HOW INDIFFERENCE AFFECTS JESUS -- Tomorrow:
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev 3:14-22)
Devotion 3 of 20
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Rev 3:14).
THE AMEN
" . . . The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this . . . " (NASB). The word "Amen" means trustworthy, surely, or so be it. It speaks of accuracy and finality, stability and assuredness. The word is used 151 times from Matthew through Revelation, and 30 times from Numbers through Jeremiah. This is a Kingdom word, denoting the sureness of Divine commitment. Under the Law, the people were required to say "Amen" at the reading of the curses of God (Deut 27:15-26). Three times the expression "Amen and Amen" is used in the Psalms (41:13; 72:19; 89:52). The Lord Jesus used this word 106 times in the Gospels (frequently translated "Verily" – KJV, or "Truly" – NASB, or "assuredly" – NKJV). For Him, this was showing the nature of the words He communicated. They were firm, unchangeable, and trustworthy.
When Jesus declares He is "The Amen," He means He is God's final Word – a sure and steadfast Foundation upon which faith is firmly secured. Firmness, constancy and immutability are in the name, "AMEN!" Everything about Him is characterized by these qualities – His Person, His words, His power, blood, and righteousness. There is nothing about Him or His work that does not have the Name "AMEN!" written over it.
THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS
In speaking to this church as "the AMEN!" Jesus is saying His assessment is the true and final one. He speaks in the capacity of "the faithful and true Witness." He is not only the One through Whom God is speaking in these "last days" (Heb 1:1-2), He is the One through Whom the churches are evaluated, commended, rebuked, and admonished. He is faithful to make assessments, and true in the conveyance of what He finds. He is faithful to God's "eternal purpose" in His evaluations, and absolutely true in His assessments. He is also faithful to judge when judgment is required, and faithful to communicate when communication is required. He is the "Witness," telling what He has beheld, and withholding nothing that is profitable. He is not providing a pointless, but a truthful witness.
THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD
But Jesus also declares Himself to be "the Beginning of the creation of God." Here is a most unique designation, and it has been subjected to the abuse of the enemies of Christ. Of old time, the Arians used this expression in their feeble attempt disprove the Deity of Christ. They declared it means Jesus was the first One created. This same view is aggressively entertained and taught by the Jehovah's Witnesses. It is even found among some who operate under the banner of fundamentalist, true new Testament church, etc.
This phrase is to be understood to mean Jesus is the Beginning, the Author, or Source of everything God has created – and He has created "all things." It is another way of saying the creation of all things was through Him. As it is written, " . . . God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph 3:9). Elsewhere the Spirits elaborates on this title Christ applies to Himself. " . . . the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (or, are held together)" (Col 1:13-17). In the next chapter of Revelation (Chapter 4), this aspect of Jesus is again mentioned. "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (4:11). In describing Himself to John, four times Jesus said He was "THE Beginning" (Rev 1:8; 3:14; 21:6; 22:13). He did not say that He HAD a beginning, but that He IS the beginning – and there is a vast difference. Here, He means He is the Origin of everything that has been made.
This is the One who is speaking to Laodicea, and to us. We do well to give heed to His words.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to listen to Him without being distracted.