Revelation 1:11, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Christ said, "I am" the beginning and the ending. [Rev.1:8] And by His Word has captured the attention of all who will hear, That there is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved, Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
"Believe" is how we receive from the LORD, John 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: John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 )Those who received Jesus Christ are those who believed on His Name, "°. , to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on his name: Those who receive are those who believed on Christ
2 ) Salvation is not about us and what we have done or not done; it is about Jesus Christ and who He is and what He has done and what He promised us. We are not asked to believe a myth! We have the Word of God. We are not asked to make faith a work or to believe something into existence but rather to believe on Christ for God's offer of total forgiveness, 1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
These seven messages are His words sent throughout the churches to be heard v11, v19.
We will look at the deeds of the Nicolaitanes [v6] next week. I want to talk about some things that are prevalent today that can lead you away from the Word of God.
God's Wisdom is Not the Same as Our Wisdom
This is the day of living to know, to gain knowledge but the goal is not the knowledge of Christ; but rather a self- glorification. Ecc 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
[1] "Vanity," in Ecclesiastes, and usually in Scripture, means, not foolish pride, but the emptiness in the final result of all life apart from God. It is to be born, to toil, to suffer, to experience some transitory joy, which is as nothing in view of eternity, to leave it all, and to die", with no hope in Christ, with no reward in eternity.
"Vexation of the spirit" is liken to the pursuit of the wind. Vanity and vexation of spirit is the restless quest for meaning, that in itself is used by the LORD because we belong to Him by creation. And that endless search for meaning that can only be satisfied by the LORD, Himself.
To find meaning in the temporal things of this world and ignore the eternal is like chasing the wind; you don't know from whence it comes and where it goes.[John 3:8]. Wisdom is not the answer and cannot solve anything Ecc 2:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. Ecc 2:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. But man's wisdom is not the same as God's Wisdom and His Power, The moral compass of our life is the Word of God and the Spirit of Christ.
The Word of God is sufficient in all matters of life and doctrine.
2Ti_3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Tit_2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Claims about a modern-day Prophet to America and many have given Jonathan Cahn that title. This is to be evaluated in the light of the scriptures, and I find no basis for that in the Word. Books such as the Harbinger and the Mystery of the Shemitah must also be view in light of the scripture.
When the Lord closed the canon of scripture in Revelation all other writings claiming or implied to be infallible are false. When you take a book and put it alongside the Bible and say it to be a revealer of a mystery that will bring repentance is a distortion of scripture. The Mind of God is revealed to us in the Word of God. Isaiah 9:10-17 is His Judgment on Israel and there is no repentance found in those verses. The words: but his hand is stretched out still is the Repentance of Israel as a Nation in the tribulation.
America is not a second Israel. If America survives the tribulation it will be because God has ordained it and not because of some claimed hidden prophecy that has been discovered in the Bible.
If the Shemitah is to be a warning then why is it a Mystery?
Israel understood the Shemitah. It is the final year in a seven-year cycle of debt forgiveness and land use prescribed for Israel in the Old Testament. It was the release of debt. It has nothing to do with the Church.
Also, Isaiah 9:10 is to Israel and there was no offer of repentance. I do not think you can use Isaiah 9:10 as a comparison to America.
America is not a second Israel.
If America is to be saved what is she to be saved from? The rapture is the near prophecy to us. And nothing can alter the Rapture. The promise of deliverance is made to the believer, the one believing on Christ for eternal life. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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. Do not give more attention and authority to a book than the Word of God.
The Power of God's Word
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Timothy had found salvation, "the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" but there are many deliverance. [2]Salvation (4991/sotería) is a broad term, including all of God's acts of deliverance for believers (freeing them from the penalty and effects of sin, etc.). And we learn of them all in the Word of God. All scripture is profitable: for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The scriptures are what brings you to maturity, That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Revelation 2:1-7 – Ephesus, the Church that had left their first love. Someone called Ephesus the loveless church, Gene Cunningham called Ephesus the Church of faded love; both are a good description of the church but I am just staying with 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
You must renew your closeness to Christ daily. The first love is Jesus but it is also the love of others. "First Love is the word agápe – if you go to 2:19 you find the word " Charity" which is the same Greek word that is translated as love in 2:4. That means the Love of God is expressed in our acts of charitable love to others. Things you do because of love with no thought of repayment, 1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. That word Charity = the mindset to do what God would have us do, to do what is right in the Love of God.
[3]Paul commended their "first love" 35 years earlier which was their love for one another, Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, And that is that agápe love for all the saints.
They had grown weary in their love for one another which has affected their love for God And had become arrogant, 1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
When our knowledge becomes more important than the people for whom Christ died, we have left our first love.
These seven letters are the words of Christ sent to the churches. 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;
1 ) Jesus said, "I know" (2:2,3) 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:
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted
2 ) (2:4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. I wonder why He put Ephesus first? I think it is answered in 1 Cor, 13:2&3 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. [keep in mind that the word charity is the Greek word "agape ". [4]The word for love agape is the deepest and most meaningful word for love found in the Greek language. They were first because leaving your first love leads to all other failures. That is the start of a downward spiral.
They did not lose their first love – they left their first love. Have we forgot as they, the spiritual life is about the Love of God being shed abroad in us, Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Life teaches the believer to love one another. Did he not say to bear one another's burdens, Gal_6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
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.
Remember from whence thou art fallen – So, you know when you are fallen. And to remember from whence you fell.
Repent and do the first works. What are the first works? Notice it works and not work. [1] Renew your love daily with Christ. I think there are certain things peculiar to each believer that makes your relationship with Christ unique to you. I know we all have the forgiveness of sin but there is our path by which we came to Him for salvation. And all these elements are a part of our devotion to Christ.
In each of these letters there is a beautiful ending, encouraging words made to the believer, 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.
To him that overcometh, is a promise made to every believer on Jesus Christ, What is the Promise? to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. [1] John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. According to this verse, Jesus has already overcome the world for you. Therefore being an overcomer is not by trying but by believing! [2] 1 John 5:4,5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? [3] 2:7 is also an invitation to believe the promise of Everlasting Life that Jesus promised you.
Conclusion
1 ) Jesus Christ evaluates our life daily and one day it will climax at the JSOC. And the opportunity to repent is given! Remember it is Christ who will remove the Light, The candlestick. 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.
2 ) We are to live by faith but it is a faith which works by Love, Gal_5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love
3 ) Any person in which you have had the main part in them coming to faith in Christ, you are their mentor and have a responsibility to nurture them in Christ that they may mature in Christ. Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. How long has it been since you paid a visit to the one you gave the gospel to?
God has spoken to us by His Son
When Jesus sat down on the right hand of the FATHER, He had already purged us from our sins. Who being the brightness of his glory,and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; [purge means a complete washing ]. Even though His death on the Cross happened more than two thousand years ago, when Christ was once offered for our sins, and by His one sacrifice, He put away all sin forever. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
[1] Scofield, C. I. (Ed.). (1917). The Scofield Reference Bible: The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments (p. 696). New York; London; Toronto; Melbourne; Bombay: Oxford University Press
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