Just a Few

Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

We tend to paint a picture of judgment day where crowns are passed out indiscriminately and in abundance and all is joy and happiness.

But I sometimes wonder if the words "Well done!" will be as generously spoken as we imagine.

The fact that I am saved from sin and to salvation, from hell and to heaven, from wickedness and to good works, from the kingdom of darkness and to the family of God is all I could ever need. But to gain heaven and be in the eternal presence of the Saviour is so much more. Then, to assume that God owes me commendation for my lackluster service and dispassionate living is tantamount to the entitlement mentality which surrounds us on every hand.

There were just a few worthy in that Sardine can called a church who would walk with Christ in white because their garments were not defiled with the filth of their culture.

I can't help but think that only a few will make it from many of our churches today. Didn't the Master Himself say that "...straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."?

I have to ask myself again as Mr. Watts did so long ago,

Must I be carried to the skies
   On flowery beds of ease?
While others fought to win the prize,
   And sailed through bloody seas?

Church of the Living Dead

 Rev 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

It seems so many "places of worship" are awaiting just another nail or two for their coffin and then they will be ready for burial. There is no fire in the pulpit and no urgency in the pew. Their message is a watered-down homilies preached by powerless girly men to unconverted congregations disinterested in the powerful truths of the Word of God.

Sardis Church was one of imperfect works before God. Yes, they were involved in programs which soothed their collective conscience. Perhaps they had dug a few wells in African villages or made some doilies for poverty stricken Asians or sent reading glasses to the elderly in Babylon. But these works were not born of the Spirit.

The Turkish Times often reported the goings on of this church in their social columns, but their works were not being recorded in heaven, for the church was dead.

You know this kind of church in your town. It is the church where the elite meet to eat and greet. They have the name and the money and the programs. People visit around and settle in this church because it is socially attractive. The pastor is mild-mannered and well-behaved. It is a good place for social networking. You can find a realtor, a doctor, a Mary Kay or an AMWAY rep here.

But what you can't find is the Spirit of God changing lives, a missionary fervency, systematic teaching of the principles of the Word, soul-winning or a stirred up baptistery tank.

If you are part of one of these funeral parlors, get out before the stench of death settles upon you. Find a church on fire, where the pulpit burns with a passion for the resurrected Christ and sinners find new life in Him.

There is Much at Stake for Living a Faithful Life

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28  And I will give him the morning star.

 

The overcoming, faith member of the Thyatiran Church was given this twofold promise from the Savior:

1. He would be granted power over the nations

2. He would receive the morning star

The first part of the promise is plain, overcomers who have been faithful over little will rule over vast kingdoms in the Millennium when we sit down with Christ and occupy thrones as kings and priests.

The second segment of the promise is a bit more difficult to determine. The morning star is that bright, indicating star, Venus. While I have doubts that any individual could receive this prize, a greater morning star would be available the victorious believer.

It is also said of Christ Jesus that He is the Morning Star, known as the Light of the World. He has arisen to give the light of grace and glory. He illumines the soul. He it is that will be granted to faithful believers. We will take joy in sharing the brilliant glory of Christ as lesser lights shining to the universe. He, the bright and Morning Star, is the ultimate reward for those who faithfully overcome.

We at His Feet Shall Fall

Rev 2:18  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Have you ever heard this... "When I get to heaven, I am going to tell the Lord a thing or two?"

The truth is, we will not be able to hold the gaze of these flaming eyes. All of our excuses will fail us. All of our questions will vanish. Any concerns we had will be inconsequential. We will simply fall at His feet in reverential fear. His agenda alone will matter. There is no way we could stand in the presence of the One whose feet are like fine brass. The only words that we just might be able to work up will be "Lord! You are holy!"

Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord and God the Father will be glorified. It will only be by His grace, love and mercy that we will be enabled to look upon His face.

Soon, brothers and sisters, so very soon, our transport to heaven will occur and immediately we will be in the presence of this righteous Judge and holy Savior.

Are you preparing for that day?

I Got a Rock!

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

A mansion, a crown, and......a Rock?

So much to look forward to in Glory. Jesus, the river of life, the welcoming words, "Well done!" A mansion, a golden street, gates of pearl, fruit trees bearing a different fruit each month, the angels, the saints of old, so many things, so many people!

But Jesus adds another promise to those who overcome, a white stone with a new name, a secret name written thereon. Can you imagine? "Hey, can I see what your rock says?" "Nope, it's a secret. It is between me and the Lord. But it is uber cool!"

Of all the promises we have in the Word of God, I have to level with you, this one I am probably the least excited about right now. HOWEVER, I have a feeling this will be the neatest rock I will ever see. God doesn't give junk for rewards.

An Ear to Hear what the Spirit Says

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

A believer needs to minister through a soul filled with the Spirit, see with Spirit eyes and hear with ears sensitive to God's Spirit.

The flesh profits nothing. Earthly eyes fail to see the forest for the trees. Carnal hearts become calloused and hardened to real needs. Ears bombarded by the cacophony of the world become deaf to the Lord's still small voice.

Our intake determines our output. Have we taken the opportunity today to feast on God's Word? Have we opened our senses to the Spirit's infusion? Are we currently meditating on some biblical morsel? Or have we again allowed the world come rushing into every crevice of our beings, shoving the spiritual to some remote recess?

Shove the world back with an infusion of the Word and the Spirit, your day will proceed much smoother and your work will be blessed with real and lasting fruit.