Revelation 3:14-22

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 you out of my mouth. 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. 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. 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.’”

What a famous verse when we read verse 20. How often have I used this verse in evangelism efforts. When I first became a believer, my boss actually drew me a beautiful picture of Jesus standing at the door, with this verse being written in the lower left hand corner. It was quite impressive.

At at the time, I understood I was standing on the same side of the door as Jesus was.

But the passage has this church on the other side of the door. The entire church, for He describes them as poor, blind and pitiable. Wow – that is harsh! Yet they consider themselves to have arrived, that they need nothing, especially anything from the One who saved them. And still the picture of Him standing at a closed door, waiting, inviting the church to bring Him in.

This passage, in my mind speaks of the tremendous patience our God has towards those who claim to follow Him. Even after the church has walked away from Him, He still considers them His church, His body. This invitation Jesus gives those in this poor, pitiable and wretched church is a sign of His continual reaching out to those who are walking independently of Him.

How unbalanced is this relationship with Him. He is reaching out, speaking the truth and opening His arms to those who consider Him less than He really is. Who turn away from Him, and have no time for Him.

I have a difficult time not associating the life I live, the church I attend, the environment I exist in, as being described by the Lord in this passage. We as a society (and I as an individual) are rich – (which is not a sin of itself), and (seemingly) have need of nothing! This is a desperate condition!

It is safe to consider the fact that we are in treacherous times, even as we allow ourselves to fall into dangerous situations. Granted, being inundated with the message of the world, with the promise of riches that provide much more than our daily bread, and with opportunities to find worldly success, we are tempted like few generations before us.

Yet He stands there, on the other side, requesting a time of fellowship, a time of being together.

If we provide that time to fellowship with Him, that time to focus on Him and His love towards us, His grace bestowed on us, His strength available to us, His wisdom to guide us, His patience to suffer us and His faithfulness in spite of our sin, we can become overcomers, conquerors, and in doing so, have not only a blessed life amongst those we love, but the privilege of sitting on the throne with Him.

Did you get that? To sit with Him on His throne.

I can’t explain that, but I can certainly marvel in that, for those who have ignored their Savior still have an opportunity to rise to great privilege.

Therefore, be a conqueror, with His strength and fellowship overcome the pride of self sufficiency, humble yourself to admit your utter weakness and seek Him in all your ways.

Have I ever told you? God is good and He is good all the time!

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