Laodicea - Hot or Cold

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Today we have an hour and twenty-two minutes of an audio reading of the text below, but also going into a bit more detail. Expanding on the concepts and considering it in the Spirit. The Voice Note is thus highly suggested, as it comes in the intimate setting as I share it with my mother but spoken out to all our brothers and sisters in the faith. May the church hear.

Audio Version of the Note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20240901 - Revelation 3 - Part 3 - Laodicea - Hot Or Cold

Revelation 3 KJV

[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.3.14-22.KJV

Note for 20240901

It is with great sadness that if we could compare the general segment of Christians today, that this would be the church that is most relatable. Now I am going to try not to point back by quote over and over to the verses in this letter. But, since this is most relatable; it is probably wise to consider reading these verses a few times over, and check the self, if there is any of it in us. Especially, regarding being lukewarm, leaving Christ "at home" to go out into the world for all its entertainment and pleasure stroking. Hearing the words of soothsayers and liars, in all the false and contrary doctrines to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

You know, I think back to when I was a bit younger, when my kids would get up to mischief. At first, just the look... Then, maybe a few words of warning... But, soon that would escalate to a few fast steps into their direction. What is it, to be chastised by the LORD? As many as He loves, He rebukes and chastens. I wonder how many times we may blame the devil going against our will, not realizing it is the Father saying, "You're heading down the wrong road." Now, of course, and naturally, those who heed the Word of their Father, are less likely to get into these tricky situations; but, that is if the Word is received in the Spirit of GOD, Who is Spirit. Oh! And He is Holy, leaving me to wonder if we can still remove the shoes from our feet when we stand on Holy Ground. What is it then to have reverence for our Father in Heaven, and for His Son, our Messiah and our Savior? Do we understand the Holiness of His Spirit, when we ignore all the warning signs given? I think we are well past the point of GOD just looking at us. No, I think we are at that stage where those few quick steps towards us are playing out. What still of those steps, meeting the intruder that poses a threat to God's children?

Did you read the section that Christ is knocking at the door carefully? Did you see that if we should open He will come into us, and sup with us? Into us! I have always been somewhat confused by the statements I hear when people say, "Oh! The Holy Spirit came in." Are you telling me you did not have the Spirit of GOD in you when you went in at first? Is the church building like a petrol station where you just top up? Friends, the Holy Spirit is with those who have opened the door all the time. We are just not paying attention, or giving GOD the Honor for His presence in us. Yes, the sad thing, then, is how often do we stand in ignorance of His presence? Dare I ask, if He is then in us, or whether we grieve His Spirit in His sight? Hot or cold, which is it?

This letter should call each of us back to be zealots for our Father, and for Christ our Savior. To "reinstall" the good practices of good Christian living and love one another for real, not just in lip-service. It is not just about a friendly smile and a wave of the hand (if that still even happens,) but of engagement and welfare checking, if there is food in our neighbors house. If they are well, clothed and unashamed, as the letter speaks of. What is it to edify one another? I remind you of Matthew 25 again my friends. Whatever you have done for the least of these, Christ's brothers and sisters, you have done unto Him, in omission or commission. Do we work in consort with the Holy Spirit? Because, even to offer a fasting man bread, is to entice him to break his fast. Remember, when Christ said, "Get behind me Satan" to Peter, Peter was trying to prevent Christ from walking to his harm. Be moved by the Holy Spirit, then you will be in alignment with the Will of GOD, and you will truly honor your fellow brothers and sisters, in the Love of GOD. So have we become naked, even unaware of our shame, for we do not only soil our garments, we have nothing on. These garments are the good works we do in Christ. If we act without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, by which spirit are we moved by then? Remember when John wrote, "try every spirit if it be of GOD?" That counts for what moves us too. For what is anger, rage and hate? What is it to stand contrary to the will of GOD?

The congregation of the saints is not a fuel station, friends. We are to edify one another by what we have, and receive from one another, what the other has. Are we ready to listen to what the Spirit says? 7 times now in Revelation 2 and 3, the Lord Jesus Christ said, he that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. How will you hear, if you cannot even hear the call to feed the sheep of Christ? May I ask you, as Christ asked Peter? Do you love Him? How then did He say He will know that you love Him?

Does this sound like we are doing okay in the Spirit? Are we hot or cold, or does it depend which time of the day or week we are asked that question? No friends, the top-up-stations are the drinking holes, and the pits of iniquity. There people get filled up by other things in spirit. It is there the doctrine of this world is consumed and brought into a vessel that should be clean and sanctified for the Holy Spirit of GOD. Separate yourself from the iniquities of this world.

So, I ask you: Which game is on today, what indulgence is awaiting your arrival? Who does this world cater for and does it stand in good and godly values? Hot or cold? Or will it remain lukewarm until it is too late?

The word "holy" also means "separate," so I will ask you with Paul; what does the believer have in common with a wicked world? Christ said, this world would hate us, because it hated Him first. How popular are you then in this world?

Find the inner shalom (peace) in Christ. Be holy, for GOD is HOLY.

Shalom

Documentary on Laodicea

Laodicea | The 7 Churches of Revelation

By: Our Daily Bread Ministries

Direct Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaFWY2iaSZ0

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - Expanded from v12)

Hebrews 4:11-13 KJV

[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.4.11-13.KJV