Post by Messenger on Sept 10, 2005 9:08:13 GMT -5
We now look at Sardis!
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. To me, this is talking pretty much about the same kinds of actions as the Pharisees were guilty of-putting on a visible show of piety, but not having anything substancial on the inside. It also reminds me of what we find in:
Matthew 7:26 (New International Version)
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
That of not having a substancial foundation for their faith. Possibly by tring to do things their own way, instead of totally relying on God's strength to help them through!
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Here again, is the call for all who believe in Christ, to return to the fold, & to do it quickly, while there is still time. This verse echoes what we find in:
Matthew 24:39-41 (New International Version)
"That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." We don't know when Jesus will return-can we really afford to be so lax in our Christian walk, that we are willing to take that chance that we won't be ready when Christ DOES return?
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This is what we, as Believers must do. Walk uprightly with the Lord, knowing that one day, we too, will be wearing those white robes, confidently knowing that our names ARE written in the Book of Life, KNOWING that, as adopted children of God, when we stand before His throne, Jesus will say to His Father-"These are mine."
He who has an ear, let him hear. We hear, O Lord! We hear!
Bill
Revelation 3:1-6 (New International Version)
Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis
1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis
1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. To me, this is talking pretty much about the same kinds of actions as the Pharisees were guilty of-putting on a visible show of piety, but not having anything substancial on the inside. It also reminds me of what we find in:
Matthew 7:26 (New International Version)
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
That of not having a substancial foundation for their faith. Possibly by tring to do things their own way, instead of totally relying on God's strength to help them through!
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Here again, is the call for all who believe in Christ, to return to the fold, & to do it quickly, while there is still time. This verse echoes what we find in:
Matthew 24:39-41 (New International Version)
"That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." We don't know when Jesus will return-can we really afford to be so lax in our Christian walk, that we are willing to take that chance that we won't be ready when Christ DOES return?
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This is what we, as Believers must do. Walk uprightly with the Lord, knowing that one day, we too, will be wearing those white robes, confidently knowing that our names ARE written in the Book of Life, KNOWING that, as adopted children of God, when we stand before His throne, Jesus will say to His Father-"These are mine."
He who has an ear, let him hear. We hear, O Lord! We hear!
Bill
