Luke 11:13
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Amen Sister rahab! How important is this? Let us understand the message Jesus has for His church today:
3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. This is straight from "the faithful and true witness," Jesus Christ to the seventh and last church. This was the condition of the church in 1888 and is the condition of the church today. It is strong rebuke to us as a people. Not all are unconverted, but it is the truth that applies to most in the church. This is why we have rebellion at the highest level. The gospel message has been perverted by many of the church's leaders.
Here is a confirmation of the importance of this message:
I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God’s people.
The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified. 1Testimonies for the Church, pg 181. When God sends a rebuke, He does not neglect to encourage us. Thus, in this message to our church He gives us the solution as to what the Laodicean must do in order to be saved (transformed into a saint). There are three things mentioned, all are free including the last of the three things, that which will open blind eyes, the Holy Spirit.
"Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Our heavenly Father longs for us to ask of Him for the Holy Spirit. We all ought to always before we open the Book or begin a discussion on spiritual matters ask for the Holy Spirit to give us understanding of what we read and that our words will bring honor and glory to God.
Thank you, rahab for being faithful daily to share from the Word of God. It is that which reveals the character of our God, the plan of salvation, and His will for us. May we feed upon it daily!
