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Endtime, eschatology

The Church of Philadelphia

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Let us begin to examine what was spoken to the Apostle John in the book of Revelation concerning the seven Churches.

Revelation 1:4
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Revelation 1:9-11
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Notice carefully that the Apostle John has stated to the seven Churches that he is their brother, and companion in tribulation. There was tribulation taking place among the Churches. The Apostle John himself being placed on the isle of Patmos.

Revelation 1:19
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

What things which are??? This is a very important verse of scripture in regards to the book of Revelation. The only information provided in the book of Revelation that is things which are, is the information given to the seven Churches. This is very crucial to understand. Apostle John was to write the things which he has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. That which he wrote that pertained to things of his present time of which would be things which are, was that which he wrote to the seven Churches concerning their present state with the Lord.

Revelation 2:1-7
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7 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.

Notice that everything spoken to the Church in Ephesus was things which are. Also they were instructed to repent, and do the first works of which they had fallen away from there first love. The first works is the first commandment, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut 6:4-5). The Church in Ephesus had left their first love.

The statement, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, is directly speaking to those literal seven churches in Asia. However, we must remember that there is only one Church the Body of Christ. So when we read the statement, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, we know that Jesus is speaking to those Churches which were at that present time. This doesn’t mean that we can’t benefit from what is said, but we shouldn’t conclude that there are seven Church ages from these writings nor should we conclude that the Body of Christ must be the Church of Philadelphia somehow today and not one of the other Churches like the Church of Smyrna which was highly commended by God. The Church is the Body of Christ and the Spirit was speaking to these seven Churches in particular at that present time which all made up the one Church the body of Christ.

Revelation 2:8-11
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.

The Church in Smyrna had already been in tribulation and was told that they were rich!! Yet Jesus lets them know that more tribulation is coming and gives them hope!! “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.” This was speaking to the Church in Smyrna of things that are and continuing to let them know that some of them would be cast into prison and tried, that there would be a tribulation of ten days, and to be faithful unto the death.

This was spoken to a Church that was rich!! No one is teaching that we today are the Church of Smyrna and we will suffer tribulation unto the death? Yet we must not forget that the Church in Smyrna was part of the Bride of Christ. They were commended by Jesus Christ and yet some of them suffered tribulation unto the death.

Matthew 10:28
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Psalms 116:15
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

We tend to forget that there is nothing greater than laying down your life as a martyr for Jesus Christ and the Gospel’s sake.

Revelation 2:12-17
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 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.
14 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.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 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.

Again we see the Churches suffering tribulation even as the Apostle John wrote that he was their brother and companion in tribulation. Notice also that these have held fast the Lord’s name, and has not denied the faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was the Lord’s faithful martyr. For many who hold to the belief system that the Church of today is representative of the Church of Philadelphia and that one of the reasons they were going to be spared the tribulation to come was because they had not denied the Lord’s name fail to see that the Church of Pergamos also didn’t deny the Lord’s name. And we also just read about the Church of Smyrna being rich. Would a Church be rich that denied the Lord’s name?

Again there are two points that many are failing to see. 1) All seven Churches are the one Church the body of Christ. 2) To those committing error, Jesus gives to them the chance to repent of these errors they were committing.

It is also important to take notice that the rewards given to the seven Churches, if they overcome, will be given to all of the Churches. Not ‘you’ Church in Pergamos will receive a white stone, and in the stone a new name written and ‘you’ Church of Smyrna that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death. None of the Bride of Christ will be hurt of the second death. These rewards for the seven Churches that were spoken then are also for you and I today, because all of us are the Church of the Living God.

However, we must not forget that the Apostle John was to write the things which he has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. That which he wrote to the seven Churches concerning their present state with the Lord were things for the time then present making them the things which are.

Revelation 2:18-29
18 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;
19 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.
20 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.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 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.

Because the words “great tribulation” were used here, does that suddenly make this a futuristic prophecy of the great tribulation spoken of in the book of Matthew 24? “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” The answer is no. The Lord said this would happen if they didn’t repent of their deeds. There were persecutions and tribulations at that current time and here in verse 22 it says “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Verse 23 continues and says, “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.” This specifically was saying that the rest of the seven Churches would know that it is God which searches the reins and hearts because it was just spoken to them prophetically. They would know when they saw this tribulation come upon those in the Church of Thyatira who were committing these offences if they did not repent of their deeds. Once again showing that this was things that were happening at the present time for that people even as the Apostle John was to write of the things which are, as well as the things which shall be hereafter.

24 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.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 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.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:1-3
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Verse 3 is speaking of the coming of the Lord, or the catching away of the saints. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thess 5:2, 4) “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Mt 24:42-44)

Jesus has told the Church of Sardis, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” This tells us that if they were watching that day would not overtake them as a thief. Since we see a catching away of the saints spoken to the Church in Sardis this would not suddenly make the Church of Sardis the Church of Philadelphia, as the common teaching is that the Church of Philadelphia will be caught away by the Lord before the tribulation of the last days making the Church of Philadelphia the Bride of Christ alone. Verse 3 is a clear reference to the catching away of the saints being told to the Church of Sardis to remind them to watch for the coming of the Lord. And we must not forget that each of these seven churches were part of the Bride of Christ and as the Bride of Christ they were all being instructed by God so that they would be ready for his coming. Not just the Church of Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:4-6
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:7-13
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

When we read that which was spoken to the Church of Philadelphia we should not conclude that this is a futuristic statement for the Bride of Christ. There are three main points of discussion here that I would like to concentrate on.

First and foremost is verse 3:9 spoken to the Church of Philadelphia is directly connected to the time frame of the Church of Smyrna from verse 2:9.

“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.” (Rev 2:9)

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” (Rev 3:9)

This verse was spoken just after verse 8 which says “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” This without a doubt shows that this was speaking to the people for the time then present telling them that those people who were claiming to be jews and were not but are the synagogue of Satan would come and worship at their feet. Remember all the Churches were in tribulation and the Lord was warning them of more tribulation to come. After telling those of the Church of Philadelphia that those false jews would worship before their feet (this did not say they would be worshiping them) the Lord continues at verse 10 saying “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

The second point I would like to discuss is to keep one from something, such as tribulation, doesn’t call for their removal from the Earth. For instance the children of Israel were kept from the ten plagues of Egypt.

John 17:14-16
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

The words keep and kept from Jn 17:15 and Rev 3:10 are both from the same Greek word Strong’s number G5083. So when it says, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”, this does not mean that they will be taken out of the world, but rather since they kept the word of his patience and didn’t deny his name they would not suffer the tribulation that Smyrna and possibly some of the other Churches would suffer. This doesn’t mean that Smyrna denied his name nor didn’t keep his word. Jesus told Smyrna “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)… Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer”. We must remember that God does things by election.

Romans 9:11
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

God is at liberty to do what he chooses to do. The Church at Smyrna was highly commended to be told by Jesus Christ that they were rich.

Which brings me to my final point concerning that which was written to the Church in Philadelphia concerning their present state with the Lord. Both the church in Smyrna and Philadelphia are promised a crown. “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. (Rev 2:10) And the Church of Philadelphia “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Rev 3:11) Again this showing God calling things according to election. One Church suffering persecution and tribulation while another one is not. This is taking place presently all over the world. There is persecution and tribulation taking place in many nations all over the world while some nations, such as America, is not. There may be some tribulation on the rise but not facing death for owning a Bible or risking their life just to go to Church or claim that Jesus is the Christ and the savior of the world.

The main reason that the teaching of the Church of Philadelphia by many teachers has come to represent the Bride of Christ for the time of the catching away of the saints is because these teachers believe in a pre-tribulation point of view of the catching away of the saints. This Church is then used as a means to support this view. But as I have shown in this lesson there are many problems with this view point and the Church of Philadelphia should never have been taken as a futuristic event, but rather like the other 7 churches this was what the Apostle John was to write concerning things that are in his present time even as the scripture says, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” (Rev 1:19)

Revelation 3:14-22
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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Endtime, eschatology

C & C: The Church of Philadelphia

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Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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Let us begin to examine what was spoken to the Apostle John in the book of Revelation concerning the seven Churches.

Revelation 1:4
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Revelation 1:9-11
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Notice carefully that the Apostle John has stated to the seven Churches that he is their brother, and companion in tribulation. There was tribulation taking place among the Churches. The Apostle John himself being placed on the isle of Patmos.

Revelation 1:19
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

What things which are??? This is a very important verse of scripture in regards to the book of Revelation. The only information provided in the book of Revelation that is things which are, is the information given to the seven Churches. This is very crucial to understand. Apostle John was to write the things which he has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. That which he wrote that pertained to things of his present time of which would be things which are, was that which he wrote to the seven Churches concerning their present state with the Lord.

Revelation 2:1-7
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7 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.

Notice that everything spoken to the Church in Ephesus was things which are. Also they were instructed to repent, and do the first works of which they had fallen away from there first love. The first works is the first commandment, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut 6:4-5). The Church in Ephesus had left their first love.

The statement, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, is directly speaking to those literal seven churches in Asia. However, we must remember that there is only one Church the Body of Christ. So when we read the statement, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, we know that Jesus is speaking to those Churches which were at that present time. This doesn’t mean that we can’t benefit from what is said, but we shouldn’t conclude that there are seven Church ages from these writings nor should we conclude that the Body of Christ must be the Church of Philadelphia somehow today and not one of the other Churches like the Church of Smyrna which was highly commended by God. The Church is the Body of Christ and the Spirit was speaking to these seven Churches in particular at that present time which all made up the one Church the body of Christ.

Revelation 2:8-11
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.

The Church in Smyrna had already been in tribulation and was told that they were rich!! Yet Jesus lets them know that more tribulation is coming and gives them hope!! “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.” This was speaking to the Church in Smyrna of things that are and continuing to let them know that some of them would be cast into prison and tried, that there would be a tribulation of ten days, and to be faithful unto the death.

This was spoken to a Church that was rich!! No one is teaching that we today are the Church of Smyrna and we will suffer tribulation unto the death? Yet we must not forget that the Church in Smyrna was part of the Bride of Christ. They were commended by Jesus Christ and yet some of them suffered tribulation unto the death.

Matthew 10:28
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Psalms 116:15
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

We tend to forget that there is nothing greater than laying down your life as a martyr for Jesus Christ and the Gospel’s sake.

Revelation 2:12-17
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 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.
14 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.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 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.

Again we see the Churches suffering tribulation even as the Apostle John wrote that he was their brother and companion in tribulation. Notice also that these have held fast the Lord’s name, and has not denied the faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was the Lord’s faithful martyr. For many who hold to the belief system that the Church of today is representative of the Church of Philadelphia and that one of the reasons they were going to be spared the tribulation to come was because they had not denied the Lord’s name fail to see that the Church of Pergamos also didn’t deny the Lord’s name. And we also just read about the Church of Smyrna being rich. Would a Church be rich that denied the Lord’s name?

Again there are two points that many are failing to see. 1) All seven Churches are the one Church the body of Christ. 2) To those committing error, Jesus gives to them the chance to repent of these errors they were committing.

It is also important to take notice that the rewards given to the seven Churches, if they overcome, will be given to all of the Churches. Not ‘you’ Church in Pergamos will receive a white stone, and in the stone a new name written and ‘you’ Church of Smyrna that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death. None of the Bride of Christ will be hurt of the second death. These rewards for the seven Churches that were spoken then are also for you and I today, because all of us are the Church of the Living God.

However, we must not forget that the Apostle John was to write the things which he has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. That which he wrote to the seven Churches concerning their present state with the Lord were things for the time then present making them the things which are.

Revelation 2:18-29
18 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;
19 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.
20 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.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 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.

Because the words “great tribulation” were used here, does that suddenly make this a futuristic prophecy of the great tribulation spoken of in the book of Matthew 24? “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” The answer is no. The Lord said this would happen if they didn’t repent of their deeds. There were persecutions and tribulations at that current time and here in verse 22 it says “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Verse 23 continues and says, “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.” This specifically was saying that the rest of the seven Churches would know that it is God which searches the reins and hearts because it was just spoken to them prophetically. They would know when they saw this tribulation come upon those in the Church of Thyatira who were committing these offences if they did not repent of their deeds. Once again showing that this was things that were happening at the present time for that people even as the Apostle John was to write of the things which are, as well as the things which shall be hereafter.

24 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.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 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.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:1-3
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Verse 3 is speaking of the coming of the Lord, or the catching away of the saints. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thess 5:2, 4) “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Mt 24:42-44)

Jesus has told the Church of Sardis, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” This tells us that if they were watching that day would not overtake them as a thief. Since we see a catching away of the saints spoken to the Church in Sardis this would not suddenly make the Church of Sardis the Church of Philadelphia, as the common teaching is that the Church of Philadelphia will be caught away by the Lord before the tribulation of the last days making the Church of Philadelphia the Bride of Christ alone. Verse 3 is a clear reference to the catching away of the saints being told to the Church of Sardis to remind them to watch for the coming of the Lord. And we must not forget that each of these seven churches were part of the Bride of Christ and as the Bride of Christ they were all being instructed by God so that they would be ready for his coming. Not just the Church of Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:4-6
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:7-13
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

When we read that which was spoken to the Church of Philadelphia we should not conclude that this is a futuristic statement for the Bride of Christ. There are three main points of discussion here that I would like to concentrate on.

First and foremost is verse 3:9 spoken to the Church of Philadelphia is directly connected to the time frame of the Church of Smyrna from verse 2:9.

“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.” (Rev 2:9)

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” (Rev 3:9)

This verse was spoken just after verse 8 which says “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” This without a doubt shows that this was speaking to the people for the time then present telling them that those people who were claiming to be jews and were not but are the synagogue of Satan would come and worship at their feet. Remember all the Churches were in tribulation and the Lord was warning them of more tribulation to come. After telling those of the Church of Philadelphia that those false jews would worship before their feet (this did not say they would be worshiping them) the Lord continues at verse 10 saying “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

The second point I would like to discuss is to keep one from something, such as tribulation, doesn’t call for their removal from the Earth. For instance the children of Israel were kept from the ten plagues of Egypt.

John 17:14-16
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

The words keep and kept from Jn 17:15 and Rev 3:10 are both from the same Greek word Strong’s number G5083. So when it says, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”, this does not mean that they will be taken out of the world, but rather since they kept the word of his patience and didn’t deny his name they would not suffer the tribulation that Smyrna and possibly some of the other Churches would suffer. This doesn’t mean that Smyrna denied his name nor didn’t keep his word. Jesus told Smyrna “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)… Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer”. We must remember that God does things by election.

Romans 9:11
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

God is at liberty to do what he chooses to do. The Church at Smyrna was highly commended to be told by Jesus Christ that they were rich.

Which brings me to my final point concerning that which was written to the Church in Philadelphia concerning their present state with the Lord. Both the church in Smyrna and Philadelphia are promised a crown. “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. (Rev 2:10) And the Church of Philadelphia “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Rev 3:11) Again this showing God calling things according to election. One Church suffering persecution and tribulation while another one is not. This is taking place presently all over the world. There is persecution and tribulation taking place in many nations all over the world while some nations, such as America, is not. There may be some tribulation on the rise but not facing death for owning a Bible or risking their life just to go to Church or claim that Jesus is the Christ and the savior of the world.

The main reason that the teaching of the Church of Philadelphia by many teachers has come to represent the Bride of Christ for the time of the catching away of the saints is because these teachers believe in a pre-tribulation point of view of the catching away of the saints. This Church is then used as a means to support this view. But as I have shown in this lesson there are many problems with this view point and the Church of Philadelphia should never have been taken as a futuristic event, but rather like the other 7 churches this was what the Apostle John was to write concerning things that are in his present time even as the scripture says, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” (Rev 1:19)

Revelation 3:14-22
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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Holiness, Holy

God’s Commandment to Holiness!

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Revelation 4:8-11
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

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Our God is a Holy God!

I love to feel the Spirit of God as it starts moving over me; it’s a feeling that starts at the top of my head and it goes to the sole of my feet. There’s no better feeling in the whole wide world than to feel the Spirit of God, I love to feel like I feel when I’m feeling what I feel right now!

I Thessalonians 4:7-8
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto Holiness.

What is holiness? The state or quality of being holy.

What is Holy? Having spiritual and moral worth, separated unto God – pure, sinless, undefiled, sanctified.

Jesus has called us out of sin unto His Holiness-by shedding His precious, sinless blood; through Holiness to the Lord.

Leviticus 10:8-10
8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,
9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

There is a difference between a Child of God- and a sinner.

Leviticus 11:44
44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

For I am the Lord your God, ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves (separate) and ye shall be holy, for I am Holy (sanctified) made holy, freed from sin, consecrated (separated unto God).

Leviticus 20:26
26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Severed means to be separated from something. Saints we are to be holy, pure, sinless, undefiled, sanctified, separated unto God—

Jesus has called us out of sin unto His Holiness, by shedding his precious, sinless blood through His own death and raising again from the dead, that we might have eternal life through Him; having given us His wonderful gift of everlasting life. The gift of the Holy Ghost, The Holy Ghost of God: Makes us Holy! Saints, the Holy Ghost is Everlasting Life!

If we choose uncleanness, the works of the flesh, then we despise, God’s Holiness; God’s Holy Ghost! The scriptures say is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, that same spirit will quicken give life to your mortal body.

I Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Holy – pure, sinless, sanctified, separated unto God. God can and will destroy a Holy Ghost filled person who deliberately defiles, makes unclean through the works of the flesh, his or her body which is God’s temple.

Saints, there is no such thing as once saved always saved. Or once in grace always in grace. God wrote your name in the Lambs Book of Life and He has the power to Blot it Out again! There is no such thing as eternal security!

I Peter 1:13-19
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind; as a person puts on clothes to cover their nakedness so Clothe Your Mind in Holiness!

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which may be used for edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers, and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. The day of the Rapture.

God has commanded us to be holy! You are a purchased possession, you are not your own, you have been bought with a price, the price of Jesus’ own blood, therefore worship God in your body and spirit which are God’s, not in your spirit only, but worship God in body and spirit.

Romans 12:1-2
1 beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Your body is a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to this world, be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove, what is good and acceptable, and the perfect will of God.

God’s will for us is to be Holy!

I Timothy 2:8
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

II Timothy 1:7-9
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

II Corinthians 6:16-18
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Holy: Having spiritual and moral worth; separate unto God, pure, sinless, undefiled, sanctified.

Are you Holy? Do you desire to be Holy?

Jesus said, Be Ye Holy for I am Holy. And be ye perfect-For without Holiness no man shall see God!

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Jesus, love, Uncategorized

Love Wins!!!!!

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Matthew 27:1-11
1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Love is coming into a world damned to eternal judgment in a devil’s hell and being set free from that penalty of death by a substitution. The lamb of God, the Son of God, without sin God imputing the sins of the world on him that we might live through him by the shedding of his precious blood. Love wins!!!!!

Matthew 27:12-25
12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

There is no greater love than God taking upon him the seed of Abraham, in the likeness of men, to condemn sin in the flesh upon his cross. Calling all sinners of which all mankind had been born into to be born again by a spiritual rebirth that would set you free from the penalty of death by becoming sin by the imputation of God that he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Love wins!!!!!

Matthew 27:26-54
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
36 And sitting down they watched him there;
37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” (Is 50:6-7) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb 12:2-3) Love wins!!!!!

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Lk 23:34-38) Love wins!!!!!

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Isaiah 53:4-12
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jesus, God manifested in the flesh, became the sacrificial lamb of God to take away the sin of the world and through his death, burial, and resurrection gave us the opportunity to be set free from the law of sin and death by a spiritual rebirth. Love wins!!!!!

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Bible study, Christian Living

Applying Mercy and Forgiveness

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Colossians 3:12-13
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

For we are human and we make mistakes. None of us are above making mistakes!! And there be some among the world that deliberately treat you unfairly or unjustly. But, what does the scriptures teach us?

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Matthew 5:44-45
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Every one of us have made mistakes and as long as we are in this earthly tabernacle we will continue to make mistakes. This including the 5 fold ministry. The Pastor is human, the preacher and teacher is human. And there is no human being alive today that is infallible. There are none of us who are perfect. We all have our faults and we all have our regrets.

Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Which is 490 times we are to forgive our brother if he sins against us. And if we are to forgive our brother 490 times if he sins against us, how oft will the Lord forgive us if we sin against him?

The scriptures teach us that the free gift of righteousness is of many offences unto justification. (Rom 5:16) Because grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 5:21)

How many of you are thankful for a faithful and just God? Who among you is without sin that Jesus did not give his life for to redeem? Who among you has never been in need of forgiveness? Who among you has never made a mistake and hurt someone else?

1 Peter 4:7-8
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

But what about me? What about the wrong they have done to me? Forgiveness is the healing salve that you are looking for. Forgive one another of their faults and mistakes that they have done unto you!! Forgive them and pray for them!! Repent of your sins and let your own spirit be healed!!

Hebrews 12:15
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Many being defiled and failing of the grace of God because they have become bitter!! They have become full of anger and hatred because they believe that they have been done wrong and will not show mercy nor will they give forgiveness to the one they are offended by. Even if this be God Almighty of which they have become bitter against because they believe they have been done wrong by him, or allowed of him to suffer their present circumstances.

Hebrews 10:28-29
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

But we are not of those that look back!! We are not of those who are treading under foot the Son of God and who are counting the shed blood of Jesus Christ an unholy thing!!

Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Why are you judging and condemning one another? Why are you speaking ought against those of whom Christ died for?

Luke 6:37
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

1 John 2:11
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Matthew 5:23-34
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
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.

Matthew 18:15-17
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Now that you here the importance of being merciful and forgiving one to another, let’s talk about what happens to you when you show mercy and forgiveness.

When you forgive yourself for your mistakes you eliminate self guilt.

The Apostle Paul while speaking to the Church at Corinth says:

1 Corinthians 4:3-5
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

When you forgive others you destroy the root of bitterness within yourself. You put an end to harboring a grudge against your brother.

James 5:9
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

When you forgive others you put an end to your anger toward them.

Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour [an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief], and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [badness, i.e. (subject) depravity, or (active) malignity, or (passive) trouble]
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted [well compassioned, i.e. sympathetic], forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

When you forgive others you bring peace to your mind.

Colossians 3:15
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

The ultimate goal you are trying to achieve when showing mercy and forgiveness is to apply it instinctively as soon as the wrong occurs.

James 2:13
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

The reason mercy rejoices against judgment is because that which should have been guilty is pardoned.

How many of you desire the judge you appear before to judge you harshly? And can you not show mercy unto another?

Matthew 18:23-35
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!! (Heb 10:31)

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lam 3:22)

Matthew 5:2-12
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Let us give God praise for his great mercy and forgiveness that he has shown unto us.

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Bible study, Christian Living

Fear Not

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Do not grow weary in your “well doing”, you shall receive your hearts desire for this “work”, this “your labor of love”. You shall reap if you faint not.

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Hebrews 6:10-15
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward His “Name”, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s promise to you “Surely blessing” I will bless thee and multiplying “I Will Multipy Thee”! This hope we have as an anchor for our soul! For God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love!

Through the “Word of God”—I bring you glad tidings of good things! The Lord is our Helper! If God be for you—who can be against you? I will not fear what man can do to me.

No weapon formed against you shall harm you!

Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me! In my Father’s House are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also!

John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Luke 12:32
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The Lord’s Kingdom; Jesus said my Kingdom is not of this earth; but my Kingdom comes in, without observation for it is within you; we the Church are the Lord’s Kingdom!

Jesus came walking on the sea—and when His disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out in fear; But Jesus said, Fear Not it is I—Be not afraid.

Church fear not for Jesus acknowledges your work and Labor of Love toward His Name! In that you have minister to the saints, who are the Lord’s Body, and do presently minister to one another.

God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty. For not many wise men after the flesh, not my mighty, not many Noble are called! God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; But God has chosen us–the poor in spirit, but rich in faith!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment.

1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The perfect love of Christ in us delivers us from all fear from man, from satan, from death and hell.

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Faith, God

We All Know…….

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We all know that it requires “faith” to receive the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We all know…but do you know? Do you know that it takes faith to keep the Holy Ghost?
Beware lest there be found in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from God.

Hebrews 3:12
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Galatians 3:1
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

The definition of bewitched—is to deceive you; to put you under a spell.
In Galatians verse two it reads;

Galatians 3:2
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3-14
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Those who believe are justified
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

How can we go back; turn back to the world; that is to turn back to the things of the flesh and still serve God?

Galatians 6:7-10
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Saints be not deceived—God is not mocked!!!!

Hebrews 4:1-2
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Let us forever fear !!!! Lest we fall short and loose the Promise! Loose the Promise of the Holy Ghost through lack of faith!

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Bible study, Salvation

C & C: Are you Preparing for the Storm

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Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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Are you Preparing for the Storm? The storms that come in your life? The storms that come from God?

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Matthew 7:21-27
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Are you Preparing for the Storm? The storms that come in your life? The storms that come from God?

Genesis 6:13-17
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

The only way you can escape the storm of being born in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psa 51:5) and that of inherited sins from Adam (Rm 5:14) is by being obedient to the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ even as Noah was obedient unto the Lord when he applied his obedient faith to the building of an Ark to the saving of his family. He put works with his faith or he would have perished in the flood also because he wouldn’t have had an ark to get on because he would have been disobedient to God. Is this you? Are you one that is supposedly saved by faith and yet haven’t applied any actions of obedience to what God has told us to do to be born again of water and of the Spirit? “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)

1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

This particular passage many times is used to try to justify that baptism is nothing more than the answer of a good conscience toward God. Yet the Apostle Peter has told us differently. The water that destroyed the world but saved Noah’s family alive thus he was saved by water is “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us”. The water of baptism in Jesus name destroys the body of sin and saves the soul.

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The water of baptism in Jesus name destroys the body of sin and saves the soul.

Romans 6:1-9
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Notice carefully the question asked here, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The Apostle Paul goes on to explain how we become dead to sin.

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Notice the if clause in verse 5. If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Also in verse 3 the Apostle Paul speaks of the baptism in Jesus name as the way that we are planted together in the likeness of his death. This is that form of doctrine that they obeyed from the heart which was delivered to them. (Rm 6:17-18)

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

If you are not planted together in the likeness of his death, the body of sin will not be destroyed and you will perish in your sins because your old man was not crucified with him and therefore you will not be dead with Christ nor will you be freed from sin that you inherited from Adam.

Colossians 2:10-14
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

This is how you are made free from sin. You are baptized in Jesus name that the body of sin may be destroyed by the circumcision of Christ.

It is a promise of God that when you apply obedient faith you will become born again. Just like Noah who had faith in God’s Word built an ark to the saving of his family by water. Even so “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” It is a promise that when you repent and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins where the body of sin is destroyed that you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thus you will be born again of water and of the Spirit as Jesus instructed Nicodemus that “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3:5) Thus “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us” even as the Apostle Peter has told us. Even as the Apostle Paul understood and explained.

Are you Preparing for the Storm? If so then you want to be born again the only correct way that you can be or you are not prepared for the storm.

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alcohol, Bible study, Holy Ghost

Come let us Grow Together: Alcohol

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Come let us Grow Together is a weekly series that deals with the many topical categories that exist within the Word of God. The purpose of this series is to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding in things pertaining to God.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” (Eph 5:18) Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit of God? This is what you need in your life. A relationship with Jesus Christ where you have been born again and have the Holy Spirit of God. Don’t spend your time getting drunk with wine or any other kind of alcohol. Rather be filled with the Holy Spirit of God! Being filled with the Holy Spirit of God is not a one time experience. You can be filled over and over again. Even as the scriptures teach us that it isn’t a one time experience.

Wine is a Mocker

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The Apostles already had the Holy Ghost as we find in Acts chapter 2 where the birth of the New Testament Church began. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

Yet we read again where they were filled with the Holy Ghost. “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:19-20, 23, 31)

The Apostle Paul when writing to Titus also tells us how we were saved and this included “renewing of the Holy Ghost”. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” (Titus 3:4-6)

Finally, we also see that the Holy Ghost is not a one time experience in the book of Jude. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20-21)

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Pro 20:1) “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” (Pro 23:31-35) “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!” (Hab 2:15)

It’s time to “be filled with the Spirit” and leave off from getting drunk on alcohol. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:” (1 Peter 1:13-14)

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Bible study, Christian Living

Come let us Grow Together: Our Entire Walk with God through this Lifetime

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Come let us Grow Together is a weekly series that deals with the many topical categories that exist within the Word of God. The purpose of this series is to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding in things pertaining to God.

God’s will for our lives is for us to live in peace. Peace of mind. The place of contentment and rest in the hope we have both now and in the world to come. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Rm 12:18) “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Heb 12:14) “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Lk 21:19)

Hebrews 12_14

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Let’s talk about patience. In the context of the scripture given here in Luke the Word of God is referring to the end of days. However, it applies to each of our daily walks as well. Not from that particular scripture taken in it’s context, but in conjunction with all the scriptures that speak of patience. It all comes down to our patience not only in God’s time but also for God’s purpose. And we are given precious promises such as knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rm 8:28) Whether it be unjustly held in captivity such as Joseph who made the proclamation “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive”, (Gen 50:20) or whether it be for a just reason that one is in their situation due to bad choices such as King David who had a just man killed in battle to steal his wife away from him and so lost his first son of Bathsheba. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.” (2 Sam 12:13-15)

Our entire walk with God through this lifetime is a walk of hope while also suffering afflictions and that of patience. “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:10-11) “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” (James 1:2-7)

Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. When our flesh is in struggles with the cares of this life and deceitfulness of lusts and riches of this life we are to count this all joy because happy is the man that endures for this man is laid up a crown of life. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12) “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:3) “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Lk 21:19) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb 12:2-3)

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal 5:17) This is how you end up in a contrast of opposing thoughts when trying to follow after the Spirit. There is a war here. Yet you can find peace, love, and joy in the Holy Ghost while patiently enduring “stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Cor 11:23-28)

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thess 1:5-7) LOOK AT THE CONTRAST!!! Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” (Col 1:9-12)

WITH JOYFULNESS, Strengthened with ALL MIGHT, according to HIS GLORIOUS POWER… leading unto ALL PATIENCE and LONGSUFFERING……. YET WITH JOYFULNESS!! YET THIS CAN BE DONE WITH ALL JOYFULNESS!!!! LET THE MERRY HEART SING AND REJOICE FOR WHEN YOU ARE WEAK THEN ARE YOU STRONG!!!! AND THOUGH LED AS SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US!! REMEMBERING IN PATIENCE POSSESS YE YOUR SOULS!!! WITH ALL JOYFULNESS EVEN AS CHRIST SUFFERED YET IN ALL PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING WITH JOYFULNESS HE BORE OUR SINS DESPISING THE SHAME YET LOOKING AHEAD AT THE JOY.

Quick Jump Menu

Salvation | Written Sermons | Bible Studies
The Godhead Revealed | Endtime Teaching
Common Doctrinal Errors | Holy Ghost
Recommended Bible Study | Holiness | Jesus
Come let us Grow together | Heaven | Faith
Connections & Comparisons | Bible Q & A
How We Should Behave | To the Church
To America | Daily Inspiration 100
Video Sermons | Links | Church Locators