Chapter Thirteen/Buy Gold Refined by Fire

'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 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 his disciples, which occasions greatly strengthened them.  (Luke 24:28-32; John 21:9-19)  Hence, his promise  to come into the Laodicean 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 welcomingh our Lord's return in 1914, her clergy got embroiled in the slaughter of World War I, in which 24 of the 28 contending nations claimed to be Christian. How great their bloodguilt!   During World War II,m 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 had long since rejected  the clergy, judging them adversely and throwing them away, just as fishermen disposes of unsuitable fish caught in his dragnet.   The miserable plight of Christendom's churches today testifies to that judgment of her.  May her  eventual fate serve as a warning  to us! -Matthew 13:47-50. 

Even within the 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 to, 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 a majestic  victory banquet  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: Chapter Thirteen/Buy Gold Refined by Fire - A Throne for the Conquerors

From the book of Revelation