GOD’S OPEN INVITATION
The book of Revelation is an exciting book. It was written in coded language for fear of persecution.
When the code is known the book’s message becomes clear. But everyone thinks they have the key to break the code. So, Revelation has become the playground for every extreme interpretation.
But the opening chapters do contain a clear and explicit message. These chapters deliver seven definitive messages to the seven principal churches in Asia Minor.
We know them as the letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2 & 3).
The last letter is addressed to the church at Laodicea and is devastating.
Christ the Lord has nothing good to say about this congregation.
The writer of Revelation uses crude language to describe the Lord’s revulsion. The Lord Jesus you.“Behold I stand at the door ‘spits them out’(Revelation 3.16). and knock.”God could thrust his
But then at the very end of the way into your life, for barriers message to the Laodicean church cannot withstand the irresistible we discover a golden invitation presence of the eternal God.
But this offer from the Lord But God comes to you gently includes all seven churches. But through this patient Stranger. more it includes the church of God treats us as a mother cares for every century. her child.
But better still, it is God’s divine God knows our ways, our invitation for everyone.“Behold I hesitant steps, our imperfect stand at the door and knock. If understanding and our anyone will open the door I will waywardness. come in and sup with him and he But God’s is“the gentle voice we with me.” hear, soft as the breath of even,
Holman Hunt’s great painting that checks each fault, that calms ‘The Light of the World’shows the each fear, and speaks of heaven”. Stranger standing with the lamp We recognise the identity of that outside knocking on the door. Stranger outside the door of our life.Thedoor’sonlyhandleisinside, it cannot be opened from the We watched him on the roads of outside. Galilee, we heard him speaking on
Only the one inside can open the hillside, we saw him wrestling the door to the Stanger. with distress and destroying the
That Stranger is Jesus Christ. powers of evil. Do not hesitate to That verse is God’s open invitation open the door of your life and to us all. welcome Jesus of Galilee and
God’s invitation encourages Calvary.
“I will sup with him and he with me.”To share a meal was a sure sign of fellowship and friendship. When the two men on the road to Emmaus met Jesus they invited him into their home.
They shared their meal with the Stranger. Only in the breaking of the bread did they recognise this gesture.
It was a repetition of what the Lord had enacted in the Upper Room before he was betrayed.
Or did they see in these hands breaking the bread the telltale nail prints from the Cross? It could only be Jesus,“Their eyes were opened”(Luke 24.31).
Would you like to have a personal assurance capable of withstanding the severest tests of life?
Do you want a sense of inner certainty sufficiently strong to confront and overcome moral issues?
Do you want to know that someone who will lift you up when you fall and fail ?
Would you like a friend so intimate, tender yet strong that you can entrust yourself completely into his care?
Then such a friend is already knocking on the door of your soul.
But there is one further attraction in God’s wonderful invitation.
The Stranger outside the door of your life brings that invitation from God himself.
For that Stranger is Christ the Lord and Saviour of Easter. Jesus is God’s assurance for eternity.
When you open the door of your heart and receive the Stranger then the golden light of eternity floods your days, the songs of heaven delight your ears, and the glory of God dazzles your eyes.
Jesus said:“Come unto me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. I am meek and lowly and you will find rest for your soul”(Matthew 11.28).