Christ, the savior of the world.

Michael Scaman

Four sides of Revelation 3:20-21 and surrounding images A knock: In Revelation's pages, a narrative unfolds, A tale of grace and wisdom, in apocalyptic style it's told. The Savior's knock, a gentle rap, an intervention on every heart's abode, An invitation to a redemption's revival , a heart should enfold. Buying gold: The Carpenter divine, in trials crafts our gold, A nuanced metaphor, in suffering stories are told. Redemption's currency, a price none could afford, Buy gold from Jesus refined from the fire when your broke, part of an unexpected cord. Being disciplined: Discipline, a Father's love, in wisdom's tender hand, In every trial faced, a lesson to understand. The crucible of sanctification, where character uncomfortably takes form, A complex embrace, with grace shaping the form. Overcoming: Overcoming on faith's steady wings we rise, Facing earthly trials with wisdom we fly but not in our own strength in gospel skies. A call to the throne, where every part finds its place, An open promise, the ultimate homeward embrace.

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, James and good morning to all my JTJ siblings. And Merry Post-Christmas! James, thank you for your insights. I love this one in particular- “There are so many amazing truths here, including how God continues to seek out people who are saved and how God calls those who are His but not in a close relationship with Him.” Q1. Believing but not belonging? I like the saying that “the longest distance in the world is from the head to the heart”. In my sinful nature and my willful rebellion I don’t make it all the way from “head to heart”. There always seems to be a long list of distractions. Q2. See below. Q3. Going through the motions? Last year we took in the suggestion to neither or give or receive presents this year. It gives us time and space to spend on the “reason for the season.” As I write this I can look back over the last few weeks with joy and thanksgiving rather than mental and spiritual exhaustion. Which says something about how we used to live out the Christmas time. Helpful ESV SB overview of the city- Rev. 3:14–22 To Laodicea. Damaged by an earthquake in A.D. 60, self-sufficient Laodicea, a commercial center and site of thriving medical and textile industries, declined imperial disaster relief. The city did not see itself as “poor, blind, and naked” (v. 17), nor did the complacent church within it. In this last church alone Jesus finds nothing to commend. Laodicea was famous for its worship of Zeus, who appears on some of the city’s coinage. Today one can still view unexcavated remnants of the city wall, two theaters, a stadium from the time of Vespasian (c. A.D. 79), and a second-century bath and/or gymnasium with adjacent water tower. An aqueduct came from the south toward Laodicea, bringing water rich in minerals. There is evidence of Jewish presence in Laodicea. Twenty pounds of gold were confiscated in the first century B.C. from Jews who intended to send it as a temple tax to Jerusalem (Cicero, For Flaccus 28). Paul was in contact with the church there (Col. 2:1; 4:13–16).

Hugh Stephenson

In analyzing companies for potential investments one of the key answers we’re looking for is the degree of their financial self-sufficiency. Do they have an abnormally high dependance on a particular supplier or customer? Or distribution facility? Or other business vulnerability? If so, depending on the situation, we either dig deeper or move on. As noted, prior, I am a child of Great Depression era parents. Both of which were raised by a single mom; each having lost their dad at age 11. If there is one thing that you learn in that setting it’s the “solid gold” of financial self-sufficiency. I’m not saying you can’t trust anyone. I’m just saying that the lesson is don’t depend on them to the point of your own existential risk. When I read the list below of Laodecia’s self-sufficiency I think not only of Laodecia but of Dallas and of many other American and global cities; -Commercial center with thriving industry, (medical and textile). -Declined to accept disaster relief (self-sufficient). -Worship worthless idols, (Zeus), who is actually on the coins. -Water supply is rich in minerals -Excess wealth; (Twenty pounds, $640,000) worth of gold confiscated in 1st century BC All that results in…. ZERO commendation!!! The pairing of self-sufficiency with being the only one of the 7 churches that received no commendation really gets my attention. As scary as it is it highlights the need for 100% total dependence. If my main concern is my worldly vulnerability rather than my eternal security then I am way off and I deserve to get no commendation. Just before our passage is this in verse 18- (ESV) “18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” Here is a list and links regarding the eternal worth of gold refined by fire- From Spurgeon to Polycarp- each one of these is worth a click- https://biblehub.com/topical/ttt/g/gold--refined_and_tried_by_fire.htm And here is a similar message as we get in Hebrews 12- 19 “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Maybe I change my Linked-In profile to “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”?

Hugh Stephenson

From Constable’s notes- Destination and description of Christ 3:14 “The last of the seven cities, Laodicea (modern Eski-hisar, meaning the old fortress), stood about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 90 miles east of Ephesus. Laodicea was named by Antiochus of Syria in honor of his wife Laodice. It was "one of the wealthiest cities in the world."[307] The town specialized in banking, producing black woolen cloth, and health care. It had suffered a severe earthquake that destroyed it, but its prosperous citizens had rebuilt it without the aid of Rome.” “Jesus Christ called Himself the "Amen" (lit. So be it). We should probably understand this title as a testimony to His ability to make happen what He predicts (cf. Isa. 65:16). As a Witness, His testimony to the situation in Laodicea was trustworthy (cf. 19:11). The Laodiceans had a reputation for saying and doing whatever was necessary in order to preserve their own well-being.”[308] “In contrast with them, Jesus spoke the truth. The title "Origin of the creation of God" sets forth Jesus' authority to pass judgment. The Laodiceans were creative, but Jesus alone was the Creator (cf. John 1:3; Col. 1:15-16)”. “Since they considered themselves to be rich, but were spiritually poor, Jesus urged them to buy—implying self- sacrifice as their currency—the spiritual things that they really needed (cf. Isa. 55:1). Instead of real gold they should buy gold refined by fire, namely, pure spiritual riches (cf. Ps. 66:10; Prov. 17:3; Zech. 13:9; Luke 12:21; 1 Tim. 6:18; James 1:3-4; 2:5; 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12-13). Instead of buying the black garments that were popular in Laodicea, they should buy white garments that symbolize righteous conduct, purity, and sacred festal occasions (19:8).[317] Instead of the eye salve that the Laodiceans produced and sold, they should purchase spiritual eye salve, which is probably a reference to the Word of God that enables us to see life realistically (cf. John 9:6; 1 John 2:20, 27). Whereas the church at Smyrna was a rich poor church, the church at Laodicea was a poor rich church.”[318] The Lord reminded His readers that the reason that He said what He did was because He loved them (cf. v. 9; 1:5; Prov. 3:11-12). They should, therefore, be "zealous" (Gr. zeleue, cf. zestos, "hot," vv. 15, 16) and repent (i.e., repent with zeal). The only way for spiritually cold people to become spiritually hot in their love for the Lord is to repent (i.e., do an about face). “The Lord's spitting (lit. vomiting) His people out of His mouth (v. 16) does not mean they would lose their salvation. The Scriptures teach this possibility nowhere (cf. v. 19). This anthropomorphism simply indicates His intense disgust. He did not mean that He would rather we be spiritually cold than that we be spiritually lukewarm either. He did mean that He would rather we be spiritually refreshing or healthful, as cold or hot water, rather than that we be spiritually bland, as lukewarm water. This explanation seems more likely than the one that identifies the Laodiceans as unbelievers.” Common link between the churches- "Every letter finishes with the words: 'Let him who has an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.' This saying does two things. (1) It individualizes the message of the letters. It says to every man as he listens to the words of the Risen Christ: 'This means you.' ... (2) It generalizes the message of the letters. It means that the message of these letters was not confined to the people in the seven Churches nineteen hundred years ago, but that through them the Spirit is speaking to every man in every generation."[329] Link to Hebrews- "There is an interesting, often overlooked parallel between the five warnings in the Book of Hebrews and the seven overcomers' promises in the Book of Revelation. The warnings and the overcomers' promises both have the same end in view. The last warning has to do with the birthright(Heb. 12:14-17), and the last overcomers' promise has to do with the throne (Rev. 3:21). The successive thought in the warnings in the Book of Hebrews is that of Christians ultimately realizing their birthright—sons exercising the rights of primogeniture. The great burden of Hebrews is 'bringing many sons into glory' (Heb. 2:10). And the successive thought in the overcomers' promises in the Book of Revelation is that of Christians ultimately ascending the throne—co-heirs, companions, exercising power with Christ. The great burden of Revelation, chapters two and three is that of placing equipped Christians upon the throne with Christ."[330]

Michael Sisson

Re: Rev 3:20 Rev 3:20 (NASB) ‘Behold, >>>I stand at the door and knock<<<; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Again, we see our reflective relationship to the Messiah. In Jn 10:7-9, He says He is the door. Here, He knocks at the door of our hearts. Re: Rev 3:21 Rev 3:21 (NASB) ‘He who overcomes, >>>I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne<<<, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. See Ps 110:1, Eph 2:6.

Sue Bohlin

Thanks so much, James. Love how you backed up in chapter 3 to examine the context of Jesus' words to the church at Laodicea. Two things struck me in today's reading. First, I am thankful for modern translations that are more faithful to the text than the King James Version, which can easily make people think that Jesus' invitation is only to men. ("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.") The Greek is open and inclusive--this is an invitation to ANYONE. The first time I heard the gospel, as a college student, I heard this invitation, this verse, and promptly opened the door to my heart with an enthusiastic, "YES!!!!!!" Secondly, I like this from David Guzik's commentary: "When Jesus said dine with him, He spoke of a specific meal known as the deipnon. 'The deipnon was the main meal of the day and was a leisurely affair, not a hurried snack.' (L. Morris) This speaks of fellowship. This speaks of a depth to the relationship. “Supper (deipnon) was the main meal of the day. This was the meal at which a man sat and talked for long, for now there was time, for work was ended… it is not a mere courtesy visit, paid in the passing, which Jesus Christ offers to us. He desires to come in and to sit long with us, and to wait as long as we wish him to wait.” (Barclay) The soul-satisfying leisureliness of a fellowship-rich meal Jesus offers is the opposite of driving through McDonald's to pick up a burger and fries we munch on while we drive!

Steve Guidry

What does it mean "to Conquer" or "overcome"? (vs 21)

Amy Lowther

1. I believe in Jesus. I live like I believe in Jesus. Jesus helps me use what’s available wisely. Jesus helps me set goals and achieve goals. 2. I listen to Jesus knock at the doors of opportunities. I have choice of when to let Him in or to not let Him in. Typically, my heart never rejects advice from Jesus. 3. No. My friends and I pray about what to shop for and what to buy. My friends and I pray about food and purchasing it, food and eating it, and food and cooking it. My friends and I also pray about which activities to do and not to do so we get the most out of each day. Listening to God’s ideas and walking with Jesus daily especially during the holidays decreases stress and increases feeling good about what we do. James - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You made an excellent point in saying “knowing more about the collection of believers to whom the Lord is speaking can open our own eyes and bring introspection to our hearts.” Giving a little time and a little effort to learning about the Lord can definitely improve our relationships with Him and improve our lives in general.