Obedience and Promise
OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD, remaining faithful, being unmovable in serving the Lord to the end is not in vain. There is a reward attached to every service or obedience to God’s word. Christ assured the brethren in Pergamos that if they obey, repent from going after the world, abandon the false doctrine of Balaam and the deeds of Nicolaitanes, they will be rewarded. He assured them of a promise for being pure in heart and life.
‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it’ (Revelation 2:17).
‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God’ (Matthew 5:8).
Hearing and Obeying the Spirit of God
Having an ear is only profitable when the hearer hears what the Spirit of God says. Ears become unprofitable to its owner and the hearer when it does not hear what God’s Spirit says. Today, God’s Spirit is still speaking to the church but few are hearing. The few that heard but refused to obey what they heard will be punished also. From Genesis to Revelation, the Spirit of God has been talking. Adam and Eve had ears when they were told not to eat a particular fruit in the garden but instead of hearing and obeying, they heard the devil and obeyed his voice. The wife of Lot heard what the Spirit of God said but she despised what she heard and looked behind. Joseph’s brother heard what God’s Spirit said concerning love but they ignored it and hated their brother, envied him and conspired against him, sold him and told lies to their Father. Christ wrote to the church at Pergamos and at the closing remark of the letter,
He assured the hearers of a promise if they obey. Reading this letter is okay, hearing what the Spirit of God is telling the church is good, but only the obedient will receive the promise. Pharaoh heard all that the Spirit of God had said concerning letting the children of Israel out of his bondage. He has ears to hear but lacked the power to obey. He heard all the warning for disobedience from Moses but he conspired and afflicted the children of Israel. He said who is God? He refused to let Israel go and he died for his disobedience. Nadab and Abihu were ordained priests, sons of Aaron, and were instructed on how to handle God’s work. They heard what God’s Spirit said, but instead, they offered strange fire and died right inside the altar
‘And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD’ (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Consequences of Disobedience
Today, as a minister, no matter your rank, you must hear and obey what the Spirit of God is saying to the church. Pergamos church has come and gone, but the Spirit of God is still talking to you and to the church of every nation. Korah, Dathan, Abiram and all the renowned men of Moses days heard all that the Spirit of God said through Moses but they choose to disobey, they choose their reward, as the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them alive. Balaam heard God’s word and His plans and God’s promises to Israel but because of the love of money, he went ahead to curse God’s children. Achan heard all the instruction from Joshua concerning the accused things but because of covetous spirit in him, he took the accused things, the Babylonian garments and he was stoned to death. Samson was advised against strange women, women of contradicting faith in God but he went by sight, preferred a harlot, lusted after Delilah and lost his power and two eyes in a battle. The sons of Eli were ordained priests, well instructed about priesthood in the best theological school of their time but they choose not to know God, broke God’s commandment, fornicated in God’s house and died in a battle. Saul the first king of Israel was anointed by Samuel, instructed by Samuel, prayed for by Samuel but chose to disobey God’s word. He got angry easily and attempted to kill David and sought for the service of a witch with a familiar spirit and died by committing suicide. Ahitophel was empowered by God with wisdom, he knew how to give good counsel but he compromised and associated with a sinner, counseled Absalom who stole the heart of God’s people. He died after his last wicked counsel was rejected by committing suicide.
Solomon was a chosen king, preferred above his brethren, counseled by David but he left good counsel and loved many strange women, shifted his heart, turned from God, built idol, made affinity with pharaoh and married his daughter. The man of God, the young prophet clearly heard God’s word before he went to Bethel. But he listened to the old backslidden prophet, went back to his vomit, ate, drank against God’s word and died in shame. Ahab was preached to by Elijah, he heard all the prophecies of Elijah, but turned away his ears from hearing what the Spirit said. He did evil above Jeroboam, married Jezebel, worshipped Baal, built houses for Baal’s prophets, made groves and rebuilt Jericho wall. He entered into covenant with Ben-hadad, God’s enemy, took Naboths vineyard and hate Micah, God’s true prophet. Gehazi heard his master when he rejected the gift from Naaman but went after him, told lies and received the gifts. What will I say for time will fail me to talk about the people, nations that disobeyed Gods word through prophet Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc? What of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the young rich men, Judas Iscariot, the thief in the left hand of Jesus at the cross, the scribes, the chief priests, the passersby in the cross, Herod, Pilate, the parents of a man born blind and the multitudes who all heard the direct preaching of Christ but laughed Him to scorn, and refused to obey His words. Remember Christ’s promise, His assurance to the obedient believers, hearers in Pergamos. The promise for the pure in heart and life. They were promised two things, the hidden manner, and the white stone
‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord’ (Hebrew 12:14).
‘Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city’ (Revelation 22:14).
Overcomers are peaceful people, people of holiness and pure heart. They are hearers who hear God’s word and obey. They keep God’s commandment and try to please God at all cost even unto death.