Rapture and End Times

I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. (Revelation 3:18)

Colors have a deep meaning to us:

The whole notion of consistently attaching a particular hue to each political party is a relatively new concept in the US, not emerging as a common distinction until the 2000 presidential election between Democrat and Vice President Al Gore and Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush.

Generally speaking, the Northeast and the West Coast are considered a collection of blue states as most of them have sided with the Democrats since the early 1990s.

The Southern states (minus Florida and Virginia) have sided with Republicans since the 2000s, while the Midwest tends to be tougher to predict.

Today the flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

‘So 2020’ is a new phrase that made its way into America’s political lexicon this year.

It has come to describe all things unexpected, unsettling and unprecedented. This includes the vitriolic political discourse that has deepened the U.S. partisan divide, the scary pandemic, economic woes, social upheaval after police killings of Black people, and natural disasters.

But the meaning of the color white is timeless.

White, in the Bible and in today’s society, is associated with purity, things that are good, innocence, honesty, and cleanliness.

White is the most frequently mentioned pigment in the New Testament and in the word of God as a whole. It is the third most referenced color in the Old Testament, behind blue and red.

The Word of God calls all Christians to the purity symbolized by white:

“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:

“The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:14-21)

In the Book of Revelation, the seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea. Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley.

In contrast to the other six churches, the Laodicean church has nothing to commend it.

Jesus begins the message with condemnation: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17).

Jesus emphasizes their “lukewarm,” apathetic nature three times. As a result of their ambivalence to spiritual things, Jesus would have nothing to do with them. He would “vomit them out,” as the people of Laodicea would spit out the tepid water that flowed from the underground aqueducts to their city. With their apathy came a spiritual blindness; they claimed to be rich, blessed and self-sufficient. Perhaps they were rich in material things. But, spiritually, the Laodiceans were in a wretched, pitiful condition, made all the worse in that they could not see their need. This was a church filled with self-deceived hypocrites.

Jesus calls the Laodicean church to repent of its sin: “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see” (Revelation 3:18). Their material wealth had no eternal benefit, so Jesus commands them to come to Him for true, spiritual riches (see Isaiah 55:1-2). Only Christ can supply an everlasting inheritance, clothe us in righteousness, and heal our spiritual blindness.

Jesus then notes His concern for His church in Laodicea: “As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:19-20).

His rebuke is not born of animosity but of love. “the Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6). The desired response to God’s reproof was zealous change and true repentance.

Verse 20 is often used as an evangelistic appeal, yet its original context communicates Christ’s desire for fellowship with His lukewarm church in Laodicea. The church is nominally Christian, but Christ Himself has been locked out. Rather than turn His back on them, He knocks, seeking someone to acknowledge the church’s need and open the door. If they would repent, Jesus would come in and take His rightful place in the church. He would share a meal with them, a Middle Eastern word picture speaking of closeness of relationship.

Jesus then makes a promise to the believers in Laodicea: “The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21). The “victor” refers to any believer, and the promise is that he will share Christ’s future kingdom.

In summary, the church at Laodicea had become apathetic in their love for Christ. They were allowing “the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19). Christ called them to repent and live zealously for Him, to “choose for yourselves today the one you will worship” (Joshua 24:15).

The Lord Jesus issues the same call to those who say they follow Him today.

How can we be clothed in white?

Through giving our hearts to Jesus the Messiah, we can wash our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. We approach the throne through praise, worship, and giving thanks.

If you are not sure that you are a Christian, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

Praise and Worship

I praise and worship you, Father God, Jehovah, My Lord, Yahweh

You are Almighty God, Father of Lights, the Ancient of Days.

You have known me since the foundations of the World.

You know my thoughts, feelings and my heart’s desire.

Your promises, Abba Father, never fail. You never change.

You are the All Sufficient One and the Self Existent One.

You are the I AM! You are love! I praise and worship you, Heavenly Father!

I praise and worship you Jesus, the Son of God, Yeshu‘a Mashiach

You are my Savior, my Christ, my Shepherd, and the Lord of All.

You are my Faithful Intercessor before the Father.

You gave yourself willingly on the cross for my sins and

for those who will accept you as Lord and Savior.

You are the Anointed One, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings.

You are the I AM! You are love! I praise and worship you, Jesus my Savior!

I praise and worship you Holy Spirit, my Counselor and Guide, Ruach HaKodesh

You are the All Powerful Spirit of the Living God.

You are my teacher, opening the Word of God to me.

You are my Wisdom, directing me in every decision I ask.

You give me knowledge from beyond the Holy of Holies.

You are Mighty and train me in the Fear of the Lord.

You are the I AM! You are love! I praise and worship you, Holy Spirit my helper!

Giving Thanks

• Thank you, Lord, for my salvation.
• Thank you for my health, my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Thank you for being my shield and the hedge of protection all around me.
• Thank you for my family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, the Church, and for all the people in your world. You gave us all to each other, to love each other, and to love, obey, and worship you.
• Thank you for depositing your Holy Spirit in me, and for the gifts of the Spirit. Thank you for giving me wisdom and knowledge to serve you better. Thank you for giving me reverence and trust in you.
• Thank you for your provision, Lord. All that I need flows from your throne to me.
• Thank you for giving me a worthy purpose and direction for my life, and guiding me in my daily thoughts, words, and actions. Let my life be a “living sacrifice” to you.
• Thank you, Lord, you are good. Your gracious love to me endures forever!

In the middle of intense Tribulation, the Lord rescues all Christians, even Democrats and Republicans:

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!

All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people robed in white, and where did they come from?”

I said to him, “Sir, you know.”

Then he told me:

These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb.

.
For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and they serve Him day and night in His sanctuary.
The One seated on the throne will shelter them:
They will no longer hunger;
they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them,
nor will any heat.
For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne
will shepherd them;
He will guide them to springs of living waters,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:9-17)

Reader Comments:

While it is a mistake to ascribe some kind of spiritual/mystical message to every mention of a color in the Bible, there are definitely patterns of symbolism attached to the colors in the Bible. The different colors crop up again and again in Scripture, and we can learn certain things from the patterns we see. 

missmuffet, November 11, 2020

Rev. 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean [i.e., white] and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

William, November 11, 2020

I believe “white” is also ascribed to the counterfeit christ rider on the first white horse in Rev 6:2

canada, November 11, 2020

If those are the three choices, then I’m red- covered in Christ’s blood.

And do terrorists have to attack us again for us to realize we are one America? How soon we forget.

Renee, November 11, 2020

Those of us in the Christian west are in the most dangerous times since the Western peoples worshipped idols before Christ was preached. I witnessed the goals of ‘world socialism’ through Communists being implemented in many western European countries back in the 1970’s when I was stationed in Europe. The U.S. founders had the vision for the United States to be a free Christian people not under a European monarch, nor by the old styles of government that failed through history. They did declare the United States of America a “Christian nation”, and regardless of what modern Socialists/Communists say the idea of separation between Church and state is not written in the U.S. Constitution.

Those who come to the United States of America fleeing from religious or political persecution are welcomed with the understanding that if they want to stay, they will eventually become ‘Americans’. All early peoples that formed the early American colonies came from various European countries and cultures, even though they were Christians. They came for the cause of freedom, liberty to pursue happiness. That is the root idea of becoming an American. The various peoples with various cultures will always have those differences, but to be an American, together as one people regardless of all that, that was the founders’ dream for the United States of America.

What does that mean then, becoming an American? It means respecting the laws and rights of the people through their elected representatives. It means respecting American history and the history of its foundation by its founders. It means being willing to serve the people in protecting America from foreign and domestic overthrow. It means becoming educated in one’s rights as an American, and with the Constitution of The United States of America. It means attempting to live in peace with our fellow-man. It means respecting the order of law, and those who administer it and justice.

But if you look today at groups like Communists and Antifa, etc., they are doing just the opposite; not they only, but even some American officials in high places that want to reduce the operations of law enforcement, and support the continuance of riots in our streets. Those are ‘crept in unawares’, subversives, false-Americans who support the overthrow of the United States.

Davy, November 11, 2020