The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Revelation 3:5-6,
"I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels."
Apparently in Sardis, as in many churches today, there were those who had heard the gospel, "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent." verse 3, and had not yet embraced Jesus Christ in faith and so were still in danger of facing judgment for their sins. Jesus extends them a warning, "But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." If they were not in "the book of life" when they eventually saw Jesus (we all will at some point!), they would face his judgment.
However, for those who had embraced the Lord in faith in the church in Sardis, and for all others who do likewise, a wonderful promise is found here! They will never have their name removed from the "book of life". These are they who will walk with Jesus, "dressed in white", verse 4. Being dressed in white is a reference to being made permanently righteous.
These dressed in white had not "soiled their clothes" because the Lord is faithful to keep us safe in him until the day we all arrive in God's kingdom for all eternity. I am reminded of Paul's words to the church in Corinth, "He [God] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.
What a wonderful promise! When I embraced Jesus Christ in faith, my eternal destiny changed, and will never be changed again! My name is written in his "book of life" with permanent ink!
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels."
Apparently in Sardis, as in many churches today, there were those who had heard the gospel, "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent." verse 3, and had not yet embraced Jesus Christ in faith and so were still in danger of facing judgment for their sins. Jesus extends them a warning, "But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." If they were not in "the book of life" when they eventually saw Jesus (we all will at some point!), they would face his judgment.
However, for those who had embraced the Lord in faith in the church in Sardis, and for all others who do likewise, a wonderful promise is found here! They will never have their name removed from the "book of life". These are they who will walk with Jesus, "dressed in white", verse 4. Being dressed in white is a reference to being made permanently righteous.
These dressed in white had not "soiled their clothes" because the Lord is faithful to keep us safe in him until the day we all arrive in God's kingdom for all eternity. I am reminded of Paul's words to the church in Corinth, "He [God] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.
What a wonderful promise! When I embraced Jesus Christ in faith, my eternal destiny changed, and will never be changed again! My name is written in his "book of life" with permanent ink!
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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