May 1: GREAT EXPECTATIONS AND UNSHAKEABLE TRUST
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:11
The first three letters made no mention of Jesus’ return. But from Thyatira forward, He speaks of His return in various tones, as there will be an antitypical form of the last four churches until the end. The chronological and progressive church history laid out in the letters is undeniable. The antitypical church of Thyatira is currently making a strong comeback (its deadly wound is healing before our eyes) and is aggressively seeking to join hands with the antitypical Sardis church for the purpose of establishing an ecumenical unity for world peace. The accompanying delusions will be very powerful and persuasive for every individual who does not love the truth of God’s word (see 2 Thessalonians 2:10).
The Philadelphia church set into motion a positive wave of rediscovery in God’s word for all who are willing to look. They had fixed their eyes and set their love upon Him, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Thus, came the most exciting promise they could possibly hear: “Behold, I am coming quickly!” This declaration of Jesus encompasses His soon coming, but it also points to the fact that, in the time of the end, the events that lead up to His coming will be rapid ones!
“Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” There are numerous examples of people who lost their place in the service of God because they did not esteem their assignment, proving themselves unworthy of the task they had been given. Esau lost his place to his conniving twin brother Jacob (Genesis 25:34; 27:36). Reuben lost his place to his brother Judah (Genesis 49:4,8). Saul lost his place to David (1 Samuel 16:1, 13). Judas lost his place to Matthias (Acts 1:25), and the Jews lost their place to the Gentiles (Acts 7:57; 13:46,49; 28:28, Romans 11:11). There are other examples, and in nearly every case, the ones who stepped up to the task could conceivably be viewed by the unforgiving world as despicable. Yet, God’s gift of repentance and sanctification molded an unshakeable trust within them for Him.
Disappointments have caused many to turn away from God. This is because they either blame Him or conclude that He isn’t real. There are even those who are ‘furious with Him for not being real’! Early in the 19th century, a sweeping revival in the U.S. called the Second Great Awakening brought about a renewal of hope for the Savior’s return. There were other such pockets of revival across the world. Using the day/year principle of prophetic time (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6; Luke 13:32), many saw the time prophecy of Daniel 8:14 (then shall the sanctuary be cleansed) as a cleansing of the earth by fire at the return of Jesus. This time prophecy pointed to 1844. Based on the common assumption that the sanctuary was the earth, they believed His return to be at that time. When it didn’t happen, certain ones admitted that the fault lay with them and a wrong assumption. Like the disciples just after Jesus was slain, they were “slain” with disappointment. This did not match with their expectations at all! But disappointments can be used to highlight this fact: our trust in God must be refined so as to become unshakeable. Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15)