Flies in the Ointment

I didn't want you all to miss Worship Wednesday, so I posted it here. Enjoy.

Dead flies in perfume make it stink, And a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 The Message

King Solomon has been called the wisest man that ever lived. Even before he asked the Lord for wisdom, he was a man with some sense. A foolish man would have asked for gold, silver, land, and many women to satisfy his carnal appetites. The unwise would have no restraint in his use of these acquisitions. His contentment would be short lived.

Solomon wound up with wisdom and all the trimmings. He was also known as the wealthiest man of his time. There was no shortage of women in his life either. Scripture records that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Just how could one man handle 1000 women in his household????? Men today would like to know. lol.

He may have married some for love, but many were little more than political pawns to advance his objectives. Others he acquired as booty (no pun intended) from his conquests.
Still others were gifts from neighboring kings and magistrates. These women became the beginning of the end for him. In the following verses we see that God gave Solomon some strict commands concerning women. Verse 4 is the sad outcome of his poor choices.

2Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
3And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. I Kings 11:2 - 4 KJV

You see my friends, even the gifts of God can be marred by their misuse or neglect. Solomon had every advantage as long as he was using the wisdom God gave him. As long as he was obedient to the Lord, he acted responsibly. No doubt he began to worship idol gods to appease the foreign wives. He probably funded many pagan feasts and activities. Perhaps he helped many with solid advice. Certainly he left a cache of help for future generations.

Look at the books of Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. They are insightful, educational, powerful, and proven. But they are of little value to us if we do not take heed to them. If we are disobedient we will miss out on all the God has for us. Even our offspring can suffer from our lack of commitment.

11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. I Kings 11:11, 12 KJV

"There’s no use offering me sweet frankincense from Sheba. Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands! I will not accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for me." Jeremiah 6:20 NLT

Don't let anything ruin your fragrance!

Church of Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22

Christ’s Introduction: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, and ruler of creation.
Reveals: Christ has the final say so. He is one that will always speak the truth. He is the one with authority and control over all creation.

Affirmations: None concerning their works, but He did show his love to them through rebuke and discipline vs19

Faults/sins: Not hot or cold. No zeal. Works were ineffective. vs. 15,16 They were deceived in believing they were blessed when they were not in a righteous position to be blessed. They were self-satisfied and indifferent to their need for authentic discipleship and ministry. The Laodiceans were puffed up in their self-sufficiency. Their faults were obvious to everyone but themselves. They were blind to their own deficiencies. vs. 17,18

Penalties/Instructions: They were soon to be excluded from the Lord’s presence if they did not change.vs16 Christ counseled them to obtain gold, white raiment, and eye salve from Him; rather than the material wealth that they possessed. In doing so they would cover their shame with purity and their eyes would be open to discern the truth. vs. 17,18 With His rebuke he exhorted them to be sincere in their repentance.

Promises: To the repentant who invited Him in, Christ would enter and engage in sweet fellowship. Vs19 The overcomer would receive the right/privilege to reign and rule w/Christ.

Link of intro w/penalties &promises: Christ has all authority to enforce penalties or grant rewards. He is the One who speaks to God on behalf of the people.

Application: Self-reliance =Self-satisfaction=self-deception. Self-deception leads to loss of zeal and complacency. Complacency leads to ineffective service and lack of progress. If a church is not maturing it is going backward. Rather than leading others to salvation it will pull others into it’s deception.

This church could be characterized as magnet of materialism for those having no incentive to actually work in and for the kingdom. One with an 'anything goes' message requiring no commitment.
Additional reference: Luke 16:15 NIV “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

The Church of Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6

Christ's Introduction: Rev 3:1 The One who has the 7 spirits and holds the 7 stars. Again, the 7 stars are the angels of the churches.

Reveals: The word 'hold' in reference to the stars/churches, indicates His control over them. As for the 7 spirits of God, the NIV footnote inserts "seven-fold Spirit of God" Regardless of which rendering is correct, the idea of the fullness of the Spirit can be drawn from the use of the number 7. Seven being the number of completion.
The words "I know" follow His introduction to each of the churches. Of course this indicates His omniscience. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Affirmations: Previous works that built a good reputation for the church. vs 1 Some good qualities remain. vs 2 There are a few saints w/pure hearts. vs 4

Faults/sins: No longer a thriving church. vs 1 Works incomplete & good works declining.vs 2
Continuing to exist as a church- under false pretense. Living in the past/reputation rather than perpetuating new life in the church.

Instructions/penalties: Wake up. Examine your condition. Instead of letting true ministry wane, build up the truth. vs 2 Remember your faith and doctrine. (what you have heard- faith comes by hearing....) Repent! Change directions. Choose faith and sound doctrine over the things that are killing your ministry. If you don't watch i.e. prepare yourself, you will be surprised as my judgements come upon you.

Promises: The pure will walk w/Christ as worthy recipients of eternal life. vs 4 Christ Himself will be witness to their worthiness. vs 5

Link- Intro w/penalties & promises: The all -knowing One will be the one to determine the churches fate; be it cursed or blessed. He has the power to release or withhold the spirits and angels to minister to the churches.

Application: A good reputation is gained through consistent service over the course of time. That reputation will become blemished and useless when the service is no longer up to par. It is better to have no reputation at all and to be building one, than to loose it through poor judgement and complacency. If a church is not thriving it is dying.

This church could be characterized as a nominal one that was content w/past experiences rather than present efforts and future goals. It could be described as 'having a form of godliness, yet denying (not possessing) the power thereof.' II Timothy 2:5

Church of Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

Christ's Introduction: Son of God, with eyes like fire, and feet like burnished bronze Rev 2:18
Reveals: His Deity as the Messiah, His eyes that penetrate and discern all things, His feet or foundation has been tried in the fire and is hardened and unbreakable.

Affirmations: good works of charity/love, service, faithfulness, and patience. He acknowledges that the church has made some advancement. Rev 2:24- some have been partakers of the false doctrine being promoted in their midst.

Faults/Sins: Allowed a false prophetess to remain in leadership; teaching a doctrine of sexual immorality and condoning participation in pagan feasts/activities.

Penalties: Suffering to the false prophetess and her followers, death to her children (those she had begotten in her adulterous relations) perhaps not only her biological children but her spiritual offspring. Each will reap the wages of their works. vs 23

Instructions: To the ones who had not followed her nor accepted the doctrine she taught: Hold on to the little discernment you do have. Don't fall prey to her deception. Don't give up the true doctrine that you possess.

Promises: No additional burden given to the righteous ones. The promises given are with the following condition: they must continue in righteousness until the end. Authority over nations means they will rule with Him. verse 27 is a quotation from Psalms 2:9 speaking of the authority and power of the Messiah. The church is also promised the morning star. The darkness of their present circumstances will be replaced with His glorious light. Rev 22:16 Christ refers to Himself as the morning star.

Application: No church or individual can have authority outside of their submission to Christ's authority. Failure to expel impostors from the church will bring suffering and death.

This church could be characterized as one that had fallen prey to an idolatrous cult leader. It was a church of compromise taking the path of least resistance.

Additional reference regarding discipline in the church: I Corinthians 5:11-13

The Church of Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17

Christ's introduction: One who holds the sharp two-edged sword. One who knows where they live both physically and spiritually. Rev 2:12,13
Reveals: Christ equipped and ready to separate the false prophets from the true.

Affirmations: Some had been faithful to Christ in days of persecution and martyrdom.

Faults/sins: The church tolerated people (perhaps leaders) who held to false and seducing doctrines.

Instructions/Penalties: Repent. Christ will do battle and cut down the unrepentant.

Promises to overcomers: will receive some of the hidden manna- strength for the days ahead; a white stone w/a new name on it- no longer will they be known as part of a sinful divided church; the new name that only they will know may indicate that only they will understand the full meaning of their new name. Much like the person who is saved is the only one that knows the fullness of his own pardon. That new name will show the overcomer's relationship w/Christ.

Application: God is not pleased w/a church divided. Those who tolerate false doctrine are just as guilty as those who pedal it.

This church could be characterized as a politically correct church, tolerating false doctrine at the expense of Christ's approval.

---Again, I want to say that these posts are not meant to be exhaustive in anyway, there is much more to explore in regards to the geography, culture, historical data, etc. These are merely gleanings taken directly from the text.

Church of Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

Christ’s Introduction: Rev 2:8 The first and last, once dead, but now alive.
Reveals: Christ's eternal existence and His resurrection power.

Affirmations: Rev 2:9 works, survivors of tribulations, poverty, and slander

Faults/sins Rev 2:9 poor self-image/estimation of worth, possibly fear since they are told not to fear in verse 10

Instructions: Rev2:10 Don’t fear, be faithful through imprisionment, trials, and tribulations even unto the point of death. Forcast of severe tribulation for 10 days.

Promises to the overcomer: Will not be harmed by 2nd death, will receive a crown of life

Link of intro w/promise: Christ’s power over death will give the overcomer eternal life

Application: No matter how impoverished in this life, if we have Christ we are rich.
The resurrection power of Christ will raise the dead.
Additional references: Philippians 3:10,11 Romans 8 :11

This church could be characterized as a missionary type church that had become in-grown. A church experiencing dire hardships, and expecting more. They did however have the opportunity to overcome and receive eternal life.

The Church of Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Christ's Introduction: One who holds the 7 stars (angels of the churches) Rev 1:20 and One who walks in the midst (Rev 1:13) of the 7 candlesticks (the 7 churches) Rev 1:20
Reveals: Christ's protection and control of the churches

Affirmations: good works, perseverance in labors, patience, endurance, abhorrence of evil, tested and exposed false apostles, hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (name means: to consume the people) Rev 2:2,3,6

Faults/Sins: left their first love, fallen from a higher standing or relationship w/Christ, lost zeal of service and commitment Rev2:4,5

Penalties & Instructions: Remember prior relationship/commitment, Repent (change direction), Do first works- Return to prior level of service/ put back in order Rev 2:5
Failure to do these things will result in the removal of the church from Christ's presence.

Promises to overcomers: Access to the Tree of Life which is in Paradise/eternal life in the place of fellowship w/Christ. Rev 2:7

Link- intro w/penalties & promises: He who holds the angels of the churches and walks in the midst of the churches, determines the eternal position of the same.

Application: True love and worship can be lost in the wake of service/works. Works will never replace relationship.

This church could be characterized as a traditional church complete with programs yet lacking love. With out love, this church had lost it's vitality; it could be called a 'has-been' church. One that had replaced true Christian service with man's traditions, much like the scribes of
Matthew 15:6..."Thus you have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."