“As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)
As we’ve been covering in our study of Revelation, there is hope proclaimed throughout this book. We can see God’s plan for justice and in chapter 3, and we can see his continuing mercy for all of us.
There are 3 churches described and each has its flaws. Sardis was once thriving, but is not living up to its reputation and only a few remain faithful. Philadelphia has had wide-open opportunities and yet seems to have just a little power. Laodicea is lukewarm, double-minded, and not fully for Jesus. There is punishment coming and trials for those who haven’t been faithful. God is appealing to the churches to respond before it’s too late. For each of them, he commands us to hold on, repent, endure, and listen. Even in the greatest trials or lowest defeats, God is still promising victory and hope.
We need to listen.
We need to listen to his word and listen because he’s at our doorstep. “See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Heʻs knocking and asking us to let him in! We may be messed up, fouled up, dirty sinners and yet Christ comes and seeks us out. He wants to spend time in fellowship!! If we have ears (and so really none of us has an excuse) he asks us to listen for him and respond. Wherever you are today, however you’re doing, you are not at the end of your journey. He tells us we still have a chance to stop, turnaround, listen, hear him calling, and follow.