The Church of Divided Loyalty
Revelation 2:12-17
Divided loyalty is seen from the Royal Family, to the White House, the Halls of Congress, throughout the World of Politics, Sports, and from Wall Street to the Offices of the Business World. And sad to say it is in the Church. This ought not to be. In this letter Jesus speaks about divided loyalty. He is the One you must know as your Savior and be loyal too. His Word set the standard for truth and conduct. Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Some call this church the Church of False Doctrine, The Church of Compromise; I call this The Church of Divided Loyalty. Must always remember a Church is made up of people and all claim to be believers but as we know from scripture all are not. Just to have your name on a church roll does not make you a Child of God. It is the Work of the Holy Spirit in you and your response to Him by believing. Therefore, we see immediately the need to hear the Word of God.
So what you see in a Church is believers and unbelievers and Victorious Christians and Defeated Christians. Victorious Christians are synonymous with Overcomers, maturing Christians [Christians in the Word of God]
Pergamos, the church that allowed false doctrine, V14-16 Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
The false doctrine of Balaam: [1]"The doctrine of Balaam was being taught. Paul handles the question in 1 Co 8:1–13; 10:25–33. The doctrine of balaam is any doctrine that would lead people to sin against God
[2]The prototypical unethical teacher whose compromise proved fatal to Israel (see Num 25:1–2; 31:16)
The Lord would judge the false teachers if they did not repent. I would say that the church is to repent for allowing the false teaching and judge the false teachers, Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
"That hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans" signifies the domineering of the people. A priestly class, self-appointed, that ruled over the rest of the people. They claimed a priesthood that belonged to Christ. They placed themselves between you and Christ who is your High Priest. That is a false doctrine.
The "Imperial Cult". It is where the leader proclaims themselves god and demands worship. For example, Caesar was to be worshipped as lord. [3]They promote one-world government, rule by the elite, the ending of private property, trying to exterminate Christianity, and promote lawlessness under the guise of freedom. Sound like our day does it not? You see things are not going to get better but worse. This oppression is done under the name of Christianity.
Christ is the One you must first know as your Saviour, John 17:3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
If there is not a hell to shun, then why did Christ die? If there is not a need for the preaching of the Cross, then why does the Word say, 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Saturday, there was a baby shower given at our Church and so many family and friends present to celebrate the life of a baby boy coming into the world, Waylon Wilder Green. I believe on the father's side the baby represents five-generation that were present.
Life is given by the LORD and that life is formed in the mother's womb, Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
I thought about eternity pasted and the LORD knew about this baby boy and he was included in the death of Christ on the Cross, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Unto Him that loves that baby boy who will come forth as a gift to the Mom and Dad and he will need to hear about Jesus who loves Waylon and gave Himself for him. Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
People say The Church should not be political. I am not sure exactly what is meant by that statement. I am not going to promote anyone except Christ. But we live in a political and religious world and in the coming tribulation period, there will be both the political leader and the false prophet. [religious leader]
His Word is a Sharp Two-Edged Sword. It cuts both ways: conviction or comfort -wounds or heals. It is His word, Revelation 1:16, And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
All things exist by the Word of His Power, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
He is revealed by His Word. The Gospel reveals God. If there is not a hell to shun then why the cross? John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
His Words are the Promise of Eternal Life, John 6:47, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. -
"is come", from 1 John 5:20: Means He is Present, Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true = 1097 ginosko – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). (J. Thayer).
It is by the Word of God and the Spirit of God that you come to believe on Christ for Eternal Life. And these messages are speaking to the believer about their life. He is the One to whom you love and be loyal too,
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
I want us to think about the name. If you look at a flock of sheep, they all look alike to an observer but not to the shepherd. He knows each one. He knew when one was missing, Luke 15:4-7. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
So to the victorious believer, He makes this promise, To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
To him that overcometh: overcometh is synonymous with him who is led by the Spirit, Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
To him that overcometh: overcometh is synonymous with him who is mature in Christ. Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
To him that overcometh: overcometh is synonymous with him, who suffers with Christ, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
I give to eat of the hidden manna, He will give an understanding of eternal truths. Something not previously understood.
I will give him a white stone, pointing to His divine approval regarding your life as a believer. Two righteousness' seen here. You have His righteousness, the gift of eternal life and you have the believer's works rewarded, Revelation 19:7-8, Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. The reason you are at the marriage supper of the Lamb is because of His righteousness given to at the time you were saved but this is the righteousness of the overcoming saints.
and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. He will give you a new name. He gave Peter a new name, And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
That name fits him. For so long he appeared to be otherwise than a stone but as time pasted he was certainly a stone. His life changes after his denial of Jesus, and Christ found Him and restored Him to fellowship John 21: 15- 15-22, i.e. v22 "°°If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
I believe this new name captures who you are. It is a very personal name. Known only to you and Jesus. Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., ° Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 2:14). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
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