We read the last letter to the churches from Jesus Christ, the letter to the Laodiceans. Jesus Christ presents Himself as the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God in verse 14 of chapter 3. It really matters the origin or root that we are from…. What do you mean, lady?….
Well, in the Book of Gospel of John, it is written 1;12-13, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those that believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Someday, only, the Father knows when this world will burn up in fire. As Peter states in 2 Peter 3;10-14, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in godly conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…
The new heavens and new earth are where the new creation ones born from above will dwell. As it written in Hebrews 12;22-24 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
As we study this letter along with all the other exhortations, let us follow the instructions of Hebrews 12;25-29, See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice shook the earth; but now He has promised saying, Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, Yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
We can all stand in agreement that God is an wonderfully awesome God. Well, through His Son, the Firstborn from the dead, we live and shall live forever if we abide in His love and commands, (John 14). We would be foolish to think that we can live on this earth once we have tasted of the goodness in His Son in His grace and mercy and sacrifice and despise His promises of our inheritance with no consequence.
Sometimes we are deceived in the here and now. We loose the vision of the Uncreated One’s eye that knows and shows us the end from the beginning….. We let go of heaven and touch the earthly ways. We loose the ability to hear of His voice warning us. What is His warning to the Laodiceans?
God had great plans for the Abraham’s lineage. Isaac was his son born by the promise of God. God wanted Abraham to know God was behind the birth of Isaac, the promise. Abraham and Sarah were too old to bear children, however, nothing is impossible with God. God’s will was to give an inheritance through this child, Isaac. Then Isaac produced two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob supplanted Esau. He tricked Esau in trading his inheritance as the firstborn for stew. Now through Jacob, Israel was brought forth….. God’s plan for a nation that was set apart for Him and His glory….. but Esau lost out to be in the greatest of God’s plan.
We have an inheritance in our Lord. This world is not our destination, it is not our home for those that call on the name of Jesus Christ. The Apostle John saw our inheritance in his vision of heaven and the visions that the Book of Revelation speaks. He wrote in 1 John 1;15-17, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
I believe John is speaking from first hand experience as he saw the heavens and the earth roll up like a scroll from the face of God Almighty in the day of judgment, the Day of the Lord. It is foolish to lack the knowledge of the exhortations of the Lord. We need to have understanding of His ways so that we may humble ourselves and then turn in repentance to align ourselves with His will.
In verse 16-17, 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-.
This rebuke is not to the world, this is to His people, His church. The Father has called us to be His own in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ sees His inheritance getting tarnished by the deceit of the evil one. They fell for the lust of their eyes and flesh and the pride of life…..Did they flunk the test of temptations in their wilderness? How are we doing in the testing in our wilderness? Just a question, how far away from His presence do you think the Lord spews out those who are lukewarm? Would you think that could be rejecting something from His body that doesn’t agree with Him? Hmmmmm…… Selah!
We have to know and learn the way of the Kingdom of God is upside down,( actually right side up), from the ways of the world. Jesus Christ spoke this in Luke 16;15, You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Choosing to be big here, we jeopardize our greatness in God’ plan. Big is just big in this world. But to be used for the greatness of God’s plan, well, that should speak for itself, …. I hope. The greatness of God’s plan and His reward is everlasting. This world’s wealth and fame is here today, and gone tomorrow, but most important to realize is that we have chosen the lesser. It is a lie from our enemy saying we can have the best of both worlds…That is not the truth.
We missed the test if we have gone after being big here. We have gone after the fool’s gold. It looks real but alas….. it is only a mirage of the True Reality. Then we have to search out ourselves in what means did we bow to get that fool’s gold? What did we compromise to win the big?
Jesus Christ counsels us in verse 18-19, 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.
What is the gold that the Lord is speaking? Where is the eye salve? Big doesn’t work in His eyes, but us choosing the greatness of our God does….. Why does the Lord keep bringing up those white garments? Why are they so important to Him? What is the symbolic meaning of gold? Big today or the greatness of being in His plan and tomorrow’s promise of the Lord….. Choose before you today……
There may be shame and not fame. There may be slander instead of men’s praises.There may be loss and not gain of the earth’s dross, (riches). There may be hunger and even death from this earth yet, there is resurrection and hidden manna for us to feast on….. Which is the greater? Which is the higher way? Which is the way of the cross? Which is the way of our Lord’s?
… Too much food here to eat at one study time, we will pick up our great God’s plan up next blog…. God willing.
Selah…… To be a vessel pouring out His greatness or be big in a moment and loose our greatest potential. There is a cost for both, which is the wisest choice and the worthiest cost to bear? Whose eyes do we live before? God’s or men and why?
