DEAD, BUT NOT DORMANT

“Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!” So, tomorrow, we will sing and celebrate, “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes!” 

Yet, what of that in-between time, when His body was sealed in the sepulcher?  Peter tells us that though His crucified body was in a tomb, His spirit was very much alive and active, (1 Pet. 3:18). Christ was dead, but not dormant.

The Bible does not teach, “soul sleep.”  Paul said, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord,” (2 Cor.‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬‬).  Neither was Jesus in a state of unconsciousness between His death and resurrection. 

The Old Testament term for the world of the dead is Sheol and the New Testament word is Hades. According to the story our Lord told of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, there were two areas where the souls of the dead would dwell: “torment” for the wicked and “Abraham’s bosom” (figurative language for “paradise”). Recall that Jesus promised the dying thief, “today you will be with Me in Paradise,” (Lk. 23:43). Thus, when Jesus died physically, He was alive spiritually—closing His eyes on Calvary, He opened them in Paradise. He was dead, but not dormant.

What did He do during that time?  We know that in Sheol/Hades there is “a great gulf fixed,” so that none can cross over from perdition to paradise or vice versa, (Lk. 16:26), yet they can converse as we hear the rich man in torment crying out to “Father Abraham,” for a drop of water to be brought to him by Lazarus, (Lk. 16:24) and Abraham responds to him with the impossibility of that. They communicate with each other. Jesus was spiritually in paradise with the repentant thief that very day as He promised. He was there and “preached to the spirits in prison,” (1 Pet. 3:19). 

This was not an evangelistic sermon. The decision of where we will spend eternity is made in this lifetime—with no “second chance” after death. It was in this case a proclamation “to the spirits in prison, who were formerly disobedient…in the days of Noah.”  In torment, these fallen demons were locked away in a special prison. Peter would add this in his second epistle, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;” (2:4). The Greek word for “hell” is Tartarus, the name of that special compartment in torment for these wicked demons to be imprisoned. 

Jude speaks of them also, “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;”(Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬‬).

It is my understanding that these demons in some fashion inhabited human form and were used by Satan—the Prince of Demons—to corrupt the human race by sexual relations with human women in Noah’s day, (cf. Gen. 6:1-8). The Serpent had been told after he seduced Adam and Eve in the Garden, “ ‘And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.’ ” (Gen.‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬‬). If the Devil could corrupt “the daughters of men,” (Gen. 6:1), then there would be no seed of woman to crush his head!  It would have worked, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD,” (Gen. 6:8).

Satan persisted in attempts to fully corrupt the nation of Israel and thus no Messiah would be born. Yet, God always had a remnant of believers. Even, when Messiah came, the Devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Yet, Christ remained sinless and on the cross, though the Seed of woman had His heel bruised—the Lord’s suffering and physical death—by that means, crushed the Serpent’s head!

So, Christ descended into the realm of the dead and proclaimed His victory over the Devil and his demonic hordes!

As bad as this sermon was for the imprisoned demons, it was glorious for the people of God in paradise. You see, the Old Testament saints were saved by faith in Christ just like we are—Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and all the redeemed (cf. Heb. 11).  They were saved by looking ahead to Christ’s atoning work on the cross, whereas we look back to it. Those saved in the Old Testament were saved by “the lay-away plan.”  You know how you find a Christmas gift for someone, so you don’t want it reserved. It is put in lay-away, until the price is paid, and then you possess it. So, the Old Testament saints went to paradise, or “Abraham’s bosom,” so to speak, until Christ would pay the price of their redemption. After His resurrection, and His ascension, He would empty that compartment in Hades and take the souls of those Old Testament believers to Heaven and into the presence of the Father. “Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’ (Now this, ‘He ascended’—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)” (Eph. ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭10‬‬). 

He was dead, but not dormant!

THE OPEN DOOR

Philadelphia—the name signifies, “the city of brotherly love.” How appropriate then for a church to be birthed there, for love for our Father and for our fellowman is the Great Commandment to Christ’s followers. Out of that flows the church’s commitment to the Great Commission—to reach the lost, baptize them into the fellowship, and disciple them. This church at Philadelphia is pictured as “the church of the open door.”  Christ holds the key and has unlocked the door to evangelism. 

We must seize the opportunity while the door is open. There are three mandates for a missionary church. These are the featured in Revelation 3:8 where Jesus declared. “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

First, we must have A POWER THAT IS SUFFICIENT. “I know your works…you have a little strength.”  From the human perspective, this congregation would not seem impressive. The numbers of people, financial resources, and community influence was minimal. These are often ways we gauge a church’s impact from a human perspective. Yet, what we have here is a heavenly perspective. Jesus says, “I know your works,” and commends them for being a great church as He gauges it. That is the only evaluation that matters! 

An old song says, “Little is much when God is in it.” A shepherd’s staff surrendered to the Lord could be used to part the Red Sea. 300 warriors obedient to God could route an enormous army camped against them. A stone in a slingshot hurled by a young lad could bring a giant to the ground. A pot of oil could be poured out over and over to be used to pay the debt a widow owed. Five loaves and two fish placed in the hands of Jesus could feed 5000. An old rugged cross where Jesus gave all would be the means of redemption. Twelve common men sold out to Christ would turn the world upside down!

Second, we must have A PERSEVERANCE THAT IS EVIDENT. “I know your works…for you…have kept My word.”  Our responsibility is faithfulness and God’s is to produce fruitfulness. We sow the seed and the Lord of the Harvest brings in the crop. Let us not consider what the world wants in order to shape our appeal to them and thereby miss what God requires—obedience to the truth, that is, faithfulness to the Word. An open door that welcomes all sinners to hear the Gospel must never be an open door to allow false doctrine and compromised morality to invade the church. We are to seek the stray sheep, not build a barn for goats. We say to anyone and everyone, “Come,” but to those who would be saved, “Repent!”

The Risen Lord would specifically commend them, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”  Because they would keep steadfast, God would keep them secure. Their perseverance would bring their preservation.

Third, we must have A PROFESSION THAT IS DEFINITE. “I know your works…for you…have not denied my name.”  The missionary church is not about publishing its fame, but proclaiming Christ’s name. “ ‘Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,’ ” (Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬‬). The faithful church is not one to promote the messenger, the music, or the ministries, but to preach the Master!

The name of Jesus is the great dividing line—the difference between heaven and hell. It will be an open door to those who will be saved and an offensive name to those who are to be damned.  The church of the open door preaches that name and lets the chips fall where they may!

The letter closes with this appeal:

“ ‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. ‘ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘  ” (Rev. 3:11-13). 

Are we listening?

CHRIST’S LAST WORD TO HIS CHURCH

In Revelation 2-3, we have seven messages to seven churches. These churches were real people in real places with real potentials and real problems. Yet, in these we have vital lessons for all churches of all locations and for all time.

Each one begins similarly, “To the angel of the church…” and ends with, “He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  The Greek word translated, “angel,” literally means, “messenger,” and most often refers in the Bible to a heavenly messenger—a celestial being. While that is possible here, nowhere else in Scripture do we read of a specific angel assigned to a local church. Instead, I think it more likely as descriptive of a human messenger—the shepherd of that local flock. The first eyes to look on the letter would be the one responsible to proclaim it to the congregation. 

What a great opportunity!  The pastor has the privilege of hearing from God that He might speak for God. Yet, this is also a grave responsibility! We are not only in a privileged, but a pivotal position as God’s representatives. Pastor, you are an angel—don’t act like a devil!  One day we will stand before the Lord and be judged accordingly.

In each letter, the Lord identifies Himself in a specific way according to the particular needs of that local congregation. “I know your works,” is the declaration of Christ to each church. What ultimately matters is not what the congregation thinks of itself, nor what the community thinks of the church, but what Christ knows about that local assembly. He knows it all—nothing is hidden to His eyes, “like a flame of fire,” (2:18). The Lord commends the church for the good He discerns (and there is some good in all but one—Laodecia, the lukewarm church that nauseated Him).  The Lord confronts the church for the problems He detects (and there is some in all but two—Smyrna, the persecuted church that was faithful to Him—purified by fiery trials and Philadelphia, the missionary church—the church of the open door). There is the promise of a particular reward for each church that would hear and heed the message.

Those local churches were comprised of individual members. Should even one respond in faith and obedience, there is the promise of reward. Surely, the pastor is the first one who needs to submit to the authority of Christ in His church. If He will submit and then share the Word, as members one by one do likewise, then there is hope for the Lord’s blessing on that fellowship. 

“He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  We are called to “overcome,” the world, the flesh, and the devil. God gives us His Scripture to guide us and His Spirit to empower us through faith and obedience.

Preacher, it starts with you. God has placed you and your congregation strategically to make a difference for Him in this time and place. Will you?

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

I have heard the last book of the Bible referred to as “Revelations.”  They mean that it is a book filled with various revelations concerning the end times. Certainly, there are those, but that is not the name, nor the theme of the book. It is “Revelation,” singular and the focus is on a Person, Jesus Christ. Hear the author himself, as he begins the book:

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,” (v. ‭1‬‬).

It is easy to become obsessed with the Antichrist, and miss the One in the Scriptural spotlight, Jesus Christ!  From start to finish, the Spirit of God moved John, the servant of God, to point to the Son of God.

The Apostle was overwhelmed by this manifestation of the Master, “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.’” (1‬:‭17‬-‭18‬‬).

From the lips of the Lord we hear of HIS ETERNITY, “I am the First and the Last.”  There has never been a time that He was not, nor will there ever be a time that He will not be. The Second Person of the Trinity is eternal and uncreated, without beginning or ending. He transcends time and is in control of it, rather than being subjected to it.  

Yet, that Eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us. So, He next speaks of HIS HUMANITY, “I am He who lives, and was dead.”  There was a moment is history when Christ took on humanity. The Infinite became an infant. The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God. The Sinless One hung on the cross and died as our Substitute, fully paying the price for our sins. 

But, that was not the end of Him or that would be the end of hope, as the Lord declares HIS VICTORY, “behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.” The grave could not hold Him. Death could not defeat Him. “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes!”  Because He lives, He can give those who trust in Him, life beyond death—victory over our “last enemy,” (1 Cor. 15:26).

The Risen Lord affirms HIS SOVEREIGNTY, “I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”  If you hold the keys, you have authority. He rules over the realm of the world of the dead, “Hades,” and even “Death,” itself, sitting above it. Christ is no more subject to death, but sovereign over it—and indeed over all. Our Lord is guiding all things to fulfilling His goal and for His glory. Hallelujah to the Lamb that was slain and the Lion who will reign!

THREE TYPES OF CHURCH PEOPLE IN THIRD JOHN

Church members have great potential and also can cause grave problems. Some are to be commended and others confronted. John does both in his third letter. 

Those commended serve as bookends to the one confronted. So, the Apostle commences and concludes the epistle on a positive note. The middle section pulls no punches in exposing a problem person in the congregation.

First, he describes GAIUS THE GENEROUS, (v. 1-8). Old John loved this man. He prayed for him to prosper materially and physically in measure as he did spiritually. He knew Gaius would be a good steward of his time, talent, and treasure, for Gaius had demonstrated his love for the Lord and support of the needy. John rejoiced in how Gaius was walking in the truth. He knew that when missionaries came to the church, Gaius would support them in their work. Such church people are a great joy to their pastor!  I have known many such generous souls across the years that God blessed in order for them to be a blessing. 

But, secondly, John turns to DIOTREPHES THE DOMINATOR, (v. 9-11). He was a “church boss,” a member who acted as a mobster. He sought the preeminent position of power. He wanted in the spotlight. His attitude was like that of some members I have known, “I was here when the preacher came and I will be here when he leaves—and if he doesn’t watch out, he will be gone sooner than later!”  Such are troublemakers who like to throw their weight around. They have a venomous tongue and spout “malicious words.” Such must be called out or they will do great harm to the Gospel work. Sadly, the Devil has these planted in many churches. 

Thirdly, the Apostle ends with a glowing word about DEMETRIUS THE DEVOUT, (v. 12-14). Those who knew him were quick to laud him. If you took the plumb-line of Scripture and placed it beside Demetrius, you would see how straight he was doctrinally and morally!  John was delighted in such devotion. As discouraging as a Diotrephes can be, a Demetrius is heartening. People like this fuel the pastors fire to go serve the Lord. They serve as deacons, teach Bible studies, care for children, prepare the building for the worship service, greet the newcomers, collect the offering, and on and on we might go. They are often unsung heroes who shun the spotlight, but the Lord is taking note and their reward waits in glory!

Thank God, that having pastored churches for around a half century, I have had the joy of seeing many generous and devoted souls like Gaius and Demetrius. I will admit I have been wounded by a few seeking domination, but when they demanded that I leave, so far they were the ones who eventually left!  So, preacher remember that those who are for you are usually more than those against you. Supremely, since God is for you, who can be against you?  If Diotrephes has his way and runs you off, shake the dust off your feet, and move on to your next assignment! Jesus—the only perfect Preacher was rejected, so we must not think we can please everyone!

LOVE, TRUTH, AND JOY

John was an old man—the last of the Twelve—who writes 2 John, this small, but substantive letter.  Was it literally written to a sister in Christ, or a church using symbolic language?  That debate will be for another time—for now, we recognize that it is eternal truth for us!  Three themes dominate the text: love, truth, and joy. 

We begin with LOVE, as John does. Love is used four times, (v. 1, 3, 5-6). In the first two, there is a connection to truth. Indeed, in the last two, there is the implication of truth, as love is spoken of as being commanded. Love and truth walk hand in hand. Love without truth is a toxic empathy—not really love. It is tolerating the intolerable, condoning the sinful, even celebrating the evil. It is tantamount to giving someone a pat on the back on their way to hell! Love cares enough to confront with truth, yet ever with a heart of compassion. I have never forgotten what John Maxwell said, “People do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” You can have a mouth full of theological propositions, but a heart empty of real compassion. 

So, we move on to TRUTH. Truth is mentioned five times, (v. 1 [twice], v. 2-4).  We may add a term synonymous with Gospel truth, and that is “doctrine,” referenced three times (twice in v. 9 and once in v. 10). In addition, the core of the letter is a call to confront error, (v. 7-11). While we must be reminded that love without truth is toxic empathy, truth without love is cruel brutality. We must, however, equip our people to discern deception and reject it. It is not nit-picking about peripheral matters where genuine Christians may disagree, but it is holding to courageous convictions concerning the core of Christianity. John speaks particularly of the doctrine of Christ. Every cult and false religion denies the incarnation—the Only Begotten Son of God, fully God and fully man—and the only Way, the sole Truth, and the unique source of Life. We are to do all we can to defeat such deception by wielding the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God!

Finally, John stresses JOY. Joy is referenced twice—once as “rejoiced,” (v. 4) and then as “joy,” in v. 12. Joy is the result of seeing the children of God walking in truth and love. Walking suggests progress—advancing in the things of God. Disciples have not arrived at perfection yet, for that awaits Heaven, but there ought to be progression in sanctification. Truth does not have to be taught with a scowl on the face and a growl in the voice. Doctrine ought to be declared with delight!  While, what I am sharing with you online I pray is helpful, there is nothing like being personally in the house of God with the people of God to hear the word of God as we engage in the worship of God for the glory of God!  John’s joy would be fully experienced as he saw his brothers and sisters face to face. May this be our reality on this Lord’s Day!

If you attend a liberal church where a false love is promoted to the exclusion of truth, get out as fast as you can!  Should you attend a legalistic church where truth is used to beat people down instead of lifting them up, find another church. If you attend a lifeless church, where it seems more like a funeral home than a joyful celebration, pray for revival to come, and if it does not, then go where you can rejoice in the Risen Lord! 

There are three other words that should claim our attention in John’s greeting: “Grace, mercy, and peace…from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,” (v. 3). The bottom line is this: our capacity to express God’s love, to expound God’s truth, and to experience His joy springs from a genuine experience of salvation. Grace is receiving what we do not deserve—eternal life; mercy is not getting what we do deserve—no condemnation, being forgiven; peace is what results from these—peace with the Father through the Son!

POWER IN PRAYER

Concerning prayer, when all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done. How many sermons have we heard about prayer? Have many studies have we done about prayer?  These are of value to be sure. Yet, as James warned us, we must be “doers of the Word and not hearers only,” (James 1:22). John states three principles in 1 John 5:14-15 that must be practiced to experience power in prayer.

First, we must ASK, “that if we ASK anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ASK, we know that we have the petitions that we have ASKED of Him.” [emphasis added]. James also told us, “you do not have because you do not ask,” (James 4:2c). Unasked prayers are unanswered prayers. Sin is at its depraved heart about the ego. We see in center of sin the letter, “I.”  When we pray, we are not informing God of that which He does not know.  Rather, we are admitting that we know we need Him and cannot handle things on our own. He is God and we are not. As a preacher, I have found it easier to speak to men about God than to speak to God about men. But, my preaching will be without power if I do not seek Him.

Second, we must ABIDE, “that if we ask anything according to HIS WILL, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we asked of Him.” [emphasis added]. Abiding in the will of God—being in submission to it—brings power in prayer. We are linked to Christ and can ask anything for we only want what He wills. Surely, John recalled these words from the lips of Jesus, ‬‬“If you ABIDE in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you,” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬‬, emphasis added). The will of God is expressed in the Word of God—a Book of “exceedingly great and precious promises,” (2 Pet 1:4). As we abide in that Word so it abides in us, then we find ourselves abiding in Christ and in His will, which far from limiting our prayers, liberates our prayers to ask for absolutely anything. 

Third, we must ANTICIPATE, “Now this is the CONFIDENCE that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if WE KNOW that He hears us, whatever we ask, WE KNOW that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”  Our anticipation is to receive an answer. Faith is the foundation on which powerful praying rests. Our confidence in God’s power to answer and purpose for answering flips the switch that unleashes the energy of Omnipotence! Man says, “I will believe it when I see it,” but God responds, “You’ll see it when you believe it!” Our Lord—who cannot lie—stated it, “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive,” (‭‭Matt.‬ ‭21‬:‭22‬‬). I suspect that one day when I stand before the Lord, I will be disappointed in knowing that I did not ask God for too much, but too little. He has limitless power, but my experience of that will be limited by my unbelief. Some of the most shocking words in Scripture are these: “Now [Jesus] could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.” (Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭6‬). 

May we fervently and faithfully ask, abide, and anticipate power in prayer!