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Study to Show Yourself Approved

(2Ti 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What does this mean?

You might say to yourself, “Why do I need to study in order to be approved by God? Once I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, doesn’t that mean I am saved and guaranteed eternal life?”

And you would be correct, those who truly accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved, but that’s not what we are talking about here. Salvation means that you will not suffer the second death by being thrown into the Lake of Fire. However, there is a long period that precedes the Great White Throne Judgment and the possible sentence of the Lake of Fire. This time is the 1000-year period we call the Millennium.

Now, if we truly accept Jesus Christ and love Him, would we not want to spend as much time with Him as we possibly can? Sure we would, and this is why we study the Bible–it is the Word of God. And do you not know that Jesus is the Word, the Living Word?

(Joh 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Joh 1:2) The same was in the beginning with God.

(Joh 1:3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(Joh 1:4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

(Joh 1:5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(Joh 1:6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

(Joh 1:7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

(Joh 1:8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

(Joh 1:9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

(Joh 1:10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

(Joh 1:11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

(Joh 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

(Joh 1:13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(Joh 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We are told here that Jesus is the Word of God in the Flesh. And the Word is God, and always has been. So if we truly love Jesus, He expects us to spend time to get to know Him, and we do this by studying the Bible.

In the above verse from 2 Timothy 2, the word ‘study’ is translated from the Greek word ‘spoudazo’ which means to give and honest effort or to be diligent. This is what we are being told to do in reading God’s Word. If we do not put this honest effort into studying and knowing God’s Word, then we are allowing ourselves to be deceived by satan and his flood of lies because we won’t know any better. Thus, if we do not have a love for studying God’s Word, then God will send us strong delusion so that we would believe a lie–as we see below:

(2Th 2:9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

(2Th 2:10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(2Th 2:11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(2Th 2:12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Now, this is not a final condemnation; it is for a specific purpose. When someone is allowed to believe the lies of satan while he is here as antichrist, they will believe he is Jesus, and they will then worship him and receive the mark of the beast. These people who have gone astray from Jesus by following antichrist will have the Millennium to be taught right from wrong and to be disciplined. The shame and humiliation of having been duped by satan so seriously, and being told by Jesus to get away because He never knew them, when He returns, will jolt them awake and will suddenly sober them up to the fact that they need to take the Millennium very seriously…if they care what He thinks. This will cause them, because they truly love Jesus, to do what they need to do to be prepared to withstand the last deception of satan, which is at the end of the Millennium.

Another reason that it is necessary for us to study is that many things in God’s Word are given as deeper truths that are only able to be understood by those who have been given such understanding from God–and this is not a sign of intelligence, but rather a sign of who God feels He can trust with this understanding. With this gift of understanding comes much responsibility. This is the very reason that Jesus taught in parables.

(Mat 13:10) And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

(Mat 13:11) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

(Mat 13:12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

(Mat 13:13) Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

(Mat 13:14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

(Mat 13:15) For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

(Mat 13:16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

(Mat 13:17) For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
(Luk 12:47) And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

(Luk 12:48) But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Now there were certain people who have been selected before birth, based on what God knows of their worthiness because of how they had proven themselves already. These are the 7000 predestinated elect of the last generation and the remnant whom God placed throughout the ages. Aside from these who are predestinated, understanding may be given by God to those whom God sees have proven themselves to His standards and whom He knows will be able to handle the responsibility of having this understanding. Those who are not given this understanding have not proven themselves yet, and therefore are blinded, meaning they have no eyes to see spiritually. And, again, this is for a reason, that they will learn the proper lesson that they need to be prepared at the end of the Millennium.

(Rom 11:4) 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.

(Rom 11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

(Rom 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

(Rom 11:7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

(Rom 11:8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

(Rom 11:9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

(Rom 11:10) Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

(Rom 11:11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

(Rom 11:12) Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

This understanding therefore, can be given to a person, any person, Israelite, or gentile, whomever is part of the Olive Tree of Israel (described in the later verses of Romans 11), if they diligently and humbly seek this understanding from God. Through this understanding, those who are blinded will be motivated to see the error of their ways and correct their path during the Millennium.

Now that we have covered the commandment we, as Christians, are given to know Jesus through the Word, we will look at the forms that the knowledge of God takes.

We saw above how Jesus taught deeper lessons to those who are able to receive them, such as to His apostles, but there is more to it than that. Below, we will look at the various levels that God’s Word is conveyed simultaneously. For this you will need to engage your eyes to see, and your ears to hear.

(Joh 21:15) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

(Joh 21:16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

(Joh 21:17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

To the naked eye, this will look like Jesus saying the same thing three times over, but upon closer inspection, you will see this is not the case.

In the first verse, you can see that Jesus is telling Peter to feed His lambs, which are baby sheep, but in the two following He says sheep. Moreover, the first time, in which Jesus says to feed His lambs, the Greek term ‘boskow’ is used, and this word means to graze or to put out to pasture. This is a passive action of feeding. This is referring to those baby sheep, or babes in Christ, who can only handle the most basic understanding of God’s Word. This does not take a lot of effort to teach or learn these ideas.

In the second verse, the first in which Jesus says to feed His sheep, the Greek term ‘poimainow’ is used, and this word means to tend to as a shepherd–it is an active term for feeding. These sheep are those who are maturing in understanding and can now begin to handle some meat of God’s Word, just as a baby who moves on from a bottle to solid food. This takes the most effort to teach because these sheep, or young adults in Christ, are not yet self sufficient and still need plenty of guidance (we always need guidance from God by the Holy Spirit, but I mean guidance by a teacher), such as by Peter in this case.

Finally, in the third verse, Jesus says sheep, but uses the Greek term ‘boskow’ once again, which is to put out to graze. This third group of sheep are the elders in Christ. These are the sheep who have the deepest level of understanding. These sheep can work directly with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit only, to gain the deepest understanding. This means the shepherd can put the food (the lesson in God’s Word) out there and these sheep know just what to do with it and are able to fully digest it.

One thing that we need to understand is that the beauty of God’s Word is that every verse of the Bible teaches on all these levels simultaneously. One thing can be said, and people on each of these three levels will be able to learn something new from it every time.

Below are a couple sets of verses written by Paul, one of the best teachers of these principles in the Bible.

(1Co 3:1) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

(1Co 3:2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
(Heb 5:11) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

(Heb 5:12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(Heb 5:13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

(Heb 5:14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Here we see why Paul is so good at teaching this lesson. This is what Jesus said to one of Paul’s companions the day Paul was stopped by Jesus on the road to Damascus:

(Act 9:15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

These three categories illustrate the three levels of teaching Paul was charged to do–the gentiles, the kings, and the children of Israel. These would equate to those of the most basic level–the gentiles (non-Christians in this case), the second level–the kings of the ethnos (those gentile Christians who will eventually be given full understanding when they are ready) and this is on the same level as young adults in Christ who do not have that deeper understanding yet, and the deepest level–the children of Israel (who are those Israelites who have been predestinated as God’s elect) and this would include any kings of the ethnos who have graduated to the toughest meat in God’s Word.

To further illustrate this point, here are some verses about Paul’s teaching on all three levels. The building in which Paul was teaching had three levels and these obviously represent the three levels of God’s teaching, and we will see what happens when one of the students falls asleep which represent a spirit of slumber just as we are told about in Romans 11.

(Act 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.

(Act 20:8) And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

(Act 20:9) And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

(Act 20:10) And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

Paul is teaching literally to all three levels at the same time, but one young man (emphasizing that he was not an elder in the Word, but rather one of those on the second level) and he could not handle the length and the depth of Paul’s teaching so he fell asleep and dropped right from that third level and was feared to be dead (this is referring to the state of being spiritually dead that those who do not have the deepest understanding, the understanding of the spiritual truths, are in until the spiritually wake up). Paul went down to the young man and was relieved to find out Eutychus had not been killed, so he would still have a chance to mature further into the Word.

So what does this all mean? We are told to study God’s Word diligently to show ourselves approved to receive this deepest understanding of God, the mysteries of God. Only those who can handle the truth will receive it from God, but if you truly want it and prove to God you can handle it, He will give it to you. The first step is to actually pick up the Bible and read it, and to know there is more than meets the eye. Do you care enough to read this letter that God wrote to us?

Take the initiative, and God bless

(Hos 4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Revelation

Revelation 2

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Last chapter, we were told what to expect in the rest of the Book of Revelation, which is the book of the last things that Jesus would reveal to us through John the apostle. In this chapter and the next chapter, we have letters that Jesus told John to write to the angels (or messengers, or pastors) of the seven churches in Asia Minor as warnings to those in those churches of the things to come for each. These messages would apply to us today depending on which Christian mindsets we fall into individually. There are only two particular churches, or mindsets, that Jesus approves of at this time, in this generation as we head into the tribulation. Which one are you? And what does Jesus have to say to you?

(Revelation 2:1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

This is Christ speaking, and the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the fact that they are in His right hand signifies Christ’s power over those angels.

The seven candlesticks are the seven churches, and the flame of the candles is the truth that they have access to that they are charged to shine across the world.

(Revelation 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:

Christ always first tells the things with which He is pleased for each church first. The first thing He mentions with this church is their works. These works are their good deeds. This patience is their patience to withstand the persecution of the Christian church. These members of this church are against the evil of those who are not truly Christian and are not living according to the laws and statutes of God, and they are aware of the false Christian teachers in the world, who claim to be sent by God, and know that these are not in fact sent by God at all.

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

Those in Thyatira also have put up with a lot just because they are Christians. The world today is not very hospitable to Christians, yet we are to endure and not crumble under the pressure of this hostility, but continue to do good.

Those were the things that Jesus likes about this type of Christian. Now He will tell them what they need to change about their practices if they want His blessings and to overcome in the flesh, rather than failing this second test.

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

Their first love should be Christ [God], however, they have strayed from their love and dedication to serving Him first and foremost. They have put the things of the world before serving Him. These things of the world can become idols without someone even realizing it. It is alright to enjoy some of the things of the world but we should never put them before God. When we make them more important to us than He is, those things become idols.

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

Jesus is telling them to go back to their first love and serve God. If they do this, they’ll still have time for all the little things in life that are fun also, as long as they aren’t against God’s laws. This way they will remain in God’s good graces and remain blessed. However if they do not, they will pay because they aren’t living up to what a Christian is supposed to be. Whenever we fall short of what God wants, as Christians, we can sincerely repent and our sins will be forgiven and forgotten. Then we must do our best not to stray, although straying is inevitable sometimes because we are only human. That is why we have forgiveness.

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

The Nicolaitans were heathens that were, and are, in the churches and they allow those who pervert the teaching of God, and live according to their own desires and do not even feel bad for it, to be part of their church. This broadly weakens the church and causes individuals to go astray who may have otherwise remained dedicated because they are exposed to these ungodly practices which are allowed by the church leaders.

(Revelation 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.

Jesus, here, is calling on those who have been given understanding from the Holy Spirit to listen to these words and beware. Those who are in this group, yet heed these words and correct these mistakes will receive everlasting Life through Christ, the Tree of Life, and will forever be part of the Kingdom of God, through the Millennium and into the Eternal Kingdom.

Though this church is doomed the way it is run, individuals in this church can still make the choice to overcome and get back on the right path, and even be in good standing with Christ. If this is speaking about you, repent and move forward on the right path.

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

Smyrna is the name of a city and a Christian church in Asia Minor, which in the Greek language means myrrh. But Smyrna is also a type of fig, and this indicates the good figs, which alludes to the parable of the fig tree throughout the Bible.

This is one of the two churches that are to be considered by God to be good figs. This letter is dictated by the One who is considered the Firstfruit because He was resurrected into glory, and thus made eternal life possible for those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

(Revelation 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.

These false jews are those people who claim to be jews (those who are from the tribe of Judah) and of Israel, but are not even of the line of Adam. They are called kenites and were assimilated into the tribes of Israel very early on. Some of them do so purposely and are deceptive, and some don’t even realize that they are not of Israel, but believe that they are as they are told all of their lives. However, remember that anyone, even gentiles, can be grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel  and be saved if they become true Christians.

Obviously, those of the synagogue of satan are those who are evil, and are servants to him, but often it isn’t obvious to the observer. They have been adding leaven into God’s truth for thousands of years, and turned our faith into a religion of traditions and perversion. Jesus told us to beware of these people. Anything that contradicts the Bible and what was taught to us by Jesus, but teaches a different doctrine, we are to stay away from their teachings, and we are to know the difference. Anyone can choose to be saved, even these gentiles, or any others, and become servants to God through Jesus Christ. But these of the synagogue of satan, in particular, have chosen satan over God.

Those who are of Smyrna know how to tell who these people are from their fruits and from the Key of David, and will not fall for their deception.

 

(Revelation 2:10) 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.

This is during the time  of the tribulation that God’s elect will be delivered up to testify for not falling to the deception of satan and worshipping him when he is here as antichrist. Satan wants to know why these people refuse to bow to him and to test them to find who God’s elect are.

During this time of being delivered up to testify, we are not to even contemplate what we will say because the Holy Spirit will give us what to say at that very time. The Holy Spirit will speak through us, and what It says will be very convincing to anyone who is not a gainsayer of satan. You are to not fear death even though they will use that to try to scare you into submitting. It is written that not a hair on your head will be harmed and it is also written that satan and the fallen angels are not to harm anyone with the Seal of God in them (Rev 7). If you have the Seal of God you have nothing to worry about. If you don’t know what the Seal of God is, you should find out as soon as possible if you are feeling and urge to prepare for this.

 

(Revelation 2:11) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Jesus is calling on those who have been given understanding by Him to listen and understand what is being said here.

The first death is the end of your life in the flesh, and the second death is being thrown into the Lake of Fire to be destroyed and blotted out from existence (this is the death of your soul and is permanent). Those who overcome in the flesh will not even have the chance of being found deserving of the Lake of Fire, because will have been already justified by God. Otherwise, I pray you will be allowed a chance to be taught and disciplined in the Millennium. At that time, for those people, there will be one last test at the end of the thousand years in which satan will be released to deceive anyone who will allow it, and you will have complete ability to understand the severity of all of this and make a well-informed decision of what you would like your final outcome to be. God will have made sure that those who suffer the second death will thoroughly deserve it, because He is not willing to let any perish unless they have earned it. It is better though to overcome in the flesh before the return of Jesus, which is at 7th trump and pass the test sooner than later.

Do you belong to this church? If not, would you like to? There is still time to prepare and make the right choices, if you care enough to.

 

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

The Word of God is a two-edged Sword–it cuts in both directions. It can be used for both offense and defense. Not only does Jesus have the two edge sword of God’s Word, but He is God’s Word (and He is God). Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, and this means that He is the One that performs the actions that our Father dictates. He fills the role that interacts directly with us both in the flesh and in the spirit.

 

(Revelation 2:13) I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

These people take the name of Christ and call themselves Christians and profess their belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Satan’s seat, before he arrives as antichrist, is a position of authority in Christianity in which people are told what to believe and what the scriptures mean, which comes between Christians and God, instead of people going directly to God for understanding of scripture and instead of repenting and confessing sins directly to God in the name of Jesus Christ. This throne and the person on it becomes and idol therefore. When antichrist arrives, this will be his seat as he is satan and he will deceive the entire world except God’s elect.

Though these people allow a person to sit on this throne and come between them and God, because they have been taught and deceived that this is what is right and correct, they stand by their faith in Christ and are even willing to die for their faith.

 

(Revelation 2:14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Balaam was a priest of God for money and he caused many to go astray from God and commit spiritual fornication (following after pagan idols and things that come from those idols) and did so in the name of our one true God. Today there is much of paganism added right into Christianity and people have no clue why they follow these rituals and that they have nothing to do with serving God at all. Jesus warned us about the leaven (traditions of men that are added into our faith to plump it up, yet it has nothing to do with God and is an insult to Him) added into our faith. Balaam had no understanding because he was not ordained by God because his heart was not into what he was doing. He did it for gain. When a ministry teaches the truth, it will be blessed and it will not have to beg for money. The people will willingly tithe (give one tenth of income) right to the church without the church needing to beg.

 

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

Some people in this church or thought process even follow the ways of the heathens. They will go to church one day and live like the world the rest of the week.

 

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

Jesus is asking these people to repent and get back to serving Him (their first love) or else there will be major consequences.

 

(Revelation 2:17) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Those who overcome this teaching and thought process, while in the flesh, will receive eternal life of their soul and will belong to God and receive His inheritance. That is much better than the death of their soul. Anyone who has an ear to hear must heed this warning.

 

(Revelation 2:18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

 This is what Christ told John to write to Thyatira.

 

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

 The last will truly be more than the first because the first one to come claiming to be Christ is in fact antichrist at the 6th trump. Christ will be returning to end this flesh part of this earth age at the 7th (last) trump and will lead us into the Promised Land of the Millennium Kingdom just as Joshua (Yahshua–the Hebrew name for Jesus, Iesous and Joshua) led the Israelites in the Promised Land. The One who comes last claiming to be Christ, because He is Christ, is the Firstfruit, Jesus.

 

(Revelation 2:20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest (listen to) 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.

This Jezebel of the end times that calls herself a prophetess is those who listen to people who claim to have some sort of divine knowledge, yet this knowledge is in direct contradiction to the Word of the Bible. Any divine knowledge, even if it is from an angel or God Himself, will never contradict the Bible as it was originally written. These people lead others astray, away from God, and begin to draw people even to new age thought processes sometimes. This fornication or idolatry refers to idolatry as whoredom, and is a physical representation of going after other gods or idols. God is the same now as he ever was since the beginning and ever will be in the future to come, and nothing true about God will ever be revealed in these new age followings.

 

(Revelation 2:21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

 The people who listen to these false prophets and new age thinkers and listen to these “new” ideas are gradually led away from God and even when, and if, they realize how they have been led away, they do not repent to God or come back to Him. It is God’s desire that all of His children would come back to Him, and He gives them a chance to come back to Him, many chances, but He knows many will not.

 

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

Because of their willingness to follow these false ideas and because these people do not love the truth enough to study it and learn it, God will send them strong delusion that they would believe a lie. He will allow them to fawn over antichrist when he arrives, thinking he is Christ, and they will not be the wiser. And unless they repent for these fornications, they will not overcome in the flesh.

 

(Revelation 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.

 Anyone who does not overcome in the flesh will be spiritually dead. This means they do not yet have an eternal soul, a living soul. Their soul is liable to die the second death unless they overcome satan’s deception at the end of the Millennium. The second death is the death of your soul when it is thrown into the Lake of Fire and your existence, and all memory of it, is blotted out. You will have never existed. It is difficult to wrap your mind around concepts like this. It is different than anything you know in the flesh. The important thing is that you would not allow this to be your fate.

 

(Revelation 2:24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

 These who have not this doctrine of Thyatira, are those who have overcome in the flesh before the return Of Jesus Christ. You will not suffer the burdens that befall those who have not overcome.

 

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

 Those who stand for Christ and hold on to His name, as a Christian, continue to do so until it is He that returns. Do not fall short by mistakenly following after antichrist, but remain faithful to Jesus.

 

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

 (Revelation 2:27) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

 Those who overcome in this age will serve in the Millennium Temple. Those who have not strayed from Christ will be His kings, and priests, teachers and judges and will serve Him personally in the Temple (Ezekiel 44).

 

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

 These who overcome will receive Christ as their inheritance (Ezekiel 44) and He owns it all. He is the true morning star, while satan (lucifer) is the false morning star.

 

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

 If you understand everything said here, then heed this warning.

 

Jesus gives us these warnings for a reason: it is written in the Bible not to be overlooked, but to be taken seriously. Will you take them seriously and learn what Jesus wants?

The next chapter will give us three more churches of which to be aware.

John

Does Jesus need to prove who He Is? John 5:30-35

We return with Christ still speaking to the pharisees. Let’s dig in.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

How are you with your judgments? Are you quick to judge? Do your judgments align with our Father’s? Can you be sure what God’s judgments are?

John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

This is a very old principal that we see used everyday. If someone comes in and says they are great and they can do or have done all these things, what is your first reaction? We reject that person or we wish they would stop blowing their own horn, however if someone else introduces that same person and that person does not have to go on about themselves we are much more likely to listen.

John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. (33) Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

This was John the Baptist’s whole mission and he did it spectacularly. How easy would it have been for John to start to take pride in himself? John was Christ’s cousin. How easy would it have been to forget who Christ was, especially before His ministry began? The people flocked to him wandering out to the river Jordan to be baptized and hear him speak. How many people in the world would be able to not begin to think of themselves as great? Is it no wonder then that Christ said in Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Stop and think about that for moment. There are a lot of big names to consider, Elijah, David, MOSES and Christ just placed John the Baptist on the top.

John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

God does not want to see his children parish and he wasn’t born of woman and crucified on the cross just for kicks. He did it for us. He came here to show us the way for US. For you and for me. His words are important and if you have the desire to be saved I suggest you listen to what he has to say.

John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (36) But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

As great as John was, Christ works were greater. Christ didn’t need John to prove who he was. He could make the dead rise, heal the sick and produce endless supplies of food. Even though he could do all these things, this generation rejected him. They beat him, mocked him and cast lots for his clothes. When they took him in the night and Peter smote the ear of one of the guards, he healed it. He healed it. He knew what was coming, yet he stopped enough to heal the man’s ear. Why didn’t that man stop and wonder at His greatness? Wouldn’t you think the man would suddenly turn and fight to defend the life of this innocent man? Are we so much different? How hard is it to stop in the face of a mob and say, “This isn’t right?”

I digress. We will pick this up on the next post and finish this 5th chapter of John. God Bless.

John

They try to Kill Christ, but it wasn’t time John 5:24-29

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Today we continue with Christ speaking to a bunch of people that want to kill him. Is he worried? Is he running for the hills? No.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Satan believes in God. The demons that Christ exorcised out of the wild man knew who he was:

Luke 8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

So what does this verse mean then? Let’s pull up this word believeth in the Greek:

G4100 – Πιστεύω – pisteuō – pist-yoo’-o

From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): – believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

To have faith in. Do you see how believeth just doesn’t really cut it here. So let’s look at it again

He that heareth my word, and has faith in him that sent me, hath everlasting life

We could even put Trust in there because that is what it takes. Like I said, Satan believes in God and has spoken to him many times, but he does not have faith in him or does he put his trust in him. Satan puts his trust in himself and that is the philosophy that his spirit has put into play today. Be careful that you don’t put all your faith in yourself or into the government. Put your faith in God. God will never let you down. Can you say that about government? Can you even say that about yourself?

John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Christ went to hell after his death and spent three days there (1 Peter 3:19). He quickened those souls, but this is before his death. So what is this, “now is?” Remember the man he healed at the well? Remember how it symbolized Israel? Remember how Israel was cut off? In a few verses he is going to mention John the Baptist. What was John’s mission? To pave the way for the Lord. To make the path strait. He gathered those that desired God. Those that that no longer wanted to be without God.

John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Without God you’re dead. Your flesh may still walk around, but your spirit is void of life.

John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Judge not because you will likewise be judged. Most of us are quick to judge others. We see faults and jump all over them, but are quick to justify or ignore our own. Christ doesn’t have this problem. He knows our hearts and his judgments are true.

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

Again Christ went down into hell and preached to the prisoners there.

John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

This word damnation is really judgment. So what it really says is: resurrection of judgment. Judgment can mean rewards. We will all be judged and those that have believed on, had faith in, our Lord Jesus Christ will be stamped clean at that judgment.

Remember that you can hear his words today. You can experience the quickening of the spirit today. Our Father wants to have an everyday relationship with you. He will accept you exactly where you are today. And TODAY you can be washed in His blood and be resurrected unto life.

John

John the Baptist Identifies Christ John 1:18 to 1:34

John 1:19:  And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

Again we are talking about John the Baptist.

John 1:20:  And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

What does Christ mean?  I am glad I had time to edit this because when I first began to answer this I found the answer growing and growing until I realized that I need to cut that out and post a separate study on the topic.  I will finish that up and post it soon (God willing).  So for sake of brevity let’s just pull up the word Christ.

G5547  Χριστός  Christos  khris-tos’
From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: – Christ.

Anointed or “the Christ” meaning The Anointed One.”  Or simply Messiah.

John 1:21:  And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Are you Elias or  better known to us Elijah? No.  But why were they asking him that?  We know they were looking for the Messiah, but Elijah?

Malachi 4:5:  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Malachi 4:6:  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

These are the last verses given to us in the Old Testament and I will tell you a little secret.  We are still looking for the day of the Lord.  John the Baptist wasn’t Elijah, he couldn’t have been any plainer.  So we know that we are still looking for that prophet.

John 1:22:  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

People never change.  Anyone starts to do a work for God and instantly the Pharisees want your creds.

John 1:23:  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Now how did John answer?  Did he make stuff up?  Did he tell them he had a dream?  No he quoted scripture and don’t let a false prophet today let you over look that fact.  A prophet of God uses God’s word and if what he says doesn’t jive with His word then tell him to shove off.
And what scripture did he quote?

Isaiah 40:3:  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:4:  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Isaiah 40:5:  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

I want you to sit down and read that whole chapter and try to absorb it.  Some critics will tell you that this chapter of Isaiah to the end of the book was written by a different author.  Why? Because they don’t have the love of our Father from which all wisdom comes.  Think on this.  Isaiah has 66 chapters.  The bible has 66 books.  Chapter 40 tells us of John the Baptist.  The book of Matthew is the 40th book in the bible.  So naturally chapter 40 on forward would sound different.

John 1:24:  And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

We started this post with verse 18 where it said who was sent so why are we getting told again?  Because God does not want you to over look the fact who sent these guys.  It wasn’t those who seek after God.  It was the Pharisees.  We are going to nail down just who these Pharisees are when we get to the eighth chapter.

John 1:25:  And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
John 1:26:  John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
John 1:27:  He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

John does a pretty good job of explaining why doesn’t he?

John 1:28:  These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Bethabara means: House of the ford and Jordan: descender.  Note: John isn’t just splashing water here.  He is in a river and getting submerged.

John 1:29:  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Remember John didn’t have to guess.

John 1:30:  This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John 1:31:  And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

Now why would John say he knew him not?  Remember from the other Gospels we know that John and Jesus were cousins.  They knew each other.  John lept in the belly when Christ was conceived.  But let’s not forget.  Mark 6:4:  But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

John didn’t know who Christ was until the Holy Spirit came down and God claimed him.

John 1:32:  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

Remember when we learned that the dove is symbol of the Holy Spirit?

John 1:33:  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
John 1:34:  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Listen up, John was told what to do, by someone.  Was that an Angel we don’t know, but that same entity told him what the sign will be.  How was John to know he wasn’t being deceived by a lying spirit?  We know from, Acts (which was quoted from the book of Joel) that we will dream dreams and see visions.

Acts 2:17:  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18:  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

So how will we know if we were just having a dream because we saw a TV show our subconscience mind wanted to spend the night toiling over?  For one, it will not contradict God’s word.  Second take a look at Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 18:21:  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deuteronomy 18:22:  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.