Heralds Digest

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20 NKJV) Security consciousness recommends the use of control doors for screening of guests. Even a good guest may be denied access, if access is requested at inconvenient periods. The Laodecean church readily boost about their access to material riches, without counting the cost of the use of control door against the influence of the Spirit of God. The door of the heart is truly when access in both directions (man to God and God to man) is unrestricted.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." (Revelation 3:10 NKJV) Speed is one of the most important parameters that controls the reliability of any technological advancement. This is because time is of great essence when tackling most challenges of life, especially when man is confident of being in charge of the control room. Unfortunately, trials and temptations respond differently with the sophistication of methods and machinery. In such cases, deploring patience with ascent to the presence of God becomes the most importance power to peace of mind. Invariably, patience can give away space in order to retain peace within, which turns out to be the weapon no one can do without.

"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God." (Revelation 3:2 NKJV) The people in the entertainment industry are specialists in make-belief performances. Whereas in real life, everyone knows that all scripted actions does not necessarily reflect the real character of the actors. Unfortunately, the acting good character lifestyle in day-to-day activities often dominate life's social interactions and services. Most members of the church in Sardis, who became experts in acting lifely names in deadly norms, are warned about the danger of facing God's judgment in self-deceit. Like stage performances, the context of our testimonies is not always a reflection of the content in our temple.

"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." (Revelation 2:20 NKJV) The spiritual arena for the display of engagement into the service of the Lord can be easily filled with volunteers. Like a free arena, the Church in Thyatira was filled with performers, having great performances. Whereas, a porous passage has permitted the introduction of sexual immorality, through Jezebel - a fake prophetess. While growth in the numerical strength of any fellowship through a volunteer service offering is encouraging, the consequence of a porous passage is devastating. A pulpit controlled by sexual seduction is unsafe for all members on the pew. Compromise in the security screening of a volunteer exposes innocent victims in the church to the gate of hell.

"Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." (Revelation 2:16 NKJV) The judicial system of the world operates in a court of law instead of a court of justice. Unlike a court of justice, verdicts in a court of law are based on superior argument of the law and the overriding judgment of the judges. Obviously, justice belongs unto God because the laws of God are not subject to private interpretation. Liked to a two-edge sword, the word of God either correct or condemn. No one can sit on the fence on the day of judgment. After all, the liberty to reject correction is clearly the liberty to accept condemnation.

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10 NJKV) Most people are unprepared for periods of tribulation. Howbeit, as revealed to the Church in Smyrna, the apparent accident is not an evident want of information about its visitation. It is important to note that relationship with the Lord, who is the First and the Last, provides adequate warning for the preservation of God's elects, prior to the onset of tribulation. Although the preoccupation of the pain in tribulation is extremely inconvenient, the actual occupation of the period of tribulation is obviously transient. Therefore, faithfulness to the First and the Last is preferable to the possible fear of the transient tribulation.

"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4 NKJV) Without the unrelaxed string of first love, familiarity in relationship either brings contempt or compulsion. For example, there appears no wanting in the quantity of good works by the Church at Ephesus, except for the expression of the quality or motive concern. Sinners were good-for-nothing apparatus when Jesus demonstrated His love to them, and freely paid the price for their redemption. Likewise, the redeemed bride (i.e., the Church) is expected to retain her relationship with the Lord on the basis of this good-for-nothing first love, rather than on the basis of her good works. Only first love sustains good motive, as good works are not acceptable substitutes.