Laodicea - The Self-Sufficient Church

Revelation Chapter 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;

In John 18:37 we see an interesting conversation between Pilate and Jesus.  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Pilate found Jesus to be telling the truth or he would have charged him with a crime.  I heard one preacher say he would not be surprised to find Pilate in Heaven.  When he found himself politically forced to crucify Jesus because of the jealousy of the Jews, according to custom he wrote the charges against Jesus on a plaque nailed to His cross in three languages.  The plaque said, “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews (John 19:19).  While I’m sure there was a fair amount of getting even with the Jewish leaders for forcing his hand, Pilate did everything he could to free Jesus.  He even offered to release Him but the people preferred a murderer to the Son of God (Mark 15:6-11). 

This was part of Laodicea’s problem; they didn’t want to be persecuted or embarrassed for their faith.  Unfortunately there is little choice in the matter because there are few areas where spiritual warfare is going to take place like true Christianity and the world.  If you are a Christian and experience no warfare you are not serving God properly.

This rather pointedly shows in John 8:39-45.  The Jews earlier had impugned Jesus’ character by saying he was an illegitimate child of Mary and he in this chapter claimed their father was the devil.  This was not a polite discourse but a powerful battle between Israel’s elite and this upstart from Nazareth.  It is apparent that Jesus came out ahead.  The one most important statement made by Christ is that He spoke the truth.  If Jesus was not the son of God, the Messiah, then He was a bald faced liar.  He could not have been a wonderful teacher of love and grace alone because His sole claim was that He came to bring us the truth of the Word of God.

At the end of verse 14 above he declares Himself to be the beginning of creation.  Only GOD is the beginning of creation.  He IS the AMEN, the Word of God, the only begotten Son of the Father.  Jesus is God!  Matthew 7:7 says, “If you seek, ye shall find.”  In January 2006, Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri, an Orthodox Rabbi in Jerusalem kept praying to God that he might know who the Messiah is.  He was 108 years old.  Before he died he wrote what God said to him and told them not to open the envelope for a year.  The same month he died, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel suffered a stroke and was hospitalized.

After the year passed his successors opened the envelope to be shocked by his proclamation.  He said the Lord told him that Jesus, the Savior of the Christians was the Messiah.  He continued to state that Jesus would return again after Ariel Sharon died.  After reading this I looked up Ariel Sharon.  I remembered his stroke and thought he had died years ago.  The former prime minister is still living though in a coma.  When he is shown photographs of family or hears their voices there is strong brainwave activity.  It is seven years since Rabbi Kaduri wrote his prophecy.  Ariel Sharon is 85 years old and still holding on.

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rabbi Kaduri dedicated his entire life to his God.  He appears to have been a man of great prayer and was greatly beloved.  Jesus said, “Seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”  This honorable Rabbi had nothing to lose; he only wanted to know the truth.  According to his understanding of scripture he had to wait for a Messiah who appeared to be somewhat late.  That did not prevent him from seeking God with passion and purpose.  Our God honored him for this dedication and personally whispered the name of our Savior to him.  Whether you are a minister or not God expects you to press into His work for your life with passion and purpose.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

If you don’t press in…  God prefers those who are passionately against Him or passionately for Him.  Paul was PASSIONATELY against Jesus.  He was wrong but because he thought he was right God corrected him and gave him the greatest of all the New Testament ministries.  God’s question to him was, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me.  I’m too hard and too powerful to kick against.”  Here was a man who dedicated his life to God and the eradication of the Christian sect.  Once he learned the truth he became every bit as zealous as the other Apostles; in fact, he received his wisdom by direct transference from God (Galatians 1).  This is the passion God requires. 

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:

This church had money.  It was filled with business men, doctors and lawyers who dressed well and lived in the finest houses.  Notice it says in verse 17 that they were PROUD of their wealth and believed they needed nothing.  Well does Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25 say that it is easier for a huge camel to walk through the eye of a tiny needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.  Rich men never need to trust God for a meal, a place to sleep or clothes to wear.  They sit at the best tables in the best restaurants and get all the best medical treatment. 

In this case Jesus Himself informs them that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.  His focus is concerned with the spirit and not the flesh.  Anyone living a life of flesh and not spirit is dead and does not live.  Even a rich man must die to glorify God.  Many times they are led to divest themselves of all their wealth to serve Him.  Zacchaeus was one such rich man who made the difficult decision to serve God fully (Luke 19:5-10).

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.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ…  Jesus is telling these rich men to bring gold tried in the fire so they may be rich, covered in white raiment and no longer naked.  Peter reminds us that the gold He is speaking of is our faith.  It is more precious than gold and even though your faith may be tried in the fire, it will not burn up.  Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to serve God (Hebrews 11:6).

Rich men rarely feel they need faith, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).  They buy what they want and purchase what they need.  This tangible ability to buy whatever you want is often so blinding that you don’t even see the intangible needs of the spirit until it is too late.  Money can’t buy you peace of mind or a joyous spirit.  These things are freely given by God at great expense to Him. 

The raiment (clothing) he is speaking of here is righteousness and holiness.  The blindness is an inability to see spiritual things because you are so overcome by carnal.  Your heart feels like it is drowning in grease and you have no air to breathe.  You need the eye salve of God’s word to cause all the scales of blindness to fall from your eyes (Acts 9:18).

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Let’s look at Mark 7:22 below and examine it for areas we might need to grow and mature.  If God never rebuked you for your sins, it means He doesn’t love you.  His response is to be ZEALOUS and REPENT.  That means you don’t quietly bow your head and say, “Lord, I’m sorry; forgive me.”  It means that you passionately and fervently repent with your whole heart.  Apostle Paul repented so zealously that he abandoned his entire life for the service of the King.

Mark 7:22 Coveting (a greedy desire to have more wealth), dangerous and destructive wickedness, deceit; unrestrained (indecent) conduct; an evil eye (envy), slander (evil speaking, malicious misrepresentation, abusiveness), pride ( the sin of an uplifted heart against God and man), foolishness (folly, lack of sense, recklessness, thoughtlessness).  23 All these evil [purposes and desires] come from within, and they make the man unclean and render him unhallowed.

The Laodiceans suffered from all of these issues.  They wanted more money which led to destructive wickedness.  What is that?  It is when the sin in your life begins to trick you into committing greater and greater sins until the very weight of sin begins to crush you.  Your decisions become more and more flawed and your skills are warped and twisted.  You begin to use falsehoods and deceit to get what you need when you would never have even told a white lie before.  Your conduct which was once holy and gracious slips each day until you will do anything; dare anything.  You begin to envy what others have accomplished and become angry at the unfairness of your position.  It doesn’t matter that they have earned everything they have; it only matters that you do not have what you want.

Once you become deluded and feel disrespected, it is a simple step to lie about and against those others.  You no longer care what they have worked for; only what their successes make your failures look like.  You begin to speak evil of them and in so doing you believe your words of anger and falsehood.  You begin to treat them badly and believe you deserve the honor they have worked so hard for.  In your pride you begin to doubt that even God knows what He is doing.  Surely He sees you and knows you deserve better? 

You become a fool, a man or woman who has fallen into their delusions until nothing of honor and humility is left.  Your comments become reckless and without thought.  People no longer seek you out and that makes you even more angry.  All this happens from the inside and once it festers and breaks out in a vile disease, you have become unclean.  Your heart no longer bears the words, “Holy Unto The Lord.”  Beware of this deadly downward spiral.

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.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.

You will notice that these people have left Jesus on the outside.  He is no longer the fairest of ten thousand in their eyes.  In spite of his shabby treatment Jesus seeks an audience and humbles Himself enough to tap on YOUR door.  He is not demanding or insisting; he is requesting an audience with you.  His request only lasts for a short season.  Once it has borne as much fruit as possible He will cease knocking and then Judgment will come.  On that day it will be too late and your opportunity will be ended.

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.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

At first it appeared that Jesus was speaking only to his 12 disciples, but on further reflection it is apparent he spoke to the body of Christ at large.  There is an opening here; an opportunity if you will, to serve God through Christ, and to sit with Him upon His throne.  Most of us are familiar with the scripture that states we will judge the Angels (1 Corinthians 6:3), but how many are aware that we will also judge the twelve tribes of Israel?  This might mean a judgment of their actions throughout history, but that would be stepping more into God’s area of judgment and punishment. 

I believe it is more likely that we, in our glorified, regenerated state, will be called upon to oversee and judge their actions as the evangelicals of the Earth.  Israel has often failed her responsibilities to God but upon reflection and judgment has stepped up and gotten it right.  During the thousand year reign Israel will be the primary body carrying the news of the Savior of mankind and we will be the overseers.  We will be the overseers because we have been tested in the fires and have come forth as pure gold.  We will no longer be unholy and unrighteous nor will we be ruled by the passions that made the Laodiceans unworthy.

Throughout history God has allowed his judgment to fall against the Jews.  Churches which hold that Israel is no more and God has invested ALL their promises to the body of Christ have failed to acknowledge that they have been as shortsighted and arrogant as Israel ever was.  Israel’s responsibility to mankind was that of divine witness of God’s grace and love.  Their failure to understand and embrace His holy call forced judgment upon them.  Instead of standing as the faith filled bearers of truth they have become a evil watchword and angry hissing amongst the nations far in excess of any grief they have caused past, present or future.

God has reestablished His people in their place and no Christian church or people will EVER destroy what He has begun.  The only members of the body of Christ who will be allowed to judge Israel and her future are those who no longer do so out of anger or a sense of self-righteousness.  We will be Christ in that day, faithfully carrying out the responsibilities of the head as any good body does.  He will be the head.  We will be the body.  We will sit on His throne bearing Him up.

Jesus said, “I and my Father are One.”  If we do what we do for vainglory and pride then we are not one with the Father.  If we rather submit and surrender to God and serve Him faithfully in all things then we will rule and reign with Him.  Notice what is says in verse 29 above:  … every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 

What have you forsaken for the name of God?  What have you forsaken for your Savior?  Have you done all you might to surrender your flesh, your feelings, your purposes or are you still wallowing in your natural passions and failing to serve God with a pure heart.  No nation or people who oppress Israel have ever survived or failed to be punished in an extraordinary manner.  They have been wiped from the face of the earth or like Germany, split in two.  In spite of two thousand years of examples much of the body of Christ still holds the idea that we have REPLACED Israel in God’s work and this is a lie.

Israel failed God many times but God’s mercies are new every morning.  His current punishment has lasted this long because OUR opportunity for salvation had to bear all the fruit it might.  Now that we are coming to an end and sin on the earth is once again on the rise, God will soon remove us and turn again to Israel, His chosen witness and bearer of glad tidings.

One final point regarding the purpose of Israel in God’s current plan.  God promised that Jesus would sit on David’s throne.  This has never happened.  When He arrived on the Earth Israel no longer ruled themselves.  Jesus will only sit on David’s throne after Armageddon, after Israel is rescued by God during the final battle and from that throne He will rule Israel with His body…us.  It can hardly be David’s throne if no descendants of David are around to be ruled.

Will you be among those who are received up into Heaven or will the lure of carnal pleasures and wealth drag you down.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Beloved, this phrase by Jesus occurs at the end of his admonitions to each of the seven churches.  I pray you hear what the Spirit of God says to you and that you do not allow the flesh to lead you astray.

Blessings,

Bishop J.

Philadelphia - The Enduring Church

Revelation Chapter 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;

Every letter to every church had a specific beginning salutation.  To Ephesus He is the one who holds the seven stars in His hand.  To Smyrna He is the first and the last who was dead and is alive.  In each case He meets the needs of every church because each church is different in their struggles, gifts, strengths and weaknesses.  Philadelphia means ‘friendly city’ and Jesus wants them to know that they must be holy and true as He is Holy and True.  He will go on to say they have a little strength and we must understand that no matter how little our strength may be, Jesus will multiply that strength and make it enough.  With HIS strength an open door will remain open and a closed door will remain closed.  Jesus is our victory and not we ourselves.

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.

Jesus is telling Philadelphia that He knows their works and is somewhat pleased by them.  They are pressing in with the little strength they have and He has honored their faith by opening a door that cannot be shut.  They have obeyed His Word and have not denied His name.  Now you might ask yourself who would deny His name?  Well…what about churches who teach about God’s love and the grace and mercy of our Lord but NEVER mention His name?  You need not declare that Jesus is NOT Lord to deny Him.  Ignoring His Name and Sacrifice and Resurrection is every bit as bad as cursing Him; especially if you CLAIM to be a Christian. 

Last week the Catholic Pope said that God will honor and receive someone if they come to Him sincerely, no matter if they speak of Christ or not.  Galatians 4:10-12 makes it perfectly clear that there can be no salvation in any name other than Christ Jesus.  It even explains that the very people of God, the Jews, were offended by Christ’s coming and refused to receive Him. 

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.

The church in Smyrna had the same problem with false Jews.  Jesus goes as far as to say they are the synagogue of Satan.  In their pride and arrogance they will be forced to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and will even worship before the feet of the Body of Christ, the church.  Jesus expects us to continue to love Him and in return, He is more than faithful to love us in return and will not abandon us.

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.

Consider that Jesus laid down His deity for the sake of our future.  He endured becoming a man and living through the various stages of infancy, childhood, parental submission and obedience.  He sat in the classroom and learned His scriptures while His Spirit must have been shouting in His ears, “Yes!  This is YOU!!!  You are MY Son!”  He went through all His hours of temptation so you can make it through yours.  He went through all His trials so you might have His strength in yours.  He came to know and understand the world so He can make intercession for you and one day try those who refuse to receive Him and His promise in John 1:12.

One day He will come again and receive all His own into glory.  Seven years later He will return and judge all the sons of the earth who have no knowledge of Christ nor a desire to worship the Savior of mankind.  On that day however, the lost will declare that Jesus is Lord (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11).

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Peter 3:10 say that Jesus will come as a thief in the night.  Matthew 24:43 reminds us that the only way we can survive that coming is to be one with Him when He comes.  This is the same theme and will happen in the same way as Matthew 25:1 where the wise virgins keep enough oil for the lamp so they do not go out before the bridegroom comes. 

We know that oil is the Holy Spirit and we know that no man comes to the Father unless the Holy Spirit draws them.  You cannot faithfully wait for the Lord’s return unless the Holy Spirit keeps your heart and lamp lit.  He can take that little glowing ember of faith and fan it to a fire without quenching it.  I have faith in God.  If I should doubt myself what is that to Him as long as I believe in what I might accomplish in Christ Jesus.

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.

There are two large pillars in the middle of my church in Riverside, California. I always believed that I was one pillar and Bishop McGinnis was the other.  That was important to me to know that as long as we stood strong it would be alright because God would handle the rest.

Are you a pillar?  What does a pillar do?  It holds up the roof so it can’t collapse under its own weight.  The pillars allow the architect to raise up great structures because the pillars will not quit or become too tired to carry their weight.  When God makes you a pillar you are no longer a wanderer nor a lightning bug flitting from church to church.  You have become dependable and trusted to carry a load that never gets lighter and often gets much heavier.  To be a pillar in the house of God is a great honor and rarely gets the recognition they deserve because they do it for their love of God and His people.

The final honor of a pillar is that you have become one with the temple of God in the New Jerusalem.  God’s name is written on your heart even as the High Priest carried the words, “Holy Unto The Lord.”  When God has finished with this world we will continue as pillars in the House of God and will be one with God forever.  There is a name that no man has heard nor understands that God will write upon our hearts on that day.  It will be a name above every other name and we will bear it up proudly.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

There is no place for pride or falsehood in the body of Christ.  Jesus has come that we might have more abundant life and we owe it all to HIM.  There is a part of me that wishes to be recognized for my works that I have done in Him but thankfully I am outgrowing this desire.  One day my only prayer and joy will be to say, “Not my will but thy will be done; on Earth as it is in heaven.”  Satan stumbled because of pride.  Many great men of God stumbled due to pride.  Take care beloved that you do not become one of them.  Be the pillar of God beloved.

Bishop J

God's Plan of Salvation Before Noah

GENESIS

Chapter 5

1 This is the book of the generations of

Adam.  (Man)

MAN IS

In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name

Seth: (Gen 4:25 – Appointed)

APPOINTED

4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: 5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. 6 And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat

Enos:  (To be incurable, mortal, frail, miserable)

MORTAL

7 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters: 8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

9 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat

Cainan (Keenan not Caanan):  (Sorrow, dirge)

SORROW

10 And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: 11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

12 And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat

Mahalaleel: (Mahal – Blessed, Praise  El – God)  (The Blessed God)

BUT THE BLESSED GOD

13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: 14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.

15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: 16 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat

Jared (Shall Come Down)

SHALL COME DOWN

eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: 17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

18 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat

Enoch:  (Teacher)  Prophesied about the second coming of Jesus.

TEACHING

19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.

21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat

Methuselah:  (Muth – Death, Shalach – Send Forth or Bring) (His Death Shall Bring)  

THAT HIS DEATH SHALL BRING

The year Methuselah died the flood came.

22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat

Lamech:  (Lament, despairing)

THE DESPAIRING

26 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: 27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years (God’s grace in action:  Methuselah’s life was the longest in the Bible): and he died.

28 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: 29 And he called his name

Noah (To bring relief or comfort).

COMFORT.

saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed. 30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters: 31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. 32 And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Sardis - The Invisible Church

Revelation Chapter 3

Sardis or Carnelian is the name of a stone occasionally used for Jewelry, primarily signet rings and the like.  It is a reddish stone that varies from deep red to almost flesh toned.  According to Ezekiel the Sardis was part of Lucifer’s beauty. What stunned me was the fact that this stone was not only represented by the church that Jesus visited in the spirit, but that it also represented Reuben on the High Priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17).  This church has always been difficult to pin down because it is the church that has become obscure with no witness and no value.  Sardis is a stone that used to be of great value but is no longer worth much. 

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.

Notice what it says…  Jesus knew (past tense) their works.  They had a living name (past tense).  They are dead.  What can you say about Reuben?  The tribe had a great name, the firstborn of Israel, but they transgressed their father’s bed and slept with their step-mothers.  Jacob prophetically said they were unstable as water and would never excel.  This is not merely a man who sinned but is a spiritual ‘type’ that starts strong and fizzles out.  Reuben became the smallest tribe in Israel, virtually lost their place.  When the nation took over the Promised Land, Reuben was the only tribe with a negative population growth.  They almost faded away into nothing. 

Lucifer was God’s ANOINTED cherub.  He guarded the throne and was supposed to be a covering cherub.  All the precious stones covered him and the very first stone, the stone that would forever identify HIS character, was the sardius stone (Ezekiel 28:13).  His most important attribute, which was to be a precious gem, became worthless, common and despised.  Remember how we are to see the Bible.  It is pattern and prediction.  The patterns of the various people and ministries as God sees them are ALL portrayed in these seven letters to seven churches.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Proverbs 22:1 says that a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.  Reuben did not have a good name.  People EXPECTED the tribe to fail.  The name Reuben means, “Behold a son!”  You can almost hear the heavens replying, “Big deal.”  My last name in German means ‘Shepherd’s Staff.”  I suppose that is a propitious name for someone called into the ministry.  Most of my ancestors were shepherds in Bavaria.  I once knew a man with the same last name who enticed a young woman away from her husband and got her pregnant.  When she had the child, he dumped her and threw her out onto the street.  She kept telling me what a fool she was to have left her husband who had not deserved the treatment he received from her.  That other man who carries my family name took its meaning and ground it into the dust.  When applied to him it was sardius.

In Reuben’s case he polluted his name and his firstborn status so much that Jacob was forced to give it to his more righteous brother Joseph.  Your name is rather like your God given talents.  In the parable of the man who went to a far country and gave talents to his servants, he took the talent away from the servant who buried it and gave that talent to the one who had the most.  This really shoots down the prevalent attitude in America that those who work hard and earn a lot of money should give their money to those who do not want to work.  God believes that if you are not willing to work at employment AND keeping your name holy and pure then He will have nothing to do with you.

Sardis had dropped their high standards of holiness and God was standing at the door to bring judgment if they did not repent and change their ways.  Their danger was imminent.  Their name said they were alive but God said they had killed their name and were dead.  If your name is Christian and you are a thief and a murderer then you have KILLED your name and what it stands for.  You have a name that is alive but YOU ARE DEAD.  God holds our names in high esteem and expects them to influence our actions.  This is why naming a child should be a thought provoking and prayerful act.  I am thankful for my last name because my first name means nothing at all.  It is just a sound that identifies me.

I think about the performer Miley Cyrus.  Her name used to mean wholesome and loving but she has chosen another path and now it stands for degradation, profane and unholy.  She made those decisions.  There are so many sardius people in the world today who have been blessed with a tremendous set of gifts and have plowed them into the desert sand.  They will never produce fruit.

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.

There is a hope for these souls.  God can rejuvenate your name and empower it again.  Scripture says His mercies are new EVERY MORNING and great is His faithfulness to forgive and raise up.  The truly insidious thing about the people in this state is that they BELIEVE they have a strength and are still vibrant and alive but God says they are dead and He will come at a time they do not expect and bury them.

 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.

Isn’t God’s love and mercy wonderful?  It is possible to have a name within a name.  You may belong to the group but aren’t really a part of it.  You might have the same name but a different spirit.  Everyone in your family may dress like a sex worker, cuss like a sailor and lie like the Devil but you may walk a higher and nobler walk.  They may mock you and defame your character but Jesus said you will walk in the white of purity because you are worthy of His grace.

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.

Jesus is poised over your church, your house, with an eraser in His hand to blot your name from His book but your humility and repentance will cause Him to pause and withdraw his hand.  Rather than erase you he will stand up from his throne and pronounce your name and explain that your name is alive; your name is full of life and your name is worthy of notice. 

6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Any fool can ignore Jesus when He is trying to offer you life.  Many do.  If you are of a different spirit however, you can respond and repent.  You may invite Him into your heart and save your eternal soul. 

Blessings beloved.

Bishop J.

Thyatira - The Jezebel Church

Revelation Chapter 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;

We must always examine which name Jesus uses when He begins these letters.  The name He chooses for Himself explains why He has come to each church and in retrospect, to each of us.  With Pergamos He was the sharp two edged sword of judgment and in Ephesus He was the one in charge but even more, the one who will never leave you nor forsake you.  Ephesus might choose to forsake their bridegroom but He remains faithful.  Here his eyes are like unto a flame of fire and his feet are like fine brass.  Since it says “like unto” or “like” we understand that He is not really a flame of fire or fine brass, but His attributes are attributes of judgment and holiness.

In Numbers 13, Korah the son of Levi was the Jezebel of their day.  Moses led the Children of Israel out of their bondage and Korah, filled with arrogance and pride rebuked Moses and his own father Aaron and accused them of leading God’s people without God’s direction.  He truly believed that he was the better choice to lead the people of God and that his elders were out of touch with the people and with God.  Like Absalom, Korah was also respected for his leadership abilities. 

Moses proposed a test to determine who was God’s choice to lead.  Everyone who felt God was leading them would prepare a censor to hold before the Lord.  It was forbidden that anyone except those who God specifically ordered to do so would carry the fire of God.  Only holy vessels might carry it.  Besides Korah and his closest friends, 250 men carried censors of God’s fire.

Fire purges sin but fire also destroys unless the grace of God in Christ preserves our lives.  We need the fire but we MUST have His grace to receive it and live.  At Moses’ commandment Korah and his closest friends stood in one area and the rest of Israel stood in another.  Without any preamble the earth opened up and swallowed them all alive, men, women and children, in just a moment of time.  Israel was filled with terror but God was not yet finished.  Fire came out of the altar and devoured the 250 who dared to present the holy fire of God with impure hearts. 

Sadly, the Children of Israel were not yet delivered of their pride.  The next day they murmured against Moses and blamed HIM for murdering the people of the Lord.  They actually blamed Moses for opening the earth and swallowing Korah (who was very popular) and for the fire that came from the Altar and devoured the 250 who carried the fire of God in their pride.  That was too much for God to accept.  He wanted to destroy all Israel but Moses had Aaron the first High Priest rush in great haste to the altar and carry a censor filled with the fire from the Altar and run through the camp.  In this way they stood between the living and the dead.  Before the end of the day, fourteen thousand seven hundred died of plague.  It is never a good idea to murmur  against God or His chosen servants.  They might even be wrong, but He will judge.  You do not have that grace unless they are under your leadership.

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.

Thyatira was a strong, vibrant, living church in a largely industrial town filled with many different professions.  Lydia of Acts 16:14 came from Thyatira.  The problem with the town is that you had to be a part of a guild to have a profession and each guild had their own patron deities.  These people worked hard and were extremely business minded but they also worshipped hard and frequently let that hard charging business mindset overcome them.  Notice verse 19 above.  Jesus listed works at the beginning and at the end, Thyatira was the Alpha and Omega of church workers.  Yes they were charitable and loving and served.  Yes they had faith and even patience.  They also had more than a little pride. 

Most of all however, they had their works.  Works began their day and ended their day and if they felt their ideas were better than someone next to them they would do it their own way.  This attitude created a church with individualism raised to a high level and unity suffered.  They would obey the Word of God as they saw fit and if you disagreed, they would not always refer to scripture but opinion to meet the disagreement.

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.

Jesus appreciated all the works done in Thyatira but not if it was going to go against good doctrine and godly living.  There are many Jezebel spirits in scripture but the actual story of Ahab and Jezebel is in 1 Kings 18.  In chapter 19 she threatens to kill Elijah for killing all the false prophets in Israel and in chapter 21 she lies and deceives to murder an entire family so she can get a vineyard for her husband.  It should come to no surprise to see someone like that declaring herself a prophet.  In 2 Kings 9:29 after Jehu had become King, Jezebel put on her makeup and jewels and tried to ingratiate herself with Jehu.  He refused to be taken in and had her killed for her sins.

Now, whether or not this was a different Jezebel or Jesus just used that name so you would know her character, the problem is the same.  Thyatira had allowed this woman to come in and through falsehoods and lies subvert judgment and corrupt the church.  The fact that they carry the same name is prophetic in the Jewish sense.  In Greek thought (which most of us follow), prophecy is prediction of some future event.  In Jewish thought (which God follows), prophecy is pattern.  If you see a pattern of behavior and God’s response is thus and so, it will always be thus and so.  In this you see God moving prophetically.  This makes it especially significant when God says, “You will see a new thing.”

This woman must have been one of the more powerful and respected of the guild workers in Thyatira.  She was listened to because of her corporate and commercial success, not for her spiritual insight and holiness.  People often feel that someone successful and well off must be spiritually discerning.  That need not be the case.  In this country we see famous actors promoting one political policy or another and they have a tremendous influence.  Sadly, as a group, they are the least godly in all of America.  We need scripture to be true and unchanging so we have a firm foundation to stand on.

There were only a few things gentiles are required to observe to serve God.  At one point the disciples gathered together to discuss this and with the help of the Holy Spirit chose a limited number of basic rules.  Some of the rules were:  Do not eat things strangled or offered to idols; commit no fornication or adultery; abstain from drinking of blood (Acts 15:20).  This had nothing to do with the actual meat but because of the spiritual sensitivities of the people though God has said frequently, “Life is in the blood,” and has placed drinking blood off limits (Leviticus 17:11).  The only time it is allowed is for our salvation.  We must spiritually drink Jesus blood (John 6:53).

Paul said that food offered to idols is not important except that some of us would feel convicted if we were to eat it.  God does not convict us of it but our own immature consciences.  An idol is nothing; it’s not alive and it can’t help or hurt you; but we get frightened by what we do not understand and we give power to a piece of wood (1 Corinthians 10:19-29).  Since Jezebel knew they would still have some fear of their old guild gods, she knew they would stumble if they ate food offered to them.  She herself may have still believed in the old gods.

As for fornication, we are allowed to have no gods but our Lord.  If we cheat on our husband or wife it is a TYPE or MODEL of the relationship we have with God.  Remember, in Jewish thought pattern is prophetic prediction.  Our heart toward our mate mirrors our relationship to our God.  If we can cheat on our spouse then we can certainly cheat on God.  This is why God is so serious about fornication or adultery.  If you are unmarried God does not allow trial sex or living together.  You either marry or stay celibate.  You are either saved and born again or you are NOT.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

In this case she must have been warned earlier and chose to continue to do things her own way.  Before the Torah was written down, Israel often went years, even decades without hearing what it said.  There were times when the law of God was discovered and the people were terrified because they realized how far they had fallen (2 Kings 22:8-19).  In 2 Kings it was too late to spare Israel but it did at least postpone the judgment.

We have no excuses.  We have our Bibles and we should know what they say.  Our greatest sin is to say the Bible is just a good book and not the Word of God.  We choose what we want to obey (if anything at all) and choose what we want to ignore.  If we interpret the Word of God to mean what is comfortable to us and throw out those places that are uncomfortable, we may as well change our names to Thyatira.  God will not hold us blameless for our lazy doctrine.  He expects us to believe fully.

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.

Politicians are men or women who may or may not believe in something but they have a great skill to make others want to follow their lead.  The great sin is a professional statesman who has no personal statement to make and no convictions to hold on to.  A Jezebel wants what they want and uses all her wiles to get what they want.  They will speak swelling words of high honor and spiritual increase while seducing men or women in whatever way it takes to have their way.

Perhaps an even worse consequence of their willfulness is that they will either lead the church leadership astray or will practice their wiles behind the back of leadership.  In the Pentecostal churches these so-called counselors are sometimes called parking lot prophets.  They know they are not allowed to minister in the church because the pastor has determined their spirit is not right so they wait until after the pastor goes home and continue to spread their poisons outside after services.  According to scripture these have a spirit of witchcraft as well.

God however will hold both she and those she seduces, responsible for knowing and obeying His word.  He has already decided on her future and warns her lovers and foolish supporters to repent or they will endure a tribulation like those who will be left behind in the Rapture.

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.

I knew a family who did not seem able to get the sword from their home.  One child died as a young adult, another had emotional problems.  One was murdered, also at a young age, and the forth suffered through an adulterous marriage.  I have always believed that there must be something unknown to me in their lives.  These were people who always served and did what was asked of them by the church.  They held Bible studies in their home and appeared quite holy.  I suppose they might have been like Job’s family when he lost everything (Job 1:13-22) but I don’t think so. 

There was another family who followed their father and he chose another route.  Within a year all three children were dead and the wife became deathly ill.  When she divorced her husband her disease left her.  Following disobedient people is a dangerous proposition even within your own family.

God examines our hearts and judges both our thoughts and our actions.  None of us will escape His sight or His justice. 

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.

There are times when we might live in such difficult times and places that all God expects of us is to live saved and die in faith.  I know that might seem useless, but each of us is being followed and observed by the lost and dying.  The book, “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” is filled with example after example where someone died in faith and violence who touched someone else by their death.  You are an eternal creature.  You must die at least once and God wants that death to accomplish something good.  He does not want us to die unused and unsung.  We are eternal beings and living a useless life in order to live a long one is a waste of oxygen.  It is better to live well for a moment.

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.

I wonder how many saints of God feel driven to accomplish something ‘special, outstanding or exceptional’ in their lives and believe themselves to be forced to accomplish those things NO MATTER WHAT!  I have seen bored saints, scared saints, tired saints and driven saints.  Those who are driven often push themselves beyond their calling or abilities so they might make that one connection that will raise them above those around them.  They might even be willing to make deals or choose partners that are not in God’s plan or their own best interests.  The truth is that God knows where you need to be and has a plan to get you there if you will simply ask Him and follow His lead.

In the case of the faithful in Thyatira, Jesus was simply thrilled that they were living a holy life in the midst of so much sin and temptation.  In verse 25 he tells them to hold on to the truths they have learned so far.  It is a warning not to link up with the devil in order to tap into his network.  No matter that ‘his’ network might get you more exposure, it will definitely get you EXPOSED.  Jesus doesn’t want you exposed in a negative way.  His promise is that when the time comes He will bring you before rulers.  God will bring it to pass.  The Apostle Paul never went anywhere without asking God for direction and never linked himself to anyone out of some desperate fear he would not be discovered. 

Go ye out into the highway and hedges and bring the love of God to those around you.  Eventually you will be known as someone who has the answers they need.  An overcomer is someone who endures to the end (Luke 9:57).  

Here is a simple and powerful truth; the one who endures to the end and lives saved; the one who uses the gifts God has given Him and has turned one talent into two or five into fifty; the one who has lived a humble and submitted life to God will one day RULE OVER all those arrogant and seemingly powerful men and women who once disdained to notice them.  We will rule then because God is honoring our obedience now in the midst of a disobedient and evil people.

On the day Jesus came to Jerusalem and read Isaiah to them (Luke 4:16-19), he stopped before he finished the passage.  That passage in Isaiah 61:2 ends with, “And the day of vengeance of our God.”  This is what Revelation 2:27 refers to.  God will have his vengeance over all those who have for so long ignored His love and mercy.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

I have read commentaries and scholar’s notes and  am not thrilled with any of their explanations of the morning star.  It isn’t even the same phrase in the Greek as in 22:16.  Verse 2:28 is proinos aster which is better translated ‘dawn star’ and 22:16 is orthrinos aster which is translated ‘early or morning star.’  Why the same author in the same book would use two different words is unknown though there was a reason and it is up to us to discover it.  God makes no mistakes.

I personally believe that as in Hebrews 1:3 Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, and we too will become the brightness of God in our glorified bodies.  This will be the dawning of a new day when light is indeed light and no longer perceived as darkness by the lost.  This will happen during the millennial reign after the battle of Armageddon when every nation on Earth will declare that Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is giving Thyatira this honor for their ability to stand in the midst of this fallen world.  They will be one of the first to see the Day Star arise (2 Peter 1:19), not just in our hearts, but in truth and deed on the Earth.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

When you read this…what do you hear?  Does my literal and absolute belief in scripture cause you to laugh at my ignorance or do you say, “Finally, someone who believes in the inerrant Word of God.”  This is an honest question because I have heard that most American Seminaries teach that most things in scripture are an allegory.  It is certain the Sadducees believed this.  They did not believe in the reality of angels, demons or spiritual warfare. 

I believe that one day science and doubters and skeptics will all bow down to the reality that is our God in Christ Jesus and declare that Jesus is Lord of ALL!  For many this will be a day of great sorrow.  For some this will be a day of great rejoicing.  What will it be for you?  What do you believe beloved?

Bishop J

Pergamos - The Double Minded Church

Revelation Chapter Two

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Before I broach the meaning of the name of the third church Christ wrote to, let’s look at the two edged sword.  There are only three other places in scripture where the two edged sword is mentioned.  One scholar translated this to mean that the swords moved ‘quickly.’  That pitiful explanation does not even begin to explain this statement in Psalm 149.  I want you to read this psalm and as yourself if you can apply this kind of authority to your own life.  Remember, your real strength does not lay in who you lead openly but in who you move spiritually in prayer.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: THIS HONOR HAVE ALL HIS SAINTS!

This is all one sentence.  The purpose of the two edged sword is to punish, bind and execute God’s will on those who will not submit to His Word.  It continues to say that all His saints have this honor.  By the law of first mention this should have put a great dread in the hearts of the church of Pergamos.  To have their Savior begin his letter by saying the Judgment of God is hovering over their church is terrifying.  The two edged sword is not an implement of protection.  It’s only purpose is judgment.  This is reinforced in Proverbs 5.

3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

As I said before, the two edged sword is solely for judgment.  In this case it judges illicit romance.  It begins with passion and excitement and ends with broken marriages and disillusioned children and congregations if you are a minister.  One might even say it is judging a perverted marriage since this man is finding love on the lips of a STRANGE woman.  If you want to take this path further, do a word study on WORMWOOD and see where it takes you, even in Revelation.  There are eight instances of wormwood in scripture and they all bring the sense of your sins eating you up from the inside. 

The gall or bile that most of them reference is the chemical in a body that dissolves proteins, in other words…you.  Disobeying the Word of God is a bitter experience that will eat you alive from the inside.  In many instances this bitterness comes out after the initial feeling of smooth oil or sweet honey taste.  What we are warned about is that Satan has a way of making all our bad decisions seem pleasant for a short season and then they will eat us alive.  Now let’s look at Hebrews 4.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

As you can see in verse eleven, the final warning is to abstain from unbelief and then it makes it perfectly apparent that this unbelief is referring to a lack of faith in GOD’S WORD.  To those who say it doesn’t take all that or that the Word of God is flexible and can be taken with a grain of salt, know this…God watches His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).  He will not let it fall to the ground.  His sword will judge you and your every thought.  There is not one dark secret that He is not aware of and He will hold you in judgment if you do not repent.

Having said all that, let’s look at the name Pergamos.  In this place, especially in this circumstance, the name means a perverted or illicit marriage.  It doesn’t matter if you spout volumes of words about love and noble character, if your ‘love’ is not in line with God’s Word you fall into the sin of Pergamos.  This includes but is not limited to sex outside of marriage, sex with someone other than your spouse, sex or marriage with someone of the same gender or even allowing yourself to entertain thoughts in that area.  God ordained the rules and basis for marriage and if you choose to find ‘love’ outside of His plan you too are a Pergamos church.

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.

Jesus isn’t a fool.  He knows exactly where your church is and whether you are in a place that is full of idolatry and sin and where you are hated for your faith.  He expects YOU to live holy and fully according to His Word.  Pergamum was a city FILLED with idolatry, sin, blaspheming and perversion.  It took a strong willed soul like Antipas to hold on when so many were winking and turning aside.  At the same time every Roman citizen was required to offer a pinch of incense to Caesar each year to buy and trade.  Simple yes?  Just a pinch and declare him to be a god.  You don’t even have to believe it, just do it and get your certificate.  The only problem you have is that two edged sword watching your life and comparing it to God’s Word.  Jesus didn’t argue about the difficulties they faced, only that He expected HIS church to be without spot or wrinkle.  The Devil likes to be creative.  Antipas was placed inside a brass bull shaped idol and it was heated till it was red hot.  It was said that he sang praises to God until he died.

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.

So, we’ve established that it was a difficult place to live in faith.  In the United States we have our own Pergamums like Las Vegas, Atlantic City and others less well known; places where prostitution and gambling are legal and sin is rampant.  I’ve been to airports in Europe where women come into the restrooms and clean while men are relieving themselves right in front of them.  They nobly claim to be above sexism and racism.  They call evil good and good evil.  Nevertheless people still live for the Lord in those places.  You just need to have a heart that is fully given to the Lord.  The problem is that certain unsaved religious people in these churches bring in ungodly ideas to ‘help’ the church.

In Numbers 22, Balak, the king of the Moabites was terrified of Israel.  Sadly, Go had told Israel to leave the Moabites alone but Balak didn’t believe it.  Israel was dwelling in the land God had given them and Balak hired Balaam the prophet to prophesy against Israel.  The story is quite long but the end of the matter is that Balaam told Balak to send his beautiful women into Israel’s camp and when the Children of Israel married them they would bring their pagan gods into the camp and Israel would no longer have God’s protection.  He couldn’t prophesy against a blessed Israel but for money he sure could teach Israel’s enemy how to remove the blessing.

Many churches today have believing unbelievers who take scripture with a grain of salt and think whatever unscriptural ideas they have to raise money or counsel people are God given.  They do not live separated lives of prayer and devotion to God and will do whatever they can to drag the church into the modern world.  They had this attitude two thousand years ago and they are still corrupting the church today.  There are sins we should never think of committing and these people coat them with a layer of sugar and honey to make them palatable.  These are they which say sexual perversions shouldn’t be judged because Christ died for those people.  They are like Satan telling Jesus to turn stones into bread so the church can be blessed (Matthew 4:3).  It’s just like Satan to try to prove spiritual things by allowing forbidden natural things. 

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, 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.

As for the Nicolaitans, some believe that you cannot come to God for yourself; that you needed a priest to show you the way.  Jesus said if you want to be a priest you should serve as a slave.  These people however, like the middle ages Catholic Church, said you had to come to Jesus through the church to be saved.  The word Nicolaitans means “Ruler over Laity.”  The laity is the ordinary members and these people believed you must come to Jesus through leaders only.  These people began to take the scriptures away from the people until one Catholic Pope said that salvation only came through the office of the popes and it was punishable by death to possess a personal Bible.  Today many churches can hardly get you to remember your Bible (even though it’s legal) to services and most Catholic churches don’t require you to bring one at all.

Notice that Jesus said, “Repent or I will come quickly and destroy you with the sword of my mouth.”  That is the two edged sword of judgment again.  God will overcome the false word with the true word.  The false word will not come true but the true word will.  Remember when Jezebel who had that same spirit brought 450 prophets of Baal and 400 priests of the groves into Israel (1 Kings 18:19).  Elijah came with the Word of God and ordered King Ahab to bring the false prophets to Mt. Carmel.  He had them prepare a sacrifice to Baal and he prepared one to the Lord God.  Whichever God lit the fire supernaturally was the true God. 

The prophets of Baal prayed for hours with no success while Elijah mocked them.  “Perhaps your god is asleep or on a journey or maybe he is relieving himself!”  They became so incensed that they began to cut themselves until they became faint with blood loss and still no fire fell.  He then repaired God’s altar which Jezebel had destroyed and poured water all over the sacrifice three times and prayed a simple prayer.  God completely devoured his sacrifice.  Elijah then put all 850 to death.  He used the word of God against them and God came through.  He burned the sacrifice, the stones of the altar, the water and even the dust of the ground.

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.

For the 3^rd time; “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  Once again, they needed to listen to God’s Word and take it literally.  When we come to the Lord we are given a name.  That name holds our life’s promise and skills.  It is who we are.  Our gift will make room for us and provide for us.  Like the wishy washy saints in ancient times were willing to burn incense to Caesar to keep their jobs so they might receive a white stone with their old name on it to use as a pass visit the coliseum and obtain bread, Jesus will also give this church a white stone if they are faithful, only his stone will have a new name to identify their new abilities.  This new name is between them and God alone.  We need to trust our Lord to give us this name and to remain faithful long enough to reap its benefits.

I’ve said it often in my lessons that the receiving of a name from God is a big thing.  Whether your name is prophet or priest or king it lets you know what God expects from you and gives you a head up to press on in a specific direction.  Jacob (trickster, supplanter) was called Israel (yis ra el – he will rule as God).  Saul (named after a failed arrogant king in Israel) was renamed Paul (little).  Why?  Because as we read in 2 Corinthians 12:7-8, Paul had a certain arrogance himself as a former Pharisee and needed to be reminded of where his strength truly lay.

Proverbs 22:1 says that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.  Ecclesiastes 7:1 says that a good name is better than precious ointment.  What can be said about men and women of God who ignore God’s Word and attempt to pollute His house with ungodly and immoral decisions?  My late Apostle could be frustratingly single minded in his commitment to scripture but when you looked back on his walk with God, confused and undecided would NOT be his names.  Integrity and certainty would shine over everything he did in Christ.

Beloved, it is difficult to obey scripture when our own governments and social peers may look down on us.  This does not make scripture wrong, it makes the government or peers wrong and our choice clear.  We must use all the weapons at our disposal to heal this breach.  The Bible tells us to pray for our government and to witness to our friends.  Be bold in the Lord beloved.  If only one soul is won or strengthened by your words and you meet that soul on judgment day it will be worth it.

Bishop J