Three Warnings From The Master
Revelation 2:1-17
Here are three
dangerous conditions about which the Lord Jesus Christ gives plain warning. Let
all who have ears to hear heed the Master’s warnings.
1.
Apostasy From Our First Love
The Lord Jesus
Christ says, "I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (2:4). Does the
Son of God speak these words to me? Are they addressed to you? The Ephesians
were zealous in good works, patient in the trials and afflictions of life, and
thoroughly orthodox in doctrine. But there was a dreadful decay in the matter
of love to Christ! Are we like the Ephesians? Does our love for Christ decline?
Do we find ourselves more and more concerned about the cares of this world and
less and less concerned about Christ? Repent! Turn anew to Christ! Renounce all
but him and set your affection on him alone (Col. 3:1-3).
2.
The Doctrine Of Balaam (2:14)
When Balak
called for Balaam to curse Israel,
God restrained him. Much to Balak's disgust, God forced Balaam to bless his
people (Num. 22-24). Yet, Israel
became involved in the worship of Baal (Num. 25:1-3) as the result of Balaam’s
counsel (Num. 31:16). Balaam’s doctrine is compromise with the religion of the
world. He did not advise Israel
to give up the worship of Jehovah. He simply told them it would be wise to
accept the worship of Baal and go along with the religious customs, traditions,
and practices of their pagan neighbors (Num. 25:1-9). Be warned! Compromise
with false religion is damning to the souls of men. Compromise is the way of
least resistance, the way approved of by the world, the way that is easiest on
the flesh. But any compromise of God's truth is an outright denial of Christ (2
Cor. 6:14-7:1). We must never give
any credibility to the religion of this world. The only way to remove the
offense of the gospel is to deny the gospel. Those who preach man’s free will
deny God’s sovereignty. Those who preach salvation by the will, works, or worth
of the sinner deny salvation by grace. Those who preach universal atonement
deny the efficacy of Christ's blood. Those who preach universal grace deny the
efficacy of God's saving grace. Such people may talk about grace, redemption,
and salvation; but their doctrine is free will and works, and results in
damnation to all who follow them in the way of Balaam. We must never seek
agreement with such men, even in the name of peace, unity, and brotherly love.
The only way we who believe the gospel can get along with those who do not is
for us to deny the gospel. That we must not do!
3.
The Doctrine Of The Nicolaitanes (2:15)
The Nicolaitanes
were a group of heretics in John's day who taught that it was alright for
believers to engage in the sexual immoralities of pagan religions. They
"committed fornication, adultery, and all uncleanness, and had their wives
in common, and also ate things offered to idols" (John Gill). They were
antinomians. They were lawless, licentious rebels who wore the name of
Christianity. These people really were antinomian, opposed the law of God. Their
doctrine was, "Let us sin that grace may abound. Since we are saved by
grace, it does not matter how we live." I know that any man who preaches
salvation by grace alone will be accused of antinomianism (Rom.
3:8). It is not possible to preach redemption, justification, and
sanctification by grace alone, through the merits of Christ alone, without some
legalist crying, "That is antinomianism! That will lead to
licentiousness!" Yet, the fact remains that anyone who really is an
antinomian is lost. God's elect seek holiness and righteousness. They are not
self-willed, licentious rebels. Their hearts and lives are ruled by the love of
Christ.; and that prevents lawlessness.
Don Fortner