Bible Studies
Divided loyalty is seen from the Royal Family, to the White House, the Halls of Congress, throughout the World of Politics, Sports, and from Wall Street to the Offices of the Business World. And sad to say it is in the Church. This ought not to be. In this letter Jesus speaks about divided loyalty. He is the One you must know as your Savior and be loyal too. His Word set the standard for truth and conduct. Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
There are religious denominations that teach that Jesus was a mere man rather than the incarnate Son of God. 1st John 2:22, teaches us that anyone who denies that Jesus is Christ is a liar and an antichrist. "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Claims made outside the Word of God create a distortion of God in the thoughts of the people. Scripture is the sole revealer of the Mind of God. His Word properly gives place to the anger of the LORD, the Judgment of the LORD, the Mercy of the LORD, the Grace of the LORD, and gives place to the invitation for repentance. Only the Word of God by the Spirit of God can communicate the thoughts and intent of God, to the believer in Him for all things. In every letter to the Churches, Christ gives this warning, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
God uses things we have heard and seen to brings us to hear the Gospel.
If you evaluated your life in the light of The LIGHT of the World, what would you find? When we go into a dark room we reach for the light switch and the light reveals the contents of the room. Psa_18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Pro_20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
If you evaluated your life in the light of The LIGHT of the World, what would you find? When we go into a dark room we reach for the light switch and the light reveals the contents of the room. Psa_18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Pro_20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, I do not think that is referring to the Rapture. I believe that is a promise to the Church during these last days in which we, the believer, will see persecution. It is easy to believe there will be some giant leap from where we are now to the Tribulation but not so. It is only a small step.
The Seven Churches existed at the same time. Every generation since the time of John writing these letters has lived with the Hope they would be the generation in which Christ came back. But generations have passed and here we are with the same hope! So the messages of the seven letters are relevant to every generation. No one knows the day in which Christ will come therefore the messages show a daily evaluation of our life, preparing the believer for the JSOC.
In writing to the seven Churches, He was writing to the One Church, the Body of Christ. He is writing to every believer. You could say this Book of the Revelation is dedicated to the Churches, to the believer in Jesus Christ. In every letter, we can find or see ourselves. Each letter has a message for us.
In writing to the seven Churches, He was writing to the One Church, the Body of Christ. He is writing to every believer. You could say this Book of the Revelation is dedicated to the Churches, to the believer in Jesus Christ. In every letter, we can find or see ourselves. Each letter has a message for us.
I Jesus, The only place in the N.T. you find The LORD calling Himself by this personal name. He is saying I am the source of this book, I am the Author of the Book. This Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is not the product of Hollywood or someone's imagination but I am The Producer of this Book.
In times of our trouble for someone to say, I know brings encouragement and comfort just to think someone understands our plight. Here Jesus looks at this Church and says to every believer, "I know your tribulation and poverty [but thou art rich]. What words of love and care from the One who has always been, "The first and the last". And He that lives said, I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
1 ) For the sake of clarification, I am calling this Justification: Justification positionally. Justified positionally is one who has been declared righteous by God as a result of faith, Romans 4:24-5:1 Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification; 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 ) James is laying out the truth; to be justified by works after being justified by faith. If we have been Justified positionally, we should strive to be Justified practically (the practice of Righteous works by the saved) You should continue in the things you saw in Christ when you were saved. "Watchman Nee said, the message of Christ to the sinner is 'Come unto Me' and His message to the believer is 'Abide in Me'
2 ) James is laying out the truth; to be justified by works after being justified by faith. If we have been Justified positionally, we should strive to be Justified practically (the practice of Righteous works by the saved) You should continue in the things you saw in Christ when you were saved. "Watchman Nee said, the message of Christ to the sinner is 'Come unto Me' and His message to the believer is 'Abide in Me'
Faith is already perfect as verses imperfection; therefore, faith is flawless. Perfect means "mature". Faith has an intended purpose and that is to please God. So, we are to grow in our faith, from faith to faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please God"
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