| Author | Message | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
An over-comer is someone who has over a period of time overcome evil. The age of accountability in the old covenant was around twelve. This is when a boy was considered a man and he became responsible for his actions. The Lord gives us time to overcome as seen in the seven Churches in Rev. 2 & 3. Lets take a look at and see what the scripture says about those who overcome. 1 John 5 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. These text of scriptures say we can overcome the world by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We bear a witness to others that we believe by believing that the blood Jesus shed was for our salvation, being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit. But there are other things to overcome. Before we look at the seven churches in Rev. 2 & 3 lets look at: Revelation 12 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Here they overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony and they did not love their life even when face with death. These over-comers have a testimony of their faith in Christ and love the new life they have in Christ not their old life and they are willing to lay their lives down for the sake of the gospel. All this should be plain and simple to understand, but as we go to Rev. 15: 2 it gets more symbolic. Revelation 15 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD Rev. 15: 2 says that these overcome the beast right at the end of time when the world is about to receive the last of the plagues that God will send. These over-comers are standing on a sea of glass mixed with fire. If we go to Rev. 4:5,6 we can see that the fire related to the sea of glass in Rev. 15: 2 represents the seven lamps of fire. The lamps of fire represent the Seven Spirits of God. Revelation 4 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. The sea of glass points back to the brazen laver where the priest would wash their hands and feet before going into the Holy place. The brazen laver symbolically pointed to baptism in the sanctuary and baptism is symbolic of dying spiritually and burying the old man. Then as we rise out of the water we are resurrected into a new life in Christ. Through our faith in being baptized we share with Christ in His death and resurrection and we are translated into the Kingdom of God. REWARDS AND THE SEVEN SPIRITS The six of the seven Spirits of the Lord can be found in: Isaiah 11 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; The Spirit of the Lord is one, like a man and his wife are one. The Spirit of the Lord has seven characteristics. They are wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 4 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. In Isa. 4:4 there is the Spirit of judgment and the Spirit of burning. The total is eight, but the last two are a double portion. I explain later as we go on. Lets look at how the rewards of those who overcome in Rev. 2 & 3 are related to the seven Spirits of God. Revelations 2 & 3 The 7 Churches Their Rewards The 7 Spirits 1. Ephesus = Tree of Life Wisdom 2.Smryna= Understanding Crown of Life 3. Pergamum= Hidden Manna& White Stone Counsel 4. Thyatira= Authority with a rod of iron Strength and the morning star 5. Sardis= Walk with Jesus in White garments Knowledge 6. Philadelphia= Be a Pillar & Godís name, Fear of the Lord city & Jesusí new name written on them 7. Laodicea= Sit on the thrown with Christ Judgment & Burning as Double portion Why these Spirits are associated with the rewards 1. Ephesus= The Tree of Life is their reward. WISDOM is the tree of life Proverbs 3:18 2. Smryna=The crown of life is associated with suffering as this church is known as the church that went through hard times so who would be better for UNDERSTANDING if they overcome. 3. Pergamum=Counsel is associated with hidden manna or hidden truth. Jesus is the manna from heaven and Ish.9: 6 says one of His names is wonderful counselor. The white stone represents the Ten Commandments but with a new name. That new name could be found in the book of James known as the law of liberty or the Royal law of Love being the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit of COUNSEL makes sense. . 4. Thyatira=Authority with a Rod of Iron and the Morning Star. Jesus is the morning star that shines in the night before the Day of the Lord. Then Jesus will shine as the Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings at His coming during the Kingdom age that will begin to dawn in the time of the Church of Sardis. The spirit of STRENGHT makes sense for the over-comers at Thyatira. Thyatira was spiritually week because they did not exercise authority over the wickedness around them. Compare to the Ephesus Church that exercised authority in a way that caused them to lose their first love for Jesus and others around them. The Spirit of Wisdom is what the church of Ephesus needed to deal with their problem but Thyatira needs the Spirit of Strength. 5. Sardis=I gave KNOWLEDGE to this church because in Rev. 3: 3 Jesus said remember what you have received and heard and keep it. 6. Philadelphia=I gave the spirit of the FEAR OF THE LORD to this church because it will take that to be a pillar in the temple of God and to wear His name. 7. Laodicea=JUDGMENT & BURNING is associated with the great white thrown judgment or judgment sit of Christ. They will have Christ come into them and dine with Him at the marriage supper of the Lamb if they hear His voice and open the door. If these lukewarm ones overcome, they will receive their reward by sitting with Christ on His thrown at the Judgment when the saints shall judge unbelievers. The reason that the Spirits of Judgment and Burning are associated with the Church of Laodicea is because of when Jesus said, for them to buy from Him gold tried in the fire, white garments and eye salve to see. To have the Spirit of Judgment you need to see clearly right from wrong. To have the Spirit of Burning this is the refinerís fire, as to buy gold tried in the fire. Gold speaks of divinity or white garments. To explain why the Spirits of judgment and burning as being a double portion we will first look at the parable of the vineyard in Matt. 20: 1-16. When the rewards were given the last received their reward first. This would put the Church of Laodicea first because they were last. If you look at: Revelation 21 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. He who overcomes will inherit all these things and in Rev. 2 & 3 at the end of each church there is a reward for those that overcome. You should be able to see a reward as an inheritance through these texts of scriptures. Consider that a fist born male in old covenant received a double portion over the other brothers. But in many cases the youngest received the blessing from God. Here are a few examples of the last being first. Abelís offering was blessed over his older brother Cain. Jacob received the inheritance his older brother Esau would of had if he didnít sell it to Jacob. David was chosen to be King and he was the youngest of eight brothers. This principle of the last being first could put the over-comers at the Church of Laodicea in a double portion position seeing that the last shall be first for their inheritance or reward according to the parable of talents. Because of all the similarities that have been revealed concerning the rewards to the over-comers and the seven Spirits of God, I believe that there is a connection. Especially when the over-comers in Rev. 15: 2 are standing on the sea of glass mixed with fire and the fire is associated with the seven Spirits of God in Rev. 4: 5, 6. We are to overcome in all areas of the seven Churches in our own personal life and inherit all things. There also has been a spiritual fulfillment with the churches throughout the ages of time and it also applied to the early churches in the time of the writings. But if we want to hear what the Spirit is saying, we should apply them personally. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The Church of Ephesus may have left its first love because they could not tolerate evil and proved some as false apostles. When a person comes to the Lord, they can be as a child that will imitate the parents that love them. This church had some that were acting out as if they were apostles. Many problems can arise when these younger ones in the Lord want to control, they need to be who God called them to be according to their growth in the Lord. We need to be more merciful to Godís little ones in the Lord even if they are physically older and have earthly wisdom. It takes time to grow spiritually even if the spiritually younger ones think they can handle responsibility. Things will spring up that they may not be able to handle in the way that Jesus would. If we offend a little one we maybe headed for trouble in our own relationship with God. There is a way to keep things in order without putting people down or breaking their spirit. There can be some that are as wolfs in a flock of sheep. If we will love even our enemies as Christ did, than this kind of first love will be to all. But in order to care for the sheep they must be protected from the wolves. As we overcome we can eat from the tree of life and receive the Spirit of Wisdom and turn a bad condition into a good one. In Proverbs it says that wisdom is the tree of life. Wisdom can see the big picture in the Kingdom of God and it has a way of doing things according to the will of God. Revelation 2 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The church of Smyrna is known as the persecuted church and there was and still is a part of the body of Christ that is being persecuted in the world today. The Lord gives no rebuke to them it is enough that they are loyal to Him and His heart goes out to them. Justice will come in the Kingdom age when He starts to tread the winepress of His wrath on those who do acts of cruelty to others who desire to live in peace. If someone who belongs to God is being persecuted it is Jesus who is being persecuted. It is as though He is being whipped and nailed to the cross again in Godís eyes when one of His people are being persecuted. There is a spiritual side in the message to this church however. Jesus always said at the end of a message to a church. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying, so lets keep this foremost in mind. He says be faithful unto death. This is spiritually dying to our own selfish ways and this is Godís will for all whether being physically persecuted or not. Paul said that he died daily and that he was crucified with Christ and that it was Christ who lives in Him in: Galatians 2 20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. This is at the very heart of the good news of the gospel that is to share in the sufferings of Christ so that we can share in His glory and receive the crown of life. When a person is dying to their selfish ways, it can be like being in a prison and being tested. It is not until we take delight in Godís will that the old man is considered dead and the new man alive in Christ. So we must overcome and die to self before we can receive the crown of life and the Spirit of Understanding. Revelation 2 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The Church of Pergamum has a strong message to those in the church today who think they can do their own thing. If they get caught when the Lord appears before them the Lord will meet them with a sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth. It will most likely be that the Lord will use the ones that overcome to speak through with the word of God being as that sharp two-edged sword. If they overcome they will be given the Spirit of Counsel to administer the hidden manna ìcommunion with Christî and the white stone with a new name on it ìRoyal law of Libertyî. The white stone is representing the Ten Commandments but with a new name, as it points to love and the fruit of the Spirit. The hidden manna is referring to the pot of manna that was in the Ark of the Covenant along with the Ten Commandments and Aaronís rod that budded. The spiritual side to this church that I see is this. Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit so that Jesus Christ can manifest Himself through us, as we are lead by the Holy Spirit. But He canít when we are living in a lifestyle that He sees as sin because that lifestyle does not represent Him. And causing someone else to sin is playing the role of Satan who tempts us to sin. But if we sin and the sin we commit is not our lifestyle. As we confess what we did and repent we are forgiven and Christ is faithful to remain in us. Who is better to counsel than someone who has been tempted to sin, but overcame. Revelation 2 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The Church of Thyatira has some that tolerate Jezebel who teaches and leads astray the Lordís bond- servants into sexual immorality and eating meat sacrificed to idols. Jezebel represented the pagan religion of Babylon. You can read of this in Rev. 17 & 18. Babylon is where Satan thrives in the religious systems of the world. Satan wants to make Babylon appear as to be the Church of Jesus Christ and wreck itís reputation. By doing so he can hinder the Lords appearing through those who might otherwise have come to really know the Lord. Some in this church are fellowshipping with demons. Here Jesus greets them with eyes like a flame of fire as He searches their heart and mind. Perhaps to see why the Holy Spirit has not written His laws there. His feet are like burnished bronze. They are conditioned for the threading down of the unrepentant in the winepress of His wrath. The good works they do is for what if they still live a lifestyle that does not represent Jesus Christ. Many in the church today tolerate things of such nature as in Thyatira. It is hard for them to find a balance. The Pharisees hindered people from entering into heaven because of what they think is sin, than there are those who are caring and do good works that tolerate anything. If they overcome they receive authority to rule the nations with a rod of iron. Who else would better qualify to rule without being cruel than those who it is in their nature to tolerate sin. It is in their nature to be easy going and they are more likely to show mercy. The last thing that the Kingdom of God needs is a tyrant who wants to control people. These over-comers get to rule with a rod of iron just like it says Jesus does when He appears as in Rev. 19: 11-16. Guess what, when these overcome, it will be Christ appearing through them to rule the nations with a rod of iron. These over-comers also receive the morning star. Jesus is the bright morning star. The morning star appears before the brake of day while there is still darkness. But as the night turns to day He becomes the Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings. The day represents the day of the Lord or the Kingdom age of 1,000 years. As we look at the next church we will be able to see that day appearing as we enter into a transition period. Concerning the rod of iron that breaks the clay into pieces. The old nature is represented as a clay vessel. To be a gold or silver vessel we must go through the refines fire to get the dross out, so this is not a physical bashing of the clay. Heb. 12 is more in view here where we see the rod of chastising. The Father chastises those who He loves, as a father would raise his children to do good and not evil. Revelation 2 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. 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The Church of Sardis had a reputation for being alive but Jesus reveals that they are dead. He gives the call to wake up. I see this as the church in transition into the Kingdom Age. I would say that this is where we are now if we look at the seven Churches throughout the ages of time. Most do not even know or their faith is to little to receive the call to rise from the ìspiritually deadî. They might believe that the rapture will happen physically so they will not see by faith being caught up spiritually. They may have misunderstood I Thess. 4: 15 ñ 18 so lets take a look at these scriptures. 1 Thessalonians 4 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Here is a way of looking at this that is different. Those who are asleep are those who have physically died in the Lord. They rise to meet the Lord in the new heaven that is spiritual and they receive a spiritual body. We who are alive and remain are caught up into the third heaven. This means our spirit is caught up and joined together with those in the new heaven but our physical body is still here on this planet. Then as it says in: Revelation 14 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. This may mean a spiritual dying to self and our works to have the Lord manifest Himself through us to do the work that He would do. Or it may mean that after we who are alive and remain physical die, we go right into the new heaven and in a twinkling of the eye we are transformed with a spiritual body that will never die or get sick or old. We would than be able to enjoy heaven as we always have understood it to be in the passed. In I Thess. 4: 17 when it says, at the sound of the last trump the dead shall be raised. Not all hear at the same time. It takes time for sound to travel. Not all hear the trumpet blast, they maybe spiritual deaf so we that are caught up have to tell them in a way so they can have faith to understand and be caught up. This is where perfect faith is needed. Great faith is close but great faith still waits it has not received it yet. The faith that Jesus had was perfect faith. There are a few that have not soiled their garments in Sardis. When our works are not pleasing to the Lord it is like a child that needs his diaper changed. The people Jesus finds worthy here walk with Him in white garments. What an honor it is to walk with Jesus Christ in you for He will never leave us or forsake us. He said we are to abide in Him and He will abide in us. In the rapture of the saints at His coming He will not say to those who He abides in, sorry I must leave you now I have to return to the earth to go and get your body that you left behind. To walk with Jesus doesnít look like much of a reward in comparison to other rewards give. But perhaps the greatest reward is to walk with Christ in white garments or righteous works, as He then is manifesting His life through us. I believe this is where the church can be right now, in the transition period of being caught up and being prepared for the times of Kingdom Age. When the only hope for human survival is that Jesus Christ will come to minister His word and execute justice. Revelation 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. 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The Church of Philadelphia has an open door that no one can shut. The key of David opens it. The key of David is the key of faith, hope and love. King David did a few things that changed the old stuffy order of the Tabernacle of Moses. When he brought back the Ark of the Covenant that the enemies captured to Jerusalem. He pitched a three- sided tent on Mount Zion where all could come into the presence of the Lord. This is known as the tabernacle of David. There they could praise God with song and dance. It was a revival like never seen before, even women and children could rejoice in Godís presence. Before the time of King David the Ark was on Mount Sinai. The High Priest could only once a year go into Godís presence on the Day of Atonement. Singing was out of the question. This is a picture of perfect faith, hope and love. David did this because He loved the Lord so much He could not stand the thought of a separation between Him and His God and God blessed Him so much for it. It took a long time for someone to see what Godís true desire was as David saw. As we read about the Church of Philadelphia we may think they are in a good position with the Lord. The Lord causes them that say they are Jews ìand are not - they lieî, to bow down at their feet. Revelation 19 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. John went to bow down before the one who was giving him a vision but messenger stopped him, the messenger said he was only a bond- servant that had the testimony of Jesus Christ. Anyhow Jesus has nothing against this church. He only warns them not to let anyone to take their crown. Remember the Church of Smyrna their reward was a crown of life and how the over-comer was to receive it. He had to be faithful unto death. We can consider a dying to self here also if you what to hear what the Spirit is saying. The over-comers in Philadelphia become a pillar in the Temple of God, and get to stay there, no more going in and out of His presence like in the times of transition of being caught up that we are now in. They receive the Fathers name, the city of God and the new name that Jesus has written on them, all this as long as they do not lose their crown. This is the Church in the Kingdom Age. If they were to stand up and say, look at me Iím rich and have need of nothing they may lose all they have ìtheir crown of lifeî. Look at Isaiah 22: 19 - 25 this is where the condition of Philadelphia comes from in scripture. This is identical to Rev. 3: 7 - 13. The only difference is in Isaiah 22: 25 it seems they lost their crown. Isaiah 22 19 "I will depose you from your office, And I will pull you down from your station. 20 "Then it will come about in that day, That I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, 21 And I will clothe him with your tunic And tie your sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your authority, And he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 "Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open. 23 "I will drive him like a peg in a firm place, And he will become a throne of glory to his father's house. 24 "So they will hang on him all the glory of his father's house, offspring and issue, all the least of vessels, from bowls to all the jars. 25 "In that day," declares the LORD of hosts, "the peg driven in a firm place will give way; it will even break off and fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken." (N A S B) The peg or pillar gives way and breaks and falls and the load hanging on, is cut off. This may be when Satan is released after the 1,000 years to deceive the nations again for a short time. We must not get to comfortable and forget to fear the Lord or think that we are God on our own because we have taken for granted Christ in us. Without Christ we can do nothing that comes from Him. Otherwise we may get into a Laodicean condition and thinking we are rich in glory. This church gets to the point that they need to start all over again. The over-comer receive Jesusí new name. I believe that name is Immanuel meaning God with us or in us as our faith sees it. This name has meaning for the ones who have been caught up and experience Christ manifesting Himself through them. Isaiah 7 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. It says that she ìthe virginî will call Him Immanuel. The bride of Christ ìthe churchî is also looked at as a virgin as in: Revelation 19 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matt. 25 also speaks of the church. In Isaiah though it is talking about Mary the mother of Jesus. But Joseph ìMaryís husbandî was told by an Angel to call Him Jesus meaning ìSaviorî so He was called Jesus at that time. Now we the church in a spiritual way bring forth Christ to the world by the Holy Spirit through our body that is Godís temple on earth. God looks at His church as a virgin or bride because of the Blood Jesus. And in a way we are calling Him Immanuel after we receive Him as savior because He not only saves us He is with us and in us. Salvation is a onetime event but God being with us is everyday and forever, I see this church fitting into the first half of the third day ìmillenniumî in Hosea 6: 1-3. A day represents being a 1;000 years as far as a Church Age goes. This would be aside from our own personal growth of overcoming any of the conditions in any of the seven Churches of Rev. 2 & 3. I see the transition period that we are in right now in the church of Sardis where there is a call to rise from the spiritually dead and to live spiritually with Christ. Revelation 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 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
The Church of Laodicea I see fitting in the last half of the Millennium or Kingdom Age when applied to the ages of time. In Ex. 10-16 when God was handing down the Ten Commandments He told the people of Israel before hand to be ready and wash their garment for the morning of the third day. The morning was half way through the day because the day started when the sun went down according to creation time. Exodus 19 10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. 12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: 13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. 14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. 16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. In Laodicea the Lord wants us who are alive on the earth in the third heaven at that time, to be ready, so we can have Him in us as we sit on His thrown with those in the new heaven at the Great White Thrown Judgment. This will happen shortly after the 1;000 years when Satan is released to deceive the nations. I believe Satan will try to deceive us in the area of faith, hope and love because they are to abide forever. Either we will be so one with Christ and each other that our own identity will be lost in His identity as the bride of Christ who has made ourselves ready. Or we will be lukewarm needing to buy gold tried in the fire, white garments to cover our own identity and works, and we will need eye salve to see with the eye of perfect faith. The main problem with Laodicea is that they said they are rich and need nothing. To be born of the Spirit the ìwe, me or myself or Iî must be considered dead. This new person hidden in Christ is as the angels in heaven with a message from God to give when Jesus is not manifesting Himself through us. While we lose our identity in Christ we must never forget that Jesus Christ who lived over 2,000 years ago saved us from a life of sin and death by giving us life in the Spirit. For we will forever worship the Lamb that was slain in Spirit and truth. When we see Him as He is ì in Spirit and truthî we shall be like Him in Spirit and truth. We can see, that the one who looks like the son of man being Jesus, sits on a cloud while He harvests the earth. Revelation 14 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Jesus said that that all the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He does not say that He comes back physically to the earth to reap it. He said that He would send His angels to gather the elect from the four winds, from one end to the other. Because Jesus is portrayed sitting on a cloud and coming on the clouds of the sky this is spiritual and becomes physical when He is revealed in us. Matthew 24 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
LAODICEA Revelation 3 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. | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH As the universal church is concerned, I believe we are in the times of Sardis. Individually we all very as to what church may apply to us, but that will change with time as we grow in the Lord Revelation 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. In I John 2: 12 ñ 14 we can see a spiritual growing in the Lord. As we grow in the Lord from a little child who has had their sins forgiven; to a young man who is strong and has the word of God abiding within them and has overcome the evil one; then on to a father who knows Him who has been from the beginning. 1 John 2 12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. This journey of faith can be seen as we go through a spiritual journey through the seven Churches and the seven Spirits of the Lord. We can apply this journey to our journey of faith as we grow in the Lord. The church of Ephesus was to overcome as little children. We begin to overcome with the help of the Spirit of Wisdom by loving God and one another with the same love that we started with when we first came to Jesus Christ. This first love that we are to return to when we loved everyone and wanted everyone to receive Godís free gift of love and forgiveness is a reward in itís one. It is like eating from the Tree of Life. The Church of Smyrna was to endure suffering and was to be faithful unto death. We must also be willing to take a stand for God and share in His sufferings as many others have stood in the face of death and persecution. But spiritually with the help from the Spirit of Understanding we must die to self and share in His sufferings in order to share in His glory that is to be revealed as we receive the Crown of Life. The Church of Pergamun had some that were being a stumbling block to others in the church. Here we can see some accountability to causing a little one to stumble. As we overcome being a stumbling block to others with the help from the Spirit of Counsel we receive some of the hidden manna ìwhich is apart of Christ in usî. Then as Christ gives us a white stone with a new name on it, it is like when He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and we receive the fruit of the Spirit. This is what the Ten Commandments written on stone pointed too. There is a promise in Acts 5: 32 that says; if we obey Him He will give us His Spirit. Acts 5 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. Now as we progress up to this point of overcoming we have grown into spiritual maturity that we can overcome the evil one as a young man who is strong and has the word of God abiding within them. It is at this point in spiritual growth God will give us a rod of iron to rule the nations if we overcome the things seen in the Church of Thyatira. The Church of Thyatira was to overcome their lack of strength to rule over the evil that was going. They did many good things and they had love and faith but they tolerated evil behavior with some in the church. In order to rule the nations with the rod of iron and shine as the morning star we will need the Spirit of Strength to do so. When the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdoms of God we will need men who are strong and have the word of God abiding in them. We are to have Jesus Christ manifesting Himself through us having eyes like a flame of fire, searching out the hearts and minds. Our feet are to be like burnished bronze to tread the wicked as seen in: Malachi 4 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. After Sept. 11th 2001 we have seen an example of how this could be fulfilled. The Church of Sardis was to overcome being spiritually dead and having soiled garments. Jesus tells them to wake up and strengthen the things that remain, and to remember what they had received and heard and to keep it. This is where the Spirit of Knowledge is needed. Even after receiving the Lord and all that He has to give, we may not really experience the new life that we are to have. If we remain that way and not wake up someday we will meet Him as He appears like a thief manifesting Himself through others who did awake. We need the Spirit of Knowledge to know the difference between truth and confusion. It is when we become caught up that we can truly be walking with Jesus clothed in white as He manifests Himself through us in greater ways as we spiritually grow or move into perfection ìmaturityî. At this point as overcome we become like a father who has known Him who was from the beginning. The Church of Philadelphia inherits all spiritual things and they become pillars in the church ìGodís templeî. They have only one thing to make sure of, that no one takes their crown. If we lose the Crown of Life that represents death to self with resurrection life, it would be like Satan being released from the Abyss to deceived us and cause us to stumble in our faith in God after knowing the truth. Christ is to abide in us and not the old nature, the man of sin. It would be at this point in our journey that we could stumble and think that we are rich with the all of the rewards that we have receive from God up to this point in our journey. And by letting Satan take our crown away we will have missed out on the greatest reward of them all, and that being Christ manifesting Himself through us. If our works are lukewarm than we have become poor miserable blind and naked and needing to buy from Him again all the things that are needed so that He can manifest Himself through us. The only way to get back on track if caught in this situation would be to buy from Jesus gold tried in the fire, white garments and eye salve and to open the door to our heart that He is knocking on and let Him in. For those that believe once saved always saved think again. We must continue to grow into a spiritually mature person. With all the warnings to the seven Churches to those who do not overcome in a reasonable amount of time and what will happen to them. They end up in spiritual Babylon, Godís people who will not come out of Babylon being thrown into the winepress of His wrath. I would say that the saying is true that once saved always saved if you remain saved and grow into grace that God has for you. At the point of time in our journey of faith we begin to overcome we begin inheriting all spiritual blessings. But if we do not overcome, we may begin to deceive ourselves and separate ourselves from Christ. We would become like the man of sin sitting in the temple of God, claiming to be God, just like Satan did when he sinned. We would be going back to the state we were in before we knew God, thinking we are still saved, like a dog that returns to his vomit. Proverbs 26 10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 2 Peter 2 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Our works would become lukewarm while we think we are rich and needing nothing, as is the case with the Church of Laodicea. This man must be removed as it says in: 2 Thessalonians 2 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: If not, the Lord will slay those who separate themselves from God and try to be like God without Jesus abiding in them. We are to be conformed into His image by allowing Christ to live through us as we worship and obey Him. We can get into a state of being lukewarm and saying in our hearts that we are rich, and we have become wealthy, and have deed of nothing when we become content with just going to church and sing a few songs and walk away thinking we are really something. God really used me I have the best gifts of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual pride is at the heart of being lukewarm not money. Itís that look at me look at what Iím doing instead of looking at Christ manifesting His grace through us. Someone doing hot or cold works that has money to spend has more freedom to do good works than a person who is broke and feels ashamed to burden to anyone by asking for financial help. If we become lukewarm and lose our crown it would be because we have not taken up their cross and denied ourselves and spiritually die in the waters of baptism. Therefore Christ would not be abiding in us to do the hot or cold works. Remember how we covered the topic about being caught up and the coming of the Lord. The hot and cold works maybe looked at symbolically when two people have been caught up and they are opposites in ministry. One can be like a positive charge and the other like a negative charge that produces lightning when working together. Each supplying what the other does not have to produce fire from heaven that would consume the wick with Holy Ghost conviction. We would see real revival in the land as people turn their hearts to the Lord so that they can have what they never dreamed possible, Immanuel Christ manifesting Himself through them. But first they must know him as Jesus savior and Lord. The coming of the Lord is like lightning going from the east to the west. A positive charge nowadays is known to be hot and the negative charge cold. In the works of the Lord we can see a kind loving God who gives mercy and grace to those that love Him. Than on the other side there is a God to be feared to those who hate Him. This would be the cold or negative side. We can see according to: Romans 13 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. God has His ministers who execute His wrath to those who do evil. I use to think that those who were cold were those who hated God but I see it differently now. A few good examples of cold works would be, in the way Jesus dealt with the Pharisees, He even said to Peter, get behind Me Satan, when Satan was speaking through Peter. Or when Jesus took a whip and over turned the exchange tables in the temple and said, it is written My Fathers house shall be called a house of prayer. In Acts 5:1 ñ 11 when Peter dealt with Ananias and Sapphira for holding back a half of what they sold their house for and pretending they were giving all that they sold it for. There are many more situations where cold works were done. In most churches today they would say that to do cold works is not Christian love. While it is true that an immature Christian may say or do things out of their own hurt, making a mess out of a situation. Whereas someone who has the anointing to do these unpleasant cold works, in Godís eyes they are dealing with a situation out of tuff love. Tuff love will have every ones best interest in mind even if that means throwing Satan into the lake of fire. Hot works are harder for some to do, especially if we had a ruff up bringing. Showing forth a kind and caring Spirit is easier if we came from kind and caring homes. But if we didnít that should make us more bound and determined to do hot works, because normally we would desire them shown to us. Give and it shall be given. Jesus does not mention spiting out of His mouth those who were hot or cold. And the cold ones were in His mouth along with the hot ones. Only the lukewarm ones have to worry about being spited out. Revelation 3 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Note in Rev. 3: 16 that the Laodiceans are abiding in Christ by symbolically being in the Lordís mouth, but Christ is not abiding in them because Christ says that He stands at the door and if anyone opens the door He will come into him and dine with him. It is Godís will that both are in affect not only us abiding in Him to be seated in heavenly places enjoying salvation. But to have Him abiding in us also so that He can share in His Glory with us on His thrown as He manifests Himself through us to judge the nations. Jesus endured the cross for this joy of sharing with us Himself. Hebrews 12 2 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.To think that we can miss out in sharing in the true glory and become like God without Christ abiding in us is of the same sin that Lucifer fell into, being pride. And it is that same situation that Adam and Eve fall into after eating from the tree of knowing good and evil, they became like God. Before they had sinned they were created in Godís image. And to think that we can be abiding in Christ seated in heavenly places in Him without Him abiding in us should make us wonder why. I would say that it is because we lost our Crown of life and allowed the old nature to creep back in. That man of sin sitting in the temple of God causing our works to be lukewarm while claiming to be rich and lacking nothing. Only God is truly rich and lacks nothing. Like the Church of Philadelphia they are no more to go out of the temple of God Rev.3: 12, likewise we to are to remain in Christ and have Him in us, if not we lose our crown. Thank God Jesus gives us time to overcome to have that man of sin taken out of the way by the Holy Spirit so that Immanuel Christ can come in and truly abide and manifest Himself to the world through us who overcome. If we overcome this spiritual lukewarm-ness we shall truly inherit all things. We will need the Spirit of Judgment and the Spirit of Burning to be able to overcome this final temptation so that we can receive the reward of having Immanuel Christ manifesting Himself through us as a King of kings and Lord of lords sitting on His thrown in our heart. The mercy of God is everlasting to those who repent and love Him. Jesus offers to sells to us all that He is and has. The gold ì divine nature ì that was tried in the refinerís fire, His white garments ì righteous acts imputed to us ì so that we do not have to present our good ìlukewarmî works that are like filthy rags, and to buy the eye salve so that we can see through the eye of faith the Kingdom of God and all the spiritual things that He is willing to show us. His divine nature and righteous acts and the ability to see the things in the Spirit all for the price of our spirit, soul and body so that Christ can manifest Him self through us as we sit on His thrown in Him at the Great White Throne Judgment instead of being the one judged. Christ not only wants to abide in our Spirit and our mind but He wants to manifest His works through our body. There is a song called ìWe are His handsî that says it in part. As we go through this journey of faith in life it becomes more obvious why it is faith, hope and love that will remain and last forever. Having faith in a God who was and is and is to come is very real and has the ability to be Spirit and the ability to manifest Himself in the flesh. Jesus Christ being the first fruit of those born of the Spirit. Now we who receive Him are them that become the Manifested Sons of God because Jesus is the one who is manifesting Himself through us. This is what it means to have Christ abiding not just in our heart and mind, but through our body as well. When Christ is not manifesting Himself through us as a thief in the night we can share in His glory and be as an angel of mercy and share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are to be saved and delivered from this world of sin. Or some can proclaim that the life style of spiritual Babylon is fallen, or some can warn people that are antichrist that they are in danger of receiving the mark of the Beast or that they may already have. On the negative or cold side, some may become a minister of God who will execute His wrath to those who do evil if they qualify for Godís Army during the Kingdom Age. Either way, be Zealous and let Christ work through you. | ||
| Pheeki (Pheeki) |
Look what we have to look forward to as over comers (thanks to Jesus). Remember the definition of overcomer is... 1 John 5: 1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes,(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes,(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)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 Revelation 2:26 To him who overcomes(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nationsñ Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. Revelation 3:12 Him who overcomes(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes,(who believes Jesus is the Son of God.)I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Isn't that awesome! It sure takes the fear out of the end times! | ||
| Brad_2 (Brad_2) |
Pheeki, not only do we not need to fear but in believing in the Father and the Son we overcome self and recieve the fullness of the God head into our life, being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our faith overcomes the world, however in our spiritual grow we may lose our first love that we had when we first came to Jesus. Even though we have over come the world and still believe in the Father and the Son. Many professing Christians revert back to having a stoney heart as the Church of Ephesus, and on it goes. When we growing up physically we hopefully stop doing things that will hurt us and others around us. Growing spiritually in the Lord is not much different. If it was not so then way is there divsions in the body of Christ. And why would some cause others to stumble or tolerate extreme wickedness in the church. It's because each and every one of us has grown to some degree but to the degree that we fall short to dying to self and not taking up our croos to follow Jesus we need to overcome. Not the world we already overcame that when we first believed. I and would like to say what we do not overcome on our own the Holy Spirit helps us by abiding in us as we grow spiritually. If we desire to do what Jesus is doing right now we would all be come intersessors in prayer for one another because that is what Jesus is doing. And the Holy Spirit helps us to pray the perfect prayer. By bearing one anothers burdens we fulfill the LAW of Christ. And Jesus fulfilled the LAW on the cross bearing our burdens. By strenghtening one another we become strong and strong enough to overcome anything even death. |
