Jesus' Use of Scripture
Jesus Resists Temptation
Revelation 3:8-13
The Message
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.”
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.”
For Reflection
Now,
as always, the Spirit is blowing through the churches. As in a rush of
Wind Words, Christians are moving away from the pretensions of love --
disguised messages of hate. The press for reformation is underway in
the rhetoric of change: inclusion, vs. exclusion, humility vs.
righteous indignation, righteousness vs. rightness, restoring the Gospel
of healing. Be encouraged by the struggle. Be confident in God's will
for restoration.
Pray
for
the church. Pray for the winds of change. Pray for a more humble
church. Pray for the church to focus on healing. Pray for
righteousness. Pray to heed the Wind Words.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please post comments here.