Watch Yourself
John Stone
“Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:16-17
“He who has an ear, let him hear.” That is a figure of speech that I commonly hear thrown around that intrigues me. It is used as a way to express emphatic agreement with statements that are obviously true. Here’s an example:
Person 1: “The roads in Michigan are terrible. We all pay taxes, so the government should do something about it.”
Person 2: “100%!”
In a similar way, the Bible makes many statements that we read and say, “100%! I agree completely!” However, do we?
As we are studying through the book of Revelation, specifically the letters to the churches, we should not forget that despite the symbolism and prophetic nature of the book, these words are still true and applicable for all time. This letter, written to the church at Pergamum, is given as an encouragement and a warning. Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord, whose great love led Him to die to redeem mankind from sin and death is the very same One who wields the sharp two-edged sword in verse 12. He is calling His church to repent of the sin of divided loyalty. They are located in the city where Satan lives and from which he rules his kingdom. That is horrifying to imagine! In their faith, they have stood strong against Satan’s attacks, particularly Antipas (one commentary says he was their pastor) being martyred. Even so, Jesus says, “I have a few things against you” (verse 14). I can hear them replying in exasperation, “A few things? But we live in Satan’s home town! He killed our pastor! This is really hard! Is that not good enough?” Jesus knows these things and can empathize as the One who was tempted in all the same ways (Hebrews 4:15), but He is still calling them to repent and backing up that call with a very real threat (verse 16).
This warning is just as applicable to us today as it was for them in the 1st century. We may not know who Balaam was (Numbers 22) and have probably never heard of the Nicolaitans, but we suffer from the same sinful divided loyalties. We may not live in Satan’s home town, but he still rules this world. He is still infiltrating the church with false teachers and sowing division (2 Peter 2:1-3). He has orchestrated the masses against the principles of God to cast doubt and cause confusion. Despite all these things, Jesus Christ still requires 100% from us. It is not 51% or 75%. It is not even 99%. It is 100%. It means 100% of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). It also comprises 100% of our resources, time, talent, and allegiance. I can hear the responses, some coming from within my own mind, “That is idealistic. How could God require that? It is impossible to be perfect! I cannot give 100% all the time!” However, the One with the two-edged sword is the same One who said:
• “Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.” James 4:4 (NASB)
• “You shall be holy for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 (NASB)
• “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24 (NASB)
• “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 (NASB)
• “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33 (NASB)
• “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects.” Colossians 1:10 (NASB)
How are we to reconcile this? The Bible and our own life experiences clearly teach that we will never be perfect on this side of eternity. Paul laments this struggle in Romans chapter 7, particularly in verse 24 where he writes, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of death?” He answers his own question in the next verse, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Jesus Christ did not just die to give us perfection and eternal life after we die, He freed us from slavery to sin and made it possible for us to live lives of obedience that are pleasing to the Lord now.
Whatever temptation you and I are facing right now can be resisted or fled. If we can overcome any current temptation, we can do the same with the next. Christ has 100% won that victory for us. There will be failure, but do not believe the lie of Satan that we are hopeless and disqualified and therefore have no reason to try. When you fail, confess your sin to God and He will wipe your failure off the record (1 John 1:8-9). Ask God to strengthen you to fight for holiness. Meditate on the Bible and arm yourself with the Word to be able to follow the example of Jesus and fight temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). The Lord knows the areas of your life that have not been given over to Him. He knows where your loyalties are divided. Ask Him to reveal these to you (Psalm 139:23-24), so that you can search them out and, through the power of Christ in you, destroy the divisions that prevent you from giving him 100%.
Jesus has given us a warning in Revelation 2:16-17 and it is serious, but He has also offered a reward for obedience. He has proven His commitment to us by indwelling us with His Spirit. We need to be a church filled with those who overcome; who are 100% committed to Christ in all areas of their life.
“So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you; for the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:23-24 (NASB)