Pressed with a Kiss (Rev. 2.8a)

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…” (Revelation 2.8a, NKJV)

Smyrna means myrrh. It is an aromatic gum that grows in Arabia. It was highly prized in earliest times and used in incense and perfume. It was, of course, one of the three gifts given to the infant Jesus by the magi from the east. An interesting property of myrrh is that its beautiful fragrance is only released by crushing. Jesus wrote to this church that was being crushed in the press of persecution.

The Romans called Smyrna “the beauty of Asia.” In 196 BC they erected a temple to the goddess of Rome. Once a year a person had to burn a pinch of incense on the altar and acknowledge that Caesar was Lord. In return he received a certificate. This act of worship was a severe test for Christians because those who refused were subject to persecution and in many cases death. Many Christians confessed Caesar as Lord and said, “What difference does it make? I don’t believe it. Let’s just do it and we won’t suffer any problems.” But there were hundreds of Christians who wouldn’t do it and died for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Considering the church of Smyrna begs the question: “What am I willing to really suffer for my faith in Jesus?” As believers in the United States, things are relatively easy for us. Other than Cassie Bernall, who was shot at Columbine High School for her confession of faith in Jesus Christ, I don’t know of anyone who has been killed in this country simply for being a Christian. But that is not the case in other countries. More people have died for their Christianity in the past 100 years than in all periods of church history combined. Under Joseph Stalin 30 million people were killed, and most believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Countries like China, North Korea, Sudan and Iran overtly persecute Christians.

Jesus told us:

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (Matthew 5.10-12, NLT)

While being spoken against or slandered for doing the right thing is certainly a form of persecution, I really haven’t personally known anyone whose life has been threatened for righteousness sake–that is until I met Saeed, a young Iranian pastor who was forced to flee his country. This past fall he returned to Iran where he was arrested. The charges against him were converting to Christianity and baptizing others. Both “offenses” carry the death penalty. Christians across this nation and in Iran prayed earnestly for his release. Through a miraculous set of circumstances God answered that prayer, and Saeed returned home to Boise, Idaho.

A couple of months ago Saeed spoke at our church. I will never forget what he said: “God brings us close to Him in times of difficulty and persecution.” His lovely wife Naghmeh was translating for him at the time. He then turned and kissed her on the cheek. “That is what Jesus does to us when we suffer for Him.”

I don’t think I’ll ever view persecution quite the same way.

Character formed through the fiery trials of persecution is made no other way. A beautiful fragrance is released when we are crushed for Jesus. But it will only happen if we find the good in it and rejoice. It is a sweet and joyful thing when Jesus kisses His Bride!

Paradise Again (Rev 2.6)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2.7, NKJV)

Cindy and I are packing our bags. We’ve been offered a trip to Hawaii, staying with my sister for a couple of weeks in Kauai–the Garden Island. It’s one of those offers you can’t refuse, and we can’t wait. But this paradise pales in comparison to the Paradise of God.

The danger of a verse-by-verse study is losing the forest from the trees, so let’s review what Jesus said to the Ephesians. He knew their works. In fact, He knew everything about them. They had done many commendable things–labor, patience and intolerance of evil. Nevertheless, they had left their first love. Jesus called them to remember, repent and redo their first works. But they had one more thing going for them: they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (conquerors of the people). Now the Lord concludes His letter with these words: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Better get used to the sound of that, because Jesus says it to each of the seven churches.

I tend to get mad when someone won’t listen to me. Recently I had a dispute with my cell phone carrier. Since we moved we were no longer getting adequate coverage, and I kept dropping calls: “Hello? Are you there?” The first customer service rep was very kind and told me how I could switch carriers at no cost. I followed his instructions exactly, but then they wanted to charge me a $400 cancellation fee! I explained what I was told to the second representative…and then his supervisor–all to no avail. He simply wouldn’t listen. I found my voice raising on the phone, and he matched me tone for tone. But Jesus isn’t that way…

It says of Jesus that He would not raise His voice (Isa 42.2). Instead, He simply says, “If you have an ear to hear, then hear.” Someone who is very confident that He has the truth can say that. Jesus knows that if a person isn’t willing to listen, then saying it louder won’t matter. Moreover, Jesus isn’t into forcing His message upon anyone. He whispers it to those who will listen…to those who want to listen.

In each of the seven letters Jesus gives a last word of hope to those who overcome. Even in the most unhealthy church there are always those who set themselves apart from the norm and overcome by their faith and faithfulness. They will be given the privilege of eating from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. You remember the tree of life. It was in the Garden (paradise) of Eden. There were two trees that God specifically mentioned: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve could eat freely from the tree of life and live forever, but if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they would surely die. We don’t know if they ever ate from the tree of life…but we do know about the other tree. After they sinned God expelled them from paradise and posted angels (cherubim) at the east side of the garden and a flaming sword that turned every which way (imagine the special effects!) to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen 3.24). God didn’t want them living forever in their sinful, fallen state.

But God is not done with us. He will restore the Paradise that man lost through sin. He will restore all that the locusts have eaten. And we see the tree of life again at the end of the book in the New Jerusalem:

“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22.2, NKJV)

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22.14, NKJV)

Take courage, my friends. Look up, for your redemption is near. Paradise is coming again. Only this time there will be no more sin, death or pain, and we will never be banished again. The fruit on the tree of life will be there for the eating. Papaya, mango, guava, pineapple, coconut…? Twelve fruits with a new crop every month and leaves that will heal the nations…and every broken heart. What a vacation! Are you ready to fly the friendly skies?

Holy Hatred (Rev 2.6)

“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Revelation 2.6, NKJV)

The Bible tells us that God is love. Jesus came to manifest that love. He demonstrated it in every word and action, culminating with laying down His life for us all. But the love of God does not prevent Him from hating. God hates evil, and He tells us that if we are going to fear Him, then we must also hate evil (Prov 8.13).

Jesus commended the Ephesians for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which He also hated. This poses two questions: 1) Who were the Nicolaitans? 2) What were they doing that Jesus hated? The only other mention of them in Scripture is in vs. 15, which doesn’t help us much. Moreover, there is little agreement by church fathers on exactly who this group was. We are left with the meaning of the Greek word, which is really a compound word. Nikos means victory (e.g. Nike shoes). Laos means people. Put them together and you get to be victorious over or to conquer the people.

Still, hate is a strong word. When Jesus was on earth were there any people whose practices Jesus hated? Yes, He condemned the practices of the scribes and Pharisees:

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23.13, NKJV)

As Jesus pronounced His “woes” against them, He called them blind guides, brood of vipers, whitewashed tombs, and fools. But more than anything He called them hypocrites. He accused them of devouring widows’ houses (conquering the people).  Earlier in this chapter Jesus said:

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matthew 23.2-4, NKJV)

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’” (Matthew 23.6-7, NKJV)

Get the picture? They were posers…imposters who paraded themselves as being spiritual when really they wanted to lord over the people and not to serve the people. They wanted others to serve them. It would seem that Peter was already seeing this leaven creep into the church. He wrote to overseers:

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;” (1 Peter 5.2-3, NKJV)

The Nicolaitans were unwilling to follow Jesus who came not to be served but to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many (Matt 20.28). This can happen to believers (vs. 15). Somehow in their passion to serve God they forget that they are to serve people and to be the slave of all. No servant is greater than his Master. The truth is that every time we think we’re better or superior to another there is a little Nicolaitan in us. May God search our hearts and help us to hate what He hates, even when it means hating the sin within us.

The Road Back Home (Rev 2.5)

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5, NKJV)

As a youth I was most blessed. I grew up in the Jesus Movement. Saturday nights at the Warehouse meant attending a Christian rock concert with the artists of a generation heavily influenced by music: Keith Green, Randy Stonehill, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and Barry McGuire, to name a few. Electricity was in the air. Potheads were leaving their dope behind and falling in love with Jesus. I knew that I wanted to join in what God was doing.

Likewise, the Ephesians had experienced great movements of God’s Spirit. (Imagine having Paul, Timothy and John as your pastors!) At such times it is difficult not to be swept up into the flow of the Spirit. But the fire of every movement subsides; some people burn out while others cool down. This was happening to the church at Ephesus. Although they were going through the motions of church, they had reached a critical point where their love was waxing cold. If they did not act swiftly, Jesus would remove their lampstand from it place–that is He would remove them from His presence and their corresponding influence in the world.

Jesus told them to do three things:

• Remember – They needed to remember from where they had fallen: to recall the first-love passion they felt for Jesus in the early days of their salvation.
• Repent – They needed to repent–that is to turn around and go the opposite way.
• Redo – They needed to redo the first works that they did in the beginning.

It is so easy for us to drift from what is real. We are subject to the currents of this world and winds of doctrines that have another source other than Christ. At the time we don’t realize just how far we are drifting from shore.

Years ago our family went on vacation to Huntington Beach. We rented a boogie board for Justin who immediately went out to sea. Further and further he drifted in search of the perfect wave. The life guard spotted him and was on the verge of going after him. Finally, Justin looked back and paddled his way to shore.

Have we drifted away from our first love? Have we allowed other things to take us away from our Rock?

• Remember how you felt when Jesus was all that mattered? Do you recall your passion to hear Him speak to you through His word? Reminisce over the times you rejoiced to simply be used by Him.
• Repent by turning around and seeing how far you’ve drifted out to sea. It may seem like a long way back, but as soon as you make the first move you have divine assistance, for you  are paddling in His will.
• Redo those things you did when you first came to Christ. Ask Him to renew your passion for the word and start reading it again. Find a small group Bible study and make yourself accountable to other believers. Begin each day seeking His face and listening to His voice. Ask Him for divine opportunities to share your faith with others.

It’s been said that if the Lord seems distant, guess who moved?

When Roses Fade (Rev 2.4)

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2.4, NKJV)

The year was 1978. I had landed my first job as a disc jockey at KROI-FM in Sacramento. Topping the Billboard charts was a duet with superstars Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond: You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.

You don’t bring me flowers
You don’t sing me love songs
You hardly talk to me anymore
When you come thru the door
At the end of the day

It’s the sad story of two lovers who go through the motions while the love has faded. The song had immediate universal appeal. We can all relate to love that has languished. The deepest heartbreak comes from those you love the most.

There is something quite tragic in our Lord’s love letter to the Ephesians. This church was on target in many ways. But they lacked one thing…

Isn’t it somewhat hard for us to think of our Lord as being our Lover? We think of Him as God; we worship Him as Savior and Redeemer; we respect His right to tell us what to do. But do we really comprehend what it means to be the Bride of Christ?

My heart has been broken on multiple occasions by people I have loved. Before they go out the door there are telltale signs. The atmosphere chills; conversation is curt and tense; it feels that something has wormed its way between us. Jesus saw these signs in His Bride. They were still cooking Him dinner, still changing the kid’s diapers, still doing the laundry, but the passion for Him had waned. Jesus knew that unless things changed, their affections and favors would be given to another. Indeed it was already happening in their hearts. In broken-hearted agony He sought to woo her back to the love she once had–when service was not out of duty but a delight; when lover’s words flowed freely from her lips; when she couldn’t wait to hear His voice at the end of the day.

Can love that is forsaken be restored? There was still hope, but she hadn’t a moment to spare…

I Know Your Works (Rev 2.1-3)

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.’” (Revelation 2.1-3, NKJV)

The church at Ephesus had a great history, being formed through the efforts of Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla and Paul. Paul spent two years lecturing in the school of Tyrannus, and as a result all who lived in Asia Minor heard the word of the Lord. From prison, Paul wrote an amazing letter to the Ephesians enumerating the riches of grace we have in Christ Jesus and also giving military instructions for how to wage spiritual warfare. We do not know who the angel (overseer) of the church was at this time.

Jesus identified Himself to the church of Ephesus as the One who holds the seven stars (messengers) in His right hand and who walks is the midst of the seven golden lampstands (churches). He is in the churches, watching all we do, leading and guiding us by His Spirit. It is His church and Bride, and He has a vested interest in her welfare.

He knew their works. Nothing escapes His attention. He who observes the falling sparrow is well acquainted with all that we do and endure for His name’s sake.

• He knew their labor. The word refers to “intense labor united with trouble and toil.” The Ephesians had agonized in their service to the Lord. They were willing to continue in spite of opposition and at great cost to themselves.
• He knew their patience. This describes the characteristic of a person who is not swerved from his or her purpose, regardless of the trials or difficulties faced. The Ephesians had suffered long and kept the faith.
• He knew that they couldn’t tolerate evil. Ephesus was steeped in sensuality, immorality, idolatry and the occult, but the church erected a strong barrier preventing it from infiltrating the church. A healthy body is able to ward off infection.
• He knew that they had tested so-called apostles and found them to be liars. All that glitters is not gold. Many who claim to be sent by God are in fact hypocritical liars. The church had a good investigation system for exposing them.
• He knew that they had persevered without becoming weary. The word means to pick up something and carry it or to bear what is burdensome. They had borne their load for the long haul and didn’t give up.

The Ephesians really had a lot going for them, which the Lord was very careful to point out. I think that if Jesus said these things about us, we would feel pretty good. But as we will see tomorrow we can have many commendable things going for us and yet one thing is wrong. Jesus, as a skillful surgeon, knows just where to place the scalpel to remove the cancer. He who loves us with an everlasting love is passionate against anything that would separate us from Him.

My Angel and Me (Rev 1.19-20)

“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1.19-20, NKJV)

When our children were younger I used to play a game with them. Showing them a quarter I would drop it into one of my hands and make them guess which one. It was a mystery to them (I made it look like the quarter was in one hand when it was in the other). Jesus has a mystery in His right hand, namely seven stars. What are these?

When the Bible speaks of a mystery it is something that God knows, that we need to know, and that we can only know if God reveals it to us. Jesus reveals the mystery of the seven stars by telling us that they are the angels of the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (Asia Minor) to whom the seven letters in chapters 2 and 3 are written. The Greek word for angel is angelos, which simply means “messenger.” It can either refer to a supernatural or human messenger. (The same word is used for John the Baptist in Matt 11.10.) The mystery for us is who is in the right hand of Jesus? Are they supernatural or human messengers?

Initially, it seems more likely to me that they are human messengers (i.e. the pastors, bishops or overseers of the churches). It seems unlikely to me that Jesus would instruct John to write letters to supernatural beings. (What address would he send them to?) We do know, for example, that Polycarp was the bishop of the church of Smyrna at this time. He was eventually burned at the stake for his faith in Jesus Christ. It is reasonable that Jesus sent the Smyrna letter (Rev 2.8-11) to Polycarp since it deals with being faithful through persecution even to the point of death. I like this interpretation because as a pastor it bring me great comfort to know that Jesus is holding me in His hand. (I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!) But it also brings with it great responsibility, for Jesus holds the messenger responsible for what goes on in the church.

On the other hand, it is possible that Jesus was addressing angelic beings. Consider the following passages dealing with the role of angels and humans:

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12, NKJV)

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18.10, NKJV)

“Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1.14, NKJV)

It all makes me wonder just how much these angels are involved in helping us. Do we each have a specific guardian angel? It certainly is possible. If so, I don’t think my angel is like Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life. But it is possible that he does bear some of the responsibility along with me for overseeing the flock entrusted to our care. Now apply this to yourself and the people for whom you are responsible. Someday I look forward to meeting this angel…or troop of angels, as the case may be. I’m sure he (they) will have stories to tell!

Freedom from Fear (Rev 1.17-18)

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.’” (Revelation 1.17-18, NKJV)

We have a rat terrier named Penny. Usually she barks and runs to me when I come home from work. (Now that our children are grown up it’s a great ego boost to have someone run up to greet me!) But sometimes I’ll come home and not hear the barking. I’ll open the door and have to call her name. Slowly, she comes out crawling with her face to the ground. I know that she has done something wrong. But what? (Do dogs really feel guilty?)

There is a healthy fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom. But there is also an unhealthy fear based on false guilt or feelings of condemnation. In the perfect light of Christ we see ourselves for who we really are. That’s enough to cause panic in any of us. We know we aren’t worthy, and we are afraid to come into His presence. Is it any wonder that the commandment Jesus gave most often was, “Do not fear?” We are afraid of so many things: rejection, failure, the future, past sins, economic need, loneliness, etc. But perhaps the greatest and most universal fear is the fear of death. It was for this reason that Jesus came. The author of Hebrews tells us:

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2.14-15, NKJV)

The fear of death is bondage. It holds us captive and prevents us from really living in faith, freedom, power and victory. So when John fell down at Jesus’ feet, Jesus touched Him with His right hand and comforted him by saying, “Do not be afraid.” Then Jesus encouraged him with three truths:

1. “I am the First and the Last.” Whatever we may have to go through, Jesus is at the beginning and He’ll be at the end. He is the author and finisher of our faith.
2. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” He took upon Himself flesh and blood and satisfied the righteousness of God. Then He died so that He could ultimately destroy the one who had the power of death–namely, the devil. In conquering death He has removed its sting and delivered us from its fear.
3. “I have the keys of Hades and Death.” Satan is no longer holding the keys–neither is the grim reaper. Jesus holds the keys of Hades and Death, and He saves all who put their trust in Him.

While guilt over our sins drives us to the cross, once we have received forgiveness through faith, confession and repentance (U-turn), guilt’s work is done. Now we can receive His healing touch and hear those words, “Do not be afraid.” He has set us free from the bondage of fear. We don’t have to crawl with our nose in the carpet anymore. We can lift ourselves up and jump up into His arms!

Only the Broken (Rev 1.17a)

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” (Revelation 1:17a, NKJV)

Sunday night we had a time of praise and prayer. Usually we determine to worship the Lord and then wait upon Him for how He would minister to us. I don’t know the direction until that evening. But Sunday was different. I woke up thinking that we really need more of Jesus, and that this was to be an opportunity. But then the theme really ended up being on brokenness as the means of revival.

What we see when John falls at the Lord’s feet as dead is brokenness. Observe that it does not occur by direct pursuit. John did not wake up that morning saying to himself, “How can I be broken today?” His brokenness occurred at the point of really seeing Jesus. Many times we are staring Jesus right in the face, but like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, we don’t recognize Him (Luke 24.13-32). We can’t imagine Jesus appearing to us in pain, heartache and evil circumstances. “That’s not the Jesus I know,” we say. But the face of Jesus is revealed in each of these. When we see Jesus in it, then we fall down as dead. We realize that all our efforts have been futile. They pale in comparison to His glorious light. This is brokenness, and it must occur in us before God can really use us. We must see how vain all our self-effort and self-reliance truly is. Then, and only then, can God pour into us His Holy Spirit that flows out to others through our brokenness.

I remember as a child visiting the Harrah’s Automobile Collection with my dad. There were hundreds of classic cars that had been completely restored. They were beautiful to look at but completely useless, other than as museum pieces. But if God had a collection of souls, they would not be so beautiful…at least not at first. If they weren’t broken when He got them, then He would surely break them. He would wreck them of their pride; He would strip them of their self-will. But then He would pour His healing life into them. Each swing of a hammer, each touch of the Master’s hand, each new part would be an act of beautiful restoration. He would not renew these souls merely to be show pieces in a museum but to use them. He would send them out into all the world to demonstrate what He can do with brokenness so that other broken souls could find hope.

Sometimes we feel that we have had quite enough of brokenness, thank you. But it isn’t for us to determine. The mere fact that we assert ourselves and say, “That’s enough!” only proves that we’re not dead yet. A dead man doesn’t kick, scream or fight back when you poke him.

“Lord, forgive us when we have not recognized you in the pains of life. We have blamed others; maybe we’ve blamed ourselves; but we haven’t seen you in these things as the Master Artisan. Open our eyes to see you and to fall at your feet as dead. Help us bow to your breaking until you say, ‘Enough.”"

True Worship (Rev 1.17a)

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” (Revelation 1.17a, NKJV)

In recent years there has been a beautiful revival in worship. Some have coined it “The Worship Generation.” But what exactly is worship? To a Samaritan woman who was struggling over the proper place to worship God, Jesus said:

“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4.21-24, NKJV)

God is searching to and fro throughout the earth to find true worshipers. He finds them in every nation and culture and among all ages. God is Spirit, and if we would truly worship Him we must worship Him in spirit and truth. What does that mean?

I believe we have a clue here in Revelation. John was “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day. He heard a voice behind him; then he turned to see who was speaking to him. He saw the Lord in His glorified and exalted state; then he fell at His feet as dead. The Greek word used for “worship” in John 4.24 is proskuneo, meaning “to bow down.” It described the act of falling upon the knees and touching the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence. This is exactly what John did when he saw the Lord. This was worship in spirit (for John was in the Spirit) and truth (for John had a true revelation of Jesus Christ).

If we would be the kind of worshipers that God seeks, if we would worship Him in spirit and truth, then we must follow John’s example:

• We must be “in the Spirit“–that is we must walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.
• We must hear the Voice of the Lord.
• We must turn from our sins and from the cares of this world.
• We must see Jesus for who He truly is.
• We must fall at His feet, bowing down before Him.

I believe that if we really have seen Jesus, then we cannot help but worship Him. When He reveals Himself to all people, then every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2.10-11). But then it will be too late for many. Their confession will result in damnation. Why wait till then when we can truly worship Him today as our Savior, Redeemer, Lord and Friend?