10/31/17 A PHILADELPHIAN IN LAODICEA

10/31/17 A PHILADELPHIAN IN LAODICEA

This article is BASED ON MY UNDERSTANDING OF REVELATION 2-3 and the state of current affairs.

YES, there are pockets of believers enjoying Philadelphian outpourings. I believe it. But most of what I see in society and sadly, most of what I encounter at the present time is Laodicean self satisfaction and lukewarmness. I am glad for those who are in Philadelphia. I remember when America and other parts of the world were riding the tidal wave of Philadelphian opportunity. It was like a dream, and in fact, today, it seems more like a dream for those who find themselves living in a Laodicean culture.

It isn't that those in Laodicea are any less faithful than those who are in Philadelphia or the other way around. I continue to witness, pray, preach and teach as though an open door of opportunity might open to us. But it is not my job to "make" it happen. It is my job to be faithful, while the giving of the harvest is God's work.

There are pockets of Ephesus, Smyrna (large regions of the world under persecution), Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia (at least for a while) and the ever expanding Laodicea.

BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, the Philadelphian Church of the Open Door does not receive its blessing based on its geography or program or talent or wealth. It is primarily related to the anointing of God poured out on a group of people who are open hearted and self denying, who trust and follow God as fully as they know how. The move of the Spirit of God in the 60s and 70s was not due to a godly culture or easy lifestyle. The power of the Spirit of God in those days came because a core of people loved God more than they loved their own comforts and successes.

That kind of focus comes only to those who TURN THEIR EYES UPON JESUS, those who SURRENDER ALL, those who FOLLOW, WHERE HE LEADS.

I am glad for those who are awash with the outpouring of God, and I want other communities to experience it as well. But God won't do it without willing vessels.