That You May See

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
[Revelation 3:15-19 NKJV]

This concluding letter hearkens back to the first, in the same way that we could see the link between the second and sixth letters. Both the Church at Ephesus and the Laodicean Church have lost their passion. The Ephesians had lost their first love, while here in Laodicea, they have lost their fire. They really cannot be bothered.

Such diffidence — as the Lord makes clear — is neither one thing nor the other and they have become blind to the truth. The only way to regain what is lost (or in the process of being lost) is to repent; just as the Churches at Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira and Sardis we’re urged to do.

It is The Lord’s grace and mercy that we are never lost to Him, if we will but make that free will choice of abandoning ourselves to Him with a contrite heart.

Before the letter concludes with the usual to him that overcomes, we have a verse that has inspired many over the centuries since it was first set down ...

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
[Revelation 3:20 NKJV]

There is no better encapsulation of a loving Father, waiting for a prodigal son to return. Revelation 3:20 sums up the whole purpose of the seven letters; indeed, reveals God’s heart --

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
[1John 4:12-16 NKJV]

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“Behold Me Standing At The Door” — GETHSEMANE METHODIST JUNIOR CHOIR, TARKWA

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OSWALD CHAMBERS — RUN TODAY’S RACE
Saturday 5th September 2020
Sin is not weakness, it is not a disease; it is red-handed rebellion against God, and the magnitude of that rebellion is expressed by Calvary.

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