December 26 ... Rev. 1 - 3 "Listen to the Wind Words"

Rev. 1:1 - Delivered by an angel to John who was very old and alone on the Island of Patmos. John would not have been successful if judged by our ministry standards today. He wasn't surrounded by thousands but, wait, really he was without knowing it.  If I obey, I may never know the results.

I long so much for what is true. 66 LL says:  "I find myself longing not for more knowledge (though there's so much I don't know) but for all that I've learned and have yet to learn to be 'taken up into my life' by the Holy Spirit.  I want to love well no matter how tired I am.  I want to love more like Your Son whether I'm crying or I'm fighting another battle."

John listened to God and wrote this message to 7 churches in Asia from the God Who Was, Who Is, and Who Is Always About to Arrive, the Sovereign Strong (1:8).

Dear Ephesus:
Rev. 2:2 -5  "I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen?  Recover your dear early love. Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

Dear Smyrna:
Rev. 2:9 "I can see your pain and poverty—constant pain, dire poverty—but I also see your wealth. And I hear the lie in the claims of those who pretend to be good Jews, who in fact belong to Satan's crowd. Fear nothing in the things you're about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won't last forever. Don't quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there, believing. Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death."

To Pergamum
Rev. 2:12  I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan's throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan's turf. But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Enough! Don't give in to them;... Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.

To Thyatira
Rev. 2:18-19  I see everything you're doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day. But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross-denying, self-indulging religion? ...Then every church will know that appearances don't impress me. I x-ray every motive and make sure you get what's coming to you.  Hold on to the truth you have until I get there. Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

Dear Sardis
Rev. 3:1-3 I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you're dead, stone-dead. Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there's life in you yet. But I wouldn't know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God's work has been completed. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God...Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.

Dear Philadelphia
Rev 3:7-10,  I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough. ...Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I'll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. ...Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.
I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God...the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven. Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

Dear Laodicea
Rev. 3:15 -17"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless....Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."