Jezebel is rightly viewed as the most-wicked woman in the Bible – corrupt in sexual matters, in spiritual matters, and corrupt in civil matters. She is still on the loose today. You may have encountered her in the very church you attend. Beware!
In the early 4th century A.D., the Roman Emperor, Constantine, reversed the hostility of his predecessors and gave favored status to Christianity and the church. Wonderful, right? Maybe not. Wouldn’t it be terrific if the church had that kind of status again? Maybe, but maybe not.
The Revelation reveals the entanglement of two very different dimensions. One is the physical dimension while the other is the spiritual dimension. They are both very much real, but at the same time, they are both very much different. They operate parallel to each other in the same space. In fact, we reside in the shadow of Satan’s throne.
If you wanted to cut through the Rocky Mountains with a butter knife, how successful would you be in that endeavor? One’s intentions may be good, but the results would be utter failure. Believe it or not, many followers of Christ go at life just like that. The results are the same.
After reading verses 1-3, it is difficult to conceive of the church at Ephesus as having major problems. Yet, shockingly, verse 5 reveals the presence of a problem of such a magnitude that Jesus threatened to shut down the Ephesian church. What could possibly have produced a warning so serious that it deserved to be dismantled? The answer just may be important for the 21st century church.
If you wanted to cut through the Rocky Mountains with a butter knife, how successful would you be in that endeavor? One’s intentions may be good, but the results would be utter failure. Believe it or not, many followers of Christ go at life just like that. The results are the same.
As the Lord of the church, Jesus is inextricably bound with the church, and as such, He makes clear His expectations for the church. Not surprisingly, His word to the congregation at Ephesus reveals precisely what He is looking for, even in times of tribulation.
Rituals, rites, pageantry, and formality do not change the heart. Outward acts do little, if anything, inwardly. God works from the inside-out, not from the outside in. One doesn’t start by changing his or her act, but by changing his or her heart.
In the old tabernacle is seen a picture of Jesus. Yet, it is only a picture. The possibility exists of falling more in love with the photograph than with Jesus.
Oftentimes, our greatest usefulness is found within the framework of tribulation, especially when we respond to Christ rather than react to our circumstances.
