To the Church of the Laodiceans. . .
Revelations 3:14-22
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The last letter to the churches from Jesus, is the letter to the church of the Laodiceans. We are commonly said to be in the age of the church of Laodicea. . .whether that be the case or not, there surely are great parallels between the state of religion addressed by Jesus in Laodicea and our modern day church.
This passage of Scripture reminds me of a computer virus. Only 8 verses long, the significance and density of thought is immense. Almost every word is weighty with massive significance. You cannot afford to ignore anything here. . .
(14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write. . .
It appears that this passage is directly dictated to John. Not leaving anything to chance. . . it appearing that Jesus was not wanting John to paraphrase Him in the least, Jesus directed John’s every word. Unto the angel of the church. . . not as in a heavenly angel, but to God’s messenger in that town. . . to the pastor of that church.
Names in the Bible are often not random, but carry great significance. The city of the church is Laodicea. The name Laodicea is composed of 2 Greek words: Laos, meaning ‘a people’, and the word ‘dike’, meaning right or justice. So the name might be said to mean, ‘people right’ or ‘people justice’. No mention of God in this name.
How similar to the transformation taking place in our country. We were a country founded upon Judeo-Christian principles and step by step we are removing God from our rights and justice and principles. There is huge danger in the road we are on. Without the moral compass of God to guide our judges and political leaders, any philosophical direction may be followed as long as a path of logic leads to it. Logic is heartless and has no morals. A thought or idea may be logical and greatly unrighteous at the same time, if not guided by any moral compass for direction.
(14) . . .These things saith the Amen. . .
Today when a Pastor speaks, oftentimes after an especially good point, members of the congregation will speak out with a loud and enthusiastic chorus of “AMEN’s” and at the end of virtually every prayer given today, the concluding word will be an “Amen.” In this contemporary usage, ‘amen’ means ‘let it be so’. . . ‘verily’. . . enthusiastic agreement with what has just been said, but Jesus has a very different meaning in mind for describing Himself as the Amen. . .
The Greek word used here (G281 ἀμήν), comes from an ancient Hebrew word: (H539 אמן Aw-man), as defined in Strong’s Hebrew dictionary: A primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain. . .
Jesus is not speaking here as a judge. . .He is speaking directly to us, across 2000 years, not rebuking us, but as a caring parent. . . even as a nurse. . . wishing to tend to us and nurture us in our time of need. . . not with anger, but with love and caring for us. . .He is not speaking to us when it is too late to do anything about it. He is lovingly giving us a warning that we need change.
(14). . . the beginning of the creation of God. . .
In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth. . . In that epoch, He created everything. . . But!!! In the beginning of the beginning, God placed Jesus. All of the entirety of His creation revolved around the axis of Jesus Christ. . . Every mote of cosmic dust. . . every sub-atomic particle to the furthest reaches of the universe was placed with Jesus in mind. . .He is the cornerstone. . .the foundation upon which all else rests. . . and as such had to be perfect.
When building a house, you might allow an error in the roof joists. The house might not be badly effected by a mistake in the walls. . . but an error in the foundation will not be worth taking the risk of building upon. Jesus is the foundation upon which we build. . . Jesus is the foundation upon which God built His creation. God gave us free will to choose and not choose as we saw fit and God knew from the beginning that we would require an atonement for our sins.
(15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
He knows by our works. . .He knows by how we occupy ourselves. He knows the temperature of our heart, by what our hands produce, . . .Do we spend our time in godly pursuits? or is Christianity a mere hobby for us, which we only pick up as a fill in when there is nothing else more profitable to do? Can we be hobbyist Christians and make Jesus happy?
He desires us to be cold or hot. . . to have passion within us. . . He prefers passion against Him over complacency and apathy. If there is passion, even negative passion, there is still a caring heart, which He can use. The lukewarm. . . the tepid. . . the apathetic. . . those just going through the motions, with no fervor in their hearts are beyond reach. The Pharisee’s were negative to Him, but at least they cared. He could engage them. Those who walked on by, without even a glance at Him were in His day and indeed are today the truly lost.
(16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because you have no passion. . . because there is no fire in your belly. . . because you are a Christian as convenient. . . My God!!! . . . “I will spue thee out of my mouth”. . . What a horrible vision of the Lord wanting to spue. . . to vomit me out of His mouth. My tepidness is so distasteful to Him, that I am as a wretched and vile flavor, and so must be immediately gotten rid of, even to His own humbling. When a person ejects something from their mouth in this manner, they are beyond caring what others might think of them. Their only motivation is to rid themselves of the distasteful mass from their mouth.
To think of my Lord viewing me in this manner, scares me to death. Has my ferver cooled since coming to church 11 years ago? Am I only going through the motions. . . Has Christianity become a mere habit, and not my passion. I. . . we must avoid this at all costs. I do not want to face Jesus and have Him grimace in displeasure. . . .I want above all to hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant. . .”
(17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Many of us came to the Lord, wanting and needy. Our sinful and unreliable ways led to financial irresponsibility and lack. Now having lived for the Lord for a time, we begin to rebuild and bear the fruits of righteousness and responsibility. We have a little money in the bank. Our bills are current. We may have a dependable car and a nicer place to live than we’ve had in many a year. In our new found financial comfort, we are misled into thinking that we are spiritually well and wholesome.
We turn to the Lord in our times of need, and we again drift away from Him in our times of plenty. This is pattern repeated over and again in the Old Testament. The Lord wants bless us, as any Father wants to bless His children, but there is great spiritual danger in our mistaking physical comfort with spiritual health. We cannot allow our diminishing physical hunger pangs, to quench our spiritual hunger and thirst or to blind us to our spiritual neediness.
(18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; . . .
God now advises us on how to correct this error in our spiritual walk. Our first instruction:. . . “buy of me gold tried in the fire. . .”
Psalms 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Proverbs 8:10-19
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. (11) For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. (13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (14) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. (15) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. (16) By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. (17) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (18) Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. (19) My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Seek God. . . seek His true wisdom. . . Wisdom which is not based upon Him, is false wisdom. Seek knowledge of Him. . . seek those things which make Him happy. . . Put every bit as much effort in coming to know Him, as you do in gaining expertise in the ways and knowledge of the world.
18. . . (cont.) [buy of Me] white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear
Put on garments holiness. . . put on robes of righteousness, that your sinful origins are covered and hidden.
Gensis 3:10-11 & 21 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?. . .(21) Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
As long as we were innocent. . . as long as we were without sin, there was no shame in our nakedness. . . in our being totally exposed to God, but after our fall, Adam knew that he had shame which needed to be covered. . . and even God agreed. God did not dispute with Adam, that he now needed to cover his body. He now had that which needed to be not exposed. God made coverings for Adam and Eve to hide their shame. . .The physical in the Old Testament is replaced by the Spiritual in the New Testament. We need the Spiritual covering provided by God for our nakedness. We must put on holiness. We must have a cloak of righteousness, to stand before God without having to try and hide from Him. . .We must be covered by the blood of His sacrifice. . .
(18) (cont.) . . .and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Jesus is saying, put a poultice on your eyes. . .something is wrong with your vision. . . Not your physical vision, but your spiritual vision. Put a plaster on your eyes. . . the Greek word here is derived from another Greek word meaning ‘glue’. I am reminded of Paul’s being struck blind by God putting scales on his eyes, on the road to Damascus:
Act 9:8-18 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (9) And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. (10) And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (11) And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (12) And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (13) Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (14) And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (16) For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (17) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
The Lord took away Saul’s natural sight, that He might show him spiritual things. God showed Saul in a vision who would restore his sight. He also showed Saul the future. God closed Saul’s physical eyes, as with scales. . . . What does it take for God to get our attention? Is He as Saul, pricking our steps. . . putting obstacles in our paths to bring our attention back to Him? He is begging us to take our eyes off of the world, and to spend time looking at Him. . .looking at. . . and. . . looking for spiritual things.
The world is filled with distractions. All of our technology demands attention. . . Twitter, Facebook, email, DVD’s, CD’s, Netflix, You Tube, iTunes, . . . and on and on. . . Watching godly movies. . . listening to godly music. . . or reading and posting and reposting spiritual links on Facebook, is no substitute for spending time alone seeking the face and the will of God.
(19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Jesus is saying these things, He is dictating this letter to John, not to condemn us, but to try to change the path we are on. . . to restore us to fervency and to reignite the fire of our passion for Him. He is not saying these things in His coming role as a judge, but as our advocate. . . as our counselor. . . giving loving advice to us as our loving Father.
(20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
I have given hundreds upon hundreds of Bible verse cards out to people with this verse printed upon them. 90+ percent of those cards were given to people who had little or no relationship with God, but this verse was written not to those who are new to the Lord. . . though they surely may benefit from this verse, but this whole passage of Scripture is written to people who have begun to fall away from God by the cooling of their passion for Him. . . It is not written to new converts, but to saints who for long decades has sat upon church pews. . . Who have done that which has been asked of them by their Pastors. . .Who have lived from all outward appearances, righteous and holy lives. . . tithing. . . possibly doing daily devotions. . . but for all that, their spiritual temperature is not longer hot. They have become. . . or maybe better put. . . allowed themselves to become tepid and lukewarm.
God wants back in to your life. He once again wants to be the centerpiece of your existence. . . the reason for YOUR season of life. . . . your Rock. . . your Anchor. . . your Morning Star. . . not on the periphery, but at the very core of your fiery furnace of Spiritual passion. . .
(21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
If we listen to these words, and heed them, forgiveness is complete and nothing will be kept from us. There is no shame in coming back to regain our passion for God. Jesus says that even He, had to fight this battle of losing His passion and faith. Like all battles we fight. . . like all temptations we face, Jesus walked this earth with a body of flesh. He knows what it is to be hurting and tired. . . He knows the difficulty of maintaining faith and passion in the face of discouragement. He fought this battle and prevailed. He gives us that same Spirit, with which He prevailed, for use in our own battle. . .
(22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
He is trying desperately to get our attention. . .Listen. . . Your Lord is speaking to you. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The last letter to the churches from Jesus, is the letter to the church of the Laodiceans. We are commonly said to be in the age of the church of Laodicea. . .whether that be the case or not, there surely are great parallels between the state of religion addressed by Jesus in Laodicea and our modern day church.
This passage of Scripture reminds me of a computer virus. Only 8 verses long, the significance and density of thought is immense. Almost every word is weighty with massive significance. You cannot afford to ignore anything here. . .
(14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write. . .
It appears that this passage is directly dictated to John. Not leaving anything to chance. . . it appearing that Jesus was not wanting John to paraphrase Him in the least, Jesus directed John’s every word. Unto the angel of the church. . . not as in a heavenly angel, but to God’s messenger in that town. . . to the pastor of that church.
Names in the Bible are often not random, but carry great significance. The city of the church is Laodicea. The name Laodicea is composed of 2 Greek words: Laos, meaning ‘a people’, and the word ‘dike’, meaning right or justice. So the name might be said to mean, ‘people right’ or ‘people justice’. No mention of God in this name.
How similar to the transformation taking place in our country. We were a country founded upon Judeo-Christian principles and step by step we are removing God from our rights and justice and principles. There is huge danger in the road we are on. Without the moral compass of God to guide our judges and political leaders, any philosophical direction may be followed as long as a path of logic leads to it. Logic is heartless and has no morals. A thought or idea may be logical and greatly unrighteous at the same time, if not guided by any moral compass for direction.
(14) . . .These things saith the Amen. . .
Today when a Pastor speaks, oftentimes after an especially good point, members of the congregation will speak out with a loud and enthusiastic chorus of “AMEN’s” and at the end of virtually every prayer given today, the concluding word will be an “Amen.” In this contemporary usage, ‘amen’ means ‘let it be so’. . . ‘verily’. . . enthusiastic agreement with what has just been said, but Jesus has a very different meaning in mind for describing Himself as the Amen. . .
The Greek word used here (G281 ἀμήν), comes from an ancient Hebrew word: (H539 אמן Aw-man), as defined in Strong’s Hebrew dictionary: A primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain. . .
Jesus is not speaking here as a judge. . .He is speaking directly to us, across 2000 years, not rebuking us, but as a caring parent. . . even as a nurse. . . wishing to tend to us and nurture us in our time of need. . . not with anger, but with love and caring for us. . .He is not speaking to us when it is too late to do anything about it. He is lovingly giving us a warning that we need change.
(14). . . the beginning of the creation of God. . .
In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth. . . In that epoch, He created everything. . . But!!! In the beginning of the beginning, God placed Jesus. All of the entirety of His creation revolved around the axis of Jesus Christ. . . Every mote of cosmic dust. . . every sub-atomic particle to the furthest reaches of the universe was placed with Jesus in mind. . .He is the cornerstone. . .the foundation upon which all else rests. . . and as such had to be perfect.
When building a house, you might allow an error in the roof joists. The house might not be badly effected by a mistake in the walls. . . but an error in the foundation will not be worth taking the risk of building upon. Jesus is the foundation upon which we build. . . Jesus is the foundation upon which God built His creation. God gave us free will to choose and not choose as we saw fit and God knew from the beginning that we would require an atonement for our sins.
(15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
He knows by our works. . .He knows by how we occupy ourselves. He knows the temperature of our heart, by what our hands produce, . . .Do we spend our time in godly pursuits? or is Christianity a mere hobby for us, which we only pick up as a fill in when there is nothing else more profitable to do? Can we be hobbyist Christians and make Jesus happy?
He desires us to be cold or hot. . . to have passion within us. . . He prefers passion against Him over complacency and apathy. If there is passion, even negative passion, there is still a caring heart, which He can use. The lukewarm. . . the tepid. . . the apathetic. . . those just going through the motions, with no fervor in their hearts are beyond reach. The Pharisee’s were negative to Him, but at least they cared. He could engage them. Those who walked on by, without even a glance at Him were in His day and indeed are today the truly lost.
(16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because you have no passion. . . because there is no fire in your belly. . . because you are a Christian as convenient. . . My God!!! . . . “I will spue thee out of my mouth”. . . What a horrible vision of the Lord wanting to spue. . . to vomit me out of His mouth. My tepidness is so distasteful to Him, that I am as a wretched and vile flavor, and so must be immediately gotten rid of, even to His own humbling. When a person ejects something from their mouth in this manner, they are beyond caring what others might think of them. Their only motivation is to rid themselves of the distasteful mass from their mouth.
To think of my Lord viewing me in this manner, scares me to death. Has my ferver cooled since coming to church 11 years ago? Am I only going through the motions. . . Has Christianity become a mere habit, and not my passion. I. . . we must avoid this at all costs. I do not want to face Jesus and have Him grimace in displeasure. . . .I want above all to hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant. . .”
(17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Many of us came to the Lord, wanting and needy. Our sinful and unreliable ways led to financial irresponsibility and lack. Now having lived for the Lord for a time, we begin to rebuild and bear the fruits of righteousness and responsibility. We have a little money in the bank. Our bills are current. We may have a dependable car and a nicer place to live than we’ve had in many a year. In our new found financial comfort, we are misled into thinking that we are spiritually well and wholesome.
We turn to the Lord in our times of need, and we again drift away from Him in our times of plenty. This is pattern repeated over and again in the Old Testament. The Lord wants bless us, as any Father wants to bless His children, but there is great spiritual danger in our mistaking physical comfort with spiritual health. We cannot allow our diminishing physical hunger pangs, to quench our spiritual hunger and thirst or to blind us to our spiritual neediness.
(18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; . . .
God now advises us on how to correct this error in our spiritual walk. Our first instruction:. . . “buy of me gold tried in the fire. . .”
Psalms 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Proverbs 8:10-19
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. (11) For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. (13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (14) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. (15) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. (16) By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. (17) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (18) Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. (19) My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Seek God. . . seek His true wisdom. . . Wisdom which is not based upon Him, is false wisdom. Seek knowledge of Him. . . seek those things which make Him happy. . . Put every bit as much effort in coming to know Him, as you do in gaining expertise in the ways and knowledge of the world.
18. . . (cont.) [buy of Me] white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear
Put on garments holiness. . . put on robes of righteousness, that your sinful origins are covered and hidden.
Gensis 3:10-11 & 21 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?. . .(21) Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
As long as we were innocent. . . as long as we were without sin, there was no shame in our nakedness. . . in our being totally exposed to God, but after our fall, Adam knew that he had shame which needed to be covered. . . and even God agreed. God did not dispute with Adam, that he now needed to cover his body. He now had that which needed to be not exposed. God made coverings for Adam and Eve to hide their shame. . .The physical in the Old Testament is replaced by the Spiritual in the New Testament. We need the Spiritual covering provided by God for our nakedness. We must put on holiness. We must have a cloak of righteousness, to stand before God without having to try and hide from Him. . .We must be covered by the blood of His sacrifice. . .
(18) (cont.) . . .and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Jesus is saying, put a poultice on your eyes. . .something is wrong with your vision. . . Not your physical vision, but your spiritual vision. Put a plaster on your eyes. . . the Greek word here is derived from another Greek word meaning ‘glue’. I am reminded of Paul’s being struck blind by God putting scales on his eyes, on the road to Damascus:
Act 9:8-18 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (9) And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. (10) And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (11) And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (12) And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (13) Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (14) And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (16) For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (17) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
The Lord took away Saul’s natural sight, that He might show him spiritual things. God showed Saul in a vision who would restore his sight. He also showed Saul the future. God closed Saul’s physical eyes, as with scales. . . . What does it take for God to get our attention? Is He as Saul, pricking our steps. . . putting obstacles in our paths to bring our attention back to Him? He is begging us to take our eyes off of the world, and to spend time looking at Him. . .looking at. . . and. . . looking for spiritual things.
The world is filled with distractions. All of our technology demands attention. . . Twitter, Facebook, email, DVD’s, CD’s, Netflix, You Tube, iTunes, . . . and on and on. . . Watching godly movies. . . listening to godly music. . . or reading and posting and reposting spiritual links on Facebook, is no substitute for spending time alone seeking the face and the will of God.
(19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Jesus is saying these things, He is dictating this letter to John, not to condemn us, but to try to change the path we are on. . . to restore us to fervency and to reignite the fire of our passion for Him. He is not saying these things in His coming role as a judge, but as our advocate. . . as our counselor. . . giving loving advice to us as our loving Father.
(20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
I have given hundreds upon hundreds of Bible verse cards out to people with this verse printed upon them. 90+ percent of those cards were given to people who had little or no relationship with God, but this verse was written not to those who are new to the Lord. . . though they surely may benefit from this verse, but this whole passage of Scripture is written to people who have begun to fall away from God by the cooling of their passion for Him. . . It is not written to new converts, but to saints who for long decades has sat upon church pews. . . Who have done that which has been asked of them by their Pastors. . .Who have lived from all outward appearances, righteous and holy lives. . . tithing. . . possibly doing daily devotions. . . but for all that, their spiritual temperature is not longer hot. They have become. . . or maybe better put. . . allowed themselves to become tepid and lukewarm.
God wants back in to your life. He once again wants to be the centerpiece of your existence. . . the reason for YOUR season of life. . . . your Rock. . . your Anchor. . . your Morning Star. . . not on the periphery, but at the very core of your fiery furnace of Spiritual passion. . .
(21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
If we listen to these words, and heed them, forgiveness is complete and nothing will be kept from us. There is no shame in coming back to regain our passion for God. Jesus says that even He, had to fight this battle of losing His passion and faith. Like all battles we fight. . . like all temptations we face, Jesus walked this earth with a body of flesh. He knows what it is to be hurting and tired. . . He knows the difficulty of maintaining faith and passion in the face of discouragement. He fought this battle and prevailed. He gives us that same Spirit, with which He prevailed, for use in our own battle. . .
(22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
He is trying desperately to get our attention. . .Listen. . . Your Lord is speaking to you. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
He that hath an ear, let him hear. . .
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