Tag: Laodicea

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.