Revelations 22:6-7 “And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7) “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
In Part One, I explained why the New Testament writers thought the end was close. In Part Two, I describe how the Apostle Peter thought we are to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ and how to complete our life’s race in victory. Part Three clarifies why you are to stay alert and sober-minded for the purpose of prayer until Christ’s return. I explain in Part Four why love identifies a real Child of God and how love covers many sins. This post will demonstrate how showing hospitality is keeping the words of the Bible’s prophecy described in Revelations 22:7. Keeping the Bible’s prophecies is doing God’s instructions.
Matthew 24:44 states, “Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” How should we be ready for Christ’s return? 1Peter 4:7-10 tells us what we must do until Christ returns.
1Peter 4:7-10 (NIV) states, The end of all things is near.
―Therefore, be alert (ESV says, be self-controlled; NAS says, be of sound judgment) and
―of sober mind so that you may pray.
―Above all, love each other deeply (fervently; earnestly) because love covers over a multitude of sins.
―Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
―Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
What does it mean to show hospitality?
Dictionary.com says hospitality is the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. Synonyms for hospitality are welcoming, goodwill, generosity, kindness, and friendliness. Many people think that showing hospitality is entertaining people in your home, but can it also mean our church and our lives? Many people have closed their hearts and do not let anyone get close because they do not trust. If this is you, you’re not alone; God wants to heal your heart and give you the courage to trust others and love them as He loves them. I have written several posts on this topic, Pt. 1: Forsaken? Betrayed? How to Trust Again. and Pt. 2: Why You Can and Cannot Trust God? and Pt. 3: Seven Markers of a Trustworthy Person.
Because we don’t trust, we don’t let people into our homes for fear they will judge us. We mostly don’t let strangers in our homes because we fear they will hurt our family or steal from us. What are some other reasons we don’t show hospitality? Please leave a comment.
What does the Bible say about hospitality?
Romans12:13 says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
1Timothy 5:10a says, “and having a reputation for good works: … has shown hospitality….”
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
1Peter 4:9 says, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1Peter 4:9 says to show hospitality without grumbling. Most everyone knows what it means to grumble. But for clarification, grumbling is an expression of discontent, complaint, or unhappy murmuring. I don’t know about you, but I complain when I am inconvenienced or have to do something I don’t want to do or am forced to do. Why would Peter admonish the believers to not grumble when showing hospitality?
What was hospitality in the first century?
When the Apostle Peter wrote his first letter, hospitality was not the same as we know it. According to https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hospitality: “In ancient Israel, hospitality was not merely a question of good manners, but a moral institution which grew out of the harsh desert and nomadic existence led by the people of Israel. The biblical customs of welcoming the weary traveler and receiving the stranger in one’s midst were the matrix out of which hospitality and all its tributary aspects developed into a highly esteemed virtue in Jewish tradition. Biblical law specifically sanctified hospitality toward the ger (“stranger”) who was to be made particularly welcome “for you were strangers in a strange land” (Lev. 19:34 and see Ex. 12:49). Foreign travelers, although not protected by law (Deut. 15:3; 23:21), could count on the custom of hospitality.”
In William MacDonald’s “Believer’s Bible Commentary,” he said that we might need to harbor other Christians in need of shelter and food during the end of times. We may face arrest and imprisonment during this time of persecution, if not death itself, for helping other saints in need. Are you prepared to share food and necessary supplies with your neighbor? Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” MacDonald said, “No matter how slight the kindness, it will be rewarded handsomely; even a cup of cold water given in the Lord’s name will be rewarded (Matt. 10:42).” What are some ways you are showing kindness to strangers or fellow believers? Please share in the comments section so others can learn and be encouraged.
Remember the story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37? Jesus asked in verse 36, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? A despised foreigner spent his time and money to show love to a stranger in need. Can you see yourself doing the same?
How does your church show hospitality? How can your church do better?
When Jesus comes back, will He find you showing hospitality to the saints and your neighbor?
___________________________________
All verses are from the English Standard Bible. If you find my posts and website helpful, please share my website link with your friends and family, hopeforcompletehealing.com. The information is copyright protected, and no part of the posts or my book may be reproduced without proper citation to Joyce Hanscom and this website.
Contact me at hopeforcompletehealing@gmail.com, and ask for a PDF of Eight Prayers from the Bible. The prayers are for the Spirit of wisdom, renewal, spiritual strength, knowledge of His will, virtues of God, salvation for non-believers, 23rd Psalm, and victory. Please leave your name, so I know you are a real person making the request.
P.S.: Experiencing a lasting change in your life depends on having a right relationship with God the Father through believing in His Son Jesus Christ and obeying His command to love (1 John 3).
Hope for Complete Healing 