Nobody likes to receive criticism. But the Bible says:
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Proverbs 15:32
As hard as it might be, we need to receive correction. But not just any correction, correction from the word of God. The Bible says:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
It is through a knowledge of the word of God that we come to know the way in which God would have us live. Down through the ages the word of God has given messages of reproof and correction that are designed to discipline God’s people. The Bible says:
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 NASB
If the word of God provides reproof and correction and we need to hear these reproofs are there specific messages that we should be listening to in the 21st century? Is there a difficult message that is meant to discipline God’s people in the last days? The answer to that question is yes! There is indeed a message found in Revelation 3 that is meant for God’s people in the last days. This message comes from the person the Bible calls the true witness. This is none other than Jesus. Jesus says:
“…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; 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. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Revelation 3:14-17
This message is difficult to hear. But we must listen. In fact Ellen White saw that the refusing to listen to this very difficult testimony will cause a shaking in God’s church. She says:
I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen. I was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true Witness to the Laodiceans. It will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver of the testimony, and it will lead to him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. This straight testimony some will not bear. They willrise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God’s people. 1 SM p184.
As we read these sobering words will we listen to the testimony of the True Witness? Will we heed the warning to the church of Laodicea? If we will then we will remain connected to Jesus and endure as sons and daughters of the great King!
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