As Jesus continues to speak to the churches in what's now Turkiye, a new theme emerges: spiritual lethargy. Sardis appears alive but, spiritually, is dead. He tells them to "wake up." Laodicea is lukewarm in their faith. Jesus knocks at the door of each of these churches, and opens for them doors which no one can shut. All they have to do is turn toward him and welcome him.
Even Jesus' strongest words are not meant as a condemnation, but as teaching and encouragement. Jesus says, "I reprove those whom I love."
While the application for modern Christians may seem obvious--of course, comfort and wealth can and often does numb us and make our faith lukewarm--I would encourage readers to refrain from using texts like these as weapons against others we see as less alive, awake, or alert to their faith than we perceive ourselves to be. The Bible you hold in front of you is for you, not your neighbor. You can't do someone else's repenting for them. You can't stand in the place of judge. Only Jesus can do that. The purpose of these reproofs for us today is to find the door in our own hearts, not others', which are closed to Jesus, and hear him knocking.
My poetic interpretation of REVELATION 3
3. To Sardis, who appears alive, though dead:
Remember what you heard, and yet obey.
To Philadelphia, by my words led:
The pow’rless shall the holy name display.
Laodicia: to you the Amen speaks,
The fire who set the universe ablaze.
The lukewarm, from the holy mouth, now leaks
Spat out, like those unwelcomed by your ways.
I teach and discipline the ones I love;
Come, listen as I knock upon your door.
Now hear and open for your Lord above
Who eats with you when you eat with the poor.
Let all with ears attend and turn to me:
The faithful and the patient shall be free.
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