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©Lightwritingmatters 2015
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Theme Scripture
Then He spoke a parable to them, that
men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There
was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard
man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him,
saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would
not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear
God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I
will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the
unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who
cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I
tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son
of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Compare what Jesus said during his ministry here on
earth [Luke 18:2-8] to the statements HE made to John in Revelation after HIS
ascension to Heaven.
To the angel
of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven
stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden
lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and
that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested
those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them
liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored
for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
1.
First Negative
comment about the Church in Ephesus: “4 Nevertheless I
have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
2.
The Remedy: “5 Remember
therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works,”
3.
What happens if they
do not: “or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand
from its place—unless you repent.”
4.
Ends on a positive
note: “6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate.” – Rev 2:1-6
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and
True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
1.
They are blah. They expend no energy
for the Lord. --15 “I know your works, that you are neither
cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.”
2.
“16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” -- [One thought about the hot/cold comment is: Hot/Cold geographically/
what seems obvious hot vs cold/the idea that Jesus was hot in his Zeal – John
2:17 and refreshing as a cold beverage on a hot day to the oppressed or yoked
and overloaded. Matt 11:28-29] But the consensus in HIS using this metaphor is because
Laodicea is geographically located down hill from two water sources, cold water
from about 10 miles away arriving warm; another source was natural hot springs about
6 miles away also arriving warm. Yet, another offers the political system as
the reason the folks in Laodicea Church were lukewarm. The ruling Roman emperor
demanded people worship from the people as their self-designated god and
because it was a thriving business center the idea is that the people in the
Church kept a low profile so as not to deal with harsh repercussions for the
income from the emperor. Truly, no matter the reason it does go back to the
question Jesus asked: Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find
faith on the earth?”
3.
“17 Because you say, ‘I am rich,
have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are
wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to
buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white
garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness
may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.19 As
many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and
repent.” – Here Jesus gives a clear reason for
his rebuke, his love for them.
4.
“20 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. 21 To him who overcomes I
will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My
Father on His throne.” – Rev 3:14-21 – They received clear and direct counsel
from Jesus. He recognized their condition; he gave them their options and ends
with encouragement to do overcome their current circumstances by giving heed to
Jesus’ words.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write
‘These things says He who is holy, He who
is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts,
and shuts and no one opens”:
1.
8 “I know your works. See, I have set
before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a
little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” -- Recognizes their challenges and how they have lived
within them.
9 “Indeed
I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews
and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your
feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 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. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! -- He
offers protection in the hour of trial coming and soon. Hold fast what you
have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I
will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out
no more.” – A reminder to be ever vigilant.
2.
“ I will write on him the name of My God
and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes
down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new
name.” – Rev 3:7-12 -- The ultimate seal of approval
In conclusion, as we track the Christian faith of
whole churches several decades after Jesus ascended to Heaven it appears, out
of 7 Churches listed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, only one Church, the one
in Philadelphia, received accolades and encouragement without any weakness;
only challenges.
So back to this: “Nevertheless,
when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?
When HE asked the question about faith, while on earth, what was HE asking?
If you read the previous chapter Luke 17, it is
easy to discern the disciples were eager to understand when the things Jesus
was speaking to them would take place. HE answered them with this statement: “And
they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,
Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.” –
Luke 17:37 They may have understood the statement completely. But
to elucidate further, read the the opening verse in Luke 18 where Jesus answered
the question he asked in vs 8. In verse 1 HE said “…that men always ought to
pray and not lose heart,”. But how does that answer this: Nevertheless, when
the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” The parable, or
example of a widow who daily sought justice from the judge in the city where she
lived. The implication of the resolution to the woman’s request for justice was
not a one time request but continuously is the ‘thing’ Jesus said in vs 1 and wondered
in vs 8. We ought to ALWAYS be in prayer [or continuously like the widow] and
by so doing we will prove our fidelity in faith to Jesus who makes intercession
for us. – Rom 8:33-35a
Again, will He really find
faith on the earth: Faith [pistis in Greek] has a number of nuanced
applications. Those who have opined about this application understand it to be
regarding fidelity. Fidelity to whom? Jesus. Through out the Gospel accounts
healings and other miracles were ‘faith’ based and the faith had to be in Jesus’
abilities to do the miracle they sought. While HE was on earth miracles were
generally immediate and 100 percent. After HIS ascension the miracles were done
by HIS apostles but always by faith in Jesus.
Because Jesus discussed HIS return at some point
in the future HIS disciples wanted to know when. Though HE did not give them a
date, there were signs that they were given to look for but between the time
Jesus spoke of the time of HIS return and the end there would be a long many
centuries; many faithful who came and went and situations in many countries
that for a time looked like it was fulfilling those signs. But to date, we
still await that return in the final days of the second decade of the twenty second
millennia since Jesus’ death. Are we even now ‘vigilant’ and is our loyalty,
allegiance, ardor and DEVOTION, our FIDELITY in prayer and patience as we await
Jesus’ return for the Church?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.” – Heb 11:1 -- Understood to be the Biblical
definition of Faith.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Heb 12-1,2
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand
of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care
upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may
devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the
same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”—1Pet 5:6-9
Your faith should be alive at least 98.6 degrees!
It should beat in faith that you will be able to answer in the affirmative that
YES! You have faith [fidelity] in your LORD, Jesus. If HE should ask again—
Nevertheless, when the Son
of Man comes,
will He really find
faith on the earth?”
†
“Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He
may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached
to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until
the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the
mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began.” –
Acts 3:19-20
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when
he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is
born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you,
‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you
hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So
is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8
DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this
blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the
writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the
reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s
intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does.
“For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the
heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s
sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to
whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]
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