The 7 references in Revelation 2&3 describe the church age. Each one mentioned follows a warning to the group claiming to be part of the church. To those caught up in organized religion, He warns, “Come back to your first love” (Rev. 2:5). To those suffering persecution, He admonishes, “Be faithful” (Rev. 2:10). To those practicing idolatry, He commands, “Repent” (Rev. 2:16). To those wrapped up in cult- like systems, He says, “I will repay each of you according to your deeds…” (Rev. 2:22). He accuses main line denominations of being spiritually dead “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Rev. 3:1), He comforts evangelicals with the promise, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Rev. 3:10), and condemns defectors to eternal loss “So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:16). For each group a clear choice is given and each group is admonished to understand it.
Finally, the statement “Let the reader understand” in Matt 24:15 concerns events that signal the end of the age. Here the Lord commanded us to understand the study of the end times. The miserable fact that so-called theologians have made this a controversial issue is no excuse. Jesus wouldn’t require us to understand without giving us the ability to do so, “If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. CONSIDER CAREFULLY WHAT YOU HEAR,” (Mark 4:23-24) Our failure to hear, Jesus implied, will result in us being decieved about the purpose of these events, and woefully ignorant concerning the signs of His return. And so we are if we fail to listen.
In each case, those being addressed are offered a clear choice, consequences are foretold, and a commandment to understand is given. It is as clear a teaching as we’ll find anywhere in Scripture of the basis on which the Lord has determined to relate to us. Whether we’re a part of Israel, the Church, or the World, THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE IS CHOICE.
Ultimately the consequences of our choices can be a matter of life or death. We will either say to Him, “Lord, Thy Will be done” and ACCEPT HIS OFFER OF ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM, or He will say to us, “MANKIND, THY WILL BE DONE” and those will go to a place where they will never have to hear His voice again. “…if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then CHOOSE FOR YOURSELVES THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE…as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
Be ready…Bill Stockham