Revelation
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write
These things saith the Son of God,
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire
and his feet are like fine brass
I know thy works
and charity
and service
and faith
and thy patience
and thy works
and the last to be more than the first.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication
and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed
and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation
except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death
and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira,
as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers
even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
*******
A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798
This is the 1260 year period spoken of in Dan. 7 and throughout Revelation when applied to history it's quite understandable. We know all about the seeming special status of the Catholic church from the year it was set up 538AD and onward. It's history is quite amazing and not always in a very good way. Today we see the church and like so many horrors of the past we find it hard to imagine they truly existed simply because we have our supposed humane treatment today. I say supposed because there are still many places upon earth that have atrocities occuring that boggle the mind entirely. The Catholic church holds a special distinction for being a huge organized religious body that instituted the inquisition. Tortures unspeakable thrust upon people because they opposed the church. Opposing the church was unthinkable. And until 1798 it held a distinct power in religion and political aspects. Today we know the Catholic church to be mainly something of a good thing- the Pope a good man desiring peace. There are Catholic charities that help millions of people. Yes, it's had its fair share of scandal in the more recent years but even with that scandal the church and the power it weilds is only growing. More and more world leaders of various countries are looking for alliance with the Papacy, sending ambassadors, making very special visits to the 'Holy Father'. This force is truly astounding and we look at these verses here and how can we not agree that God's true people- His people- not those who are caught up in idoltry holding fast to beliefs and doctrines that aren't God's but so close to the true the counterfeit is accepted for the real thing; how can we not agree that God's people are few?
...
I know thy works
and charity
and service
and faith
and thy patience
and thy works
and the last to be more than the first.
...
This sounds so amazing doesn't it? Charity, service, faith, patience and works. Something God's people truly hope to attain in a walk with Jesus Christ, in a life dedicated to God.
...
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication
and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed
and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation
except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death
and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
...
God's people...suffering one who claims to be something she's not? God's people allowing a people of false beliefs to teach and seduce those who would truly follow the one and only true God? God's people holding fast to the worships of idols living a life that is geared towards worshipping the false gods and not the true. We're not talking outright worship of Satan, but rather deception, seduction and you don't seduce with forcefulness. You seduce with subtle actions. You lure with seduction. A false people whose hearts do not belong to God but seem to, they could lure a true follower away. Those who seduce will be lost with the seductress, those she considers her children will die with her. God, the one and only true God knows the reins and the hearts of us all. We will be given as we work- and the work is a result of our choices. The choices we make determine our lives and the lives that are not given fully to God- reins and heart- will have no part in Him.
...
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira,
as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers
even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Hold fast till Christ comes. The heart fully consecrated to Christ in all needs to hold fast, not give up. Admonished to hold fast it's something all God's people throughout time need to do, those then, those through all the years, those today.
To us who do overcome, to us who keep Christ's works up until the end- Christ will give us power through Him over the nations, we will rule through Him with a rod of iron and all the earthly, ungodly in the nations will be destroyed utterly- shattered to pieces. As the Father gave to Christ His Son, we too will receive from Christ all that He can give to us- even Himself.
May God bless and keep us in Him! May we not be deceived as the masses who have been, are, and will be seduce by the evil of Satan. Let us hold fast in Him! Now and forever by His mercy and His loving grace. Amen.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Hold fast till I come
Revelation
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write
These things saith the Son of God,
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire
and his feet are like fine brass
I know thy works
and charity
and service
and faith
and thy patience
and thy works
and the last to be more than the first.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication
and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed
and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation
except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death
and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira,
as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers
even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
*******
A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798
This is the 1260 year period spoken of in Dan. 7 and throughout Revelation when applied to history it's quite understandable. We know all about the seeming special status of the Catholic church from the year it was set up 538AD and onward. It's history is quite amazing and not always in a very good way. Today we see the church and like so many horrors of the past we find it hard to imagine they truly existed simply because we have our supposed humane treatment today. I say supposed because there are still many places upon earth that have atrocities occuring that boggle the mind entirely. The Catholic church holds a special distinction for being a huge organized religious body that instituted the inquisition. Tortures unspeakable thrust upon people because they opposed the church. Opposing the church was unthinkable. And until 1798 it held a distinct power in religion and political aspects. Today we know the Catholic church to be mainly something of a good thing- the Pope a good man desiring peace. There are Catholic charities that help millions of people. Yes, it's had its fair share of scandal in the more recent years but even with that scandal the church and the power it weilds is only growing. More and more world leaders of various countries are looking for alliance with the Papacy, sending ambassadors, making very special visits to the 'Holy Father'. This force is truly astounding and we look at these verses here and how can we not agree that God's true people- His people- not those who are caught up in idoltry holding fast to beliefs and doctrines that aren't God's but so close to the true the counterfeit is accepted for the real thing; how can we not agree that God's people are few?
...
I know thy works
and charity
and service
and faith
and thy patience
and thy works
and the last to be more than the first.
...
This sounds so amazing doesn't it? Charity, service, faith, patience and works. Something God's people truly hope to attain in a walk with Jesus Christ, in a life dedicated to God.
...
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication
and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed
and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation
except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death
and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
...
God's people...suffering one who claims to be something she's not? God's people allowing a people of false beliefs to teach and seduce those who would truly follow the one and only true God? God's people holding fast to the worships of idols living a life that is geared towards worshipping the false gods and not the true. We're not talking outright worship of Satan, but rather deception, seduction and you don't seduce with forcefulness. You seduce with subtle actions. You lure with seduction. A false people whose hearts do not belong to God but seem to, they could lure a true follower away. Those who seduce will be lost with the seductress, those she considers her children will die with her. God, the one and only true God knows the reins and the hearts of us all. We will be given as we work- and the work is a result of our choices. The choices we make determine our lives and the lives that are not given fully to God- reins and heart- will have no part in Him.
...
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira,
as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers
even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Hold fast till Christ comes. The heart fully consecrated to Christ in all needs to hold fast, not give up. Admonished to hold fast it's something all God's people throughout time need to do, those then, those through all the years, those today.
To us who do overcome, to us who keep Christ's works up until the end- Christ will give us power through Him over the nations, we will rule through Him with a rod of iron and all the earthly, ungodly in the nations will be destroyed utterly- shattered to pieces. As the Father gave to Christ His Son, we too will receive from Christ all that He can give to us- even Himself.
May God bless and keep us in Him! May we not be deceived as the masses who have been, are, and will be seduce by the evil of Satan. Let us hold fast in Him! Now and forever by His mercy and His loving grace. Amen.
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write
These things saith the Son of God,
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire
and his feet are like fine brass
I know thy works
and charity
and service
and faith
and thy patience
and thy works
and the last to be more than the first.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication
and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed
and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation
except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death
and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira,
as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers
even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
*******
A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798
This is the 1260 year period spoken of in Dan. 7 and throughout Revelation when applied to history it's quite understandable. We know all about the seeming special status of the Catholic church from the year it was set up 538AD and onward. It's history is quite amazing and not always in a very good way. Today we see the church and like so many horrors of the past we find it hard to imagine they truly existed simply because we have our supposed humane treatment today. I say supposed because there are still many places upon earth that have atrocities occuring that boggle the mind entirely. The Catholic church holds a special distinction for being a huge organized religious body that instituted the inquisition. Tortures unspeakable thrust upon people because they opposed the church. Opposing the church was unthinkable. And until 1798 it held a distinct power in religion and political aspects. Today we know the Catholic church to be mainly something of a good thing- the Pope a good man desiring peace. There are Catholic charities that help millions of people. Yes, it's had its fair share of scandal in the more recent years but even with that scandal the church and the power it weilds is only growing. More and more world leaders of various countries are looking for alliance with the Papacy, sending ambassadors, making very special visits to the 'Holy Father'. This force is truly astounding and we look at these verses here and how can we not agree that God's true people- His people- not those who are caught up in idoltry holding fast to beliefs and doctrines that aren't God's but so close to the true the counterfeit is accepted for the real thing; how can we not agree that God's people are few?
...
I know thy works
and charity
and service
and faith
and thy patience
and thy works
and the last to be more than the first.
...
This sounds so amazing doesn't it? Charity, service, faith, patience and works. Something God's people truly hope to attain in a walk with Jesus Christ, in a life dedicated to God.
...
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication
and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed
and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation
except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death
and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
...
God's people...suffering one who claims to be something she's not? God's people allowing a people of false beliefs to teach and seduce those who would truly follow the one and only true God? God's people holding fast to the worships of idols living a life that is geared towards worshipping the false gods and not the true. We're not talking outright worship of Satan, but rather deception, seduction and you don't seduce with forcefulness. You seduce with subtle actions. You lure with seduction. A false people whose hearts do not belong to God but seem to, they could lure a true follower away. Those who seduce will be lost with the seductress, those she considers her children will die with her. God, the one and only true God knows the reins and the hearts of us all. We will be given as we work- and the work is a result of our choices. The choices we make determine our lives and the lives that are not given fully to God- reins and heart- will have no part in Him.
...
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira,
as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers
even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Hold fast till Christ comes. The heart fully consecrated to Christ in all needs to hold fast, not give up. Admonished to hold fast it's something all God's people throughout time need to do, those then, those through all the years, those today.
To us who do overcome, to us who keep Christ's works up until the end- Christ will give us power through Him over the nations, we will rule through Him with a rod of iron and all the earthly, ungodly in the nations will be destroyed utterly- shattered to pieces. As the Father gave to Christ His Son, we too will receive from Christ all that He can give to us- even Himself.
May God bless and keep us in Him! May we not be deceived as the masses who have been, are, and will be seduce by the evil of Satan. Let us hold fast in Him! Now and forever by His mercy and His loving grace. Amen.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
I know thy works...
Revelation
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write-
These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges
I know thy works,
and where thou dwellest
even where Satan’s seat is
and thou holdest fast my name
and hast not denied my faith
even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr
who was slain among you
where Satan dwelleth.
But I have a few things against thee
because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel
to eat things sacrificed unto idols
and to commit fornication.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes
which thing I hate.
Repent
or else I will come unto thee quickly
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna
and will give him a white stone
and in the stone a new name written
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
*******
The historical time period this covers- Constantine, or perhaps, rather, from his professed conversion to Christianity in A.D. 323, to the establishment of the papacy in A.D. 538.
Who has a sharp sword with two edges? What is the two edged sword all about?
Psalms
{149:1} Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise in the congregation of saints.
{149:2} Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
{149:3} Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
{149:4} For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
{149:5} Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
{149:6} [Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
{149:7} To execute vengeance upon the heathen, [and] punishments upon the people;
{149:8} To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
{149:9} To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Hebrews
{4:12} For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
Revelation
{1:13} And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
{1:14} His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;
{1:15} And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
{1:16} And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.
He who has the two-edged sword is Jesus. And from just noting a bit more about the two-edged sword it's easy to see that it's symbolic of God's quick and decisive manner. There is no deception, no guile, no toying when it comes to God and all He does is precise. His word is more powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword. And the power and sharpness of such a sword is tremendous. Jesus speaking with such exacting vengeance in such a way that there leaves no doubt to the truth of his actions- none. Jesus speaks to us holding nothing back.
...
I know thy works,
and where thou dwellest
even where Satan’s seat is
and thou holdest fast my name
and hast not denied my faith
even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr
who was slain among you
where Satan dwelleth.
...
He knows our works! He knew them back in the days of John, He knew them in the early years of God's people- His church historically, and He knows us even now. It's safe to say Jesus has known us through all time and there was never a time He didn't know His people. Even when His people have caused Him grief He's known and has tried to guide them down the right path of His righteousness.
He knows thy works, where thou dwellest- where we live. He knows. And He knowns where Satan's seat is and make no mistake about it- Satan has his foothold in this world he was cast out to upon the birth of salvation realized in Jesus' entrance into our world as He took on the flesh of humanity. Satan cast to this earth never more to call heaven (God's seat) his home. Yes, Satan has his powers and his influence and he's used them to form his own plans that include a place where he would dwell and rule from. Satan's seat. Living among the very place where the evil one, the opposer, the deceiver was in power and holding fast to the true faith of Christ- what wonder! Holding fast to Christ! Not denying Christ's faith! When to be martyred for such faith, for holding firm and denying the power of Satan even in a place where Satan seemingly reigns supreme- so amazing!
Then, now. People say that there are no more martyrs, I say they're wrong. There are many, many marytrs today. In fact just writing what I'm writing would be cause for my death in some countries. We don't want to believe it, but it's true. Wherever we are living, in whatever situation we find ourselves even if it's the worst place imaginable- if we hold fast to Christ and remain faithful then we will have His blessing. I'm not just talking a life or death situation with a true sword ready to slice our head from our shoulders. I'm talking living in the world that Satan claims as His and holding fast. It's all too easy for us to give in and go along with the crowd. To laugh and smile, and seemingly agree with the goings on even when they bold-facedly ridicule all that is Godly. Inwardly we might condemn the actions about us and we cling to that inward man, but outwardly we seem to agree with the ungodliness and what does that mean? We're ashamed of our beliefs. If we won't hold fast to Christ and our faith in Him now in the little things, how will we do so later on when our very lives may depend on seemingly agreeing with the ungodly? Will we align ourselves with the ungodly so that we can live? Or be martyrs to hold fast to Christ?
The historical message, the message for all time, we need to learn, to listen, to take to heart what is being said.
...
But I have a few things against thee
because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel
to eat things sacrificed unto idols
and to commit fornication.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes
which thing I hate.
Repent
or else I will come unto thee quickly
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna
and will give him a white stone
and in the stone a new name written
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
...
Hold the doctrine of Balaam... idol worship in all it's ugly forms.
Again just because you don't live in a town where they have festivals to worship the sun god Baal, does not mean there is no idol worship today. Among God's people there are those who hold fast to the belief that worshipping the world rather than God means the most. We can't worship any other than God! Search our hearts and our lives and examine what lies within- is it worship to anything other than God? Is there a self-worship? The worship of any thing that would take us from God?
Repent.
We need to repent and not face the righteous wrath of Christ.
Listen! We are told to LISTEN!
If we overcome through Christ we will be given hidden manna- heavenly food so precious. We will be given a white stone- a stone of purity and innocence in Christ. In that stone we'll receive our new name, a new name only we know. God made a point to give Abram and Sari new names and He also gave Jacob a new name. We who overcome as they overcame by faith in God and His righteousness we too will receive a new name.
By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and by His righteousness alone may we cling to Him and be found in Him to be overcomers through Him and Him alone. Forgive us oh Lord, forgive us our many, many tresspasss, our many failings and set us on Your path to Your righteousness- now and forever!
Amen.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write-
These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges
I know thy works,
and where thou dwellest
even where Satan’s seat is
and thou holdest fast my name
and hast not denied my faith
even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr
who was slain among you
where Satan dwelleth.
But I have a few things against thee
because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel
to eat things sacrificed unto idols
and to commit fornication.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes
which thing I hate.
Repent
or else I will come unto thee quickly
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna
and will give him a white stone
and in the stone a new name written
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
*******
The historical time period this covers- Constantine, or perhaps, rather, from his professed conversion to Christianity in A.D. 323, to the establishment of the papacy in A.D. 538.
Who has a sharp sword with two edges? What is the two edged sword all about?
Psalms
{149:1} Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise in the congregation of saints.
{149:2} Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
{149:3} Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
{149:4} For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
{149:5} Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
{149:6} [Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
{149:7} To execute vengeance upon the heathen, [and] punishments upon the people;
{149:8} To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
{149:9} To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Hebrews
{4:12} For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
Revelation
{1:13} And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
{1:14} His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;
{1:15} And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
{1:16} And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.
He who has the two-edged sword is Jesus. And from just noting a bit more about the two-edged sword it's easy to see that it's symbolic of God's quick and decisive manner. There is no deception, no guile, no toying when it comes to God and all He does is precise. His word is more powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword. And the power and sharpness of such a sword is tremendous. Jesus speaking with such exacting vengeance in such a way that there leaves no doubt to the truth of his actions- none. Jesus speaks to us holding nothing back.
...
I know thy works,
and where thou dwellest
even where Satan’s seat is
and thou holdest fast my name
and hast not denied my faith
even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr
who was slain among you
where Satan dwelleth.
...
He knows our works! He knew them back in the days of John, He knew them in the early years of God's people- His church historically, and He knows us even now. It's safe to say Jesus has known us through all time and there was never a time He didn't know His people. Even when His people have caused Him grief He's known and has tried to guide them down the right path of His righteousness.
He knows thy works, where thou dwellest- where we live. He knows. And He knowns where Satan's seat is and make no mistake about it- Satan has his foothold in this world he was cast out to upon the birth of salvation realized in Jesus' entrance into our world as He took on the flesh of humanity. Satan cast to this earth never more to call heaven (God's seat) his home. Yes, Satan has his powers and his influence and he's used them to form his own plans that include a place where he would dwell and rule from. Satan's seat. Living among the very place where the evil one, the opposer, the deceiver was in power and holding fast to the true faith of Christ- what wonder! Holding fast to Christ! Not denying Christ's faith! When to be martyred for such faith, for holding firm and denying the power of Satan even in a place where Satan seemingly reigns supreme- so amazing!
Then, now. People say that there are no more martyrs, I say they're wrong. There are many, many marytrs today. In fact just writing what I'm writing would be cause for my death in some countries. We don't want to believe it, but it's true. Wherever we are living, in whatever situation we find ourselves even if it's the worst place imaginable- if we hold fast to Christ and remain faithful then we will have His blessing. I'm not just talking a life or death situation with a true sword ready to slice our head from our shoulders. I'm talking living in the world that Satan claims as His and holding fast. It's all too easy for us to give in and go along with the crowd. To laugh and smile, and seemingly agree with the goings on even when they bold-facedly ridicule all that is Godly. Inwardly we might condemn the actions about us and we cling to that inward man, but outwardly we seem to agree with the ungodliness and what does that mean? We're ashamed of our beliefs. If we won't hold fast to Christ and our faith in Him now in the little things, how will we do so later on when our very lives may depend on seemingly agreeing with the ungodly? Will we align ourselves with the ungodly so that we can live? Or be martyrs to hold fast to Christ?
The historical message, the message for all time, we need to learn, to listen, to take to heart what is being said.
...
But I have a few things against thee
because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel
to eat things sacrificed unto idols
and to commit fornication.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes
which thing I hate.
Repent
or else I will come unto thee quickly
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna
and will give him a white stone
and in the stone a new name written
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
...
Hold the doctrine of Balaam... idol worship in all it's ugly forms.
Again just because you don't live in a town where they have festivals to worship the sun god Baal, does not mean there is no idol worship today. Among God's people there are those who hold fast to the belief that worshipping the world rather than God means the most. We can't worship any other than God! Search our hearts and our lives and examine what lies within- is it worship to anything other than God? Is there a self-worship? The worship of any thing that would take us from God?
Repent.
We need to repent and not face the righteous wrath of Christ.
Listen! We are told to LISTEN!
If we overcome through Christ we will be given hidden manna- heavenly food so precious. We will be given a white stone- a stone of purity and innocence in Christ. In that stone we'll receive our new name, a new name only we know. God made a point to give Abram and Sari new names and He also gave Jacob a new name. We who overcome as they overcame by faith in God and His righteousness we too will receive a new name.
By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and by His righteousness alone may we cling to Him and be found in Him to be overcomers through Him and Him alone. Forgive us oh Lord, forgive us our many, many tresspasss, our many failings and set us on Your path to Your righteousness- now and forever!
Amen.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Jesus revealed the law in its fulness to us
Jesus- God's Son revealed God's love. All He revealed He revealed of the Father and nothing that wasn't of the Father. The Ten Commandments were given by God and in that Jesus reaffirmed that to Love God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor embodied the entire law and indeed the first 4 commandments were directed to the relationship between God and man and the last 6 commandments were directed towards man and his relationship with man.
Exodus-
Commandments 1-4
{20:1} And God spake all these words, saying
{20:2} I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
{20:3} Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
{20:4} Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth
beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth
{20:5} Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me
{20:6} And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
{20:7} Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. {20:8} Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
{20:9} Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
{20:10} But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:
{20:11} For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is,] and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Commandments 5-10
{20:12} Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
{20:13} Thou shalt not kill.
{20:14} Thou shalt not commit adultery.
{20:15} Thou shalt not steal.
{20:16} Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
{20:17} Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour’s.
Jesus revealed the law in its fulness to us--
Matthew
{5:1} And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him
{5:2} And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying
{5:3} Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
{5:4} Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
{5:5} Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
{5:6} Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
{5:7} Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
{5:8} Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
{5:9} Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
{5:10} Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
{5:11} Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you,] and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
(((Blessed-
the poor in spirit
they that mourn
the meek
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
the merciful
the pure in heart
the peacemakers
they which are persecuted for righteousness sake
ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you,] and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
This doesn't say blessed are the beautiful, blessed are the sweet ones, blessed are they that are smart, blessed are the talented, blessed are the arrogant, blessed are the brilliant, blessed are the beautiful in voice, blessed are the healthy-- it doesn't say any of that does it?
Blessed-
the poor in spirit
they that mourn
the meek
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
the merciful
the pure in heart
the peacemakers
they which are persecuted for righteousness sake
ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you,] and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
People who believe they are blessed in all things that have nothing to do with the words of Jesus spoke really aren't blessed at all. Their seeming blessings are curses in disguise, seriously. They have to overcome those supposed blessings to find the Lord. Am I say that all beautiful, talented, smart people are doomed? No. And they'd probably be the first to tell us that their blessings aren't all they're cracked up to be- not that they'd give them up- but the road of the the falsely blessed comes with it's own price.))))
{5:12} (((Rejoice)))), and (((be- exceeding glad)))) for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
{5:13} Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
{5:14} Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
{5:15} Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. {5:16} (((Let - your light so shine)))) before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
{5:17} Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
{5:18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled.
{5:19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them,] the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
{5:20} For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
{5:21} Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
{5:22} But I say unto you, That whosoever (((is- angry)))) with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever (((shall- say)))) to his brother, Raca,...
[[[Raca, or Raka, in the Aramaic of the Talmud means empty one, fool, empty head.]]]
... shall (((be- in danger)))) of the council: but whosoever (((shall- say, Thou fool,)))) (((shall be- in danger)))) of hell
fire.
{5:23} Therefore if thou (((bring- thy gift)))) to the altar, and there (((rememberest- that thy brother hath ought against thee))));
{5:24} (((Leave- there thy gift)))) before the altar, and (((go- thy way)))) first (((be- reconciled to thy brother))), and then (((come- and offer thy gift.))))
{5:25} (((Agree- with thine adversary quickly)))), whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
{5:26} Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Rejoice
Be exceeding glad
Let your light so shine
Bring thy gift
Rememberest thy brother
Be reconciled to thy brother
Come and offer thy gift
Agree with thing adversary quickly
God first in all things- yes? We are to be exceeding glad in Christ, letting the light of Christ shine through us. We are to bring our meager offerings to Christ but not if we are at odds with any about us. Christ would have us love our fellow man as one of His great commandments. We can't think that if we seek only God and are at odds with those about us that this is how God wants it to be. Yes, there will be persecutions, we will be falsely accused and revivled, but any contention we foster- any contention we can have reconciled by our own actions we have to take that action of reconcilation not hold that grudge. We are NOT to purposely contend with others. We are to speak as the Spirit moves us to speak- not shout out or own opinions, our own beliefs just to prove we are right. God knows our hearts and He knows that to be His we will be *meek* not overtly causing strife in His name. We will stand up for our beliefs but we will not purposefully cause agitation. By agreeing with our adversaries we are better off agreeing to DIS-agree rather than press home our points just to be able to pat ourselves on the back claiming we are standing up for Christ when in truth we are taking the proud stance of self congratulations for defending our principles and that proud stance isn't something Jesus would condone- it's easy to see how He'll say in that day He never knew so many who profess to know Him.
May God Bless and Keep us in Him now and always by His unfathomable grace!
Amen.
Exodus-
Commandments 1-4
{20:1} And God spake all these words, saying
{20:2} I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
{20:3} Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
{20:4} Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth
beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth
{20:5} Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me
{20:6} And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
{20:7} Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. {20:8} Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
{20:9} Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
{20:10} But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:
{20:11} For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is,] and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Commandments 5-10
{20:12} Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
{20:13} Thou shalt not kill.
{20:14} Thou shalt not commit adultery.
{20:15} Thou shalt not steal.
{20:16} Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
{20:17} Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour’s.
Jesus revealed the law in its fulness to us--
Matthew
{5:1} And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him
{5:2} And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying
{5:3} Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
{5:4} Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
{5:5} Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
{5:6} Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
{5:7} Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
{5:8} Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
{5:9} Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
{5:10} Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
{5:11} Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you,] and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
(((Blessed-
the poor in spirit
they that mourn
the meek
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
the merciful
the pure in heart
the peacemakers
they which are persecuted for righteousness sake
ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you,] and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
This doesn't say blessed are the beautiful, blessed are the sweet ones, blessed are they that are smart, blessed are the talented, blessed are the arrogant, blessed are the brilliant, blessed are the beautiful in voice, blessed are the healthy-- it doesn't say any of that does it?
Blessed-
the poor in spirit
they that mourn
the meek
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
the merciful
the pure in heart
the peacemakers
they which are persecuted for righteousness sake
ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you,] and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
People who believe they are blessed in all things that have nothing to do with the words of Jesus spoke really aren't blessed at all. Their seeming blessings are curses in disguise, seriously. They have to overcome those supposed blessings to find the Lord. Am I say that all beautiful, talented, smart people are doomed? No. And they'd probably be the first to tell us that their blessings aren't all they're cracked up to be- not that they'd give them up- but the road of the the falsely blessed comes with it's own price.))))
{5:12} (((Rejoice)))), and (((be- exceeding glad)))) for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
{5:13} Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
{5:14} Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
{5:15} Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. {5:16} (((Let - your light so shine)))) before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
{5:17} Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
{5:18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled.
{5:19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them,] the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
{5:20} For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
{5:21} Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
{5:22} But I say unto you, That whosoever (((is- angry)))) with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever (((shall- say)))) to his brother, Raca,...
[[[Raca, or Raka, in the Aramaic of the Talmud means empty one, fool, empty head.]]]
... shall (((be- in danger)))) of the council: but whosoever (((shall- say, Thou fool,)))) (((shall be- in danger)))) of hell
fire.
{5:23} Therefore if thou (((bring- thy gift)))) to the altar, and there (((rememberest- that thy brother hath ought against thee))));
{5:24} (((Leave- there thy gift)))) before the altar, and (((go- thy way)))) first (((be- reconciled to thy brother))), and then (((come- and offer thy gift.))))
{5:25} (((Agree- with thine adversary quickly)))), whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
{5:26} Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Rejoice
Be exceeding glad
Let your light so shine
Bring thy gift
Rememberest thy brother
Be reconciled to thy brother
Come and offer thy gift
Agree with thing adversary quickly
God first in all things- yes? We are to be exceeding glad in Christ, letting the light of Christ shine through us. We are to bring our meager offerings to Christ but not if we are at odds with any about us. Christ would have us love our fellow man as one of His great commandments. We can't think that if we seek only God and are at odds with those about us that this is how God wants it to be. Yes, there will be persecutions, we will be falsely accused and revivled, but any contention we foster- any contention we can have reconciled by our own actions we have to take that action of reconcilation not hold that grudge. We are NOT to purposely contend with others. We are to speak as the Spirit moves us to speak- not shout out or own opinions, our own beliefs just to prove we are right. God knows our hearts and He knows that to be His we will be *meek* not overtly causing strife in His name. We will stand up for our beliefs but we will not purposefully cause agitation. By agreeing with our adversaries we are better off agreeing to DIS-agree rather than press home our points just to be able to pat ourselves on the back claiming we are standing up for Christ when in truth we are taking the proud stance of self congratulations for defending our principles and that proud stance isn't something Jesus would condone- it's easy to see how He'll say in that day He never knew so many who profess to know Him.
May God Bless and Keep us in Him now and always by His unfathomable grace!
Amen.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Shall not be hurt of the second death
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write
These things saith the first and the last
which was dead and is alive
I know thy works
and tribulation
and
poverty
but thou art rich
and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews
and are not
but are the synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer
behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison- that ye may be tried
and ye shall have tribulation ten days
be thou faithful unto death
and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
(((If, as we talked about already, the seven churches spoken of represent God's people throughout time- the period of time suggested by others who have studied Revelation for the first chruch- Ephesus is.. 'the period from the resurrection of Christ to the close of the first century, or to the death of the last of the apostles.' And the second chruch - Smyrna - 'the date of the Smyrna church would be A.D. 100-323.' How do they come to this date?
Well first let's look at what's said.
'And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write
These things saith the first and the last
which was dead and is alive'
John through the Spirit is writing to the angel of the people of God in Smyrna. The first, the last, which was dead and is alive. Jesus.
'I know thy works
and tribulation
and
poverty
but thou art rich'
He knows the works- the actions of His people in Smyrna. He also knows their tribulation. He understands what they're going through. Tribulation. If I say I'm going through tribulation am I talking about a little bit of a hard time? No. I'm talking about a very hard time, a time of such suffering, of such afflicition it doesn't compare to ordinary upsets. Jesus knows the actions, the works, and He knows of the intense suffering of those people. He also knows of their poverty- their deficencies, unproductiveness, their lacking but even as He knows of their poverty He knows they are rich. A conflict? Can one be in poverty and be rich at the same time? They sure can be if we are thinking along the lines of being poor in one thing while rich in another. You can have a person poor in finances and rich in optimism. Jesus know it all- the suffering the poverty and the riches. We are told in the Bible this--
Matthew {19:24} And again I say unto you, It is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for
a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
With this in mind it's easy to imagine the 'rich' spoken of here is something other than monetary riches but rather riches that God treasure.
Matthew {6:20} But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal
Heavenly riches.
A person can be rich in heavenly treasures and in poverty upon the earth. You can be rich in one thing and lacking in another. You can have a richness of love and a poverty of kindness. Jesus knows all of us the good and the bad in us - His people throughout time.
'and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews
and are not
but are the synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer
behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison- that ye may be tried
and ye shall have tribulation ten days'
Blasphemy- 1. a. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity. b. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.
2. An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
There are those who claim to be God's but are really from where? The 'synagogue of Satan.' Devil worshippers who claim to be God's people. God knows who those people are and truly there are those in all age who are guilty of this- of claiming to be God's people while their lives, their hearts say otherwise.
God doesn't want His people to fear things that will be suffered by them. Again in all ages we face suffering for our faith and yet we are to fear not.
The devil will put some of God's people in prison- those people will be tried and have tribulation ten days. Now this is where we have to ask ourselves a question- ten days? In prophecy days can stand for years. Is there any notable ten year period of tribulation for God's people?
There is...
'The Diocletianic Persecution (or Great Persecution) was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman empire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletianic_Persecution
In 303, Emperor Diocletian and his colleagues Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding they comply with traditional religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy and demanded universal sacrifice, ordering all inhabitants to sacrifice to the gods. The persecution varied in intensity across the empire—weakest in Gaul and Britain, where only the first edict was applied, and strongest in the Eastern provinces. Persecutionary laws were nullified by different emperors at different times, but Constantine and Licinius's Edict of Milan (313) has traditionally marked the end of the persecution.'
303 to 313 - ten years!
The revelation was-
'the devil shall cast some of you into prison- that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days'
Ten days- Ten years of GREAT tribulation, great suffering, great persecution.
The prophecy goes on to say-
'be thou faithful unto death
and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death'
Be faithful unto death. Telling them what? They would die! God's people, His church, would be persecuted to the death.
Faithful unto death. In truth we all throughout time must be faithful unto death, we must be determined to be God's until we die no matter what the cost might be. Faithful unto death.
The reward for such faithfulness is a crown of life! The crown of life given for those who receive life eternal in Jesus. The price is well worth the sacrifice to obtain such a priceless gift.
We are told once more--
'He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches'
LISTEN!
And the promise-
'He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death'
Meaning the death that is eternal- the death that comes when the 1000 years in heaven with Jesus are over and evil and sin are wiped out of existence the death of all those who are evil and are destroyed forever- that deah will not hurt those who are God's faithful.
May God bless and keep us through the tribulations we have and will have, may we remain faithful unto Him forever. May the second death not hurt any of us as we seek life in Jesus, our Lord and Savior now and forever!
Amen.
These things saith the first and the last
which was dead and is alive
I know thy works
and tribulation
and
poverty
but thou art rich
and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews
and are not
but are the synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer
behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison- that ye may be tried
and ye shall have tribulation ten days
be thou faithful unto death
and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
(((If, as we talked about already, the seven churches spoken of represent God's people throughout time- the period of time suggested by others who have studied Revelation for the first chruch- Ephesus is.. 'the period from the resurrection of Christ to the close of the first century, or to the death of the last of the apostles.' And the second chruch - Smyrna - 'the date of the Smyrna church would be A.D. 100-323.' How do they come to this date?
Well first let's look at what's said.
'And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write
These things saith the first and the last
which was dead and is alive'
John through the Spirit is writing to the angel of the people of God in Smyrna. The first, the last, which was dead and is alive. Jesus.
'I know thy works
and tribulation
and
poverty
but thou art rich'
He knows the works- the actions of His people in Smyrna. He also knows their tribulation. He understands what they're going through. Tribulation. If I say I'm going through tribulation am I talking about a little bit of a hard time? No. I'm talking about a very hard time, a time of such suffering, of such afflicition it doesn't compare to ordinary upsets. Jesus knows the actions, the works, and He knows of the intense suffering of those people. He also knows of their poverty- their deficencies, unproductiveness, their lacking but even as He knows of their poverty He knows they are rich. A conflict? Can one be in poverty and be rich at the same time? They sure can be if we are thinking along the lines of being poor in one thing while rich in another. You can have a person poor in finances and rich in optimism. Jesus know it all- the suffering the poverty and the riches. We are told in the Bible this--
Matthew {19:24} And again I say unto you, It is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for
a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
With this in mind it's easy to imagine the 'rich' spoken of here is something other than monetary riches but rather riches that God treasure.
Matthew {6:20} But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal
Heavenly riches.
A person can be rich in heavenly treasures and in poverty upon the earth. You can be rich in one thing and lacking in another. You can have a richness of love and a poverty of kindness. Jesus knows all of us the good and the bad in us - His people throughout time.
'and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews
and are not
but are the synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer
behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison- that ye may be tried
and ye shall have tribulation ten days'
Blasphemy- 1. a. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity. b. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.
2. An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
There are those who claim to be God's but are really from where? The 'synagogue of Satan.' Devil worshippers who claim to be God's people. God knows who those people are and truly there are those in all age who are guilty of this- of claiming to be God's people while their lives, their hearts say otherwise.
God doesn't want His people to fear things that will be suffered by them. Again in all ages we face suffering for our faith and yet we are to fear not.
The devil will put some of God's people in prison- those people will be tried and have tribulation ten days. Now this is where we have to ask ourselves a question- ten days? In prophecy days can stand for years. Is there any notable ten year period of tribulation for God's people?
There is...
'The Diocletianic Persecution (or Great Persecution) was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman empire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletianic_Persecution
In 303, Emperor Diocletian and his colleagues Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding they comply with traditional religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy and demanded universal sacrifice, ordering all inhabitants to sacrifice to the gods. The persecution varied in intensity across the empire—weakest in Gaul and Britain, where only the first edict was applied, and strongest in the Eastern provinces. Persecutionary laws were nullified by different emperors at different times, but Constantine and Licinius's Edict of Milan (313) has traditionally marked the end of the persecution.'
303 to 313 - ten years!
The revelation was-
'the devil shall cast some of you into prison- that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days'
Ten days- Ten years of GREAT tribulation, great suffering, great persecution.
The prophecy goes on to say-
'be thou faithful unto death
and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death'
Be faithful unto death. Telling them what? They would die! God's people, His church, would be persecuted to the death.
Faithful unto death. In truth we all throughout time must be faithful unto death, we must be determined to be God's until we die no matter what the cost might be. Faithful unto death.
The reward for such faithfulness is a crown of life! The crown of life given for those who receive life eternal in Jesus. The price is well worth the sacrifice to obtain such a priceless gift.
We are told once more--
'He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches'
LISTEN!
And the promise-
'He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death'
Meaning the death that is eternal- the death that comes when the 1000 years in heaven with Jesus are over and evil and sin are wiped out of existence the death of all those who are evil and are destroyed forever- that deah will not hurt those who are God's faithful.
May God bless and keep us through the tribulations we have and will have, may we remain faithful unto Him forever. May the second death not hurt any of us as we seek life in Jesus, our Lord and Savior now and forever!
Amen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Seemingly Impossible
C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity
'...many people are deterred from seriously attempting Christian chastity because they think (before trying) that it is impossible. But when a thing has to be attempted, one must never think about possibility or impossibility.
Faced with an optional question in an examination paper, one considers whether one can do it or not: faced with a compulsory question, one must do the best one can.
You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone.
Not only in examinations but in war, in mountain climbing, in learning to skate, or swim, or ride a bicycle, even in fastening a stiff collar with cold fingers, people quite often do what seemed impossible before they did it.
It is wonderful what you can do when you have to.
We may, indeed, be sure that perfect chastity-like perfect charity-will not be attained by any merely human efforts.
You must ask for God's help.
Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given.
Never mind.
After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again.
Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.
For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul
which are more important still.
It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God.
We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.
The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection.
C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity
(((I really get a lot from this excerpt from C.S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity.
So often we want to give up because things do seem impossible. It's impossible to give up that cherished sin, or those cherished sins. We try and try and pray until we think we can pray no more and yet still we fall victim to the cherished sin. We soon focus on the sins that do so easily beset us. -- Paul had this to say --
Romans {7:18} For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. {7:19} For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. {7:20} Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. {7:21} I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. {7:22} For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: {7:23} But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. {7:24} O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? {7:25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
He had a lot to say didn't he? Can you empathize with him? I can. Lewis says that 'many are deterred'. We become deterred because we feel it's impossible. Then he says this... 'You must ask for God's help. Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given.'
It does seem this way doesn't it? Even getting that desire to give up cherished sin seems hard. The sin seems to become more ingrained, harder than ever to give up. The harder we try, the more elusive and hopeless it seems, right?
I really like this part of what Lewis says-
'Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.'
To me that says we don't give up! God works in ways we can't possibly understand and if we're not given the answers in the ways we want we can't give up on God. That's what we do isn't it? When we give in to our sins and never try to rid ourselves of them, if we give up the fight, if we give up hope, we are giving up on Jesus and we are saying that He doesn't have the power to save us. Whether we want to admit it or not, that's what we're saying. We can try and blame ourselves by saying we'll never be good enough so why bother, but that's only stating the obvious truth that Jesus already knows. Is this a license so sin, no, no, no. Admitting that we can't save ourselves is essential towards the true realization that only Christ can save us. Paul called himself a wretched man and then asked who could deliver him from the body of death... he answered himself, he thanked God through Jesus' Christ our Lord. We have to thank God knowing that even though we can't imagine a sinless life that He can do even that for us. We can't give up the hope! And we can't ... like Lewis said, 'be content with anything less than perfection.' And that perfection is Jesus' Christ.
May God help us now and always, by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus!
Amen.
'...many people are deterred from seriously attempting Christian chastity because they think (before trying) that it is impossible. But when a thing has to be attempted, one must never think about possibility or impossibility.
Faced with an optional question in an examination paper, one considers whether one can do it or not: faced with a compulsory question, one must do the best one can.
You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone.
Not only in examinations but in war, in mountain climbing, in learning to skate, or swim, or ride a bicycle, even in fastening a stiff collar with cold fingers, people quite often do what seemed impossible before they did it.
It is wonderful what you can do when you have to.
We may, indeed, be sure that perfect chastity-like perfect charity-will not be attained by any merely human efforts.
You must ask for God's help.
Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given.
Never mind.
After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again.
Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.
For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul
which are more important still.
It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God.
We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.
The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection.
C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity
(((I really get a lot from this excerpt from C.S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity.
So often we want to give up because things do seem impossible. It's impossible to give up that cherished sin, or those cherished sins. We try and try and pray until we think we can pray no more and yet still we fall victim to the cherished sin. We soon focus on the sins that do so easily beset us. -- Paul had this to say --
Romans {7:18} For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. {7:19} For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. {7:20} Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. {7:21} I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. {7:22} For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: {7:23} But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. {7:24} O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? {7:25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
He had a lot to say didn't he? Can you empathize with him? I can. Lewis says that 'many are deterred'. We become deterred because we feel it's impossible. Then he says this... 'You must ask for God's help. Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given.'
It does seem this way doesn't it? Even getting that desire to give up cherished sin seems hard. The sin seems to become more ingrained, harder than ever to give up. The harder we try, the more elusive and hopeless it seems, right?
I really like this part of what Lewis says-
'Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.'
To me that says we don't give up! God works in ways we can't possibly understand and if we're not given the answers in the ways we want we can't give up on God. That's what we do isn't it? When we give in to our sins and never try to rid ourselves of them, if we give up the fight, if we give up hope, we are giving up on Jesus and we are saying that He doesn't have the power to save us. Whether we want to admit it or not, that's what we're saying. We can try and blame ourselves by saying we'll never be good enough so why bother, but that's only stating the obvious truth that Jesus already knows. Is this a license so sin, no, no, no. Admitting that we can't save ourselves is essential towards the true realization that only Christ can save us. Paul called himself a wretched man and then asked who could deliver him from the body of death... he answered himself, he thanked God through Jesus' Christ our Lord. We have to thank God knowing that even though we can't imagine a sinless life that He can do even that for us. We can't give up the hope! And we can't ... like Lewis said, 'be content with anything less than perfection.' And that perfection is Jesus' Christ.
May God help us now and always, by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
To him that overcometh
Revelation
...
But this thou hast,
that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes
which I also hate.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
(((Jesus commends His people in Ephesus for yet another thing - Hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. It didn't say hating the Nicolaitanes, but hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes; deeds that Jesus himself hates. What are some things Jesus hates?
Heb. {1:9} Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Deut. {16:21} Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee. {16:22} Neither shalt thou set thee up [any] image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
Ps. {5:5} The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Ps. {45:7} Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows
It's easy to see what God hates- sin, graven images worship to other gods, wickedness, workers of sin. What is sin?
1 John {3:4} Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Transgressing the law.
What is the law?
Matthew {22:36} Master, which is the great commandment in the law? {22:37} Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. {22:38} This is the first and great commandment. {22:39} And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {22:40} On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
So Jesus hates the actions of those who hate God and those who hate others treating them as they would not want to be treated. Any actions that hurt others are sinful. There is a lot to hate in our world, a lot of sinful acts. The fact God's people hated those who were wicked comitting wicked deeds was a good thing, because Jesus hates sin. ))))
'But this thou hast,
that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes
which I also hate.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.'
((('He that hath an ear'
Don't we all?
'let him hear'
Can we choose not to hear? Yes. We can choose not to hear, we don't have to listen, we aren't forced to listen. We who have ears need to hear, we need to choose to listen.
What are we to listen to? 'let him hear what the Spirit saith unto th churches' We have to listen to what we are being told! What the Spirit is relating to us through His prophets. And a promise is given...
'To him that overcometh...'
Overcomes what? Overcomes that which would bring us down- losing our first love.
'To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.'
If we keep to our first love, if our first love is Christ we will eat of the tree of life, a tree that is in the midst of God's paradise!
If we eat of the tree of life we will have life forever in Christ. How beautiful is that promise? How wondrous is that knowledge!
Let us ALL overcome! Let us all hear! Let us all keep our first love in Christ! By His amazing grace, by His mercy unlike any other mercy.
Amen.))))
...
But this thou hast,
that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes
which I also hate.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
(((Jesus commends His people in Ephesus for yet another thing - Hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. It didn't say hating the Nicolaitanes, but hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes; deeds that Jesus himself hates. What are some things Jesus hates?
Heb. {1:9} Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Deut. {16:21} Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee. {16:22} Neither shalt thou set thee up [any] image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
Ps. {5:5} The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Ps. {45:7} Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows
It's easy to see what God hates- sin, graven images worship to other gods, wickedness, workers of sin. What is sin?
1 John {3:4} Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Transgressing the law.
What is the law?
Matthew {22:36} Master, which is the great commandment in the law? {22:37} Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. {22:38} This is the first and great commandment. {22:39} And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {22:40} On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
So Jesus hates the actions of those who hate God and those who hate others treating them as they would not want to be treated. Any actions that hurt others are sinful. There is a lot to hate in our world, a lot of sinful acts. The fact God's people hated those who were wicked comitting wicked deeds was a good thing, because Jesus hates sin. ))))
'But this thou hast,
that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes
which I also hate.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.'
((('He that hath an ear'
Don't we all?
'let him hear'
Can we choose not to hear? Yes. We can choose not to hear, we don't have to listen, we aren't forced to listen. We who have ears need to hear, we need to choose to listen.
What are we to listen to? 'let him hear what the Spirit saith unto th churches' We have to listen to what we are being told! What the Spirit is relating to us through His prophets. And a promise is given...
'To him that overcometh...'
Overcomes what? Overcomes that which would bring us down- losing our first love.
'To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.'
If we keep to our first love, if our first love is Christ we will eat of the tree of life, a tree that is in the midst of God's paradise!
If we eat of the tree of life we will have life forever in Christ. How beautiful is that promise? How wondrous is that knowledge!
Let us ALL overcome! Let us all hear! Let us all keep our first love in Christ! By His amazing grace, by His mercy unlike any other mercy.
Amen.))))
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