Christ's Disciples: January 2014

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Revelation Chapter 2

The first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos no longer exist
The last four: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea still exist at Christ's coming

Nero: 64-68 A.D. (Paul beheaded)
Domitian: 95-96 A.D. (John exiled to Patmos)
Trajan: 104-117 A.D. (Ignatius burned at the stake)
Marcus Aurelius: 161-180 A.D. (Polycarp martyred in Smyrna)
Severus: 200-211 A.D.
Maximinius: 235-237 A.D.
Decius: 250-253 A.D.
Valerian: 257 -260 A.D.
Aurelian: 270-275 A.D.
Diocletian: 303-313 A.D. (the worst emperor of all).

EPHESUS

(Revelation 2:1 [KJV])
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;

Jesus is in charge over the Church
Ephesus is in Turkey
Great on doctrine, lacked devotion
This is a famous church planted by the apostle Paul (Acts 19)
Second Largest City outside of Rome in the Empire
Worshiped Artemis (Diana), the Huntress
Population 100,000 to 500,000
White marble city
20,000 seat stadium
Four pillars at the entrance, one for each apostle of authors (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). One is left
Seaport between Asia and Europe
Gladiator graveyard there
Today, it is a city of ruins, which is its only tourist attraction today.
About 2,000 B.C. became a city
"Where east and west meet"

Tourist: "Not only did Ephesus cease to be an important city, it ceased to be a port! The silt from a local river pouring out over time has actually removed Ephesus a distance of 4-5 miles (according to our Turkish tour guide Fahmi) from the ocean. As my wife and I personally verified, the view from the ancient harbor of Ephesus to the actual ocean is a long one. Currently, Ephesus itself is now just a bunch of partially excavated ancient ruins with two large parking lots, some souvenir stands, and apparently one camel for tourists to take pictures of. It no longer has any prominence, other than biblical and historical."

(Revelation 2:2 [KJV])
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:

Labor for God not unnoticed, and is mentioned twice
They had discernment
Left their first love
Jesus calls them back to repentance for a second chance
Jesus hates their deeds
Reference to end of Revelation (22:2, 14)
From Nicolaus, Nicolaitans wanted the former life with the Christian walk

Paul at Ephesus

(Acts 20:29-31 [KJV])
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

(Acts 19:26 [KJV])
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

Diana worship, idolatry
Temple of Diana was there
Demetrius the silversmith and goldsmith was upset with Pau lthere about his idol business (Acts 19), causing a riot of confusion, an uproar
Paul went here and told the disciples there about his future bondage in Rome by the Jews
Paul warned them there about the wolves not sparing the flock (Acts 20)

(Revelation 2:3 [KJV])
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

This is the life of a Christian following Christ
Carried a load, was patient, worked, did not lose heart

(Revelation 2:4 [KJV])
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Putting Christ first is everything
Putting Christ anything but is nothing
This is the first commandment

(Exodus 20:3 [KJV])
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

(Deuteronomy 6:5 [KJV])
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

(Matthew 22:37-38 [KJV])
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

(Revelation 2:5 [KJV])
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.

This is a call for a 180 degree turnaround
Often the discipling/learning/ministry we do when we first get saved is the most productive, meaningful, etc .
The choice is clear, repent of the church is gone

(Revelation 2:6 [KJV])
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Any churches which left Christ are no longer around today
First explanation: Nico=conquer + laitans=priestly order over laity, people
Second explanation: No way to know
Third explanation: Nicholas of Antioch, started a cult which taught that "One could indulge in sin in order to understand it." (J. Vernon McGee takes this one as best)
In any case, the Ephesian church rejected it
In the first explanation, this is certainly true. God does not want people lording over His sheep, as "spiritual leaders"

(Mark 9:35 [KJV])
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

(James 3:1 [KJV])
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

(Matthew 23:8 [KJV])
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

(Matthew 20:25-28 [KJV])
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(Mark 9:34-37 [KJV])
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

(2 Corinthians 1:24 [KJV])
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

THE ACTUAL ORDER, BY JESUS
(John 13:13-17 [KJV])
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

(Revelation 2:7 [KJV])
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.

Him that overcometh is a believer, and not all were/are believers, but there are always believers, wheat among weeds, a remnant who overcome
Notices Jesus is speaking to the churchES, not that church alone. That means us.
The term "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." is the only one repeated for all seven churches/ages
The plural churches is also for all of the churches in that area, and all churches throughout history, and our time, our churches as well.

(Revelation 22:2 [KJV])
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

SMYRNA

(Revelation 2:8 [KJV])
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

"The Martyr Church", 100-313 A.D., ending with Diocletian
"Was dead and is alive" is again a claim to deity, often overlooked or missed
God is the first and the last, and the One who was dead and is now alive
Wealthy city, even today
About 2,000 B.C. became a city
The name means also "suffering" and the word "myrrh" is in it
Myrrh is an herb that must be crushed to give off its scent
First place to accept Caesar worship, and it was compulsory
This would be a way to test your Christianity
Do not do this, burn at the stake
"City of Flowers", "City of Beauty"
It survives today as Ismir, in Turkey
Mostly bult by Alexander the last time
Former part of the Hittite nation
There are Christians there today, still under mulsim persecution
They had a temple of Zeus, one of Cybele (Diana), one Aphrodite, one of Apollo, and a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek religion.
Smyrna had a theatre, a stadium, music center, other amenities
It is still a wealthy city today
Polycarp, the bishop of SMyrna was martyred in the stadium, burned alive, 155 A.D.
His last words when asked to recant his faith were: - "Eighty and six years have I now served Christ, and he has never done me the least wrong: How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"
Still in existence, like philadelphia uncondemned in this letter
Edict of Toleration by Constantine ended the persecution at this time in 313 A.D.

During the reign of Diocletian an edict was issued to exterminate Christianity from the earth. The fatal day was fixed for Feb. 23rd. A.D. 303. No distinction was made of age or sex; the name of Christian was so obnoxious to the pagans that all indiscriminately fell sacrifice to their opinions. Houses were set on fire with whole Christian families inside. Stones were fastened about their necks; and being tied together, they were driven into the sea. This persecution lasted for ten years. Racks, scourges, swords, daggers, crosses, poison, and famine were only part of the tortures against the Christians. Is it any wonder that Jesus exhorted his followers to be faithful unto death?

SMYRNA: The Persecuted Church Age of Persecution 100 - 313

Smyrna, today a city of 250,000 which the Turkish call Izmir, is full of life, brightness and activity. At John's time the city was well over 1,000 years old and its coins boasted that it was the first of Asia in beauty and size. It was already a city of 200,000 at the time of this letter. Smyrna has always been situated on productive trade routes and continues to be a major port today. This city, situated 35 miles north of Ephesus, is currently the southeastern headquarters of NATO. In this letter Christ encourages this church, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. In 155, just about 60 years after this letter, the bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, was martyred at the hands of the Romans. Surely the words of this letter were in Polycarp's mind as he made his bold witness for the Lord, for as a boy, Polycarp had studied at the feet of St. John. According to tradition, it was Polycarp who read this letter to the church at Smyrna when it arrived.

Much of this letter concerns itself with the cost of following Christ. Eleven cities had applied for the honor of building a new temple to honor and worship the Roman Emperor. Out of them Smyrna was chosen. The people considered it a great honor to receive permission to build one of the most splendid temples ever for the worship of the Emperor. As a key center of religious allegiance to Rome, Smyrna received both status and wealth. Out of gratitude to Rome, Smyrna's leaders began a persecution of local Christians. The Roman's greatest prize in these persecutions was Polycarp, the leader of the great city's Christians.

The church there began as a product of St. Paul's preaching and continues strong to our own day. (Paul converted Polycarp's parents.) About half of the population is considered Christian even though the Muslims have dominated the area for over 1100 years -- a witness of the Lord's blessing of this church for which Christ had only praise in this letter in Revelation.

V. 9 Persecution for the faith had already begun but would be ended. Christ refers in v. 8 to His Resurrection as a comfort to those who shall lose all but Eternity with Christ and their own Resurrection at Christ's return. It was the Jews who would stir up the Roman authorities claiming that the Christians were against humanity and would not worship any Roman gods. These say they are Jews but are not, for being a descendant of Abraham is a spiritual and not a biological condition. (See Galatians 3;26-29 &18, Matthew 3:9, Romans 9:6-8.) In reality those who reject the Promise in Christ, no matter who their forefathers were, are the children of Satan and go to his synagogue (John 8:39-47). One of Satan's most effect tactics is to work under the guise of religion.

Here Polycarp was burned at the stake in 168 A.D. when he was 86 years old. He was converted in A.D. 82. Ignatos tells us that he was Bishop at Smyrna in 108 A.D. Turtullian tells us that he was ordained by John. Polycarp was urged to say "Caesar is Lord" but refused . He was brought to the stadium and the proconsul urged him saying "swear and I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ. Polycarp answered 86 years I have served him and he never did me any injury, how then can I blaspheme my Lord and Saviour." This church which was located 40 miles North West of Ephesus has been called the persecuted Church.

(Revelation 2:9 [KJV])
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.

They did well as believers
They suffered for the cause of Christ
They lacked material possessions, were rich in Christ
There is poverty of the physical and riches of the spiritual
There is perceived poverty and real poverty
Interestingly enough, Ephesians 1 talks about our richness through our spiritual blessings
People do not realize that the enemy has a synagogue, a church, a pew next to you.
There are churches and were then which are so heretical, yet think of themselves as the only ones with the truth, the chosen people of God. Many are cults, today many also are into occultic practices, weird practices, rituals, legalism, denying the Deity of the LORD Jesus Christ

Legalism
Gnosticism
Caesar Worship (idolatry)

Today, we also have "Replacement Theology"......"who say they are Jews and are not-the cause of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism

(Ephesians 1:3 [KJV])
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

(Galatians 6:16 [KJV])
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

ISRAEL, STILL GOD'S PEOPLE

(Romans 11:1-5 [KJV])
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
(Revelation 2:10 [KJV])

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.

Ten periods of persecution under ten wicked rulers
Notice who casts them into prison, ultimately
There is a special crown for martyrs, and they were faithful unto death.
What if God told us to be "faithful unto death"?

(James 1:12 [KJV])
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Under Nero, A.D. 64-68 (Paul beheaded, Peter crucified upside down)
Under Domitian, A.D. 95-96 (John exiled here)
Under Trajan, A.D. 104-117 (Ignatious burned at the stake)
Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, A.D. 161-180 (Polycarp martyred, gladiators)
Under Severus, A.D. 192 (Irraneus)
Under Maximus, A.D. 235( )
Under Decius A.D. 249 ( )
Under Valerian, A.D. 257 ( )
Under Aurelian, A.D. 274 ( )
Under Diocletian, A.D. 303-313 (worst of all, persecution specifically directed at Christians, killing 5,000,000 Christians)

THIS CENTURY AND THE LAST SAW MORE CHRISTIANS KILLED THAN ALL PREVIOUS CENTURIES COMBINED! 30-40,000,000 under Stalin, half or most Christians

Most of the Christians, through most of the last 2,000 years, through most of the world, have been persecuted. It is utter arrogance to think the American Christians will not be, even though we will not be going through the Great Tribulation.

(Revelation 2:11 [KJV])
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.

"He that overcometh" is a Christian
Born once, die twice
Born twice, die once (or is raptured!), no second death
This is one of the two churches that Jesus does not rebuke personally or "have anything against"
They also vercame doctrinal errors by being faithful Bereans

PERGAMOS

(Revelation 2:12 [KJV])
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

What is the sword?
Who is the author of that sword?
What is the significance of the two edges on the sword?
Per+Gamos, objectionable + marraige, objectionable marraiges

(Hebrews 4:12 [KJV])
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.

(Ephesians 6:17 [KJV])
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(Revelation 2:13 [KJV])
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.

The enemy has a seat in this church, in the pew right next to the believers!
Tertullian says he was a dentist/doctor who was a Christian, would not back down put in a huge brass bowl, put the bowl into the fire and fried him in the fire.
The Greek name Antipas means - he is the enemy of all, in opposition to everyone

(Revelation 2:14 [KJV])
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.

Numbers 22-23
Idolatry, things sacrificed unto idols, fornication, not things God likes to see in His people.

(Revelation 2:15 [KJV])
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

The doctrine and the deeds go hand in hand with anyone, as what a person believes determines what he does

(Revelation 2:16 [KJV])
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The Word of God has a way of taking down false doctrines when used correctly
When used incorrectly, it has a way of taking down the person wielding that same sword

(Revelation 2:17 [KJV])
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.

We have two ears, so we can doubly listen to what God has to say
We have two eyes also, so we can read about what God wants us to do

THE REST OF THE CHURCHES ARE INLAND

THYATIRA

(Revelation 2:18 [KJV])
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;

Apx. 590 A.D.-1517 A.D.
Romanism, the Dark Ages
It was inland from the sea (Macedonia, Turkey)
Very pretty place, like the rest of them
$pon$ored by Vespasian with lot$ of worker$
Built as a city for defense, originally by Lysimachus, then by Seleucus
The elite guard was there for Rome, and utterly destroyed, eventually
Very small amount of ruins there today, about one block long
Lydia, seller of purple (turkey red from a plant there) was from Thyatira
Apollo was worshiped there
Fire and brass=judgment, brass is produced in heat of fire
Tyrimnas, the tutelary god of Thyatira, represented with flaming rays and feet of burnished brass.
Son of God, not Son of man, Son of Mary

THYATIRA

THYATI'RA (thi-a-ti'ra). A city in Asia Minor, the seat of one of the seven apocalyptic churches (Rev 1:11; 2:18). It was situated in the confines of Mysia and Ionia, a little S of the river Lycus and at the northern extremity of the valley between Mt. Tmolus and the southern ridge of Temnus. It was one of the many Macedonian colonies established in Asia Minor in the sequel of the destruction of the Persian Empire by Alexander. The waters of Thyatira are said to be so well adapted for dyeing that in no place can the scarlet cloth out of which fezes are made be so brilliantly or so permanently dyed as here. So in the Acts (Acts 16:14) Lydia, the first convert of Paul at Philippi, is mentioned as "a seller of purple fabrics" from Thyatira. The principal deity of the city was Apollo, worshiped as the sun-god under the surname Tyrimnas. He was no doubt introduced by the Macedonian colonists, for the name is Macedonian. A priestess of Artemis is also mentioned in the inscriptions. The modern city of Akhisar, about 50,000 in population, marks the site of the ancient city in the territory that is now Anatolian Turkey. Nothing of the ancient city can be seen. Remains of a Byzantine church remind one that the gospel once came to this place. (From The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)

THYATIRA

(See LYDIA, the probable agent of carrying the gospel to her native town). Thyatira lay a little to the left of the road from Pergamos to Sardis (Strabo 13:4, who calls it "a Macedonian colony"); on the Lycus, a little to the S. of the Hyllus, at the N. end of the valley between Mount Tmolus and the southern ridge of Tetanus. Founded by Seleucus Nicator. On the confines of Mysia and Ionia. A corporate guild of dyers is mentioned in three inscriptions of the times of the Roman empire between Vespasian and Caracalla. To it probably belonged Lydia, the seller of purple (i.e. scarlet, for the ancients called many bright red colors "purple") stuffs (Acts 16:14). The waters are so suited for dyeing that nowhere is the scarlet of fezzes thought to be so brilliant and permanent as that made here. Modern Thyatira contains a population of 17,000. In Rev 2:18-25, "the Son of God who hath eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass," stands in contrast to the sun god.

Tyrimnas, the tutelary god of Thyatira, represented with flaming rays and feet of burnished brass. Christ commends Thyatira's works, charity, service, faith, and patience. Thyatira's "last works were more than the first," realizing 1 Thess 4:1, instead of retrograding from "first love and first works" as Ephesus (Rev 2:4-5); the converse of Matt 12:45; 2 Peter 2:20. Yet Thyatira "suffered that woman JEZEBEL (which see), which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Some self-styled prophetess, or collection of prophets (the feminine in Hebrew idiom expressing a multitude), closely attached to and influencing the Thyatira church and its presiding bishop or "angel" (the Alexandrinus and Vaticanus manuscripts read "thy wife" for "that woman") as Jezebel did her weak husband Ahab. The presiding angel ought to have exercised his authority over the prophetess or prophets so-called, who seduced many into the libertinism of the BALAAMITES and NICOLAITANS (sec) of Thyatira's more powerful neighbour Pergamos (Rev 2:6,14,16). The Lord encourages the faithful section at Thyatira. "Unto you (omit `and' with the Alexandrinus and the Vaticanus manuscripts, the Sinaiticus manuscript reads: `among ') the rest in Thyatira I say, ... I will put upon you none other burden (save abstinence from and protestation against these abominations: this the seducers regarded as an intolerable burden, see Matt 11:30); but that which ye have hold fast until I come." A shrine outside Thyatira walls was sacred to the sibyl Sambatha, a Jewess or Chaldaean, in an enclosure called "the Chaldaean court."

THYATIRA

(thi-a-ti'-ra) (Thuateira): Thyatira was a wealthy town in the northern part of Lydia of the Roman province of Asia, on the river Lycus. It stood so near to the borders of Mysia, that some of the early writers have regarded it as belonging to that country. Its early history is not well known, for until it was refounded by Seleucus Nicator (301-281 BC) it was a small, insignificant town. It stood on none of the Greek trade routes, but upon the lesser road between Pergamos and Sardis, and derived its wealth from the Lycus valley in which it rapidly became a commercial center, but never a metropolis. The name "Thyatira" means "the castle of Thya." Other names which it has borne are Pelopia and Semiramis. Before the time of Nicator the place was regarded as a holy city, for there stood the temple of the ancient Lydian sun-god, Tyrimnos; about it games were held in his honor. Upon the early coins of Thyatira this Asiatic god is represented as a horseman, bearing a double-headed battle-ax, similar to those represented on the sculptures of the Hittites. A goddess associated with him was Boreatene, a deity of less importance. Another temple at Thyatira was dedicated to Sambethe, and at this shrine was a prophetess, by some supposed to represent the Jezebel of Rev 2:20, who uttered the sayings which this deity would impart to the worshipers.

Thyatira was specially noted for the trade guilds which were probably more completely organized there than in any other ancient city. Every artisan belonged to a guild, and every guild, which was an incorporated organization, possessed property in its own name, made contracts for great constructions, and wielded a wide influence. Powerful among them was the guild of coppersmiths; another was the guild of the dyers, who, it is believed, made use of the madder-root instead of shell-fish for making the purple dyestuffs. A member of this guild seems to have been Lydia of Thyatira, who, according to Acts 16:14, sold her dyes in Philippi. The color obtained by the use of this dye is now called Turkish red. The guilds were closely connected with the Asiatic religion of the place. Pagan feasts, with which immoral practices were associated, were held, and therefore the nature of the guilds was such that they were opposed to Christianity. According to Acts 19:10, Paul may have preached there while he was living at Ephesus, but this is uncertain; yet Christianity reached there at an early time. It was taught by many of the early church that no Christian might belong to one of the guilds, and thus the greatest opposition to Christianity was presented.

Thyatira is now represented by the modern town of Ak-Hissar on a branch line of the Manisa-Soma Railroad, and on the old Rom road 9 hours from Sardis. Ak-Hissar is Turkish for "white castle," and near the modern town may be seen the ruins of the castle from which the name was derived. The village is of considerable size; most of the houses are of mud, but several of the buildings erected by Caracalla are still standing, yet none of them are perfect. In the higher part of the town are the ruins of one of the pagan temples, and in the walls of the houses are broken columns and sarcophagi and inscribed stones. The population of 20,000 is largely Greek and Armenian, yet a few Jews live among them. Before the town is a large marsh, fever-laden, and especially unhealthful in the summer time, formed by the Lycus, which the Turks now call Geurdeuk Chai. The chief modern industry is rug-making. E. J. BANKS

THYATIRA

[thigh uh TIE ruh]-a city of the province of LYDIA in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey) situated on the road from Pergamos to Sardis. The city was on the southem bank of the Lycus River, a branch of the Hermus River.

Although never a large city, Thyatira was a thriving manufacturing and commercial center during New Testament times. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of many trade guilds and unions here. Membership in these trade guilds, necessary for financial and social success, often involved pagan customs and practices such as superstitious worship, union feasts using food sacrificed to pagan gods, and loose sexual morality.

The Book of Revelation refers to a certain woman known as "Jezebel" who taught and beguiled the Christians at Thyatira to conform to the paganism and sexual immorality of their surroundings (Rev 1:11; 2:18-29). In the church in Thyatira, one of the "seven churches which are in Asia" (Rev 1:4), Jezebel's followers seem to have been a minority because the majority of Christians in this church are commended.

The apostle Paul's first convert in Europe was "a certain woman named LYDIA...a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira" (Acts 16:14). The modern name of Thyatira is Akhisar, which means "white castle."

(Revelation 2:19 [KJV])
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

This is the works salvation of the Dark Ages
thy works.............and thy works............
Faith without works is dead, and works without faith is also dead

(Revelation 2:20 [KJV])
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.

It is rumored that there was a woman like this there, who was a prophetess, probably not even called Jezebel (a type, a figure, a symbol)
Married to Ahab, he was the wickedest king until that time
Worshiped Ashtaroth, Semiramus, sex goddess, with groves of trees planted in a circle. ("shady activity")
The Druze came from this religious group
The Druze religion has its roots in Ismailism, a religio-philosophical movement which founded the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt in the tenth century. During the reign of al-Hakim (996 - 1021) the Druze creed came into being, blending Islamic monotheism with Greek philosophy and Hindu influences. Active proselytizing of the new creed was brief; since about 1050 the community has been closed to outsiders. The Messiah will be born to a man (they wear baggy pants), the priests only get to see the three "holy books" of the Druze.

Worldwide there are probably about one million Druze living mainly in Syria and Lebanon, with 104,000 in Israel, including about 18,000 in the Golan (which came under Israeli rule in 1967) and several thousands who emigrated to Europe and North and South America.

The Druze community in Israel has a special standing among the country's minority groups, and members of the community have attained high-level positions in the political, public and military spheres.
This is the Mystery Babylonian religion
Both spiritual (idolatry) and literal fornication happened under Jezebel. Spiritual fornication is in the O.T. throughout
Ashtaroth, called in Jeremiah 7, 40 the "Queen of Heaven"
It was also rumored that a woman started the church at Thyatira
Lydia the woman was one of the first converts there-could it be her?
If not Lydia, probably a woman leader, probably not even named Jezebel, but a type
Purple was the hot thing, from an herb, and a shell-fish Malux
Idolatry, as with the O.T. Jezebel, spread with the Roman Catholic Church throughout Europe
This is the time of the introduction of the worship of the Virgin and Child, the Mass for the dead, Indulgences, purgatory, rituals, popes, the Inquisition, departure from the Word
1 Kings 21, Jezebel and Naboth, his vineyard-exact representation and pattern of the Inquisition (money, land)

LYDIA
(Acts 16:14 [KJV])
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

JEZEBEL
(1 Kings 18:4 [KJV])
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

(1 Kings 18:19 [KJV])
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

After ELIJAH SLEW THE PROPHETS OF BAAL
(1 Kings 19:1-2 [KJV])
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

(1 Kings 19:2 [KJV])
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
(Revelation 2:21 [KJV])
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Grace extended and rejected is worse than no grace extended at all, and is not pleasing to God
The Roman System is still with us today, so obviously there was none then nor is there any repentance today

(Revelation 2:22 [KJV])
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Many of the Catholic nations in Europe and th Americas because Communist, and this could also mean the Great Tribulation, chapters 17-19
This has to mean that the R.C.C. will go through the Tribulation (chapters 17-19, the harlot, Mystery Babylon)

(Revelation 2:23 [KJV])
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.

The baptism of infants by the sprinkling of water will never save them
The offspring of these churches would die as well

REINS, n. plu. [L. ren, renes.]
1. The kidneys; the lower part of the back.
2. In Scripture, the inward parts; the heart, or seat of the affections and passions. Psa 73.

(Revelation 2:24 [KJV])
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.

This doctrine above, this religion is from the enemy, the "depths of satan"
There is a remnnat in this church, as is in others. This is "the rest of you".
The city and church had a brief period
It was filled with the serpent cult, called Ophi

(Revelation 2:25 [KJV])
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

This is very approppos for today even, and into the future, as this may be all we have left

(Revelation 2:26 [KJV])
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

This is the believer, the only one who "overcometh"
Works is one thing. Works for Jezebel is another. "My works" is for Jesus Christ
There is a rule for believers coming, over areas, nations

(Revelation 2:27 [KJV])
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.

We will reign as Christ reigns in our glorified bodies, with righteousness

(Revelation 2:28 [KJV])
And I will give him the morning star.

The morning star is Jesus Christ and no one and nothing else
The verse in Isaiah 14:12 has been changed to mean that Jesus fell from Heaven, using that same exact term, "morning star"

(Revelation 22:16 [KJV])
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

(Isaiah 14:12 [KJV])
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

(Isaiah 14:12 [NIV])
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

(Revelation 2:29 [KJV])
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Again, this is a general call to heed, to all of the churches, in all of the world, throughout all ages, until even today.
It was not heeded then

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Revelation Chapter 3

The first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos no longer exist
The last four: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea still exist at Christ's coming

SARDIS: Some facts

Sardis-Reformation Age 1517 to 1820: "but doubtless embraces the entire history of Protestantism to the end of the gospel dispensation" or "a dead church" Separation and return to the rule of Christ; many great names, but also deadness, and lethargy (Protestant centuries).
Probably begins with Luther nailing his 95 theses on the door of the chapel ata Wittenburg
Sardis was the capital of the Lydian empire, and one of the oldest cities in the empire
60 miles inland in Turkey (Asia Minor)
Well protected, high walls (1,500 feet high) even today, even a natural fortification with sheer cliffs, one path in, "impossible to conquer", like Masada
Relative safety and security, allowing one to put their guard down
It is considered one of the greatest cities of the ancient world.
Located on the banks of the Pactolus River, where gold was discovered, it was well watered by that river, surrounded by lush plains
Sardis was inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. The city was home to the famous bishop Melito in the 2nd century.
A ton of wealth, they even had a gymnasium with a bathouse!
Had a large, wealthy Jewish community
Had one of the largest synagogues in the world discovered here, largest outside of Palestine
They made fine textiles and carpets with their looms which were discovered ("Center of the carpet industry")
The ancient Lydians "panned for gold", literally by placing sheepskins in the water which collected the gold dust particles.
They also made jewelry with the goldand sold it to become a wealthy city; being Noted as a very wealthy city
Coins were first minted here in Sardis
Ruled by the Persians, by Alexander (c.340 BC), by Antiochus the Great, Creosus the Prince of Sardis
Creosus the Prince of Sardis considered "the wealthiest man in the world" and "Everything he touched turned to gold" (Midas touch)
Cyrus was outnumbered 2:1, but he followed Creosus to the city, put a seige against it and waited him out
Tiberius finally ruled it and tried to rebuild it in the Roman Empire, which made it a very important city in the Roman Empire. Having spent money on it, some think they paid him back by putting in idols and temples to the pagan gods and goddesses of Rome
It was destroyed by an earthquake, but is still there in ruins
Temples of Diana the goddess of the moon (or Cybil), Apollo the sun god, Artemis, etc.
The Roman Road Paul walked on is there and being restored, as is the gymnasium and synagogue being restored today
It was a very wealthy Jewish/Christian city, like Beverly Hills today, or Manhattan

THE BATTLE OF THRYMBA
In 547 B.C., Cyrus laid seige to the city for fourteen days, and took it from Creosus in the Battle of Thymbra. It was then added to the Archaemenid Empire. The Ionians and other Asiatic Greeks then later had a revolt against Cyrus, which was finally put down by Cyrus's elite leader General "Harpagus the Mede" in 542 BC.

SARDIS

(Revelation 3:1 [KJV])
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.

Protestantism is a church and is dead spiritually, steeped in formalism, ritualism
This does not even start out with nice words of encouragement
Only other church to get this as an opening is Laodicea
To live and be dead is a condemnation of the highest order
"I know thy works"-NOTHING GOOD IS SAID ABOUT SARDIS
Throughout all of the seven church ages listed, the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is over the churches
The number seven means perfection, and He is perfectly LORD over all of them in every way.

I KNOW THY WORKS

(Revelation 2:2 [KJV]) EPHESUS
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:

(Revelation 2:9 [KJV]) SMYRNA
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.

(Revelation 2:13 [KJV]) PERGAMOS
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.

(Revelation 2:19 [KJV]) THYATIRA
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.

(Revelation 3:1 [KJV]) SARDIS
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.

(Revelation 3:8 [KJV]) PHILADELPHIA
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.

(Revelation 3:15 [KJV]) LAODICEA
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

(Revelation 3:2 [KJV])
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Be watchful:

Creosus was very worried about the growing Persian kingdom and power
He went and offered gifts to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
An oracle told him that if he went to war and attacked the Persian ruler, Cyrus the Great, then "a great empire would be fall and be destroyed."
Based on this"revelation" of the Oracle at Delphi, Creosus attacked Cyrus
Creosus was repelled by Cyrus and retreated back to Sardis
Cyrus retaliated after following him back and Cyrus and his army then set up a siege.
Creosus failed to realize that it would be HIS empire that would fall!
Cyrus the Persian then followed him back, offered a reward for the capture of Sardis
Cyrus's army was greatly outnumbered
A member of Cyrus's army saw a guard literally nod off regularly, and his helmet fell off
The guard went down through a crevice to get his helmet and this soldier
The soldier figured that the city could be entered through this crevice and then went in with some other soldiers at night, while everyone slept and took it quietly
THE CITY WAS BASICALLY UNGUARDED, ASLEEP, "SAFE AND SOUND"
Cyrus did not Croesus' life, but made him his advisor
Sardis became the headquarters for Persian empire in western Asia Minor.
The Persians built the famed Royal Roman Road, a 1,600-mile-long commercial highway from Sardis to Babylon.

THEY WERE CONQUERED BECAUSE THE GUARDS WERE ASLEEP OR NOT ON WATCH

(Revelation 3:3 [KJV])
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.

Mind and heart to remember, ears to hear and hands to hold, feet to repent and turn around-top to bottom
Those asleep will be caught by surprise when the Rapture hits

(1 Peter 5:8 [KJV])
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

(Revelation 3:4 [KJV])
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.

As in all of the churches, there are the remnant who are saved
There is a difference between not defiling a garment and defiling it and having to clean it

(Revelation 3:5 [KJV])
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.

John's raiment was camel's hair
Jesus said not to worry about raiment in this life-the new ones will be nicer anyways
You also cannot blot out a name from the Book of Life that is not already in there
It is not universal salvation, but God's desire that all be saved
Not all will be saved though; most will reject salvation

(2 Peter 3:9 [KJV])
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(Revelation 3:6 [KJV])
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This call, once again, goes out again to all Christians everywhere today
We are to learn from all of these churches

PHILADELPHIA

(Revelation 3:7-8 [KJV])
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; 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.

The Revived Church, the Reformation, The Great Awakening, The Great Revival, The Enlightenment
Philadelphia is inland 150 miles, considered "heathen, barbarian, Greek territory", in Lydia, Anatoly area of Turkey
Wine country. Originally Bacchus was worshipped there, at the temple of Bacchus.
A.D. 17 destroyed it and Sardis, et al. Tiberius spent a million dollars in today's money rebuilding them all
Amphitheatre there where Christians were killed by Turks, a pillar is still there, destroyed by Turks to hide the slaughter
Also an Acropolis, theatre
Missionary church, faithful church
The remains of a Byzantine church there, so it was from the first century to 1,200 A.D., Christianized area
Now typical Turkish town, and is subject to earthquakes, why people left, coupled with persecution, slaughter
This is a quote of Isaiah 22:22
This is one of the two churches which Jesus does not openly rebuke, and this one
This key is to rule, government and authority officially over all men
Jesus is the rightful Heir and Ruler to the Throne of David, by succession
The true church has "little strength", as opposed to the Faith Movement with "POWER!"
This is just how it is today, and not a condemnation
Today, in Arabic, it is calleed "The City of God"

(Isaiah 22:22 [KJV])
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

(Daniel 7:14 [KJV])
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

(Revelation 1:18 [KJV])
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

(Isaiah 9:6 [KJV])
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(Job 12:14 [KJV])
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

GOD SHUTTING THINGS THAT NO ONE CAN OPEN

Noah into the ark
Heaven from having rain
Sarah's, Rachel's and Hannah's wombs
Hearts and eyes (Isaiah 44:18)
Entire cities (Jeremiah 13:19)
Jeremiah's prayers (Lamentations 3:8)
The gates of His temple (Ezekiel 44:2)
The mouths of lions (Daniel 6:22)
The door to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Matthew 25)

(Revelation 3:9 [KJV])
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.

This is the church of Smyrna then, and today the "Replacement Theologians"
They are also called the "Kingdom Now" people and deatl with un "The Road to Holocaust" by Hal Lindsey
The Holocaust started 100 years earlier with........."Replacement Theology"
Jews are "rejected of God because they rejected and killed Christ"
Romans 9-11 has be be read, with the rest of Scripture, rightly divided, not privately interpreted
It does not say they will worship the Church of Philadelphia, but "at their feet", worshipping Jesus Christ

(Revelation 2:9 [KJV]) SMYRNA
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.

(Revelation 3:10 [KJV])
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Bible is called "the Word of God's patience" here, because the Bible is the Word of God, this book is part of the Word of God, shown and dictated to John, included in the canon of Scripture, ending with what ends God's patience with man and the enemy after 6,000 years.
God has waited about 6,000 years now to complete this which was begun in the Garden-perfect fellowship with an unfallen mankind
We are not of the world, just in it, so this time of tribulation is for the inhabitants of the world
This is judgment day, which is not for the believers. Jesus was alreayd judged for us in our place, so we are not under His Wrath.

WHY WE ARE KEPT FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION

(Ephesians 2:3-9 [KJV])
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(1 John 2:15-16 [KJV])
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

(Revelation 3:11 [KJV])
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

This cannot be to the individually saved member of the body of Christ
This cannot be the crown of life, since the unsaved do not have it and the saved have it can cannot lose it, so no man can take it from us
This is a reward crown of s+ome sort, for being faithful (hold fast which thou hast), fast meaning tight, hard, glued to

(Revelation 22:6 [KJV])
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

(Revelation 22:7 [KJV])
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

(Revelation 22:12 [KJV])
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

(John 10:28-29 [KJV])
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

(James 1:12 [KJV])
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

(Revelation 3:12 [KJV])
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.

Him that overcometh is the believer in Christ, the church, about to enter Heaven

(Revelation 3:13 [KJV])
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Again, this is for us today and all believer throughout Church history

LAODICEA

(Revelation 3:14 [KJV])
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;

The creation of God here is not the physical creation, since Jesus Christ is not a created being
This is the spiritual re-creation of Christians snatched from death to life

THE NEW CREATURE
(2 Corinthians 5:17 [KJV])
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

CHRIST THE CREATOR
(John 1:3 [KJV])
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(Ephesians 3:9 [KJV])
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

(Colossians 1:16 [KJV])
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

(Revelation 1:5 [KJV])
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS
(1 Corinthians 15:20 [KJV])
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

(1 Corinthians 15:23 [KJV])
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

(Colossians 1:18 [KJV])
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

(Revelation 1:5 [KJV])
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

(Revelation 3:15 [KJV])
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Lukewarm Christians are in and seemingly of th world, indistinguishable
They are always ineffectual, not savory, not like
This is the current statae of Christianity worldwide today, with very few exceptions

(Matthew 5:13 [KJV])
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
(Revelation 3:16 [KJV])
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Being lukewarm means one foot in, one foot out
Being lukewarm means being double-minded
Being lukewarm means not working for the LORD, but for the flesh and the world and the enemy
There is no neutral territory with God

(James 1:8 [KJV])
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

(James 4:8 [KJV])
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

(Joshua 24:15 [KJV])
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
(Revelation 3:17 [KJV])
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:

James again deals with this issue in the churches
Spiritual blindness makes us poor.

(James 1:10 [KJV])
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

(James 5:1-6 [KJV])
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

(Revelation 3:18 [KJV])
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.

True riches are from Christ, not the world's riches
His clothing is His blood, from Genesis 3 to the end
Sin causes shame in nakedness, and we are naked without Christ

(Revelation 3:19 [KJV])
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Like any parent, what is best for us
What is best for us often is painful, like rebukes and chastening
One way to know we are loved is this very discipline
Discipline is not punishment, since we are not judged for sin

(Deuteronomy 8:5 [KJV])
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

(Proverbs 13:24 [KJV])
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

(Hebrews 12:6-7 [KJV])
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

(Revelation 3:20 [KJV])
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.

God is a gentleman
Knocking a door does not mean the person on the other side will open it
This verse shows God is outside the Laodicean church, not in the sanctuary
Why is the door shut?
Is this the natural position of a man's heart to God?

(Revelation 3:21 [KJV])
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.

This is one of the hardest things to overcome, the dead, apostate church

It is like gravity pulling us down
We cannot resuscitate ourselves
It is sinful to stay in that condition, closed to Christ
The majority of the rest inside are against you
The reward is to reign with Christ, since He overcame sin for us

(Revelation 3:22 [KJV])
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Repeated again, for the last time-ever now in all of history, to the last church

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Sabbath Keepers Refuted

The Sabbath Keepers Why Sunday, and not the Sabbath?

Exodus 20:1-2, 8-11
(2-3)
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage...........

8-11
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Commonly called the Ten Commandments, keeping the Sabbath day was important to God for the Jews, who were to be different than the heathen nations around them. They were also given the sacrament of circumcision, and precious promises of land, and a promise of the Messiah to save them from their sins. That promise begins in Genesis three at the Fall of Adam and Eve

The Sabbath is referred to some 147 times in the Bible, ninety two times in the Old Testament, and fifty five in the New Testament, in all four Gospels, and in every single instance, there is the Jewish overtone, Jewish culture, Jewish location. Even the land was to be given a Sabbath rest by the Jews and, when they did not, God gave it rest by putting them into bondage for 490 years (seven times seventy).

Because legalism goes against Grace, because the false (heretical) teaching of "keeping the Sabbath” is clearly indefensible and against the Scriptures for any Christian, plus the fact that we are not in any way, shape or form the Jews, and do not get one bit (iota, actually) of our doctrine of the Sabbath for the Church from the O.T. (again, we are not Israel) and because the Sabbath is not for Gentiles, not the Church, and because the Sabbath was not made for man, and most certainly not us in the Church…………as we again……..are not Israel.

The Bible clearly states, cover to cover, in every instance of the Sabbath references, that the Sabbath was for the Jews alone, that the LORD'S day today is Sunday (first day of the week) for the Church, and that Jesus Himself is our only Sabbath Rest.

(Mark 2:27) And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

First off, there is zero Scriptural support of the Sabbath-keeping position; therefore there is no obligation to show Scriptures to defeat the idea that Christians are to keep the Sabbath.

But I will anyways. Hopefully some Sabbath Keeper will read this and repent.

As you read this, please try to search the Scriptures like a Berean and locate scriptures supporting the Sabbath for the Church today. THe question is asked of Christians who do not keep the Sabbath, "Why not the Sabbath?"

The Bible itself replies to that legalistic inquisitor, "Why not Sunday?"

If the Sabbath were for the church, the body of Christ, the Bride at His Coming, it should be very easy and fast to find a ton of verses in the Scriptures supporting the Sabbath Keeper's hypothesis:

Saturday is the LORDS day for the Church, in context.
Sunday is NOT THE LORDS day, in context.
Sunday is not “the first day of the week” spoken of in the Bible, in context.

Acts 20:7
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

My Scriptures are below, and presented with the context because I thought it necessary to expose the lies of the Sabbath Keepers(“ Please present scriptures supporting it.”)

(Acts 28:27)
For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Study the Bible for yourself. It shows clearly where Jesus abolished it and stated precisely so (He said so when his disciples broke it!) Completely by being our rest. The burden is never on a Christian to show that the Sabbath is not for the Church, it is on the Sabbath Keeper to show that it is for the Church.....

One just needs to show from the Bible that The Sabbath is:

TO BE KEPT BY CHRISTIANS (There is zero obligation to show from Scripture that the Sabbath is not to be kept)
By being a Christian, one has an obligation to show where it in fact IS to be kept (verses in context) by the Church, with not just the Jews alone being required to keep it-to show it in Scripture, in context (all of it). IN CONTEXT, not verses taken out of context.
That Sabbath keeping is, in fact, for Christians, from Scripture, (showing it in context, all of it) that the Sabbath is to be kept (period) by Christians, showing in Scripture, (in context, all of it) that it is NOT fulfilled in Jesus(like He Himself said)........
Show where the Pharisees were right about keeping the law and Jesus was wrong about rebuking them for requiring His disciples to keep it, (which they did not)
Show where even one PART of a verse presented here was taken out of context, twisted to make it adhere to non-Sabbath Keeping, Biblical Christian beliefs.
Show where Jesus or His disciples kept the Sabbath as an example to us (HE never once kept it) for for the simple purpose being to be in obedience to God and the Scripture, and (most importantly in 2013) where He commanded the Church itself to do the same, in context. Use any N.T. author you like in regards to the Church.
Show from the Bible where Jesus HIMSELF kept the Sabbath.........(HE did not once ever keep it; He in fact violated it, because He gave it, revoked it to become LORD over it)

There exists not one verse which a person who searches diligently as possible can find and supply, in context, in defense of the keeping of the Sabbath for the Church, nor can one refute not keeping it, using the same Scriptures, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, in its context, line upon line, precept upon precept, which clearly show us it is not for the church:

(Matthew 12:1-10)
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

(Luke 6:1-2, 5)
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

(Luke 6:5)
And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Otherwise: Jesus lied
Otherwise: Jesus broke the Sabbath
Otherwise: Therefore, Jesus was not God, and not our Saviour.
His own disciples violated the Sabbath, and Jesus Himself defended them and did not rebuke them in any way, but rather the Pharisees
Jesus rebuked the Seventh Day Adventists and told them that HE SPECIFICALLY was THE SABBATH, not a day at all.
The disciples were clearly working on the sabbath and violating it
They were WITH JESUS HIMSELF
Jesus gave them an example of David breaking their ceremonial laws also, right out of their own Scriptures
Their own hypocrisy is exposed by Jesus, and they excuse themselves from breaking the same law, profaning the temple on the same Sabbath days
Jesus is above and over all, LORD of all, above that same temple and they profane Him, and excuse that as well
He tells them He is LORD over the Sabbath
He then heals on the Sabbath day, in front of their eyes
He then exposes their own hypocrisy again by reminding them of their own work on the Sabbath, for their own good

(Matthew 24:20)
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE:

Speaking to the JEWS about their Tribulation, "Your flight" (that is, JEWISH FLIGHT, not the Church's EXODUS).
Jesus knew that they would have to leave to survive if this were on a Sabbath Day.
He also knew that, if given the choice of death versus life, they would violate the Sabbath to live

(Matthew 28:1)
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Jesus arose on the first day of the week, which is now our Sabbath rest..........(below)

(Mark 1:21)
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

(TO JEWS, in the synagogue, not a church)

(Mark 2:23)
And it came to pass, that he (Jesus) went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

They violated the SABBATH! Jesus was not a Seventh Day anything!

(Mark 2:24)
And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Why do “they”, that is, Jews, not KEEP the “required to keep” SABBATH?

(Mark 2:27)
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Thank you JESUS, for VIOLATING AND BEING THE SABBATH FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

(Mark 2:28)
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Jesus told the Pharisees:

To back off
That He was not going to KEEP the Sabbath
That His disciples were not either
That He abolished it, being the Law Giver, He can do away with any law He wants to.
That no one needs it

(Mark 3:2)
And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. Sounds like a bunch of legalistic Seventh Day Adventists to me. (Mark 3:4)
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

Why did they hold their peace, unlike modern Seventh Day Adventists? Because Jesus did not Himself keep the Sabbath, and abolished it, becoming it, and they could not refute Him.

(Mark 6:2)
And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the (JEWISH, not Christian) synagogue(not church): and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

(Mark 16:1)
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

(Luke 4:16)
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Jesus’s custom was a JEWISH custom, not the custom the Church.
Jesus went into a synagogue, not a Church building, on that Sabbath

(Luke 4:31)
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

“THEM” is the JEWS, not the Church…

(Luke 6:6)
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

(Luke 6:7)
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

(Luke 6:9)
Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

(Luke 13:10)
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

Jesus taught on the Sabbath (HE worked)
Jesus was watched by legalists (modern day Seventh Day Adventists) on the Sabbath
Jesus specifically asked about healing on the Sabbath if it was lawful (according to SDAS, it is not)
Jesus then violated that Sabbath and healed on the Sabbath
Therefore, Jesus violated the Sabbath, plain and simple
Either Jesus was a lawbreaker (and not a Saviour) or the Sabbath was not a law any longer.
You simply cannot have it both ways

(Luke 13:14-16)
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

(Luke 14:3)
And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

According to the Seventh Day Adventists, no!
According to Jesus, YES!

(Luke 14:5)
And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

(Luke 23:56)
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

These were JEWS, not the CHURCH!

(John 5:9)
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Jesus VIOLATED THE SABBATH!!!!!!!!!

(John 5:10)
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

(John 5:16)
And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

(John 5:18)
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him(JESUS), because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Only legalistic, or unsaved, misguided people persecute Christians for not keeping the Sabbath, like the unsaved Pharisees………

(John 7:22)
Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

Again, legalism and the Sabbath destroyed………..it was not in the law of Moses, but of “the fathers” (legalism)

(John 7:23)
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

"You Seventh Day Adventists, you actually KEEP A LAW I do not even require any longer?"

(John 9:14)
And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

· That sinner Jesus, working on the Sabbath???!!

(John 9:16)
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. Jesus was not of God because He keepeth not the Sabbath? Really? And we are to follow a person who HIMSELF did not keep the SDA SABBATH??? SDAbbath keeping is pure evil.

Acts 13 Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.(including the keeping of the Sabbath) Acts 13, verse 42
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

verse 43
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:44
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

PAUSE

They (Jewish Christians as apostles) went to the synagogue, on the Sabbath
To be heard of Jews and their leaders
These Gentiles understood and naturally assumed, knowing and witnessing that the Jews went to that same synagogue each Sabbath, that this was then the time to hear these Jewish/Christians apostles speak
The whole city was not able to fit in any synagogue, nor were they allowed to even enter, on any day, let alone the Sabbath-and the court of the Gentiles was not large enough to fit the population of an entire city!

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue (a JEWISH TEMPLE, not a church) on the sabbath day, and sat down.

(Acts 13:27)
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

Rulers, because “they knew Him not”… Seventh Day Adventists know Him not……..and are lost.

(Acts 15:21) For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.................to the Jews, not the Gentile Christians (Acts 17:2) And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them (JEWS) out of the scriptures,

(Acts 18:4)
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

(Romans 14:5-6)
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Our “regarding not the “Sabbath day” is not to be anything at all.
We are to be fully persuaded to keep it, from the Scriptures
Since it is NOT a sin to not keep the Sabbath, allow me, according to the Bible.

(Galatians 4:9-11)
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Being saved (knowing God, known of Him)
We are not to turn back to the Law, but to walk in Grace
These actions are called "beggarly elements"
The Sabbath Keeping puts one into bondage to the law, as legalism
Observation of the Sabbath day is here under "ye observe days"
Paul thought that his discipling them was a complete waste of time if they did this, and was afraid for them

BEG'GARLY, a. Mean; poor; in the condition of a beggar; extremely indigent.
BEG'GARLY, adv. Meanly; indigently; despicable.

(Colossians 2:16)
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: I do not regard the Sabbath as Saturday. I regard Jesus as my Sabbath. I ALREADY gave verses showing that Jesus HIMSELF declared HIMSELF to be the LORD of the Sabbath, thereby (with His disciples breaking it and He defending them against the lie of SDAism) One does not need verses to show that Sabbath keeping is heresy. One needs to simply study the Bible for themselves and not study web sites and post links. I regard the LORD'S DAY (AS He Himself declared) as the "first day of the week", not the Sabbath:

(Matthew 28:1)
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

(Mark 16:2)
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

(Mark 16:9)
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

(Luke 24:1)
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (John 20:1) The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

(John 20:19)
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

(Acts 20:7)
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

(1 Corinthians 16:2)
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

That same “first day of the week is Sunday, even today, and is “the LORDS Day”

(Jeremiah 31:31)
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

According to Seventh Day Adventists, God is incapable of making any “new covenants “ without their permission.

(Hebrews 8:13)
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

You live under the OLD COVENTANT, which was made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, not the Church at all, at any time. Show me a verse where N.T. Gentile Christians (or Messianic Jews, for that matter) were instructed by Jesus or any N.T. writer to actually continue to follow the Jewish-given Sabbath.

The CHRISTIAN SABBATH, HEBREWS 3-4:

1 Corinthians 10:11-12
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

The Old Testament accounts are for us to learn by, take heed of, not to be legalistic and miss the mark, not to miss the Cross, concentrating on Jesus and not ourselves and outward appearance in “keeping the law”, knowing it Did the Jews no good in trying to keep it-ever.

The “rest” taken or forsaken, spoken of in Hebrews, is two things:

The account of the Jews who did not enter into the Promised Land because of unbelief, so spent their lives at war, in turmoil, unsatisfied, hungry, angry, etc.
The peace, rest from believing in God’s salvation through belief in the Coming Promised Messiah
This second part is our rest also

HEBREWS CHAPTER 3:

Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

After the order of Melchisedek
Eternal, everlasting
All powerful, still interceding on our behalf

Hebrews 3:2-5
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Moses had a ministry to the Jews for deliverance
Jesus Christ has the ministry of deliverance, reconciliation, salvation and so much more......plus HE built the whole house of Israel, and is the Creator of the universe.
Moses as a type of deliverer, but nothing compared to God Himself, Jesus Christ

Hebrews 3:6
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

This is our salvation-acceptance, grace through faith, belief

Hebrews 3:7-11
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

To day was for them every day, an opportunity to believe, a hand outstretched
The trials were to bring them to faith in their God, not harden them away from Him
Instead, they did not mix these trials with the faith and refused to look at them through the eyes of faith, so proving, tempting, hardened themselves against God
This resulted in the wandering in the wilderness , much like a wayward Christian today

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

The departure from God is not from keeping a day, but rather unbelief, which God calls an evil heart
This is to be watched for, guarded against diligently

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

True Christian believers are partakers, not rejecters who are subsequently therefore rejected

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

Some believed, some did not……..same as today, same then
Mankind never changes

But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The rest promised was both salvation from sin and salvation from heathen sinners-it was going home-peace on all sides in the land
It was not even a day, this rest

HEBREWS CHAPTER 4:

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

The gospel and their acceptance of it, was to be their rest, and now for sure ours
They were restless because they refused that Gospel

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

This is the origin of the Sabbath, the Genesis One Creation account
Believing that Gospel which they and we heard is our rest
God is done with Creation, Jesus Christ is done at the Cross, we simply need to “enter into that rest” through belief

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

We get our week from the Creation account, not from the sun, moon, stars or anything else
This is the design given for the Sabbath Day rest for the Jews

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

This Sabbath keeping by them was one way to separate themselves from the pagan, heathen Gentile nations around them, like circumcision was as well
Interesting how Seventh Day Adventists do not insist on circumcision also

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Another day” is any day we can decide to rest in Jesus Christ, like was offered to the Old Testament Jews
They never got rest simply because they did not believe in the promised Messiah even when they kept their lawful Sabbath

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Again, this rest is not a day, but a person, Jesus Christ

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Keeping the Sabbath is a work, which we are exhorted to cease from, as with all works
We walk by faith now, for the law has no power over us if we do
We are under a new law, and have the Holy Spirit in us to help us walk in it
If we break one part, we sin in all
So if a man keeps the Sabbath, but lusts in his heart, he breaks the rest of the commandments
If he walks in the flesh and not in the spirit, he also breaks the laws.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Hebrews 4:11
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

SO FAR, NO MENTION OF CHRISTIANS KEEPING THE SABBATH

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.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Revelation Chapter 2

Revelation Chapter 2

The first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos no longer exist

The last four: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea still exist at Christ's coming

EPHESUS

SMYRNA

PERGAMOS

THYATIRA

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Revelation Chapter 3

Revelation Chapter 3

The first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos no longer exist

The last four: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea still exist at Christ's coming

SARDIS: Some facts

SARDIS

I KNOW THY WORKS

PHILADELPHIA

LAODICEA

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Sabbath Keepers Refuted