This is the last church age, which starts after WWII, after Jesus comes like a thief. This church age will prepare the church for the judgement against the great city Babylon in chapter 18, and the works of the dragon beast and the final lake of fire in chapter 20.
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit (vomit) you out of my mouth.
Laodicea means People's Rights which can be defined as the opposite of AMEN (truly) as shown in Strong's Greek 543: willful unbelief, obstinacy, disobedience. Jesus is the Amen, which is defined as faithful and true witness to God. He is the beginning (archē #746)of God's creation - eternal life. This word "beginning archē #746" is also used in John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word is the Greek "logos" this is described perfectly in Proverbs 8 as "wisdom." Starting with verse 22“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth...30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always. In proverbs 4 we see instruction as the words of a father, and wisdom being a mother's insight. Both instruction and insight are words from the Most Holy God, the ONE who sits on the throne. In the beginning was wisdom, and wisdom was with God and wisdom was God.
We move on to John 1:2, where we have the word HE which describes Logos. This is Houtos, Strong’s 3778, which out of over 1300 occurrences, was translated as this or these 1100 times. We can safely say "this" was in the beginning with God. which we can refer to as wisdom, not Jesus. John himself explains in his letter 1 John. He calls this word from God, the "word of eternal life." God promised this word of eternal life from the beginning, and it was manifested through the life and death of Jesus. John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2t he life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the faithful and true witness to this eternal life. We think of witnesses in the court of law, as someone who saw firsthand, who's testimony is irrefutable evidence of what the other person claims to be true. God's claim was that he had a plan of redemption and because Jesus is the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20) he proved God's plan to be true. Jesus lived as a man, was tempted as a man, died as a man and was raised by God as a man, and now history knows this claim is now a fact, and it applies to rest of mankind as well. He is the beginning of the eternal life, the firstborn of the new creation (Colossians 1:18). Since this claim is a promise for all mankind, for the world, (John 3:16) we too can have the blessed hope of resurrection and eternal life.
We can read again of God's promise to redeem mankind in Romans 1:1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.
Jesus himself testified about his humanity with his conversation with Thomas in Luke 24:36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
The reason I am emphasizing how Jesus was a man, is that we are called to imitate Christ.
If Jesus was a god-man, then there is an excuse for us not to do the signs and wonders that he did. But, Jesus was man, and every miracle he performed, he calls us to imitate. This is the calling to enter the Kingdom of God before the literal resurrection. This is why the baptism is so pivotal in our walk, because we die and are resurrected by faith into the kingdom so we can do the works Jesus did. The Laodicean church does not have the luxury of easy grace Christianity. The kingdom of darkness is fully loosed and we have the word of God available to us in such abundance that there will be no excuse for us when Jesus knocks. Jesus has no mercy for the lukewarm.
Interesting information from https://crossroadsbible.net/2022/03/24/hot-or-cold-at-laodicea/ Laodicea did not have its own source of water. Nearby was Heiropolis, a place known for its healing hot springs. Think of the pool of Bethesda, where the waters would be troubled and people would rush in to be healed. Also nearby was Colossae, where there was a source of water from a cold mountain stream. Matthew 10:42 shows a reference of "cold water" and it's in the context of discipleship...And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Cold water is water that you get from the source. You get it from the mountain stream, you get it from the deep well. This was a problem Isaiah addressed in Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. Being a disciple of Jesus means we get our understanding directly from the words of Jesus, from the words of God with instruction from God by wisdom and his spirit. Jesus admonished this church harshly for being lukewarm. If we look to the rules taught by men instead of looking to Jesus, will he vomit us out of his mouth?
The term vomit has another implication to our times. In Numbers 13 we see the land of Canaan inhabited by Nephilim, who were worshipping fallen angels such as Baal and Asherah. They were sexual deviants which is explained in Leviticus 18 and God wants them vomited out of the land. Leviticus 18: 24 “Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean, 25 and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you shall keep my statutes and my rules and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you 27 (for the people of the land, who were before you, did all of these abominations, so that the land became unclean), 28 lest the land vomit you out when you make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. 29 For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
Babylon was the first place to re-introduce fallen angel worship after the flood. That kind of pagan idolatry requires human sacrifice and temple prostitution, to put it mildly. The depravity of this religion goes far deeper and God is exposing those that practice these abominations. The great city refers to the governments across all continents, industries and even church leaders that participate in human sacrifice and sexual perversion. This great city of Babylon, in chapter 18 has been given the double cup of staggering. Her judgement is the great millstone, the judgement of causing a little one to stumble. See the contrast of the cup of cold water given to the little ones again in Matthew 10:42.
Jesus sees our works. The works that we do when we obey (Strongs 2041) Jesus is called righteousness, and when we do the works of darkness is called iniquity. Righteousness ...or iniquity... were always the result of the choices that people made. But doesn't Paul say that we are not saved by works, but by grace through faith? Paul here is not talking about righteous, but of salvation. The works he refers to is works of the law, of needing atonement for our sins from animal sacrifice. Instead, we have the perfect atonement through the sacrifice of Jesus. We receive this through faith by repenting and having faith that God will forgive us our sins and allow us into his kingdom. This not the same as works of righteousness. Jesus tells us in John 14-15 that to love him is to obey him. When we obey in our thoughts we are submitting and taking our thoughts captive. When we obey through our effort, our hands and our feet, we are doing the works of righteousness. For example, feeding the poor is a work of righteousness. We aren't saved by feeding the poor, but since we love Jesus and want to obey Jesus, we do his works. We can start small by hosting a bible study and give a cup of cold water...or setting aside time for intercessory prayers to soak a loved one in fervent prayers of healing. When we continually go to the source of the spirit, either cold or hot, those small actions turn into greater works similar to what Jesus and the early church did. There is a misconception that being saved by grace, and not by works, gives us the ability to sit back and do nothing. If you put a cup of hot or cold water on the shelf it becomes lukewarm. Jesus warns the final church that this is a very serious problem. Jesus has no place in his kingdom for the lukewarm Christian, he will spew out those unconcerned with doing the works of righteousness.
Here is a critical end-time parable, the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”"
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
This church not only suffered from complacency, but also by being too attached to riches, much like the rich young ruler. The young ruler did not want to part with his earthly possessions, so he walked away... from the kingdom. Reading from James 5:1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. 4 Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
The first four beatitudes in Matthew 5 emphasize the need to be lowly, not prosperous. It starts with the lesson in humility, being poor in spirit. This is the exact opposite of pride, which Laodicea had plenty of. A person can ONLY repent when they walk in humility, and see their sin and not their prosperity. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Look again at the great city Babylon, the rich queen full of pride and prosperity 7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’ 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
Being wretched is the realization that we are sinful. We are born into sin and there is no goodness of ourselves that can keep us from this sinful nature. Paul wrestled with his wretchedness even after his conversion, and we hear his anguish in Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20 And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. 23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Read and re-read Romans 7 and 8 to understand how the Spirit of God works to rescue us from our wretchedness.
Paul writes about being pitied in 1 Corinthians because he was put through a life of misery for being a servant of Christ. 2 Corinthians described his troubles in chapter 11:23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak?
Paul had plenty of reason to be pitied, if his only hope was serving Jesus without the promise of eternal life. Paul does not leave us there, look in 1 corinthians15:19 If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 24T hen the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion (archēn #746 same as John 1:1), authority, and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Jesus wants the prosperous to be aware that they are indeed to be pitied, even though they have a life of comfort and ease. That comfort and ease turn their compassion into pride, some might even call it a religious spirit, and God cannot reach the heart of a person with pride. Jesus shared a parable as an example in Luke 18:9To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
To understand blind we can look to Luke 6 which shows the parable of the log in a person's eye causing them spiritual blindness. Luke 6:39 Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? 42 How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while you yourself fail to see the beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Jesus does not want spiritual hypocrisy to limit our compassion, being blind to the needs even of the ungrateful and wicked. To see how we overcome this blindness we go back in the chapter to verse 27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
We can read 1 Peter 1 for insight about our faith being gold, and the testing of our faith, the process of refining that gold in fire. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3 shows insight about building our house - our life - and how it will be burned - will face affliction some as straw, some gold refined in fire. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
The parable of the talent/minas follows the parable of the 10 virgins, and precedes the parable of judgement, so this parable is for us today!!!!!. Once we ask Jesus for the gold refined in fire, there is a duty to prosper that gold. Jesus says we are to take our gold and conduct business, or invest it to make a profit. Luke gives the parable of the minas, about 4 months wages, and Matthew 25 gives the parable of the talent, about 20 years of wages. Both parables say that Jesus was a severe man, reaping what he did not sow. We see Jesus coming on the cloud with the two sharp sickles to reap the harvest in chapter 14. We who know Jesus as the ferocious lion and not just the lamb, as the righteous judge and not just the lowly servant, we have a stern warning not to hide our treasure of knowledge, faith and discernment but to go out and double it.
Let’s look at the parable of the minas in Luke 19: 12 “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come. 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
We can see from the supporting verses in Matthew 13 that Jesus is speaking about the secrets to the kingdom of Heaven, or the Kingdom of God in the other gospels. If we have knowledge, wisdom, discernment and revelation of the secrets of the kingdom, even more will be given! If we do not seek understanding, then what little we have will be taken away. Time invested in understanding prophecy will prosper your gold. Prepare for fire to test your gold, persecution comes to those who speak truth without compromise.
The ending the parable of the talent in Matthew has different terminology than the one above from Luke. Jesus says, 29 to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. From biblehub: The phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is a vivid biblical expression used primarily in the New Testament to describe the anguish and despair of those who are excluded from the kingdom of God. This imagery is often associated with judgment and the consequences of rejecting God's salvation. ...The imagery of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" conveys a profound sense of regret, sorrow, and anger. Weeping signifies deep sorrow and lamentation, while gnashing of teeth suggests frustration and rage. Together, they depict the emotional and spiritual torment of those who realize too late the gravity of their rejection of God's grace. If we compare this with the ending in Luke, we know in order to survive some of the coming judgements, we need to stay diligent in prospering the gospel. We know the coming of Jesus will be harsh, there will be plagues, war and famine, and we can't hide the truth in those times or we will be treated like the unbelievers.
"See this variation of the parable in Luke 12:42 “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded."
Many Christians confuse "being clothed" with "clothe yourself". Clothing does not just appear on us because of grace, we pursue clean clothing out of obedience and through works of righteousness. Paul gives many examples of these works of righteousness. Read Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
In Zechariah 3 it shows how the angel removed the filthy garments and replaced them with clean, pure ones. 3 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. 4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by. 6 And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge (instructions), then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. 8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.” We see again the comparison of iniquity and purity. The angel removed the filthy garment of iniquity. He told Zechariah how to keep his garments clean, by keeping my charge which means following the instructions, and walk in my ways, doing what he was told.
Ephesians 4 and 5 is a good place to start to know the works of iniquity we must repent of. There are very practical terms here, such as the list in verse 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. These are all temptations to sin when someone has provoked us, keep the charge (heed the instructions) walk in the ways (do what the instructions say to do)- shown in verse 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Walking in forgiveness and repenting from sin is the way we wash our clothing white in the blood of the new covenant. Under the law, this kind of cleansing was done on the day of Atonement, now it is done through faith in Jesus. Read Psalm 103 to see how God removes our sins, guilt and shame!
We can also look to 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Another from Paul, Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. And always remember how to clothe yourself with the armor of God in Ephesians 6.
Being able to go through bible prophecy and understand the terminology is eyesalve. Without salve, the ability to interpret prophecy, all of bible prophecy looks cloudy. For example, in Matthew 24 there are two different prophecies of the coming of Jesus, one in 70 AD, one at the judgement. They are not separated clearly so the meaning is fuzzy. Understanding what the sun, moon and stars mean, what coming on a cloud means, and the timing of the diaspora and the resurrection, we can focus on key phrases and see the interpretation clearly. Once you have Revelation in focus, Matthew 24 comes into focus, Jeremiah 23 comes into focus, and the many future prophecies in Isaiah comes into focus.
To be zealous is to earnestly desire, the opposite of lukewarm. Paul advises us how to keep diligent in our walk in Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. There are many distractions of the world, but also we have the greatest opportunity to learn the truth. Choose to be diligent to study the word, hear what the spirit says and push ourselves to do what we've been told. When we read the word for ourselves, we will find places we fall short. This is the perfect time to be in the constant practice of repentance, not letting comfort, prosperity or the cares of the world to interfere with building our house strong enough to stand the many trials we face in the last days.
God kept the task of repentance in front of even his chosen people. His choice was that his people would repent, if not they would be cut off. Ezekiel 14:6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. 7 For any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the Lord will answer him myself. 8 And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the Lord. And 18:30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
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 eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered 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."
There is a reward to giving your all to Jesus, to put your hand to the plow and not look back. (Luke 9:62) We have the assurance that Jesus will come to us, here he coming to us and knocking on OUR door! He comes to sit at our table. Imagine a beloved family member coming to see you, and willing to sit and share a meal with you. A place at your table is reserved for the closest friends and family. When we listen for his voice, open the door and this allows Jesus to fellowship with us. Imagine eating, talking and laughing with Jesus sitting at your table, grasping your hand, looking intently at you and him telling you these words he told his disciples 2000 years ago:
"Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”"
Revelation 20 is the fulfillment for those that conquer, we are granted to sit on thrones. Rev 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. Seated on thrones is the full authority of the kingdom of God, and we are granted this authority over darkness in the presence of the Dragon beast when he is granted to be released for a short time. Think of Psalm 23, where God prepares a table for us, in the PRESENCE of our enemies! The kingdom of darkness will not prevail!
See our promise in Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Take to heart every word Jesus says to his churches, and be victorious for the kingdom and receive what Jesus has in store for us at his coming!
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