(Post focuses on God’s disdain for sin within the established Church via the Seven Churches of Asia)
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Church is an expansive term used to describe groups of people throughout the world who hold various doctrines and traditions used to practice religion of many sorts. But the whole of scripture makes clear that the rock Church
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
consists of those righteous and faithful who as sheep follow the Shepherd with meek and faithful hearts. And they are few. The Churches of Philadelphia amd Smyrna in Revelations represent the mature and faithful Church.
Philadelphia stands amidst the other Candlesticks before her Judge and is found Holy. Her works prove her faith. The reward of her faith gives her full unhindered access to the Door. He, the Word, is written on the tables of her heart. She is found guiltless before Christ her Judge and her Redeemer. She is the faithful Church of which Christ spoke saying, ‘ and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt 16:18. She has full access and fellowship with the Door open to her and ‘no man can shut it.’ She is the Bride. She is Eve
restored. And the beautiful Lamb of God is her Adam who knowingly went into Death to bring her back to Life. She is comprised of every true and faithful believer whose has ‘crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts’ (Gal 5:24).
Rev. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Like Philadelphia, the Judge approves Smyrna. Christ says of her, Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.’ Both Philadelphia and Smyrna are humble, poor by the world’s standard, outcast, and know suffering. But they have found favour with God. But standing alongside faithful Philadelphia and Smyra is Ephesus.
Ephesus is said to have many good works, to strive with patience, to abhor evil, to expose false apostles, to be forbearing/patient, and to not faint. Yet she is fallen since her works are her own and not the works of the First Love. She is powerless. She is without love. She is unrighteous and warned by the Word. She today remains under judgement and is being given space to repent.
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.
And then there is Pergamos who, though she is located in a carnal and evil place of idol worship, holds fast Christ’s name and does not deny Him (Rev. 2:13) even though one of their own, *Antipas, was murdered by idol worshippers. BUT BUt But but Christ the Judge holds her responsible and accountable for allowing the doctrine of Balaam to be taught in her midst. The doctrine both allowed the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed unto idols
Salvation is personal.
and the doctrine sanctioned fornication. Both are contrary to the precepts of God. AND ANd And and….even worse…they permitted the hated doctrine of the Nicolaitanes to be spoke and practiced in their congregation. The hated doctrine from the few references available seems to be the doctrine of using the blood of Jesus (Grace) as a blanket covering for continued sin. The doctrine grasps Grace and its blood atonement but rejects Holiness as described by Paul in the following:
Ro 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
And these Pergamos-onian churches exist today! Their pews are filled with those who believe and teach false doctrine, who sanction sin for themselves and others, and worst of all, who trample underfoot the great price of redemption purchased by the Death of the pure soul of the Lamb. They are the broad way that leadeth to destruction. And they are warned by Christ the Judge.
Rev. 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Next Thyatira stands represented by her gleaming golden candlestick as another segment of Christ’s church in Revelations 2:18. She is acclaimed by the Judge for her works, charity, service, faith, and patience. But these virtues are not sufficient to save her soul. She, like Pergamos, is pronounced guilty of allowing the evil prophetess, Jezebel, to set her law in the holy place of God’s Law. God’s Law under Moses forbade eating meat sacrificed to idols. It forbade the destructive sin of fornication. But Jezebel was allowed, within the Church called by God’s name, to call God liar. And such teaching remains in the Thyatirian-like churches of today. Fornication of all sorts has virtually lost its strength as sin. Church members live together without sanction of marriage. Adultery, divorce, and homosexuality are present among both the laity and the clergy. And then there are all the other fornicators who worship the idol of self / mammon rather than God. Both the Pergamos-onians and the Thyatira-onians practice doctrines of Satan which gives service and rule to the flesh rather than to the Spirit. And like Pergamos, God gives strong warning to Thytira. She is promised wrath and eternal destruction if she does not repent (Rev. 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. )!!! Yet in her evil midst sits some Philadephiaonian and Smyrnaonian faithful who ‘have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan..’ Rev. 2:24. To these faithful the Judge says ‘ 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.’
Before I continue the discussion of sin and righteousness via Sardis and Laodicians, I remind that the examples of the Seven Churches in Asia clarifiy that all sin is an affront to God. All unrepentant sin separates us from the presence of the pure and Holy Father. No matter that we are preachers, teachers, prophetesses, apostles, and the like. Those who commit righteousness are righteous. Those who commit evil are evil. Matt 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 8 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
1 Cor 10:20 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
2 Thes 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Acts 10:13 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Amen! Amen! Let God be true and every man a liar.
Please know that as I rant against sin that my own heart screams at me against my own sin. The precious Son of God came to me in the summer of my ninth year and drew me to Himself. He has fellowshiped with me over the years in wonderful ways. But as the years passed, I became more a part of church tradition and doctrine and less faithful to Him. And the only reason I can see the failure of the established churches who are grounded in doctrine rather than in Christ…is because I am they!!!! And God is not pleased!!! My heart compels me to find the place of dominion in Christ where righteousness happens…where holiness is birthed! And I am painfully aware of the huge array of traditon and doctrine which screams against the Shepherd’s urgings in my heart.
Tradition screams ‘imputed righteousness.’ Doctrine based on the following scripture screams to me that one can be holy as He is holy when one finds the promised place of fellowship with the First Love. Romans 10: 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. I insist that the same Father who brought Jesus out of Death desires to bring me out by the same power and Love which took the keys of death and hell through the atoning death of Christ’s soul. I say Christ death was powerful enough to not only pay for sins that are past (Romans 3:25) but to regenerate, transform, and guide the heart to deed and service that serves the Father rather than mammon/flesh/evil. I say Satan has no power other than what one allows him. I say the evil one is liar, deceiver, destroyer, and is damned forever for chosing self over God. I say that when God said, ‘go and sin no more’ that He meant it. I say that Abraham is called righteous because his fruit was good. He obeyed God! He followed every precept of God! He trusted God!!! Righteousness was not merely assigned nor imputed to Abraham. But righteousness was the result of his actions of faith (belief) and its resulting obedience!!!
To say that sin cannot be overcome is to trample under foot the vile price the Lamb paid for our redemption!!! To say that sin cannot be overcome is to deny the power of God. To say that sin cannot be overcome is to give Satan authority over that of God. Poeple, we have been lied to through tradition and doctrine from well-meaning people for many generations. But they are wrong!!! The Ephesus-onians, the Pergamos-onians, the Thatira-onians, the Sardis-onians, and the Laodician-onians are still among us!!! Be warned. Now lets talk about Sardis and her plight.
Sardis, too, stands among the golden candlesticks and is judged as dead. Before men she is perceived to be very much alive. But her works condemn her. She has, however, a few Philadelphiaonians and Smyrnaonians in her midst who are undefiled (Rev 3: 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy). The great majority of the congregation is warned that death is impending if they do not find root in the Vine with resulting fruit of the Spirit. Rev. 3:1 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Too, they are heartily reminded by the Word that those who do not watch will be overtaken in their darkness by the thief who comes to kill, steal, and destroy the house of the heart. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. And the following verse explains that the only defense against the thief is the armour of God. The armour of God is gaining promised dominion in and through Christ (See earlier post titled ‘DOMINION: ‘In” Christ for scripture validation).
1 Thes 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.’ Armor of God….wow! Who of us would dare say that one who wears the armor of God is justified for committing service to evil…sin???? I insist that whether it is you or me…serving sin is never justified other than by way of repentence of the John the Baptist kind which insisted on ‘fruits’ as proof of repentence (Matt 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: ). And these Pharisee and Sadducee types are present today sitting the the pews, standing in the pulpits, teaching men’s doctrine to our children, and pridefully claiming the precious blood of the Lamb as covering for continued lustful living. They are classic Laodicians.
Laodicia is the Seventh church addressed by Christ in His message to the churches of Asia. Seven is God’s number of completion, of authority, and of perfection. Fitting that Laodicia be represented as the fulness of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. She, like the other six, has been judged by the suprime Judge/Christ/Word. And like Ephesus,Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis she warned to repent of suffer Death. She is said to be neither hot nor cold meaning she is neither recognized as righteous nor is she clearly labeled evil. She camoflauges her evil so it is not recognized and she is not rebuked. She has no righteousness but her camoflauged evil leaves the assumption that she is good. But her being neither hot nor cold is an offense to the King. So great is her offensive taste that He will spit her out of his mouth if she is presented to Him.
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
And it gets worse!!! Laodicia has no need for a Shepherd. She depends on her own merit, her own standard, her own financial support, and her own work. She adorns herself with her own earthly/fleshly robe and is content!!! Her faith is in her monetary and material strength. And worse…her faith is in her own power and immensity. But she is poor, blind, naked, destitute, wretched, miserable, and her soul has rejected the blood of the Lamb as ransom for her past sins. She has no fruits meet for repentence since she has not turned from her sin. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
But the merciful God is longsuffering to usward and gives her space to repent!!!19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. If If if…any man hear my voice. If! If any man hears Christ’s knock at the door and if the man opens the door (allows Christ to regenerate and transform the heart)….‘21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
*In another Word Study dictionary by Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, Antipas (493) is a masc. proper noun. Antipas is a shorter form of Antipater, otherwise unknown. He is mentioned in Rev. 2:13. Later, Greek tradition made him bishop of Pergamum, martured under Domitian by being thrown into a heated brazen bull which stood at the temple of Diana and so being roasted alive. The name has been allegorized as anti(473), against, and pas (3596), all. The two words would mean against all. The character of the Revelation, again, admits the hypothesis that the name refers to the god Pan. Pan was worshiped at Ephesus and in many cities in Asia Minor – though no record of his worship at Pergamum is in existence – under the strong influences of Arcadian and Peloponnesian cults. It is possible, therefore, that the church at Pergamum is praised for its opposition to the heathen Pan. See Balaam (903); Nikolaites (3531), Nicolaitans.
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