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This is the final message in a series of sermons covering the messages from Christ to the seven churches in Asia, Revelation 2-3. The message discusses two phrases that Jesus repeats to each of the seven churches: "He who has ears, let him hear;" and "To him who overcomes I will...."
Written Excerpts:
We are wrapping up a series of messages that we have been doing for a few months. We started out with a couple of introductory messages from Revelation chapter one, then moved into the seven letters sent to the churches in
Last time we talked about the
message to the seventh church – Laodicea
The two phrases are these: “He who has ears to hear, let
him hear.” And, “To him who overcomes I will…”
I thought I would present these
together for this concluding message since they appear in all seven of the
messages that the Lord sends out to the churches.
With the help of God’s Spirit I
want to talk to you today about the importance of and possibility of… hearing
God’s voice and being victorious in our spiritual journey.
The two main thoughts I want to
explore today are expressed in the title of the sermon are: I. Keen Ears and II. Victorious Ending
Let us talk first about the
phrase that Jesus uses when he urges the readers to use their ears to hear the
message they’ve received.
I. Keen Ears
The phrase, “He who has ears, let him hear…” is actually a very
familiar phrase that Jesus used during his earthly ministry. The phrase appears a few times in the gospels. For example: Matthew 11:15 He who has ears
to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:9 "He who has ears, let him hear." Mark 4:23; 7:16
These phrases are talking about spiritual perception or spiritual
hearing. Spiritual hearing (eyesight) is another way of referring to spiritual understanding.
(See 1 Cor. 2:14 “The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God…
neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.”)
The phrase seems to be connected to the passage in Isaiah 6:9-10
The main point that stands out to me in all these texts is this: To the person who purposes or strives to hear and learn about God and
spiritual truths, God will grant an ever-increasing ability to hear and
understand spiritual truths. But, to the person who refuses or neglects to hear and learn about God’s
truth or message, God will make his spiritual hearing even more dull and his
spiritual understanding even more unenlightened.
The message to take away from this is simply that every one of us has
an awesome responsibility regarding the messages that the Holy Spirit gives to
us and we must earnestly seek to hear (understand) what God says to us through
His Word and by His Spirit. God provides most of us with multiple opportunities to be exposed to
truth and light, but what we do with each opportunity will determine the level
of understanding God will open up to our minds in the future.
II. Victorious Ending
The second main thought I noticed in each of these messages stems from
the phrase, “He who overcomes….”
I want you to notice that this phrase introduces promises made by the
Lord to everyone who overcomes the obstacles, barriers, opposition and
everything else they may face that would hinder their spiritual success. A couple of these congregations were not reproved for any wrong actions
or attitudes, but they are encouraged with promises if they overcome the
persecution and adversity that they were experiencing. The rest of the congregations were warned about the defects and
deficiencies in the practice of their faith. They had some serious problems
that needed direct attention or else. In all of these cases, they were promised
certain advantages and blessings if they would overcome the blatant faults and
return to a genuine obedience to the Word of God.
There are several different promises made by the Lord, but the main
point I want to emphasize is the fact that Jesus is proclaiming the possibility
of victory, even in the face of some alarming conditions. Never forget, dear friends, that God is able to give us the victory no
matter what we are facing. Whether we are facing persecution and opposition from the enemies of
the cross, or whether we are facing the deadly effects of compromise,
worldliness and spiritual drift, we can overcome by the power of God and the blood
of Christ. We can overcome by the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in
our lives. God has given us everything we need to be victorious in the end. We
need not fail; we need not lose.
Here are the seven promises God gives to the seven churches. (Most of these interpretations have been borrowed from William Barclay)
A. Eat from the Tree of Life. (2:7)
Appears to be an obvious comparison and analogy with the tree of life
mentioned in Genesis. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden to be prevented from
eating of this tree (Gen. 3:22). A benefit denied because of sin will be restored because of salvation.
B. Not be hurt by second death. (2:11)
The second death is defined in Revelation 20:14 (NKJV)
14 Then Death and Hades [hell, KJV] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
14 Then Death and Hades [hell, KJV] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
C. Given hidden manna, a white stone, and a
new name. (2:17)
The Jews had a common idea that the Messiah would discover a pot of
hidden manna that, according to legend, had been in Solomon’s Temple
Stone; name – many, many interpretations have been suggested.
Someone [Barclay] has stated that perhaps the most meaningful
way to understand it is to remember that the color white is very significant in
Revelation. For example, white garments (3:5), white robes (7:9), white linens
(19:8, 14), and white throne (20:11).
In the OT and NT people who had significant encounters with God were
given new names to represent the change in their characters and their lives. So, here Christ may be indicating to these people that the white stone
and new name represent the new heavenly life, cleansed from all earthly stain
and a new status as a member of the heavenly throng.
D. Given authority to rule and “morning star.”
(2:26-28)
Authority to rule – this resembles some of the statements that Jesus
made to the disciples during his earthly ministry. There are other references
near the end of Revelation that speaks of the saints ruling. It seems to imply that the people of God who overcome will in some form
or fashion be given responsibilities to oversee, rule or govern certain
portions/ aspects of God’s creation.
Morning star – this is a name given to Jesus himself (22:16). Some seem
to think the phrase is a reference to the overcoming believers coming to “full
possession” of Christ without any of the hindrances of earth.
E. Clothed in white, name not blotted from
book, and name confessed before the Father and the angels. (3:5)
White clothing in various contexts or settings can represent festivity,
victory and purity. All of these are characteristics of the believers in Jesus
who have remained true to the end.
Book of Life - Revelation 20:12, 15 (NKJV) 12 And I saw the dead, small and great,
standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which
is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books. 15
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast
into the lake of fire. Revelation
21:27 (NKJV) 27 But there
shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a
lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
It is a way of assuring the victorious Christian that Christ will
personally ensure that they are included in the congregation of the redeemed
and assured a place in heaven.
Name confessed before angels – During his earthly ministry, Jesus
stated that whoever confessed Him before men, he would confess before His
father. It means He agrees, Yes, this one is mine!
F. Made a pillar in temple, name of God and name
of city written on them. (3:12)
Pillar – seems to be a reference to a position of honor. We are told
that there was a practice among the pagans in Philadelphia
Name of God – implying identity, ownership or possession.
Name of city – implying citizenship in the heavenly city.
G. Sit on throne with Christ. (3:21)
Another reference to the previous point “D” above (2:26-28). The overcomers will be granted some type of authority in the new order.
Conclusion:
Hear the words of Jesus, “To him who overcomes…”
Christ emphatically believes in the possibility of overcoming. He holds
out the possibility to these first century congregations, and He still offers
it to us.
Believers all over the world are overcoming tremendous opposition and
obstacles.
I want us to leave the service today with two great truths ringing in
our hearts:
1 - We must diligently train our ears to listen for the voice of the
Spirit, and
2 - We must press on to victory. We must overcome everything that Satan
tries to use against us whether it be opposition and persecution or compromise
and errors.
Let’s close our service by singing a great song of victory: Victory in Jesus, # 353.
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