The Alone
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Revelation 3:19-21
Here is a situation that very quickly moves from judgement to blessing without almost anything there. Some of you might wonder at the shift. See very quickly how it moves from a trial to a knock at the door, a feast on the table, and with it a blessing. Surely it was hardly the company's doing, that of the Lord, but rather of a situation of just a little bit more. It seems our God was speaking of the trial that should try the works of the church. For these ought not be frightened as though some strange thing had then come upon them. See how the scene very quickly moves from judgement and brings with it a blessing. For God has not sent the trial to destroy you nor yet to carry you off lest of it you be swallowed up. Rather there is a chastening purpose to be found to the end that God himself might hasten and have you established. My, this is some very good being rooted and grounded, built up in the faith indeed. Now it seems there are some those of you to whom he loves. For trust me, the ones he loves he chastens and with it these also repent.
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.
Imagine if you will, the shift in the scene that has yet taken place. There's nothing in the house, the pantry is empty, and the cupboards are bare. It seems the state of this one who has been the storm and the rain is too much to be borne indeed. For the Master came knocking that very same day. What do you know though, the God who stilled the storm and the rain had finally came. It takes God to bring what once was not from that which is and this thing here from out of something way over there. It might take some time to see it at first. But trust him in all this, he is bringing out.
So too does it work for your good and his blessing so that the ultimate purposes of God might be revealed in your life. It is so done that no flesh might glory in his presence, this God before whom all things appear. Though, it is all well, fine, and good to speak of the promises, sure. It seems this one in particular forms a shouting text here. So what of it then, there's a knock on the door and you let the Lord in. Now in place of the sadness and emptiness that once lay within is there a feast on the table. So too is there light and love in the house and with it the Lord. Perhaps though some of you have somehow lost sight of the Lord.
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.
See, he is the most important thing here to be seen with his presence so dear. In it remains then not the absence of fear. It is a scene that almost mirrors the wedding supper of the Lamb does it not with the water for the thirsty that comes out of the throne. Yet those were public, almost set on display for all to witness his love for his people and with it the bride. This one it seems just got a lot more real as Jesus Christ has come to the house.
Before him all disorder must stop, all chaos ceases, and clamour before him soon flees away. Come now, the feast of the Father is still in the house and with it is seen even that of the least. Therein is seen the keeping of God for his people. With what tender love and care it seems he had chased them all down, from their state as even that of a little lost lamb. Come on now, let us sit with the Lord. For did he not say his yoke was hardly anything to be borne. Come now and see the burden, even that of the Lord.