TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEAN

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 that 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. Revelation 3.

This letter was sent to Laodicea, forth miles north to Ephesus. In this city was a famous medical school, and eyes salve made here became known for its healing power. Being a center of finance, Laodicea was extremely rich and one of the largest cities in Asia minor.

Moreover, it was a city of entertainment, where all the citizens sought continual pleasure. Since the church had compromised with the world, it became neither cold nor hot.

Jesus appeared to the church in Laodicean as one who was “Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” (vs. 14). Accepting the Word of God with “amen” expresses our sincere loyalty to the Lord. Mankind was originally created, that we might love God and gives Him glory. Therefore when we bring glory to God by our faithful service, His original purpose for us is fulfilled.

The Laodicean church, however, had lost its loyalty to Christ, its true witness and the original purpose of creation. Jesus pointed out its hypocrisy and lifeless faith and urged it to repent.

Among the six churches we have seen so far in the Bible, no church failed to receive a commendation. However, the Laodicean church did not receive any commendation, only rebuked from Jesus Christ the Lord and husband of the church. It represent the church age in which we are live.

Jesus condemned the lukewarm faith of the of the Laodicean church: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (vs. 16).

Those are dreadful words.  But I’m afraid many churches today have a Laodicean philosophy. Their people are either believers or unbelievers. They attend church when they want to and stay home when they don’t, they can accept Bible as Word of God or not. Sometime the scripture seems to have revelation to them, but sometimes not. Jesus hates the Laodicean church, the members of the lukewarm faith, their faith is truly base on canal things, and materialism Christians is the church member of the Laodicean faith believers.

If faith is cold, Jesus can move a person toward repentance. On the other hand, people who vehemently oppose Jesus can easily be converted when their egos are crushed and they become hot with conviction.

However, those people who go to church and give a agreeable answer but whose heart are not in it are the last kind to be converted. Why was the church in Laodicean lukewarm in its faith? They had a wrong understanding of themselves. They said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” (vs. 16).  You can just imagine some of the leaders thinking. “The chapel building program is complete. Contributions continue to flow in. we’re well-educated. Everything is so rich and fine. Therefore let’s have fun in our faith life.

Today many churches in our present’s world also allow their meetings to degenerate into social gatherings. On Sundays have a short worship service, and they enjoy eating and drinking under the false name of Christian fellowship. Many churches divided there all night prayer meeting by given their member break time to fest in the night vigil, eating and drinking in the all-night of prayer, I wonder many fail and checkout for herbalist solutions.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”  (ROM. 14: 17). The Laodicean church thought itself rich, Jesus rebuked its spiritual poverty: “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (vs. 17).

Jesus first extorted the Laodicean church to seek true riches-spiritual riches that can be obtained only from Jesus through faith “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;” (vs. 18). Then Jesus said, the church should seek from Him white raiment. This is the robe Jesus clothes us with, signifying our righteousness through His precious shed Blood.

Finally, Jesus exhorted the Laodicean church to buy eye salve and anoint its eyes that it might see. This is the eye salve of the Holy Spirit, which opens spiritual eyes. In other words, the church should look at its materials and educational wealth through eyes of right self-understanding. Then it would realize that the wealth of the world in which it put so much trust is only transient.

Jesus promised the Laodicean church, “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.” (vs. 21). There is no other place to go except the throne of God. This is wonderful saying, for when we go to the throne of God, the world ends.

BEGINNING OF THE LAODICEAN CHURCH

In term of church history, the Laodicean church signifies the age from the 1900s to the great tribulation to come on earth. Laodicea means “the right of laity,” namely the church of the people’s rights. This is time when laity has become more “enlightened” than the ministers and when their power is such that they can even hire and fire a pastor at all will. Hence, it is a spiritually corrupt age that had never occurs on earth.

From the beginning of the Laodicean age in 1950, theology began to citizen the Holy Bible historically, scientifically and philosophically by introducing rationalism and higher criticism. This stated in Germany years back. The scripture cannot be subject to higher criticism through science and reasoning, however, for it was written by divine Revelation. Nevertheless, the liberal new theology asserted that the Bible is not scientifically or historically correct; its account is mostly myth. Therefore all the miracles in it must be removed.

This new theological thinking began to gain ground in America in the 1920s. It contaminated the pulpit and people, killing many churches just as it had done in Europe. Younger generations left the church, and only the older people remained in them, up till now this ground affected the church in America.

Liberal theology leads inevitably to a single conclusion: the death-of God theory proposed by a theologian named Thomas Aitizer. He asserted that since God is dead, humanity should rebuild the church without Him.

Therefore, Jesus did not commend the Laodicean church; the church of today, for there was nothing commendable about it. The church has economic strength, many theological schools and much knowledge, “even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12: 4). However, those don’t make it commendable. Rather, liberal churches should buy eye salve of the Holy Spirit and apply it to their eyes so they can see their spiritual wretchedness, misery, poverty, blindness, nakedness and shame.

All believers need to return to the pure gospel by purchasing gold tried in fire, outing on the white raiment of righteousness and buying the eye salve that gives spiritual understanding.

All the words in the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, are true, and in them we find God’s plan of salvation that brings us to Heaven. Those people who keep their faith in this lukewarm age will be taken to the very throne of Christ. Alleluia!!!

The Word church appears seven times in the second and third chapter or Revelation, but it doesn’t appear even once in chapter 4, Jesus is going to take the church away to that throne, even to Heaven. Shalom!

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THE ANTICHRIST AGE OF THE LAST DAY

The antichrist will trample the world, wielding great power of the second half of the tribulation. Not knowing his true status, however, he will be proud and utter blasphemy, publicly denouncing Heaven and those who are there. When he will deliver an address over on television satellites and internet radio conferees, he will always begin by saying blasphemy words or denouncing the saints in Heaven.

Furthermore, he will war against the Jewish Christians for fourth-two months, ordering them to be killed wherever they are found. But they will be hiding during that time in the fortress of Petra.

Everyone who is name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life will bow down to the beast, regardless of age, sex, possession and rank. So, that the patience and faith of the saints are needed to this end.

Apostle John encourages us, however, with the prophecy that “he that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.”  The antichrist will go into captivity himself and with his false apostles and his false prophets of whom many Jews were killed, (Christian’s missionaries all over the world) he also will be killed. Knowing this, we should persevere to the end. “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  Matt. 28:20

The ten horns wearing crowns signify the rulers of the ten nations in Europe. In other words, ten nations in Europe will arise in the former territory of the ancient Roman Empire. Watch closely the political development of Europe, keeping in mind that unified Europe will grow antichrist continent in this last day.

“And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”  Revelation 11:11-18

Notice that this false apostles and false prophets will mimic Jesus the Lamb. He, however, has only two horns, whereas Jesus as seven. And whereas the Holy Spirit preaches Jesus Christ with all His might, He’s doing no honor to the antichrist.

Further, the false apostles and false prophets in the last day will exercise the power of the antichrist; he (antichrist) will publish his name and the numbers (mark) through many in this end time to the children of men. The Holy Spirit is entrusted with authority given by Jesus Christ and acts in His name. The false apostles and false prophets make the earth and its inhabitants worship the antichrist. The Holy Spirit leads us to worship Jesus Christ. The false apostles and the false prophets will also do great wonders before the antichrist and all the people: there are a lot of vultures in Europe now! They are hiding under religion canopy, they are antichrist beloveth.

“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”    (13-14).

The false apostles and false prophets have the people make an idol of the antichrist and give life to it so it can speak. From a scientific standpoint, that is new easy to do, since technology devices could be installed to make the mage appear to speak. However the idol gained speech, it seemed to John as though life had been given to it.

The false apostles and false prophets, then makes everyone worship the idol, and those who do not are killed. It’s a ghastly thought.

As the 144,000 preachers of God were sealed on their foreheads, so the false apostle and false prophets next cause all the people who are under the reign of the antichrist to receive a mark on their right hand of forehead. He forbids those without this mark to engage in any kind of commercial activities. In other words, they starve to death because they can’t make a living or buy food “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” (16-17).

The antichrist is represented by number, which is 666. This is a satanic number: the number of the dragon is six, the number of the antichrist is six, the number of the old serpent and number of the false apostle and a false prophet is also six, all is 666. Hence, it represents evil trinity of the wickedness.

The triune God could be represented by the number 777, since seven is the biblical number of completion or perfection.

Thus, those evil once parade of the divine trinity God. The dragon corresponds of the Father, the antichrist correspond the Son; and false apostles and false prophets correspond to the Holy Spirit. As God the Father give all His power to Jesus and the Holy Spirit does honor to Jesus, so he dragon gives all his power to the antichrist and the false apostles and false prophets does honor to the antichrist.

Antichrist is the top evil spirit that rules the last day phenomenon. Holy Spirit will not allow this spirits to take down the church of the Lamb.

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”  Revelation 14:9-11

The most dreadful judgment is to be cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone. Those who do not believe in Jesus now, however, die and go to hell, which is different from the lake of fire and brimstone.

Hell is the place where souls apart, from Christ gather together after the death of the body. It is a place of torment. Luke 16 tells us of the rich man who went hell and saw Lazarus, who was in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man appeals to father Abraham to send Lazarus with a bit of water to cool his tongue. If hell is so painful, how great must be the pain when one is later cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone.

Those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in their forehead and hand will be cast into this lake of fire. The word is Gehenna in the Greek and was called the valley of the children of Hinnom in the Old Testament. This valley was a common dump where all the trash of Jerusalem was burned.

At that time, however, human being will be piled up and burned-those who worshipped the beast and his image and had his number on their foreheads and hands.

Jehovah’s Witness argue that people die; their souls also die with them. However, verse 2 says that the souls cast into the lake burned with fire and brimstone will be eternally tormented and the smoke ascends forever and ever.

People’s doubt whether there are really such places as Heaven and hell. The Bible clearly state places exist. All prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled. Why, then, would this scripture not be fulfilled/ that’s why Jesus commanded on the soul of the man who betrayed Him, “it had been good for that man if he had not been born” Matt. 26:24. Jesus knows where that soul would go, and what He said about Judas is just as true for all those who refuse to believe in Him. Let His Spirit lives in our spirit till eternity in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen!

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THE METHODS OF SATAN

1.     He uses every conceivable means to hold men in subjection to himself and keep them from turning of God. If he fails in this, he tries to kill the believer’s testimony and ruin his influence for God.

2.    If one falls he tries to make him stay falling or omit suicide. He endeavors to cause men to end their lives by insisting it is the best way out; but he hides the true fact that this will be only the beginning of real torment in eternal hell.

3.    Satan tries to get others in a lukewarm condition and, if he succeeds, urges them to stay in that condition so that God will cast them off in the end.

4.    He dares men to do many things which they would not do under or deny circumstance; and men are foolish enough to think they are not brave if they do not accept his dares.

5.    Make people think they are missing everything in life if they do not go into all kinds of sins which in the end will damn their souls.

6.     Emphasizes sin and sinful pleasures as innocent enjoyment.

7.    Stirs unholy passions in men and women, causing them to throw away all restraint and live a life of revelry.

8.      Tries to make people think there is no joy in serving the Lord. This is one of his greatest errors. Serving Christ and winning souls who will be thankful forever pay. The greatest divided and affords the greatest pleasure known.

9.    Preaches to the diligent in business that he needs to take all his time for getting rich before serving the Lord; while the fact is that if one will truly serve the Lord, he can be abundantly prosperous with God’s help.

10.  Urges churches and them leaders to make religious a paying proposition by appealing to the rich and influential through lowering the standard of holy living, making salvation easy for all and compromising essentials of the faith; and by feeding the sheep messages on current events and book reviews instead of the infallible Word of God.

GOD’S PURPOSE IN ALLOWING SATAN TO CONTINUE

1.   To develop character and faith in the believer (1 Peter 1:7-13, 5:8-9)

2.   To keep the believer humble (2 Cor. 12:7)

3.   To provide a conflict for saints that they may be rewarded through overcoming (Job  23:10)

4.   To demonstrate the power of God over the power of satan (make 16:17-20; Eph. 2:7)

5.   To use him in afflicting people to bring them to repentance (Job 33:14-33)

6.   To purge men of all possibility of  falling in the eternal future (Rev. 12)

DUTY OF SAINTS REGARDING SATAN

When one is born again he enters the realm of the supernatural and spiritual; he should begin a study of the Bible to see what it teaches regarding how he should walk and conduct himself in spiritual warfare with satan and demons.

Saints are to:-

1.     Put on the whole amour of God (Ehp.6:11-18)

2.     Know satan’s devices (2Cor.2:11)

3.     Give him no place (Eph.4:27)

4.     Resist him (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9)

5.     Be sober and vigilant lest he devour them (1 Peter 5:8-9)

6.     Overcoming him by the Word (Matthew 4:1-11, John 2:14)

7.     Overcoming him by the Blood of Christ and testimony (Rev. 12:11)

8.     Overcoming him by Christ and His name (Eph. 1:19-22; 2:6; 2cor.2:15)

9.     Overcoming him by the birth of the Spirit and faith (1John 2:29; 3:9; 5:1-18)

10.   Overcoming him (satan) by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:-13; Gal.5:15-26)