Tag Archives: revelation 3:20

Laodicea and Freedom of Choice

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Laodicea and Freedom of Choice

We need to speak about Laodicea and freedom of choice because in our previous presentation, “Time to Break Through” we mentioned that sometimes Jesus’ knocking at the door of our lives is not a very gentle one (as we would like it always to be). This is why many may ask: where is my freedom of choice? Where is my free will?

We need to understand God’s sovereignty in order to understand His right to intervene in our lives. And all the time His interventions have the purpose to save us from dangers we don’t understand and realize.

The apostle Paul experienced this breaking through in his life. He never complained that God “dared” to break through and turn his plans upside down. He was always thankful for that intervention (you can read it in Acts 9). In the presentation you can see a longer list with Biblical examples of people who were blessed with special interventions from God (like us) and who still had the freedom both to keep Jesus inside their lives or to “invite” him to get out forever.

Why do we keep Jesus at the door? Why Laodiceans don’t invite Jesus insire? Here are some reasons:

  • Sometimes we don’t realize that He is out!! (Laodicea) We are very sure that He is inside, believing that our declarations of “love” are enough to keep Him inside!
  • Some are scared to lose control (as if they have it). They want to be THE BOSS. They know that God is unpredictable! If he sends you to be a missionary in China, what happens with all your plans? Or He will direct me to invest my savings in the ARK!
  • There is a lot of temporary pleasure in living a sinful life! And some don’t believe that God can offer a better quality and eternal lasting pleasures! (so called believers may “advertise” this)
  • We believe that our spiritual life is good enough (compared with others). Everything works fine and we take it as a proof that we are blessed and OK with God.  We have our routine and we are scared to make changes. (wardrobe, kitchen, entertainment, jobs etc)
  • Because we know that Jesus is good and patient. We believe the lie that we can fully repent TOMORROW.
  • We can’t see how dangerous is the Killer and we see him as a good friend and business partner.

Time to Break Through – Revelation 3 20

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Time to Break Through – Revelation 3:20a

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock…”  Revelation 3:20

In the full presentation of Revelation 3:20 entitled “Time to Break Through” (see the video below) you will find more details about this very known verse and very known picture. We mention below just few important points which are meant to recreate the visual picture of the verse in a more accurate way, more faithful to the biblical message.

The classical pictures trying to capture the scene described in the biblical verse are limited and sometimes misleading. As you can see in the pictures below, Jesus is quite passive, though a little bit concerned. You can’t see what’s happening in the house or the visibility is very limited. Do these pictures really show the reality of what the Bible wants to say? Is it our life really hidden from the eyes of Jesus? Can He really stay passive when He knows that, being Himself outside, it means that inside the house, with us, there is a very dangerous enemy?

Jesus knock at the door of our livesJesus at the door of our hearts

Of course these pictures don’t represent faithfully what the Bible in its entirety speaks about Jesus and His concern about us. This is why we propose a different picture with a more biblical message:

Jesus knocks at the door of a glass house

Glass house - transparency of our lives before God

Jesus is able to see any detail of our lives. Everything is transparent to Him. We can’t really hide anything from his sight. And because He can see what’s happening inside, He can’t be passive and relaxed. No normal father in the world could be passive and relaxed while his son or his daughter are inside a building with a dangerous guy around them. This is why a complementary picture would be one of a police team trying to break through in order to rescue a potential victim and to stop a dangerous person from harming somebody.

Police breaking through The breaking through takes place whenever somebody will pray with faith. It is very encouraging to read in the Bible about examples when people interceded for their dear ones and God did break through and rescued them. It is also encouraging when the victims of Satan obtained real freedom, the freedom from sin, even when they were not able to articulate a prayer but Jesus could read their hearts and their longing for freedom. (Matthew 8:28-34)

We have a mighty God, who is able to help us, who is ready to rescue us. And once we are rescued, we can intercede in prayer for the salvation of other souls around us.