HOW GOD DEALS WITH HIS CHURCH

Newsletter 224 December 19, 2010

Revelation 2:1-3:22 King James Version

For lack of space, I am not giving cross-references and am noting only portions of the letters to the churches known by various qualities noted in their individual headings. Please read the entire letter, if you will.

Some feel that these letters represent the total church during certain eras starting with its inception through to Christ’s return. Others, liken these descriptions of the church in reference to local congregations. Either way, they give us God’s guidance under these various conditions.

EPHESUS, THE LOVELESS CHURCH (Rev. 2:1-10)

2: 3-5 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;
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.

SMYRNA, THE PERSECUTED CHURCH (Rev. 2:8-11)

2: 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.

PERGAMOS, THE COMPROMISING CHURCH (Rev. 2:12-17)

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.

THYATIRA, THE CORRUPT CHURCH (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.

REVELATION 3:

SARDUS, THE DEAD CHURCH (Rev. 3:1-6)

1 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.

PHILADELPHIA, THE FAITHFUL CHURCH (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.
9Behold, 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.

LAODICEA, THE LUKE WARM CHURCH (Rev. 3:14-22)

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.

One or more of these characteristics can be found in nearly any large gathering of the church at any time. That is the heart message of the parable of the tares. (Matthew 13:24-30) Christ warned that this would be so and that he would remove them at the “harvest time“ when he comes to judge. Then, they will be removed without destroying the good with the evil.

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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
DECEMBER

19th. Sunday – Nehemiah 12, Revelation 15, Psalm 145:1-7
20th. Monday – Nehemiah 13, Revelation 16:1-11, Psalm 145:8-13
21st. Tuesday – Esther 1, 2, Revelation 16:12-21, Psalm 145:14-21
22nd. Wednesday-- Esther 3, 4, 5, Revelation 17, Proverbs 31:1-9
23rd. Thursday - Esther 6, 7, 8, Revelation 18:1-11, Psalm 146
24th. Friday – Esther 9, 10, Revelation 18:12-24, Psalm 147:1-11
25th. Saturday-- Zephaniah 1, 2, 3, Revelation 19:1-9, Psalm 147:12-20

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:1-11

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
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