Full article is here http://www.bible-codes.org/message-to-christians.htm

A Message to Christians

"He that hath an ear, let him hear 
what the Spirit saith to the churches."

In spring of 1987, I had a two-week encounter with God that forever changed my life. It came after praying intensively with others for about half a year for revival. The message God gave me at that time was essentially this: God is grieved with the conduct of His people (generally speaking) and is retracting His Spirit in stages just as He did when He withdrew from the temple in Ezekiel 8-11. Moreover, the Jew, who in past times rejected Him, are now before God in remembrance; God's plan is to lift up them that were humbled, and to humble those that have become lifted up in pride, so that they may again be lifted up with those that were before times humbled, so that God may show mercy to both those far and near---even upon all them that believe on Jesus as Messiah in truth. Nevertheless, dark days lay ahead for both those near and far. I know by the Spirit that if the North American churches do not soon repent, then God will let nuclear bombs engulf this land.

God sees what those who are called by His name are doing in secret, and also what they are doing in the open---even on TV before the whole world! God has made me witness to this withdrawing pattern in several local churches since 1987 so that I might understand on the smaller level what He was about to do at large. Remember the words of Jesus to the first church (Ephesus), "Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent." Remember the great North American blackout.

I have witnessed this fearful event several times: When the Spirit is departing, His power is wonderfully felt to all present---but few understand what is happening. Grace is being shown before darkness replaces the light! He is leaving, and not coming! This is the time to repent, and turn back to the rudiments of the true faith, as recorded in the New Testament. And it is the time to flee from any place once the grace of God has finished pleading, unless there is genuine repentance there. 
How can you tell which way the Spirit is going? 

If there is a genuine revival, then the fruits of repentance will certainly manifest themselves. The Spirit of God is returning! 

However, if holiness is not the result, but rather the justifying (from the leadership) of things once considered sinful---then the darkness is filling the void where once light shone.

(What once made us blush with shame, is now embraced as 'heaven-sent'. For many are taught that evil things are in fact 'good' if done in Jesus name! What once was called 'compromising with the world', is now called, 'bold evangelism!' We have bowed before the idols of our nation [sports, movies, and music]---and are conformed to this world in all things. We have learned the ways of her who in past times slew us by the millions---Rome! We have replaced God's word with secular humanism under the Trojan horse of "Christian Psychology!" And he that would be sober is considered unspiritual, whereas spirituality is measured by ones humor! And shepherds lord it over the flock, and the flock love it that way---as long as their ears are tickled. And many fleece the flock for filthy money, robbing them blind; "Praise the Lord!" they say, "I'm rich!" 

Moreover, most of those who oppose such hirelings are themselves blinded by legalism, who "wean out a gnat and swallow a camel." They see the bad but not the good. Hypocrites! They worship the Book, but not the God of the Book! Having lost their first love, they now love to slander. Not every ministry or fallen leader is completely apostate. All have not sinned the sin unto to death; "All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin not leading to death," [1John 5:17]. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. "For WE ARE ALL like sheep that have gone astray, everyone has turned to his own way," [Isa. 53]. Let us turn back to the Good Shepherd, lest we be consumed with this world. Remember Lot's wife! "Come out from her, MY PEOPLE, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues," [Rev. 18:4]. And let us bring forth fruits in keeping with true repentance, else He will remove our candlestick.)

Hear what Jesus says to the seven churches (of the Book of Revelation).
"Our God is a consuming fire!" (Heb. 12:29).

"He that endures to the end the same shall be saved," (Matt. 24:13). 

And God is able to keep you until the end,
"for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!" (1John 4:4).

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever," (1John 2:15-17).

Full article is here http://www.bible-codes.org/message-to-christians.htm


Letters to the Seven Churches
Rev 2:1

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false;Rev 2:3 and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown weary.Rev 2:4 But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.Rev 2:5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.


Rev 2:8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again:Rev 2:9 I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan.Rev 2:10 Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to 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 the crown of life.Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.


Rev 2:12 and to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:Rev 2:13 I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.Rev 2:15 So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.Rev 2:16 Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.Rev 2:18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.Rev 2:20 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.Rev 2:21 And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.Rev 2:22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works.Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.


Rev 2:24 But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.Rev 2:25 Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations:Rev 2:27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father:Rev 2:28 and I will give him the morning star.Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.Rev 3:1 And to 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 thou art dead.Rev 3:2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.


Rev 3:4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.Rev 3:5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.


Rev 3:7 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 none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:Rev 3:8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.Rev 3:9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they 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 3:10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Rev 3:11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.Rev 3:12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.


Rev 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.Rev 3:16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Rev 3:20 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.Rev 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

Full article is here http://www.bible-codes.org/message-to-christians.htm

I wasn't going to post again for awhile because l need some R&R. However after considering what Shekel has said here and my last post, (under church going and non church going) l feel in all openness and honesty l should respond to those of you who aren't sure what to think...

The wheat is sown in with the tares. It's almost impossible to tell them apart until they reach maturity. Then you can tell because the head of the plant where the fruit or seed is, is different. In a strong wind or rain the wheat bow down. The tares remain upright.

When the storms of life come to test us, can we humble ourselves before our Lord or do we remain proud and upright. It's the very thing that exposes us for what we truly are.

Remember the people of Nineveh? The Lord wanted to rescue them from judgment by sending Jonah to tell them to repent. Well Jonah was really ticked off because he wanted to see them punished. They were real bad. But God said they didn't know their right hand from their left. (And there was a lot of cattle there too:-)

You know the story...Jonah got swallowed by the whale. He did what God told him to do and the Ninevites repented and God spared them.

My mother didn't understand. She believed in Jesus. She did the only thing she knew to do at the end of her life...She repeated the 23rd Psalm...Will the 23rd Psalm get you to heaven? No...only belief in Jesus. She did believe but she didn't know her right hand from her left in these kinds of issues. Neither did the man on the cross next our Lord at the crucifixion. There was no arguing over baptism...(splash or dip) The Lord just had him---because he believed Jesus was who he said he was. The Lord looked at his heart.

In today's society there's a lot of ignorance. Plain and simple. I come out of that back ground. (But l've come a long way :-) Not to where some of you are whom l've seen post on this site. There's a lot of knowledge out there.

I talked about the Purpose Driven Life and how my church and many others are doing this devotional in the next 40 days. I followed Shekels link in his post and found the 2004 news letter that talks about this series. The negatives, which in fact l hadn't read. I'm glad l read them. It caused me to research further. I found much validity to what is being said.

Even with the negatives, one of which is the watering down of scripture, l know that God will turn it around and use it for good because there are a lot of Ninevites out there. A lot of 'my moms.' We can get so smart we can't reach them anymore. They have come so far from the truth (generationally speaking) that God in his mercy will use other means to reach them. He will look at their heart, not how doctrinally correct they are.

Does that excuse them from following after him in the short time remaining?
You know what? They don't have the time left to doctrinally get it right. Will God condemn them or will he welcome them in like the man on the cross? Because that's about how much time they've got. They're already judged for their sin and are hanging there dying. Even as late as the crucifixion...His Passion is to seek and save the lost.

If you where blessed enough to be raised in a Christian home or even had one believing parent then Praise God! Some of us, no....alot of us, weren't. Let God use even the things that you might not consider doctrinally sound to reach as many as he can in these last days. Please have mercy. And pray that those pastors will bring the sheep in and explain the completed truth of the message.

If there's selfishness and greed in their hearts by wanting church growth for something other than Christ's salvation, then God will judge each case individually.

There's a time for every purpose under heaven.

I'm taking a break from my ministry and church at this time. I'm emotionally and physically drained. The Lord wants me to himself for a while.

God's blessing to you.

Miki,

YOu talked about others here having wisdom, my dear you are very humble, which is a great thing, but you too have spoken wisdom.

I believe you are right about God looking at the heart of the individual. He truly loves us.

It is grace that we need to be thankful for. But even with grace, we must have a heart to follow HIm. It is a heart condition, and we can't slide on grace alone.

Almost a year ago, I was asked to leave a "Christian" Homeshool group because I was spurring people on to righteousness and good deeds..... defining words such as dissipation (excessive indulgence in pleasures) 1Peter 4:4 asking people to consider how much time they do there hobbies compared to the time they spent in Gods word....... They told me to go "preach" somewhere else...... shortly after this, I was walking into church and I felt such a grief for the people. I looked around and thought about 1/2 of them being the foolish virgins without oil...... I can't explain the way I felt. It was grief.

I agree with Shekel about the churches needing to repent......

I know I took a chance writing what I did---I could easily be misunderstood---but I felt that it was God's will. I am open to correction if it can be shown me that what I have written is unbiblical. I am not completely in agreement with all that Dave Hunt says, and I have only heard good things about the Purpose Driven Life book. I refuse to make too much out of the bible translation issue, though I do feel there is a gross glut of versions out there. I do understand that love and good works are of prime importance to the Lord; nevertheless, worldliness and sin dilutes and destoys much of the good that otherwise would have been accomplished. We must hold the balance of mercy and truth. I have found this to be a great struggle. I want to warn against sin, but without destroying the good that may well be happening. This is a very difficult task.

But this task is not new. Read any rivivalist book from the past---from men who are still respected today---and they said similar things. It is because leadership was too cowardly to hold up a standard that all these things have engulfed the church. And I, too, have been guilty in this. Jesus said, "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten." We are to "use the things of this world, but not abuse them." Enjoy them, but with a light grip knowing that they are destined to soon perish, and will not be a part of that coming eternal world. But, as a church, we have lost sight of this and think in our hearts that "Our Lord delays His coming." And we have rose up to eat and to play. But the church in persecuted countries are not like this, and so we need to repent or else the fires of persecution will fall upon us too---for our good.

I don't know much about foretelling the future thruogh the bible except that Jesus will be comnig back and He will reign forever!
But you are right, it is indeed time fopr a revival! I'm doing my best to bring it about.
Thanks and God bless!

http://www.crusadenow.com

When Elijah thought he was the only man of God left, God told him there were 7000 reserved in israel. If you consider the population of Israel then 7000 is a small number.
When Jesus came the Jewish religion was a mess. Jesus only had 12 deciples and 1 of those betrayed him, 1 denied him, and 1 did not belive that he had risen.
13 people in Jesus' time is a very small number.
I cant find a church that teaches truth and not thaught, therefore I do not attend church. If you take the truth that the Spirit leads you to in Gods word, and try to take it to the world, most people will stone you. This is what I see as what Jesus meant when he said deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

Deny yourself = deny yourself

take up your cross = take the truth and revelation that you have and share it.

follow me = even though you know they will persucute you and laugh you to scorn, do it anyway.

I feel that there are very few people who actually care about the truth. Rather they only care what their preacher or grandma says. This is sad.

Study to show thyself approved unto God!

I also think that God is revealing things to accepting people, but not very many people accept it.

Beware there are alot of Scribes and Pharacees out there.

I think that the Church needs to hear Matthew 23, 24, & 25. There are very powerful principles there. The church is in dire need of repentance, and mostly for not doing what Jesus said to do. While we may lament and cry that God gives grace (which is true), it is also true that our faith in Christ is shown by the works that we do. The grace of God is supposed to work itself out in our lives and be shown as we help others, else the grace has not been efficacious, or maybe we have not repented! Repentance isn't a one-time thing, either; repentance is a process, a life-long struggle.

"Feed the hungry... clothe the naked... visit the sick and those in prison." When did we stop? Or have we started yet? "That's not my ministry." Okay. Do you get in the way of those whose ministry it is? Or do you help them out when you can? Do you buy things made by slave labor in Pakistan and China, thus keeping them in that insufferable circumstance? What would Jesus have to say about that?

"Love your neighbor as yourself" - This implies that at least 50% of our incomes should be spent on other people and not on ourselves. How many of us measure up to that standard?

It's the job of a prophet to point to God and not to the people. It's the job of a prophet to say things that are not popular. It's the job of a prophet to ask hard questions.

Jesus says to love your enemies. How can you love your enemy when you're shooting at him? Or blowing him up?

Jesus says to love your neighbor. How can you love your neighbor if you don't know him? Is it even possible to love your neighbor if you hate his actions? (most people I know aren't capable of separating their emotions like that)

Jesus says to love God. How can you love God if you hate your neighbor? John, in 1 John, says that if you say you love God, and hate your brother, you're a liar.

Matthew 23 - 25.

John 13 - 15.

John 1 - 3

Matthew 5 - 7

All of these things, we American Christians have failed to do. We have a huge chunk of the wealth of the world - and we have used it for ourselves instead of helping others with it.

The bit you quoted from Revelation about Laodicea - is dead on the mark. Most American churches are right there. Rich, fat, dumb, happy. And complacent. But tribulation is coming. God is on the move. And Christians will change - and the blood of the martyrs will flow again. And people will rediscover what Christianity really means.

Roger

I don't write this to burst anyone's bubble, but...

...don't wait for a revival, because there will not be one, simple as that.

Quoting from the King James Bible (authorized version)

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.

This is the era where we are living, Laodicea. Notice that in the King James all the other churches are called by the name of the city such as Pergamos, Sardis, etc, but here, the last church is called the church of the Laodiceans, not the church in Laodicea. There is a reason for that. This church is doing it her own way, but Jesus Christ will spue her out of His mouth. I really believe the fine Christians I read on this website are rather the last ones (the small remnant) of the Philadelphia church which is almost entirely disapearred and replaced with "prosperity christians". Such church will not have a revival, because she needs nothing.

meekness

Yesterday as I was praying l thought l heard God say "Go to the window." So l got up and slid back my new curtains and opened the window. It had just rained and everything smelled so sweet and fresh. It looked great outside. We are getting ready to move so l've been fixing everything up. The deck has a new coat. Everything is trimmed and pruned. Fresh flowers.

I thought 'boy were getting ready to move and my house is all fixed up for the next one.'

Because God said "Go to the window" l believe he wanted to show me. The ones coming behind me that will take over my house will have some deeper work to do. They will be attracted and want to buy because hopefully the good will out weigh the bad. But l know it's only a face lift. It takes a lot to maintain a house.

Isn't that what it's all about anyway. Souls? The ones that are coming behing us.
It's a makeover not a new house. He revives us for the sake of those coming. I'm enjoying it too but l'm leaving. I don't know...Just seemed God was saying just before we get ready to move he's going to do a makeover.

It would fit in with what Shekel said in his post about the Spirit departing...I believe that when we as Christians depart that the world will know. (Then there will be fasting, praying and weeping)

Doesn't it seem to you that as a church we are in a place we've never been before? Look how we are communicating with each other. We can see and hear what's happening all around the world within minutes. Souls are being won like never before. Don't classify things too much. There's a lot of Good going on and God is in a hurry. Never forget we are sown together and why God says don't hurt the wheat...Be careful and encourage people.

God loves you and wants to do a makeover. You know it's still the same old house but let him do a work in you. For the sake of others that are coming behind you. They'll want to buy if the good out weighs the bad. Show them the best potential your house has. It's the heart of the home. My children were raised here and l love it for that. Show people that you love were you're at. Let it reflect in what you do. Don't become down trodden like l have in the last couple of years. You get tired and it's hard but God want's to help a lot if you'll let him.

Amen to that brother Roger!

~Ish

You seem satisfied that judgement is coming. You don't exactly fit into the below catagory...It's apples and oranges..BUT...It leaves a bad taste in my mouth when l read your 'amens'.
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Posted on: Nov 18 2004, 02:32 PM
Forum: (Interpreted) Dreams and Visions · Post Preview: #3576 · Replies: 11 · Views: 596
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/c/1...83188-2475.html

Ray Stedman
"Amos: God Doesn't Play Favorites .........Now, the nation evidently went on resisting the appeal of the prophet, so he addresses two particular messages to these people, aimed at the two extreme views among the people of Israel. They are almost contradictory views. First he says:

Woe to those who desire the day of the Lord! (5:18)
And to the other group, he says:


"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion..." (6:1)

Now here are two quite distinct views among the people. There were those whom we might call the pious hypocrites who first came under the judgment of God. "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!" What does this mean? Well, you see, there were some people who were going about saying, "Oh, isn't this a terrible day. Oh, God is so hard. Things are so terrible." They were wringing their hands, appearing to be mourning, and going through all kinds of rituals and religious ceremonies and saying, "Oh, there is no hope for anything. Oh, if God would only come at last! Oh, would that the day of the Lord would come. Would that we could go home to be in heaven." Did you ever hear that? And the prophet thunders: "Woe to you that desire the day of the Lord."

Amos says, "Do you know what that day will be like? Do you have any idea what you are saying? Why," he says, "it is darkness, not light. It is as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; or he went into the house and leaned a hand against the wall and a snake bit him. You talk about the day of the Lord. Why, you don't know what you are talking about! Woe to you." And God says,


"...I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your [religious activities] solemn assemblies...and burnt offerings...Take away from me the noise of your songs...the melody of your harps...But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowlng stream." (5:21-24)
Do we ever get away from this? God desires truth in the inward parts, in the center of life---not outward conformity. God sees through that sham and pretense without the slightest difficulty and it doesn't impress him when we go through religious activity. "Thou desirest truth in the inward being." (Ps. 51:6)

Well, then there was another group that said, "We are not concerned about these things. Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. Let's have as good a time as we can and make the most of life; let's enjoy it to the full while we can." And the prophet says, "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion."

Amos asks, "How can you be so restful when the nation is so restless? How can you content yourselves with riches and wealth and the good things of life when people are lying in distress outside in the streets and judgment is taken away from your courts?" So there comes this powerful message:


Woe to those who lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the midst of the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp...(6:4, 5a)
...in the midst of the threatening judgment of God? These are the two extreme groups. As Amos goes on, he shows in a series of visions that were given to him that the nation is rapidly ripening for judgment.

At last there comes the final scene, almost always pictured by the prophets---a scene of beauty, peace, and glory. It reveals what God wants and, therefore, why God is angry at hypocrisy. Listen to these words:


In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old. (9:11)
Do you remember where that is quoted in the New Testament? In the first council at Jerusalem, in Acts 15, when they were wondering whether God would save the Gentiles without the law of Moses, James stood up and quoted this verse from Amos. "The prophets," he said, "have declared that Godis going to send his grace out to the Gentiles," and he quoted this verse. (Acts 15:15-18) God's word was that he would raise up the tabernacle or the booth of David which had fallen, and repair its breaches. That is a picture of the coming of Christ, representing the house of David. And in the raising up of the Lord Jesus, the word was to go out to all the peoples. God would bless the world through him,


"...that they may possess the remnant of Edom and and the nations [all the Gentiles] who are called by my name," says the Lord who does this. (9:12)
The comes this beautiful scene:


"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and ed their fruit. I will plant them upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land which I have given them," says the Lord your God. (9:13-15)
That is a picture, of course, of the millennial days when Israel shall at last be restored to the land, never to be removed again.

Now then, why is God so angry with this people? If cruelty makes him angry, it is because his heart is so set upon kindness toward man. If oppression stirs his wrath, it is because he wants men to live in love and peace. If pain inflicted upon others brings judgment from God, it is because his heart is set upon happiness and the well-being of humanity.

The message of this book is that God is relentless when he begins to deal with man. He will not make peace. He will not compromise. When he begins to deal with a nation, he insists on absolute values. When he begins to deal with an individual, he deals with absolute values. Just the fact that we are Christians does not mean that we escape the condemnation of the judgment of the Word of God in those areas where we are attempting to compromise. Just because we have been Christians for 40 years doesn't change the relentlessness of the Word of God as it searches and probes our hearts and lives. God doesn't change.

The word of this prophet is that we are dealing with a God of righteousness and of unbending, inflexible zeal who will not compromise in any way, and yet, our God is a God of patience and of love. The marvelous undertone of this book, as through all the prophets, is that of the outpouring of the love of God's heart moving toward the well-being and the happiness of humanity, breaking out every now and then into beautiful forms of expression. Undergirding the whole book is the promise at last to bring Israel---and likewise all the people of God---into the day when man shall live in peace and joy, with blessings to fill the hearts of men. What a message of the impartiality of God's grace this is!"
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When Amos says, "Do you know what that day will be like? Do you have any idea what you are saying? Why," he says, "it is darkness, not light. It is as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; or he went into the house and leaned a hand against the wall and a snake bit him. You talk about the day of the Lord. Why, you don't know what you are talking about! Woe to you."

I have to ask myself if this is for me?

Did l ask for fish and did he give me a snake?
Or bread and l receive a cold dead stone?

If the rapture comes during chaos (which l have always suspected) then people aren't going to know for sure if some one is dead or raptured.

What would it take to survive 7 years? Should l move to Montana or hide in a certain basement. My unctions would have to be right 100% of the time in order to survive under that protected category.

And what of those that claim that divine protection during that time. Preforming signs and wonders that protect. I might wonder if l missed the Spirit or the Mt. of Transfiguration experiance. Because here are the manifest sons of God doing great exploits.

I think we should consider all scenerios and motivations because of the great deception that is ahead of us. Even the elect are at risk.

It doesn't mean l see the above as cold hard facts but l want to consider all motives and angles when l read that people are seeing judgement and wrath to be poured out on all people.

I understand... and still:

... the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Luke 7:31-35


31-35. the Lord said, &c.--As cross, capricious children, invited by their playmates to join them in their amusements, will play with them neither at weddings nor funerals (juvenile imitations of the joyous and mournful scenes of life), so that generation rejected both John and his Master: the one because he was too unsocial--more like a demoniac than a rational man; the other, because He was too much the reverse, given to animal indulgences, and consorting with the lowest classes of society. But the children of Wisdom recognize and honor her, whether in the austere garb of the Baptist or in the more attractive style of his Master, whether in the Law or in the Gospel, whether in rags or in royalty, for "the full soul loatheth an honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet" (Pro 27:7).

Commentary by DAVID BROWN
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/c/1...37360-1019.html

From Forum: What do you say? · Post Preview: #8504 · Replies: 25 · Views: 464



1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;


1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.


1Pe 4:3 For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:


1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:


1Pe 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.


1Pe 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.


1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.


1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.


1Pe 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.


1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.


1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.


1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:


1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.


1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.


1Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.


1Pe 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.


1Pe 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?


1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?


1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Chastisement under grace doesn't mean there won't be a pretrib rapture.

Chastisement by a loving father is for one reason.

To turn HIS CHILDREN around.

Again put into the Bible code for this time and out of the mouth of babes spoke again their fate. As another storm will come off of the horizon as I put these words in this Computer software program called:The Bible Code
Storms OPHELIA MEANS IN GREEK PEACE
returns SITS OFF THE COAST OF FLORIDA WAITING ORDERS
ocean THE ATLANTIC IS THE WAITING ROOM
gulf THE DEVISTATION THAT WILL STRIKE
mexico
repent 40 DAYS A DAY OF PRAYER TO REPENT
big easy SIN

During Charlie I had a picture showing the hands of God reaching down from the clouds to warn people of the coming disasters that would be fall the US.
So! I started to search the bible code and found something interesting. When the 11 day of ava in Jewish history occured and the Jews were taken out of the Gaza strip . the United States has always been protected by God .When we turned are back on them and they lost their land an anger Kindled and we became an apostasy in the nostrils of God.Than they took before that the ten Commandments out of all governments and they wanted the pledge of allegiance out of the schools and govenments . Now Ivan makes it tuirn comes in like a Lion and goes out like a lamb to tell the people of Louisiana Mississippi and Alabama and Ga to repent for their disobedience. Like the time of atonement their sins were set aside for another year according biblical laws with a heathen.They had one of the largest gay pride due to open on the 31st of August. Katrina can be named all they want but the hand of God came down and destroyed sin. I have nothing against the people of New Orleans ,but they allowed sin to enter through voodoo and devil worship and the sodom and gommorah was created and was getting worst. Can you a imagine what is going to be like my brothers and sisters when the trib hour comes. The devil will come rob steal and destroy. So God said that the people must go through a time of cleansing now and for the next seven days they will be beaten by the heat as they murmurr ;like the children of Israel.and the drought the children of Israel in the desert .He will see who is on his side and who is on the side of the devil.Than after 7 days they will go through 40 days and 40 nights of reflection on their lives.All he wants them to do is repent and turn from their wicked ways.We saw people in anarchy and Kaos. Fighting ,looting,murdering like the heathen of the sodoms and Gommorah.Than he spoke t me about the money changers. Those that take the hard in money from those people that are trying to get by.The news media say that the Hurricane acted like it had a mind or a vedetta against something or someone.I believe that when the breath of God lower the temperture by 20 degrees and changed the cat 5 to a 4 and blew it toward mississippi it save New orleans from sudden destruction. Because of the greed of man and stealing government funds to rebuild levis'
Thus saieth the LORD OF HOST I WILL AVENGE THOSE THAT SLAUGHTER FOR
ILL COTTEN GAIN. I WILL TEAR DOWN THE KINGS IN VILLAGES AND SAY ONTO THEM THAT I AM TAKEN MY PEOPLE OUT OF THE THIS LAND OF SPOILS TO NEVER LOOK BACK AS THE EGYPTIANS DID . I HAVE SENT THE DELIVER IN THE FORM OF YOUR PRESIDENT . DO NOT TOUCH GOD'S ANNOINTED FOR I WILL SMITE THEE WITH MY RIGHT AND LEFT HAND .FOR WHAT YOU HAVE STOLEN AND PUT MY PEOPLE THROUGH I WILL ALLOW THE LAND TO BE INHABITABLE TILL THE RETURN OF MY SON.YOU SAY THAT YOU HATE YOUR BROTHER BECAUSE OF HIS SKIN OR RACE OR CREED . I SAY UNTO THIS LAND THAT THAT BOILS AND FEVER AND DISEASES AND PESTILANCES WILL RAVISH YOUR LAND FROM THE SOUTH TO THE WEST, IF YOU DO NOT TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS THAN YOU ARE AN MY ENEMY AND I WILL DEFEAT YOU WITHOUT A TRIAL OR IMPRISONMENT THAT YOU HAVE PUT MY PEOPLE THROUGH. I WILL ALLOW THE RAGE OF THE SEAS TO ENGULF YOU TO THE BOTTOMLESSS ABYSS AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PLACE TO HIDE FROM MY VENGENCE SAIETH THE LORD OF HOST.
(THIS IS ALSO CONFIRMED BY THIS PROPHET AS WELL
WWW.KIMCLEMENT.COM ON JUNE 2005 ABOUT NEW ORLEANS)
THE BIBLE SAYS WHERE TWO OR AGREE UPON ANYTHING HE WILL BRING IT TO PASS AND IT HAS)REVEREND GARY W. EMAS MESSANIC JEW FOR CHRIST
God did not kill them but man,and in his mercy an grace instead of allowing the children to suffer anymore by the poverty they lived in he brought them home.and the devil took allot of souls to hell that day.


Their fate has been determined and will be determined by God and God only.
He will come agin and like other countries they took will be destroys unless they repent. The time and clock is clicking right now and we can only pray that they do turn .He is also purging the town by fire as a cleansing agent.If God wanted to really kill the people he would have brought in wild animals and snakes and alligators and sharks
I have found that the bible code is very accurate
Rev[/b][/B][/color]

How tragic... so many people who have read the Bible, so few who heed the instructions... how to foresee (or are scared away from learning by misinformed clergy). Who has bothered to figure out how Jesus healed people? The instructions are in the Bible, if you know how to read, and apply the information. One burning issue is how many people keep on referring to the Bible, and it in turns mentions a Living God... and the Bible isn't a Living Source, and hasn't been for nearly two thousand years.

You might want to find "Practically Dreaming" because it tells how foresight works, it will be available to be ordered online by early March. It is a companion book to "Orwell's "1984" Revisited as Prophecy" which identifies an atomic war as about to occur in the second week of February 2007 (and two of the locations which will be targetted). Who has nukes that would do that? Al Qaida. They acquired 84 of them when the Soviet Union unraveled. But it is the use of dreams and visions that will enable us to find and stop this insanity... if anyone cares.

Amen.


Charlie




Come on Get real. If those, the likes of Al Qaida had a nuclear weapon they would have already used it. The Lord took care of them by the means of the big beast anyway. The Lord doesn’t need any help destroying this world. It is as simple as taking away their food and water. Then those of faith will surly be known.


Charlie

Come on Get real. If those, the likes of Al Qaida had a nuclear weapon they would have already used it. The Lord took care of them by the means of the big beast anyway. The Lord doesn’t need any help destroying this world. It is as simple as taking away their food and water. Then those of faith will surly be known.


Charlie
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hmmmm you know so much about them... so tell me how you understand 'thou shalt not kill'... do you think like so many others including the luciferians who run America that God allows exceptions and that war is a viable solution? if so then you know nothing about God. Messages from that Source are always about life and living, not death and killing.

More thought on the seven churches:

Revelation 2 And 3 … Seven Letters To Seven Churches, Part 1 - Jack Kelley - www.gracethrufaith.com (Weekly series) -

According to Revelation 1:11, the book was written to seven congregations in Asia, modern Turkey. For 2,000 years scholars have wondered why such an important message would be sent to these churches since they weren't even the most important of their day, let alone now. True, Ephesus was a leading city of the time, but the church there was small and so were the others. Why wasn't the book written to the Church in Rome, for example? Surely the Lord knew that Rome would be the capital of Christianity for much of church history, the perfect addressee for such a timeless message. Or how about Jerusalem, where the Church was born?

The answer lies in the realization that the letters of chapters 2 and 3 have a representative as well as a specific purpose. They can actually be read with four levels of application.

Four Levels of Application

The first level is historical. These seven churches really existed and each was experiencing the particular problem to which the Lord referred as He dictated the letters to John. Second, since all the churches were to read all the letters, they were also admonitory to all. Third, since both the challenge and promise with which each letter ends are personal rather than corporate, the letters were for individuals as well as congregations. And fourth, read in the order in which they appear they outline church history and so are prophetic. They chronicle the gap between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27)

The Lord begins each letter with a different one of the 24 titles that are used to describe Him in the book, and the title He selects gives a clue to the letter's theme. The name of each Church also contains a clue. Each letter can be divided into seven parts, the Lord's title being the first one. Then come a commendation, a criticism, an admonition, a call, a challenge, and a promise. Two of the seven letters, Sardis and Laodicea, contain no commendation, and in two, Smyrna and Philadelphia, no criticism is given. Pergamum has no admonition, but has two criticisms. In the last 4 letters the challenge and the promise are reversed.

I'll dissect each letter into its component parts as we go. And since I visited the sites of each of the seven churches a few years ago, I'll include a personal note or two as well. By the way, each letter also bears an interesting resemblance to one of the 7 Kingdom Parables in Matthew 13, and to one of the 7 letters Paul wrote to churches. (Paul actually wrote 13 letters, not counting Hebrews, but four were to individuals and two were second letters to churches he had written previously.) With that, let's get started.

To the Church in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: Ephesus means darling, or beloved, maiden of choice. Ephesus represents the 1st century church.

(Title)These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. In using this title the Lord identifies Himself as the One who came to visit John, the One with authority over the Church, and the One to whom the Church owes affection as well as allegiance.

(Commendation) I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. The Church in Ephesus had worked tirelessly to remain true to His Gospel.

(Criticism) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Already the church had become so busy in its service to the King that it had forgotten about the King! The relationship He sought was turning into another religion.

(Admonition) Remember the height from which you have fallen! How many times have we heard friends comment about the "good old days" when they were new believers?

(Call) Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Here's the remedy. Go back to doing what you did at first. Remember when you couldn't get enough of the Bible? When you showed up at church half an hour early, just because you loved being there, and didn't want to leave when the service was over? How you kept up a running conversation with the Lord that began when you woke up in the morning and didn't end till you fell asleep at night?

The Nicolaitans were a heretical sect that advocated a blending of pagan customs, like eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality, into Christian worship. There's only One worthy to receive our worship, and worshipping Him is the Church's primary purpose.

The lamp stand is identified in Rev 1:20 as the church, so removing it means removing the church of Ephesus. Though the ruins of Ephesus are extensive and impressive, requiring most of a day to see, when we were there a few years ago we found only the faintest traces of a 1st century church in Ephesus.

(Challenge) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Reach up along each side of your head. Do you have ears there? Then this letter was written to you. Though the letter to Ephesus describes the Apostolic era, the church struggles with the same problems today. The church as a whole is too distracted with programs and plans, your congregation is too busy implementing them, and you're too busy helping. We're human beings, not human doings, and once we're saved being with the Lord in fellowship is our life's purpose.

(Promise)To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Because of the emphasis on good works and programs in the church today, many who call themselves Christians, and rightly consider themselves to be hard working members of their congregations, have never taken the time to meet the King they claim to serve and receive the pardon He purchased for them with His life. How shocked they'll be to hear Him say, "I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers." (Matt. 7:23)

The first of the Kingdom Parables, the Sower and the Seed, applies here. It teaches that while the seed was sown in all the world, it only found fertile ground in a small part. And of course Paul's letter to the Ephesians is the clearest description of how we are already perceived by God, having been saved by grace, not by works lest anyone boast.

To the Church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: Smyrna means crushed. It comes from the same root as Myrrh, an embalming spice the released its aroma when crushed. Smyrna represents the 2nd and 3rd Century church that suffered intense persecution.

(Title) These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. The emphasis in the title is obvious, overcoming death.

(Commendation) I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. The first to persecute the church were Jews. Polycarp, the most famous of the early martyrs was the Bishop of Smyrna and was burned at the stake there at age 86.

(Admonition) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. The ten days refers to the reigns of 10 Roman Caesars, covering a period of 250 years.

(Call) Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. There's no promise of deliverance, only of reward in Heaven. The stories of believers' grace in the face of death while ingenious and diabolical methods were employed to exterminate them as a form of public entertainment have achieved legendary status.

(Challenge) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Many of us in the west have never faced serious threats on account of our faith, but world wide the number of Christian martyrs has averaged over 1 million per year for the last 10 years. Their number will only grow as the End draws nearer.

(Promise) He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." The old adage goes: Born once, die twice. Born twice die once. It's the second death that you have to watch out for. It's the permanent one.

Today a prosperous city called Izmir, third largest in Turkey, stands where ancient Smyrna once was. An incident that clearly displayed the Lord's sense of humor while emphasizing the point of the letter, happened as we drove through the city. We saw prominent signs on a freeway exit just outside Izmir pointing to Smyrna and thinking we had found the ancient site, I quickly pulled off. But at the bottom of the short exit ramp was a T intersection with no indication as to which way we should turn. And there were no more signs pointing the way to Smyrna. After an hour of driving back and forth searching in both directions, I gave up and drove on. I didn't get the point till later after describing the event to our Turkish travel agent. He told me the sign points to where Symrna was. There's no trace of Smyrna today. The church of Smyrna is in heaven.

The parable of the Tares and the Wheat carries similar insights to this letter, as does Paul's letter to the Philippians, the theme of which is joy through suffering.

To the Church in Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: Pergamum means mixed marriage and represents the merger of pagan and Christian practices in the 4th century when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

(Title) These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. In Hebrews 4:12 the double-edged sword is used to describe God's Word, the source of Truth.

(Commendation) I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. With the establishment of Baghdad as the major distribution center between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea following Alexander's death, Babylon had gone into decline so the original mother/child cult religion moved its headquarters from there to Pergamum. (It eventually settled in Rome.) The reference to Satan's home there shows the true source of this false religion.

(Criticism 1) Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. (Criticism 2) Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. These pagan practices crept into the church at Pergamum, just as they had in Ephesus.

(Call) Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. The truth of the Gospel has always been the best defense against the cults.

(Challenge) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

(Promise) To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Just as the black ball was a vote against someone, a white stone was a sign of trust. When an important businessman had to complete a transaction in a distant city, he didn't travel there. It was too dangerous. Instead he sent a trusted servant empowered to act on his behalf. The servant carried a coin like form of identification made of baked white clay. The seal of the businessman being represented was pressed into the clay as was a secret name, known only to the other party in the transaction. By the presentation of the white stone, the servant authenticated himself as being entitled to all the rights and privileges of his master. In this way, our Lord Jesus will identify us as being entitled to all the rights and privileges due Him, when we enter into the Presence of our Father in Heaven.

Our Lord instructed the Disciples to go into all the world (Matt 28:19-20), but in Pergamus the world came into the church. In the 4th century the Edict of Milan made Christianity legal and ultimately the official religion of the Empire. When that happened, pagan festivals became Christian holidays. The Feasts of Saturnalia and Ishtar became Christmas and Easter. This explains why such pagan symbols as the Yule log and evergreen tree, which symbolized the sun dying and being born again at the winter solstice, are associated with Christmas, while fertility symbols like rabbits and eggs are connected with Easter. Ishtar was the Babylonian goddess of fertility.

The impressive ruins on a hill 1000 feet above the surrounding valleys near modern Bergama are markedly pagan with remains of great temples to Roman gods and emperors but only faint traces of the church that was there.

The parable of the Mustard Seed tells of a small seed that grows into something it was never intended to be and is a prophecy of what can happen when the world and the church are mingled. And Paul's letter to the Corinthians, the worldly church, is an obvious parallel.

Children Of A Mixed Marriage

It's my belief that the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamus have all disappeared, symbolically and in reality. But the marriage of pagan and Christian beliefs in Pergamus produced 4 offspring that all survive to this day and are represented by the four remaining letters. We'll cover them next time.
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"Revelation 2 & 3, Seven Letters to Seven Churches Part 2" - Jack Kelley - www.gracethrufaith.com - (Weekly Study)

As the Roman Empire grew in prominence, Rome soon became the world's center for the practices and traditions of the Babylonian pagan religion. Pergamum slowly faded from the scene, but the mixed marriage of Christianity and Paganism begun there has produced four offspring, Roman Catholics (Thyatira), Main Line Protestants (Sardis), Evangelicals including Pentecostals and Charismatics (Philadelphia) and the Apostate Church (Laodicea). All are alive on Earth today.

To the Church in Thyatira

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: Thyatira means continual sacrifice. (In the Catholic Church, the Lord is still on the cross, and they believe that the communion wafer becomes His actual body and blood as it's consumed.) It's the first letter with a future in view, which led me to the conclusion that the earlier three churches are gone. It's also the first whose members are divided into two categories, the saved and the unsaved.

(Title) These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. It couldn't be clearer. While born of the Virgin, the One speaking to them with fire in His eyes is to be addressed as the Son of God, not of Mary.

(Commendation) I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. The Catholic Church is known for its efforts in bringing mercy and compassion, as well as the Gospel, to God's children.

(Criticism) Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she mislead