Buy Gold Refined by Fire - 'Taking the Evenling Meal'

'Taking the Evening Meal'

Jesus goes on to say: "Look! I am standing at the door and knocking.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and take the evening meal with him and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)  If the Laodicean Christians will only welcome Jesus into their congregation, he will help them to overcome their lukewarmness! -Matthew  18:20.

Jesus' mention of the evening meal doubtless reminds the Laodiceans of the times when he ate meals with his disciples.  (John 12:1-8) Such occasions always brought spiritual blessings for those present.  Likewise, there were notable occasions after Jesus' resurrection when he was present at a meal with is disciples,  which occasions greatly strengthened them.  (Luke 24:28-32; John 21:9-19)  Hence, his promise to come into the Laodiceans congregation and take the evening meal with them is a promise to bring them rich spiritual benefits if only they will receive him.

Jesus' loving exhortation to the Laodiceans has great significance for the remaining anointed Christians today.  Some of these remember that, as the Lord's day began Christendom's  religionists were lukewarm to an appalling degree. Instead of welcoming our Lord's return in 1914,  her clergy got embroiled in the slaughter of World War I, in which 24 of the 28 contenting nations claimed to be Christian.  How great their bloodguilt!   During World War II, which  was also fought largely  in Christendom, false religion's  sins again "massed together clear up to heaven."  (Revelation 18:5) Further, the clergy have turned their back on Jehovah's incoming Kingdom by supporting the League of Nations, the United Nations and nationalistic, revolutionary movements, none of which can solve mankind's problems..  Jesus has long since rejected the clergy, judging them adversely and throwing them away, just as  a fisherman disposes of unsuitable fish caught in his dragnet.  The miserable plight of Christendom's churches today testifies to the judgment of her.  May her eventual fate serve as a warning to us! -Matthew 13:47-50.

Even within the true congregation, there have been lukewarm individuals who are like a drink  that is neither stimulatingly hot nor refreshingly cold.  But Jesus  still warmly loves his congregation.  He makes himself available to Christians who respond hospitably, and many have welcomed him, as though to an evening meal. As a result, from 1919 onward their eyes have been opened to the meaning of Bible prophecies.  They have enjoyed a period of great enlightenment. -Psalm 97:11; 2 Peter 1:19.

In addressing the Laodiceans, Jesus may also have had another evening meal in mind.  Later in Revelation we read:  "Happy are those invited to the evening meal of the lamb's marriage."  This is the majestic victory banquet in praise of Jehovah after he has executed judgment on false religion-a banquet shared in by Christ and his completed bride of 144,000 in heaven.  (Revelation 19:1-9)  Responsive members of that ancient Laodicean congregation -yes, and faithful brothers of Christ Jesus today, who wear clean garments of identification, as genuine anointed Christians-will all feast with their Bridegroom at that evening meal.  (Matthew 22:2-13) What a powerful inducement to be zealous and repent!

Next time: Buy Gold Refined by Fire - A Throne for the Conquerors

From the Book of Revelation