Amos 1:1–3:15
The prophet Amos begins with his declaration of judgment upon various nations.
Upon:
1. Syria (Amos 1:3-5)
2. Philistia (Amos 1:6-8)
3. Tyre (Amos 1:9-10)
4. Edom (Amos 1:11-12)
5. Ammon (Amos 1:13-15)
6. Moab (Amos 2:1-3)
7. Judah (Amos 2:4-5)
8. Israel (Amos 2:6-16)
We see in Amos 1:1 that the LORD was roaring like a lion from Zion; this should have brought fear to their hearts (Amos 3:8). The earthquakes, fires, and enemy soldiers were on their way, the people would be taken into captivity, but foolishly, Israel didn’t flinch.
We read twice about the captives who were delivered to Edom (Amos 1:6, 9). This speaks of a time when the Philistines captured communities in raids and sold them for profit; they would be auctioned off in the slave markets and shipped to other part of the world (see also Joel 3:4-8).
It’s horrible to read the atrocities of the Ammonites who ripped open the pregnant women as they conquered cities (Amos 1:13). It’s an indication of the violent spirit of abortion.
Other notable sins of depravity include the way the children of Judah gave no heed to God’s Holy Word, and the children of Israel practiced sexual perversity.
Amos 2:4 (NKJV) “Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, lies which their fathers followed.”
Amos 2:7b (NKJV) “…and pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl, to defile My holy name.”
Left to ourselves and cultural relativism – with no absolutes, society will always sink into sexual sickness.
Amos 2:9-11 shares how the LORD was the one who blessed Israel, defeating her giant enemies in front of her, redeeming her from Egypt, supernaturally providing in the wilderness for 40 years, raising up prophets and through them speaking His Word – and yet Israel didn’t seem to care for the God who cared for them in such an awesome, intimate, and personal way.
God was weighed down with their wickedness (Amos 2:13) and had no other option then to discipline His people – severely (Amos 2:14-16).
God had set His people apart, they were to be holy (Amos 3:2), but Israel refused to walk in agreement with God…they were going in diametrically different directions, when in all reality God’s people are called to walk humbly with Him!
Amos 3:3 (NKJV) “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”
Micah 6:8 (NKJV) “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Our life can be summarized as a walk with God. Our walk, in one sense is our moral journey. To walk (live) like God, to walk with God, and as a result go wherever He leads us. Enoch is a good example of someone who walked with God and he becomes a picture of the Rapture of the Church, as God “took him” up.
Genesis 5:22–24 (NKJV) “After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
Tragically the children of Israel were not afraid that the trumpet of warning had been blown. Amos tried his best to communicate to them that he had been given this prophetic word from God who would never judge us without warning us (Amos 3:7).
Their palaces would be plundered, their idolatrous altars would be destroyed, their fancy winter and summer homes, and ivory houses would all be destroyed. It’s simply tragic. I can’t help but to think of Jesus’ words:
Matthew 7:24–27 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Revelation 2:1-17
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 contain the 7 letters to the 7 churches in Asia Minor, referred to in Revelation 1:11. These letters are fascinating, for not only are they actual churches of that day, but they also describe the journey and history of the church throughout the ages – in a general sense.
Not only that, we can all search our hearts to see which one of these churches we “land” in personally?
Pastor Chuck Smith, “The book was addressed and sent to seven literal churches in Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. But they also can be seen to represent 7 stages of church history.“
The church of EPHESUS represents the Apostolic church. The Persecuted church includes a portion of the Apostolic church.
SMYRNA begins in this era but continues on through the 10 Roman Emperors who persecuted the church, fulfilling the prophecy of “tribulation 10 days” (Revelation 2:10). The Roman Emperors were, Nero-Paul was beheaded under his reign; Domitian– he exiled John to the island of Patmos; Trajan– Ignatius was burned at the stake while he was emperor; Marcus Aurelius the emperor when Polycarp was martyred, Severus, Maximinus, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian and Diocletian who was the worst of them all.
PERGAMOS was developed by Constantine as a state church.
THYATIRA is usually linked to the Catholic church.
SARDIS describes the Protestant church that has become increasingly liberal and dead.
PHILADELPHIA is the remnant church waiting for the rapture.
The LAODICEAN church is the lukewarm church of the last days.
As you read through each letter you’ll notice that Jesus usually begins with “positive” words (if any). He then states His concern and/or warning (if any), followed by words of counsel…concluding with a promise for all overcomers.
I’m challenged by Jesus’ words to the church of Ephesus who had left their first love. They were still working and laboring to the point of exhaustion, they were careful to stay away from sin and sinners – nevertheless they had left their first love (see also Genesis 13:4; Jeremiah 2:2). I don’t know if it’s possible to “feel” those same feelings I felt in the beginning, and I know we walk by convictions not emotions, but those early days of Christianity were so special to me, sweet, intimate, overwhelming, without a doubt, I had fallen in love! Today I must search my heart – now that I know the routine and all the Christian clichés, do I love the Lord the way I did in the beginning? I sure hope so! As a matter of fact, our love should grow!
If ever I sense that persecution in my life, I cling to Jesus’ words in:
Revelation 2:10b (NKJV) “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Which brings up another fascinating fact about these letters, how Jesus reveals Himself uniquely and appropriately to each church – in this case as the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life. As these Christians in Smyrna were martyred for their faith, they could endure suffering and death, for Christ had modeled it for them followed by the certainty of life. (see related article on Polycarp)
The church at Pergamos, developed by Constantine, was a time when the church married the government (not good). They were in the front lines and started off orthodox in their beliefs, but eventually it was all about the money, leading to idolatry, and spiritual adultery. The English word Nicolatians may refer to the followers of an errant Nicolas (see Acts 6:5) or…if the word is to be taken literally – in the Greek language it means, “Victory over the laity.” This may have been the time when the mentality of priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and even popes began to set up a religious hierarchy over the rest of the body of Christ…victory over the laity…something Jesus hates (Revelation 2:15).
Other sins addressed by Christ were idolatry, sexual immorality, domination of leaders over the laity. He described the Catholic churches’ inclusion of the worship of Mary, prayers to saints and statues, all of it carrying a serious warning, even a promise that these people would be left behind to endure the Great Tribulation Period (Revelation 2:22).
God help us to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, to hear with these ears, to be open and to be overcomers in Christ!
Psalm 129:1-8
Another Psalm of Ascents, sung as the people traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast.
And another one of those Psalms that encourage us to say something, “Let Israel now say,” (and it’s repeated), “Let Israel now say…”
Psalm 129:2 (NKJV) “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.”
I would even encourage you, dear friend and reader, to say it out loud. “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.”
The enemy hates God’s people. He hates Israel because they are a sign to the world and he hates the church because we are not of this world. There have been many attacks to destroy us, but God has preserved and protected us – many a time…all of our lives.
The Psalmist prays that God would judge those who hate Zion – it’s his way of asking for protection that the haters would not be blessed, for they OPPOSE God – in that they come against the people of God.
Proverbs 29:19-20
Proverbs 29:19 (NKJV) “A servant will not be corrected by mere words; for though he understands, he will not respond.”
A servant refers primarily to employees, but this truth is applicable to all of us – when it comes to correction and cooperation. Often it takes more than words or verbal reprimands, for true change to take place.
The New Living Translation puts it this way:
Proverbs 29:19 (NLT) “Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.”
Some of our children respond to words. Some need more, either circumstantial or physical discipline; every chid is different.
“This verse, coupled with verse 21, seems to suggest that discipline is needed for one’s servants as well as for his sons. Sometimes words are not enough; a servant may know the words but obstinately refuse to do as he is told. If so, other forms of correction are needed.” – Bible Knowledge Commentary
We balance this truth with Proverbs 17:2 where a wise servant probably doesn’t need too much discipline and responds to it well. And then there’s Proverbs 29:21 where a pampered servant, who’s wise and treated well will, appreciate it…they become more than an employee, they become family.
Proverbs 29:20 (NKJV) “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Such a huge verse, isn’t it?
Can you believe that there’s more hope for a fool, than there is for one who speaks before he thinks? O Manny, be careful…watch every word – haste makes waste!