“Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis, for these are the words of the one who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know all that you do and I know that you have a reputation for being really “alive,” but you’re actually dead! Wake up and strengthen all that remains before it dies, for I haven’t found your works to be perfect in the sight of my God. So remember all the things you’ve received and heard, then turn back to God and obey them. For if you continue to slumber, I will come to you like a thief, and you’ll have no idea at what hour I will come. Yet there are still a few in Sardis who have remained pure, and they will walk in fellowship with me in brilliant light, for they are worthy. And the one who experiences victory will be dressed in white robes and I will never, no never erase your name from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge your name before my Father and his angels. So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is now saying to all the churches. Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia, for these are the solemn words of the Holy One, the True One, who has David’s key, who opens doors that none can shut and who closes doors that none can open: I know all that you’ve done. Now I have set before you a wide-open door that none can shut. For I know that you possess only a little power, yet you’ve kept my word and haven’t denied My Name. Watch how I deal with those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews but are not, for they’re lying. I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge how much I’ve loved you. Because you’ve passionately kept My message of perseverance, I will also keep you from the hour of proving that is coming to test every person on earth. But I come swiftly, so cling tightly to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown of victory. For the one who is victorious, I will make you to be a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, permanently secure. I will write on you the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the New Jerusalem, descending from my God out of heaven. And I’ll write my own name on you. So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is now saying to all the churches. Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Laodicea, for these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation: I know all that you do, and I know that you are neither frozen in apathy nor fervent with passion. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from My mouth. For you claim, “I’m rich and getting richer—I don’t need a thing.” Yet you are clueless that you’re miserable, poor, blind, barren, and naked! So I counsel you to purchase gold perfected by fire, so that you can be truly rich. Purchase a white garment to cover and clothe your shameful Adam-nakedness. Purchase eye salve to be placed over your eyes so that you can truly see. All those I dearly love I unmask and train. So repent and be eager to pursue what is right. Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear My voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with Me. And to the one who conquers I will give the privilege of sitting with Me on My throne, just as I conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to the churches.”
Revelation 3:1-22 TPT
Introspection: To take a long hard look at, a reflective look inward.
Good morning saints! When was the last time you sat reflectively with yourself? Reevaluating your walk with God. Not measuring yourself against or with another, but against God’s standard for your life. How are you doing? On a scale of one to ten, where would you place your spiritual life and why? God has a high bar, and it’s high for a reason. In the chapter above the ONE who purchased the church is now doing the inspecting, and He’s not impressed. He has some praise but mostly disappointment for our lack of commitment to what we know we’re supposed to be about.
As with most inspections, there is some good news and there is some not so good news. But the recommendations for improvements come with urgency. We don’t have the time to galavant, rest on our laurels, pat ourselves on the back because we got some things right. The Inspector demands that everything be put in order before He comes. So what are we going to do? We can all use some self reflection, none of us are where we’re supposed to be, but there’s grace in that He not only tells us where we’re failing but what we need to do to get back on track.
Where do you find yourself in the churches mentioned in this text? Are you going to take the recommendation to come up higher, or will you take your chances? I said in another Message, there’s no do-over in the grave. Jesus is warning us that we have no idea when He’s coming back, but we do have today-today to strengthen what is weak, right the wrongs, repent, change course, be about our Father’s business. There’s so much at stake. Paul wrote in Romans 13 these words:
“To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Romans 13:11 TPT
To live with a sense of urgency in these last days is of utmost importance. Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Everyday is today. The day when the Lord Jesus can return. We don’t have the time we tell ourselves we have. If anyone had told my nephew that September 5, 2020 would’ve been his last day on earth as a 43 year old, he probably would’ve laughed at them. But guess what? His inspection day came whether he was ready or not. And so will ours. The apostle John has issued a warning through the revelation he received. We’d be served well to heed his words. We’re running around afraid of COVID-19 when there’s a greater fear lurking unnoticed and ignored by millions who call ourselves the church of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming soon! He has done a pre-return inspection, and He’s not pleased. Peter warned the early church and its our warning now:
“Beloved friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you in which I’ve attempted to stir you up and awaken you to a proper mind-set. So never forget both the prophecies spoken by the holy prophets of old and the teaching of our Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Above all, you must understand that in the last days mockers will multiply, chasing after their evil desires. They will say, “So what about this promise of His coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, yet everything is still the same as it was since from the beginning of time until now.” But they conveniently overlook that from the beginning, the heavens and earth were created by God’s word. He spoke and the dry ground separated from the waters. Then long afterward He destroyed the world with a tremendous flood by those very waters. And now, by the same powerful word, the heavens and the earth are reserved for fire, being kept for judgment day, when all the ungodly will perish. So, dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape your notice: a single day counts like a thousand years to the Lord Yahweh, and a thousand years counts as one day. This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, His “delay” simply reveals His loving patience toward you, because He does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:1-9 TPT
Can you hear the pleading heart of The Father in Peter’s words? He doesn’t want any to perish. It’s frightening to see how laid back some people are concerning the return of the Lord. What’s even more frightening is the complacency of the Church. There’s no sense of urgency. Time is wrapping up, who are you sharing the good news with? The good news of redemption and hope. Are you ready? If you are His, then it’s ceased being about you, but more about those who are perishing, waiting to hear from you. If you’re not where you need to be, Use the time you have been given to turn quickly back to Who and what really matters: Jesus Christ the Righteous. Why should you perish when you know the truth? Isaiah penned these words:
“Seek GOD while He’s here to be found, pray to Him while He’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to GOD, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.”
Isaiah 55:6-7 MSG
Friends, the invitation for retrospection and change is available to all of us. How we choose to spend the time God has given us is our choice. I pray all of you reading these words will make a conscious decision to prepare to meet our soon and coming King.
Father in the Name of Jesus, we want to thank You for the warnings as well as the instructions on how to prepare our lives for the return of Jesus. Thank you for loving us the way you do. I’m humbled by how much You care for us. It’s with hearts of gratitude that we make a conscious decision to break up our fallow ground and return with all our hearts to what really matters. Serving You. Nothing else matters. Thank You for being You! Unchanging, faithful, loving and kind. In Jesus Name. Amen
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant