SEVEN ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ LOVE-LETTERS to the SEVEN CHURCHES of REVELATION - To The Church of Philadelphia

Church #6 PHILADELPHIA:

REV 3:7-13

⁷ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; ⁸ I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door*, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. ⁹ Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. ¹⁰ Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. ¹¹ Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. ¹² Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. ¹³ He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Philadelphia was a city of some importance founded in the second century B.C. by Attalus, king of Pergamum, in honor of his predecessor, Eumenes Philadelphus. The city was strategically situated in a fertile river valley on the main road from Sardis to Laodicea, directly east of Smyrna. 

The message to Philadelphia has captured the minds and hearts of Christians through the centuries because no other message (not even the one to Smyrna) is so rich in promises. The LORD's self-identification (v. 7) sets the stage for the first promise (v. 8), which is given unconditionally to the saints at the Philadelphia congregation.

SEVEN ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ LOVE-LETTERS to the SEVEN CHURCHES of REVELATION - To The Church of Sardis

Church #5 SARDIS:

REV 3:1-6
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. ² Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. ³ Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. ⁴ Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. ⁵ He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. ⁶ He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

“Sardis was situated almost directly south of Thyatira, in the direction of Smyrna and the sea. Its greatest days were behind it, but this once proud capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia (later the western capital of the Persian Empire) was still, under Roman rule, an important center of the woolen industry.

“Abundant archaeological remains include a temple to Artemis, a huge gymnasium and the largest synagogue yet found in the ancient world, suggesting a Jewish community numbering in the thousands (Finegan 1981:177-78) . . . The problem of the congregation in John's time was not with the Jews, nor with the Roman Empire, nor with false prophecy, but solely with itself.”

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: MEAT and GREET - JOHN 4:32-38

The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word. I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. These articles will not run contiguously on this blog but peppered throughout and in the midst of other articles (though some might be posted consecutively). I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.

JOHN 4:32-38
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.  37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

FROM CONSPIRACY TO CHRIST: The Testimony of Andrew Spod Godkin

The following is a testimony from a dear brother "from across the pond" in England. I met him online with Facebook, and after getting to know each other a bit, and learning how he came to know the LORD, I was intrigued and wanted to know more about this. 
When he gave me a bit more detail, I asked if he would be willing to share his testimony with us all, and he agreed. So, the following is the testimony of Andrew Spod Godkin: I pray that it ministers and reaches people, particularly those who are on the same road that he was on - and how it all led him from conspiracy to Christ.

My childhood was very much a normal one, I would say; no abuse at all, nothing out of the ordinary, and my parents are still together after 51 years, so no suffering a divorced and broken family. 

SEVEN ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ LOVE-LETTERS to the SEVEN CHURCHES of REVELATION - To The Church of Thyatira

Church #4 THYATIRA:

REV 2:18-29

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; 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. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 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. 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. 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Thyatira was a smaller city located further inland in the fertile Lycus River valley. Little is known of its history beyond the fact that it once belonged to the kingdom of Pergamum, and few archaeological remains have been found.

SEVEN ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ LOVE-LETTERS to the SEVEN CHURCHES of REVELATION - To The Church of Pergamos

Church #3 PERGAMOS:

REV 2:12-17

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 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. 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. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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.

The name Pergamos comes from a Greek word which was synonymous with “tower” or “citadel” that was associated with the goddess Roma, or in other cultures as Cybele, whose worshipers were engaged in religious fertility rites that resulted in women getting pregnant due to temple prostitution, and the infants born as a result were offered up as burnt sacrifices to their gods.

SEVEN ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ LOVE-LETTERS to the SEVEN CHURCHES of REVELATION - To The Church of Smyrna

CHURCH #2 SMYRNA

REV 1:8-11

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; ⁹ I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 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.

The name Smyrna comes from the "myrrh," which is a resin and is a critical ingredient used to embalm dead bodies because one of its major properties was its ability to slow down the putrefaction of dead flesh. This type of embalming was used in Egypt and Judea. Myrrh is often remembered as one of the three gifts the Magi gave to Jesus after he was born (gold – speaks of the Deity of Christ; frankincense – His priesthood; myrrh – his sacrificial death).

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: JESUS DECLARES HIS DEITY - JOHN 4:25-26

The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word. I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. These articles will not run contiguously on this blog but peppered throughout and in the midst of other articles (though some might be posted consecutively). I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.

We will focus on the relevance of vs. 25 and 26, but let's first read this in context . . .

SEVEN ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ LOVE-LETTERS to the SEVEN CHURCHES of REVELATION - To The Church of Ephesus

So now that we have had an introduction and preliminary observations from Chapter One, we will get into each of these seven churches in Chapters 2 and 3 and learn of the LORD's counsels, corrections, and commendations:

Church #1 EPHESUS:

REV 2:1-7

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, and 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 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. 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.

In the time of the Romans, Ephesus bore the title of "the first and greatest metropolis of Asia." It was distinguished for the Temple of Diana (q.v.), who there had her chief shrine; and for its theatre, which was the largest in the world, capable of containing 50,000 spectators. Dozens of gold covered colonnades shown brilliantly in the morning sunlight. Statues exulting in the goddess Diana were purchased by devotees far and wide and then placed in the Temple. It was known as one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World.

ARE YOU ON F.I.R.E. for JESUS?

I was born again at this point in time (AUG of '80) for about two months. Up until then, I had been to a few different kinds of Bible studies; they were all good to one degree or another - some were based on a lot of history; others invited the perspectives of the Christians gathered together as they expressed what they thought on any given verse.

Other studies were centered around the Bible directly, and the verses changed every week, but it was always the Gospel message, given to those who had already received it.

Then I arrived at this point in time, two months into my salvation, I entered into this house in my neighborhood where I heard they had really awesome Bible study - I descended the stairs into the basement and found a few people gathered there. I saw this blond haired lady with glasses and a guitar resting on her lap. Across from her was a tall, dark haired man - her husband.

When I introduced myself, she repeated my name, "Jim Fire? Are you on fire for the LORD?"
I beamed, nodded and gave a resounding "Amen!"
I then sat down and listened to my first message by pastor Chuck Smith, on the Beatitudes - and that began my life long journey in the Word of God. And I must say, those first few years were foundational and grounded me on the Rock. I went home after every visit to that house, having received anywhere from 3 to 5 cassette tapes at a time and devoured them, writing notes down, underlining passages in my Bible, and returning the tapes with a number of questions directed at my spiritual parents in the faith.

That flame of the Word has kept me through the years and is a testament to its ability to keep a saint on FIRE for the LORD!
In this article, I want to talk about what it takes to be on F.I.R.E. for Jesus:

First let's look at two scriptures that tell us WHY it's absolutely necessary to be ON FIRE for JESUS!

MATTHEW 24
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

REVELATION 3:15-16
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 spew thee out of my mouth.


F.ERVENCY I.NDWELLING R.IGHTEOUS E.VERLASTING

From the IN CHRIST BIBLE STUDY website (note: this author does not necessarily endorse everything as taught on this site) we have the following on:

FERVENCY -

ROMANS 12:9-12
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

NKJV renders it as follows:
"not lagging in diligence, FERVENT in spirit, serving the Lord"
FERVENT —Greek: zeo (dzeh'-o) - verb
MICKELSON’S ENHANCED STRONG'S DICTIONARIES:
to be hot; (of liquids) to boil; (of solids) to glow; (figuratively) to be fervent (earnest)
THAYER'S GREEK DEFINITIONS:
used of boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad etc. fervent in spirit, said of zeal for what is good
ULTIMATE WORD STUDY DICTIONARY:
To seethe, bubble, boil, from the sound of boiling water. In the NT, only applied spiritually, meaning to be fervent (ACTS 18:25; ROMANS 12:11).

JOHN GILL - EXPOSITION OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE:
Fervent in spirit; in their own spirits, for the glory of God, the honour of Christ, and the cause of religion, in imitation of Christ himself, and as Phinehas and Elijah were; which fervency of spirit is opposed to that lukewarmness of soul, REV 3:16, that coldness of affection, and leaving of the first love, so much complained of, and resented by Christ in his people: or else in the Spirit of God; for there may be fervency in men's spirits, which comes not from the Spirit of God, as in the Jews, and particularly Saul, before his conversion, who had "a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge", ROM 10:2; but when "the love of God is shed abroad in the heart" by the Spirit of God, ROM 5:5, this will make a man's spirit fervent in the service of God, for which the apostle would have these believers concerned.

A disciple of the wise men among the Jews is said to be, "fervent", because the law is as a boiling pot unto him; much more should a disciple of Christ be fervent, who has the Gospel of Christ, the love of God, and the grace of the Spirit to inflame his soul with true zeal and fervour.

What makes water boil but heat, typically by means of fire? - And is not our God a consuming fire (HEB 12:29)?, So to be fervent, zealous, 'on fire' for the LORD is to abandon oneself into the very Spirit of God, much as Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were fully abandoned to the fiery furnace that Nebuchadnessar consigned them to (DAN 3). It was in this place that they themselves were unharmed, but those things that bound them (their ropes) were burned away.

Likewise, as we surrender ourselves to the LORD and allow His Holy Fire to consume our sinful ways, we find that our flesh binds and hinders us less and less - enabling us to grow closer to the LORD in love, worship, revelation of the deeper things of God.

Steel will glow when super-heated by flame - and likewise, the light of the LORD will shine as we surrender ourselves to refining, the burning away of our sinful ways, so as to not pollute the name of the LORD, but instead honor and glorify Him!

Just as a sword will endure the forge and as a result, the metal is tested and strengthened, having all of the impurities burned away, likewise the saint that endures affliction, trials and suffering at the hand of God, will become strengthened and an able weapon in His Majesty's Sacred Service!

Both water and steel will require time in the flame - the water doesn't boil automatically; the steel does not become molten in a moment. So too with our trials and hardships -under the watchful eye of the Master Smith, He extends our time in the flame just long enough to accomplish His glorious purposes.

ISAIAH 48:10-11
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Fervency is the opposite of hardheartedness, of cold apathy and hypocrisy; it is a condition of the heart that yearns for the LORD, and having received of Him His graces and gifts is at the same time satisfied and yet also hungers for more. It is an unquenchable passion that is dissatisfied with any of the lures this world will provide, and focused on JESUS - caring for the things that are on His Heart, engaged in His mission, desirous to get involved in His plans, exalting His Word, glorifying His name, and blessed when He is the center of attention - not oneself.

INDWELLING -

EPHESIANS 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

ROMANS 8:9,11
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Being 'on fire' can be the result of religious fervency as was noted previously (ROM 10:2). However such fervent attributes are of human manufacture (or even demonically inspired), and not of the LORD, and thus ultimately impotent.

What sets apart godly fervency apart from its cheap, religious imitation is God Himself; specifically God indwelling the heart of a human being. As we know, the heart is a wicked, devastatingly, incurably wicked thing that God cannot even think to inhabit (JER 17:9); this is why we need and why God provides for us, a new heart, miraculously generated by His Spirit (EZEK 36:26; JOHN 1:12-13; 3:3-5); and this happens every time a sinner repents before the LORD, and receives His salvation by faith, believing the Gospel of Christ Jesus!

By the indwelling Spirit of God, being on fire for JESUS is not dependent on our mood or emotions, or our will power, or determination - it is the power of God manifest in us; even when against all odds, when all the forces of hell and earth are arrayed against us and attempting to cause us to submit to their ungodly ways - the Spirit of the LORD rises up in us, empowering us to not bend the knee to the god of this world (2 COR 4:4). It is the indwelling Christ that brings the Christian to spiritual victory and allows us to overcome all the world by faith (1 JOHN 5:4).

In all reality, every single born-again Christian is a living Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 COR 6:19-20) - that is mind boggling when you think of it! The Eternal, Almighty, Omni-present and Holy God lives inside of our hearts! That single truth, when pondered upon and understood, will rouse up the sleepiest saint from their lethargy, and when brought together with a feasting on the Word Inspired, with reverent worship of God, with a life committed to the Gospel - will ensure that the saint's inspiring inferno for Immanuel Who indwells His people shall endure!

This indwelling Spirit of God has been mentioned in Scripture as the "earnest" or down payment (2 COR 1:22; 5:5; EPH 1:14) that God has laid down for us who are the redeemed, until the time comes for the redemption of our bodies (ROM 8:23), just as He has already redeemed our spirits or hearts (and is working on redemption of our souls or minds).

Our heart (or spirit) is indwelt by the Spirit of God, our soul/mind is in process of redemption (ROM 12:1-2), via sanctification, and one day, these corruptible bodies shall put on incorruption, themselves being redeemed at the rapture/resurrection of the church (ROM 8:23).

In the references cited above from CORINTHIANS and EPHESIANS, the word "sealed" is used, which in the Greek is sprigizo:
"to stamp with a signet or private mark - (such as Pilate used to seal the tomb of Jesus; such a seal cannot be broken except by the one whose stamp made it) for security or preservation; to attest to, to set one's seal upon. It indicates security and permanency; of the certain doom of Satan [who cannot escape judgment] as a seal of GOD was set upon the abyss where he will be imprisoned for the thousand year Millennial Reign of Christ.

It refers to ownership, the thing being stamped as owned by the one whose signet stamped them, as were slaves in ancient cultures. It stresses the sacred formalities of the transaction and guarantee of the full complement of the content. For the believer, so sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, this refers to the idea of destination as something certain - "unto the day of redemption".

Both PHIL 1:6 and HEB 13:5 indicate that the LORD will complete the work that He began - that this is a promise and a certainty because of His power and foreknowledge: He is both able to complete and shall indeed complete the work of salvation in the life of the genuine believer. He will not leave nor forsake us, it says in HEBREWS 13:5.

Since God knows all things, He knows who among the many professing believers are actually saved, and of these, He has sealed them with the Spirit, promising with this 'down payment' that He will complete His work.
If such a one were to fall away, such a down payment would never be made, as He would know that they would do so. What we may conclude from this is that the genuine believer is secured, permanently in their salvation by the earnest of the indwelling Spirit.

Such a comfort and security in the heart of the true child of God would never entice them to letting sin to continue, that grace may abound (ROM 6:1), but have the blessed peace and knowledge that He that began the work of grace and salvation, will see to it Himself, that we are completed in Him! This in turn will well up in the heart of the genuine believer such a fervor, such a joy, such a peace that can never be quenched or dis-annulled by any trials, circumstances, lapses of faith or anyone or anything else that would seek to separate us from the love of Christ (ROM 8:35)!

RIGHTEOUS -

What hope does this world ever have to know the true and living God, when we are a race of fallen humanity (1 TIM 6:15-16; ROM 7:10-14)? How can we have fellowship with God when our very nature is unrighteous and therefore unacceptable to a Holy God, whose holiness is beyond the scope of human understanding?

It is because of Christ and Christ alone that we have atonement for our sin, as well as the righteousness of Christ imputed ("charged to our account") to us (ROM 3:22; 5:17) so that we may have every confidence in approaching the very throne of God in our prayer, and interaction with our Creator God (HEB 4:16), without fear of wrath or rejection from He Who is now Someone we cry out to as "Abba, Father" (GAL 4:6).

This is a joy beyond compare - that we are not only accounted righteous by the vicarious work of Christ's crucifixion, death and resurrection, but also by the Spirit enabled to grow in righteous conduct that is pleasing to our Father. Any born again believer will tell you that "it's good to be good!" And we have our LORD to thank for that!

1 TIMOTHY 1:5
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

This is not a righteousness that belongs to an exclusive society - but the righteousness which is the very quality of God's holy character - and available to all who want it (MATT 5:6)! Amazing! No religion can produce this, no philosophy can ever conceive of it, no morality can ever come close to it (ISAIAH 64:6) - and yet by the whispered prayer of a broken and contrite heart, God 'sits up and takes notice' and responds with His grace and mercy (PSALM 51:17)!

Before I was saved, before understood what the Cross and salvation was really all about, I was plagued by the questions, "How can I prove myself to be righteous before the LORD? What must I do to be accepted by Him?"
Those questions were summarily answered by the LORD Jesus Christ in His WORD, when I read for the first time ROMANS 4, and this led me to my salvation!

Being on FIRE for JESUS is being so in love with Him, because of His great love with which He ably demonstrated His heart to us, that the fire is not seen at all as something radical, but reasonable! We saints are made acceptable in the beloved (EPH 1:6-7). We are His sons and daughters, adopted and brought into the household of God (EPH 2:19). It is no wonder that we may become so on fire for the LORD, with every good reason to be so ignited!

PSALM 9:7-8
7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

The ONLY ones who will not only survive, but THRIVE under the scrutiny of God's Holy Eyes in Judgment are the saints that are granted the righteousness of Christ - the exact same quality of righteousness with which He will judge the world (and our sins were judged at the cross already - we will only be judged at the Bema seat of Christ - not for our sins, but for our works done in Christ's Name - whether they were truly of Christ or our own work (2 COR 5:10).

EVERLASTING -

We are partakes of the Everlasting Covenant; we are the object of Everlasting Love; we are the beneficiaries of Everlasting Grace and infused with Everlasting Life; we are strengthened and equipped by the Everlasting arms of the LORD!

HEBREWS 13:19-21
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Some covenants, like the Mosaic were conditional; that is, God promised to do certain things for Israel if they were faithful to do their part. Other covenants, like the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants were unconditional, which meant that the burden of fulfilling them was on God alone - regardless of what Israel would or would not do. The everlasting covenant is likewise an unconditional covenant in that it rested solely upon the shed blood of the LORD Jesus Christ; the significance of this everlasting covenant was in that fact - that the new testament was sealed and legitimized by the death of the testator, the LAMB of GOD (HEB 9:16) - and His blood being shed for our sins. The faithfulness of the LORD in securing for us this everlasting covenant - for Israel as well as us Gentiles - is something that can ensure that the flames of our passion and love for Him remains fiery!

For information about all the different covenants that GOD made for Israel and for those of the world at large, see the following:

What are the Covenants in the Bible?

JEREMIAH 31:3-4
3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

The love of the LORD is an everlasting love - not fickle or uncertain; His love just like His grace is unconditional (DEUT 7:6-8). Whereas our own love is human, prone to failure, weak in its potency compared with that of the Almighty's - His is stalwart and infinite. He is Himself the very personification of love: agape love in the Greek, which means that the one who does the loving is focused solely on the one who is loved, concerned with their needs and fulfillment, with no regard whatsoever to one's own needs or costs in providing that love.

Considering how much God loved this world, without regard for what it would cost Him - the death of His own beloved and only begotten Son - how profound and deep is this love (JOHN 3:16; 1 JOHN 4:10)! Partaking of such love - and receiving freely through the knowledge of His Word ("a love letter penned over thousands of years, written in the blood of His dear Son") and by His Spirit (ROM 15:30) is something that will ensure that we stay "on fire for JESUS!" Let us never be so busy that we ignore our relationship with the LORD, and neglect His love for us. This was the LORD's charge against Ephesus in His letter, written in the book of REVELATION 2:1-5.

1 PETER 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

PSALM 100:5
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

"Grace and mercy" are often spoken of as the 'Siamese twins' of the Scriptures - you seldom see one without the other, and grace always precedes mercy - grammatically in the verses of Scripture as well as doctrinally. His mercies are everlasting, thus we recognize that grace is likewise. The God of - not some, many or most but - "all grace" - Who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus is the One from Whom we receive these vast treasure troves of beneficent blessings (EPH 1:7; 2:7). The reservoir of God''s riches in grace will never run dry - any more than the most expansive and deepest lake in the world run dry because a sparrow desires to take a drink from it (HEB 4:16). Having provided such grace for us, we may rest assured that by such enabling virtue, we can persevere in the passionate fire for Jesus all the days of our lives!

DEUTERONOMY 33:26-28
26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Consider Who it is that brings us every necessary provision, every stalwart defense, every Word of encouragement, wisdom and peace; Who alone brings us salvation - and who can prevent His delivery of these precious commodities to us? NO ONE!

His strength under-girds us, His protection surrounds us, His benefits overshadows us; and they arrive in God's divine sense of punctuality. While we are yet speaking, He answers our prayers (ISAIAH 65:24). We need not wait for His help to arrive - as we would for the police if we report a break-in, or a child who is ailing in bed calling out to their parents - He is ever-present, and ever ready to bring us the aid that we need, when we need it (PSALM 46:1).
With such resources as these, brought to us by His everlasting arms - His mere hand measures the heavens (ISAIAH 48:13)! - we may be assured that such passionate zeal and love for Him is not in vain. His faithfulness indeed endures to all generations.

Let us take these valuable truths as found in God's Word, and stoke our hearts with them, and pray that the LORD inflames us to such intensity, that we will never be snuffed out by the smothering influences of this world or the darkness that rules it!

PSALM 89:1-5
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. 3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. 5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

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TOUCHED BY A FIRE - By PEOPLE and SONGS

7 ‘FROM The HEART of JESUS’ Love-Letters to the 7 Churches of Revelation: An Introduction

INTRO: I owe much of the following teaching to insights by Chuck Missler, who was one of my favorite Bible teachers, but in these latter days, his leanings towards Jewish mysticism has led me to remove his ministry link from my TTUF site.

Still, his expositional studies through the Word of God are still in my library and they are a blessing.

The study of these seven letters FROM The MIND of FIRE will be included in a full, in-depth study of the book of REVELATION, in it's entirety on the main site of The TRUTH Under FIRE (www.thetruthunderfire.com).

The BIBLE’S BOOK ENDS: GENESIS and REVELATION:

I reviewed a chart online that makes comparisons between the first and last books of the Bible, GENESIS and REVELATION; the themes found in both books begin in GENESIS and end in REVELATION. Some of these are as follows:

GENESIS – reveals the creation of a temporary world; REVELATION reveals an eternal world.

Division of light and darkness (Gen. 1:4).	No night there (Rev. 21:25).
Division of land and sea (Gen. 1:10).	No more sea (Rev. 21:1).
Rule of sun and moon (Gen. 1:16).	No need of sun or moon (Rev. 21:23).
First heavens and earth are finished (Gen. 2:1-3).	New heaven and earth are forever (Rev. 21:2).
Man is in a prepared garden (Gen. 2:8-9).	Man is in a prepared city (Rev. 21:2).
There is a river flowing out of Eden (Gen. 2:10).	There is a river flowing from God’s throne (Rev. 22:1).
Tree of life is in the midst of the garden (Gen. 2:9).	Tree of life is throughout the city (Rev. 22:2).
God walking in the garden (Gen. 3:8).	God dwelling with His people (Rev. 21:3).
Bride formed for her husband (Gen. 2:21-23).	Bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2).
Garden accessible to the Liar (Gen. 3:1-5).	City closed to all liars (Rev. 21:27).
Man in God’s image (Gen. Gen. 1:27).	Man in God’s presence (Rev. 21:3).
Man is the steward (Gen. Gen. 2:17).	Man is the heir (Rev. 21:7).

The SCRIPTURAL STAIRWAY To HEAVEN: The BEATITUDES as found in MATTHEW 5 - PARTS 1 & 2

The following is a revision and summary presentation of two articles in the TTUF study of MATTHEW CHAPTER 5 (to read the full study in Ch 5, go here). This article itself is divided into two parts for your convenience, in bookmarking it once you complete the first half.

~ ~ ~ ~ PART ONE ~ ~ ~ ~

What does the word ‘beatitude’ actually mean, have you ever wondered? One rendering says, “To be supremely blessed, consecrated, and holy, in a state of bliss”. 
Those who follow the truth as expressed by the LORD in this chapter will certainly know (even if they don’t understand) this bliss and peace; yet there must be no mistake: in order to follow the Truth Incarnate, His Spirit must be the one to empower and enable them by indwelling their person! 

Christianity is not, and cannot (successfully) be a mere philosophy or a set of principles for ‘moral man’ to abide by. The one statement alone, made by our LORD should put an end to any such endeavor: MATT 5:48! 

Christianity is “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (COL 1:27; 2 COR 4:6-8)! Certainly the principles laid out by the LORD here are absolutely contrary to the philosophy of this world (1 COR 2:13) which is ruled by Satan, and is why the kingdom of God and Light is diametrically opposed to the world’s view (and why the true church that lives by the Spirit of God is so hated by those of the world):

CLASS: “Authentic” Youth Ministry

Here is yet ANOTHER post NOT written by yours truly (why is it every time I say that, I keep hearing applause??)

This article is by Greg Reid
www.gregoryreid.com

I came from an unconventional background, and I lived an unconventional life and did unconventional ministry. I was an unconventional child, much to the concern of my very conventional parents. I tried to re-bury worms when it rained one day because they were coming out of the ground and I thought they would be cold. I cried for hours when I was 6 when I couldn’t find my neighbor friend, and my mom told me he had gone to Washington. She couldn’t figure out why I was so upset…till she figured out it was because I knew Washington was dead, and I thought she was trying to find a nice way to tell me what happened to my neighbor…

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: JESUS KNOWS ALL - JOHN 4:16-19

JOHN 4:16-19
16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

The LORD Jesus is having a dialogue with the Samaritan woman. Thus far, He has asked her for a drink and she has become somewhat contentious, asking why He, a Jew, would have anything to do with her, a Samaritan - to say nothing of the social barriers that were in place between men and women.
He then mentions this "living water" that He offers to those who ask Him (vs. 10), to those who recognize Him for Who He is. She is still thinking in the natural however, considering the advantages of such water that would enable her to never "thirst again", but nevertheless is soliciting this from the LORD (vs. 15).

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: LIVING vs. WELL WATER - JOHN 4:10-15

The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word. I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. These articles will not run contiguously on this blog but peppered throughout and in the midst of other articles (though some might be posted consecutively). I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.


JOHN 4:10-15
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

CHURCH ETIQUETTE: HOW CHURCH SHOULD BE DONE

This is not intended to be a dogmatic check-list on how church must be done, based upon my own personal preferences, but rather, upon what honors God and His Word which reveals how things should be done: “… decently and in order …” (1 COR 14:40). 

As we consider all the aspects of the church gathering, and all that this entails, we quickly realize we must talk about how we greet one another, conduct in the sanctuary, the ministry of worshiping the LORD, the ministry of the Word at the pulpit, in Sunday School, youth ministry, etc. And many other things besides.
As we are living in the last days and the apostasy is growing exponentially, we are witnessing a diminishing respect for the Word of God, and even – dare I say – for God Himself. And sadly, it shows in our congregations today! Yet God exalts His Word even above His own Name (And His Name is utterly Holy! See PSALM 138:2)! If the LORD God esteems His Word that much, who are we to ignore or disrespect it?!

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: WANTING A DEBATE - JOHN 4:7-10,19-24

 The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word. I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. These articles will not run contiguously on this blog but peppered throughout and in the midst of other articles (though some might be posted consecutively). I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.

In our dealings with this terribly lost world of blind souls, who cannot recognize truth on their own, we are often confronted with arguments and barriers. It is job #1 for the enemy to keep them in a blinded state, so that the Light of the LORD will remain unseen by them (2 COR 4:4). It is job #1 for us saints, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb by the grace (unmerited favor) of God, to declare the gospel, prayerfully seeking God's touch upon them (2 COR 5:20-21), that they may perceive the love of God for them (1 JOHN 3:16).

JOHN 4:7-10
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Another Smoke Signal: ESCAPE FROM GRAY WORLD

GENESIS 1:1-4
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

The LORD God created all things, and made the Earth from its prior condition of formlessness and darkness. He began with the introduction of light, which in His eyes was good. Light is always good and useful, particularly where darkness reigns. It reveals, exposes, illuminates and dispels the unknown, the mysterious, the unfathomable and brings clarity and understanding. Light enables discernment.

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: The ENCOUNTER with CHRIST - JOHN 4:1-6

 The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word. I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. These articles will not run contiguously on this blog but peppered throughout and in the midst of other articles (though some might be posted consecutively). I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.

JOHN 4:1-6
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

A LETTER To The CHURCH-WOUNDED In “EXILE”

A Special and Timely Message by Gregory Reid: This is a very sensitive message, one I hope to convey with a heart of humility and grace, one I pray will bring a little healing to those who are hurting for reasons beyond your control or choosing. 

There are many who have passed through the fires of being “wounded in the house of a friend,” of being on the receiving end of rejection, misunderstanding and sometimes even dismissal or exile due to rancorous and painful church circumstances and dealings.

Few dare to speak of it, for fear of being viewed as a malcontent, a bitter soul, a troublemaker or worse. But truth be known, there are multitudes, both people and pastors, sheep and shepherds, who have been mangled by the machinery of church professional business dealings and decisions, especially in our purpose-driven and megachurch age.  

ONCE A SLAVE, ALWAYS A SLAVE

SLAVERY. The very word produces images of chains, whips, abject conditions of poverty and near starvation.

Our own American history is stained with deplorable treatment of Africans who were brought to our shores and suffered bondage for generations. They were deemed ignorant and inferior and thus, suitable for nothing else but slavery.

We like to think that here in the 21st century that we are more sophisticated and have higher sensibilities, but the fact of the matter is that slavery is still very much a reality. Enlistment into slavery of 'infidels' is still deemed a right by the Quran and the followers of Mohammad. Also, vast networks of illegal human trafficking that induct people into slavery (which according to statistics, as of 2014 included 21 million victims worldwide) is happening all around us!!

In REV 18:13 it mentions,
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

And also:
REV 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (see also REV 6:15).

So Scripture states that even in the last days, slavery will be a fact of life; certainly the aforementioned statistics indicates such an increasing trend.

This post is about the slavery of the worst kind - slavery into sin. Slavery into sin takes on many forms - including various addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling and others.