Open Heaven Daily Devotional For August 17, 2022 : Topic - To The Sardis Church II
TOPIC: Letters To The Sardis Church II
MEMORISE: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14 (KJV)
READ: Revelation 3:3-6, Matthew 24:42-44 (KJV)
Revelation 3:3-6:
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Matthew 24:42-44:
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 41-44
MESSAGE:
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. – Revelation 3:4
The Church in Sardis must have been fairly big, but Jesus said only a few of them had not soiled their garments. These few must have been called fanatics, but Jesus called them worthy (“for they are worthy”). Even though the world around us now is extremely corrupt, there would always be a few who will not stain their garments. Are you amongst such few that the Lord considers worthy?
Here are the things Jesus said concerning these few;
They will walk with Him in white because they are worthy to do so. Their names will be found in the book of life. He will confess their names before God and the angels.
I want to be amongst these few. What about you?
For those who are not amongst the few, those who don’t do His will and have soiled their garments, He is saying; He will come on them like a thief. They will not be clothed in white along with Him. Their names will not be found in the book of life, but rather, in the book of death.
When the rapture happens, these people will not be prepared, so just like a thief takes his or her victims by surprise and steals from them, so will the rapture do to these ones (Matthew 24:43). By God’s grace, I am prepared. Thus, if rapture happens now, by the grace of God, I will be smiling. The unfortunate thing is that there will be many people in this second set.
Jesus said that, to be amongst the few, you must overcome. You must overcome temptations, the lures of the devil, and the world!
If you want to be amongst the few whose names will be found in the book of life, then you must ensure that you live a holy life from now. Study your Bible daily, don’t miss Christian Fellowships, pray without ceasing, preach the word and do the work of God. I pray that you make it to heaven on the last day, in Jesus’ name.
REFLECTION:
If rapture takes place today, will you make it to heaven?
HYMN 8: I’m Pressing On The Upward Way
1 I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3 I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
4 I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Open Heavens 2022 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2022
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