Is it too late for me to become a Christian?

December 27, 2024

Is it too late for me to become a Christian?

Revelation 3:20-22

LaLoni Leffall

Big Book Idea

God with us.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Introduction to Revelation

Timeline

Author and Date

Jesus Christ is the divine author of this “revelation” (1:1). He describes coming events to his servant John. John, son of Zebedee, was the “beloved disciple” who also wrote the Fourth Gospel and 1, 2 and 3 John. Most scholars believe John recorded these visions while imprisoned on the island of Patmos in the mid-90s A.D. Revelation is addressed specifically to seven first-century churches in the Roman province of Asia (now western Turkey), but the message is for all churches everywhere.

Theme

The word “Revelation” translates the Greek word apokalypsis, which means “disclosure” or “unveiling.” Revelation unveils the unseen spiritual war in which the church is engaged: the cosmic conflict between God and his Christ on the one hand, and Satan and his evil allies (both demonic and human) on the other. In this conflict, Jesus the Lamb has already won the decisive victory through his sacrificial death, but his church continues to be assaulted by the dragon, in its death-throes, through persecution (the beast), deceptive heresy (the false prophet), and the allure of material affluence and cultural approval (the prostitute). By revealing the spiritual realities behind the church’s trials and temptations, and by affirming the certainty of Christ’s triumph in the new heaven and earth, the visions of Revelation fortify believers to endure suffering. The reader of Revelation is encouraged to stay pure from the defiling enticements of the present world order.

Key Themes

Through his sacrificial death, Jesus Christ has conquered Satan, the accuser. Jesus has redeemed people from every nation to become a kingdom of priests, gladly serving in God’s presence (1:5, 18; 5:5–10; 12:1–11).
Jesus Christ is present among his churches through his Holy Spirit. He knows their trials, triumphs, and failures (1:12–3:22).
World history, including its disasters, is under the control of Jesus, the victorious Lamb (5:1–8:1).
God is presently holding back his wrath and preventing his enemies’ efforts to destroy the church. He patiently gathers his redeemed people through their witness for Jesus (6:5–11; 7:1–3; 8:6–12; 9:4–6, 18; 11:3–7; 12:6, 13–17).
Present disasters are warnings of increasing judgments to come (6:3–17; 8:6–13; 11:13; 16:1–21; 20:11–15).
Believers will continue their faithful testimony to the death. They will conquer both the dragon and the beast. The martyrs’ victory is now hidden, but it will be obvious when Christ returns (2:10–11, 26–29; 3:11–13; 6:9–11; 7:9–17; 11:7–12, 17–18; 12:10–11; 14:1–5; 15:2–4; 20:4–6).
Satan attacks the church’s perseverance and purity through persecution, deceptive teaching, and the temptations of wealth and sensual pleasure (2:1–3:22; 13:1–18; 17:1–18:24).
At the end of the age, the church’s opponents will increase their persecution. Jesus, the triumphant Word of God, will defeat and destroy all his enemies. The old heaven and earth, marked by sin and suffering, will be replaced by the new heaven and earth. The church will be presented as a pure bride to her husband, the Lamb (16:12–16; 19:11–21; 20:7–22:5).

Outline

Revelation contains four series of seven messages or visions. These include letters to churches (chs. 2–3), seals on a scroll (4:1–8:1), trumpets (8:2–11:19), and bowls of wrath (chs. 15–16). There is a general movement from “the things that are” to “the things that are to take place after this.” Yet the visions sometimes return to subjects from the previous sections. The order in which John received the visions does not necessarily indicate the order of the events they symbolize.

Prologue (1:1–8)
Body (1:9–22:5)
1. “Things that are”: Christ’s presence with and knowledge of his churches (1:9–3:22)
2. “Things that shall take place after this”: Christ’s defense of his church and destruction of its enemies (4:1–22:5)
Epilogue (22:6–21)

The Setting of Revelation

c. A.D. 95

John addressed the book of Revelation “to the seven churches that are in Asia,” namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, although there were undoubtedly other churches elsewhere in the province of Asia (e.g., Miletus and Colossae, see Acts 20:17; Col. 1:2). John had apparently been exiled from Ephesus to the island of Patmos, southwest of Ephesus, and it was probably there that he recorded his visions.

The Global Message of Revelation

The last book of the Bible explodes with a cosmic celebration of the triumph of God’s global purposes in the world.

This triumph takes place amid much suffering, suffering that is intensified as the final end draws near. Yet the resounding note of Revelation is hope, as God’s promises come to full completion and the multi-ethnic family of God enters into the new heavens and the new earth.

Revelation and Redemptive History

From Genesis to Revelation. Revelation brings to a final conclusion the entire sweep of redemptive history that began in Eden. The last three chapters of Revelation sum up the history that began in the first three chapters of Genesis. Genesis 1:1 tells us that God created the heavens and the earth; Revelation 21:1 speaks of a new heaven and a new earth. Genesis 3:8 speaks of God dwelling with humanity, and Revelation 21:3 speaks of a restoration of God’s dwelling presence. More connections occur—a flowing river, a tree of life, the presence of cosmic light, and more—in both the first three and the last three chapters of the Bible. Eden is being restored. The world is finally being brought to what it was intended to be.

All through Christ. In all this, Christ himself is the one who restores this world to the way it was meant to be. The history of redemption that starts in Genesis passes through Christ to get to Revelation. Indeed, just as God created a bride for the man in Genesis, so Christ himself is the true Bridegroom (Mark 2:19). The marriage of Christ to his people is the reality to which every human marriage points (Eph. 5:31–32). And in Revelation 21, John sees the new Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2).

God’s international family. Most pertinent of all as we consider the global message of Revelation is the emphasis it gives to the multinational people of God. Jesus Christ is worshiped in Revelation because he “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Mankind’s pride at Babel caused them to be scattered and given different languages and cultures, yet in his great grace God redeems this diversity and saves a people for himself from all the peoples of the world.

Universal Themes in Revelation

God’s control of world events. Revelation recounts vividly the woes and disasters that will befall the world, both throughout history as well as in an intensified way toward the end of time. Much of the anguish described is directed at God’s people, who are persecuted for their loyalty to Christ. Reading all this in Revelation would produce deep discouragement were it not for the clear teaching that the sovereign hand of God extends to every detail of history. He is the “Sovereign Lord, holy and true,” who one day will “judge and avenge” all injustice toward his people (Rev. 6:10; note also 1:7; 2:1).

God’s defeat of Satan. Through his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, Jesus Christ has triumphed over Satan, the accuser of God’s people. Though he was slain like a helpless lamb, it was through this suffering that Jesus conquered Satan and wiped away the sins of his people (Rev. 1:5; 5:5–10). Jesus now has “the keys of Death and Hades” (1:18). The accuser has been silenced (12:1–11).

God’s restoration of the cosmos. At the end of Revelation, God’s people do not escape this earth and fly away to heaven. Rather, heaven comes down to earth. The new Jerusalem descends, and God’s people take up residence on the earth with God and the Lamb (Rev. 21:1–22:5). Sin and Satan have been vanquished. Every inch of the globe—all that was touched by the curse—will be restored to its true design and intent (22:3). “Behold, I am making all things new,” says Jesus (21:5).

God’s creation of a global people. “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes” (Rev. 7:9; see also 5:9). At the end of Revelation we are told that “the kings of the earth” will bring into the new Jerusalem “the glory and the honor of the nations” (21:24, 26). And just as God’s saving grace reaches to every people group on earth, so his righteous judgment and punishment will extend to “all tribes of the earth” who have rejected Jesus (1:7). An integral part of the beauty of the new earth will be the rich diversity of those redeemed by the Lamb from all around the world.

The Global Message of Revelation for Today

The central message of Revelation for the global church today is that, in the cosmic war currently being waged between the forces of good and evil, the outcome is secure. Because Jesus has paid with his life for the sins of his people, Satan’s accusations are emptied of their power. The shed blood of the Lamb means that the sovereign Lord of the universe is now fully able to act on behalf of his people while at the same time upholding his perfect justice.

Ever since his resurrection and ascension, Christ has reigned. Yet Satan’s influence still exists. Revelation depicts the day when Christ’s reign will be made visible as he once and for all conquers Satan and his evil allies. On that day Christ will descend to earth a second time, this time openly as the triumphant Son of God, with the armies of heaven at his side (Rev. 19:11–16). Injustice and misery will be permanently defeated. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (21:4). The Lord’s righteous reign will be established and will extend to every corner of the globe.

In all the challenges that face the global church, this certain truth of Christ’s return and the exacting of perfect justice is the rock on which we stand. Especially in times of adversity, we remember his tender care for his saints. As the church faces internal squabbles, difficult cases of church discipline, or afflicted consciences due to sin, we remember that we are under the Lordship of the one who shed his blood for us. When we are ridiculed, maligned, insulted, or excluded by the world because of our loyalty to Christ, we remember that we are guaranteed that one day we will reign on the earth and will forever share in the resplendent glory of God himself.

From every corner of the globe God’s redeemed people will sing:

“Great and amazing are your deeds,

    O Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways,

    O King of the nations!

Who will not fear, O Lord,

    and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

    All nations will come

    and worship you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Rev. 15:3–4)

Joshua Fact #13: Megiddo

Fact: Megiddo

Megiddo was the site of many important OT battles. It was a walled city that guarded the main road that linked Egypt and Syria. Its setting made Megiddo a strategic military stronghold. In John’s visions in Revelation, Megiddo represents the global combat zone where the final battle between Christ and Satan will be fought. The word Armageddon means “Mount Megiddo” (Zech. 12:11; Rev. 16:16).

Revelation Fact #10: The OT in Revelation

Fact: The OT in Revelation

The OT in Revelation. Roughly one-seventh of the book of Revelation consists of quotations from the OT. It is a reminder of just how important it is to read and understand the OT as foundational for the New.

The Setting of Revelation

c. A.D. 95

Christ’s Edict-Letters to His Seven Churches

Church	Description of Christ	Commendation	Rebuke	Solution	Consequence of Disobedience	Promise for Conquerors
Ephesus (2:1–7)	holds the seven stars in his right hand; walks among the seven golden lampstands	doctrinal vigilance and endurance	loss of first love	remember, repent, and do the works done at first	removal of their lampstand	will be given the tree of life in paradise to eat
Smyrna (2:8–11)	the first and the last, who died and came to life	spiritually rich, enduring persecution	—	be faithful unto death	—	will be given the crown of life and will not be hurt by the second death
Pergamum (2:12–17)	has the sharp two-edged sword	holding fast Christ’s name, not denying their faith	false teaching	repent	war against them with the sword of Christ’s mouth	will be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it
Thyatira (2:18–29)	has eyes like a flame of fire, feet like burnished bronze	growing love, evidenced in deeds of service	lack of discernment; toleration of heresy	hold fast and keep Christ’s works till the end	each given as their works deserve	will be given the morning star and authority over the nations
Sardis (3:1–6)	has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars	a few remain pure and loyal	dead works	keep the Word and repent	Christ will come like a thief	will be clothed in white garments; name never blotted out of the book of life; name confessed before God and angels
Philadelphia (3:7–13)	the holy one, the true one, who has the keys of David	patiently enduring, keeping God’s word and not denying his name	—	hold fast what you have	—	will be made a pillar in the temple of God, inscribed with the names of God, the new Jerusalem, and Christ
Laodicea (3:14–22)	the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation	—	spiritually blind, bankrupt, naked, lukewarm	buy gold, white garments, and salve from Christ; be zealous and repent	will be spit out of Christ’s mouth	will dine with Christ; will be granted to sit with Christ on his throne

Four Series of Seven Messages or Visions

Seven Letters to Churches	chs. 2–3
Seven Seals on a Scroll	5:1–8:1
Seven Trumpets	8:2–11:19
Seven Bowls of Wrath	chs. 15–16

Promises to Overcomers

The following images depict ways in which God will “be . . . God” to those who conquer (Rev. 21:7).

Promise	What Will Happen	Fulfillment
2:7	will eat from the tree of life	22:2
2:11	will not be hurt by the second death	20:6; 21:7–8
2:17	will be given a white stone	21:11, 18–21
2:26–27; 3:21	will reign with Christ on his throne	20:4
2:28	will be given the morning star	21:23; 22:5, 16
3:5	will be clothed in bright garments	19:7–8; 21:2, 9–10
3:5	name will be in the book of life	21:27
3:12	will be made a pillar in God’s temple	21:22–23
3:12	will participate in the new Jerusalem	21:10
3:12	will have God’s name written on them	22:4

Study Notes

Rev. 3:19–20 Like a loving father, Christ will reprove those whom he loves (compare Prov. 3:12). I stand at the door and knock. Jesus is the master of the house. He expects alert servants to respond immediately to his signal and welcome his entrance (Luke 12:35–36). eat with him. A picture of close personal fellowship.

Study Notes

Rev. 3:21 I will grant him to sit with me on my throne implies that Christ will give some of his ruling authority to his people (compare 20:4; 22:6; Luke 19:17; 1 Cor. 6:3; 2 Tim. 2:12).

See chart See chart

Promises to Overcomers

The following images depict ways in which God will “be . . . God” to those who conquer (Rev. 21:7).

Promise	What Will Happen	Fulfillment
2:7	will eat from the tree of life	22:2
2:11	will not be hurt by the second death	20:6; 21:7–8
2:17	will be given a white stone	21:11, 18–21
2:26–27; 3:21	will reign with Christ on his throne	20:4
2:28	will be given the morning star	21:23; 22:5, 16
3:5	will be clothed in bright garments	19:7–8; 21:2, 9–10
3:5	name will be in the book of life	21:27
3:12	will be made a pillar in God’s temple	21:22–23
3:12	will participate in the new Jerusalem	21:10
3:12	will have God’s name written on them	22:4

Study Notes

1:9–3:22 “Things that are”: Christ’s presence with and knowledge of his churches. John’s first vision, of the glorious Son of Man who is spiritually present with his struggling churches (1:9–20), leads to a cycle of seven letters or edicts. Jesus describes each church’s condition and commands appropriate responses of repentance, faith, and continuing faithfulness (2:1–3:22).

Rev. 2:1–3:22 Revelation 2–3 consists of seven “letters” or royal edicts. Each follows a pattern: (1) The royal author describes himself in terms from ch. 1. (2) “I know” introduces the church’s condition, both positive (except for Sardis and Laodicea) and negative (except for Smyrna and Philadelphia). (3) Comfort and commands come from the diagnosis. (4) The churches are commanded to hear and obey all of the letters. (5) A blessing is promised to “the one who conquers.”

Rev. 3:14–22 Laodicea is criticized for its spiritual immaturity. The city was a commercial center. It had thriving medical and textile industries. It was so wealthy that it declined imperial disaster relief after an earthquake in A.D. 60. The city did not see itself as “poor, blind, and naked” (v. 17), but Jesus does not find anything in its church to praise. Laodicea was famous for its worship of Zeus.

See chart See chart

Christ’s Edict-Letters to His Seven Churches

Church	Description of Christ	Commendation	Rebuke	Solution	Consequence of Disobedience	Promise for Conquerors
Ephesus (2:1–7)	holds the seven stars in his right hand; walks among the seven golden lampstands	doctrinal vigilance and endurance	loss of first love	remember, repent, and do the works done at first	removal of their lampstand	will be given the tree of life in paradise to eat
Smyrna (2:8–11)	the first and the last, who died and came to life	spiritually rich, enduring persecution	—	be faithful unto death	—	will be given the crown of life and will not be hurt by the second death
Pergamum (2:12–17)	has the sharp two-edged sword	holding fast Christ’s name, not denying their faith	false teaching	repent	war against them with the sword of Christ’s mouth	will be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it
Thyatira (2:18–29)	has eyes like a flame of fire, feet like burnished bronze	growing love, evidenced in deeds of service	lack of discernment; toleration of heresy	hold fast and keep Christ’s works till the end	each given as their works deserve	will be given the morning star and authority over the nations
Sardis (3:1–6)	has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars	a few remain pure and loyal	dead works	keep the Word and repent	Christ will come like a thief	will be clothed in white garments; name never blotted out of the book of life; name confessed before God and angels
Philadelphia (3:7–13)	the holy one, the true one, who has the keys of David	patiently enduring, keeping God’s word and not denying his name	—	hold fast what you have	—	will be made a pillar in the temple of God, inscribed with the names of God, the new Jerusalem, and Christ
Laodicea (3:14–22)	the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation	—	spiritually blind, bankrupt, naked, lukewarm	buy gold, white garments, and salve from Christ; be zealous and repent	will be spit out of Christ’s mouth	will dine with Christ; will be granted to sit with Christ on his throne

See chart See chart

Four Series of Seven Messages or Visions

Seven Letters to Churches	chs. 2–3
Seven Seals on a Scroll	5:1–8:1
Seven Trumpets	8:2–11:19
Seven Bowls of Wrath	chs. 15–16

S3:256 Revelation 3:20-22

Listen Now

The Apostle John was told by Jesus to write what he saw in a book and send it to the seven churches. The seven churches were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. This is the revelation of Him who has full authority and holds "the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18). Jesus' instruction was for John to write "the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this." (Revelation 1:19)

Jesus refers to the seven churches as lampstands. A lampstand is the base (foundation) that holds a lamp (light). If Jesus is the light of the world, would it be accurate to say that the church is what He uses to shine His light in the world today? Jesus consistently declared to the churches in Revelation, "I know your works." But He affirmed a positive outcome for those who overcame—the conquerors.

Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea were the last three churches listed of the seven. Sardis was a dead church even though it had a reputation of being alive. The church in Philadelphia was faithful. They were recognized as having little power, but they kept God's Word and did not deny His name. Laodicea, the lukewarm church, was chastised for being neither hot nor cold.

Remember that the people are the church! If they appear to be full of the joy of the Lord but have no authentic relationship with Him, they effectively are spiritually dead. But Jesus presents "an open door, which no one is able to shut" for those who repent and remain faithful (Revelation 3:3, 8). One emotional moment does not make one on fire for the Lord, but one set back can leave one distant and indifferent. The "lukewarm" spiritual life resembles a ship in rough seas being tossed back and forth by circumstances.

Jesus standing at the door knocking is His way of inviting us to open that door and dine with Him in a picture of fellowship with the One who is our light. He never forces us to do His will. He wants us to dine with Him—that is, to sit and make His Word a part of our daily existence because He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48) that gives life forever (John 6:51, 58).

This month's memory verse

everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

– Isaiah 43:7

1. In reference to Jesus' description of the "dead," "faithful," and "lukewarm" churches, which church do you most relate to as an individual? Why?

2. How does the phrase "I know your works" resonate with you?

3. If you believe that Jesus is the "Faithful and True Witness," how does your life reflect that belief?

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