‘Wake up!’: Revelation 3 (Day 152)

Pray

Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.

Read

Deuteronomy 5 Psalm 88 Isaiah 33 Revelation 3

Daily reflection: Revelation 3

The church in Sardis had ‘the reputation of being alive,’ but Christ pronounced it dead (verse 1). The church in Laodicea brimmed with confidence, saying ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,’ but Christ says they’re deluded – ‘wretched [and] pitiable’ in all the ways that matter (verse 17).

It seems like these assessments would have come as a shock. But, ‘the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart’ (1 Samuel 16.7). Christ, the only perfectly ‘faithful and true witness’ there’s ever been on earth (verse 14) recognises genuine faith when he sees it.

It’s an uncomfortable thought, but these letters confront us with the possibility that we might not be as alive or as rich in Christ as we think. Are we going through the motions, half-heartedly serving Christ? Are we busy lauding exhilarating worship, packed pews, inspirational preaching and community outreach as signs that we’re on fire for God, while Christ looks to spit out the tepid offerings of our hearts (verses 15–16)?

There’s a sense of urgency as Christ says, ‘Wake up’ (verse 2), ‘remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent’ (verse 3).

The church in Philadelphia had ‘but little power’ in the eyes of the world, but Christ loved their tenacity in keeping God’s word and refusing to deny him (verse 8). Are we eager to join churches that look like this? Christ says his temple is built with believers like these and they’ll never be excluded from his presence (verse 12).

Pray

‘Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!’ (Psalm 139.23–24)