Revelation 3:2-3 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God.… In an age when so much is said and thought about revivals, the passage before us is peculiarly appropriate. The great secret, after all, consists in rightly cherishing those things that are already possessed. I. WHAT ARE THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN IN SUCH A CHURCH? 1. Some degree of Church organisation. There was, in the case of Sardis, a "name to live"; they had "received" the oracles of God. It was a Church, although a weak one. 2. Some of the Church ordinances. They had the Word of God. The preaching of the gospel, if not accompanied by the saving power of former days, was still a privilege in their possession. 3. Some of the undertakings to which a Christian Church may address itself. "I know thy works." 4. The presence of a few godly men. II. WHAT IS THE DIVINE METHOD OF SECURING A REVIVAL? 1. Human ingenuity would probably resort to one or other of these two methods:(1) Some would suggest entire reconstruction. They would remove the weak and sickly plants, and till the ground afresh. (2) Others would seek to accomplish the end desired by introducing some powerful revival element, such as they have heard of as successful elsewhere — revival preaching, revival services, revival hymns. 2. God's plan differs from both these. He neither destroys nor calls in the aid of foreign excitement. He simply says, "Strengthen the things that remain." Literally, "Make fast the surviving things that are about to perish." Here then we have — (1) Church organisation consolidated. (2) Church ordinances more diligently observed. (3) Church work more actively performed. (4) Godly men multiplied. (F. Wagstaff.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. |
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