"To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: 'The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the beginning of God's creation, says this: 'I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don't need anything." Yet you don't realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore, I advise you to buy from me gold purified in fire so that you may be rich, white clothes to wear so that you may keep the shame of your nakedness from showing, and ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent! Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place to sit with me on my throne, just as I have conquered and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
(Rev 3:14-22 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is complacent and laid back in her faith. She is comfortable in her Christianity and likes it that way. She does what she thinks a Christian should do, but she is not passionate about doing the work of the Kingdom. Instead of going to the King for her needs, waiting and trusting on Him to give it to her, she goes and gets it herself. She has made herself rich in her own eyes, but this wealth is not the lasting kind. She is ignorant and has no knowledge that she is really spiritually poor, blind, and naked. Because King Jesus loves her, she will shamed, punished, and corrected. If she doesn't change her ways, then she will be rejected by the King.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
[Groom] My bride, my sister, I will come to my garden. I will gather my myrrh with my spice. I will eat my honeycomb with my honey. I will drink my wine with my milk. Eat, my friends! Drink and become intoxicated with expressions of love! [Bride] I sleep, but my mind is awake. Listen! My beloved is knocking. [Groom] Open to me, my true love, my sister, my dove, my perfect one. My head is wet with dew, my hair with the dewdrops of night. [Bride] I have taken off my clothes! Why should I put them on again? I have washed my feet! Why should I get them dirty again? My beloved put his hand through the keyhole. My heart throbbed for him. I got up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers were drenched with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away. He was gone! I almost died when he left. I looked for him, but I did not find him. I called for him, but he did not answer me. The watchmen making their rounds in the city found me. They struck me! They wounded me! Those watchmen on the walls took my robe from me! Young women of Jerusalem, swear to me that if you find my beloved you will tell him I am hopelessly lovesick. (Son 5:1-8 GW)
GOD's Message came to me: "Son of man, those who are living in the ruins back in Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one man and he owned the whole country. But there are lots of us. Our ownership is even more certain.' "So tell them, 'GOD the Master says, You eat flesh that contains blood, you worship no-god idols, you murder at will--and you expect to own this land? You rely on the sword, you engage in obscenities, you indulge in sex at random--anyone, anytime. And you still expect to own this land?' "Tell them this, Ezekiel: 'The Message of GOD, the Master. As sure as I am the living God, those who are still alive in the ruins will be killed. Anyone out in the field I'll give to wild animals for food. Anyone hiding out in mountain forts and caves will die of disease. I'll make this country an empty wasteland--no more arrogant bullying! Israel's mountains will become dangerously desolate. No one will dare pass through them.' "They'll realize that I am GOD when I devastate the country because of all the obscenities they've practiced. "As for you, son of man, you've become quite the talk of the town. Your people meet on street corners and in front of their houses and say, 'Let's go hear the latest news from GOD.' They show up, as people tend to do, and sit in your company. They listen to you speak, but don't do a thing you say. They flatter you with compliments, but all they care about is making money and getting ahead. To them you're merely entertainment--a country singer of sad love songs, playing a guitar. They love to hear you talk, but nothing comes of it. "But when all this happens--and it is going to happen!--they'll realize that a prophet was among them."
(Eze 33:23-33 MSG)
The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw regarding Judah and Jerusalem during the times of the kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Heaven and earth, you're the jury. Listen to GOD's case: "I had children and raised them well, and they turned on me. The ox knows who's boss, the mule knows the hand that feeds him, But not Israel. My people don't know up from down. Shame! Misguided GOD-dropouts, staggering under their guilt-baggage, Gang of miscreants, band of vandals-- My people have walked out on me, their GOD, turned their backs on The Holy of Israel, walked off and never looked back. "Why bother even trying to do anything with you when you just keep to your bullheaded ways? You keep beating your heads against brick walls. Everything within you protests against you. From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, nothing's working right. Wounds and bruises and running sores-- untended, unwashed, unbandaged. Your country is laid waste, your cities burned down. Your land is destroyed by outsiders while you watch, reduced to rubble by barbarians. Daughter Zion is deserted-- like a tumbledown shack on a dead-end street, Like a tarpaper shanty on the wrong side of the tracks, like a sinking ship abandoned by the rats. If GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies hadn't left us a few survivors, we'd be as desolate as Sodom, doomed just like Gomorrah. "Listen to my Message, you Sodom-schooled leaders. Receive God's revelation, you Gomorrah-schooled people. "Why this frenzy of sacrifices?" GOD's asking. "Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don't you think I've had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that-- all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship? "Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings-- meetings, meetings, meetings--I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out." This is GOD's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool. If you'll willingly obey, you'll feast like kings. But if you're willful and stubborn, you'll die like dogs." That's right. GOD says so. Oh! Can you believe it? The chaste city has become a whore! She was once all justice, everyone living as good neighbors, And now they're all at one another's throats. Your coins are all counterfeits. Your wine is watered down. Your leaders are turncoats who keep company with crooks. They sell themselves to the highest bidder and grab anything not nailed down. They never stand up for the homeless, never stick up for the defenseless. This Decree, therefore, of the Master, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the Strong One of Israel: "This is it! I'll get my oppressors off my back. I'll get back at my enemies. I'll give you the back of my hand, purge the junk from your life, clean you up. I'll set honest judges and wise counselors among you just like it was back in the beginning. Then you'll be renamed City-That-Treats-People-Right, the True-Blue City." GOD's right ways will put Zion right again. GOD's right actions will restore her penitents. But it's curtains for rebels and GOD-traitors, a dead end for those who walk out on GOD. "Your dalliances in those oak grove shrines will leave you looking mighty foolish, All that fooling around in god and goddess gardens that you thought was the latest thing. You'll end up like an oak tree with all its leaves falling off, Like an unwatered garden, withered and brown. 'The Big Man' will turn out to be dead bark and twigs, and his 'work,' the spark that starts the fire That exposes man and work both as nothing but cinders and smoke." (Isa 1:1-31 MSG)
"Tell this to the descendants of Jacob, and make this heard in Judah: Hear this, you stupid and senseless people! You have eyes, but you cannot see. You have ears, but you cannot hear. Don't you fear me?" asks the LORD. "Don't you tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier that it cannot cross. Although the waves toss continuously, they can't break through. Although they roar, they can't cross it. But these people are stubborn and rebellious. They have turned aside and wandered away from me. They don't say to themselves, 'We should fear the LORD our God. He sends rain at the right time, the autumn rain and the spring rain. He makes sure that we have harvest seasons.' Your wickedness has turned these things away. Your sins have kept good things away from you. "Wicked people are found among my people. They lie in ambush like bird catchers. They set traps and catch people. Like cages filled with birds, their houses are filled with deceit. That is why they become powerful and rich. They grow big and fat. Their evil deeds have no limits. They have no respect for the rights of others. They have no respect for the rights of orphans. But they still prosper. They don't defend the rights of the poor. I will punish them for these things," declares the LORD. "I will punish this nation. "Something horrible and disgusting is happening in the land: Prophets prophesy lies. Priests rule under the prophets' directions, and my people love this. But what will you do in the end?"
(Jer 5:20-31 GW)
When Your people Israel are stricken before the enemy, when they sin against You, if they turn again to You, and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this house; then You shall hear in Heaven, and shall forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and shall bring them back to the land that You gave to their fathers. When the heavens are restrained, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they have prayed toward this place, and confess Your name, and have turned from their sin because You have afflicted them, then You shall hear in Heaven, and shall forgive the sin of Your servants, and of Your people Israel, for You shall teach them the good way in which they shall go, and shall give rain on Your land which You have given to Your people for an inheritance.
(1Ki 8:33-36 LITV)
The LORD says, "Come, everyone who is thirsty--- here is water! Come, you that have no money--- buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk--- it will cost you nothing! Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all. "Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life! I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David. I made him a leader and commander of nations, and through him I showed them my power. Now you will summon foreign nations; at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you! I, the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, will make all this happen; I will give you honor and glory." Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near. Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.
(Isa 55:1-7 GNB)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she seriously repents and starts listening to the voice of King Jesus so that she can come back into right relationship with Him.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Church in Philadelphia
"To the messenger of the church in Philadelphia, write: 'The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door that no one can shut, and who shuts a door that no one can open, says this: 'I know your works. Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut. You have only a little strength, but you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who belong to the synagogue of Satan-those who claim to be Jews and aren't, but are lying-come and bow down at your feet. Then they will realize that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to endure, I will keep you from the hour of testing that is coming to the whole world to test those living on the earth. I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your victor's crown. I will make the one who conquers a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and he will never go out of it again. I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God), and my own new name. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.'
(Rev 3:7-13 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She isn't the strongest, but she strives to keep God's Word and confesses her faith, not denying the name of Jesus. She is obedient to His commands and knows the way and the truth. She continues to proclaim the truth even though everyone around her are telling lies and falsely accusing her of not telling the truth. Because of this, she will be protected from the hour of testing that is coming upon all who are living on the earth. King Jesus will raise her to a position of authority and those who troubled her will honor her.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1Co 1:27-29 ESV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2Co 12:9-10 ESV)
In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house. And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father's house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a secure place will give way, and it will be cut down and fall, and the load that was on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken." (Isa 22:20-25 ESV)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." (Deu 30:19-20 ESV)
Those who were well-fed hire themselves out for a piece of bread, but those who were hungry hunger no more. Even the woman who was childless gives birth to seven children, but the mother of many children grieves all alone. "The LORD kills, and he gives life. He makes people go down to the grave, and he raises them up again. The LORD causes poverty and grants wealth. He humbles people; he also promotes them. He raises the poor from the dust. He lifts the needy from the trash heap in order to make them sit with nobles and even to make them inherit a glorious throne. "The pillars of the earth are the LORD'S. He has set the world on them." (1Sa 2:5-8 GW)
And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
(Mat 24:10-13 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she holds on to the position of royalty that King Jesus has given to her.
(Rev 3:7-13 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She isn't the strongest, but she strives to keep God's Word and confesses her faith, not denying the name of Jesus. She is obedient to His commands and knows the way and the truth. She continues to proclaim the truth even though everyone around her are telling lies and falsely accusing her of not telling the truth. Because of this, she will be protected from the hour of testing that is coming upon all who are living on the earth. King Jesus will raise her to a position of authority and those who troubled her will honor her.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1Co 1:27-29 ESV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2Co 12:9-10 ESV)
In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house. And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father's house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a secure place will give way, and it will be cut down and fall, and the load that was on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken." (Isa 22:20-25 ESV)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." (Deu 30:19-20 ESV)
Those who were well-fed hire themselves out for a piece of bread, but those who were hungry hunger no more. Even the woman who was childless gives birth to seven children, but the mother of many children grieves all alone. "The LORD kills, and he gives life. He makes people go down to the grave, and he raises them up again. The LORD causes poverty and grants wealth. He humbles people; he also promotes them. He raises the poor from the dust. He lifts the needy from the trash heap in order to make them sit with nobles and even to make them inherit a glorious throne. "The pillars of the earth are the LORD'S. He has set the world on them." (1Sa 2:5-8 GW)
And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
(Mat 24:10-13 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she holds on to the position of royalty that King Jesus has given to her.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Church in Sardis
"To the messenger of the church in Sardis, write: 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: 'I know your works. You are known for being alive, but you are dead. Be alert, and strengthen the things that are left, which are about to die. I have not found your works to be completed in the sight of my God. So remember what you received and heard. Obey it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you won't know the time when I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me in white clothes because they are worthy. The person who conquers in this way will wear white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and his angels. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.'
(Rev 3:1-6 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is well known and good at acting the part of being a Christian, but she really isn't. She is weak and half-asleep all of the time. She procrastinates and hasn't completed her work in the Kingdom. She hasn't paid attention to keeping herself clean and has fallen asleep in her dirty clothes. If she doesn't wake up and remember what she has been taught, then all that she has will be stolen from her.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(Mat 24:43-51 ESV)
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(1Th 5:2-9 ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
(2Pe 3:9-14 ESV)
("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")
(Rev 16:15 ESV)
Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
(Isa 52:1 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents, cleanses herself, and starts obeying the commandments of King Jesus.
(Rev 3:1-6 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is well known and good at acting the part of being a Christian, but she really isn't. She is weak and half-asleep all of the time. She procrastinates and hasn't completed her work in the Kingdom. She hasn't paid attention to keeping herself clean and has fallen asleep in her dirty clothes. If she doesn't wake up and remember what she has been taught, then all that she has will be stolen from her.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(Mat 24:43-51 ESV)
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(1Th 5:2-9 ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
(2Pe 3:9-14 ESV)
("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")
(Rev 16:15 ESV)
Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
(Isa 52:1 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents, cleanses herself, and starts obeying the commandments of King Jesus.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Church in Thyatira
"To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write: 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like flaming fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says this: 'I know your works-your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance-and that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who teaches and leads my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refused to repent of her immorality. Look! I am going to throw her into a sickbed. Those who commit adultery with her will also have great suffering, unless they repent of her works. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will reward each of you as your works deserve. 'But as for the rest of you in Thyatira-you who do not hold on to this teaching and who have not learned what some people call the deep things of Satan-I won't lay on you any other burden. Just hold on to what you have until I come. To the person who conquers and continues to do my works to the end I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter, as when clay pots are shattered. Just as I have received authority from my Father, I will also give him the morning star. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.' (Rev 2:18-29 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is loving, faithful, and a hard worker. She has been persistent and has done great things for the Kingdom, but she has allowed and tolerated false spiritual teaching and instruction in her home. This has lead to her seduction and desire to have more knowledge of the enemy and his ways. Instead of giving her offerings to the Lord, she has given them to idols and she has also eaten of them herself, making herself fat. She has refused to repent of this year after year, so she has become sick. If she doesn't repent, she will suffer greatly and her children will die because of her adultery. Her punishment will be used as an example of the King's authority, power, and judgment on all churches.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw." And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force." Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. (1Sa 2:12-17 ESV)
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. (1Sa 2:22-25 ESV)
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, "Thus the LORD has said, 'Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, "Please put me in one of the priests' places, that I may eat a morsel of bread."'" (1Sa 2:22-36 ESV)
And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. (1Ki 16:30-33 ESV)
And of Jezebel the LORD also said, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.' Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat." (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD cast out before the people of Israel.) (1Ki 21:23-26 ESV)
Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words. For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right. "Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD. In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah." Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land." Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, 'It shall be well with you'; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, 'No disaster shall come upon you.'" For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly. (Jer 23:9-20 ESV)
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
(Rom 16:16-20 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents of her adultery and returns back to King Jesus, focusing on getting healthy and doing His works until the end.
DESCRIPTION:
She is loving, faithful, and a hard worker. She has been persistent and has done great things for the Kingdom, but she has allowed and tolerated false spiritual teaching and instruction in her home. This has lead to her seduction and desire to have more knowledge of the enemy and his ways. Instead of giving her offerings to the Lord, she has given them to idols and she has also eaten of them herself, making herself fat. She has refused to repent of this year after year, so she has become sick. If she doesn't repent, she will suffer greatly and her children will die because of her adultery. Her punishment will be used as an example of the King's authority, power, and judgment on all churches.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw." And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force." Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. (1Sa 2:12-17 ESV)
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. (1Sa 2:22-25 ESV)
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, "Thus the LORD has said, 'Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, "Please put me in one of the priests' places, that I may eat a morsel of bread."'" (1Sa 2:22-36 ESV)
And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. (1Ki 16:30-33 ESV)
And of Jezebel the LORD also said, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.' Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat." (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD cast out before the people of Israel.) (1Ki 21:23-26 ESV)
Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words. For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right. "Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD. In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah." Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land." Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, 'It shall be well with you'; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, 'No disaster shall come upon you.'" For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly. (Jer 23:9-20 ESV)
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
(Rom 16:16-20 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents of her adultery and returns back to King Jesus, focusing on getting healthy and doing His works until the end.
Friday, September 07, 2007
The Church in Pergamum
"To the messenger of the church in Pergamum, write: 'The one who holds the sharp, two-edged sword, says this: 'I know where you live. Satan's throne is there. Yet you hold on to my name and have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your presence, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: You have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, the one who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality. You also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. So repent. If you don't, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone. On the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the person who receives it.' (Rev 2:12-17 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
Even though she lives where Satan dwells, and has personally seen the persecution of faithful Christians, she has not denied her faith. But, she has been deceived through false teaching into practicing idol worship and immoral living, thinking that it wouldn't harm her faith. She is also listening to teaching that is using evil to teach good. She believes that she is free to worship God the way she wants to and that will lead to her death in the war.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
They have left the straight path and wandered off to follow the path of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the reward he got for doing wrong. But he was rebuked for his offense. A donkey that normally cannot talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's insanity. These men are dried-up springs, mere clouds driven by a storm. Gloomy darkness is reserved for them. By talking high-sounding nonsense and using sinful cravings of the flesh, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. Promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves to depravity, for a person is a slave to whatever conquers him. For if, after escaping the world's corruptions through a full knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled and conquered by them, then their last condition is worse than their former one. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to know it and turn their backs on the holy commandment that was committed to them. The proverb is true that describes what has happened to them: "A dog returns to its vomit," and "A pig that is washed goes back to wallow in the mud." (2Pe 2:15-22 ISV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents and starts listening to the right teachers who will train her to be a soldier for King Jesus.
DESCRIPTION:
Even though she lives where Satan dwells, and has personally seen the persecution of faithful Christians, she has not denied her faith. But, she has been deceived through false teaching into practicing idol worship and immoral living, thinking that it wouldn't harm her faith. She is also listening to teaching that is using evil to teach good. She believes that she is free to worship God the way she wants to and that will lead to her death in the war.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
They have left the straight path and wandered off to follow the path of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the reward he got for doing wrong. But he was rebuked for his offense. A donkey that normally cannot talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's insanity. These men are dried-up springs, mere clouds driven by a storm. Gloomy darkness is reserved for them. By talking high-sounding nonsense and using sinful cravings of the flesh, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. Promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves to depravity, for a person is a slave to whatever conquers him. For if, after escaping the world's corruptions through a full knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled and conquered by them, then their last condition is worse than their former one. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to know it and turn their backs on the holy commandment that was committed to them. The proverb is true that describes what has happened to them: "A dog returns to its vomit," and "A pig that is washed goes back to wallow in the mud." (2Pe 2:15-22 ISV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents and starts listening to the right teachers who will train her to be a soldier for King Jesus.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Church in Smyrna
"To the messenger of the church in Smyrna, write: 'The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says this: 'I know your suffering, your poverty-though you are rich-and the slander on the part of those who claim to be Jews but aren't. They are the synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor's crown of life. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be hurt by the second death.'"
(Rev 2:8-11 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is poor in the natural but actually rich in the Spirit. She is wrongly accused and falsely judged by those who call themselves the people of God but are actually followers of Satan and members of the false church. Satan himself will throw her into prison to test her faith. She will suffer for ten days and then lose her physical life, but she will not perish eternally.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, but we see him crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. Through God's kindness he died on behalf of everyone.
(Heb 2:9 GW)
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
(2Ti 3:10-13 ESV)
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
(Joh 15:18-21 ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(Joh 3:16 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she is faithful and does not fear death.
(Rev 2:8-11 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is poor in the natural but actually rich in the Spirit. She is wrongly accused and falsely judged by those who call themselves the people of God but are actually followers of Satan and members of the false church. Satan himself will throw her into prison to test her faith. She will suffer for ten days and then lose her physical life, but she will not perish eternally.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, but we see him crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. Through God's kindness he died on behalf of everyone.
(Heb 2:9 GW)
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
(2Ti 3:10-13 ESV)
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
(Joh 15:18-21 ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(Joh 3:16 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she is faithful and does not fear death.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The Church in Ephesus
"Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
(Rev 1:11 ESV)
In the Bible, cities are spoken of by their earthly names, but they are also spoken of by their spiritual names (see Rev. 11:8). These seven cities that the Apostle John is writing to have earthly names and histories, but they also are spiritual cities. These earthly cities have been destroyed and are in ruins, but their spiritual counterparts are alive and growing and many in the Church are spiritually living in them today. The Church, the wife of Jesus, is divided in these seven cities.
When you become a Christian, you become a citizen of the spiritual New Jerusalem. Christians are supposed to be living in freedom in the spiritual New Jerusalem (Eph 2:20-22, Gal. 4:22-26), but instead, many are living in bondage in these seven spiritual cities. As you read each of these descriptions, take a good look at your own life and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you have been living and ask Him to help you overcome and return to living in the great city of the King, the heart and soul of His Kingdom.
Here is the first one:
THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS -
"To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands, says this: 'I know your works, your toil, and your endurance. I also know that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles, but are not, and have found them to be false. You have endured and suffered because of my name, yet you have not grown weary. However, I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Therefore, remember how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. If you don't, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. But this is to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give the privilege of eating from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.'"
(Rev 2:1-7 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is moral, hard-working, obedient, persistent, and very knowledgeable of the scriptures. She is a light in the darkness. She stands up for what is right and true and does not tolerate evil in this world. She has suffered for this, but has endured. Unfortunately, though, she has become a busy-body, a perfectionist, a worrier, and a complainer. She thinks she must not fail in her service to the King and has over-worked herself. She has separated herself from others and has forgotten the love that King Jesus had taught her from the beginning. If she doesn't remember and realize how far she has gotten away from His love, then her light will be removed.
Another Example of her in scripture:
Now as they were traveling along, Jesus went into a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and kept listening to what he was saying. But Martha was worrying about all the things she had to do, so she came to him and asked, "Lord, you do care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself, don't you? Then tell her to help me." The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. But there's only one thing you need. Mary has chosen what is better, and it is not to be taken away from her." (Luk 10:38-42 ISV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents and returns to loving like King Jesus.
(Rev 1:11 ESV)
In the Bible, cities are spoken of by their earthly names, but they are also spoken of by their spiritual names (see Rev. 11:8). These seven cities that the Apostle John is writing to have earthly names and histories, but they also are spiritual cities. These earthly cities have been destroyed and are in ruins, but their spiritual counterparts are alive and growing and many in the Church are spiritually living in them today. The Church, the wife of Jesus, is divided in these seven cities.
When you become a Christian, you become a citizen of the spiritual New Jerusalem. Christians are supposed to be living in freedom in the spiritual New Jerusalem (Eph 2:20-22, Gal. 4:22-26), but instead, many are living in bondage in these seven spiritual cities. As you read each of these descriptions, take a good look at your own life and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you have been living and ask Him to help you overcome and return to living in the great city of the King, the heart and soul of His Kingdom.
Here is the first one:
THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS -
"To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands, says this: 'I know your works, your toil, and your endurance. I also know that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles, but are not, and have found them to be false. You have endured and suffered because of my name, yet you have not grown weary. However, I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Therefore, remember how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. If you don't, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. But this is to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give the privilege of eating from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.'"
(Rev 2:1-7 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is moral, hard-working, obedient, persistent, and very knowledgeable of the scriptures. She is a light in the darkness. She stands up for what is right and true and does not tolerate evil in this world. She has suffered for this, but has endured. Unfortunately, though, she has become a busy-body, a perfectionist, a worrier, and a complainer. She thinks she must not fail in her service to the King and has over-worked herself. She has separated herself from others and has forgotten the love that King Jesus had taught her from the beginning. If she doesn't remember and realize how far she has gotten away from His love, then her light will be removed.
Another Example of her in scripture:
Now as they were traveling along, Jesus went into a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and kept listening to what he was saying. But Martha was worrying about all the things she had to do, so she came to him and asked, "Lord, you do care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself, don't you? Then tell her to help me." The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. But there's only one thing you need. Mary has chosen what is better, and it is not to be taken away from her." (Luk 10:38-42 ISV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she repents and returns to loving like King Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
