The Holy Spirit and Life in the Church

 

but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN, AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us, God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows [understands, comprehends] the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows [understands] except the Spirit of God.      1 Corinthians 2:9-11

The Apostle Paul understood the role and power of the Holy Spirit like no other New Testament writer. One of the most important of these is the ability to understand and comprehend truth. Paul identifies that this kind of understanding comes to those who love God. Without this understanding, divine truths would never be perceived, never mind understood. The rational mind, even one of superior intellect, is incapable since the Holy Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Only the Spirit of God has access to an understanding of divine truth.

Mysteries of the Kingdom

In Matthew 12:22-29, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute so that he could see and speak. As a result, the Pharisees accused Jesus of being under the influence of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Jesus creatively addressed their accusations when he said, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?” This accusation and denial caused Jesus to change his method of teaching by utilizing parables as a means of revealing the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" Jesus answered them, "To you, it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been granted. "For whoever has, to him, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore, I speak to them in parables because while seeing, they do not see, and while hearing, they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE, THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.' But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.               Matthew 13:10-17

In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke eight parables dealing with the kingdom of heaven. The first, teaching about the word of the kingdom, is found in both Mark and Luke, and it may be the most important dynamic of the kingdom of heaven. The disciples were surprised, asking Jesus why He was now teaching in parables. He explained that this teaching method would allow the hearer to perceive the deeper truths of the kingdom of heaven if the hearer received the teaching with the proper heart attitude. He was exposing the Pharisees and their lack of a proper heart toward what Jesus was speaking. They had closed their eyes and become dull of hearing; they didn’t receive His teaching as the truth. In Matthew 13:23, He taught, “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word [logos – divine declaration] and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." Fruit is the evidence of truth.

Seven Churches of Revelation 

In Revelation 2 and 3, the Apostle John records seven letters addressed to seven different real churches located in Asia Minor with Jesus’s commendations and concerns. Each letter ends with the statement, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Each letter spoke of a different name or characteristic of Jesus, along with His encouragement and issues that required attention. In each case, Jesus addressed overcomers and their accompanying rewards.

Many scholars recognize the seven churches as typical of different churches in each age. In addition, they see these seven churches representing the general spirit of churches of different ages since the institution of the church at Pentecost. The first church is Ephesus, representing churches during the apostolic age (1^st and early 2^nd centuries). The seventh of these churches is Laodicea, which characterizes churches in current times. With the advent of heresies introduced in the latter part of the first century, the four Gospels and Apostolic letters circulated among the churches, teaching accurate doctrine. A church needs to stand firm on sound teaching to maintain the power and authority of Christ. The Holy Spirit is central to this process.

Ephesus – the Apostolic Church

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false, and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left [aphiemi - sent away, dismissed] your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place [the church would cease to exist]—unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans [corrupt doctrine], which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'         Revelation 2:1-7

Jesus, the One who holds the seven stars (pastors), identifies above that they were a church that persevered and did not tolerate evil men, those who represented themselves as prophets but were rather false teachers. He commends them for having endured for My name's sake and have not grown weary. They remained faithful to this calling, but they have left their first love. This word aphiemi – dismissed - means it is not by accident. What is first love? The devotion to Christ so often characterizes the new believer: fervent, personal, uninhibited, excited, and openly displayed. A living faith must be kept on fire. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of burning (Isaiah 4:4), keeps the believer’s focus on the truth and sound doctrine. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). The overcomer will enjoy all the benefits of eternal life. 

Smyrna – the Persecuted Church

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead and has come to life, says this: 'I know [see] your tribulation [thlipsis – under great pressures from evils, affliction, distress] and your poverty (but you are rich [lacking nothing]), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison so that you will be tested and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful [pistos – true fidelity] until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'            Revelation 2:8-11

Jesus is referred to as the first and the last, who was dead and has come to life, the eternal one who lives. Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) is one of two churches to which Jesus expressed no concerns. The persecution and tribulations the church consistently encountered made it appear poor, but in actuality, it lacked nothing. The Holy Spirit was warning them of false teachers (of the synagogue of Satan - evil) in their midst and that they did not need to fear their blasphemies. He was preparing them for a period of suffering that would test their resolve in their commitment to the faith with the expectation of a reward, the crown of life. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline [sophronismós - self-discipline, sound mind] (2 Timothy 1:7). The overcomer will have full assurance of his eternal life.  

Pergamum – the State Church

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. So, you also have some who, in the same way, hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent [metanoeo], or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'                     Revelation 2:12-17

To Pergamum, Jesus is characterized as the sharp two-edged sword, a clear reference to Him as the logos, the Word of God. He commends them for holding fast His name and not denying the faith, including identifying Antipas as a great witness. Jesus’s concerns center on the deviant teaching of Balaam (and also the Nicolaitans), explained as immorality and the worship of idols. As with Ephesus, the command is to repent (change the mind), the result of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit [the sword of My mouth], which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The overcomer will receive hidden manna (the bread of heaven), a white stone [an allusion to the Urim & Thummin, used to find the will of God], and a new name [some scholars believe it is YHWH, the name of God].

Thyatira – Middle Ages Church

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts, and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless, what you have, hold fast until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'                Revelation 2:18-29 

Thyatira was a city of Asia Minor, on the northern border of Lydia, about twenty-seven miles from Sardis, and known today as Ak-Hissar, or the white castle. Jesus is described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, emphasizing Jesus as a judge. Like previous churches, sound doctrine is central to the health of each church. This church was being exposed and subjected to teaching like Pergamum, which encouraged immorality and idol worship. Although they exercised love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first, they needed to repent of Jezebel’s teaching. This was similar to Corinth, who accepted immoral behavior (leaven) in the midst (1 Corinthians 5). Jesus’s encouragement was to hold fast until I come. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, Do not quench [extinguish] the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. The promise to overcomers is that they would reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12) and the morning star order. 

Sardis – the Reformation Church 

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So, remember what you have received and heard, and keep it, and repent. Therefore, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'                 Revelation 3:1-6

He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars references the Holy Spirit and the seven pastors. The church was religious but not spiritual; they were alive but dead. They were going through the motions, failing to complete the work. We see the same encouragement to this church: remember what you have received and heard, keep it, and repent [change your mind]. Jesus warned them that their outward conformity to the faith did not transform their minds or lives, a work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). Judgment would appear like a thief. Jesus acknowledged that a few people would devote themselves to life in the Spirit. Overcomers will be ordained with white garments (righteousness of the saints), and their names confessed before the Father and angels.

Philadelphia – the Missionary Church 

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep [tereo – guard] you from [ek – out of] the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore, and 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 My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'            Revelation 3:7-13

He who is holy [consecrated], who is true [the Truth], who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens. The reference is to Isaiah 22:22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so, he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open. It speaks of the government on his shoulders as the coming Messiah (Isaiah 9:6-7) and the measure of authority He exercises. Like Smyrna, Jesus has no condemnations for Philadelphia. The one who opens all doors presents an open door for all to pass through, all those empowered by the Holy Spirit and keep the word of His perseverance. Many scholars believe that the hour of testing or temptation refers to the seven-year Tribulation and that this kind of church would avoid it altogether (ek – out of the tribulation). Jesus again encourages them to hold fast what you have so that no one will take your crown. In every church age, spiritual warfare centers on understanding and holding fast to that understanding of truth, administered by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). Overcomers become a pillar in the temple, immovable foundations of life in the new Jerusalem.

Laodicea – the Apostate Church 

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"          Revelation 3:14-22

The Amen [sovereignty of God], the faithful and true Witness [in contrast to many false witnesses], the Beginning of the creation of God speaks of the authority Jesus has over all creation (Matthew 28:18). The Laodicean church, referencing the modern church, had many issues that caused Jesus to say that this church was so distasteful that He would “spit you out of My mouth.” These conditions are found in verses 17 & 18, where they are found to be rich, having become wealthy, and do not recognize a need for anything. Rather, He tells them that they are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. How could it be that they were so rich and yet so poor? The riches attained by the church and its people had caused them to be unaware of the underlying depravity of mankind, as illustrated by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:10-18. 

These people were deceived into believing that their participation in the church was all they needed to be spiritual; they could continue enjoying the riches and treasures of the world, contrary to what Jesus prayed in John 17:15-16, that they were not to be of this world. The process of sanctification is through His Word (John 17:17), defined as being separated from the world for God’s purposes (which is the very definition of the Greek word “hagiozo"). Jesus told them that they needed to be zealous and repent, that they needed to buy gold refined by fire (gold refers to true riches of God – Zodhiates), white garments for clothing (white garments speak of holiness and sanctification), and eye salve to anoint your eyes (eye salve meaning a need for healing of spiritual understanding). The people of God were not experiencing God! 

Jesus promises the overcomer to sit down with Me on My throne and to reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12). They will assist the Lord during the Millennial Kingdom in overseeing life until the end. Jesus spoke of this person in Matthew 25:14-29, the parable of the talents. In verse 21, His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' When the Holy Spirit leads the believer, he learns how to be faithful with a few things.