Category: Revelation 03

Kept from the Hour of Temptation

On By TimIn Rapture, Revelation 03Leave a comment

Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10

There are two pertinent things that need to be clearly understood in Jesus’ words here.

First, the hour of temptation comes upon the entire Earth, there will be no place to escape it on Earth. And it will test those who dwell on Earth. The language indicates that every individual on the Earth will be tested.

Second, Jesus promises to keep the ones who believe in Him from that hour of temptation. Which means those kept from it are necessarily not on Earth.

The text clearly indicates that believers are relocated off of the Earth before trouble begins.

    Lukewarm Christian?

    On By TimIn Encouragement, Revelation 03Leave a comment

    I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.

    Revelation 3:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    Jesus is speaking to the church at Laodicea. His indictment of their works as a body is lukewarm. And if that is continued, the church would wither away.

    This is not an indictment or a judgment on any Christian. It doesn’t mean that any of those Christians in the church lost their salvation. In fact, it has nothing to do with salvation. Nor does it have anything to do with individual behavior, even though the church as a body is made up of individuals.

    It is a judgment on a church body.

    A Christian doesn’t lose his salvation, neither do his works have anything to do with his salvation, whether helping it or not. In fact, good behavior isn’t fruit-bearing that Jesus looks for in a person. It can lead to it, and make it more bountiful, but bearing fruit is not the same as obeying the law.

    Another Subtle Rapture Hint

    On By TimIn Jesus, Last Days, Rapture, Revelation 03Leave a comment

    Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

    Revelation 3:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    It’s hard to read this verse and not perceive the sudden urgency. Listen! Behold! Jesus is saying, “Take notice, this is important.”

    Most times this is taught it is usually about how the time of salvation is now. It could be, and it can lend itself that way.

    If you’ve read much here, there is a post that talks about this very verse. You can read that for some background.

    What comes to my attention is not only the urgency of the time but what happens when one avails themselves of the Savior at that moment. He comes in to dine with them. That is what stands out… This invitation to dinner.

    But while they went to buy some, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

    Matthew 25:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    This portion of Matthew is known as the parable of the Ten Virgins. It is written about yet future events. Note two elements, a meal, and a door. In reading the entire parable, the idea of the urgency of the hour is also apparent.

    One also notes that the Bridegroom comes to retrieve the party not unexpectedly. They all knew He was coming for them. Some were prepared and some were not.

    The oil in the lamps of these virgins is integral to what happens to them. The ones who are prepared have oil. The ones who don’t aren’t. In Scripture, oil typifies the Holy Spirit. Those who are saved have that oil and are prepared for the sudden appearance of the bridegroom. Those who do not have the Spirit are not prepared.

    I would be remiss to point out that all of these virgins appear to have the same knowledge. That the Bridegroom is appearing suddenly and it is necessary to be prepared beforehand. Those not prepared have no place at the banquet as the door will be shut.

    It’s just like Jesus’ words to the Laodicean church at the end of the age. He stands outside at the door and knocks. Anyone willing can enter in and dine with Him. The appeal is to the individual (any man) there.

    We live in that time where each of us needs to be prepared. Really. Things will happen so fast, delaying your own reconciliation with God could prove detrimental. Who knows when the door shuts?

    Do you know that the Bible says all have sinned?

    None of us escapes that truth. The problem is by the time we find out God’s righteous requirement to have that fellowship with Him, we know we’ve missed the mark of perfection. That’s what sin means… To miss the mark. Think of an archer that shoots at a target and misses. A miss brings the penalty of death and you cannot greet the king.

    A do-over doesn’t change the missed mark. In fact, there are no amount of do-overs that can correct the one error. That’s our predicament.

    We cannot reach God.

    Do you know how God fixed that?

    He sent His Son to die… Taking the penalty. That Son is Jesus Christ. He died to take the penalty due for the miss you’ve had in the past… All of them.

    Jesus fixed it. If you believe that and confess that you can enter the presence of the King and fellowship with Him.

    It’s easy. If you need to chat about it, message me.

    Listen! I Stand at the Door and Knock.

    On By TimIn Jesus, Last Days, Prophecy, Return of Jesus, Revelation 03, Seven Letters to Seven Churches1 Comment

    Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

    Revelation 3:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    I cannot help but to see how urgent and insistent this declaration is.

    Our church gives doctrinal studies for those who want to go a bit deeper into basic doctrine. I love to attend because I always learn something new. I have come to understand that anyone can open the Bible and teach, and I can learn from them. I like that about the Holy Spirit. Enough on that.

    We were taking an overview of the epistles Jesus wrote to the seven churches in His Revelation to John. Here is one part of what I learned.

    Of the letters to the churches, there can be a loose grouping of them applied. It is done using the simple closing phrase in all epistles. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In each epistle, promises are given to the overcomer. Their placement becomes conspicuous. In the first three epistles, these promises are a postscript to the letter, coming after the close. The latter four, the promises to the overcomer are included in the epistle.

    It is believed by some that these messages to the churches encompass the character of the entire age of the church of Jesus Christ, from its foundation to its end. The message to Thyatira represents the character of the medieval church. In a more specific way, it would be the Roman church. A further delineating factor to pay attention to comes in the middle epistle, to the church at Thyatira. Thyatira conveys the meaning of continuing sacrifice.

    But I have a few things against you: You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she did not repent. Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

    Revelation 2:20–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    I want to point out the words great tribulation. Those who don’t repent of idolatry will be judged. These words of Jesus are not to be taken lightly. Perhaps it is to draw our attention to the end of the age. We still have the vestiges of the medieval church age with us. Simply for that reason, the words great tribulation are important.

    We move to the next epistle. Just as the message to Thyatira is representative of the character of the Roman medieval church, the epistle to Sardis represents the reformation age. Sardis conveys a meaning of an escaping remnant.

    Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

    Revelation 3:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    The admonition for this church is to watch. If it truly represents the character of the church of the reformation age, those churches exist contemporary with us. The admonition to them also reveals something yet future. Just as the previous epistle hinted toward great tribulation, this one hints to Jesus coming back as a thief. These will be surprised when He comes.

    The next epistle is that to Philadelphia. In representing the character of the church, this is one of the great evangelistic soul-winning-missionary-minded churches. Philadelphia conveys the meaning of brotherly love.

    Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

    Revelation 3:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    The admonition to this church includes the idea of wholly being rescued from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world. This temptation is a test of those who dwell on Earth. These that are kept from this hour are most likely not on Earth. If not, such would necessarily be included in the whole world and would still be dwelling on Earth.

    So far, Jesus tells those who don’t repent will have to go through great tribulation. With increased urgency we are told to watch so as we are not surprised. By keeping His word of patience we are kept from the test of those who dwell on Earth.

    Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly what you have, so that no one may take your crown.

    Revelation 3:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    There is an urgency that is increasing and becoming more specific. Time is closing in fast. He is coming quickly.

    When we encounter the last epistle to Laodicea, this is the characterization of the church in the last days. Laodicea conveys a meaning of the people judging, or the people are in charge. (That says much about modern churches. Many do surveys to determine how to best meet people’s felt needs. That’s another discussion.)

    Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

    Revelation 3:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    If this is the last age of the church, it would also follow that the urgency would increase. That is exactly what we see. Instead, He’s not coming quickly, or as a surprise. He’s right there at the door… Knocking!

    There isn’t much time. But you can still open the door to Him.

    Encouragement for Some

    On By TimIn Church, Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Last Days, Love, Prophecy, Revelation 03, Seven Letters to Seven ChurchesLeave a comment

    “To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
    “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
    “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
    “To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

    Revelation 3:14–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    Please do reread this portion of Scripture when finished reading the entire post.

    This is for each of us. Any of us may be of those who are in a church, that for all intents and purposes, appears as the Laodicean one. Our first reaction may be to flee. For some, that may be the best way to handle the situation. But is that what Jesus instructs?

    Please pay attention to the admonitions that Jesus gives. The first is to the church itself. He urges the church to repent.

    Immediately after, He speaks directly to the individuals in the church. It becomes personal. He encourages us to open the door to Him as His voice is heard. Though Jesus may indeed be standing outside the door of this church and those like it, His entreaty is to anyone who hears. That’s you and I!

    For those that hear and respond… The promise to that person is a sweet fellowship with Him. This would be even in the midst of trying circumstances were a believer ‘churches.’

    Jesus doesn’t tell us to flee such a situation. Perhaps we are called to stick it out. To be that one person who helps others to hear Jesus’ voice. If enough do, it would change things dramatically.

    Listen, the local body of believers may have problems… But the promises are to the individuals in those bodies. It’s you He came to save. It’s you He wants to serve. The promises are to him who overcomes.

    Hear what Jesus says to the churches. Listen for His voice and let Him in. Be one who overcomes!

    The Message to the Church at Laodicea

    On By TimIn Daily Walk, Revelation 03Leave a comment

    “To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
    “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

    Revelation 3:14–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    The message here (so far) is to a church, a corporate-whole body of believers. Jesus is addressing the body as a whole. In so doing, this body gets a wretched report card. He calls them lukewarm.
    To hear someone call any individual believer lukewarm is an immediate indication of abuse of this scriptural text. Oftentimes it is done to shame and/or control other Christians. Nevertheless… It is abuse.

    So what now?

    You find yourself in a congregation that appears very much like it is lukewarm (or maybe even cold.) Jesus is standing on the outside of this body, waiting to be let in. You don’t have to leave to have fellowship with Jesus. Perhaps the spark needed for a body to catch fire is yours.

    There’s good news for you here.

    Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

    Revelation 3:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    If you’re a saved believer, that is you believe Jesus is the God-Man come to ransom you, forgive you of your sins, and give you eternal life. Jesus rebukes and disciplines. He never throws us out. We can repent of sins and have fellowship with Jesus restored.
    If you’re not a saved believer, the invitation is to you, too.
    Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Repentance is available to anyone, anytime in this life. If anyone individual hears His voice and opens the door… That is you believe He is. He died and rose again, ascended to heaven. And you’ve confessed your sin… You’ve opened the door.
    He promises to fellowship with you.
    To open the door to Jesus, it’s easy.

    Acknowledge that you are a sinner and completely unable to get to heaven on your own merit. And that Jesus is Who He claimed to be, God.

    Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and rose again to give you eternal life.

    Confess those facts aloud, with your mouth. Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life.

    You Cannot Lose Your Salvation

    On By TimIn Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Revelation 03, SalvationLeave a comment

    He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

    Revelation 3:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    This is Jesus making a promise to you as an individual. Amidst epistles He gave to seven separate local churches as a whole, His appeal is to the church as a whole and extends to the individuals in those churches.

    The weird thing is no matter how bad these churches’ ‘report cards’ were those attending were not encouraged to leave. That speaks volumes, especially in today’s age. (That is another post.) It is when we encounter odd things we can be sure to find something useful. Those attending the churches were instead instructed to strengthen what remains, to repent, remember and be zealous to do right.

    To each individual “who has an ear…” Hear!

    Hear the promise He gives to you if you are a believer. It is a His Word that you cannot lose your salvation, that you can trust Him. Remember what God thinks of His Word?

    He places it above His name (Psalms 138:2.) Believe Him.

    Conversely, this is sometimes taught that that same promise is a warning to you. Your salvation is tenuous and precarious. That if you are not careful, you can lose it. That Jesus will blot out your name from the Book of Life. Is that what is really being said?

    No.

    When we attempt to rightly divide what is being said in the Bible, it is important to use the whole counsel of Scripture. Pointing to standalone verses, context is often non-existent. These verses are made to support or conform to external ideas. With that in mind, let’s see what can be gleaned here.

    We read clearly that Jesus says “he that overcomes.” He is assessing the overcomer. What does He mean?

    Let’s look at how John (the human writer of Revelation) explains these remarks. Revelation is the last book of the New Testament, though scholars believe it was written before John’s three epistles. Therefore, his epistles could offer some enlightenment.

    Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of the Father. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

    1 John 5:1-5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

    He who overcomes is he who believes… If you believe, that is you. Whoever is born of God overcomes the world. Look at how the sentence is constructed. The one born of God, or better born again, overcomes… It is a continuing process that doesn’t stop. The born of God part has already happened. Overcomes is in the simple present tense. The simple present tense in English is used to convey unchanging situations, general truths, and fixed arrangements. Being born again results in unchanging and fixed salvation.

    The promise given to you is another iteration of that in 1 John. To you, as the overcomer—Jesus will not blot your name out of the Book of Life and will also confess your name before the Father.

    It’s the provision of the Holy Spirit to anticipate the need to provide necessary commentary in a later-penned epistle. This is to ensure that you, as a believer, move beyond the elementary things of the faith.

    If you struggle about losing your salvation, don’t. You cannot.