The light of the world has come into the world as the
'Expression of God' bringing into view the true image of God, but natural mankind can not see it. Being blinded by the fall, in seeing they see not, hearing they hear not because the
'Consciousness of God' has not reached their eyes or ears. The Incarnation doesn't do that. It's the shadow of the reality for them.
So then, what provides the clear view of God for those who have a quickened intelligence to see the
'Divine self-Revelation' contained within
The Incarnation?
Reconciliation.
When mankind, thru the mystery of the atonement, is reconciled, and with the miracle of regeneration, then in the
'Vision of God' granted in Christ, mankind will also be reconciled in intelligence, emotion and in will in the process of completion.
The Incarnation has made the provision for the reconciliation of the whole being for every human being in the entire world. But into this reconciliation mankind will only pass as they becomes reconciled to the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Colossians 1:19-22, Romans 5:10, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 6:2
Being so reconciled, the full salvation proceeds thru the harmonizing facts of His being. (sanctification) Contained within reconciliation and sanctification is the revelation of all the possibilities that that Man Jesus is and has for us, under the constraint of the infinite
'Love of God' revealed also in Him. Romans 5:10
When John spoke of walking in the truth (Greek=reality) he meant in genuineness and sincerity and so denotes the divine reality becoming mankind's genuineness and sincerity. (the opposite of hypocrisy) God is the source of light, truth is the realization of the divine life in us. John 1:9 The human spirit controls the mind to keep it within the revealed Word of God and the mind controls the body. All as a result of the Holy Spirit's leading and as a result of our yeilding to the Holy Spirit the unknown mystery is being made known. John 16:13, Acts of the Apostles 17:24-31
Jesus' last Word given in the bible is a revelation to the churches so we'll do well to examine what He has to say to us, His church Body:
1) When we are losing that first passion He reveals Himself as one who walks in the midst, judging. He's the unchanging One therefore our commitment to Him should not change either.
2) To those being persecuted He reveals Himself as one who had died and rose again, assuring us of His faithfulness in the case of martyrdom.
3) But for those full of hypocrisies He is a two-edged sword of judgement.
4) Where His position has been usurped there is only the darkness of satan covering over His truth.
5) Some churches are full of death and so to those in that condition the Lord reveals Himself as the bright shining star and the Spirit of life.
6) Those who have brotherly love are considered without blemish, so the Lord opens wide the door of anointing that they might have a great increase in precious life-giving.
7) To the worldly church the Lord reveals Himself as One kept outside the door.
-He knows all of our works whether they be good or evil (
SO YOU BETTER WATCH OUT Guess who's getting ready to come to town ) so we all must bear our own responsibility because, He says "I know your works".
Some have works but no love, some have both works and love, while some are completely worldly.
The sins of one are not imputed to the others in His address. None of the churches are accountable to the others in His final words. All are judged according to their works. Works have nothing to do with salvation
Christ makes no mention of some of the works of the churches as if they had none. But He knows of their condition. Endurance can be one of the best of works. To each condition He states the affliction and His view regarding the works and environment. He's just in exposing our sins and He's kind in revealing our merits. Thru the many errors and evils He doesn't hide the good works. His praise always comes first before His reprimand, but woe to those who have no praise coming from the Lord!
-He gives praise for loyalty, tribulation, poverty, faithfulness, works, love, faith, diligence, patience, good works, purity, and endurance
-While His rebukes are for coldness, heresy, fornication, self-exaltation, worldliness, weakness, imperfection, being alive in name but dead in reality, being neither cold nor hot, wretchedness, misery, poverty of spirit, blindness, and nakednes. Some church examples are without any rebuke and some are without any praise.
So it may be good to see ourselves with His eyes, whether we like to or not, simply because we`re told to examine ourselves so that we will not to be judged. When we see praise know also that all our sins are laid bare before our Lord. No matter at what point the fall is, the Lord commands repentance. We should also ought not to consider our good deeds but rather those that are in need of repentance because the Lord`s purpose is to make us over-comers.
"But if not, I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent" Revelation 2:5
"Repent therefore; but if not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war with them with the sword of My mouth" Revelation 2:16
"If therefore you will not watch, I will come as a thief" Revelation 3:3
In repentance, help is available! His last speech to His Body of Believers are promises of special spiritual blessings to usward!
We can return to our first love!
We can receive a martyrs crown!
We can recover the pure truth!
We can remove idolotry from our midst!
We can renew our vigil for His return!
We can have the wide open door
and He can fill our lack!
The Lord has grace for all of us who are willing to receive it! And He promises great rewards to those who do become the over-comers Revelation 2:7,10,11,17,26-28 Revelation 3:5, 12,21
Reading about the confusion in the churches should make us all the more aware of the confusion in our own (church)life. We can`t afford to be complacent. Buy the eye salve and the fine linen! Revelation 3:18, Genesis 41:42
These promises are rewards from God. Don`t confuse this with salvation or perdition. Salvation is in believing the Lord`s work accomplished, over-coming is drawing upon the Lord`s grace daily to allow His cross and the Spirit to overcome sin, world, flesh and satan. The glory is in the city to come, so let's forego the pleasures and endure the scorn of this world, and let the attraction being in that yet to come! The Almighty Lord is calling to those who have ears to hear. We ought to listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, His church Body.
In Trust and Loyalty is belief in Jesus of Nazareth