Revelation: Strengthen the Weak

 Revelation: Justification by Faith

Strengthen the Weak

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.'" (Revelation 3:1–2, ESV)

It seems that Jesus is addressing the church as a whole here. The angel represents the church.
This church had a reputation for being alive, but in reality, they were dead. Many were on the verge of dying, falling back into sin and unbelief. They were called to be watchful and to strengthen those in danger. Their works were incomplete in God’s eyes.

This "death" relates to their works. If they were spiritually alive, it would mean good and sincere works with proper motives. But they were dead, and many were at risk of dying.
How can we strengthen those who are about to die?

"Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
‘Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’" (Isaiah 35:3–10, ESV)

We are on a journey right now. We are walking along a holy way.
Our destination is the New Jerusalem, a heavenly city.

How do we walk this way?

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.’
Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’" (John 14:1–6, ESV)

Jesus is the way. We must stay close to Him. We must follow Him and trust in Him. His death, life, and promises mean redemption for us. We have been freed from the power of Satan and are free to walk this path to heaven, to the New Jerusalem.

Often, we will stumble. Often, our knees will weaken, and our hands will hang limp. We tend to wander off the path because it requires self-denial. We still struggle with inclinations toward sin and unbelief.
But we must strengthen one another. Encourage these people that the way is worth it and that they are protected by God. Tell them that even fools will not go astray on this way. Remind them that they will soon reach the promised land. That God will pour out His vengeance on Satan, his angels, and all deceivers and oppressors. That we will soon be completely healed of all ailments and that even now, there is water to drink.

Fear not! God is your King. He has redeemed you and counts you as a heavenly citizen through your faith. He is coming soon and will bring justice.

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door." (James 5:7–9, ESV)

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