The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Rev. 3:1
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.

Sardis, if you care to research it's history, was a wealthy merchant town and the capital of the ancient Lydia (which Homer called Moeonia), once the "Queen of Asia". How interesting. Not too many years ago there were 6, and there are still 2 standing, of the pillars of Cybele (60 feet high). Those with eyes and ears will take note of the 6's and multiples thereof.

Cybele, also known as Rhea, was the goddess of the growth of natural things in Greek mythology. She was also called the mother of the gods. Hmmm, this sounds like something that could be mixed in with Christianity, don't you think? Hey, people will love it! We'll add some eggs and bunnies.

[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.

1 Thes. 5:2-9
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

[3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

[4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

[5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

[7] For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

[8] But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

[9] For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Now there's a "dumb" question!

Let's return to Revelation chapter 3.

Rev. 3:4 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.

White, of course, is symbolic of purity.

[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.

Oh yes, God keeps books. He is well organized and maintains a complete database file on everyone of His children. It's much more extensive than Big Brother, it's Big Father. Of course His technology and software far exceeds that of the PC and Windows. His Spirit is linked directly to your brain and the thoughts of your heart and He downloads everything, I mean everything.

So just make sure that your Father is pleased with you so He doesn't "blot out", i.e. hit the Delete Button, on your file in the Book of Life. Why? Because if you check out the word "blot out" in Greek, it means "gone", "erased", i.e. there is no recovery program available, no recycle bin. And so you will not even be history, there will be no record, no archive. It will be as if you never existed. And once again, no matter what the traditions of five out of the seven churches teach, that is Biblical! Test it yourself.

Finally, you should know what is written in the books concerning you. After all, you are writing the story of your own life even now. The question is, have you read His Book to see if maybe yours needs some serious editing?

Rev. 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 Now for the fifth time Jesus says:

Rev. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Christ then turned to each church and began addressing them, noting their doctrines and giving to them His instructions. He uses His servant John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who was taken to the day of the Lord, i.e. the first day of the Millennium, to record His words to the churches which are present THEN, even now, not in 96 A.D.

However, before we begin, here is a quote with an interesting historical note regarding the two cities of Smyrna and Philadelphia, that ought to tell us something. It is from the Smith's Bible Dictionary under the title "The Seven Churches":

"Philadelphia was included in the message with Smyrna as deserving approbation and encouragement; and these two only out of the seven cities have continued to our day, and now possess a material prosperity somewhat equal to their importance." "Smith's Bible Dictionary", A. J. Holman Company, Philadelphia, pg. 277.

Rev. 3:7
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;

Now notice the remarkable characteristics He presents before the church of Philadelphia; holiness, truth, and the key of David.

But first, allow me to digress. Even though this original church of Philadelphia was in Asia Minor and was but a type, as an American I can't read "Philadelphia" without thinking about the "City of Brotherly Love", our own beloved city in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia means "brotherly love"). For it is there that Independence Hall resides and the Liberty Bell rests, the symbols of Freedom and Liberty and Justice for All. And when you are given the "key to the city", you have free, unhindered access to the entire town.

Much the same, as an analogy, applies to the Key of David. With it you have free, unhindered (by the traditions of men) access to the entire Word of God. It will unlock each and every book while at the same time locking out false doctrines.

Those who have been "Bound" by the traditions of men, lied to by the sweet talking Jezebels, can be "Set Free" with the Key of David, and can never be bound again. Why? Because it unlocks truth and the truth leads to freedom from bondage. Did not Christ tell us?

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Rev. 3:8 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.

We see that the folks in the "church of brotherly love" have also kept His Word. Of course that doesn't mean they have kept it on the coffee table. It means they know it, and understand it, and do it. You must first have studied His word in order to keep it, else you never had it to keep! It's the contents - not the book. In the very same chapter of John where Christ addresses the bad figs, He also says:

John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Moving right along now, let's stick the key of David into the next verse and open it up. Click...

Rev. 3:9 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.

Christ also says that he will make the kenites to come and worship before our feet. Of course this doesn't mean they are going to worship us, but when Christ returns EVERY KNEE will bow to Him. God's elect will be with Him, at His feet, before whom they, the kenites,  will either worship or eventually perish in the lake of fire.

Finally in verse 9 our Lord and Savior lets His servants in the church of Philadelphia know that He loves them for what they do. If you are part of that church that will make your heart melt and bring tears to your eyes for the warmth that it brings forth.

[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

What is the hour of temptation that the church of Philadelphia escapes?  The hour of temptation is that "hour" (we'll learn exactly how long that is when we get to chapter 5) when the "Tempter", Satan, is here as the false-christ claiming to be the Messiah.

These Christian "bruisers" will be right here, with their feet firmly planted on the ground, walking around with a full suit of gospel armor on and in place, giving Sword Lessons. Care to challenge one of them?

[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.

Now listen real carefully to what is said next and try to grasp the almost unimaginable magnitude of it. If you don't have ears to hear yet, then dig the wax out of the ones you've got and use them for a change.

[13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Before we begin examining the seventh and final church, the church of Laodicea, and in as much as historically it was a type, there are some very interesting points about this church that pretty much tell the story for those with eyes to see.

The following is a direct quote from Smith's Bible Dictionary (the parenthesis aren't his), those were mine.

Laodice'a, an ancient city on the Lycus, in the valley of the Meander, forty miles east of Ephesus.  Its site was on seven hills, which were drained by two brooks, the Asopus and Caprus. The ruins are of a stadium, in very complete preservation, three theatres (one of which was 450 feet in diameter), bridges, aqueducts, and a gymnasium, which testify to its ancient wealth and importance.  Its original name was Diospolis (the city of Jupiter) which was changed to Rhoas, under which title it became the largest city in Phrygia (Pliny). Antiochus II gave it the name of his wife Laodice.

It became the seat of an archbishop, and in its cathedral church were gathered several councils; in one of which, a system of supplying the villages or small societies in the interior with church services by itinerating presbyters, was adopted (somewhat similar to the Methodist plan now in use), under the direction of the bishop of Laodicea.

The city was utterly destroyed A. D. 1230, since when it has lain in shapeless ruins, only visited for its marble and other materials.    Smith's Bible Dictionary, A. J. Holman Company, "The Seven Churches", pg. 277.

Whereas here, Laodicea, along with its candlestick, is being DRAINED by two brooks.

And while they are being drained, beautiful, magnificent stadiums and theatres are being built (no doubt funded by the tax payers).

Then we see a church hierarchy developed and the supplying of "church services" (ceremony and song in substitute for teaching line by line, no doubt). And so another "church system" is born. I would suppose that the birth of the Church Quarterly, written by man, was instituted here also.

Then notice that Laodicea was destroyed in 1230 A.D. Shall we give each day for a year? Then that's just little short of the 1260 days in Daniel chapter 12. Looks like they didn't make it unto the end. Perhaps they had been drained too much and were a little short on oil.

We also have a quote form Davis' Bible Dictionary on the subject of Laodicea:

It manufactured cloth and garments from the black wool produced by a breed of sheep in its vicinity; and it was the seat of a medical school, whose physicians prepared the Phrygian powder for the cure of opthalmia. It numbered many Jews among its inhabitants (Antiq. xiv. 10,20). Davis Dictionary of the Bible, Baker Book House, pg. 441.

In any event, verse 18 of this chapter will have more meaning by understanding the wealth and products of Laodicea. Enjoy.

Rev. 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;

And obviously, the last phrase of this verse, "the beginning of the creation of God", doesn't mean God created Himself. If you want to unlock scriptures you can't just stick the key in and open up the door and stand there and peek in. You have to go in and look around. If you are not familiar with the original languages then at least check out other translations from credible scholars.

Here's how Dr. Moffat translate this verse:

Rev. 3:14
Then to the angel of the church at Laodicea write thus: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation. (Moffat Bible)

Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

As a Christian, how important do you believe it is to study the Bible?

Extremely         Very            Somewhat         Not too          Not Important
Important      Important        Important         Important            At All

They asked the same type questions about the qualifications of the minister and after spending thousands of dollars in surveys and consulting fees (because they are rich and increased with goods) they concluded that it was more important that the minister be able to comfort and minister unto the sick and elderly, than to know and teach the Word of God. And they got what they wanted. He's a great guy. Everybody likes him.

[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.

And these "spiritual items" cannot be purchased by cashing in your IRA's & 401 K's, and your inflated Bonds & Mutual Funds, for all the riches of man combined cannot purchase even one soul.

It's your choice Laodicea! Anoint your eyes with a poultice (a soft, usually heated and sometimes medicated mass spread on a cloth and applied to sores or other lesions), that they might open up and now you have "eyes to see".

It's your choice Laodicea!

[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

It's your choice Laodicea!

[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.

If you do, He promises to dine with you, and so another thing is for certain. You have "not eaten" until you have tasted the hidden manna that He has prepared for those who love Him AND answer His call, for He is the Master Chef and the meals He prepares are Exquisite!

[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.

It's your choice Laodicea!

And now, for the Seventh and final time to the churches of today and tomorrow, He who is Spiritually Perfect says:

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

It's your choice Laodicea!

In chapter 4 of Revelation where John will be taken to the very throne of Almighty God and we will get to see what lies beyond the veil, into the spiritual dimension, even into heaven itself.

Imagine that! John was taken to heaven and records in detail all that he saw, and yet people run around wondering what heaven is like. Go figure! They visualize people floating around on clouds (I think the clouds are numbered because "cloud nine" seems to be the one to go for) and playing harps.

Perhaps their preacher told them they didn't have to read the Book of Revelation because they weren't going to be here when those awful events take place. That's a great "cop out" because they can't explain it anyway. Their eyes are closed and they cannot see. 

Isaiah said it best:

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

[11] And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

He's clueless! Next.

[12] And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Oh boy! You're in trouble now. What to do, what to do! (Suddenly, you realize that you went to school and you know how to read yourself.)

So let's get serious and complete our study of the Seven Churches of Revelation by taking a TEST! I used to hate tests, but in this case I'm giving it, not taking it, and that's not too bad. I get to make up all the questions and it's kind of like playing Jeopardy, start with the answers and then make up the questions.

We are all instructed by our Father, through His servant Timothy, to study ourselves (because obviously asking the "learned" and the unlearned yields the same Babel). Our Father likes us to study His letter; It pleases Him. Yes, it's work. That's why "studiers" are called workman.

2 Tim. 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We realize that not everyone has the same ability to recall information. For some it is a gift and comes naturally, for some they must study and work hard, and still for others they simply cannot recall very well that which they have learned. But, our Father knows, and so we do that which we are able and try our best.

 TEST

Multiple Choice

1.) The word "revelation" means to:

a) ignore, while waiting for the rapture
b) uncover, take the lid off

a) John the Revelator
b) Jesus Christ

a) Patmos
b) Malta

a) Sunday
b) The Millennium

a) the Word of God
b) an actual sword like the one Peter used

a) Iron mixed with miry clay
b) Brass

a) Churches
b) Angels

a) His Left Hand
b) His Right Hand

a) 5
b) 2

a) those who claim to be of Judah but are not
b) the Nicolaitanes

a) 5
b) 7

a) lost it's first love and are Biblically illiterate
b) are rich and increased with goods

a) is admonished for celebrating Easter
b) Christ finds no fault with

a) has preachers who teach for the money
b) tries those who say they are apostles

a) is about to lose its candlestick
b) teaches false doctrines such as rapture

a) is dead (spiritually)
b) has no one who has not defiled their garments

a) has the key of David
b) holds the doctrine of Balaam

a) is rich an increased with goods
b) Christ finds no fault with

19.) Which two churches did Christ find no fault with?

  __________________ & _________________

__________________ because _________________________________

21.) Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear?  NO _____  YES _____
 

You can correct your own papers by looking up the answers. Get used to it! That's where all the answers are. in the Word of God. When you have a question, don't run to some "learned" person. Go directly to Jesus Christ, the Living Word. He will answer you in the Written Word.

*Question 20 is a test of honest evaluation and is subjective, subject also to your honesty.

Question 21 is intuitive.

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this section of Revelation concerning Christ's message to the Seven Churches. He obviously thought it was important for us to evaluate what we believe and what our church may be teaching! For that which they teach either aligns with His Word, or they are just following what tradition has laid before them, never waking up from their slumber, never anointing their eyes with the poultice, and thereby robbing the people of their crowns.

The blind leading the blind, the "learned" leading the "unlearned". And so it has continued until we now find ourselves in the midst of the great famine of the end time that Christ warned us about in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. The famine is for hearing the truth of His Word!

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

[12] And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

We ask our Father's help as we search our hearts and minds, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

REVELATION

Chapter 3

"Revelation to the Seven Churches Continued."

Revelation 3:1 "And unto the angel of the church in Sar'-dis 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."

Sardis was the ancient capital of Lydia, and as such, attracted merchant and commercial activity from all parts of Asia. Traditions were common and many. The "seven Spirits" mentioned here are those possessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. See the notes on verse 1:4. The "seven stars" are the angels overseeing the seven churches.

This church is dead, with no spiritual life left in it. Their religious service has become nothing but a form, a process to be followed, usually within a church system.

Revelation 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen [stablish] the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect [found no works of thine fulfilled] before God."

This church is in trouble with God. They are dead because they are so far from the truth of God's Word that they don't even understand the simple terms of the Bible. Words such as Passover, salvation, sin, repentance and so on, just don't fit in their Sunday morning sermons.

This church of Sardis forgot all about "Passover", However the fertility rights of rolling Easter eggs to Ishtar became a sacred and holy thing; something special at Easter. It is one of the traditions practiced today which tie many churches to the church at Sardis.

Does this form of worship enter into any churches you are aware of?

Almost all of them, I'm afraid. 

Most Christians attend this church!

Sexual orgies also took place during their egg rolling times, however today most churches have cleaned up their act, and Christianized their heathen customs and holidays. The Sardis church also practiced Sunday morning sunrise services to honor the rising of the sun, in their sun god worship, also relating to Ishtar practices. 

By redefining words and acts, this practice has become traditional, so its a way of hanging on to the heathen customs of the past, and soothing our minds to convince ourselves that it is unto the Lord. 

Its like a Muslim becoming a Christian, and continuing to bow to Mecca, only now he has changed the word "Allah" to "Jesus", and he thinks that it's all okay with God.

The church at Sardis never offended anyone, even the Sodomites and those in other strange practices were patronized; so as not to offend anyone who desired to worship with them. The Sardis church believed everyone has the right to worship in their own way. Spiritually, Sardis is dead to the Almighty Father. Do you know of any churches that fit this description?

Revelation 3:3 "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 you."

Jesus is telling Sardis and any church that is in a pattern like the church of Sardis; to repent and come out of their sin. We are living in the final days and the "hour of temptation" is well under-way. If you remain in a church continuing to practice as Sardis did, you are in trouble when Satan arrives on earth to rule as the instead-of-christ. The Sardis like churches are spiritually brain dead, and God will not revive them.

Jesus is giving those in this church a stern warning before it is too late, to get out!.

Revelation 3:4 "Thou hast a few names even in Sar'-dis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy."

Even in this filth trap of a church called "Sardis", God has a few that understand and study His word and follow the truth. If you can make it in a church like Sardis, you have much going for you in the eyes of our Lord. Many through marriage are trapped into remaining in such a church, and God is with them and will bless them.

Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

When you hold true to God's Word even while in Sardis, Jesus said that He will call out your name when you stand before our Heavenly Father, as one of His own. What joy to the believer who overcomes out of Sardis. Your "white garments" are made up of your righteous acts, and thank God for each of these dear souls.

Revelation 3:6 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

My fellow Christian, Is the church, where you attend and support, like the church in Sardis?           Why do you still go there?

Do you understand that these are the seven types of churches that Jesus is calling your attention to that exist in these latter days? 

Remember, there are only two of them that our Lord calls His own? 

The first was the church at Smyrna; the church which knew all about the "Kenites", and were not deceived by them.

The second church that our Lord called His own, is the next; the church of Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Phil-a-del-phi-a 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;

Jesus Christ has only good words to say about the Philadelphia church. It is important for us to understand this verse.

This church of Philadelphia holds the "key of David". 

They know who the "Kenites" are, thus they are able to understand all truths [hidden manna] of God's Word. 

That "key of David" allows them to unlock all doors of deception laid before them by any man, and that includes Satan, or his offspring [the Kenites].

Revelation 3:8 "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."

When God opens the door so you can see into His truth, it's a blessing. 

With just a little strength from God, anything is possible.

When you know the truth of God's word, you will never follow any man's tradition that goes against the Word of God, or be tempted by the Antichrist, or his system.

Revelation 3:9 "Behold, I will make them of the syna-gogue of Sa'-tan, 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."

The church of Philadelphia will not allow the Kenite mind of deception and confusion to take any hold in their church. 

They are equal in praise with the church of Smyrna, from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Both the Smyrna and Philadelphia churches have learned the "parable of the Fig tree", and can identify the good figs from the bad figs.

They are of the synagogue of Satan, "and say they are Jews, but are not".

Relating this to today, they put on verbally to be Christians, when in fact they have no faith in Christ, 

They don't believe in Christ's deity, His virgin birth, His resurrection, and in fact they don't even hold God's word as inspired by God.

Remember what Jesus warned us to do in Matthew:24:32"

Matthew 24:32 "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:"

Matthew 24:33 "So likewise ye, when ye see all these things. know that it is near, even at the doors."

Matthew 24:34 "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these thing be fulfilled.

Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

Within the church, Kenites cause confusion, misinterpretation of God's Word, gossip, and conflicts of all sorts, however the Philadelphia Church does not allow it into their congregation. When it starts they deal with it immediately.

Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [trial], which shall [that hour that is to] come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

This hour of temptation is the five months leading up to Christ's return, while Satan will be here claiming he is God. When those Christians of every race and nation who have the "Seal of God" in their foreheads will not bow down and worship at Satan's feet..

The people in the Philadelphia church know the order that the two "morning stars" will appear, and wait for the true morning star, Jesus Christ. 

They hold fast in the "hour of temptation", when most of  the people of the entire world are tried and chase after the false star, the Antichrist.

Revelation 3:11 "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

You will have a special crown if you are able to understand God's Word, and not bow to the Antichrist, nor take his name or his number, or his system.

Revelation 3:12 "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 Je-ru'-sa-lem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

The "pillar" is what supports the church, the true temple.
These pillars, are the true believers, and are what Jesus builds his Millennium kingdom around.

Once you overcome in this age, your position in Christ's kingdom is an eternal position that God set aside just for you. You are important where it counts, in God's kingdom.

The "new name" is written in Isaiah 62:4, "my delight is in her", that's the new name. "Her" being the bride of Christ. In the Hebrew, her name is "Heph-zi-bah". The name for this new city is called "Beu-lah land".

Revelation 3:13 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

My fellow Christian, Is the church, where you attend and support, like the church in Philadelphia?           Please, for the sake of your Eternal Soul, continue to go there and support their ministry.

Now to the next of the seven churches.

Revelation 3:14 "And unto the angel of the church of the La-od-i-ce'-ans write; These things saith the A-men, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;"

"The beginning of the creation of God", is badly translated. For it should read, "He that began the creation of God." That identifies Christ, who was with the Father when the creation took place. Christ is God, for there is only one God with three separate offices.

Revelation 3:15 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot."

This church at Laodicea are in the middle of the road. 

They avoid conflict at all cost, and would pervert God's holy Word rather than be at odds with someone.

They are like the fat hog laying in the middle of the trough, that will sop up what ever anyone throws to them. They don't care who, or what enters their church; these good old boys cater to them all, with all their false doctrines.

Revelation 3:16 "So then because thou art neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

These are the ones who will not rock the boat, take sides, or stand on the side of anything. 

"Nothing" is what they stand for, and "nothing" is what you get from their sermons.

As a church, the Laodiceans are just "good for nothing". God finds them detestable and wants these people no where around Him.

Revelation 3:17 "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:"

Revelation 3:18 "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, 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."

These miserable creatures don't even know how wretched they are. They think they are rich by worldly standards, but they are blind to God's Word, and spiritually in poverty. God is telling them that He wants their true love. He wants love that is tried like "gold in the fire", which has all the impurities burned away; and that love will stand clean and pure.

God wants you to be rich, but it has to be in God's way. Riches to a righteous man are the blessings of God to a man of God; but other riches are nothing but fools gold.

The "eyesalve" of the anointing, is the truths from the pages of God's Word [your Bible]. God wants the church of Laodicea to see and understand His word, then get hot on fire for Him. If your church is as the church of Laodicea, it is time to start a spiritual fire in your church.

My fellow Christian, Is the church, where you attend and support, like the church in Laodicea?           Why do you still go there?

Revelation 3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Jesus is urging those in this church that want to follow him, to repent, and get into His Word. God will test you, for through your testing you develop patience and your faith grows. From your faith flows your works for the Father.

Revelation 3:20 "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."

You and you alone must open the door for Christ to come into your heart, or He will never come in.

When you open the door to your heart for Christ, He will enter warmly, and in love.

Revelation 3:21 "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."

Just as Jesus ascended to be with the Almighty Father on His throne; As an overcomer, so also will each of us share the throne with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Christ's Millennium kingdom we will reign as kings and priests with Him. What joy that will be. 

Revelation 3:22 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Do you have a ear to hear, and understand the message Jesus is passing through John's pen to us? There were only two of the seven churches that met with Christ's approval. They know the true word of God, and equally important, they know who the Kenites are, where they came from, and could not be deceived by anyone.

Scripture: Revelation 13:18  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. 666

count G5585
???????
pse?phizo?
psay-fid'-zo
From G5586; to use pebbles in enumeration, that is, (genitive case) to compute: - count.

The Greek word for count has basically the same meaning as the Hebrew word. Both words mean to enumerate as in what a scribe would do,

count H5608
ñôø
sa?phar
saw-far'
A primitive root; properly to score with a mark as a tally or record, that is, (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively to recount, that is, celebrate: - commune, (ac-) count, declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer

so let's enumerate the number of the beast and his number.

his G848
???????
hautou
how-too'
Contraction for G1438; self (in some oblique case or reflexive relation): - her (own), (of) him (-self), his (own), of it, thee, their (own), them (-selves), they.
.
1 Chronicles 2:55  And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.

Kenites H7017
÷éðé    ÷éðé
qe?yni?y  qi?yni?y
kay-nee', kee-nee'
Patronymic from H7014; a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin: - Kenite.

Kenite. H7014
÷éï
qayin
kah'-yin
The same as H7013 (with a play upon the affinity to H7069); Kajin,the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe: - Cain, Kenite (-s).

Matthew 23:1  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Please log unto and read pamphlet  #1093  for further information.

The real  But Satan comes to earth first and he (Satan) will claim he is God.
Will you endure until the end (wait) for the real Christ, or will He (Jesus) find you worshiping Satan when He (Jesus) returns!
Do you know how to tell the difference?
Are you sure!

Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
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