What’s the problem with lukewarm? (Revelation 1-5)

1:9

As members of the church, are we entitled to a charmed, magical life? Are we protected from the "normal" trials that happen everyday to the rest of the world? Are we somehow immune to grief and disappointment and crisis? No, we are not.

"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." John introduces himself here as "your brother and companion in tribulation." John, as an apostle, was living the gospel more purely than most. That didn't prevent tribulation in his life. It doesn't for us either.

It's interesting that he is "in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ." I get that, as a member of the church, he is part of the kingdom. But, what does it mean that he is "in the patience of Jesus Christ." I believe that being followers of Jesus Christ is enduring the trials of life with faithful patience. Our testimonies aren't rocked by struggle. We don't expect special treatment as disciples of Christ. In fact, John is suggesting that there may be additional struggle as a disciple.

Case in point: John has been exiled to the Island of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." He is experiencing additional suffering because he is a valiant disciple. None of us should expect special protection as a disciple. As we watch The Chosen, it's striking how much the apostles had to deal with. It was a little shocking to consider that they slept on the ground and had to worry about what to eat. They were likely tempted to think that, as companions to the Messiah, that they would enjoy some special worldly privileges. They didn't and we won't.

The growth that comes from struggle are available to all. This life would be pointless if there was a lane free of tribulation. Sure, the gospel prevents some "unforced errors" like unplanned pregnancy or drug addiction. However, the gospel does not keep us from sickness, pain, depression, injury, disease, job loss, etc. Disciples of Jesus Christ will experience all of these no differently than the worst heathen.

In fact, there will come a time when members of the church suffer in ways that the world won't. There will be persecution for being believers. We will be shunned and attacked. Life, in many ways, will become rougher for members of the church. I'm really sounding like Debbie Downer.

Chapter 2&3

These two chapters are essentially seven messengers directly from the Lord to seven congregations. They each follow a similar pattern:

• An introduction from the Lord.

• What the Lord knows about the group.

• Some correction.

• An invitation/promise.

Here it is separated:

I am going to write some thoughts about these.

2:2-3

There are some key points about what the Lord knows about Ephesus.

• "Thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience." These people were doing things. They were serving. They were preaching. They were making good choices. They were bearing the burden of being disciples with patience.

• "How thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars." They didn't listen to those who claimed to be apostles but were not. It sounds like they experimented with what they had said and determined that they were false. They couldn't "bear them which are evil." This is good that they didn't tolerate wicked folks around them.

• "And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." They experienced tribulation and bore it with patience. They worked for the gospel of Jesus.

The Lord also had some concerns. "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." It sounds like they weren't acting as they did when they were first converted. They had lost some enthusiasm. Perhaps they were going through the motions and had lost the passion.

We've seen this happen with many converts. We see this with ourselves sometimes. We attend an amazing meeting or watch general conference and feel emotions. We recommit and set new goals. But, as the days go by, we lose that emotion. It happens to all of us - not just Ephesus.

2:9

To Smyrna, he wrote, "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." What would Jesus say to you about what he knows? He could say it all. He knows what we're going through. Not only that, he feels what we are feeling. He knows what we are doing and what we are struggling with.

The poor enjoy the riches of humility. Through the Lord's eyes, the humble are rich in the things that matter. Poverty is rarely a bad thing from the Lord's perspective.

As always, Jesus hates hypocrisy. He calls out those who say they are one thing but are something different.

2:13-15

Jesus is impressed with how the people of Pergamos are holding onto their faith irregardless of where they are. "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." It's very hard to be surrounded by wickedness and not deny our faith. It takes valiant effort and diligence to maintain righteousness when others around you are offering various opportunities to sin. It's not ideal but impressive that these disciples were able to do it.

However, they are allowing some confusion to enter in. "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." These are those who aren't in open rebellion are often tolerated. In this case, the people simply "hast there them..." We must be careful about who we invite into our homes or congregations.

All visitors are welcome. But, those who teach false doctrine or speak up against the church should not be allowed where they could gain a following that is contrary to the restored gospel. It may be harsh in some situations and not feel Christlike - but Christ himself followed this principle. It's one thing to live among wicked people, it's another to invite them into our classroom.

2:19-20

It sounds like the people of Thyatira were good. "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first." The NLV translates this to "I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things." That makes more sense.

I would love this list spoken about me. Charity, faith and patient endurance are attritubes we should all be actively working on developing. However, their kindness extended too far when it came to Jezebel. "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." They "sufferest that woman Jezebel." They allowed her to lead people astray. This goes along with what the Lord said to the people of Pergamos. They were allowing those who could be bad influences to be among them.

This is going to be a bigger problem for the church in coming days. There will be situations where someone will want to talk about the problems with the church during testimony meeting. Or, they will actively debate during Sunday School the truthfulness of the gospel. Folks will be bringing up all of the foilables of past prophets. We are going to have to circle the wagons a little tighter against those who would be a bad influence on the impressionable. I see a day when testimony meeting is no longer.

Of course, this tighter control will be viewed negatively by critics of the church.

2:24-25

"But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come." Again, I like the NLV translation better. "But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching, ('deeper truths," as they call them - depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come."

We are going to see an increased focus on deeper doctrine. We are going to see an increase in those who think they are deeper thinkers than the rest of us. There will be many who view those who simply follow the basic principles of the gospel as naive and sheep. I've listened to critics of the church view speak disparagingly about faithful members. They assume that we must not know about the supposed problems with our faith. In the face of this, many faithful members will struggle in their progress.

Jesus is asking them, and us, to simply hold onto the faith that we have. We must hold our ground and not let the many critics of the church push us back. There are many who are losing their faith in the face of critics. Hold on to your testimonies folks.

3:1

"I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." We may be able to fool our friends and neighbors and ward members, but we do not fool God. We can have a solid public reputation but our secret actions don't match.

This is where God would rather that we are hot or cold than lukewarm. He'd rather that we are righteous and stay that way. Or, wicked, then come to our senses and repent. Being cold is uncomfortable and we tend to change something when we are uncomfortable. But, we can stay in a lukewarm bath for a long time and be pretty comfortable. There isn't a strong reason to change anything.

In 3:15-16, we read, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

When we maintain a public facade but sin privately, we are lukewarm. We are in a condition where we are generally comfortable because of our public persona. Dangerous stuff.

3:2

"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." How aware are we of our strengths and weaknesses. What aspects of our testimony or spiritual strength are hanging on by fingernails?

Some of us have lost our testimonies. Some are on the verge. I think John is encouraging us to strengthen the faith that we have. For many converts, when the excitement of conversion is over, they start to fall away. They aren't doing things that continually strengthen their testimonies. This is why John says to "remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent." We all should remember why we ever were converted and ponder how it felt to first receive the gospel fully.

John further explains in 3:11, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." We must remember that the only way we lose our testimonies is if we give it up willingly. No person can force it from us. No past event or conspiracy theory can force our testimonies from our heads and hearts. If we hold fast to what we believe, nothing and no one can pry our faith from us.

3:8

To the church in Philadelphia, he writes, "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." The gospel is an open door. There isn't any pre qualifications to believing in Jesus Christ. It is not an exclusive club where you must have the right last name. No man can keep us from the love of Jesus Christ. No man can cut us off from heaven.

"...for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." God knows how much spiritual strength we have. Why do some of us have less spiritual strength than others? I don't know. I'm not sure if it's nurture or nature. Is it how we're raised or our spiritual development that carries into this life. All I know is that God is fair in how he judges our performance in this life.

I also know that all deficiencies can be made up through Jesus Christ. If we are not strong, that will change in time. It is inevitable if we place our trust and faith in Jesus.

3:17-18

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." I've written this many times. The problem with being wealthy is it can mask our wretchedness. A sinful person who lives in a dumpy apartment may have motivation to change his circumstances - beginning with spirituality. They are uncomfortable in their current situations and what it to change.

But, if a sinful person lives in luxury, the need to change something is far less obvious. It they believe that financial success is the goal, then they are winning. When we have what we need, we believe we "have need of nothing." Those who aren't needy don't need anyone else - including Jesus or God. The wealthy must be wary.

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." This is about perspective. It's about making the things that are important, important. It's about knowing what type of "gold" is eternally valuable. It's about our clothing not being stylish but "white raiment." It's about anointing our eyes with eye salve that we might be able to see things as they are.

This takes a lot of effort and constant reminders of what truly matters. If we are not doing some kind of daily devotional to reset our perspective in an eternal way, we can lose our way quickly.

3:19

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." We know that, if we love someone, we will correct them when they get off course.

The second part is the key I think. The Lord talks about being zealous. Remember, these are the same people that Jesus wished they were hot or cold. Their problem wasn't excessive sinning. Their sin was apathy. They weren't fully committed. They were going through the motions. Does this sound like some Elder's quorums here in Utah where it's a struggle for many to simply do their ministering assignments? Or sign up for a cannery shift? Or show up to help someone move?

3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." The Lord is always at our door. He doesn't leave and go to another town - maybe to return another year. He stands and waits - ready to come in as soon as we open the door.

It's nice that he says he will "sup with him, and he with me." Who do we eat meals with? Almost always, it's someone who we have a relationship with. It is usually family or close friends. If we will open the door to Jesus, we can enjoy a close relationship with him. It isn't a master/servant or employer/employee relationship. He is family. We can experience a sincere, real, full relationship with the Savior or all mankind.

3:21

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." We all have something to overcome. There isn't anyone who isn't overcoming something.

The standard things to overcome are:

• Health issues.

• Family crisis.

• Addiction.

• Immorality.

• Financial disasters.

• Violence.

• Persecution.

These are the big issues that are a part of mortality that we can, with the help of the Savior, overcome. However, there are more subtle challenges that we must also overcome:

• Laziness and apathy.

• Pride and selfishness.

• Faithlessness.

• Focus on worldly things.

These are weaknesses that can make us lukewarm. The first list makes us cold and is more uncomfortable. The second list is room temperature and can be comfortable - comfortable enough to live with for an entire lifetime. We can life our lives not feeling like we must overcome any of these problems.

But, for us to sit with Jesus and our Heavenly Father in their thrones, we must overcome all things. We cannot love like they love and serve how they serve if we have any degree of laziness, pride, selfishness, etc. We must overcome all things.

Here's a little gospel according to Eric. I think that, in some ways, it will be very easy to be lukewarm in the spirit world. I think there will still be plenty of distractions without the physical challenges of mortality. I believe that it is easier to live a life of leisure there. We won't have to earn a living or exercise or buy food or commute to work. We can just rest if we want. I've got to overcome my laziness before I get to that world because the temptation to do nothing will be great.

5:11-13

"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

I think it's clear that we all worshipped and were grateful for Jesus. What Jesus has done for us has no comparison. He is like us but is unlike us in his power and righteousness. He ascended higher than any of us did. He was worthy of his high calling. We worshipped him in the premortal world, we worship him now, and we will worship him forever. There will never be a point that we will reminisce about how we felt about Jesus. That feeling of gratitude will permeate eternity.