Faith without religion.
Promises to the Faithful: Sardis to Laodicea
In a recent teaching, we explored the promises Jesus made to the believers in the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, focusing on the church at Sardis and moving through to Laodicea. Jesus assures the faithful that their names will not be blotted out from the book of life and promises to confess their names before His Father and angels. This echoes Matthew 10:32, emphasizing the importance of confessing Jesus before others as a testament to one’s faith.
The teaching delves into the symbolic nature of being a “pillar in the temple of my God,” highlighting the spiritual significance of this promise. Unlike the physical pillars in Solomon’s temple, these spiritual pillars represent a permanent, unshakeable presence in God’s eternal temple. This promise is further enriched by the assurance that believers will bear the name of God and the New Jerusalem, signifying their eternal citizenship in the heavenly city.
The discussion also touches on the profound promise to the church at Laodicea, where Jesus offers the ultimate reward: to sit with Him on His throne. This promise is contingent upon overcoming the spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency that plagued Laodicea, drawing a parallel to the spiritual state of Israel during Jesus’ time on earth.
The teaching concludes with a reflection on the narrow path to life, as described in Matthew 7:13-14, and the call to overcome as Jesus did. This path, though challenging, leads to the ultimate reward of reigning with Christ, a promise extended to those who remain faithful and steadfast in their journey of faith.