revelation: the letters to the seven churches class 8 ...€¦ · revelation: the letters to the...

1 | R e v e l a t i o n – C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 8

REVELATION: THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

Class 8. Church of Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church

Rev 3:14-22

14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the

Beginning of the creation of God:

15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could

wish you were cold or hot.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I

will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 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—

18 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.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and

repent.

20 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.

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,

as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the

churches." NKJV

I. BACKGROUND OF LAODICEA

A. The City

1. LAODICEA - [LAY ah duh SEE uh]-a city in the fertile Lycus

Valley of the province of PHRYGIA where one of the seven

churches of Asia Minor was situated (Rev 3:14). About 65

kilometers (40 miles) east of Ephesus and about 16 kilometers

(10 miles) west of Colossae, Laodicea was built on the banks of

the river Lycus, a tributary of the Maeander River.


The words of the risen Christ to Laodicea in Rev 3:14-22

contain allusions to the economic prosperity and social

prominence of the city. Founded by the SELEUCIDS and

named for Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II (261-247 B.C.),

Laodicea became extremely wealthy during the Roman period.

For example, in 62 B.C. Flaccus seized the annual contribution

of the Jews of Laodicea for Jerusalem amounting to 20 pounds

of gold. Moreover, when the city was destroyed by an

earthquake in A.D. 60 (along with Colossae and Hierapolis), it

alone refused aid from Rome for rebuilding (compare the self-

sufficient attitude of the church of Laodicea in Rev 3:17).

Laodicea was known for its black wool industry; it

manufactured garments from the raven-black wool produced by

the sheep of the surrounding area. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

2. The Laodicean condition describes the spiritual lukewarmness

and worldliness that will prevail in the professing church of

Christ at the end of the age. Rich, cultured, religiously

ritualistic-this church will have become so self-satisfied and

worldly as to have ostracised Christ completely. He is

represented prophetically as standing on the outside knocking

for admission (Rev 3:20). No longer is He admitted by the

corporate body, but stands outside extending an invitation to

individuals. The awful spiritual condition, so utterly abhorrent

to God, calls forth one of the boldest figures used in the NT.

"So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will

spit you out of My mouth" (3:16; cf. 2 Tim 3:1-8 for the spiritual

and moral conditions at the end of the church age). (From The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by

Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)

B. Who Jesus Describes Himself As.

1. Amen – This is the Hebrew word for “truth” and carries with it

the meaning of “Finality”. Everything God is and everything

God has spoken and promised is summed up in the person of

Jesus – the Final Truth of God! Dr. Merrill C. Tenney Stated;

“Christ is the seal of God’s revealed truth, the finality of all that

the Father has spoken. Beyond Him, God has nothing more to


say to man.” All of God’s revelations to humankind about

Himself are found in the person of Jesus Christ.

John 14:6

6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJV

2. The Faithful and True Witness – Jesus accurately serves God

through the testimony of His words and deeds. He once stated;

“If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.” He knows all

things from beginning to the end and His word can be accepted

as absolute authority because of the fact of His life, death, and

resurrection.

John 3:34

34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for

God does not give the Spirit by measure. NKJV

3. The Ruler of God’s Creation – The word “ruler” here is more

often translated “beginning” or “first cause”. It implies the

beginning of something or the cause of something coming into

being. It means that Jesus is the source of creation.

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with

God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him

nothing was made that was made. NKJV

Col 1:15-17

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over

all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and

that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or

dominions or principalities or powers. All things were

created through Him and for Him.

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

NKJV


II. CHRIST’S CONDEMNATION OF LAODICEA

Rev 3:15-18

15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish

you were cold or hot.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will

vomit you out of My mouth.

17 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—

18 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. NKJV

A. The Lukewarm Church Vs. 15-16

1. Neither Cold Nor Hot – This church took a neutral stand on the

things of God. It had replaced the power of God with a form of

godliness, organizational ability, programs, committees and

activities. We are warned about this in Paul’s letter to Timothy.

2 Tim 3:1-7

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,

boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,

unthankful, unholy,

3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal,

despisers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than

lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from

such people turn away!

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make

captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by

various lusts,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the

truth. NKJV


2. Tim LaHaye says in His book, “Revelation Unveiled”; “The

lukewarm church, which claims to represent Jesus Christ, never

sees the transformation of a soul from darkness to life, but

instead deceives many because they do not have the power of

the gospel of Christ. These churches are usually more

interested in social action than gospel action, more interested in

reformation than transformation, more interested in planning

than praying. Consequently, they are sickening to the Lord.”

�� John Hagee recently said; “There is a tomorrow that will usher

in events that will completely change this planet and that will

radically change your life and your future. This is not the time

to procrastinate! This is not the time for complacency. This is

not the time to be lukewarm. This is the time to realize that one

day time will be no more and the choices you have made in life

will be irrevocably ratified for all eternity.” {Hagee, John,

BEGINNING OF THE END, p.32}

� The New Age movement came into being in the United States

during the 1960’s, but it is now a worldwide phenomenon. It

originated as an umbrella for several groups: hippies, feminists,

environmentalists, and others. New Agers are involved in

many “consciousness raising” techniques such as channeling,

transcendental meditation, astrology, and developing psychic

powers. Basically, they see man as the sole designer and maker

of his future. The movement dominates the Untied Nations and

is greatly influencing public education, many politicians,

corporations, and the US military. Its greatest danger lies in its

rejection of Jesus as the Savior, its promotion of false religions

and doctrines, its corruption of the church, and its support of

“peace at any price”. It is a major force behind the one world

religion movement that will trigger the judgment of God on the

world.

3. “I Am About To Spit You Out Of Mouth” – Here is the sad

result of this sin of lukewarmness. This is a problem that can

be found in individual lives as well as in whole church bodies.

Imagine being under the deception that you could live your life

the way you wanted and still thought you were a Christian

because you went to church every Sunday. We are told to


judge our lives now so we won’t be judged later. This would

be a wise thing for everyone to do on a daily basis.

1 Cor 11:31-32

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be

judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord,

that we may not be condemned with the world. NKJV

Rom 11:21-22

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not

spare you either.

22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on

those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you

continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut

off. NKJV

B. Differing Descriptions Of The Laodicean Church.

Rev. 3:17

17 For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am

in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are

wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. AMP [Hos. 12:8].1

1. Laodicea’s description of herself:

a. I am rich ; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am

in need of nothing –The Laodicean church of today is the

finest money can buy. It has awesome architecture, million

dollar buildings, fund raising organizations, and a huge

church membership though the people may be

unconsecrated. The people in these churches can organize,

build, promote, preach and teach but they cannot convict or

transform a human soul! The work of the Holy Spirit is to

glorify Jesus only. If these works glorify humanity or its

achievements, it is not the work of the Holy Spirit.

1The Amplified New Testament, (La Habra CA: The Lockman Foundation) 1999.


b. Instead of preaching the truth in the face of denial and false

beliefs, they spend their time dealing with social causes,

trying to change a world that is rapidly heading for

destruction instead of warning the inhabitants of the

destruction and judgment that is coming. The Laodicean

church of today would be at the forefront of gay rights, the

feminist movements and be leaders in feminizing the deity

of God and ordaining homosexuals into the ministry.

2. Christ’s Description Of The Laodicean Church:

a. “Wretched, pitiful” – These people didn’t have a realistic

view of themselves. They probably tried all the self-

improvement helps and techniques, yet Jesus said they

were wretched and pitiful. Jesus is the only thing that

can satisfy the hungry human heart!

b. “Poor” – These people were rich in material things but

poor in the things of the spirit. They lacked Christ and

without Him they had nothing.

Mark 8:36-38

36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world,

and loses his own soul?

37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this

adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man

also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His

Father with the holy angels." NKJV

c. “Blind” – These people thought they were wise by the

world’s standards and they probably were. But we are

not to be wise according to the worlds standards but to

God’s standards. Without the wisdom of God they tend

to try to change the problems of the world without

allowing God to change them instead. An old proverb

states; “Before Kingdoms change, men’s hearts must

change.”


d. “Naked” – The Laodicean church was not clothed with

the righteousness of Christ because it denied Him

Lordship over them as a corporate body and probably as

individuals also. No matter how we clothe ourselves in

this hour, or what we clothe ourselves with, if we do not

put on Christ we will be naked before all.

Rom 13:13-14

13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and

drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and

envy.

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision

for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. NKJV

Gal 3:26-27

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put

on Christ. NKJV

Eph 4:20-24

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have

heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in

Jesus:

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old

man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24 and that you put on the new man which was created

according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

NKJV

Col 3:9-11

9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old

man with his deeds,

10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in

knowledge according to the image of Him who created

him,

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor

uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but

Christ is all and in all. NKJV


� No matter how you describe them, the Laodicean church was an

arrogant, self-sufficient church in an affluent city. Just like

springs of water – cold springs are refreshing, hot springs are

medicinal and lukewarm springs are nauseating!

C. The Counsel Of Christ To The Laodiceans

Rev 3:18-19

18 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.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and

repent. NKJV

1. “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that

you may be rich” – Jesus tells them who are rich to buy gold

which He has refined. Gold was superheated in huge furnaces

to draw out all its impurities until it was refines and pure. At

this point in the refining process, the gold took on a clear and

mirror like finish that enabled the refiner to see his image in the

gold.

1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us

again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus

Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that

does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for

salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while,

if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more

precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by

fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the

revelation of Jesus Christ,


8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not

see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible

and full of glory,

9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your

souls. NKJV

1 Peter 1:3-9 AMP

3 Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy

we have been born again to an ever-living hope through

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the

reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and

unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power

through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final]

salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last

time.

6 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though

now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and

suffer temptations,

7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested,

[your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the

perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This

proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your]

praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the

Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.

8 Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do

not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult

and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant,

heavenly) joy.

9 [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome,

consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your

souls.2

a. It causes great joy to Jesus when He brings us into

a place of fire not only by His Spirit but through

circumstance so that the impurities of our lives



may be drawn out and refined so that He may see

us as pure and holy and so He can behold His

image in us. It’s a part of being baptized with the

Holy Spirit and fire.

Isa 55:1-3

1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you--

The sure mercies of David. NKJV

b. We who are poor are counseled to buy or obtain these

items without money. Why? Because Jesus already

bought them through His death and resurrection.

c. Look at the four references He makes to the items

mentioned.

� Waters – this refers to living waters of life

springing up in those who are saved and also refers

to the Holy Spirit Who is living waters.

� Wine – always speaks of covenant blessings

through covenant agreement. It also speaks of

prosperity and the culmination of the harvest.

� Milk – often refers to provisions which have been

made in where there is no longer any lack.


� Bread – is that which sustains us which Jesus

provided through His death and resurrection.

2. “And white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame

of your nakedness may not be revealed” – These garments

represented the righteousness of God in the believer’s life,

which causes the judgment for sin to pass over the believer. It

can be seen in the following scriptures as robes of

righteousness. Anyone not covered in these robes stood bare

naked before the Lord with their sin exposed, uncovered and

ashamed.

Isa 61:10

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God;

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. NKJV

Rev 19:5-9

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our

God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both

small and great!"

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as

the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty

thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God

Omnipotent reigns!

7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the

marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made

herself ready."

8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen,

clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of

the saints.

9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are

called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said

to me, "These are the true sayings of God." NKJV


Rev. 19:7-9 AMP

7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and

triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory

and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has

come, and His bride has prepared herself. [Ps. 118:24].

8 She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen,

dazzling and white—for the fine linen is (signifies,

represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly

living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God)

of the saints (God’s holy people).

9 Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed

(happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned

(invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And

he said to me [further], These are the true words (the

genuine and exact declarations) of God.3

a. There can be no denying that the bride of Christ is the

body of Chris, the righteous believers that Jesus came

and pulled out of the earth. It mentions the servants

giving praise and being called and invited to the wedding

and that they wore white garments or robes.

b. Before the time of Moses, when the proposal was

accepted {the plan of salvation and the prophecies revealed},

the marriage price paid {through Jesus’ blood, death and

resurrection}, and the gifts distributed {the outpouring of

the Holy Spirit and His gifts and the gifts of deliverance,

healing and salvation were dispersed among mankind}, the

bridegroom was at liberty to move the bride at once to his

own home {rapture or catching away of the church which is

His bride} (Gen 24:63-67). The essence of the ceremony

consisted in the removal of the bride from her father's

house {earth & kingdom of darkness} to that of the

bridegroom or his father {heaven and the Kingdom of God

and His Son}. There seems, indeed, to be a literal truth in

the Heb. expression "to take" a wife (Gen 21:21; 24:3,38;

26:34; see marg.), for the ceremony appears to have mainly

consisted in the taking. After putting on festive dress,



placing a "garland" on his head (Isa 61:10; "crown," Song

3:11, marg., "wreath"), the bridegroom {Jesus} set forth

from his house {Heaven}, attended by his groomsmen

{Angels} (cf. Judg 14:11; Matt 9:15), preceded by a band of

musicians or singers {more angels with a trumpet sound}

(Gen 31:27; Jer 7:34; 16:9; 1 Macc. 9:39), and accompanied

by persons bearing lamps (2 Esd. 10:2; Matt 25:7; cf. Jer

25:10; Rev 18:23). Having reached the house of the bride,

who with her companions anxiously expected his arrival

(Matt 25:1,6), he conducted the whole party back to his

own or his father's house, with every demonstration of

gladness (Ps 45:15). On their way back they were joined

by a party of young girls (virgins), friends of the bride

and bridegroom, who were in waiting to catch the

procession as it passed (Matt 25:6). The inhabitants of the

place pressed out into the streets to watch the procession

(Song 3:11). At the house a feast was prepared, to which

all the friends and neighbors were invited (Gen 29:22;

Matt 22:1-10; Luke 14:8; John 2:2), and the festivities were

protracted for seven or even fourteen days (Judg 14:12;

Tobit 8:19). The guests were provided by the host with

wedding clothes (Matt 22:11), and the feast was enlivened

with riddles (Judg 14:12) and other amusements. The

bridegroom now entered into direct communication with

the bride, and the "friend of the bridegroom . . . rejoices

greatly" at hearing the voice of the bridegroom

conversing with her (John 3:29), which he regarded as a

satisfactory testimony of the success of his share in the

work. The last act in the ceremony was the conducting of

the bride to the bridal chamber (Heb. heder, Judg 15:1; Joel

2:16), where a canopy, named a huppa, was prepared (cf.

Ps 19:5; Joel 2:16). (From The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by

Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)

3. “And anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” – The

Laodicean church had become blind to Christ – Who He was

and what He was doing, and was missing the calling and

purpose of God for their lives. They were in jeopardy of losing

all including their salvation, and their candle of revelation had


been removed. Jesus wanted to heal their blindness which

would consist of the new birth if necessary and the infilling of

the Holy Spirit.

John 3:3 AMP

3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that

unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot

ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the

kingdom of God. 4

1 Cor. 2:13-14 AMP

13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by

human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and

interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those

who possess the Holy Spirit].

14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome

or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of

the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to

him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively

recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted

with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated

and appreciated. 4

� The salve He speaks of here would be the anointing of the Holy

Spirit to know all things.

1 John 2:20

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know

all things. NKJV

1 John 2:27 AMP

27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the

unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in

you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct

you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning

everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in

(live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to

Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].



4. (Vs. 19) “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore

be zealous and repent” – We must remember that because

Christ loves us, He will always be willing to rebuke, chasten

and correct us. He paid an awesome price for us because He

loves us and wants to spend eternity with us and He isn’t going

to let us slip away without a fight.

Heb 12:3-11

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners

against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in

your souls.

4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as

to sons:

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be

discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every

son whom He receives."

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for

what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become

partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and

we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in

subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to

them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His

holiness.

11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but

painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of

righteousness to those who have been trained by it. NKJV

D. Christ’s Counsel To The Church And All Individuals

Rev 3:20-22

20 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.

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I

also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.


22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '

NKJV

1. Vs. 20 – Holman Hunt, the painter of the famous painting of

Jesus standing at the door and knocking, invited his friends to

come by and critique his painting of Jesus. One friend told him

that he left out something very important, the door handle.

Holman Hunt replied; “This door is the picture of the human

heart, and the handle is on the inside.” We are often waiting for

Jesus to move around us when all the while, He wants to move

inside of us. He will never do this however, without a willing

invite to come in and have intimate fellowship – hence the

supper. All too often we desire to invite those who we know

and love or are interested in, to come and have supper with us.

If we haven’t invited Jesus lately, we must ask ourselves –

why?

2. Jesus has been patiently knocking on the door of our hearts for

some time now. How has He done that you ask?

a. Through His Word – Warren Wiersbe once said; “Every

time I open my bible, God opens His mouth.” We can

hear messages in church like this one, but if we have

become lukewarm, we will often sleep in the pews with

our eyes open. We are seeing and listening, but not

perceiving or hearing. Many forget the messages as soon

as they leave the building, forgetting all the while that

God will hold them accountable for what they have just

heard. If they haven’t been faithful with what they have

heard, to do something with it, even what they have He’ll

take away.

Mark 4:10-29

10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the

twelve asked Him about the parable.

11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know

the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are

outside, all things come in parables,

12 so that


'Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they

may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And

their sins be forgiven them.' "

13 And He said to them, "Do you not understand this

parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

14 The sower sows the word.

15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is

sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and

takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who,

when they hear the word, immediately receive it with

gladness;

17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only

for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution

arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.

18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the

ones who hear the word,

19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches,

and the desires for other things entering in choke the

word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who

hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold,

some sixty, and some a hundred."

21 And He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under

a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a

lampstand?

22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed,

nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come

to light.

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."

24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With

the same measure you use, it will be measured to you;

and to you who hear, more will be given.

25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever

does not have, even what he has will be taken away from

him."

26 And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should

scatter seed on the ground,

27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed

should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.


28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then

the head, after that the full grain in the head.

29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the

sickle, because the harvest has come." NKJV

b. Through His people – Many times God uses ordinary,

everyday, often obscure people to touch the lives of those

He is trying to reach. We mistakenly think it will be the

super preacher that reaches a loved one or someone we

are praying for, but this is not always the case.

� A Sunday school teacher, a Mr. Kimball, in 1858 led a

Chicago shoe clerk to Christ.

� The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist. In

England in 1879, he awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart

of Frederick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church.

� F.B. Meyer, preaching on an American College campus,

brought a student named J. Wilbur Chapman to Christ.

� Chapman, engaged in YMCA work, employed a former

baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work.

� Billy Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, North Carolina. A

group of local men were so enthusiastic afterward that they

planned another evangelistic campaign, brining Mordecai

Ham to town to preach.

� During Ham’s revival, a young man named William Graham

heard the gospel and yielded his life to Christ.

� It may be that you are one of the tens of thousands who have

been affected by the ministry of Billy Graham.

c. Through the work of the Holy Spirit – He is the agent

that convicts this world of its sin and causes many to toss

and turn at night fighting with their consciences about

their need for a savior. John 14:8


3. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My

throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on

His throne.” Imagine what Jesus is saying here. He said we

would share the same seat of power and authority as Jesus.

With this comes favorable honor and recognition. I imagine it

would be too much for me as I believe we would all want to

cast our crowns at His feet. But imagine the blessing of this

invitation.

II. THE SUMMARY OF ALL WE WOULD RECEIVE IF WE ARE

OBEDIENT

1. We will eat freely from the tree of life, which is in the midst of

the Paradise of God. Only over comers will eat of this tree

which Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from. Overcoming

the world is the experience that takes place in the life of the

individual who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ. There is no

other way a person can become an over comer!

Rev 2:7

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to

the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat

from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise

of God." ' NKJV

2. We will not be hurt by the second death, which is eternal

separation from God in the Lake of Fire, which burns forever.

Death is the bible’s term for the complete ruin of a person’s life

so they can never fulfill God’s plan for their life, which is

eternal. Death occurs when a person is forever separated from

God instead of united with Him as God intended. The second

death is that state when people who have died in unbelief are

resurrected and cast alive into an eternal state of separation

from God in the place called “the lake of fire”. This is a place

of great suffering and torment, of weeping, screaming and

gnashing of teeth. This second death need never cause the child

of God to fear, for it will have no power over them.


Rev 2:11


the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the

second death." NKJV

3. We will receive hidden manna is a food prepared and given to

the children of God to sustain them and strengthen them as was

the manna in Moses’ day. This manna is hidden and therefore

must be symbolic of a special and sacred substance or ability of

God to nourish us and sustain us with refreshing and strength,

which the world has no knowledge of.

The white stone would most likely represent the righteousness

of God in the form of an acquittal from the crime of our sins.

White usually represents righteousness. In times past during at

a court hearing, a white stone was laid down as a vote for

acquittal for a man’s crimes thereby finding him not guilty.

The white stone, then, stands as a beautiful symbol of the

eternal acquittal we gain through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev 2:17


the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of

the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white

stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one

knows except him who receives it." ' NKJV

4. Again, if we overcome, He will give us power and authority to

rule with Him over the nations of the earth. We must

understand that at the height of the battle of Armageddon, there

will be those who bow their knee to Jesus and surrender who

will be spared and will enter into the 1000-year millennial reign

of Christ. They will not have glorified bodies as you and I have

and Jesus will use us to rule and govern over them, which is

why we must be taught and trained in the here and now for

what lies ahead for us in eternity. The bible also declares that

we would rule over angels also. Therefore, we are being

prepared now and we must be faithful over what Christ gives us

in order to be faithful over that which we will be given in that

day.


We are also promised the morning star. In ancient times,

mariners who traveled through dark and stormy seas depended

on a star (which is actually he planet Venus) which appeared

early in the morning. It was so bright that it could be easily seen

and bearings could be made so the ship wouldn’t lose its way.

Christ is that brightest one shining in the darkest night we could

ever endure. No matter how bad the storm gets, He will show

us the way out of it, and bring us to a place of safety.

Rev 2:25-28

25 But hold fast what you have till I come.

26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the

end, to him I will give power over the nations--

27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;

They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'--

as I also have received from My Father;

28 and I will give him the morning star. NKJV

5. If we overcome, we will be clothed in the righteousness of

Christ Jesus along with those who have done the same.

Because we were not afraid to testify about Jesus before men,

Jesus Himself will introduce us individually to the Father and

His angels. Imagine being introduced to God the Father as a

faithful and true witness and the joy you would fell for not

letting Christ down. Because of this, our names will not be

blotted out of the Lamb’s book of life and we will enter into the

joy of the Lord.

Rev 3:5-6

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments,

and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;

but I will confess his name before My Father and before

His angels.


the churches." ' NKJV

6. If we overcome, Jesus will cause us to stand immovable and

unshakable as a memorial of God, of Jesus, and all that He will

provide for our future. We will receive His new name, which

will grant us entrance into the things of God and into His city


where no one else will be able to enter into. It will identify us

with Christ with His seal upon us. We will be able to see Him

face to face.

Rev 3:12-13

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple

of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write

on him the name of My God and the name of the city of

My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of

heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new

name.


the churches." NKJV

7. If we overcome, we will share Christ’s throne just as He shares

His Father’s throne. This speaks of a divine unity between God

and His children such as has never been seen before in time.

And our rest with Christ and the Father will be eternal as one

with each other in intimate relationship.

Rev 3:21-22

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My

throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father

on His throne.


the churches." NKJV

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