The King Reviews His Troops

Read: Revelation 3

I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. (Rev. 2:23)

Nine times our Warrior-King says, “I know.” He praised Ephesus for diligence, endurance, right doctrine—but their love for God had cooled. He found no fault in Philadelphia. No fault in Smyrna. Jesus knows all about every church—that Pergamum was Rome’s Asian capital and so it was Satan’s throne. He also knows about every individual—that Antipas was martyred. He knows that Pergamum tolerated Nicolaitan compromisers (2:15) who said, “Cross your fingers and say, ‘Caesar is Lord.’ It can’t hurt if you don’t mean it.” That was spiritual treason. Laodicea was lukewarm and nauseating. Sardis was active, popular and proud, but spiritually dead. Many members were socially conditioned by the church but did not really know God. Jesus knew them all, and unsparingly names their strengths and weaknesses—qualities that still resonate with our churches today.

To them Jesus says we are each like a house and that he stands outside, softly knocking. He says, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (v. 20). A shared life! It’s scary. But Jesus loves us, gives life, and makes us truly free! He rewards those who choose to welcome him. The vivid symbols, explained later, all promise a loving relationship with Jesus and a share in his rule, now and forever. —Ruth Siemens

As you pray, ask God to take charge of every corner of your life.