Listening to the Spirit

A Living Faith
What is Faith?
Faith Inspires Gratitude

Revelation 3:1-13

The Message

To Sardis

3 Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks:

“I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.
^2-3 “Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God.
“If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.
⁴ “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!
⁵ “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.
⁶ “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Philadelphia

⁷ Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:

⁸ “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.
⁹ “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved.
¹⁰ “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.
¹¹ “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.
¹² “I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.
¹³ “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

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For Reflection

Revelation is always tough.  However, before you look for hidden meaning in every turn of phrase, look to the obvious truths. In Sardis, the faithful were consumed by the common place busy work of a church. so much so, that their reputation for zest and vigor was widely known. But, they lost their way in their zest for less significant work.  Their work, not God's became paramount.  In Philadelphia, in spite of God's help, some of the faithful seemed to claim independence from God.

To the few in both places, who remained truly faithful, God promised that He will keep them close in His fold, citizens of the New Jerusalem.  For those who stray from the faith He will strip off their pretensions and they will have little choice, but to bow to reconciliation.

God, the Spirit, whispers words of wisdom and encouragement.  Avoid that which distracts you from God's intention for your life.  Are you listening the the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches?

Pray

that you will listen to God's Word Whispers.  Pray that you will not be caught up in the every day demands of life that you will deceive your self and diminish your faithfulness.  Pray that you will listen patiently to the God Whispers.