WATCH

[PATrobas]

Reminders – Watch and Strengthen That Which Remains

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.” ^{Revelation 3:1-2}

This admonition to the church at Sardis can be aptly applied today to the church in the United States (or anywhere else for that matter.) Jesus reminded them that He knew what they had done in His name, just as He knows all our works. Much effective missionary work has been carried out and is still being done today, supported by the abundant giving of the church in America. The U.S. has been blessed (cursed?) with prosperity and have often used it to aid both humanitarian and spiritual needs throughout the world. We did it in the name of Christ, and because of it, we were viewed as a ‘Christian’ nation. But now, instead of being seen as a bastion of righteousness, the world sees us as weak, extravagant, self-centered, and dead. We are laughed at and attacked because we claim to be ‘Christian,’ with a name and reputation of being alive, but collectively, we are spiritually dead and powerless, just as Jesus found the Church in Sardis to be.

            After the first condemning words, Jesus gives some restorative, correctional guidance to them who will hear, “Be watchful.” The word watch in the Scriptures refers to ‘being alert in anticipation of an event; to be awake, attentive, ready.’ When speaking to His disciples about His return to earth Jesus said, “And what I say unto you I say unto all; Watch.” ^{Mark 13:37} We are commanded to be watching for His imminent return. We won’t know the date or the hour of His coming, but we are to be cognizant of the signs that are everywhere as Paul reminded us, “But of the times and the seasons brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.” ^{1 Thessalonians 5:1} In these last days, we see that the world has been turned upside down, men being lovers of their own selves, unholy, without natural affection, despisers of those who are good, and lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. ^{2 Timothy 3:1-5} This is exactly how the world will look just before Jesus returns and the anti-christ shows up. Next, Jesus told them to “strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” We need to be encouraging those who are already actively ministering lest they give up, and to exhort those who are sitting in the stands, to put on the uniform ^{Ephesians 6:13-18} and get in the game. Now is not the time to lose hope and say with the scoffers, “Where is the promise of his coming? All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” ^{2 Peter 3:4}

            Final Thoughts: In Hebrews 10:24-25 we’re told, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” The day of the Lord is approaching as a thief in the night.     ^{2 Peter 3:10} Don’t be caught sleeping. Watch.    _ph

[TheBlade]

Thank you but I disagree. Well this is just playing with speculation here. It was not addressed to any nation. Well take what He said. To the Church "in" Sardis. One could easily apply any of the 7 Churches to the USA if they wanted but oddly you picked this one. What are we looking at.  Its like some think believe God does not heal any more because in 10-70 years they never seen it yet it happens every min of ever day. Blind see deaf hear so forth so on. A preacher asks God why have not judge this other preacher. To that He said "oh but do you know all the good he does for me". 2nd He has not changed. He said I didn't come to condemn the world but to save it. Its also written there is there for now no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus. Everything He says to the Church is to help it put it back on the right path.. to repent so forth so on. In the end you always know He loves you and is not condemning you just helping you. 

Speculation.. to run with this as if He was talking to America He was not. I have to.. you just have to ask.. how can we not see all the good America does day in day out. So it comes down to what are we focusing on. "America" will never see, hear this. He called David a man after His own heart. We do wonder what was He looking at? 

[PATrobas]

15 minutes ago, TheBlade said:

Thank you but I disagree. Well this is just playing with speculation here. It was not addressed to any nation. Well take what He said. To the Church "in" Sardis. One could easily apply any of the 7 Churches to the USA if they wanted but oddly you picked this one. What are we looking at.  Its like some think believe God does not heal any more because in 10-70 years they never seen it yet it happens every min of ever day. Blind see deaf hear so forth so on. A preacher asks God why have not judge this other preacher. To that He said "oh but do you know all the good he does for me". 2nd He has not changed. He said I didn't come to condemn the world but to save it. Its also written there is there for now no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus. Everything He says to the Church is to help it put it back on the right path.. to repent so forth so on. In the end you always know He loves you and is not condemning you just helping you. 

Speculation.. to run with this as if He was talking to America He was not. I have to.. you just have to ask.. how can we not see all the good America does day in day out. So it comes down to what are we focusing on. "America" will never see, hear this. He called David a man after His own heart. We do wonder what was He looking at? 

Thanks for your insight and I apologize for not making the U.S. as a country and the church that lives here more distinct. You're right, the church is not the country we live in. We (the church) belong to another country and are simply ambassadors here in the world. What I think the Lord is admonishing 'the church' (wherever it is) to do, is to watch and strengthen what remains. The remnant. The true church. I was kinda making 2 points in the first paragraph. 1) the U.S. is not, and never was a 'Christian' nation. Though founded upon many 'Christian' principles, we were born in rebellion. But because of the great number of Christians populating this land, and the evangelical work they did, the U.S. was considered to be 'Christian'. I think that as a nation, we have abandoned those principles, hence, we look foolish to claim to be 'Christian' to the rest of the world. 2) The country (because of our reputation) and thus the church, is seen by the world as spiritually dead and ineffective. The U.S. aborts/murders over a million babies a year. That is not 'Christian'. That is why (among other reasons) I don't call the U.S. a 'Christian' nation. I was comparing that with what Jesus wrote to the church in Sardis.

Is the true remnant church dead? Of course not. But that is why Jesus said to focus on His return at any time and to strengthen the remnant church. For most of us reading  this who are Christian, it is a good admonition to apply. Blessings.

[Sower]

6 hours ago, PATrobas said:

Is the true remnant church dead? Of course not. But that is why Jesus said to focus on His return at any time and to strengthen the remnant church. For most of us reading  this who are Christian, it is a good admonition to apply. Blessings.

 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock

                 I will build my church,

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"

Thanks, Pat...

[PATrobas]

10 hours ago, Sower said:

 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock

                 I will build my church,

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"

Thanks, Pat...

Amen. The true, universal church. Not necessarily what we see on a typical street corner. The church are His called out ones. Those who have been born from above, and they meet under many different roofs.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

I find it interesting that all the Church's of Asia had rejected Paul but we see John in The Book of Revelation through the Spirit giving admonishment and instructions to the Churches of Asia.

Paul:  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. [2Ti 1:15 KJV]

John: to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; [Rev 1:4 KJV]   

John though the Spirit even commends them for rejecting false apostles:  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [Rev 2:2 KJV]

 

Edited August 24, 2024 by Jedi4Yahweh

[Sower]

On 8/24/2024 at 8:53 AM, PATrobas said:

The church are His called out ones. Those who have been born from above, and they meet under many different roofs.

Anytime I quote God's word like "I will build my church, " the word 'church' is the parts, believers,  of the body of Christ.
Not a building(s) as so many have a need to differentiate. The parts all combined make the whole, and Christ the head.
I assumed you knew that and was making it plain for the skeptics.

Thanks Pat...