Burunche’s Blog

Revelations 1:1 – 3 “This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.”

Revelations is the last book of the Bible and is probably the one least read! Some people avoid Revelations because they find it frightening or baffling. But skipping Revelations is a mistake because there is a great deal of teaching, guidance, and encouragement to be gotten from this book.

Yesterday I described John’s situation on the Island of Patmos. Exiled to become slave labor in the marble quarries of this bleak island, John found himself receiving marvelous messages from God. Remember that John was the disciple who was closest to Jesus and to whom Jesus revealed many things. As one of the elders in the church, John had served Jesus for many years and was noted for his deep prayer life as well as for his emphasis on love. One other thing that was essential to John: he was very humble. And it was this very humility and this closeness to Jesus that prepared John to receive the visions captured in Revelations.

“This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” David Guzik in Enduring Word Commentaries writes, “The ancient Greek word translated Revelation is apokalupsis (apocalypse). The word simply means “a revealing, an unveiling.” The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the sense that it belongs to Him, He is the one doing the revealing. It is also Jesus’  Revelation in the sense that He is the object revealed; Jesus is the person revealed by the book.”

Guzik continues, “From the outset, we are given the most important truth about the Book of Revelation. This book shows us the Antichrist, it shows us God’s judgment, it shows us calamity on the earth, and it shows us Mystery Babylon in vivid detail. Most of all, it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to us. If we catch everything else, but miss Jesus in the book, we miss the Book of Revelation.” (For a really in – depth discussion of this chapter, see Guzik’s teaching on line at: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/revelation-1/

“To show his servants…” Ever since Jesus was taken up into heaven, his followers had been wondering what would happen next and when he would return. Acts 1:9-11 describes Jesus’ ascension. “After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” But Jesus ascended into heaven more than 60 years ago and none of his followers knew when he would return. Part of the purpose of Revelations was to encourage the followers to be patient and wait for God’s perfect will to be carried out on the earth.

“He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw.” Throughout the Bible, men and women encounter angels. During New Testament times, there were many recorded instances of angels rescuing various disciples. Even today, there is intense interest in angels as evidenced by the popularity of the television program “Touched By an Angel,” and the magazine “Angels on Earth.” While some of us might have difficulty believing in angels, these encounters are very real. What’s so important about John? John undoubtedly had a reputation for honesty and integrity and was someone on whose word people could rely.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.” In those days, there were many who were illiterate or who might not speak the language in which a letter was originally written. Those of us who work in Northern Ghana have had to become accustomed to being translated into at least one or more languages whenever we are teaching or preaching. John is invoking a blessing on those reading and translating as well as those listening and obeying. Obedience is key; it is not enough simply to listen and then to leave unchanged.

”…the time is near…” Some translations read “shortly,” indicating that when the time for the fulfillment of the prophecy arrives, things will happen suddenly. Revelations is a prophetic book, but the time line of the prophecies is not specific. In Acts 1:7 Jesus told his disciples, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.”

How can we view Revelations? The key word is “obedience.” As we study this book, there may be things that are baffling; however, we should open our hearts and minds to receive those truths that we can understand and to act on them. One Southern lady of my acquaintance was fond of saying that she would “chew up the meat and spit out the bones.” As we learn and obey what we can understand, God will give us more knowledge.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for every book in the Bible. Thank you that you have promised to give us wisdom and understanding if we will ask for it. Please open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts so that we can enjoy studying Revelations and learn what you have for us. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Revelations 1:1 – 3 “This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.”

Although John was the only one of Jesus’ original disciples who did not die as a martyr, he still endured great suffering. The Island of Patmos was a small island (6 miles x 10 miles) between Greece and Turkey that was noted for its marble quarries. Enemies of the Roman Empire were frequently sent to Patmos, there to toil and suffer and die ignominious deaths. Today, photos of Patmos show an island having white houses shining in the Aegean sun surrounded by a brilliant blue sea. At the time of John, a visitor described it as a “sterile island,” having sun – baked rocks with very few trees and no streams. John had to find shelter in a cave halfway up a mountain so that he could write about his visions. A helper named Prochoros evidently acted as John’s secretary.

John was exiled by the Emperor Domitian in 95 A.D. By then John was probably in his late 80’s or early 90’s. Anyone looking at the situation might have said that John’s position was hopeless and that his ministry had come to a frustrating end. But God is a God of infinite variety; He delights in causing iron gates to fall open and chains to fall off prisoners. John might have been shut away from the rest of the world, but God was there and no chains can bind the Holy Spirit! After years of shuttling around from one church to the next, giving messages and writing letters, now John had time and space to be quiet and to listen to God.

John’s exile on Patmos was not the first time that God had used a cave as a means of communicating with one of His servants. When the prophet Elijah had his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. Elijah wound up in a cave on Mount Horeb where God outlined the rest of Elijah’s ministry for him. Caves are interesting places because you can be dry and safe, but you are also isolated. And many times, we need that isolation so that our spirits will become quiet enough to hear from God.

During the COVID restrictions of the last several months, many people have suffered from isolation, particularly those who have additional need of physical contact. But isolation is not necessarily bad. In an earlier era, children who grew up on farms learned how to do many things to entertain themselves. As a pre – schooler, I learned how to use simple hand tools, how to care for animals, how to do simple household chores, and even how to fry eggs, make toast, etc. My brothers and I built tree houses and made our own little sitting stools. We also worked in the fields for hours without radios, MP3 players, or any other entertainment. No of us was ever bored!

It is in quietness that we are able to hear the still small voice of God. Funny thing, but the God who created thunderstorms and tornadoes and hurricanes generally speaks very softly when he is talking with His servants.

Today, what is your situation? Do you feel isolated and cut off from family, friends, or colleagues? Perhaps this is the time that God wishes to speak to you. Find a quiet corner away from your cell phone or television. Next ask God to speak to you. Ask God to help you hear His voice. Ask God to help you to hear only His voice. And then wait. You will find that sooner or later, there will be simple phrases coming into your mind and there will be peace.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You that you are always more willing to speak to us than we are to listen to You. Thank You that you never turn anyone away when they truly want to hear from You. Help us to be quiet and to listen. Speak to the hearts of those who are waiting to hear from You. And give them the assurance that You are truly speaking to them. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Jude 17 – 25 “But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18 when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. 22 And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others, show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.”

From Jude’s previous remarks, you would think that he was a horrible judgmental type whose view of things was so narrow that he could look through a keyhole with both eyes! And you would be wrong. True, Jude wants to sound a warning; but at the same time, he is also aware that there are many who are not actually rebellious but rather naive and confused.

Jude wants believers to reach out to those around them, but there is a process to follow. First, believers are to build themselves up in their faith by praying. Nothing can happen in the Kingdom of God without asking God for guidance and praying. Someone once visited Mother Teresa and found her praying. But this man was surprised to find that Mother Teresa was doing very little talking. “Mother Teresa,” her visitor asked, “Why aren’t you speaking more when you pray?” “Oh, I do speak,” Mother Teresa answered, “but how can I receive guidance from God if I refuse to listen? The times when I am silent, I am listening intently.”

When we pray, we must first ask God to prepare our hearts and minds. We must then ask God to prepare the hearts and minds of those to whom He wishes to send us and then ask Him to lead us to those people. We are to minister in love and in mercy, realizing that we too have been snatched from the fires of hell by others who prayed and helped us in our faith.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross; there are no first class/second class/ third class citizens in the Kingdom of God. There are only sinners saved by God’s grace and mercy. We are to hate those things that have hurt our brothers and sisters and have kept them from approaching God, but we are never to hate our brothers and sisters!

Many times, believers feel anxious and uncertain about the future and about how they will cope with the problems they are facing. Verses 24 and 25 contain one of the most powerful blessings in the Bible.

“24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy”… God IS able to keep us from stumbling! By ourselves, all we can do is to stumble, but God is all – powerful and He can keep us. Because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, our sins have been covered, allowing us to be presented without any blemish.

 “25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.” God truly is the only God and He truly is our Savior! He truly deserves all glory, majesty, dominion, and authority! He is the only One who deserves such praise and such worship! Come, let us adore Him!

PRAYER: Father God, there are no words sufficient to describe your beauty, your majesty, your glory, your splendor, your power, and your authority! All we can say is thank you for loving us! Thank you for saving us! And thank you for your precious and secure promises of eternal life! May your Name be lifted up! May your Name be praised! And may we always glorify you, both now and forever! Amen!

Jude 8 – 16 “Yet in the same way, these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. 11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

12 These men are the hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones 15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” 16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.”

WHEW! JUDE, WHY DON’T YOU TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL?

We find ourselves in a time when people join churches and then try to change the church to suit themselves. Things weren’t that much different in Jude’s time. Some people had joined the church under false pretenses and were now trying to re – make the church to accommodate gross immorality. These people might have been trying to incorporate fertility rites or other pagan practices into church services. Whatever be the case, Jude compares such people to a number of rebellious wrong – doers in the Bible. Who were the people to whom Jude compared these pseudo Christians?

Cain: Cain killed his brother Abel because Abel offered a sacrifice that was pleasing to God while Cain tried to take God for granted and just offered God any old thing. When God rejected Cain’s sacrifice, Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and spite.

Balaam: Balaam was a pagan seer who evidently really did hear from God; however, Balaam could be bought. When the King of Midian offered Balaam enormous riches if Balaam would curse the Israelites, Balaam agreed, despite the fact that God had already told him not to go. Even when Balaam viewed the Israelites, God still forced him to bless them and not to curse them. Balaam also taught the Israelites “false practices” (?fertility rites) and caused the Israelites to sin. Eventually, Balaam was killed during a battle between the Israelites and the Midianites.

Korah: Korah led a revolt against Moses documented in Numbers 16:31-33. The earth swallowed up Korah and all his co – conspirators.

The main thing all of these men had in common was rebellion against God. 1 Samuel 15:22 -23 says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Contrast these men with Enoch. Genesis 5:24 describes Enoch as “a man who walked with God, and then he was no more because God had taken him away.” Enoch was so holy that God took him into heaven. Although this is the only information we have about Enoch, there must have been an oral tradition or other writings that preserved Enoch’s prophecies.

Jude wanted Christians to be on their guard against those would compromise or subtly promote rebellion against God and His holiness. Yesterday I quoted the first verse of James Russell Lowell’s poem “Once to Ev’ry Man and Nation.” Here is the second verse:

Then to side with truth is noble, 
When we share her wretched crust, 
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, 
And ’tis prosperous to be just; 
Then it is the brave man chooses 
While the coward stands aside, 
Till the multitude make virtue 
Of the faith they had denied. 

We are continually facing choices: righteousness or compromise. How will you choose?

PRAYER: Father God, help us to remain close to you, to study your Word, to pray, and to seek your face. Help us to love but not to compromise, to stand for truth without being cruel, and to demonstrate your holiness to a lost and fallen world. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Jude 1 – 7 “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day. In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.”

He’s politically incorrect, but for years Yosemite Sam was a beloved Looney Tunes Cartoon figure with bristling mustaches, blazing guns, and a hair trigger temper. It didn’t take much to get Sam riled up and he spoke his mind, no matter what! Jude the disciple sounds a lot like Yosemite Sam.

Who was Jude? Scholars think it most likely that he was a brother or half brother to Jesus and that his name originally was Judas. But English translations shorten it to Jude to avoid confusing the writer of this epistle with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. In the beginning, none of Jesus’s brothers believed in Him, but after His death and resurrection, they believed and many of them became missionary teachers. Chuck Swindoll says, “From this scant portrait, we begin to picture Jude as a man who lived in skepticism for a time but eventually came to a powerful faith in Jesus. And as he traveled on behalf of the gospel—telling the story in city after city with his name Judas butting up against that of Judas Iscariot—he would stand as a living example of faithfulness, a stark contrast to the betrayer.”

This epistle is one of the shortest books of the Bible. Just like Yosemite Sam, Jude has no time for “varmints,” that is, evil doers. While the Apostle John was writing to warn churches of false doctrine, his warnings sound positively mild by comparison with Jude’s! Again, Swindoll says, “Jude’s edgy brevity communicates the urgency of his notion that false teachers needed to be condemned and removed from the church. Few words meant that Jude would not waste space dancing around the issue. He saw within the church people and practices that were worthy of condemnation, including rejecting authority and seeking to please themselves. In response to these errors, Jude marshaled much biblical imagery to make clear what he thought of it all—anything from Cain killing his brother Abel to the punishment of the sinful people who populated Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Jude sees the church in danger, poised on the edge of a theological and moral cliff, and is doing everything he can to sound a warning. In the old days, trumpets were used to announce all kinds of things, but there were certain trumpet calls that told people they were under attack. The Book of Jude is a verbal trumpet call to righteousness.

One of the challenges facing Christians today is that of political correctness. Those who wish to pursue their own morality attempt to control others by shaming them and labeling them. But ironically, the same people who have demanded that cartoon figures such as Yosemite Sam be withdrawn find nothing wrong with children playing violent computer games such as Grand Theft Auto.

Christians have always found themselves opposing popular culture in every age. Standing for righteousness has never been easy. More than a century ago, James Russell Lowell wrote a poem entitled “Once to Every Man and Nation” At the time, Lowell was writing to oppose slavery. Here is the first verse of that poem:

Once to ev’ry man and nation 
Comes the moment to decide, 
In the strife of truth and falsehood, 
For the good or evil side; 
Some great cause, some great decision, 
Off’ring each the bloom or blight, 
And the choice goes by forever 
‘Twixt that darkness and that light. 

The choices have never changed: bowing to popular culture or standing for righteousness. And the choices have never been easy.

PRAYER: Father God, show us your goodness! Show us your truth! Show us your righteousness! And help us never to waver and never to bow to the pressure of culture. Forever, O Lord, your Word is settled in heaven! Let your Word be engraved on our hearts and let us follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

3 John 1:13 – 14 “I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak face to face. (Some translations say “mouth to mouth.”) Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.”

If the last several months have taught us nothing else, they have taught us the importance of face to face contact! Many of us have found ourselves learning about zoom meetings, on – line courses, and all kinds of things we never anticipated. But throughout all of these experiences, one thing has become increasingly evident: There is NO substitute for face to face meetings!

Isolation due to COVID has hit certain groups particularly hard: the elderly, those with autism, those with dementia, and those who only thrive on skin to skin contact. While many introverts have weathered the isolations imposed by COVID regulations, groups dependent on personal contact have suffered! Some hospitals and nursing homes have tried to compensate by using tablets so that loved ones can face time patients; however, these measures still do not provide the tactile stimulation so necessary in many situations.

Many years ago, there were experiements done with baby monkeys who were divided into three groups. One group of babies was cared for nicely but impersonally – food and water were provided, but there was no cuddling and there were no other sources of comfort such as stuffed toys, blankets, etc. The second group was given good care plus they were also supplied with stuffed toys and blankets, but they were not cuddled. The third group received everything the first two groups did; and in addition, their care takers took them out of the cages and played with them and cuddled them. The predictable happened: the group of babies without tactile stimulation sickened and died. The group furnished with toys and blankets did better but did not grow well, while the third group flourished. This experiment was done at a time when infants were placed in incubators and care givers were ordered to touch them as little as possible to avoid spreading infection. The results of this experiment revolutionized the care of human babies in nurseries and led directly to programs in which volunteers and parents were trained to cuddle babies.

We all need human touch. We all do better when we are free to hug, to hold hands, to pat others on their shoulders, and to otherwise establish physical contact. The early Christians were no different. Consider the isolation the early Christians endured. Many times, Christians were a minority within their communities. They might face persecution from governmental officials. They might be driven from town to town. A visit from John, one of the most beloved church leaders, would be an incredible opportunity. We can imagine church members gathering in someone’s home, listening to John teach as long as he could continue to speak. And then there would be hugs, kisses, and prayers. Those present would be soaking up as much as possible, knowing that this might be the last time they would be able to gather together and worship together.

Notice that John is still being careful to be extremely vague – “The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.” Remember that John is sending this message with someone who might be arrested and the letters taken away and sent on to some impersonal Roman official. John is writing passionately but also cautiously.

We have spent most of the last 32 years working in district hospitals in remote parts of northern Ghana. Through the years, we have missed birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, family gatherings on holidays, and all kinds of other celebrations at which friends and family would be hugging, kissing, patting, shaking hands, and soaking up affection. Missing these celebrations has been very difficult; not because of the food,or the presents but because we have lost the chance to hug family and friends and to hear them laugh and tell stories.

Many people have written about heaven. For us, one thing we look forward to in heaven is that there will be no good – byes. One day we will join with our loved ones around the throne of God and worship there forever. But there is a catch: Jesus said of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, except through Me.” (John 14:6) The Bible advises us that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if we are to be saved. (Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Nothing we can do is good enough to pay for our sins. We must accept the blood sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on Calvary, believe in Him, confess our sins, and ask God to forgive us and to cleanse us. Only then are we assured of being reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

PRAYER: Father God, we believe! Help our unbelief! Thank you that you are a God of love who has made a way for us to be with you forever. Help everyone who reads this devotional to come to a saving knowledge of your Love and your Grace. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

3 John 3: 9 – 12 “I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.”

Sometimes pastors and other church leaders might like to fantasize about the early church where everyond loved one another and was dedicated to Jesus and was generous and compassionate and ……. WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT???? The early church was made up of fallible human beings and unfortunately, the problems the early leaders faced are the same problems confronting church leaders today.

Today, pastors have all kinds of communication available to them, but John had only letters and word of mouth. Evidently, Diotrephes was one of the church leaders with an ego that wouldn’t quit; he was a legend in his own mind. And nobody in his family was conceited because he had gotten all the conceit! We know nothing of his background, other than he was probably a Gentile (his name means “nurtured by Jupiter”). Names are very important, and this guy started out with a name that simply dripped arrogance.

The photo shows Mohammed Ali Abdul Somed, the Secretary for the Smock Makers Association in Ghana, wearing a traditional fugu hat. Here in Northern Ghana, such hats can be worn in several different ways, depending on the occasion, the nature of the wearer, and whether or not dignitaries are present. If someone is a paramount chief or the most important chief present, he can wear the hat slanting straight up to show that he is higher than anybody else; however, if another more important chief arrives, the first chief will have to rearrange his hat!

Hats slanted to the left indicate the wearer is a man of peace and is not looking for trouble. Hats slanted to the right indicate the individual is self – dependent. In some areas, hats slanted backwards indicate that the wearer is not looking for trouble; however, others claim that a hat slanted backwards indicates a chief who is yet to be enskinned. A hat slanted forward can either mean that the individual is looking for trouble or that he feels he has no equal in any sphere of life.

If Diotrephes had lived in Northern Ghana, he would have made sure that his fugu hat was upright at all times! Diotrephes refused to accept instruction, spread malicious slander, and even forbade church members to offer hospitality to visiting church elders – an unthinkable practice in an era in which church elders were routinely received into the homes of church members.

What had happened to Diotrephes? We may never know. Perhaps he had some educational advantages. Perhaps he was wealthy. Diotrephes certainly appears to have had a forceful personality, since he was even attempting to throw church members who entertained traveling church leaders in their homes out of the church! But John analyzes the situation in one succinct sentence: Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Jesus told his disciples that they would know true followers by their fruits, and the fruit Diotrephes was producing was rotten! Contrast that with the church leader named Demetrius, who was spoken well of by everyone. Demetrius would have worn his fugu hat slanted to the left to indicate that he was a man of peace.

Centuries have come and gone, but the names of these two men remain recorded in the Bible. God has acknowledged Demetrius as a faithful servant, someone who has been approved by all who have known him. Diotrophes, on the other hand, remains famous for his arrogance and his rebellious attitude.

Sometimes we think that God isn’t really paying attention to the things we think or say or do. Nothing could be farther from the truth! God as our Heavenly Father is passionately interested in the state of our hearts. How it must have grieved God to see Diotrephes with all his talents using his abilities of leadership to bring division and strife! And how many misguided church members may have taken their cues from Diotrephes just because he could speak glibly, speading vicious innuendos and poisoning relationships?

PRAYER: Father God, please help us to humble ourselves before you at all times. Help us to imitate what is good and not what is evil. Lord, search our hearts and minds and cleanse us from anything that is not of you. And help us to be careful about imitating anyone else, no matter how smoothly they talk. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 John 1:1 “The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth…”

2 John 1:12 – 13 “I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister send you greetings.”

We read these vague salutations and scratch our heads. Why be so indefinite? Why not just come out and address the recipients of the letter by name? What is the problem?

Remember that by the time John was writing these letters, the persecution of Christians had already begun. Paul had already been beheaded and Peter might have already been crucified. John was actually the only original disciple who did not die a martyr’s death, but he endured living martyrdom when exiled to the salt mine island of Patmos.

Letters had to be carried by messengers, some of whom might prove to be untrustworthy if they were tortured enough. Here we see an old man with a heart full of love writing to those whom God has entrusted to his leading. Christians were meeting in houses, in caves, in open fields, and even in the Catacombs below the city of Rome. It was far preferable to keep wording as vague as possible; that way, any letter falling into the wrong hands would not lead to betrayal and death for innocent believers. These salutations were probably not that different from the secular ones employed by letter writers of that period. At the same time, John wants to assure those who receive the letter that he hopes to visit them personally.

E-mails, texts, Tweets, Instagram, Face Book messages – there are all kinds of ways in which printed communications can appear these days in addition to traditional “snail mail.” But all of these forms of communication have one thing in common: once a statement is in print in any form, it assumes a life of its own and the original writer has no control over it! Friends working in closed countries have warned us to keep any messages to them in very neutral language to avoid accidentally betraying them to authorities hostel to the Gospel. One large church in Birmingham, Alabama had to disband several ministries after one pastor “liked” a single tweet by a controversial political figure. A local politician used that single “like” to blame the church for all kinds of things. The net result? a big free clinic catering to the poor, outreaches and help in housing developments, and a host of other programs were canceled. All because of a single “like!”

Those of us who have enjoyed religious freedom need to appreciate what we have had and to pray that God continues to protect that freedom. But remember that throughout the world, there are Christians worshiping despite the threat of martyrdom. Christians are being killed in northern Nigeria and in southern Sudan. Churches are being bull dozed in China. The list of countries in which Christians face persecution grows daily. As we pray and as we worship, let us remember all those in the persecuted Church and let us thank God for the freedoms we currently enjoy.

PRAYER: Father God, we thank you that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We thank you that your hand is not shortened and that you always hear our prayers wherever we are. Lord, we lift up those facing persecution for their faith. Protect them, guide them, guard them, keep them, and strengthen them. Send them special tokens of your Love. And help those of us who are not currently facing persecution never to take freedom of worship for granted. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

3 John 1-8 ”The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Yesterday we spoke about the persecuted church and the reasons that John was being very vague in his greetings in his letters. But today John is addressing this letter to Gaius! What has made the difference? First, the name “Gaius” was an extremely common Roman name, much like the name “John” or “Peter.” Second, John is still being very canny in his greetings and in his language. There is really nothing in this passage that would definitely expose Gaius as being a Christian. Those teachers he has hosted might be Zoroastrian for all you can tell from this letter. The only phrase that gives anything away is the reference to “the Gentiles.” Gaius might be presumed to be a convert to Judaism, but Rome was not worried about the Jews. Certainly, the Jews were a contentious lot who loved to argue, but in general they posed no threat to the Roman Empire. The Christians, on the other hand, were a different matter.

Here in Africa, one of the favorite choruses children sing is “We are Walking in the Light of God.” It’s a good song to use in Children’s Church, particularly when the kids need a legitimate reason to wiggle. You can get them up and let them march around the room while they sing. It’s a simple song. But many times, things of faith are also quite simple. Remember the Gnostics and their passion for secret knowledge and “special” practices. John has already admonished us that” if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) We must study and memorize God’s Word if we want to walk in His Light and know His Truth. Even memorizing a few scriptures is very helpful. Find those that speak most to you and write them on a card or put them into your cell phone. Bible apps for cell phones are an enormous help, and many come with memorization programs as well.

Having just warned believers about false teachers, John is now commending Gaius and those working with him for the way they have helped teachers of the truth, especially those who were strangers to the local believers. Notice that these itinerant teachers have steadfastly refused to take anything from non – believers and are depending on the charity of the local church for their feeding, lodging, and travel expenses. Contrast that with many televangelists today who own their own airplanes, drive luxury cars, and live in enormous mansions. One wonders what John might have to say about millionaire preachers!

We have been on the mission field for most of the last 32 years. It would be totally impossible for us to remain were it not for those who have faithfully supported us all these years, either with cash or with other assistance. There are those who have opened their homes to us. Some people have lent us vehicles. Many people have fed us. And at least one friend has kept our accounts and our tax records for us all these years. Doing all that from a remote part of rural Africa would be impossible!

John recognizes all those who are making ministry possible, and he has a special name for those helpers. John calls them “fellow workers.” Some people are called to go. Some people are called to stay home. But as long as they are helping in any fashion, whether by prayer or by financial support or by any other means, they are fellow workers and have a great share in the ministry to which God has called us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your Word which is Light and Truth. Thank you for all those who are walking in the Light and who help minister in any fashion. May all of these helpers be blessed abundantly above all that they can ask or think. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 John 1:7 – 11 “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, that you may be fully rewarded. Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.”

WOW! John is really upset! In John’s time, hospitality was a major virtue. There were few inns and most traveling Christians, especially traveling teachers, would expect to be welcomed into someone’s home as soon as they reached a new town. For John to issue such a strong warning goes against established culture. Why should John say these things?

John is still referring to false teachers, particularly those teaching that Jesus had to either be purely spiritual (Son of God only) or purely physical (Son of Man only.) Remember the theological problems that these teachers were attempting to address. To re – quote John Dummelow, “These dangers resulted from the great main problem which lay at the foundation of all Oriental religions—the relation of finite man to the infinite God. How could that chasm be crossed? how had it been crossed in the work of creation? how were spirit and matter related? how did evil enter the world, and what was evil?

Almost all early thinkers were driven by these questions into some form of Dualism. There were, they must believe, two Powers in conflict. Since spirit was the higher, matter was evil; it was the work of the inferior god. The material, the natural, was therefore to be fought against; the spiritual man could have nothing to do with it. Indeed, so far as he was truly spiritual, he was already freed from and above it. Hebrew religion, in its moments of clearest insight, set itself against this Dualism. The creation, it declared, was not the work of an inferior deity or deities, but both worlds, those of spirit and matter, were called into being by one and the same infinite God. (This is why the Shema, the foundational statement of Judaism, states that “The Lord, He is God, the Lord, He is One.”)

John has a right to be concerned. Once one of these false teachers has gotten entry into someone’s home, they might stay for an indefinite period doing all kinds of damage to the faith.

Several years ago, when we were raising funding to return to Ghana, we visited a congregation that had hosted a Ghanaian pastor who had stayed with one of the deacons for several weeks. This same pastor had preached in the church we were attending, and we doubted his honesty. After this pastor had preached on a Sunday evening, I greeted him in Twi, his native tribal language. Most Ghanians would have been thrilled; this preacher was not at all happy. This man stayed in one big city in America for several months. Subsequently, when we reached Ghana, we learned that he had defrauded several people to get the money to come to America. There were also other evidences of major fraud; however, when we attempted to warn the church that had been hosting him of our concerns, they refused to listen, claiming we were merely jealous.

How can you tell a false teacher from a real one? 1. Does their teaching line up with the Word of God, the Bible? 2. What do they teach about Jesus? If they teach anything less than Jesus as the Son of God and Son of Man, or if they refuse to believe the necessity of a blood sacrifice for sin, don’t listen to them. 3. If they are pushing some kind of special knowledge, leave them alone! Twenty – two years ago, we had Ghanaian acquaintances who were in a special prayer group, so special that only “advanced Christians” should be part of that group. The teachings studied by the group included chanting various slogans such as “Money coming! Money coming!” Supposedly, if you changed such slogans long enough, then you would become rich. Eventually, the group developed into a bizarre cult. 4. What are the results of the teaching? God has promised that if we ask Him, He will give us wisdom. (James 1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”)

John was right! Don’t be misled by slogans or by smooth words! Don’t alloy yourselves to be manipulated. When in doubt, go to God and ask Him for guidance. Pandering to strange philosophies is like trying to clean up after your dog has defecated in your neighbor’s yard. No matter how hard you try, the stuff will stick and smell and getting rid of it will be difficult!

PRAYER: Father God, help us to study your Word, to love your Word, and to soak in your Word so that it becomes part of us. Help us to learn how to discern false teachings and keep our hearts far away from them. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.