Sermon 238

SERMON 238 — THE VICTORIOUS ARMY

Text: Revelation 2:24–29
Date: August 23, 1942
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

The Lord has searched the hearts and reins of the church at Thyatira. He has discovered her virtues and mentioned them to her credit. He has also uncovered a very dangerous evil within her—an evil to which the church had seemingly shut her eyes. And having exposed this ulcer, He proceeded to show what He would do about it. He threatened to come with His feet of burnished brass to crush all the unrepentant members.

However, the Lord wishes to make it plain that He has no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but desires that they repent. Thus He concludes this letter with a word to those who repent or remain faithful. He speaks to them of victory—the victory of believers over their enemies. He speaks of the victorious.

SUBJECT: THE VICTORIOUS ARMY

I. WHO BELONG TO THIS ARMY

A. They who stand together against the enemy who attacks them.

1. In this case the enemy, above all, is Satan.
2. Against the false teachings brought by Jezebel.
3. Against ungodly conduct with the world.
4. Against the temptation to taste the deep things of Satan.

B. The faithful members of the church.

1. They who remain steadfast in the truth.
2. They who worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

C. They who repent upon the warning given above.

1. Those who repent from their evil way also become victorious.
2. They who forsake Jezebel and her teachings.

II. THE IMPORTANT CHARGE THEY RECEIVE

A. It reveals how they may obtain the victory.

1. They have not yet fully obtained it.
2. Their fight continues.

B. They must hold fast what they have.

1. They must not relinquish their hold.
2. They cannot let go of the principles Christ has laid down.
3. They cannot relax.

C. They must hold fast until Jesus comes.
Christ emphasizes endurance—faithfulness to the very end.

III. THE WONDERFUL BENEFITS THEY RECEIVE

A. To lose the spiritual war is to lose everything.

1. It means complete destruction.
2. To be overcome by the enemy is terrible, for the enemy devours.
3. It leads to eternal death with those who overcome them.

B. No increase of burdens.

1. The Lord does not overload His people.
2. This refers to the Lord’s demand that they abstain from fornication and idolatry—abstain from worldliness (Acts 15:28).
3. He will not punish them with the ungodly members of the church.

C. They shall have power over the nations.

1. This means they will share in the power of Christ.
2. Their enemies shall be at their mercy.
3. They shall defeat the heathen world. The meek and lowly—the steadfast in Christ—shall rule and crush the world’s power.
4. The tables will be turned. Now the world orders the Christian around and mocks his faith, but then the faithful shall reign.

D. Christ will give them the morning star.

1. This is Christ Himself.
2. They shall share in His glory.
3. It is also the symbol of victory—a glorious medal of honor. Earthly medals lose their value or become a burden, but this heavenly medal will shine forever.

CONCLUSION

Two alternatives stand before every church and every believer.

1. The unrepentant and ungodly
They shall be trampled by the feet of burnished brass. They shall receive blow upon blow until they are destroyed.

2. The victorious—the faithful
They who hold to Christ’s burden and Christ’s doctrine—they shall be blessed. They shall share the power of Christ. They shall receive the unfading medal of glory.

Which will you choose?