QT 9/25/2024 Rev 2:2-7, Judgment for our rebellion is near

Revelation 2:2–7 (ESV) —

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

 

NOTE: The phrase "… to eat of the tree of life …" is eternal life. It was denied to us at the fall in the garden of Eden when we rebelled against God's rule. Instead, we wanted to be our own gods, knowing good from evil. And how is that going? No so well. We seem to head to more and more evil with more and more freedom. We are never satisfied. And we have rampant mental health problems in our day of great knowledge, freedom, and pride that we can do as we choose. Our sin is slowing destroying us. We can see it in our societies. Evil grows, crime grows, and the love for others is missing. And somehow we think we are advancing.

 

We need a transformation, a reformation in faith, and a boldness to stand up to the evil around us. Soon, the rapture will take place and judgment will begin. I think we are within ten years, but it could be tomorrow or far into the future. Whatever the case, we need to start living and acting as if it is very soon.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I in lockstep with the culture, or do live according to God's word?
2. I can't force people to change -- that is not my role -- but I can warn them of a coming judgment for those who do not know Jesus. Am I warning others?

 

PRAYER: Father, we have strayed so far from you. I wish we were the church of Ephesus, but even the description of Laodicea does not fit us. We are falling fast. I pray to be a witness for truth in these days.