is Job's comment about age a comment on the three friends - or maybe a rejoinder to prevent Elihu joining in the debate?

Paul says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6 v 10). It is not the money its self that is evil, but the love of it. For many people their money and possessions help to make them selfish, self centered and greedy. It turns them away from God, for they seem to have no need of him any more because they put their trust in riches instead.

It is not a sin to be rich, but it can be a temptation. What really matters is what we do with the riches that we have and whether we let them become a temptation, or we use them for the greater good.

Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east. (Job 1 v 3). He was very rich and yet Job's riches did not go to his head. His money was not a snare to him. He saw it as something given to him by God (Job 2 v 10), to be used in the service of others. He used his riches, power and position to help those who were less well off than himself. He said, "I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him."

Let us make sure that we use the gifts God has given us to help others of God's people who are not so well off as ourselves. Let's use our riches wisely.

29:2 So is Job now seeing his fate as an indication that God was no longer 'preserving' him? As previously mentioned we must take care not to presume that God is only taking care of us when things are going well. He always cares for His children, ordering things in their lives for their eternal well being even though at the time they may not be pleasant (Hebrews 12:11)

30:9 In seeing himself as the 'song' and 'byword' Job seems to have a 'persecution complex' and all this because of the friends who had come to help!

GOD'S INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP
 
If there was one relationship that would be good to develop in this life, it would be the friendship that Job describes as having with his God.  Looking back on the past he says, "Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house."  (Job 29:4)  The relationship Job describes as having with God is one of intimate friendship.
 
Think about the people you know for a moment.  There are hundreds, maybe thousands of people we know by sight, and possibly even by name.  There are fewer people with whom we exchange greetings, talk about the weather or work.  Then there will be a number of people, a much smaller number, with whom we can regularly hold a conversation on things that are important to us and even share feelings with.  But intimate friendship is something reserved for only the most special friends.  Often there will only be one - a brother or a sister, husband or wife - but sometimes we could have a few.  Intimate friends are the ones we can trust, the ones with whom we share our inmost selves, knowing that we will not be betrayed.
 
If we picture the intimate friendships in our lives, we will know what to aim for in that same intimate friendship with God.  Let's begin to develop that intimate friendship with God today, in prayer and through listening to him.  Let's build our most intimate friendship with God.

PAINFUL TRIALS
 
If we read no more than this chapter from Job, we would be left wondering where the justice was and why God would ignore such a man as Job.  Why did God bring about all these horrible circumstances in Job's life - or at least, why did he allow them to happen to Job, who gives every appearance of being a good man?
 
There come times in our own lives when we could all make speeches like this.  For most of us, our worries and trials are nothing compared to Job's, but when they happen it seems as if the whole world is collapsing around our ears.  Everything goes wrong.  It seems as if everyone is against us.  The same questions run through our minds as they did through Job's:  Have we sinned?  What have we done wrong?  Why has God turned against us?  Is this the end?  And will we be able to cope with any more if this trial continues?
 
As far as Job goes, if we care to read the next twelve chapters, our perspective is put into place and we are able to understand his trials.  But with our own lives we are not yet able to read the final chapters.  However we do know this, that God will come through for us if we are faithful to him.  It may be now, or it may be at the resurrection.  Things may be dark, but God is faithful and will not try us more than we are able to bear.  He will come through in the end.

Can I suggest that Job was wrong in Job 29:5, where he speaks of God being with him in former days? His mistake is implying that God is not with him now, now that he's suffering.

30:25-26 Was it not natural for a man so utterly ruined to stretch out his hand and cry for help? Had not he in the past extended to others the compassion and tenderness he now asked for himself? As a result, he anticipated good, but evil came. He looked for light, but darkness unexpectedly befell him.

Job has lost his family, his property, his wealth.  And on top of this, he has been afflicted with a horrible disease.  However, what bothers him the most is his fall from a respected individual to someone of total disdain.  He fiercely maintains his integrity (27:5), and yet those around  consider him the lowest of the low.  Such is the root of his bitter disappointment. 

29:8 So Job has lost the respect of all around him.

30:19-23  The repeated ‘thou’ in these verses contain a rather direct criticism of God who is being presented as the source of all his troubles. Whilst indeed the troubles were provoked by God their purpose had not been recognised by Job. Hence the invective.

30:1-9  Having denigrated his friends Job observes that all they are doing s deriding him. But they thought that they were helping him!

We see Job's ironic reversal of fortune.  Formerly, as he says: I was like one who comforts mourners (29:25).  Now, as one in need of relief from suffering, his friends did not come through for him: miserable comforters are you all! (16:2).

29:12-16      Here Job, echoing the first words of Eliphaz – Job 4:3-4 and rebutting his words - Job 22:5-9 – speaks of his former years as if doing good brought blessings.

DRESSING ROOM

We all get dressed before we go out in public. Most people take thought as to what they look like, whether they are suitably dressed, colour co-ordinated or in fashion. But when we go out, I wonder how much thought we take to get dressed spiritually. Job said, "I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and turban." (Job 29:14)

It is easy to put on clothes and to think about them, but it is much harder to prepare our attitudes before we go out. We just don't even think about our attitudes! Job did. We need to follow his example.

When Paul wrote to the Colossians he said, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience ... and over all these virtues put on love, which binds hem all together in perfect unity." (Col 3:12,14)

So before we get out of bed, go out of the house, enter our workplaces, go shopping, to school, or whatever we do, let's make sure that along with our shirts, skirts and pants, we put on the right attitudes to be truly godly people. Let's not just dress outwardly but make a point of dressing our way of life.

PREJUDICE

I recently heard the story of some young Christian men who wanted to reach out to the homeless people in their area. They decided that the best way to do this was to experience what homeless people went thought in order to feel the way they felt and to understand their needs better. So for a period of months, these men, who were very well respected, lived on the streets. It didn't take them long to become smelly, scruffy and dirty. Where people once smiled at them and spoke to them, they now avoided them. The men discovered that because of their appearance and lifestyle, people no longer trusted or respected them. It was like a kind of racism shown against the homeless by the rest of society.

Job, one of the richest and most respected people in his day found the same. Speaking about the young men in his world, he said, "Now that God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off all restraint in my presence." (Job 30:11) Because his circumstances had changed, attitudes toward him had changed.

The lesson for us is that we must not judge people because of their circumstances. Both Job and the young men we spoke of were people with godly hearts full of love yet were rejected because of their circumstances. Let's not judge by what we see, but treat all people with the same love with which we have been treated by God.

Job lived in an agrarian society, and, thus, uses pastoral figures as he reminisces about bountiful past experiences.

29:6 washed my steps with butter: The Hebrew word for butter is chemah which really means curdled (churned) milk, i.e. cream. The rock poured me out rivers of oil: the choicest olive oil was found in rocky areas. And so, Job was saying that wherever he went the richest milk (cream) and oil flowed. In other words, Job was blessed with abundant riches.

29:17 Job is using another rural example. A beast of prey would sometimes snatch a sheep or a goat in its jaws, from the pen, and run away. The shepherd would hunt and catch the beast, break its jaws and deliver the sheep or goat to safety. Job is using this analogy to show that when he took his (judicial) seat in the city (29:7), he would dispense justice on the wicked who had victimised the innocent.

30:1 Job has fallen from greatness to become the laughingstock of the outcasts of society. These poor, uneducated people would forage the desert for food. Mallows (KJV) are saltwort plants that were picked and eaten as a salad. The juniper (KJV) is alternatively known as the broom. It has roots which are edible but which are bitter. Such was the diet of these unfortunates.

29:3 Walking in Light is a Biblical metaphor which we come across often in the New Testament – for example Eph 5:8

30:9 Whilst we might see Job’s problems as simply this severe illness it is clear from this, and earlier comments from Job, that his standing in society had been severely affected by his illness and problems.

II. Job's second monologue.

     A. Job's past glory.

          Job 29:1-6 - Job's former prosperity when blessed by God: V4 - KJV "'secret'<5475> of God".

          Job 29:7-11 - the honour that was Job's: V7 - Job sat and judged at the city gate (Gen 19:1;Deut 16:18;22:15) - Christ will judge as the door/gate (John 10:7,9;2Tim 4:1).

          Job 29:12-17 - respected because he helped others: V12-13 - Job 'delivered'<4422> the 'poor'<6041>, the 'fatherless'<3490>, the helpless, the widows - Christ will deliver (Rom 7:24-25), pure religion (James 1:27), perhaps an echo of the kingdom age (Psa 72:11-14); V14 - clothed with righteousness, judgment, robe, 'diadem'<6797> - possible Messianic echoes (Isa 11:5;59:17;61:10-11); V16 - 'poor'<34> (notice how this word differs from 'poor' in Job 29:12), sought to help strangers; V17 - enforced justice.

          Job 29:18-20 - Job anticipated security.

          Job 29:21-25 - Job - an object of universal respect: V22 - Job's counsel was accepted as the final word; V23 - 'latter rain'<4456> - that desired and needed for the coming harvest; V24 - Job uplifted others; V25 - perhaps a Messianic echo - 'sat'<3427> (Gen 19:1) 'chief'<7218> (i.e. sat as chief judge), 'dwelt'<7931>, king, 'army'<1416>.

II. Job's second monologue.

     B. Job's present misery.

          Job 30:1-8 - but now - despised by the vilest of men.

          Job 30:9-15 - but now - derided and diminished: V9 - Job and Christ were as bywords (Isa 53:3;Psa 35:15); V10 - Job and Christ were spat on (Isa 50:6;Matt 26:67;27:30); V11 - spouted insults without restraint; V15 - "soul"<5082>.

          Job 30:16-19 - but now - dying and diseased: V16 - "my 'soul'<5315> is poured out" (the souls of Christ and Job were poured out Isa 53:12)..."affliction"<6040>; V17 - "My 'bones' (<6106> - could mean bones, body, limbs, substance) are 'pierced'<5365> in me in the 'night season' (<3195> - means a twist away of the light, night, figuratively adversity, gloom, protective shadow): and my 'sinews' (<6207> - can mean to gnaw, a pain, sinew) take no rest." - perhaps this reminds us of Christ's crucifixion.

          Job 30:20-23 - but now - says God has forsaken him: V20 - Job and Christ cried out they were forsaken (Job 19:7;Psa 22:1;Matt 27:46); V22 - "Thou 'liftest me up'<5375>" - perhaps reminds of Christ being lifted up on the cross (Job 9:17).

          Job 30:24-31 - but now - distressed and pleading: V25-26 - Job had empathy for others but when he looked for 'good'<2896> he found 'evil'<7451> and when he 'waited' (<3176> - can mean hoped) for light he found darkness;  V27 - internal suffering both physical and mental; V28 - "...'mourning'<6937> without the sun (the idea of being blackened due to mourning not the sun)..."; V29 - "I am a 'brother'<251> (Job 6:15;19:13) to 'dragons'<8577>, and a 'companion'<7453> (Job 6:14;12:4;19:19,21) to 'owls' (<3284> - owl, ostrich, unclean bird)" - jackals and ostriches partnered in the desolation of Zion (Lam 4:1-5;Mic 1:8-9) and the destruction of Babylon (Isa 13:19-22); V30 - "My skin is 'black' (<7835> - black with no connection to mourning as in verse 28)...".

Develop an excellent character

Can you see similarities with Job's character in ch29 and anyone else in scripture? You'll find more than this list, but here's a few to start you off:

- Joseph

- Solomon

- Daniel

- Mordecai

- Jesus

So why do such a wide variety of characters in the Bible have the same characteristics as Job? The answer is that this is the excellent character that God gives those who follow His ways. Notice how Job got this character of distinction: in Job 29:2 "God watched over me", in v3 "by His light I walked", and v4 he followed the "friendly council of God". Now look at each of your Biblical examples and ask: does their wisdom and character derive from the same source?

30:1-14         Job is observing that because God is afflicting him all people that see him do the same. Is this how we  respond to someone who is in difficulty?

30:11-14        Clearly Job perceived that he was mocked by others because of his affliction. Human nature is such that it tends to denigrate those that are different. Further anyone who seems challenged in any way is despised by the more “normal”. This is manifest in the prejudice that is seen against people with physical or mental illness. In a very specific way the deaf are mocked. Such behaviour should not form part of the way of thinking of those who serve God. In reality we were all challenged by sin when God redeemed us through our faith in His son. Who are we to look down on others?

PRAYERS NOT HEARD?

Do you ever feel like God is not hearing your prayers? Do you wonder what you have done that has caused the walls to go up between you and God? Do you wonder how you can fix it or when it will come right?

There are a number of reasons prayer could be hindered. We may have unrepented sin in our lives that we need to deal with. It is possible that there is unforgiveness in our lives and we are harbouring resentment against another person. God tells us that if our relationship with our wife has fallen apart, he will not hear our prayers. Or perhaps we have not committed our whole selves to God and in some way are trying to worship idols at the same time. Any of those reasons could be a barrier to our relationship with God.

But our barriers may not be the problem.

Job was an innocent man - one of the best, even in the sight of God. But Job still complained, "I cry out to you, O God, and you do not answer; I stand up but you merely look at me." (Job 30:20). In his time of testing, Job felt like his prayers were not being heard. So if we feel like our prayers are not being heard, let's do what we can to remove any barriers from our side, and keep praying anyway. God hears. After a time, God answered Job's prayers.

Let us persevere like Job, knowing that God hears.

29:12-14        It seems that Job is ascribing his condition before his calamities because of his faithfulness. We should not presume that goodness comes only to those who are faithful. Nor should we presume that because we are faithful that we will suffer no calamities.

29:2-11      So Job in his abject despair reflects on how his life was before his calamities. 

30:26  Is saying that when he looked for Good evil came upon him highlights an attitude that we should not follow. We should be happy to accept whatever happens to us. We cannot expect that good will come. This is not to say that we should be pessimistic. Rather, like Paul, be happy with whatever situation we find ourselves in – Phil 4:11

30:1  It is all too easy to use the argument that one has, by reason of age, a better knowledge and wisdom. Whilst it might be so it does not necessarily follow. For example – Luke 2:46-47 – Jesus, though only 12 years old, was wiser than all the Jewish leaders who he was sitting before.

29:16  In saying that he sought out causes he knew not Job is not saying that he was a prying individual. Rather when he heard of what appeared to be a problem he investigated it fully himself before acting. This should be a lesson for us. It is all too easy to jump into a matter without fully understanding it and thereby being unhelpful.

29:5    Whilst Job had lost his children those of God’s servants whose children have not accepted the gospel message will, doubtless, share Job’s sorrow. The loss of one’s children is not a short term event. It is always present.

30:25  Can we say that we share Job’s way of identifying with fellow believers who we see in trouble? Or do we pretend that we have not noticed their problems in order to avoid getting involved in helping them.

30:27-31 Whilst Job’s words might seem poetic they are poured from the heart of the man. Try and enter into his despair and having done so consider whether you have ever felt so low.

30:27-31 Whilst Job’s words might seem poetic they are poured from the heart of the man. Try and enter into his despair and having done so consider whether you have ever felt so low.

29:1-25 Job now comments on his earlier life saying that it was better than it is currently. Doubtless, from a human point of view, that was correct. However Solomon counsels against this way of thinking –Ecc 7:10.  Job’s way of thinking is doubtless selective about the past and does not take any note of the way that God might be working in a person’s life for their eternal benefit.

29:2 Job had been a prosperous man. However he clearly saw that his prosperity came from God – not from his own ingenuity.

If we are successful in any aspect of this world do we ascribe the success to God or to our own skills?

30:1 Job’s description of his friends and their ancestry is an amazing way to speak of individuals who he once considered “friends” for it was his friends that came to comfort him 3:11

6 v.4 talks of the angel that spoke with him (also referred to in 1:9,19-21 5:5,6,10) and then v.9 says that the word of the Lord came to him. Were these one and the same thing, or were they completely separate experiences? Any comments?

6:2 red horse Revelation 6:4
6:2 black horse Revelation 6:5
6:3 white horse Revelation 6:2
6:3 bay horse Revelation 6:8
6:11 crowns Revelation 19:12
6:12 he shall build the temple Hebrews 3:3
6:15 they that afar ... build in temple Isaiah 60:10

The way in which the horses of Zechariah are used in Revelation 6 shows that judgment is associated with the coming of the horses.

6:7 The phrase 'to and fro in the earth' is a refrain in Zechariah. Zechariah 1:10,11 4:10 6:7 and reflects the sentiments of Hanani in the days of Asa 2 Chronicles 16:9 who was reproving the king for relying on the king of Syria.

6:13 'priest ... throne' shows that the one who is spoken of is to be a priest king. That is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek

Zech 7 is the third prophecy
7:1 4th YEAR Darius 4th DAY 9th MONTH
7:3 fifth month Jeremiah 52:12
7:5 seventh month Jeremiah 41:1
7:5 seventy years Jeremiah 25:11
7:10 oppress not ... the stranger Exodus 22:21
7:11 pulled away the shoulder Jeremiah 7:24 (went Backwards)
7:13 they cried and I would not hear Jeremiah 11:11
7:14 I scattered them ... nations Deuteronomy 28:64

7:3 - 5 'fifth month' See Jeremiah 52:12 The fifth month was when the house of the Lord and the king's house were burned. The prophet is commenting on the fact that Israel fasted to commemorate this event - and others - during the 70 years captivity. However it was not to Yahweh that they fasted. They did it Zechariah 7:6 'for yourselves'.

This appearance of penitence / worship being a sham is not unique. See:- Amos 5:25 Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? 26 But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Molech and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

7:6 gives us a moment of serious thought. To whom do we eat? Do we do all to the glory of God? or is it simply for our own pleasure? The food we have is provided at the hand of God and the strength we get from it should be donated to His service. Our lives depend on Him and should be given back to Him in every way.

6:12 The 'branch' quotes Jeremiah 23:5 33:15 so who did the people in Zechariah's day think the branch was? Would they think it was Joshua or Zerubbabel?

7:5 The slaying of Gedaliah in the seventh month is the basis for the fast in the seventh month spoken of here. Whilst we might think that the fast was the day of atonement which occurred in the seventh month I feel that this is not the fast referred to because of the mention of 70 years in Zechariah 7:5.

CELEbrATIONS

We live in a world of parties where any excuse is a good excuse to celebrate. It doesn't seem to matter what the occasion - birthdays, weddings, moving house, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, holidays or national events, they are all seen as a reason to party. Yet the parties are all very much self centered (even those that are attended by only believers). We eat, drink and socialise, we listen to music and give gifts, but in all that, precious little time is given to the reason the celebration is possible at all - the Lord our God. So here is where we need to change our perspective on parties and celebration. We need to put the focus on God and give Him the thanks and praise for the blessings he has showered down upon us. After all, the word "Holiday" comes from "Holy days", the time to celebrate God. Now let us answer for ourselves the questions God asked of Israel through Zechariah. "When you fasted and mourned ..., was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?" Change now and make your next party a celebration for God!

6:15 The promise that 'they that are far off' would come and build the temple might well have been seen by the returning exiles as an indication that other scattered sons of Jacob - maybe those who were taken to Assyria - would come and help with the rebuilding of the temple. In reality it is a promise of the involvement of the gentiles in the kingdom age.

Zech 7 Despite the enthusiasm of the return there was soon a slipping away to lax behaviour. Hence Zechariah (7:9-10) reproves the people, even though he has previously given them encouragement.

MORE THAN RITUAL

It is easy to get stuck in a rut of having and doing religious observances rather than living by the spirit of the law. There are many people who even rebel against that show of religion and refuse to call themselves "religious" even though they are dedicated to the Lord with all their hearts. They cannot bear to be known as someone whose religious acts outweighs their conviction.

Israel had become "religious" in that way in the time of Zechariah. They did all the things it looked like they were supposed to do. They fasted, feasted, offered offerings, and kept special days but their hearts were not with God. They thought they could please him in their actions while in their hearts they still did their own thing. But God says he is not interested in fasting and religious acts. What he wants instead is true devotion to him. In Zechariah 7 he lists eight actions, that if we do them with the right spirit, could change our lives. (Zechariah 7 v 8 - 10)
Administer true justice
Show mercy
Show compassion to one another
Do not oppress the widow
Do not oppress the fatherless
Do not oppress the alien
Do not oppress the poor
In your hearts do not think evil of each other
Serving God is much more than just a ritual, it is a way of life. It is more than just something to do on Sunday morning, it is living every day, hour and minute in love.

Zech 6:9. The night visions are now complete, the following morning the LORD spake unto Zechariah giving him instructions to accept gifts offered by certain of the exiles from Babylon and take them to witness the coronation of Joshua the high priest who is a type of Christ. The visions had pointed to the future glory, now the prophet is called to enact the type of person in whom the glory would be revealed.

Zech 7:1. After a period of almost two years the prophet once again hears from God. During this period Ezra fills us in on what Zechariah would have been doing. In Ezra 6:14 we are told that the elders of the Jews builded, and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah.

6:15 'those that are afar off' who would be involved in building the temple may well have been thought of as being the Jews who were still in Babylon though Isaiah (60:10) had spoken of gentiles being involved in building the walls. So maybe we have reference to the call of the gentiles here in Zech 6.

7 We noticed (notes on chapter 1) that there is a division between chapters 6 and 7. From now on we do not get visions but rather we see God speaking

7:1  The word of the Lord came
8:1  The word of the Lord came
9:1  The word of the Lord
12:1The word of the Lord

7:14 It was their Heavenly Father who scattered them, not the Babylonians. They were the means by which His purpose was accomplished. They were scattered for a purpose, that the chaff might be destroyed, and the grain retained. Amos makes the same point. Amos 9:9

In Rev. I think the word of the Lord came to John from his angel and they were one and the same.

Probably no way to prove it, but I believe the 'comforter' Jesus would give his disciples was
his angel that he sent to help them recall and write the gospels and the book of Revelation.   They might not have seen the angel, but would hear the words in their minds and hearts.

Perhaps also the same angel that released Peter from prison. Heb 1:1 helps me.  God spoke - in every manner and in all ways - 

I also like 1Sam 3:19-21 where the LORD was with Samuel-  and the LORD revealed himself by his words and Samuel's words were declared throughout all Israel.

In some way, God spoke to Samuel through his angel, and Samuel spoke to the people.  The same pattern is found in the NT.  passages such as 'morning by morning he wakened my ear', speak of the Father speaking to his son who then spoke his Father's words to others.

6:1-8 While this vision relates to the future, it also had a message of encouragement for those days. Zerubbabel and Joshua, with Haggai and Zechariah were called upon to do the work of God in the face of discouragement and great opposition, which were as mountains of difficulties threatening to destroy the work attempted. This vision reminded them that the work they were doing was a work from God, and that every difficulty would be overcome and truth would triumph in the land.

Again, care should be taken not to jump at references which appear to be the same.  Zechariah's vision of four chariots being pulled by red horses, black horses, white horses, and dappled horses, seem similar to the four horses of Revelation (Rev 6:1-8).  However, there are differences.  Zechariah's vision is of chariots being pulled by multiple horses being dispersed to their duties at the same time.  John's vision in Revelation is of single horses being revealed in historical sequence as each seal (time period) is unveiled.  Zechariah's vision portends the LORD's judgement on the world (Gentile nations), with particular emphasis on the north country), where two chariots, pulled by black and white horses, are sent (6:6).  One chariot indicates the destruction of Babylon, while the other denotes Medo-Persia.  The grizzled  (dappled) horses heading south indicate vengeance on Egypt.  However, the red horses would seem to indicate the overthrow of the Assyrians by the Babylonians (6:2). John's vision, on the other hand, reveals the conditions under several Caesars subsequent to the first century. 

a) The last of the visions is in Zech 6:1-8. Different coloured horses drawing chariots came from between brass mountains. Brass is probably connected with the brass of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2:39), and represented the next power of Greece. It takes the vision firmly into the local era of Zechariah, and encourages the returned Jews by saying that God will preserve them through the days of this next world power. Of-course, looking into the future, this vision speaks of God’s Kingdom, and the “North country” of Zech 6:8 probably means the Gog and Magog power.
b) The remainder of the chapter is an acted parable, (Zech 6:9-15). The prophet is told to take some silver and gold, and to make crowns for the head of the High Priest. The crowns are then to be hung for a memorial in the re-built temple. Because a priest would wear a mitre, this is obviously speaking of Jesus Christ, the King-Priest.

6:3-5 Whatever, historically, the four chariots with their horses represent they clearly are God at work. They are seen ‘standing before the Lord of all the earth’. As such they are examples of His ‘ministering spirits’ – Psa 104:4.

7:5 So Zechariah now is moved to comment on the behaviour of Israel whilst in Babylon. They kept feasts and mourned – but in reality it was not mourning before God.

CELEbrATIONS
 
As Christmas and the New Year approach, the reading of Zechariah 7 is appropriate, reminding us of the reason for and attitude we should be showing in any celebrations we take part in. The word of the LORD came to Zechariah asking the people and priests this question: "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?" (Zech 7:5-6)
 
Let's ask ourselves the same question about Christmas or Hanukkah and New Year. When we are eating, drinking and celebrating, are we doing it for God or for ourselves? Israel were severely reprimanded for leaving God out of their celebrations and fasts, but do we do the same thing?
 
In order to avoid this condemnation, some people choose not to celebrate at all. Others change the focus from "Christmas" to a time of Family. But if we do choose this time to celebrate, for whatever reason, let's invite God and Jesus to our celebrations. Let's make it a time when we can pray together as a family, where we can thank God for his salvation to us and his blessings over the past year, where we use our talents to sing, make music and praise in an uninterrupted and joyful atmosphere. And especially let's use the opportunity to think the best of each other, to show justice, mercy and compassion.

6:11 In putting crowns on the head of the high priest we see an activity which must have confused the people. Joshua was not of the tribe of Judah, he was of Levi. So he would not have been seen as in line for kingship. However here we have a subtle prophecy of the future work of Messiah – the king priest that Jesus is to be in the kingdom.

Joshua was crowned at the inauguration of the re-built temple (6:11).  This act portended the crowning of Jesus (Joshua and Jesus are the same name meaning Savior) at the inauguration of the re-built temple when He returns to earth (6:12,13).

7:1,8  We might wonder why the prophet gives his name here whereas on other occasions he simply is referred to as ‘me’ – Zech 6:4 – for example.  Maybe the answer is in his name which means Yahweh has remembered. Israel were remembering the mourning for Zion as can be seen in Zech 7:3-6. Whereas they had been remembering their sorrows God was remembering their plight and delivering them from Babylon.

7:3 In 617 BC, the people of Bethel wanted to know if they should continue fasting in the fifth month as they had done for the past seventy plus years. Yahweh replied, through Zechariah, that the fast were of non- effect because the people forgot to do the things which pleased Him (7:5,6). The things which please Yahweh are found in 7:9,10. Obedience to Yahweh’s commands is greater than sacrifice (1Sam 15:22).

6:8 The ‘spirit’ that was quieted in the north country was Babylon who had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Zech 7:7-14 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

Christ is the branch - Zech 6:12;3:8;Jer 23:5-6;Isa 11:1-5.

Christ will rule the earth (from Zion) as priest and king - Zech 6:13;Gen 14:18-20;Psa 110:1-4;Heb 5:5-10.

Zech 6:12-13 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>King
The Branch is the Lord Jesus Christ who will be the King to sit on David's throne. 
For more details about the coming King who will reign from Mount Zion for ever, go to 2Sam 7:12-16

THINK THE BEST

Over and over through the prophets we get a similar message that is thrust in front of us so that we learn the lesson. The message of Zechariah is no exception. "This is what the LORD Almighty says, 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'" (Zech 7:9-10)

We are very familiar with most of this as we are reminded of it many other times, but the last phrase is one that doesn't seem to occur in so many other places. "In your hearts do not think evil of each other." This takes us right out of the normal rule-keeping mindset. It is not something we do in a public environment - it is done in the privacy of our own heart. It takes place in the thoughts - even before words and actions come into being.

Everyone is different and there are very few people we we will find who think on a same or even similar wavelength to ourselves. This is what makes it so easy to think evil of each other. We don't understand the way people think. But, making the instruction into a positive one, we must think the best of each other. If we impute motives into someone's actions, make them good motives.

Think the best. Not only will it give us a more godly perspective as we look at other people, others may also rise to live up to the expectations we have of them.

7:7 The call to listen to the earlier prophets repeats the call made earlier – 1:6

7:13     In saying ‘they cried and I would not hear’ the prophet is reminding them of what an earlier prophet had said to them – Jer 11:11. So even though the people – or some of them at least – are back in the land God has not forgotten the way that the people spoke before the captivity.

6:12    “Behold the man” draws attention to Joshua who was to be the one who established the king / priest throne.  This looks forward to Jesus who would establish the Melchisedec priesthood through his death and resurrection. It looks like Pilate was moved to indicate this by quoting Zechariah’s words in John 19:5.

7:5-6   Israel, even in their remembrance of God, were self centered. They thought about themselves, not God.  It is all too easy to justify our actions on the basis that we are doing them for God when in reality we are only doing what pleases ourselves. We must take care to ensure that we are really concerned to do God’s will and not just dress up our own desires and pretend that they are God’s will.

Joshua and Zerubbabel - fulfilling the Branch prophecies

The events regarding the crowning of Joshua are a fulfilment of several scriptures written before the Babylonian exile. Notice in Zech 6:13 (and also 3:8) that he is named "the Branch". This seems to be in fulfilment of Isa 4, Isa 61, Jer 23:3-8, Jer 33.  (Also for context of how the same symbol is used of Israel going into captivity, see Eze 17).

Once we have read these prophecies and compared them to the record of the return to Israel, we can see that they were never fully fulfilled. We are still waiting for Jesus who will fulfil these prophecies in their entirety.

7:12   In saying “lest they should hear” the prophet is drawing the attention of his hearers to Isa 6:10. A consideration of the setting and context in Isaiah would have shown those who heard his words to realise that they were shutting God out of their minds so that they could do their own thing.

6:13  The way in which Zechariah speaks of the “branch” bearing the glory would remind the returning exiles of the promise – Isa 22:24 which looks to a deliverer from an oppressor. On that occasion the Assyrian.

7:10   In calling the people to oppress not … Zechariah is quoting Exo 22:21-22 and reminding those who had heard Ezekiel’ warning in Eze 22:7

7:14     In telling the people that God had scattered them Zechariah is reminding the people of the fulfillment of the curse found in Deut 28:64.

7:5  In telling the prophet to speak to the people and the priests about their fasting we see that the people could not rely on the fact that they had been told something by the priests and therefore they did those things. In speaking to the people and priests we see that the people bore a degree of responsibility for their actions. In like manner we must always evaluate what we are told by others, even those we respect, lest we be found to be making wrong choices or doing wrong things.

7:9    The various fasts that Zechariah has spoken of in the previous verses relate to the Babylonian invasions. Now Zechariah reminds the people of Jeremiah – a prophet active at that time by drawing their attention to Jer 7:15, 21:12, 22:3

POSITIVITY

God gave his people some simple rules for living a godly life. It wasn't to keep the Law, offer sacrifices, to feast or fast on holy days. It was even simpler than that. In fact it is so simple, it is something we should be doing too.

These were the simple guidelines he gave: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." (Zech 7:9-10).

One of these principles stood out for me today, probably because it is a bigger temptation for me to disobey than any of the others. It may also be because I have been hurt by other people disobeying it more than any of the others. "In your hearts do not think evil of each other."

I know how easy it is to do. We see someone doing something and we automatically put motives on their actions - usually bad ones. Then we share our observations and opinions with someone else and it becomes gossip. If we just listened to God and only thought good of each other, we would avoid so much sin and heartache!

It all starts in our thoughts. Let us obey God and think positive thoughts about each other. After all, that's what we hope God thinks about us.

 

7:1 Cyrus had decreed that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and to build the house of God – Ezra 5:13. His ruler who was responsible for Jerusalem – Darius – implemented the decree of Cyrus, though it did take some years before the work was completed.

6:10 We read of Jedaiah in Nehemiah 3:10. We might not be able to prove that the two mentions relate to the same person. However noticing identical names in related books –books speaking of similar times – should alert us to the links between the books relating to that same time.

7:3-7 The fifth month was when Israel were taken captive (the third wave of captives) The prophet’s response indicates that the priest should think about what they are weeping for. The event they wept over was a direct consequence of the earlier prophets not being listened to. And similarly now the priests are not listening to Zechariah and Haggai. They were appearing to be concerned for the things of God but in reality had not learnt the lessons of the past. Do we learn from Israel’s past? – Rom 15:4

6:11 Clearly the anointing Joshua as a “king” was not a revolt again their overlords who had allowed the people to return to the land of Israel. However it seems it was used as a trumped up charge against Nehemiah – Neh 6:11

7:11 the way in which the people responded to God’s spoken words – by stopping their ears – is exactly what they did when listening to Stephen – Acts 7:57. Are our ears always “open” even when we read challenging things in scripture?

3 v.5 - The Book of Life is quite a feature of Revelation. Here we get the impression that everyone is in it until they behave in a way that they would be blotted out, but he that overcomes will not be blotted out, but saved instead by God's grace. Elsewhere (17:8) it seems that only those who were known to be going to be heirs of salvation were ever written there. Here is a list of other occurrences in Revelation - 13:8 17:8 20:12,15 21:27. See also Phil.4:3

3:2 In saying 'strengthen the things that remain' Jesus was not providing a clarion call that we might use in our ecclesias. It was a call to an ecclesia to salvage something from the desperate situation it was in. If we care to us this phrase we must be careful to recognise that it was used by Jesus of an ailing ecclesia. It was not a phrase that Jesus used to warn an ecclesia or brethren and sisters how they should address the problems of others.

4:6 The 'sea of glass' here is a foretaste of that wonderful time of Revelation 15:2 when the redeemed will have overcome the beast and all that it stands for.
Look for 'tasters' in the early chapters of the kingdom of God that is to be established.

The promises to David form a major element of the gospel message. Here the use of Isaiah 22 reinforces this element of the gospel by describing the risen Jesus as the one who has fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah.

Isaiah 6 speaks of the risen Christ - John 12:41. So the one spoken of in Revelation 4 must be the risen Christ.

3:18 We ought to 'buy' of the Lord now because a time is coming when all will have to 'buy' from the beast system (Revelation 13:17)

4:3 The 'rainbow' assures us that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:11). This reassurance is important because Revelation is going to tell us of great judgements that are to come upon the earth.

3:17 In Putting the words "I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing" Jesus is quoting Hos 12:8 where rebellious Ephraim are spoken of.

4:3,4,6 "Round about" is a recurring phrase in this chapter and is also found in Rev 5:11, 7:11. On each occasion the throne is involved.

3:12 To have the name of the city, is to be made part of its constitution, to have full citizenship in it. Citizenship then, in this city involves being a member of the world wide government of Christ in the Kingdom of God.

3:17 Laodicea was a very rich and prosperous city, and many of the brethren could be affected in this regard. With worldly wealth comes a responsibility for that wealth, which "chokes the Word, and he becometh unfruitful".(Matt 13:22) We, in this materialistic age, must be especially careful not to lay undue emphasis on material possessions to the exclusion of the Word of God.

3:1-4 The ecclesia at Sardis came in for criticism.  However, there were a few faithful members of that ecclesia .  The profile of Sardis is not unlike that of many ecclesias today.  The faithful did not run away and form a new ecclesia, but stayed and acted as watchmen (Eze 33).  We must follow this example.  It is wrong to withdraw ourselves and form another ecclesia to uphold the purity of the Truth.  This is judgemental and divisive.  We must stay and try to help our spiritually weak brethren.  

4:6-8 The four living creatures correspond to the four living creatures of Ezekiel's vision (Eze 1).  Each beast corresponds to the Major Prophets and the gospel accounts (See my note on Ezekiel Ch.1 for Sept. 5). 

True followers believe in the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ  which understanding is contained in the prophets and the gospels accounts.  Therefore, the eyes on the living creatures represent the redeemed saints who will forever worship Yahweh.

3:5 ‘white’ is ‘the righteousness of the saints’ Rev 19:8. The promise which is later made for all is first given to the brethren in Sardis, despite their problems. Now that is encouraging.

4:8 The ones who ‘rest not day nor night’ are rather like those who mourn for Zion – Isa 62:6

3:9 What a wonderful testimony for an ecclesia to receive. Philadelphia, the ecclesia of brotherly love, was beloved of the elder brother; which the world will shortly be compelled to acknowledge.(Isa 60:14, Isa 49:23) The attitude of the ecclesia reflected the history of the city, strong and vigorous in its approach to the Truth.

4:3,4,6 The repeated use of ‘round about’ highlights the fellowship that the Father seeks with His subjects.

 3:4 The robes of the saints must be of moral and material whiteness. Having "put on Christ" as a garment at one's baptism, they keep themselves unspotted from the world. The keeping clean of the moral garment, will guarantee the receiving of the "white" or pure physical nature, doing away of that nature in which dwelleth no good thing.

Rev 3:21 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Government
The rulership of God's Kingdom is not limited to the twelve apostles. The faithful will play a part as well.
For more information about the government of God's Kingdom, go to Matt 19:28

3:14  That Jesus is ‘the beginning of the creation of God’ echoes and highlights the teaching that he is the ‘firstborn’ – Rev 1:5 – and that ‘all things were created by him’ Col 1:16

FAITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND VISION

For those of us who live in Laodicean environments characterised by apathy, lack of commitment, and worldly riches but not being rich toward God, Jesus gives us some advice. He says, "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see." (Rev 3:18) Jesus is not suggesting we put our money in our pockets and go shopping, he wants us to get these things from him - even your local Christian bookshop will not supply the sorts of things Jesus wants us to buy!

We need gold refined in the fire. In other places this gold is referred to as faith that has been tried.

We need white clothes to wear so that we can cover our shameful nakedness. White clothes are a symbol of being righteous. So we need to buy righteousness from Jesus.

And lastly he wants us to buy eye salve so that we can see. Here we need vision, a picture of the hope set before us and the ability to see God in our lives.

We can't get any of these things from anyone other than Jesus. So let's ask him to supply us with the faith, righteousness and vision we need to overcome our apathy and worldly riches and to become rich for God.

4:3    Building on an earlier comment, as well as embodying the care of God as seen in Gen 9:11 the rainbow is seen in the appearance of the Glory of God – Eze 1:28 So the extent of God’s care for the world is  seen in His glory.

Rev 3

Each of the letters are addressed to the “angel,” which here refers to the elders in each ecclesia whose responsibility it was to convey the message of Jesus to their members. In light of its history and archaeological discoveries, we learn why the message to each ecclesia was expressed in their particular way.

Sardis – This city was built on a rock platform 1500 feet above the surrounding plain. Trusting on its natural defenses, it was at least on two occasions attacked by invaders, who, just like thieves, scaled the unguarded cliffs and so gained access to the supposedly impregnable city. The Sardians would have known what Jesus words meant, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief.” The message of, “have not defiled their garments,” and “clothed in white raiment” may echo the chief trade of Sardis, which was making and dyeing woolen clothing. The message to us is the vast majority of the people will be unaware and caught off guard when Jesus returns. We are commanded to “watch,” and keep ourselves “unspotted from the world’ (James 1:27).

Philadelphia – Philadelphia stood at the opening of a mountain pass, which was the gateway to the central region of Asia Minor. In political terms, it saw itself as a door, which it could open and shut as it pleased. But, as far as the Kingdom of God is concerned, it is Jesus who has they key and opens the door. We read, “…he that shutteth, and no man openeth…” “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”  It was a practice in Philadelphia to reward those who served the city by inscribing their names on pillars in the temples. Christ’s promise, on the other hand, is by far greater and lasting, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my “God… I will write upon him my new name.”  On three occasions earthquakes destroy this city, and each time it was rebuilt taking on a new name. Jesus promised his disciples they would be incorporated into his new city, the New Jerusalem, with his new name upon them.

Laodicea – Laodicea was famous for its wealth derived from garments made from black wool and for their eye salve. When a disastrous earthquake devastated the city in 60A.D., it rejected the assistance offered by Rome. It boasted that it did not need any outside help. Likewise, the ecclesia there thought it had need of nothing while heedless of its spiritual bankruptcy. Laodicea was also famous for its nauseous lukewarm water supply, useful only as an emetic. Jesus says to this complacent ecclesia, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”  They were indifferent to right or wrong, good or evil, just as we witness today! We cannot be lukewarm towards the things of God. Nothing less than a wholehearted dedication to the teachings of the Bible will be of any use at all. It is this end-time ecclesial Age that Paul warned about that would not endure sound doctrine, but would gather around them teachers that would say what their itching ears wanted and desired to hear (2Tim 4:3).

Each of the seven letters alluded to customs and conditions in the city to whose ecclesia it was addressed. This is further evidence of the inspiration of the Bible. What author, unaided by God could have produced a series of letters that draw so vividly on local conditions in such a remarkable way?

Rev 3:6-8,13,20,21 - Christ stands at the door to the kingdom but in another sense he IS the door and believers, including those of today, are the sheep who hear his voice (John 10:2-4,7,9,11).

 Rev 3:14.

In what sense is Jesus the "beginning of the creation of God" (K.J.V.)?

In each of the 7 introductions to the letters to the ecclesias, Jesus refers to himself symbolically - usually with one of the descriptions from Rev 1:13-16, but sometimes with another description. In v. 14 here he calls himself 3 things: 1) the Amen which, if it has a reference, may be 1:18 - "I am he that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen; I have the keys of hell and of death." 2) The faithful and true witness which goes back to ch. 1:5 - "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, andthe first begotten from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth." And 3) the beginning of the creation of God." Though there's no direct reference earlier to this, it looks to me like he's referring here to his resurrection from the dead to his current state of immortality - being the first of God's creation to do so. This also fits in with #1 & #2 above - each of which mentions that very thing (see what I italicized).

In this phrase there are tie in's with other New Testament passages. Paul in Col. 1:15,18 in speaking of Christ says -

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation....He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

A similar idea is found in 1 Cor. 15:20 -

" But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead; the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

And Paul goes on to make the point that if Christ is the firstfruits, then other "fruits" are to follow, and he says that will take place at his second coming (1Cor 15:23). And then he implies that at the end (i.e. of the 1000 years) will be the final harvest (1Cor 15:24-28).

So, in effect then, Jesus is the beginning of God's new creation through his resurrection to immortality. And then he becomes the creator of this new creation in him - which is the redeemed believers - going back, in retrospect, to Old Testament times and through New Testament and current times. And thus there are many New Testament references to this concept including, but not limited to, the following -

Eph. 2:8-10 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Eph. 4:24 - "...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Gal. 6:15,16 - "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God."

3:9     In saying that He had loved the brethren at Philadelphia Jesus is reminding them that despite their troubles God cared for them. That God cares for His children is seen frequently throughout the Bible. One such place is Isa 43:4. A review of the context of the previous verses in Isaiah 43 shows that care would be seen in difficulties.

OVERCOMERS

"Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." (Rev 3:4-5).

There is a beautiful thought here for us. While we might despair at the thought that we are not one of those who have kept their robes clean, we can also be very glad that the promise is not just for the good, but also for those who overcame. Yes, we might have "soiled our clothes", but even though we have fallen, if we aim to overcome, we will be written and never blotted out from the book of life. Jesus will personally acknowledge us as his friend before His Father.

It is the overcoming that makes the difference. We might have failed once, but we can rise to the occasion on the next time, and overcome. God will even give us all we need to overcome. By faith in Jesus, we can be forgiven and can overcome. It is not too late!

Let's pray for strength and courage to overcome our sin today. Pray for forgiveness and trust in the robes of righteousness that He gives us to wear.

3:21     This is the last of seven times that Jesus peaks of those who overcome. We must realise that we do not “overcome” in our own strength. We overcome through application of the principles set out in Scripture – though we will often fall short. It is a matter of holding fast to our belief in Jesus no matter how often we fall short. 

TWO DOORS

In the letters to the seven churches, Jesus describes two doors. One door is open, and the other door is shut.

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, he said, "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut." (Rev 3:8). Sometimes we look for opportunities or direction, and doors seem to close all around us. But the door to the kingdom of God, and the door to obeying Jesus is always wide open for us. It is never going to close. It is an opportunity that we can't blame anyone else for missing out on, because the door is always open in front of us.

The second door is a different one, and described in the letter to the believers at Laodicea. Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)

Unlike the door that Jesus leaves open for us, the door to our heart is closed against him, unless we choose to open it. We have control over the door to our heart.

So, let's choose to open the door of our heart, and let Jesus in. And to take advantage of the open door he has left for us to lead us into his glory.

We tend to think that the letters to the Churches in chapters 1-3 are a section of Revelation in themselves, but this is not so. Notice the start of chapter 4 this link:

"After this I looked, and, behold..."

So everything in chapter 4 at least is related to what came before. If we now remove the idea of chapters from our minds (chapter divisions are just placed there by those who printed the Bible to help people reference it) and look at this section of prophecy as a whole, what do we immediately see? We see that the door in 4:1 is there in 3:20, and the throne in 4:2 is there in 3:21. So the rest of revelation is absolutely tied to the letters to the Churches.

3:14    In speaking of himself as “the faithful and true witness” Jesus reminds his hearers of his involvement with the promises made to David by quoting Psa 89:37.

4:5   The lightnings, thunder and voices is a recurring theme in Revelation being found inRev 4:5, 8:5, 11:19, 16:18

3:4         Clearly there were serious problems in Sardis. The encouraging thing is that because there were a “few names” in the church there Jesus was willing to work with them. If Jesus is not willing to abandon a group because many have problems but a few faithful remain maybe this should make us think about trying to help those with problems – doctrinal and behavioral.

3:22    The idea of having hearing ears draws on Deut 29:4 and Jesus’ own teaching in the gospels. For example Matt 11:15.

Rev 3:1

“AND unto the angel of the ecclesia in Sardis write… I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

“Whatever is not of the truth is defiling before God. Every ‘reasoning,’ ‘lofty conception, and thought not according to the knowledge of God, is polluting, and engenders disobedience and apostasy. The faith is perverted, and the practice marred. Such was the condition of the presbytery in Sardis—defiled by human tradition and dead; a type of all ‘Christendom’ at this day.”

Brother John Thomas, 1861

The Sardis ecclesia had the reputation of being alive, but was, in fact, dead. What a tragedy! The ecclesia was one of death under the guise of life. The Sardian spirit is still around – without and within. Imagine our standing before Christ and giving him a record of our good deeds only to hear him say, “I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Horror would grip our spirit!

The fact that Sardis is warned to return to what they first received and heard (vv. 2,3) clearly identifies this group that has departed by changing the original doctrines. Today, there is this tendency that past ecclesial matters of ages past are outdated and worthless to us today, yet their underlying principles are timeless and as relevant to us as they were then.

Many of our doctrines and scriptural practices are settled by majority votes contrary to Rom 12:4,5; 1Cor 12:12-27. Majority votes undermine other needful members of the body causing schisms (1Cor 12:25). It is not walking in agape love. Furthermore, the Truth must be embraced wholeheartedly, not just merely accepted for a variety of reasons. Committee rulings humanly devised upon fleshly reasoning, or ecclesial Constitutions cannot be elevated above the commandments of Christ. We do well to examine just where we stand in relation to the Word for the body is a unit comprised of many members, none of whom are irrelevant or inconsequential, lest we too hear the words “thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead.”

Rev 3:9

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie…”