NT Fire Starters – Day 343: Revelation 3:7-22

READ: Revelation 3:7-22

THINK: Consider the spiritual condition of the churches addressed in this passage. Then ask yourself: Am I focused on myself–my needs, my desires, my goals–or am I focused on Christ, His purposes and how I can help others to know Him? Am I following Christ through open doors of opportunity that will allow me to grow in faith and influence others for Him? Have I taken God’s blessings for granted and allowed them to erode my passion for Jesus personally?

RESPOND: What do Jesus’ words in verse 7 indicate about His character, power and authority? How had the Philadelphian church proven its faithfulness, and what would Jesus do for them as a result? (See 3:7 note.) What’s “the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world”? (See 3:10 note.) What does it mean that Jesus will “keep you from” (v. 10) that trial if you keep His “command to endure patiently”? What will this time of trial involve, regarding both God’s activity and Satan’s? (See 3:10 note, sub points 1 & 2.) How will Christ rescue His followers from this time? (See 3:11 note.) What does it mean that Jesus is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness”? (See 3:14 note.) When describing the church in Laodicea, what does Jesus mean “that you are neither cold nor hot” but are “lukewarm”? (See 3:15-16 note.) How do Christians get this way, and how does Jesus feel about this condition (v. 16)? What attitudes do spiritually lukewarm people have, and why can it be difficult to change? (See 3:17-18 note.) In what way were the people “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”? How did Jesus address the Laodicean’s main sources of pride (v. 18)? (See 3:17-18 note, sub point 2.) In what way does Jesus sometimes exercise “tough love” with us (v. 19)? To whom is Jesus speaking and what does He mean when He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock…”? (See 3:20 note.) What are some key aspects of the relationship between true Christian churches and the Holy Spirit? (See 3:22 note.)

PRAY: Thank Jesus for helping you through tough times, but also for rescuing you from the judgment that’s coming on the world. Thank Him for providing correction and discipline when you start to become spiritually lukewarm.

ACT: Has Jesus opened a door of opportunity for you to serve Him in a new or greater capacity, or to reach out more effectively with His love and message? Go through that door today and let Jesus take you on a new adventure. Also, consider a specific way in which God has blessed you, then think of a practical way to pass that blessing on to others.