Pastor’s Corner: “Warning Signs”
Revelation 2:9-10 (NLT) – 9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Revelation 3:8 (MSG) – 8 “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.
Change that occurs slowly is difficult to detect. For instance, the earth’s crust moves an estimated 1 to 10 centimeters per year, but we don’t notice until two tectonic plates push so hard against each other that they suddenly shift, causing an earthquake. A similar process can happen spiritually as well. We think we’re doing fine until God shakes us awake with a situation so big it makes us stop and wonder what’s happening.
Since drifting is such a slow process, we may unknowingly become lax in our walk with Christ and veer from His path. Instead of immediately recognizing that we’ve gone astray, we become accustomed to the new path and consider it normal. The further we go on the detour, the duller our spiritual ears become. At this point, we can’t hear God calling out, “You’re going the wrong way! Come back to Me!” That’s why He sometimes has to send an “earthquake” to grab our attention. I believe the current times of unrest and uncertainty in our nation and the world are an “earthquake” and wake up call to “The Church.” Have we been drifting?
Certain churches, which were recipients of unexpected messages from the Lord, probably felt their world was being rocked. Jesus had appeared to the disciple John and instructed him to write Revelation. Included in this book were letters addressed to seven churches. For five of them, Christ’s message was like a megaphone from heaven calling, “Repent!”
WARNING SIGNS: Five of the seven churches each received reproofs that serve as warning signs to us. The believers in …• Ephesus left their first love (Revelation 2:1-7) • Pergamum had begun to listen to false teaching (Revelation 2:12-17) • Thyatira tolerated a false teacher who led them astray (Revelation 2:18-29) • Sardis didn’t know they were spiritually dead (Revelation 3:1-6) • Laodicea were complacent and unaware of their condition (Revelation 3:14-22).
GUIDEPOSTS: The churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia were commended for doing what’s right. By following their example, we’ll be able to stay on course with Jesus…• Smyrna was facing tremendous persecution, and Jesus told believers there not to fear suffering but to be faithful until death (Revelation 2:8-11). When life gets hard, the Smyrna guidepost says, “Look up.” With an eternal focus, we can remain faithful no matter what we encounter, because this life is a mere breath compared to eternity. • Philadelphia was commended for obeying Christ and for not denying His name even though they had little strength. They persevered when things were hard and everyone else was going in the wrong direction (Revelation 3:7-13). Their guidepost reads, “Keep My Word.” Knowing Jesus and obeying His Word helps us align our lives with God’s will so we don’t go astray.
Before reaching an unwanted destination, let’s be sure we’re going in the right direction.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton