January 14, 2023
HAPPY SABBATH!
“So you too, when you see all these things [happening], recognize that He is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:33 NASB
The 24th chapter of Matthew is chock-full of preparations for His return. As He addressed His disciples directly, He was preparing them to prepare others. His imminent return matters to every generation of Christians, because at the point of a person’s death, there is no more opportunity for that person to make preparations. Every manner of expression that He used is significant. In our opening verse, the phrase at the door should spark an urgency in our hearts.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . .” Revelation 3:20
The nearness of His return is expressed with unique emphasis in the letter to Laodicea. Another of their best-selling products was eye salve. It is very sobering to note that there was no commendation whatsoever in this final church letter. The presence of numerous rebukes and counsels and the absence of commendation should cause each of us to turn our focus from worldly things and seek His righteousness more earnestly. The reference to needing eye salve, that you may see documents a lack of the Holy Spirit as does the statement: “you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—”
If one does not know of one’s wretchedness or misery, it is likely that idols are filling the vacuum. In our modern day, most idolatry has deep roots in the economy of entertainment. There is a growing trend that presents church music as a rock concert. Satan has successfully saturated our world with materialism while working to keep our minds occupied with anything and everything to distract from God’s kingdom-building Word. It is evident that we are entertained by sin. Our crafty enemy has conditioned us to this point; even small children are conditioned to seek worldly entertainment every waking moment. We have lost the gift of enmity against Satan that God gave to Adam and Eve on the day that they first sinned (Genesis 3:15). Never accuse the Lord of being unfair or unloving. Every word from Him is given for our health and happiness. It is all spoken in love.
“Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.” Jeremiah 7:23