THE LORD SPOKE (August 28)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Psalm 117-118

Baruch habah. That’s how you say “welcome” in Hebrew. Literally, it means “blessed is he who comes” and is derived from Psalm 118:26. While today it is a common greeting used for anyone who might appear at the front door or step off a plane, in biblical times it was clearly used with messianic overtones.

In Matthew 11:3, from his prison cell John sends his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who was to come?” Jesus sends them back with the glad report that He was indeed the fulfillment of the messianic expectations of Isaiah 61:1.

Quoted by the crowds that followed Jesus at His “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem, this phrase is included in all four Gospel accounts (Mat. 21:9; Mk. 11:9; Lk. 19:38; Jn. 12:13). It was the high moment of Jesus’ presentation as Israel’s Messiah, the Son of David, to whom loud “Hosannahs” were due.

Jesus himself quoted it and placed it in a yet future context (Mat. 23:39; Lk. 13:35) when He spoke of the desolation of the Jewish people in the last days. That will finally lead to His second coming and the relieved shout of this messianic greeting once again, “Blessed is He who comes!”

In the Last Day we too will shout “Blessed is He who comes!” In Revelation 19:9 we read of that future event when it is said, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” When He comes to sit down at that table, blessing will fill up blessing to the point that we will shout “like the roar of rushing water and like loud peals of thunder”...

Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come
and his bride has made herself ready.
Rev. 19:6-7

Are you ready for that? Are you ready to shout, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”? Baruch haBa b’Shem Adonai!


New Testament: Revelation 2-3

They were seven contemporaneous churches in John’s day. He’d probably visited or at least knew them all since his time spent at Ephesus. The order of the seven churches is actually the same as that which would have been followed by a postman making mail deliveries. Each letter begins with a commendation (with the exception of the last one, Laodicea). Each letter then voices a complaint (with the exceptions of Smyrna and Philadelphia), followed by a recommended correction.

By way of application, we can also observe that all seven represent types of local churches that have existed throughout the history of the Church. They demonstrate characteristics which are observable in all periods - from John’s day right down to the present. Consider, for example...

Ephesus (2:1-7) - It started so well under Pastor Paul and Pastor Timothy, but thirty years later it had lost its edge or, as John puts it, “forsaken [its] first love”. Coldness was its problem.

Smyrna (2:8-11) - It struggled from the beginning because of poverty and the strong opposition of a hostile Jewish population. This little church suffered persecution early on. Christ was its joy (there’s not one word of condemnation).

Pergamum (2:12-17) - Persecution was strong here too but the church did not renounce its faith. They remained true to the Lord. But, they let some damnable heresies creep in. Concession was its problem.

Thyatira (2:18-29) - This church had continued to grow and was known for its love, faith, service, and perseverance. But in doing so it had chosen to tolerate bad doctrine and immorality had crept in. Compromise was its problem.

Sardis (3:1-6) - It was located in a city of great wealth and fame and the church had become infected with the same concern for appearances. Substance was lacking for the most part. Contamination was its problem.

Philadelphia (3:7-13) - More than any other, this church was known for its missionary activity. Though its own strength was limited, it didn’t fail or give up but stood as a pillar in the worship of God. Commendation was its reward.

Laodicea (3:14-22) - Equivocating from the start, this church was too content with “life as usual”. Unaware of the needs or the dangers around them, they thought everything was just fine. Complacency was its problem.

So, where does your church fit into this picture? Are you a part of the faithful ones who are commended by the Lord of chapter one?