Did Laodicea open the door in repentance to Christ’s invitation (Revelation 3:20)? There must have been repentance, for immediately after the invitation, we witness the Tribulation Week from a heavenly perspective (4:1). This perspective includes the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10), to which Christ previously alluded — “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” (Revelation 3:20 KJV). Twice in the Book of Revelation the expression “Come up hither” (Revelation 4:1; 11:12) occurs. The Laodicean Church was invited to open a Pre-Tribulational Rapture door to a royal throne scene (3:20-21); likewise, the two witnesses (11:3, 12) are resurrected to a Pre-Wrath Rapture before the vial judgments (16:1-21). Though both raptures are escapes for God’s people, they are a miracle and wonder to magnify Almighty God in full view of an unbelieving world. LORD, help us not to give up on the Backslidden Church, since You did not give up on Lukewarm Laodicea. May we trust, as You do, that if a “good work” (Philippians 1:6) was truly begun, that “You will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Perform this miraculous work of restoration on the Prodigal Church that the Pre-Tribulational Come Up Hither [Rapture] would justify Your trouble in continuing to seek to restore her. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Promises Kept
Set Before Thee An Open Door (Revelation 3:8)
If we could compare the Church of Philadelphia to the stage of Church History subsequent to the Reformation, possibly touching the times even of recent, then we can see a missions minded, evangelistic church, striving to be revived. “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8 KJV). Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only two churches of the seven, who are not reprimanded. O LORD, may we be counted among that number! In Jesus’ name, amen.
If Children Won’t Obey Their Parents
If children won’t obey their parents, they would only repeat what Adam and Eve did to their Great Father in the Garden of Eden, when they did not trust Him. The serpent said, “God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5 KJV). Their Creator fashioned them in His image, not for the sport of bossing them around, but to commune with them. Not as equals in authority, but equals in placement to embrace righteousness and shun evil. Just as our Heavenly Father punished Adam and Eve by inflicting pain, suffering, and death to restore them, His motivation was always love. Hence, wisdom understands, “The one who spares his rod hates his child, but the one who loves his child is diligent in disciplining him” (Proverbs 13:24 NET). LORD, may our Christian parents fear You more than the devil our adversary. Honor the willingness of parents insisting upon the obedience of their children, as unto the LORD. Cast out from our families the spirit of disobedience that inhabits this earth. May we be headed for Heaven, and may our children meet us there. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Be Watchful and Strengthen (Revelation 3:1)
If the Church of Sardis could be compared to the stage of Church History known as the 16th century Protestant Reformation, which ended the Middle Ages, then Christ reproves even those Reformers. “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Revelation 3:1-2 KJV). Sardis must repent of dead orthodoxy to be truly alive. “O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2 KJV). Amen.
Where Satan Dwelleth (Revelation 2:12)
Pergamos was a church, who compromised her holiness to get along in the world. If the Church of Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) was also representative of Church History following Constantine’s embracing of the Cross by which he would conquer (312 AD), then the Church was losing its focus on Christ and was becoming confused about its supernatural enemy. Whenever we see only the earthly circumstance and don’t realize it is Spiritual Warfare on the highest level, we are underestimating the enemy. “Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:13-14 KJV). Again, the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3 representing seven stages of Church History from beginning to end is figurative and speculative, but we interpret Bible Prophecy as literal as we can, until we can’t. Balaam taught that Israel should be seduced to intermarry with the surrounding heathen, bringing them idolatry and looser sexual morals. Only God’s Spirit working in us can prevent, preserve, and cure iniquity in the Church (John 16:9). “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). This is only one aspect of the Gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38). LORD, preserve us by Your Spirit from the same sins, which plagued Pergamos. May we learn from their past mistakes. May we put more confidence in Your Spirit’s sin preventing power than confidence in ourselves. May we resist sin in our flesh and the sin which does so easily beset us, but trust Your Spirit to not let us give in to the temptation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Tribulation Ten Days (Revelation 2:8)
If the Church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) was also representative of early Church History immediately after the Apostolic age, then suffering purified Christ’s Church. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 KJV). Possibly the Lord giving a specific number of days for Smyrna’s suffering indicates a limit to their suffering, which would give hope. And, just as our Lord “learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8), Smyrna was accounted worthy to also suffer shame for His name. LORD, make us to be worthy as Smyrna, and to fear You more than the limited suffering that purifies us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Left Thy First Love (Revelation 2:4)
If the Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) was representative of the apostolic beginning of the early church, then the honeymoon was over. Jesus wrote to them, “Thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5 KJV). Tough love. Repent and return to Me. Otherwise, Spiritual Annihilation. Whoa! Sounds a bit harsh! God comforts the obedient heart, but purposely agitates us when we find greater comfort in our traditions than Him. LORD, we know that You are not a respecter of persons, if You would speak this way to Ephesus. Surely, they are better than us? Take away our hard heartedness and give us an heart of flesh. Take the spiritual scales from our eyes that we may see Jesus as He is. Teach us to defend You and not our traditions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Happiness Promised From Revelation (Revelation 1:3)
Happiness is promised to those who read, hear, and obey the Book of Revelation, because its timing is now, at any moment. It must be understandable to be obeyed. “Blessed [Greek, makarios, blessed, happy] is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3 KJV). It cannot be simply historical, or it would have little, but allegorical value at best. Take Jesus at His word, and expect happiness to result from reading, hearing, and keeping the Book of Revelation. LORD, You are the source of our happiness. How could Your future plans not bring us happiness? Return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Israel: Pariah of the World
Following the Holocaust of WW2, sympathy for the downtrodden Jew was most prevalent. The modern Jewish state of Israel has repeatedly fought and won wars with neighboring Arab nations since its 1948 reincarnation. With the most recent invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, it was unreasonable for Hamas to defeat and occupy Israel, but Hamas could fight a limited war, sacrificing the lives of an estimated 36,000 Gazan fighters and residents, in exchange for a growing sympathy from the world for the plight of Gaza and an increased hostility toward Israel. Now, Israel is the pariah or outcast for its war in Gaza. Anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment is now acceptable among the liberal establishment that once championed the right of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or age. What has changed? The secular world is governed by satan, “the god of this world” (2Corinthians 4:4 KJV), who hates Israel because Israel is loved by the LORD, who says, “My kindness shall not depart from thee” (Isaiah 54:10). It may take a bizarre, otherworldly change of events for Israel to have friendly relations again with its near neighbors, much less to fulfill the End Times predictions of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27). But, the Almighty is positioning all things for this certain confrontation. LORD, You are the God who overrules the wicked one. Cause Your Church to be taught about what will come to pass. Help us to understand the capabilities of Your enemy. Cause us not to be blindsided by our foes from the Unseen Realm. Grant to Your Church the ability and the understanding to appreciate what You are about to do. Even so, return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1)
If God were to reveal what He is doing and what must shortly come to pass, would you believe Him? “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1 KJV). How could such a battlefield plan be revealed to us, without it being available to the eyes of the enemy, who could then effectively use counterintelligence against the Almighty? Simple. God’s plan is encrypted. It requires the Holy Spirit to decode, understand, and put into action the plan revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ. All attempts to understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ by foe or friend will come to nought without the Holy Spirit. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). LORD, may all Your friends seek Your Spirit to comprehend Your Revelation of Jesus Christ that You might be magnified. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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