A Wake-up Call from Revelation: Jesus is not asleep on His throne

 

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:1-6

 

Jesus is addressing the performance of the church in Sardis, Asia Minor, around AD70. He has some good news and some bad news. Even the bad news is good news if Christians would heed it.

 

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

 

Ouch! They thought they were doing ok, but Jesus jolts them into reality. Jesus knew all about what they were doing. They were spiritually dead! Jesus had not found their works complete in the sight of God. No, Jesus isn’t just being picky!

 

Do you remember Paul warning the Corinthians?

 

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:1-12

 

The Bible is not only filled with God’s lavish promises; it also has many scary examples of bad behaviour, and many dire warnings. Brethren, let us not get complacent. Remember from Revelation 1:14 and 2:18 that Jesus’ eyes were a flame of fire. In Revelation 3:1, Jesus has the seven spirits - the Holy Spirit sent into the world. Revelation 5:6 says, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Jesus doesn’t miss a trick! He sees everything we do and don’t do. Remember that Jesus is on our side. He sees and corrects to help us.

 

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 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. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:19-22

 

Let’s ensure we’re completing the works God has given us to do, and so receive our reward. Revelation 22:12.

 

Some of those, to whom Jesus was writing in Sardis, would lose their lives in the impending Roman persecution. Jesus doesn’t want any, of those He died for, ending up dying in sin. John 8:24,30-32; 1 John 1:5-9. Believers in Jesus need to abide in Jesus; John 15:1-11, and walk with Jesus. 1 John 2:1-6. He wants us all to take a good look at ourselves, pull up our socks, and spend all our time in meaningful, holy pursuits.

 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15.

 

“Repent!” Such a lot of this exhortation in the Book of Revelation. Let’s wake up, take notice and get on with living for Jesus who is preparing our glorious home in heaven. John 14:1-3; Hebrews 11:8-16; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 21:1-2.

 

David Hunter