Revelation 3:7-13
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Well, who is able to say they don’t have an ear? Honestly, no-one! Even deaf people ‘have’ an ear and they also are able to receive “what the Spirit says to the churches.” (it’s just through a different medium). All of these messages to the churches reveal how God takes the proclamation of His Word extremely serious. So, it’s always shocking when someone is encountered who treats God’s Word flippantly. But, sadly and frustratingly, it happens — a lot!
It’s imperative to keep in mind who the Spirit is as God’s speaks through the written word. The Spirit is called the “teacher,” at many places of Holy Scripture (see Nehemiah 9:20; John 14:26; Luke 12:12; and 1 John 2:27). Being familiar with the terminology, we, Lutherans, could call God’s Spirit the ultimate ‘catechist’ (teacher) when it comes to the ‘catechesis’ (teaching) of God’s Word. God’s Holy Scripture could then be looked upon as the ultimate ‘catechism’ (book of teachings); and we could be viewed as the Holy Spirit’s ‘catechumens’ (students).
This gives a whole new perspective to Luther’s words “Let me ever remain a student of the catechism!” Obviously Luther was speaking about the catechisms (large and small) that he had created. But the same applies when it comes to all of God’s Word! It’s the Spirit who, thankfully, reveals the spiritual things of God. Those things are not discerned by man. Every word spoken by any teacher of Holy Scripture needs always to be held accountable to “what the Spirit says” — for what He speaks, through Law & Gospel, is what brings about true repentance and belief in Jesus. Rejoice that you have heard!
Let us pray: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
