We will continue with examination of the personal question, ‘how do these things affect me?’ by considering how they did affect the first saints.
1 To the angel of the church in Sardis, write
These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead. 2 Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. 3 Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
4 But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. 5 Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Again, to paraphrase the words of the Lord, the One who has the Divine purpose within himself, presenting in His life the will of God both in the heavens and upon the Earth. Knowing, watching, inspiring, guiding, and now extending discipline – you affirm a vital presence in the land and in human affairs and, yet, you have not embraced the work, the very message of life. While you are yet able to work, commit to it! You have not finished the tasks, lived according to the way entrusted to you, that is to produce spiritual fruit within the time and place of your lives. Bring to the hidden recesses of your heart and mind these gifts shared with you – the meaning, the joy, the hope of salvation – and examine it anew. Apply it anew. Realize the time is passing and that time and opportunity are alike – fleeting.
Still, there are a few among you that have not allowed wasted time to stain, to gravely diminish the supreme truths presented in the life, the teachings of Christ Jesus. Each will receive the due honour of their genuine service to the Almighty. The eternal record will declare their names, every one, before God the Father and his heavenly messengers.
If you are able and willing to hear, listen, consider, and understand so as to live (in) the message so spoken to the churches.
7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write
These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. 9 Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The words of the Messiah, righteous and trustworthy – of the king of Israel. The authority and power of the new and everlasting covenant is held by Him alone! I know firsthand what you have done, and what remains undone. I prepared the way forward, so proceed without reservation! Be true to the gospel, thereby allow the truth of Christ to bear witness. Consider those who serve the adversary – to prevent you from proceeding. They present themselves as partakers in the first covenant, but in so doing they effect lies and mislead people. You will witness – even to these – the love I bring and share with you. “I am coming soon,” so cling unrelentingly to the hope that bears fruit, within and around you.
Those who live in the world will be tested, but your fidelity in keeping God’s law will keep you from this trial. Do not allow sin to impoverish you, to separate you from His Majesty! Choose to be one of the elect to citizenship in the kingdom! Now hear and understand, and so trust the Spirit of God to lead you home.
14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
15 I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! 16 So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!
17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
20 Behold, 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. 21 To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
In Christ we see the hands of God in His creation throughout time.
You have worked, laboured to effect each day but have done so without the pain of loss or the joy of gain! You have not the dedication to achieve the prize and so mourn not ongoing defeat. I therefore feel no pleasure in your efforts because they are lackluster. You tell yourselves there is no need of God’s provision, of His remedy and so you are genuinely in want! Buy the unfailing wealth – receive the benefits of wisdom with gratitude and joy. See, perceive – know the discipline of God is to heal and equip you to light the way for yourselves and for others.
Awaken and come forward to answer my call. Anyone who hears and responds will share in my provision – the greatest of stations among God’s children, to abide in the company of the saints before the Most High.
Make the opportunity you have been given the path of your life.
Friends, the work of Christ in the earthly fields is not tasked to individuals for solo effort, for immaterial gain. Rather it is the means God has chosen, prepared in His wisdom and grace to provide for us all the sustainance that nourishes each to maturity in living our part of the Christian life – the eternal life, vital in the Spirit of God and most precious to our Heavenly Father.
I humbly ask you to proceed forward with me, that we may trace together the events embodied in the text – past and future. The scripture is certain. It is not simply possible, it is the definite record of humanity with and against Christ. Participate, for goodness’ sake with the security and certainty of Christ. Let no one steal your crown through your carelessness, your abandonment – God forbid.
End Times Prophecy 