THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS REVELATION 2: 1 - 7 PART 1 of 3

THE ZEALOUS CHURCH

REVELATION 2 : 1 - 7  (KJV)
PART 1 of 3

   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;

   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:

   3) And hast borne, and hast patience, for My Name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

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

   5) Remember therefore from whence thou are 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.

   6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

   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.   (KING JAMES VERSION, public domain)

COMMENTARY

   One of the mysteries of the Book of Revelation is that the churches that were to receive the letters were real churches, but they also were also representative churches (they represented church history): :

• Ephesus          The Apostolic Age    before A.D. 100
• Smyrna           Age of Persecution               A.D.  100 - A.D. 313
• Pergamos        Imperial Church Age           A.D. 313 - A.D. 590
• Thyatira          Age of Papacy                      A.D. 590 - A.D. 1517
•  Sardis             Reformation Age                 A.D. 1517 - A.D. 1730
• Philadelphia    Missionary Age                   A.D. 1730 - 1900
• Laodicea         Age of Apostasy                  A.D. 1900 - ?

   The Apostle John, the Apostle Paul, and Timothy had all ministered to the Church of Ephesus.  Here, Jesus commends the Church for their zeal and steadfastness, done in the Name of Christ.  However, He warns that they have left their first love:  their love for one another, for the lost, and for The Lord.  God is love, so we must love.  Paul closes his epistle to the Church of Ephesus thus:  "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity".  A "first love" is a sincere love.  While love is not just a feeling, but it is an action word also, we must search ourselves to be sure we are not just busy with "Christ things", but that we are in The Word, and praising Him, and asking Him to search us, that we may be more LIKE Him.  Studying His Word, therefore, is commendable.

   Let me try another way to explain "your first love":  remember that first person you fell in love with?  How your every thought was of them?  You wanted to stay in their company all day.  You would do and say anything to please them.  THAT is how we are to be with our LORD.  Have the praise music on our radio, study the Holy Bible, attend church, minister to others.

   Then He commends the church for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which He also hates.  Note that He does not hate the sinner, but the sin (deeds).  According to biblestudytools.com, the Nicolaitanes were followers of Nicolas who had incorporated participating in orgies to heighten their spirituality.  They also believed in eating food that had been offered to idols.

   Christ asks the Church to return to their first love or their angel would be withdrawn and The Holy Spirit would no longer remain in their midst.  Here is another promise of God:  "He who has an ear, let him hear what The Spirit says unto the CHURCHES:  To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."  Don't you want that?  Be zealous in your love for Christ.  Be sincere in your love for Him.  Overcome apathy for Him, don't be too busy "doing" for Him, and take time to "sit at His feet" and adore Him.

If this ministry is a blessing to you, we encourage you to leave your thoughts in a comment.  We would love to hear from you.  You are also encouraged to share this post on your favorite social media.  Thank you.

 You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, http://omaslife.blogspot.com, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com

REVELATION 1: 10 - 20 PART 2 of 2

REVELATION 1: 10 - 20
PART 2 of 2

   10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

   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.

   12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

   13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

   14) His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;

   15) And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.

   16) And He had in His right hand seven stars:  and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.

   17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

   18) 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.

   19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

   20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:  and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.         (King James Version, Public Domain)

COMMENTARY

  First of all, consider the Apostle John, being in his later years, on the island.  If he was outside, he was facing toward the West, because seniors have issues with bright lights in their eyes.  He was in the spirit, and had to turn around at the sound of the voice.  He spent three years walking with Jesus when He was in the form of mankind, however, he fell to his feet as dead.  And The Lord touched him, saying, "Fear not!"  How comforting is that to all of us?  "Fear not!"

   How often do we boldly take our petitions and request before the throne?  Are you so confident that when you are faced with Him eye to eye, that you will not also fall down as dead?  It must have been quite intimidating, seeing Jesus in all of His power as God!  I wonder if John, even for a moment, thought about how he had laid his head on His breast.

   Note in verse 18 where Jesus says He has the keys to hell and death.  He fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 16:10, "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, neither His flesh did see corruption." Acts 2:31 Before Christ descended into Hades, it had housed all the souls and spirits of all people who had lived and died before Him.  The saints and those who did not know Jesus were separated by a "great gulf".  Reference the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Luke 16: 23 - 26.

   However, "the cross, meant to kill, is my victory!"  Jesus descended into Hades like those who died before Him.  Hebrews 2: 14, 14 tells us , "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject in bondage"

   Therefore, after He went to Hades He ascended up on high to heaven rather than lingering in Hades.  Now, when we give up this life, we will "be with Him in Paradise", as He said to the thief on the cross.

   Remember that Daniel was instructed to "seal up" the things he had seen until a later time.  Here, John was told to write it down and send it to the churches.  Jesus named the churches by name, and He knows us by name, also!  In this, consider that when God gives us a mission, He provides everything necessary to complete the mission

   Then He explains the symbols John is seeing:  the candlesticks and the stars.  He wants us to study the Book of Revelation; and He will explain it to us!  

   John saw Jesus in the midst of the churches.  Every true church has an angel assigned for their guidance and watch-care.  Even when the pastors and members come and go, a true church's angel remains.  Know, also, that individual believers have angels assigned to them (Matthew 18:10, Acts 12: 15).

   I am excited about embarking on the study of this Book of Revelation.  Please leave a comment if we are ministering to you...no money necessary.  We want to encourage you to seek The Lord.

   Also, if this ministry is a blessing to you, please feel free to share our posts on your favorite social media.  Thank you.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, http://omaslife.blogspot.com, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com

REVELATION 1: 1 - 9 (KJV) PART 1 of 2

REVELATION 1: 1 - 9
PART 1 of 2

   1) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:

   2) Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

   3) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

   4) John to the seven churches which are in Asia:  Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne;

   5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.  Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

   6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

   7) Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.  Even so, Amen.

   8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

   9) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ   (KJV)

King James Version
Public Domain

COMMENTARY

   I don't want to sound selfish, but I want every blessing that my God will give.  I want blessings and crowns.  What goals do you have for your life?  Why not set your sites on blessings and crowns?  I want to lay down my crowns at the feet of my Savior when I see Him!

   While these seven churches are real churches, they are also representative churches.  There were many churches in Asia.  These represent not only the spiritual conditions, but also the history of the Christian Church.  The seven churches listed must be in the order in which they are to reveal the "mystery", which was unlocked to show the history of the Church.  We will see, as we study Revelation, that some of the church eras have been completed; some will continue until the return of Christ.

   The salutation is from (in order) God the Father:  "from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come", and The Holy Spirit (the Seven Spirits which are before His Throne), and The Son.  We have studied in the past about the Seven Spirits of God:  1) The Spirit of The Lord,  2) the Spirit of wisdom, and 3) understanding, the 4) Spirit of Counsel and 5) might, the 6) Spirit of Knowledge and 7) of fear of The Lord.

   So, the Apostle John has been exiled to the Isle of Patmos because of his preaching of the Gospel. Here he is, studying The Word on The Lord's Day, and behold!...Suddenly he is visited by The Lord Jesus Christ!  Jesus instructs him to write down what he is witness to and send it to the seven churches.  Even when you are old, all alone, and think there is nothing you have to give, God has a way of making old things new!  Praise His Holy Name!

We encourage you to leave your thoughts in a comment.  We would love to hear from you.

If this ministry is a blessing to you, you are encouraged to share these posts and "follow" us.  Thank you.

 You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, http://omaslife.blogspot.com, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com

REVELATION 3: 14 - 22: THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA PART 3 of 3

 THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA

REVELATION 3:  14 - 22  (KJV)
PART 3 of 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 of God;

   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.

   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 the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

   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.

   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.

   22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches.

King James Version (KJV)  public domain

COMMENTARY

    First of all, understand that the word "laodicea" is a compound word meaning, "the rights of the people".  Aren't you sick of hearing about the rights of this one or the rights of that one?  Militants are demanding their "rights" be honored.  And everybody wants something for nothing. However, in recognizing everybody's "rights", God is denied His rights.  That alone, is a sad commentary.

   Consider this:  Last year, the Presbyterian denomination officially solidified their support for homosexual marriage.  They join the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America allows autonomy to their churches to decide for themselves if they want to allow homosexual marriage.

   So, we have homosexual rights, women's right to choose to murder their pre-term babies, the right to commit adultery, the right to divorce, etc.  If you are a politician, you have the right to bear false witness, the right to covet, the right to steal and commit murder.  Most politicians boast about their church affiliation.  Nancy Pelosi jumps to mind when she confessed to being "a devout Catholic" but vehemently endorses abortion. 

   The Church is commanded to be salt and light; to be in this world but not of this world.  Matthew 5:  13) "You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."  What a stinging reproof!"  But he adds, 14) "You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." (NIV)

   And the Church of Laodicea is the last church and it represents the dispensation of grace.  No church is mentioned again in Revelation until the last chapter, where John reminds us that the entire Book of Revelation is to be sent to the "church".  There is no church (organized gathering of Believers) as such on earth during the climactic events of judgement described in chapter 4 and onward.

   The time of grace is quickly coming to an end, dear friend.  Have you been washed in the life-saving blood of The Lamb?  Please go to our Pathway to Salvation page (click here:  https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html) and give your life to The Only One Who can save it.  And leave us a comment, so we can walk with you on your journey.

We encourage you to leave your thoughts in a comment.  We would love to hear from you.  Are you sharing our ministry posts on your favorite social media?  It costs you nothing and it is pain-free!  Thank you for sharing this post and thank you for your prayers that God uses this ministry for His glory.

 You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, http://omaslife.blogspot.com, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com

THEY ARE A NATION WITHOUT SENSE DEUTERONOMY 32: 15 - 47

THEY ARE A NATION WITHOUT SENSE; THERE IS NO DISCERNMENT IN THEM

DEUTERONOMY 32: 15 - 47

  

Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA


   15) But Jeshurun (another name for Israel, but you can insert the name of your country) waxed fat, and kicked:  thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
   16) They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they Him to anger.
   17) They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
   18) Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

   19) And when The Lord saw it, He abhorred them, because of the provoking of His sons, and of His daughters.
   20) And He said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be:  for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
   21) They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked Me to anger with their vanities:  and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
 
   22) For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
   23) I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend Mine arrows upon them.

   24) They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction:  I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
   25) The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
   26) I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

   27) Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this.
   28) For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
   29) O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
   30) How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and The Lord had shut them up?

   31) For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
   32) For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah:  their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
   33) Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

   34) Is not this laid up in store with Me and sealed up among My treasures?
   35) To Me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time:  for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

   36) For The Lord shall judge His people, and repent Himself for His servants, when He seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
   37) And He shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
   38) Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings?  let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

   39) See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me:  I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal:  neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand.
   40) For I lift up My hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

   41) If I whet My glittering sword, and Mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to Mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
    42) I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and My sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

   43) Rejoice, O ye nations, with His people:  for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His adversaries, and will be merciful unto His land, and to His people. 
   
    44) And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hosea the son of Nun.
   45) And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:
   46) And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
   47) For it is not a vain thing for you: because it is your life:  and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. 

King James Version-Public Domain

COMMENTARY

   The definition of the word "froward" as defined on wiktionary.org:  disobedient, contrary, unmanageable; difficult to deal with; with an evil disposition.

   Verses 15 - 18:  These verses describe Israel after God had rescued them from bondage in Egypt.  But if you examine the description of how far they had wandered from the God who they owed so much to, you could say that this description fits the United States of America, also.  But getting back to our lesson, Jeshurun (Israel) were upright people, seeing people.  It didn't take long for them to loose their reputation for both their knowledge and their righteousness.  They were well-fed, prosperous, self-reliant.  They indulged themselves in all manner of luxury and gratifications of their appetites, fulfilling their lusts of the flesh.  See Proverbs 1: 32.

   Worst of all, they sacrificed to new gods.  They turned their backs on God,  kicking against the restraint of the laws that were meant for their good.  They persecuted the prophets.  They sacrificed to devils!  They were not dependent upon The God Who delivered them, nor were they grateful.  They chose idolatry, making a god of themselves and their appetites of the flesh.


   What about you?  Who is your god/ Who is your God?  You can find more information about the God of Creation by visiting our "Pathways to Salvation" page.  Click here:    https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.

You are encouraged to leave your thoughts in a comment, as we enjoy hearing from you.


You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com,  http://omaslife.blogspot.com,  and http://omashealth.blogspot.com.