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Showing posts with label John the apostle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John the apostle. Show all posts

Sunday, June 21, 2020

The Beast of the Great Tribulation

The Beasts

Book of Revelation Chapter 13


Remember our last lesson where that old Serpent, the Devil, Satan himself was tossed out of the first and second heaven. The place of our atmosphere and the place of all the heavenly constellations. Well guess where he shows up?

He is mad at Jehovah. His range is limited again. The ears of Heaven are no longer open to his constant accusing.

He will set his sights on the only remaining group of God's people.

Remember Satan has been to Heaven and he knows somewhat of the things that go on in Heaven, but as far as he is concerned, when he causes the death of any individual, they are just dead and this is what he seeks to do to the rest of the world, murder!

He knows his final outcome and he plans to murder all the remaining people upon this earth, to deny any of them any opportunity to ever see Jehovah God face to face and to destroy all of God's creation.

You see this is another promise that Satan will try to break, that anyway he can, he will try to make Jehovah out to be a liar!

This is pure hatred, and this is the hatred that we see in many nations, including here in the USA, today.

In fact this is the hatred I see for all God's people.

Jesus said:

Joh 7:6  Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 

Joh 7:7  The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

Joh 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

So let us see these "Beasts".

*****Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

It is in this Chapter 13 that we see just how wicked and evil the Antichrist is! 

We will see the Antichrist and his religious leader the False Prophet, as they commence their plan to destroy this earth, we call our temporary home.

Remember the Church is already in Heaven by this time. Those upon the earth that remain are those who have chosen to follow the Antichrist and then the Jews who Jehovah has caused to go through these things to open their blinded eyes.

The 144,000 missionaries are out in the world telling evil and wicked people about the Antichrist and the true Christ and many will begin to see the truth.

The Two Witnesses are in Jerusalem preaching the truth of God and tormenting those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

Satan has just been tossed out of the skies and the place of the stars and he has nowhere to run except upon this earth and he is so mad that he can think of nothing but destroying God's creation and all the people who remain.

The first three and a half years of the Tribulation, the Antichrist won the people over with his deception and flatteries.

These last three and a half years= called the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will cause fear and destruction and fury to be his tools.

There will be so much difference in what the Antichrist was at first and what he is now, that people will think he is not the same person but remember Satan is the Great Deceiver.

It is easy to say he came from the sea but when we study the Word of God, we know that the sea also represents the multitudes of people.

Rev 17:15  And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 

We know that Satan was actually that rebellious angel named Lucifer! 

Does it seem strange that the Luciferians are beginning to make their cause known? They to, can sense the time of their false messiah

Here we see that the Antichrist is a mere man but also Satan in the flesh.

He will get his false power from Satan as will the False Prophet as these Scriptures teach us.

The prophet Daniel also informed the Jews that these things would take place so they would know, but the Jews reject the Book of Daniel.

Dan 7:7  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 

Dan 7:8  I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. 

Dan 7:19  Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 

Dan 7:20  And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 

Dan 7:23  Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 

Dan 7:24  And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

We can see the truth when we see these things are for three and a half years.

As we continue, we can keep these things of Daniel in mind.

*****Rev 13:2  And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 

Daniel saw these same three animals, but the important phrase is that the "Dragon" gave him his power. 

That word "seat" means he will get power of Satan and he will rule from Satan's throne.

Satan's throne is supported by all the evil wickedness that is in the world!

We know this also includes the entire economy of the world at this time.

1Ti_6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It is the love of money that has built Satan's throne!

Satan loves money so much that he will take control of all the economies of the world.

1Jn_2:16  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.

Satan's throne is built upon lust and covetousness!

The Church is in Heaven. The "Seat" of government of the Antichrist is based upon these two things and will operate under the character of Satan.

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

These things are the power and great authority that are given to the human that will be the Antichrist!*****Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 

We should clearly understand that the Scriptures use the term Antichrist for a reason and this man, who is human, who is powered by Satan will have the marks of a simulated death and resurrection that will seem as some great miracle just to cause doubt in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember he has the name "Blasphemy".

Blasphemy is speaking evil of Jehovah, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Psa 74:18  Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. 

Psa 74:19  O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. 

Psa 74:20  Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

Since the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was under the power of the Holy Spirit, then this Antichrist will also blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

Luk 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 

Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 

Those of the world, will see this human that is revived from a fake death and they will believe another lie, another deception, of the Antichrist.

Remember Satan is the father of all liars, all murderers and all deceivers, but he does have limited power, but even that power is given to him by Jehovah!

These remaining people who have already proved they did not believe the Lord Jesus Christ, will be deceived again into believing the Antichrist!

This will be about the time he gets brave enough to go into the Third Temple and claim himself to be God.

*****Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

The Bible says we have a Triune God. The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Not three gods but One God in three persons!

In this Chapter we see that Satan has his false trinity. Not Triune, not even a true trinity but Satan in three "individual" persons.

We already know of Satan.

We already know of the Antichrist.

We now meet the Beast who will be a false religious leader during the seven years of Tribulation.

His job is to convince the Jews that he is the true messiah, which we know is impossible, but the Jews are looking for a Messiah. The Muslim are looking for a Mahdi and many other false religions are looking for some sort of messiah. 

They all reject that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true Messiah!

The Apostle Paul taught the church these things

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

It is the Beast who will try to unite all religions into one religious federation, and he will succeed for a while, but only until the Jews realize his deception.

Once the Jews realize the deception of the Antichrist, the Muslim world will do the same and so goes for the other religions except the Luciferians and religious wars will begin!

Already today there are those trying to unite all believers.

There is the World Council of Churches.

World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian ecumenical organization founded in 1948 in Amsterdam as “a fellowship of Churches which accept Jesus Christ our Lord as God and Savior.” The WCC is not a church, nor does it issue orders or directions to the churches. It works for the unity and renewal of the Christian denominations and offers them a forum in which they may work together “in the spirit of tolerance and mutual understanding”.

Notice the phrase the "Spirit of tolerance"

There is the National Council of Churches.

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, usually identified as the National Council of Churches, is the largest ecumenical body in the United States. NCC is an ecumenical partnership of 38 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member communions include mainline Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, African-American, evangelical, and historic peace churches. Together, they encompass more than 100,000 local congregations and 40 million adherents. It began as the Federal Council of Churches in 1908, and expanded through merger with several other ecumenical organizations to become the National Council of Churches in 1950. “During the late 1950s and early 1960s the National Council of Churches was partially funded by the Foundation for Youth and Student Affairs which was a front funded by the CIA to combat communism”.

Notice the phrase backed by "Backed by the CIA". This is how this thing begin and for these wrong reasons.

Many of the leaders in this group still lean toward communism which they downgrade to socialism. 

We can see this portrayed on the political scene in America every day!

They are tolerant of the slaying of babies still in the womb!

They are tolerant of the sin and immorality, the so-called gay movement.

Have you noticed the word "queer" having a revival in many news reports?

They have no shame at all anymore!

They are also weak on the punishment of evil doers.

Many say they are believers, but they go against everything that Jesus stands for in the name of tolerance.

Both these groups and there are others and it may sound like a good idea, but that one word "tolerance" says it all.

Christianity is the most intolerant organization that exist, and it must remain this way!

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

There is only one truth!

There is only one way to Heaven!

There is only one means of eternal life!

There is only one Messiah.

1Jn_5:20  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

There is only one Savior.

1Jn_4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

2Jn_1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

The Scriptures do not allow any room to tolerate any other beliefs!

We cannot allow ourselves to be persuaded by these people, but in fact the Antichrist will in present this Beast as the answer to solving all disputes in religious circles!

Neither of these groups accept the Bible as the actual Word of God, but only guidelines that can be manipulated by man!

Only those who want to keep their sin agree with these people! 

This is not what Jesus says because Jesus is intolerant!

Joh_3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Joh_3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Forgive me, but being "Born Again" is being intolerant to the way the world thinks and the way these councils think!

All so-called Christian denominations except one, came out of the Catholic Church! 

Let them answer the question of why they are not still in the Catholic Church as they push to reunite.

They did not agree on what the Bible says including the Catholic Church who used the Jesuites rewrite the Scriptures to cause confusion of the people. 

To this day they reject that their people need a copy of the Bible, because it is the Pope who is to interpret Scripture. Ridiculous!

All these councils do nothing, but cause confusion and it is those lost souls who suffer having never heard the truth!

What do we know from our studies in the Book of Revelation?

The Antichrist is:

1) The Devil in a human body.

2) He is now a world dictator.

3) He is the second person in Satan's trinity.

4) He will be revealed only after the Church is in Heaven, even though he may be on the scene but not yet in position.

He will come in at first peaceful and solving the war and rumors of war issue.

Dan 11:21  And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 

He will enter into a league of federation that will include the Jews and be world renown.

Dan 11:23  And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 

He will want the world to worship him as God and this is when Jehovah will open the eyes of the Spiritually blind Jews!

Dan 11:36  And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 

Dan 11:37  Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 

This Beast in reality is Satan's political leader the Antichrist. This is Satan's "Super-Human" the answer to all the world's political problem!

*****Rev 13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 

Rev 13:6  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 

This man and he is just a man, will pose as the greatest of all humanitarians. A friend to all men and especially to the Jews.

Remember Satan is now limited to just the earth and he is so mad at God he cannot stand himself. 

He has two goals before Jehovah sends the tiniest angel in Heaven to bind him. At least this is how I imagine it.

1) He is determined to destroy the Jews the only people on the face of the earth that still call on Jehovah God!

2) He is determined to be worshipped as God by this world!

From what the world saw of him the first three and a half years will be far different from what the world will see the last three and a half years!

He spent his time as a flatterer and deceiver at first, but now he will show his true colors!

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 

Notice none of these things can take place without Jehovah God allowing them to take place!

Notice also that he even blasphemes the Saints already in Heaven that missed out on the seven years of Tribulation, and anyone who will badmouth our God will certainly show that same hatred for all the things of God and the world will find out the truth of Satan, he has hidden from them!

We must not forget. The earth has seen earthquake after earthquake, and they will only get worse until the Big One.

The earth has seen the "Climate" change for real and not these imaginary things we see now which are only the beginning real "Climate Change".

The earth has seen pestilence(plague) after pestilence (virus) till many will not even leave their homes.

There has seen war after war after war even though they are in the name of peace.

The earth will become a miserable place to live and only the Jews seem to bearing up, under the pressure simply, because Jehovah will not forsake them!

There is more hatred than there has ever been now, and none of these things will change until the return of the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ!

All of a sudden, the people that remain, even though they are wicked and evil, see a glimmer of hope even though it is a false hope!

*****Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

What do we know?

We know the Two Witnesses will preach in Jerusalem with the same Word of God we have today for three and a half years and then they will be murdered by Satan but they will come back to life in three days and ascend to Heaven.

We know that the 144,000 Hebrew evangelists will be working for three and a half years and not one of them will be murdered, but those converts who reject Satan will be murdered because they will reject the sealing of the Antichrist.

It is our Heavenly Father who gave this power to Satan! It sounds terrible and it is, but things are so bad during the Tribulation years especially the last three and a half years that like today, many a Saint of God will welcome death because they know they have a home in Heaven where there is no evil.

The Lord has now given the Antichrist the power to rule over most all nations! He can speak all the languages of every people. He can relate to every race and every kindred.

We must understand he only has God given power at any time and he is a tool in the hand of God for "Judgment" for all those who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord has given them many, many opportunities to think about what lies ahead, but they are clinging to the power of Satan which he does not even have.

The Antichrist is just what this world is reaching out for today and he will supply a false hope to all those who see this world crumbling and falling apart, when he cannot do anything about it but show a miracle or two that he did not really do.

Most all the world leaders have given him all their resources and only one thing he is lacking, that he wants to be worshipped as God!

Dan 8:24  And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 

Dan 8:25  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 

He just wants to be God!

*****Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

Rev 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear. 

Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 

We should understand that not everyone is happy with the Antichrist, but they were also not willing to accept Jesus Christ and these people are left to the whims of Satan who has the God given power to destroy them.

These are the ones that we need to reach out to today!

Once you name is written down in the Lamb's Book of Life, you do not have to worry what this world can do to you!

The one thing that the Antichrist lacks the most is love. He does not have the ability to love, except for himself!

If you know anything about the Lord Jesus Christ and if you think of things that are not traits of Jesus, they will be the traits of the Antichrist!

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 

Tit 1:3  But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

When there is no love, then there is no hope! The Antichrist can offer only a false hope!

Listen to the Holy Spirit describe him.

This is the last warning by the Holy Spirit. The very last chance to repent and turn toward the Lord Jesus Christ!

Mat 7:2  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 

Oba 1:15  For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

Every detail of everything that the world has caused to happen to God's people, they will receive from a wrathful God.

I know the liberals say that Jehovah has too much love to ever cause such harm, but they do not read the actual Word of God.

They have determined that Hell does not exist, but these lessons of final judgment will be terrible.

What is God waiting on?

Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 

Rev 6:11  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, "until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled". 

The Lord will repay the death of his children with death!

The Lord will repay the captivity of his children with captivity!

Both of these things have their ending in the Burning Lake of Fire!

But these things will begin with the great slaughter by the Lord.

Rev_14:20  And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.And then there is another Beast.

*****Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 

Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 

As we know the first Beast, the Antichrist, will be a political dictator with all the militaries of all nations at his command and all the economies of every nation at his disposal! 

There have been many types of this man, but there has never been a man as cruel as the first Beast, because the world put an end to them allowed by God.

The world will join with the Antichrist!

This second Beast will be the man who will link all the false religions together. Remember the Church is in Heaven! 

Other Saints are leaving that world daily, because of being slaughtered by the followers of Satan. 

They could be called Luciferians, which actually exist today and are starting to rattle their swords!

If we remember the temptations of our Lord, Satan offered the Lord Jesus some power which he has, but remember any power he has is given to him by the Lord.

Luk 4:5  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 

Luk 4:6  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 

Luk 4:7  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 

Of course Jesus rejected this thing, because Satan has no real power, but guess what?

This new beast will be offered this same power and he will accept it.

He will worship the Devil!

Notice he speaks as a dragon because his power comes from the dragon, the Devil.

Here we will see a union of the false church and the dictator state of the first beast.

Our forefathers placed in our Constitution rules that would not allow the State to interfere with the

Church. 

Many on the left have interpreted this in reverse stating the Church is not to interfere with the State which was not the intention of our forefathers. 

In the days of the Antichrist the second Beast, the False Prophet will unite all the false church with the Antichrist even to the point that the Antichrist will be worshipped as God.

It will be at this point that the Jews will rebel!

As my Pastor has said many times. The Jews may not know who the true Messiah is, but they certainly know who He is not! 

They will never recognize the Antichrist as God!

The second Beast will use the evidence that the first Beast has died and then risen from the grave, but this will be nothing but a deception for Satan does not have this power and Jehovah will not give him this power at any time.

I like this scripture in Isaiah.

Isa_27:1  In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

The Antichrist is surrounded by followers.

The second Beast will bring in all religions to this group.

Part of the Antichrist downfall is that he cannot keep that many humans under control so he will revert to complete tyranny and destruction.

At first, the False Prophet with the power of Satan will do miracles, but those miracles will all be allusions.

*****Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 

Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

We must understand that Satan does have some incredible power, but that power is held in check by the Lord and Satan is no more than a tool.

We must also understand that the Lord will take only those who have accepted Him as the Messiah to present to His Father.

Satan is used to provide temptation and sin, so people will have to make that choice to choose the truth over a lie.

Everyone since the time of Jesus will get an opportunity to make this choice.

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

No one will be in Hell who did not get an opportunity to choose Jesus, after they have been presented with the truth!

Some will get only one opportunity because during the Tribulation years is not a time of "Mercy" but it is a time of "Judgment"!

Even in "Judgment" the Lord still will show any believer that one moment of "Grace", at least I believe this!

Many souls will be saved during the "Great Tribulation" as we have already seen.

What does this second Beast do? The power is Satan is deception! 

2Jn_1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

If there are many deceivers now just think the whole world will be full of deceivers joined up to the master deceiver Satan.

Just that would make the Tribulation years to be terrible!

This False Prophet who drew his power from Satan, who was allowed this power for "Judgment" could do some things that looked amazing.

They even appeared miraculous.

We might say, why in the world would our true Heavenly Father allow these things to happen.

The Lord still wants them to be convicted by the Word of God! 

The only godly people that remain upon the earth at that time are the Hebrew children who preserved the Word of God so we would have a copy of the truth.

Deu 13:1  If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 

Deu 13:2  And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 

Deu 13:3  Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 

Deu 13:4  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 

All throughout the Great Tribulation the Jews, the Hebrew children, will have to confront the truth of the Scriptures.

They have already witnessed the rapture of the Church which in my opinion the Lord will keep disguised to most of the world by some pestilence or some other such thing that can easily be dismissed by the Antichrist.

They witnessed the Rapture.

They will have seen more blood than they could have ever thought of.

They will see the Word of God played out before their eyes.

They will have listened to the Two Witnesses.

They will have seen and heard the 144,000 evangelists.

They will soon doubt anything the Antichrist says.

What is the rest of the world going to do?

They will build an idol, a large idol!

*****Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 

How many have heard of holograms.

There exists today the ability to broadcast three dimensional holograms into midair.

I copied this from the internet:

3D Hologram Display is a cutting-edge visual solution for creating, managing and displaying your unique 3D video content with holographic effect. A hi-tech hardware device generating stunning 3D visuals perceived by viewers as hi-resolution holograms floating in the mid-air. HD FALCON holographic visual solution is a kind of display machine that uses the persistence of vision (POV) technology.

Casting a hologram upon a statue would be nothing unless you get caught up in the religious quackery of the False Prophet, who draws his power from Satan the great deceiver.

We should know by now is that the Lord has put off His return for many reasons, especially His patience for those who are lost, but technology had to in place for all these things in the Book of Revelation to take place. This includes military and worldly things.

Yes, this idol would speak and give the appearance of coming alive. Illusionist have been doing these things for years, yet during the Great Tribulation many will be deceived by these things.

Now if we go back to the time of Nebuchadnezzar, we know that these deceived people will have to worship this thing or die!

Dan 3:1  Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 

Dan 3:2  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 

Dan 3:3  Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 

Dan 3:4  Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 

Dan 3:5  That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 

Dan 3:6  And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 

The difference. Three Jewish boys were thrown in the fiery furnace and Jesus came to protect them and walk in the furnace with them and they did not even have the smell of smoke on their clothing.

These that the Antichrist murders will miss out on the fiery furnace, but the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan, the unholy trinity will all go to the Burning Lake of Fire.

None of the true Jews will bow down to this idol because Jehovah broke them from that many times. 

They will begin to rebel against the Antichrist.

Those that fell down and worshipped this idol would all be sealed with the mark of the Beast.

*****Rev 13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 

Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 

There is a lot of talk about the mark of the beast and I will not venture into what this mark will be.

The first thing we notice is, this looks like things that communism does to keep tabs on its people.

We know a one world government, with one man (the Antichrist) in power, would indeed be run as a communist nation and even more severe as such as North Korea. A dictatorship.

Things are terrible during this time of Tribulation known as the Great Tribulation. People are being murdered for no reason especially any that rebel.

People are starving while the elite are living sumptuously. 

No one has an answer to their problems because there is no answer except Christ and that brings instant death.

There is no place to go to complain.

There is no one listening to their problems.

They are hopeless.

The Antichrist offers a solution.

The False Prophet gives them a false hope.

Let us use the examples the Bible gives us to learn from.

What does the Lord say?

Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 

Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 

Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 

Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 

Heb 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. 

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 

Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 

Heb 10:18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God; 

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Eph_1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

What we know is, that the Satan will have his own seal and his own method to seal his followers. 

All those that deny Jehovah God. All those that deny the Lord Jesus Christ!

They will certainly have a corrupt mind!

What did God see in the time of Noah?

Gen_6:12  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

What did Moses say?

Deu_31:29  For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Notice that phrase (in the work of your hands).

The Psalmist:

Psa_38:5  My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

Psa_53:1  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Psa_73:8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

What do evil men do? King Nebuchadnezzar.

Dan_2:9  But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

(Notice they prepare lying and corrupt words to speak to each other)

What do we have to do to be Born Again?

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 

Eph 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. 

Who were the men who defied Moses?

2Ti_3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

What is sure is these evil and wicked people who are already this way must at this time dedicate the work of their hands to the Devil, the Antichrist.

Remember they must fall down and worship this idol. This animated structure of the Antichrist.

Their corrupted minds will be even more corrupted and everything they do will now be dedicated to the Antichrist, Satan in the flesh.

In reality it may be some mark, some chip, some card, or something else entirely.

They will not be able to buy or sell without this mark!

*****Rev 13:18  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. 

We know by numbers that man's number is six.

Man when born is already evil!

Job_14:1  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Psa 51:4  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Psa 39:4  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 

Psa 39:5  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

These wicked and evil, and corrupt men and women who take the mark, the seal of the beast, will be at least three times more evil and wicked, and corrupt than any other corrupt human being!

The wicked have chosen the Antichrist, Satan in the flesh and received his seal of approval.

The Jews have rejected the Antichrist.

Many that have accepted the words of the 144000 evangelists, are in Heaven because they were slain.

Many who also accepted the Word of God are in hiding, trying to protect themselves and their families.

The two witnesses are slain and have risen from that death and back in Heaven.

The Lord Jesus Christ is ready to receive those 144000 evangelists into Heaven not one harmed by Satan.

The Lord Jesus is prepared to return!

Amen


Sunday, March 8, 2020

The Message Jesus Gave to Ephesus

The Message to Ephesus

Book of Revelation Chapter 2 verses 1 through 7


Today we will begin to look at those seven churches that the Lord told John to write about.

Remember Jesus has given us this time to make those necessary changes to make each church to be a better church.

Jesus picked these seven churches because they represent the church as a whole.

Notice also Jesus speaks to the individual church as independent churches, and no church is to make rules over another church.

Every church is to be a church established in the name of Jesus Christ.

They also represent the seven ages of the church and we can be certain that we are in that final church age!

The City of Ephesus was the capitol of the Roman province of Asia Minor. Ephesus may have been the richest province of all the Roman territories.

It was the Apostle Paul who visited this area on more than one occasion, so we can be sure the true Gospel was preached in all these churches.

This same area had been colonized by the Greeks before they fell to the Romans.

We should also remember the Temple of Diana was located in Ephesus which had the largest theatre in the world.

It would hold 50,000 spectators.

In fact it is said that this temple may have been one of the seven wonders of the world at one time.

Different religious beliefs were everywhere, but Christianity is the work of the One true God!

1Co 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The Church at Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul and sustained by the work of Priscilla and Aquila.

Apollos preached in this church.

Timothy preached in this church.

What were some of the obstacles?

The Jews hated the Christians.
The city was full of idolatry and false priests.
There was the effect of riches all over this city.
There was the open display of sensual pleasures everywhere.

We know that there were at least four more Christian churches in the area. Those four that are not mentioned are the Church at Troas:

Act 20:5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

2Co 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

The Church at Miletus:

Act 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

The Church at Colossae:

Col 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church at Hierpolis.

Col 4:13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

It is well known that there were even more churches that had been established in Asia.

The Lord Jesus will begin with the Christian Church in Ephesus, but He is standing in the midst of all these churches that He has called out.

What this means is the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ is written unto these four churches just as is intended for all churches!

Every true Church will fit into at least one of these seven categories.

Every Church from then until now will exist in every Church Age with the named church being the most dominant Church.

Though all these types of Church existed in the day of Ephesus, the particular traits of Ephesus dominated the first Church Age.

The greatest cause of persecution of the Church during this Age came from the Emperors of Rome beginning with Nero and ending with the Emperor Diocletian in 310 AD.

Some would say that this Age of the Church had its beginnings in the Apostolic Age and ran to the Constantine Age, keeping in mind that even today we can find the remnants of each individual church.

Let's begin by listening to the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the Church at Ephesus.

*****Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

This message is written toward Ephesus, but it is actually written to the Messenger or the Pastor of the Church at Ephesus.

The Greek Word "angelos" which could mean Angel and an Angel is a Messenger sent from God.

Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

This same Greek word is derived from two other Greek words "ago" which means to lead and "agelay" which means a drove.

These two words put together would mean a Shepherd or Angel, so we know by the way it is used, it means the Pastor of the Church at Ephesus.

This message is from Christ Jesus because in Chapter One we established that it is Jesus who holds the seven stars in His right hand of power and stands in the midst of the candlesticks which are these seven churches.

In fact the Lord Jesus says He is walking in the midst of these seven churches and Ephesus in this lesson.

What are the things Jesus knows, as He walks in the midst of this church?

This church had been established by the Apostle Paul and later led by Timothy almost a duplicate of the Apostle Paul in many ways.

Jesus says He knows the "effort" put forth by this church to spread the "Gospel" and everything else this church does.

Jesus says He knows the "labor" that is put forth to spread the "Gospel".

Jesus says He knows the "patience" of the is church as they attempt to honor God the Father through His Son Jesus.

Each and every church have need of patience as the church continues in this world, until the Lord returns to take us home.

1Ti_1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

In every church, we must labor for Jesus and then patiently wait to see if there are results while still applying sunlight and water to that seed that was planted.

The Apostle Paul preached to this church with these words:

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Jesus says He knows that this church hated evil.

Why is this so important?

3Jn 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

We are all to hate evil, but we are never to hate the sinner who does that evil

We could say that Jesus knows everything that goes on in every true church!

Jesus knows all the good and all the evil that goes on in every church!

This means that in each church that has the presence of Jesus, He is there to lead and guide that church!

A church that does not have the presence of Jesus Christ, is not a church by Biblical Standards!

We also realize that some false preachers, calling themselves apostles, had come through this church and they found them to be liars.

When we know the Word of God and it is written in our hearts and our minds, we should be able to tell if a preacher is preaching the truth or preaching with lies.

The church at Ephesus was able to do this.

Then Jesus repeats Himself.

*****Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

My pastor preaches many times about turning up the heat within us.

When we were first saved, we were on fire for God. As time goes by if we are not careful that fire will begin to grow dim and in some, that fire will go completely out.

We simply cannot allow this to happen to us.

Listen to Jeremiah:

Jer 20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
Jer 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

If the Word of God is within our hearts, then it will want to come out!

We cannot allow the things of this world to discourage us in the work the Lord has given us to do.

Afflictions and reproaches will increase as we get closer to the arrival of our Lord Jesus.

Persecutions will increase as we get closer to going home.

We must understand these things and keep on going for the Lord!

The message of Jesus Christ is not a burden! It is a message of hope in a wicked and dying world!

The message of Jesus Christ is all about love!

We are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit and this church was taught these things.

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

We can be sure that the church in Ephesus had been taught these things from the church in Galatia because all the works of the Apostle Paul were passed from church to church.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

When we grow cold, we then grieve the Spirit, and He cannot do His work within us and within the church.

Let us all turn up the heat and get busy about the work of the Lord.

Remember the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church!

Those that gather in any other name are not a church built on Jesus Christ!

If not for the Love of God, we would all end in a burning hell and then a lake of burning fire.

We must remain in one heart, one mind, and in one accord for our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His all when He did not have to!

When we allow sin to overwhelm us, the church will grow cold!

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

This Church needed to turn up the heat and get back on fire for our Savior.

This church needed to remember back to the time the Apostle Paul who through much persecution, taught this church about a perfect Savior who loved them enough to die for them!

Again the message of Jeremiah:

Jer 2:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Jer 2:2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

This is the message that should be preached in all those churches that have followed in the path of this church in Ephesus.

What was the remedy given to this Church by the Lord Himself?

*****Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

It is a fact that if Jesus was here and preaching to the churches today, they would run Him out of many churches, and He would not be allowed to preach!

Jesus says to "remember" "or else"!

There is not much of that "or else" preaching going on today!

In every so called "House of God", unless the flame of love for the Lord Jesus Christ, which includes His Gospel, is not kept bright and glowing, He will withdraw His support.

A Church without the "Spirit of Jesus" is not a church at all, but just a social club where people gather to give praise to the devil!

Repentance has become an unknown word to many who claim to be Christian today!

Remember what Jesus said and we see He warned us many times.

Mat_24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mar_13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Luk_21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Joh_5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

We see the way that the Apostle wrote, and it is happening more today than any other time in Church history.

The false teacher and false preacher come in their own names!

What must we do if our fire grows dim?

1) Remember
2) Repent
3) Return to doing the first works, "or else"!

There is also not much "repenting" preaching going on today.

Just what does those words "Born Again" mean.

They mean repenting!

Repenting is a complete change of heart, having a new heart toward Christ Jesus.
Repenting includes a compete change of mind, having the mind of Christ.
Repenting includes a compete change of direction, stop walking with the world, and the ways of the world, and beginning a walk with the Lord Jesus Christ!

Anything else falls into that "or else" category!

When Jesus removes the candlestick, that house will become a house of darkness.

Darkness is a symbol of the "Judgments" that are coming from the Lord!

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

A so-called church without a candlestick of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a church at all!

They did have one thing the Lord bragged on them about. The hated the deeds of the Nicolaitan.

*****Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

This Church had remained faithful to the Doctrine of the Scriptures in every way except the first commandment of Jesus.

Mat 22:37 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.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Who or what are the Nicolaitans? In reality they are those in the Church who claim to be Christians but follow the ways of the world.

There is a certain mayor who is running for President and claims to be a Christian made in the image of God, who is also queer and proud of it. He could be said to be a Nicolaitan.

Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jud 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jud 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

The Church in Ephesus had rejected anyone who had this Doctrine.

This would include all those who claim to be Christian and walk in the ways of this sinful world.

To be "Born Again" must have a real meaning and Jesus said we must be "Born Again"

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Psa 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

The Psalmist also wrote:

Psa 139:19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
Psa 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Psa 139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
Psa 139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

In reality the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans are all those who stress that Jesus Christ did away with the Old Testament and has given all Christians liberty to live as they wish!

They stress that the spirit and soul of man are far more important than this body we live in daily and therefore the sins of the body do not change the Doctrine of Salvation. The body is free to live as it wishes!

We need to hate this doctrine just as Christ Jesus did!

Without the laws such as the 10 Commandments, we would not know how the Lord expects us to live!

What does the Lord say about all those laws given to the Jews?

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Jesus Christ came to fulfill all the Law and we are part of His Body and He is the Head of the Church!

And the Holy Spirit gives us all a warning.

*****Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

In reality as Christians our redemption is based on the promises of God!

God makes many promises and those promises will be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ.

As "Born Again" Christians we are to die to our old sinful ways and be born again to live in the ways of Jesus Christ.

Our salvation and redemption are based upon these promises!

We must be "overcomers" to the very best we can. We should remember that phrase Jesus used in verse five, "or else".

That "or else" means we will miss out on the pleasures Heaven!

Psa 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Notice the Holy Spirit is speaking to the Church, but He is also talking to each individual Christian.

We are given this last opportunity to try to change the direction of the church we attend to reconnect with our first love, the Lord Jesus Christ, or maybe it’s time for us to leave a church that will not return to the Doctrine of Christ and find one that does, but in the least we must remember that we are a Temple of God in our body and we need to bring our own body back in line to the ways of our Lord, and hate the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

Amen

Let's Pray!