Heavens King At The Door
By Carlos M. Aguilar

In the third chapter of the book of Revelation our Lord is completing His description of the churches of Asia with the church at Laodicea. He describes them as being "lukewarm" being neither cold not hot, and in very descriptive language He tells them that such he "will vomit out of His mouth." (vs16). He also rebuked them for their self-confidence. If you want to argue that the riches of vs17 are material things or spiritual things really doesn't matter. Both will lead to unfounded self-confidence. Material riches give people a sense of self-importance and achievement, likewise, those unconcerned in spiritual things consider that they have enough and do not need anything. Both are self-deceived.

The saddest thing about the lukewarm Christian is that he does not realize his true condition and the fatal results that will finally come to him. If he did, he would not remain lukewarm. He thinks himself in need of nothing when, in fact, he is poor, blind, naked, wretched, and miserable. He is in a wretched and pitiable condition, but wholly unconscious of the fact. The Lord's counsel here is beautifully impressive. Material things of much value are used to express spiritual lessons. The worth of true Christianity could not be better expressed than by refined gold. White garments are said to be the righteous acts of the saints (19:8). We clothe the body for both protection and decency. Righteousness protects the soul against sin and prevents the shameful inconsistency of professing one thing and practicing something else. Eye salve would suggest that they carefully consider God's word, applying its teaching to themselves, till they could fully see their pitiable and sinful condition. This would bring them back to a full realization of their true state and bring about joy in their life. In verse 19 He shows evidence of His love by rebuking and chastening. Heb 12:6, 10 says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.…For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” For that reason he commanded them to be zealous and repent, and the command comes down to all similar characters now. Repentance leads to a change of conduct; the lukewarm person becomes zealous. In verses 20 Jesus paints a vivid picture of His love, and His desire for man to heed His words. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” It is a touching appeal to impress the necessity of heeding the exhortation in the two preceding verses. It is in striking contrast with the severe rebuke for their coldhearted indifference to the Lord's service. The lessons taught by the imagery are too evident to be misunderstood. One knocking at a door for admittance indicates the Lord's appeal to them to give Him and His service a place in their hearts. In this he takes the lead. Opening the door or refusing to do so brings out man's ability and the conditional nature of acceptance with God. Perhaps the custom then was to speak as well as knock upon the door. Yielding to the demand of the voice and opening the door shows man's willingness to have the Lord for a divine guest. Association at a meal has always indicated friendship. Lukewarm saints renew their spiritual strength when they invite the Lord to become their guest. Eliminating all figures of speech the thought is, by following the Lord's teaching, we become zealous Christians. Verse 20 in particular and the thought presented is where I would like to spend the remainder of the lesson.

Here, very descriptively, our Lord shows us His deep and relentless love for anyone whose heart rejects Him. The Israelites on many occasions were guilty of this. In Jeremiah 2:13 we read, “For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns-- broken cisterns that can hold no water.” The Israelites had committed two evils, not just one, like the idolaters who know no better: besides simple idolatry, they added the sin of forsaking the true God whom they had known; then it is even more vividly brought out by using the example of cisterns. Cisterns were tanks used to collect rainwater, common where wells are scarce. God here describes himself as a "fountain of living water"; and Jesus likewise describes Himself as the source of living water in John 4 as he speaks to the woman of Samaria. So the Israelites in this picture have forsaken God to such an extent that when this living water is poured out for them they have no way of collecting it, because their cisterns were broken. And so many have rejected God. But Jesus continues to knock at the door of our hearts?

Why Does Jesus Knock?

Some people seem to think Jesus needs them, but in reality, it is totally opposite. In John 15:5 He say, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Without our Lord we can do nothing. We must have a clear understanding of this along with an attitude of humility and helplessness (Rom 12:3). Jesus knows all, He knocks for us, not for Himself. God has always been willing to save, “Look to Me, and be saved” (Isa 45:22), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28)

The question is not, will Jesus hear? But will we hear? Not is Jesus ready? But are we ready? 

Continued next week. 

CHURCH HISTORY: A BIBLICAL VIEW
Part IV - No. 20 Compiled and written by Gary Eubanks

During the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries the Roman Catholic papacy fell into one of its darkest, most disgraceful periods. This debasement of the papacy resulted from, and consisted in, increasing secular control of the papacy and the employment of its powers for political purposes. Popes were becoming less and less spiritual leaders and more and more temporal rulers. The seeds for this transition in the nature of the papacy had been sown earlier in the form of territorial grants to the popes in virtual exchange for papal recognition of the status of temporal rulers. The time was quickly approaching when popes could rightly claim to be, not only spiritual leaders, but also temporal rulers, and the highest ranking ones at that. As the papacy continued to increase in political prominence and power it is not surprising that control of the papacy was a prize sought by any political faction.

Heretofore, the popes had been chosen by the clergy and people of Rome. In practical terms, then, the papacy fell under the control of whatever faction controlled Rome. The popes became nothing but political pawns. Between 897 and 955 there were no less than seventeen popes. This situation continued until John XII (955-964) called upon the German king, Otto I (936-973) for military aid. Otto I rendered the requested aid and was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 962, but all of this had the effect of bringing the papacy under the control of the German emperors. Therefore, it developed that the one who became pope was the one designated and supported by the German emperor. Political intrigue surrounded the papacy so that it was further debased. During a lull in German interference one party saw to it that a twelve-year-old boy, Benedict IX (1033-1048), became pope. He is said to have been one of the worst occupants of the papal throne. Probably planning to marry and threatened by another papal faction, he sold the papacy for one or two thousand pounds of silver but reneged and refused to give up his claim to the papal throne. Thus, the situation was such that there were three popes in Rome.

Once again the strong German emperor, this time Henry III (1039-1056), intervened, had all three papal claimants deposed, and had a German bishop elected as pope in their places. A Roman synod in 1059 laid down some decrees regulating the election of popes. It was decreed that the election of the popes would be primarily in the hands of the cardinals who would reach their decision after consultation with the clergy and people. Furthermore, the synod provided that the pope could come from anywhere in the Church, could be elected outside Rome, and could assume papal powers immediately upon election. The decrees of this synod supposedly govern the election of popes to this day.

Hildebrand, an important and powerful figure behind the papacy for many years, was finally himself elected pope as Gregory VII (1073-1085). He was destined to be a strong and influential pope. He certainly had some strong ideas. Gregory VII's principles were that the Roman bishop had universal sovereignty, could depose or reinstate bishops (and he alone), could depose emperors, could be judged of no one, and could release subjects from their allegiance to wicked men. Such principles, if recognized and put into effect, would have made the pope the most powerful political ruler in the world.

Certain elements of the Catholic Church had been calling and working for reform for some time. The reform they sought involved a papacy independent of temporal political control.

Papal and civil power were bound to come into conflict under such circumstances and they did in what became known as "the investiture conflict." Investiture was the conferral of symbols of office and the commensurate powers upon someone. In order to consolidate their authority the German emperors had maintained the right to appoint men to high ecclesiastical offices within their realms. The reform party wanted this prerogative taken from the civil rulers. When Henry IV, the German emperor, appointed an archbishop, he was excommunicated by Gregory (Hildebrand), relieved of imperial authority, and denied the allegiance of his subjects. Henry replied that Gregory was no longer pope. Because Henry did not have a united Germany behind him the situation was in the Pope's favor. German nobles threatened to rebel if Henry's excommunication were not lifted. Consequently, in what thereafter was always remembered as the classic case of civil power cowering before ecclesiastical power, Henry came and stood barefooted in the snow as a penitent for three successive days before the castle gate in Canossa where the Pope was staying. He was finally released from excommunication and retained his throne.

This was not the end of the matter, however. The investiture issue was not settled due to the changing political fortunes of popes and emperors. Finally, a compromise was reached between Henry V and Pope Calixtus II in the Concordat of Worms in 1122. Essentially, it provided that the pope and emperor should operate in their own respective spheres. The emperor surrendered the right of investiture.

A shoplifter is caught; he says he's sorry. A speeding motorist is pulled over; she says she's sorry. A careless driver causes an accident; he says he's sorry. Are they sorrowful? Yes. Humiliated? Possibly. Penitent? Maybe!

Two Kinds of Sorrow

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Anguish over being caught and having to suffer punishment.

Conviction hardens the heart.
No change; will do it again if can avoid being caught.

Godly Sorrow

Anguished over harm done and having to suffer punishment.

Convinced of the error, the heart is softened.

Abhors the act. Determined not to repeat.

Remorse
Great pain and anguish of mind caused by guilt.

Regret
Feeling sorry about, looking back with distress.

Reform
Correct and put to an end. Abandon course.

Restore
Re-establish, repair, return to previous condition, give back.

Beginning Each Day With Prayer
When we begin the day with prayer, we consciously focus on that which is spiritual. We reinforce our belief that there is more to life than meets the eye. Our faith, based on His unerring Word, enables us to see the unseen and supports our hope of eternal life. It also fortifies our trust in God's watchful care over us as we go about our daily lives. Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 are a timely admonition: "Pray without ceasing."
Some Scriptures encouraging us to be constant in prayer:
"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6
"Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Thursday's Thought (c) is edited by Ron Adams