J. J. Hall
"Author, Scholar, Janitor: Mostly the Janitor!" (Psalms 84:1
Obadiah's Cave: “He who overcomes!”
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches.” (Revelation of John 3:19-22)
I don’t have to tell anyone who has been reading my blog that the Church in America resembles the Laodicean fellowship addressed by Jesus in Revelations 3. There is a clear diagnosis of and treatment plan for their condition! But even more astounding and demonstrating the grace of God is the reward to those who overcome. Today I want to examine this and draw from the Scriptures the great consolation contained therein.
There is great blessing to those who respond to His chastening with a broken and contrite heart! But do we have any specific word on how to respond? The Bible has sound instruction as always. The writer of Hebrews states: “Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:12-14) In essence, we are directed to “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”(James 4:1 in another section of Scripture that tells us specifically how to repent.
Back in Revelations 3, there are two great promises presented to us for going through this process. First, we will experience fellowship with Jesus Christ! This portents a greater intimacy in this life with perhaps a hint of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. In a culture in which there is so much leisure time, affluence and experiences for the soul, like America, there is a great reward for those who choose to exercise themselves unto godliness with their “free time.”
Look at the next prospect: “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelations 3:31). This is in sharp contrast to everyone else using their freedom for self indulgence and rebellion! They sense God’s call, but instead head for the Valley of Decision to war with Jesus (Joel 3:14). We are having such a taste of this these days from a media and left leaning elites who object to the authority the Word of God! The overcomer is and will continue to be a target for this animosity because they are being conformed to the image of Jesus in the midst of a Christ hating world. And like Christ they will sit with Him in heavenly places, in part on Earth, and completely in Heaven. Being wed to the Lord makes us One and our seat will be next to His!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:4-5) Indeed in a culture of unprecedented freedom and affluence, make no mistake! We are called to overcome the world by our faith in Jesus Christ. While most will choose to use their freedom to indulge themselves instead of embracing God’s discipline, these promises by Christ are for those willing to embrace His discipline, His Son and the Gospel in the wake of the multitudes waring with us and Him on their way into the Valley of Decision.
May the LORD Bless you and Keep you!
