“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:22).

It makes an eternal difference whether a person hears—yet doesn’t hear—or really hears what he hears,especially when God speaks! In Christ’s seven letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2 and 3), representing all churches, each letter concludes with His words in our text. How important it is to really hear when He speaks!

First of all, when we truly hear His call, He gives salvation. “He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Then, if we have really become His sheep, we will hear His voice and follow Him as He leads: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. . . . He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:27,3). Also, if we really hear when He speaks through His word, we will do what He says. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24).

The voice of the Lord can even raise the dead: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth” (John 5:28,29). Now, if even those who have died physically can hear Him, surely He is able also to quicken those who are spiritually dead if they will only listen as He calls. But it is necessary that they hear! “To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke. . . . Whose carcasses fell in the wilderness. . . . So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:15–19). “He that hath an ear, let him hear!” HMM