₦airaland Forum

get ready

A 14-year-old girl in Ghana identified as Adjoa, is presently fighting for her life in a hospital at the at Nweneso Number One in the Ashanti Region of the country, after she reportedly drank some poisonous substance » after her mother refused to accept her 34-year-old 'Okadaman' (Commercial motorcyclist) boyfriend, Daily Graphics reports.

The girl's mother, identified as Maame Ampomaa , could not come to terms with why her teenage daughter would be a
love relationship » with a man old enough to be her father and narrated how the whole incident played out:

“About a week ago, I noticed that she had gotten herself a boyfriend. I am a widow and a single mother who toils to take care of her, so, I told her that she would stop schooling and stay home if she continued the relationship.

I woke up this morning and could not find her. I went to her room only to find her almost dying after consuming a poisonous substance.

I rushed her to a nearby hospital and I am praying that she gets well soon. I was only looking out for her own good so that with all the monies spent on her education, she does not get pregnant.

She may end up not getting a good man to marry, that is why I also asked her to stay away from this relationship,” the distraught mother said.

http://pulse.ng/gist/stupidity-14-yr-old-girl-attempts-suicide-after-mother-rejected-34-yr-old-okadaman-boyfriend-id5158796.html

razzydoo:
I saw this movie on VHR back then. Was prolly 2 or 3. I loved all the songs on this movie. Had to download all again. Oh God!

lol abi oo.

I just saw this on instagram and decided to bring it here.... Anyone in Abuja that lives at Gwarimpa please confirm... Have anyone experienced this?

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153788339212875&id=507167874

morning...........

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hopara1:
D guy dat love endtime things like kilode

alright

hopara1:
Where is lasisi9 dey self?

what's dat?

This entry is part 5 of 16 in the series Revelation

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

The Throne in Heaven

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Rev. 4:1 )

Having reviewed the things that have been (Rev. 1 ) and the things that are (Rev. 2-3 ), we have now arrived at part three of the book, the things that will be after this. John looked up and saw an open door, the one he had first heard about when he wrote down the letter to the Church in Philadelphia. And just like Paul said would happen to us (1 Thes. 4:16 ) he heard a loud command, “Come up here!”
At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. (Rev. 4:2-3 )

In the twinkling of an eye, John was catapulted forward in time to the day we all dream of, the Rapture of the Church. Since he was traveling through time, he had to have what we call an out of body experience, because he wasn’t given a resurrection body, like we will be, and would soon be going back. He called it being in the spirit.

The same thing had happened to Paul about 40 years earlier, when he also was taken to the Throne of God (2 Cor. 12:1-4 ). Paul wasn’t allowed to tell about it, but its memory provided more than enough motivation for him to withstand the severest forms of persecution and suffering. Unlike Paul, John was told to record every thing he saw. The Jasper and Carnelian he saw are the first and last stones on the High Priest’s breastplate and may summarize them all, and the rainbow is a symbol of God’s mercy.

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. (Rev. 4:4 )
These 24 elders confuse some people, but they shouldn’t. Their appearance gives them away. They have thrones, so they’re rulers. They surround the Throne of God, so they’re assisting Him. They’re seated, a sign of royalty. They’re dressed in white, so they’re righteous. They’re wearing the Greek “stephanos” crown, so they’re victors, over comers. They’re called Elders, a title long associated with Christianity. So far we have a pretty strong case for them representing the Church. But there’s more.

Some try to explain the 24 thrones by saying that they belong to a group of ruling angels. But four Prophets saw the throne of God and recorded their experience. They were Isaiah (Isaiah 6), Ezekiel (Ezek. 1 & 10 ), Daniel (Dan. 7), and John (Rev. 4). In their descriptions, neither Isaiah nor Ezekiel made any mention of the 24 elders indicating that they weren’t present in Old Testament times. Daniel’s vision concerned the End Times and in
Dan. 7:9 he mentioned multiple thrones but didn’t add any details as to the number or type of occupants. This is consistent with the fact that the Church was hidden to Old Testament prophets even in visions of the future. Only John made mention of the 24 Elders. And note that these elders are wearing the crowns of over comers. The Church won’t receive crowns until the Bema Seat judgment that takes place after the Rapture.

The New Testament contains additional support for the 24 elders representing the Church. In John 1:12 we’re told that because we believe in Jesus we’ve been given the authority to become children of God. Romans 8:29 says that when God foreknew we would believe, He predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son so He could be the first of many brothers In Galatians 4:4-7 we read that since we’re sons of God we’re also heirs, joint heirs with Jesus. Romans 8:16-17 confirms this.

Hebrews 2:7 makes the point that Jesus was temporarily made lower than the angels, becoming a man to save mankind. Having done so, He was crowned with glory and honor and everything was put under His feet. Ephes 1:20-22 agrees, saying that when He was resurrected Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of majesty, far above every other rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given. And finally Ephes 2:6-7 says we’ve been seated there too, right beside Him. Since the 24 elders are missing from every Old Testament view of the Throne of God, they must represent the Church, seated with the Lord at the right hand of Majesty.

And there’s still more. Through out the Bible there are a number of “peak-to-peak” prophecies, as Clarence Larkin began calling them over 100 years ago. They take in the first and second comings in a single passage, sometimes in a single sentence. He likened them to mountain peaks seen from a distance, between which is a valley. The observer sees the two peaks, but the valley between them is hidden from view. So it is with distant prophecies. The prophet records God’s messages but can’t always determine the span of time that separates them. One of the best known is Isaiah 9:6-7 .

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Of this entire prophecy, only the first half of the first sentence has actually been fulfilled. The Child was born and the Son was given. The rest awaits the 2nd Coming, leaving a span of time between the giving of the Son and His assumption of world government.

Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy contains a similar gap between verse 26, where the people of the ruler who will come destroy the city and the sanctuary, and verse 27 where the ruler himself confirms a covenant with Israel.
And the same is true of Isaiah 61:1-3 .

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Jesus quoted from this passage at the beginning of His ministry in Nazareth, but stopped at the comma following “the year of the Lord’s favor.” ( Luke 4:18-19 ) The rest of the prophecy describes the Great Tribulation and Kingdom age yet to come.

Each of these prophecies contains a hidden span of time that lasts from the 1st Coming to the 2nd like an otherwise complete puzzle with one piece missing. The Church Age is always the missing piece. These three are but a sample of Larkin’s “peak to peak” prophecies. Some claim to have found a total of 24 of prophecies like this, each with a gap where the Church fits, the same number as the elders surrounding God’s Throne.

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. (Rev. 4:5 )

Literally, this is the seven-fold Spirit of God, an Old Testament idiom for the Holy Spirit. The sea of glass was characterized on Earth by the bronze laver or wash- basin that stood outside the Holy Place. It symbolizes God’s Word. On Earth we wash in His Word (Ephesians 5:26 ). In Heaven we “stand on it.” (Remember the old hymn “Standing on the Promises”?)

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Rev. 4:6-8 )

These are the four cherubim who guard the throne of God. In the beginning there were five, but their leader betrayed both them and his trust, rebelling against God and causing the introduction of a second will in the universe. We call him by his primary activity, Satan, (it means accuser in Hebrew) but in Ezekiel 28:14 he’s called “the anointed cherub.” The Hebrew from Isaiah 14:12 gives us his name, “Heleyl ben Shachar” the shining one, son of the dawn. When the Bible was translated into Latin in the 4th Century this phrase was rendered as Lucifer, which means light bearer, and early English translations kept the name. He is not the Morning Star, as some modern versions incorrectly state. That’s a title the Lord Jesus uses only of Himself (Rev. 22:16 ).

Ezekiel’s vision of God’s Throne showed each cherub with four faces, Isaiah doesn’t describe their faces at all and John gives them each only one, but whether on one or all four, the faces are the same. A lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle. They can be likened to the ensigns of the four camps of Israel.

The Four Camps

When the Jews camped in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they were instructed to set up in 4 sub-camps, one for each point of the compass with the tabernacle in the center. The first was called the Camp of Judah and included Issachar and Zebulon. Members of those 3 tribes would look for the ensign of Judah, a flag with a large lion embroidered on it, to locate their campground. It was always due east of the tabernacle. The second camp was called Ephraim and included Manasseh and Benjamin and was positioned opposite to the west. Ephraim’s flag depicted the figure of an ox. The third camp was headed by Reuben and included Simeon and Gad. Reuben’s flag showed the face of a man. They were located south of the tabernacle. The fourth camp was that of Dan with Asher and Napthali included and was located on the North. Dan’s flag pictured a large eagle.

Looking down from above God would see the camp of Israel with the tabernacle in the Center and the 4 sub-camps around it. The large flag waving in the East pictured the Lion, and opposite it was the Ox. To the south was the face of a Man and opposite it was the Eagle. Was God modeling His throne in the Camp of Israel with the four flags representing the four faces of the cherubim?

The Four Gospels

Some also see the four gospels symbolized in the four faces, the Lion for Matthew, the Ox, being a beast of service, for Mark, the Man for Luke and the Eagle, a symbol of royalty, for John.

Matthew was written to the Jews. His purpose was to demonstrate who Jesus was; presenting overwhelming evidence that Jesus was Israel’s long awaited Messiah: The Lion of Judah. The genealogy in Matthew begins with Abraham and runs through King David (Matt 1:1-17 ). The most frequently used phrase in Matthew’s Gospel is “it was fulfilled.” There are more references to events foretold in Old Testament prophecy and fulfilled in the Life of Jesus in Matthew than in any other gospel account. Partial copies discovered in the caves at Qumran suggest that Matthew may have originally been written in Hebrew. The first miracle, the cleansing of a leper, was highly symbolic for Israel. Leprosy was viewed as a punishment for sin, and cleansing a leper signified taking away the sin of the nation. Matthew’s gospel ends with the resurrection signifying God’s promise that David’s Kingdom would last forever.

Mark’s gospel is actually Peter’s account and was written to the Romans. His purpose was to portray Jesus as the obedient servant of God. Since no one cares about the heritage of a servant there is no genealogy in Mark. The most frequently used phrase in Mark’s Gospel is “straight away” sometimes translated immediately, so Mark is called the snapshot gospel, giving us picture after picture of Jesus in action. The first miracle is the casting out of a demon, demonstrating that the God whom Jesus served was superior to all other gods, a matter of great importance in Rome’s polytheistic society. Mark’s gospel ends with the ascension, signifying that the servant’s job was finished and He was returning home.

Luke’s account portrays Jesus as the Son of Man, a title Jesus often used of Himself, and was written to the Greeks. It presents the human side of Jesus and emphasizes his teaching. Greeks were famous for their story telling form of oratory, so the most frequent phrase in Luke is “and it came to pass.” Most movies of the life of Jesus rely primarily on Luke’s gospel because of its flowing narrative form. Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus all the way back to Adam, the first man (Luke 3:21-38 ). Since the Greeks, like the Romans, were a polytheistic society, Luke used the casting out of a demon as his first miracle, and ended his gospel with the promise of the Holy Spirit, uniting man with God.

John wrote to the church describing how Jesus felt about peoples’ reaction to His ministry. His gospel is the most unique, based upon 7 miracles, 7 “I Am” statements and 7 discourses. John pays little attention to chronology, sometimes placing events out of order (like the Temple cleansing in Chapter 2) for their effect in presenting Jesus as the Son of God. John’s gospel covers only about 21 days out of the Lord’s 3 ½ year ministry. 10 chapters are devoted to one week and 1/3 of all the verses in John describe one day. His genealogy begins before time and identifies Jesus as the Eternal One Who was with God and Who was God (John 1:1-2 ). The most frequently used phrase in John is “Verily, verily”, or truly, truly. His first miracle was changing water into wine, an act of enormous symbolism by which He “revealed His Glory and His disciples put their faith in Him” ( John 2:11 ). John’s Gospel ends with the promise of the 2nd Coming.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev. 4:9-11 )
Another hint as to the identity of the 24 elders. Reading it always calls to mind the words of the old hymn I sang as a boy, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” particularly the verse that goes “casting down their golden crowns upon the glassy sea.” It’s author, Reginald Heber, was an Anglican clergyman. He was writing about the Church.

Next time we’ll witness the greatest real estate transaction in history. Don’t miss it!

https://gracethrufaith.com/the-book-of-revelation/revelation-4/#more-303

evening

alright

Weah96:
Who was the person who punished God, abi, Jesus? I'm asking because that person must be the oga. Please don't tell me that he punished himself.

huh?

Santi222:
God help us

alright

evening

Billionaire heiresses, Temi Otedola and DJ Cuppy were featured in UK’s Daily Mail and referred to as “Britain’s new super-rich” as they currently lead a jet-set lifestyle and enjoy all the trappings of wealth.

In the article, Cuppy Otedola, said

“when she is working in Nigeria she needs to travel with a security team in a bullet proof car due to the risk of robbery and kidnapping”.

This is the reason she much happier in London and has recently moved into her own apartment there.

She also said “London is bliss as I can walk down Brompton Road without a worry in the world. In Lagos I can’t say “I am going out for two hours”, I have to go with people, take security, my dad needs to know where I am. None of my other DJ friends need security, it is kind of his fault so he has to pay for it”.

Her sister Temi, who is studying for a degree in art history at University College London, gave her own reason for loving London as “We have done Dubai and Paris but always come back to London. You have the luxury shops, luxury cars, luxury houses, you can spend the money you have worked hard making”.


https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/06/anytime-i-work-in-nigeria-i-need-to-move-around-in-a-bullet-proof-car-dj-cuppy-and-temie-otedola-to-uks-daily-mail/

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

The word book appears 188 times in the Bible. The Hebrew version is cepher (pronounced safer) and the Greek is biblos from which we get the English word Bible. The first mention of a book is in
Genesis 5:1 introducing the stories of 8 patriarchs that Moses wove together to form the book of Genesis.

The first time mention is made of the Book of Life (literally Book of the Living) is in Exodus 32 where the Lord threatened to destroy all the Israelites because the Golden Calf rebellion (Ex. 32:10 ). Moses made intercession for them asking the Lord to forgive the sins of the people or if not to blot him out of the book (Ex. 32:32 ). He was offering to die for the sins of the people. Then the Lord said instead of destroying them all right then He would delay their ultimate punishment until a future time. But when that time came He would blot out the names of all who had sinned against Him. (Ex. 32:33-34 )

The Principle of First Mention holds that the first time an important bit of doctrine is mentioned in the Bible, we’ll often find details surrounding it that help us gain a deeper understanding. In this case it’s clear. All our names are written in the Book of Life. Sinning against God will cause them to be blotted out. To avoid having our names blotted out immediately upon sinning we need an intercessor.

Moses was told his intercession would only postpone the judgment, and that those who sinned would eventually have their names blotted out of the book. So Moses, the Law giver, is seen here as a model of the Law. The sacrifices offered under the Law could only postpone the judgment for mankind’s sins, they could not provide a permanent pardon. This would later be confirmed in Hebrews 10:1-4 and other places.

From what we know of the Yom Kippur ceremony, this temporary postponement had to be renewed every year and that’s what made it the most solemn day of the year. It’s hard for us to imagine the degree of apprehension this day brought. The Fate of the nation and its people literally hung in the balance. Would God extend the postponement or would He require an accounting then and there?

When Were Our Names Written In The Book ?

Psalm 139 speaks of the relationship between God and the pre-born. It makes a strong case for life beginning at conception, saying the Lord knit us together in our mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13 ) and that all the days ordained for us were written in the Book of Life before one of them came to be (Ps. 139:16 ).

There are two pieces of important information here. The first is that before we were conceived we didn’t exist in any form. We weren’t a spirit waiting for a body to inhabit, or coming fresh from a previous life to begin a new one on our journey to Nirvana. And the second is while God knows the end from the beginning, our lives don’t consist of some tightly controlled script we’re forced to follow. The fact that God knew all of our days before we lived one of them simply means that He knew the history of our life while it was still future to us.

Israel And The Book Of Life

An Angel confirmed to Daniel that at the time of the Great Tribulation all Daniel’s people whose names had been written in the Book of Life would be delivered (Daniel 12:1 )

. This was confirmed by Paul in Romans 11:25-26 . He said after the rapture of the Church, the partial blindness that has kept Israel from identifying their Messiah would be lifted and representatives from all the 12 tribes would accept Him as their Savior. John wrote that at the beginning of the Great Tribulation believing Jews will be carried away into the desert to be protected from Satan for its duration (Rev. 12:14). As the time of the 2nd Coming approaches others who have survived will also be saved (Zechariah 12:10 ). Together, these Jews will populate Israel during the Millennium, where they’ll be joined by resurrected Jews of Old Testament times who died in faith of a coming redeemer. (Daniel 12:2 )

The Church And The Book Of Life

In the New Testament, the Book of Life is mentioned eight times. Seven of them are in the Book of Revelation. The other one is in Phil. 4:3 where Paul said the names of his fellow laborers are listed there. But there are other places where the Book of Life is in view, even though it isn’t named as such.

For instance a group of disciples had just returned from ministering in Israel. They were filled with joy knowing that even demons had submitted to them in the Lord’s name. Jesus told them, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20 )

In Rev. 3:5 Jesus said He will never blot the names of those who entrust their destinies to Him out of the Book of Life. In Romans 8:34 we read that Jesus is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. From this we can see that the Lord’s intercession is sufficient to give us a permanent place in the book, while Moses could only promise temporary security.

In Rev. 13:8 we’re introduced to another Book of Life, this one belonging to the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. In this verse John said all those who dwell upon the Earth will worship the anti-Christ, whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Note the odd sentence structure here. First it says all those who dwell on the Earth will worship the anti-Christ. Then it says their names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. From this we can infer that at the beginning of the Great Tribulation there’s no one on Earth whose name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Peter confirms the Lamb is Jesus, so the Lamb’s Book of Life is the registry of the Church, rescued from the time and place of the End times judgments.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20 )

The only other place where the Lamb’s Book of Life appears is in Rev. 21:27 where it says only those whose names are written therein can enter the New Jerusalem. This identifies the New Jerusalem as the exclusive home of the Church

Unbelievers And The Book Of Life

Rev. 17:8 says the inhabitants of the Earth whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from the creation of the world will be astonished to see the Beast because he was once, now is not, and yet will come. This tells us that not only were our names written there before we were born as
Psalm 139:16 revealed, but were actually written there from the creation. It also reveals that those who are astonished by the beast have already had their names blotted out of the book, just as the 3rd angel of Rev. 14 had warned (Rev. 14:9-11 ). The Greek word translated astonished in Rev. 17:8 means to marvel at, or hold in admiration. Worshiping the anti-Christ is cause for having one’s name blotted out of the book.

Some believe that the phrase once was, now is not, and yet will come means that the anti-Christ will be a figure from the past, someone who had lived before John’s time, was dead when John wrote the book of Revelation (95 AD), but will come back at the End of the Age as the anti-Christ. The most popular candidates are Antiochus Epiphanes who died in 163BC, the Roman Emperor Nero who died in 68 AD, and Judas Iscariot who died in 32AD. Antiochus Epiphanes and Nero are two of the most specific historical models of the anti-Christ, and Jesus called Judas the son of perdition (John 17:12 ) the same title by which Paul referred to the anti-Christ (2 Thes. 2:3 )

The Great White Throne judgment of Rev. 20:11-15 shows the dead being judged according to what is written in the books (Rev. 20:12 ). Several books will be used in this judgment. They contain the record of everything everyone ever born has said (Matthew 12:36-37 ) or done, whether good or bad, in public or in secret (Ecclesiastes 12:14 ). But in concluding the passage, John wrote that regardless of their good works, if their name has been blotted out of the Book of Life they will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The only way to prevent being blotted out of the book is to allow the death of Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 ).

This study was not meant to cover every reference to the Book of Life, whether direct or indirect, but to give us a more complete understanding of its purpose. Our names were inscribed there before the Creation as a record of our existence, and because of our belief that the Lord died for us and rose again they can never be blotted out. Halelujah. Selah 10-23-10.


https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/eternal-security/the-book-of-life-3/

This entry is part 4 of 16 in the series Revelation

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

The letters to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea will bring our study on the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3 to a conclusion.

To the Church in Philadelphia ( Rev. 3 :7 -13)

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

Philadelphia means brotherly love.
In the chronicle of church history, Philadelphia represents the evangelical church born in the 1800’s during the 2nd Great Awakening. (The first took place about 100 years earlier primarily in the Northern colonies.)

For centuries scholars had taught an allegorical interpretation of scripture, especially prophecy, but in the mid 1800’s the rank and file was energized by a return to the literal interpretation. The pre-tribulation rapture and 1000 year reign of the Lord on Earth, views that were prevalent during the 1st century but abandoned with the allegorical interpretation were once again popular. The church was born again.

(Title) These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

Jesus is the Messiah who holds the keys to the Davidic Kingdom. He alone has the authority to grant and refuse entry.

(Commendation) I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

The open door is the one through which John will enter heaven in chapter 4 to stand before the Throne of God, a type of the Rapture. The Church in Philadelphia, receiving no criticism, is also granted admission. This is symbolic of the fact that for those saved by grace through faith, it’s as if they’ve never committed a single sin. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21 )

In the 1st Century Philadelphia, like other gentile churches of the day, was beset by “Judiazers.” They insisted that before a Gentile could become a Christian, he had to become a Jew and keep the law. They’ll be forced to admit that the path to Christianity did not lie through Judaism, but went straight to the foot of the cross.

In the latter days, the advocates of Replacement Theology (those believing the church has replaced Israel) and other groups claiming Israel’s inheritance as the favored children of God, will also be required to bow down before the true church and admit the error of their ways.

(Admonition) Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

This the Lord’s promise of a pre-trib rapture. The Greek word translated “from” in this passage literally means “out of altogether” and excludes us from the time, place, and cause of the end times judgments. Only one “hour of trial” is prophesied to be world-wide, and only one is designed for the Earth dwellers. It’s the Great Tribulation. Throughout the balance of Revelation the church is referred to as those who dwell in Heaven.

(Call) I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Here’s one of those places that distinguishes the free gift of salvation from the crowns we’ll earn as prizes for things we do in the Lord’s name out of gratitude for His gift. One of those crowns is reserved for those who long for His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8 ) and that describes the attitude of the Church in Philadelphia perfectly.

The Greek word translated soon in the NIV actually means speedily. When He comes, He’ll come suddenly, without warning. Don’t let anyone talk you out of the promise of His coming. Don’t lose hope!

(Challenge) Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

Who is it that overcomes the world, John asks? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. ( 1 John 5:5 ) Through out the seven letters, the overcomers are those who resist the additions and deletions mankind has made to the Lord’s salvation equation and remain steadfast in the belief that we’re saved by grace alone.

The New Jerusalem is the home of the church. Nothing impure can ever enter it, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 21:27 ) With all that identification, there will be no doubt as to who is authorized to live there.

(Promise) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Once again we’re admonished to stick to the basics of the Gospel. Keep to His Word. Don’t deny His name. Hold on to your convictions. Keep looking up.

It was a clear and beautiful day when we arrived in Philadelphia, modern Alashehir, just after lunch. Perfect timing, I thought, since historical sites in Turkey often close at 3:00 PM. We spotted the signs pointing the way to the church site and arrived without difficulty about 1:30. It was a quiet neighborhood and the site itself was like a park, green and clean.

The sign on the gate told us we were there during visiting hours and, like the other sites we had visited, there was a little office for collecting fees and distributing literature. The door was open and we entered the site. But unlike every other place, though we stayed for almost an hour, we saw neither visitor nor employee. It was as if everyone from the Church in Philadelphia had disappeared, just like the Lord promised.

To the Church in Laodicea (Rev. 3 :14 -22)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

Laodicea means “the people rule.” The Laodicean church represents the apostate church at the end of the age. Many in the New Age and Emergent Church movements are part of this church.

(Title)These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.

He’s letting them know that they don’t rule the church, He does.

(Criticism) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

The church in Laodicea receives no commendation, only this criticism, rich in symbolic sarcasm. Laodicea got its water from nearby Heiropolis, a hot spring resort that still flourishes today, now called Pamukkale. The water came across the valley in an open aqueduct. Having begun its journey fresh from the hot springs, it was luke warm by the time it arrived. Too cool to be used for cleaning or bathing, and too warm to be refreshing, it was unfit for use until it could be either heated up or cooled down.

The fire of the Spirit had gone from the Church in Laodicea leaving its members engaged in “form without substance” ritual. Not that they minded. They were happy as clams with their no commitment, no responsibility religion. So it is in much of the emergent church today. They look like a church and do some things that a church does, but you won’t detect the power of the Holy Spirit there and the gospel of our salvation is only obvious by its absence. Even though their congregations are often large and well financed, their spiritual condition is one of poverty.

(Admonition) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful unclothedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Laodicea was a prosperous regional banking center, also famous for a rich black wool cloth its residents produced, and a soothing salve that helped reduce the painful effects of eye strain caused by astigmatism. They were rich in the worldly sense but poor in the things of the Spirit, thought themselves well dressed in their shiny black wool, but lacking the white robes of righteousness they were actually naked, able to see all the opportunities for worldly gain, but in need of a healthy dose of the Lord’s eye salve to restore their eternal perspective. Sound like anyone you know? The Church of Laodicea is alive and prospering in the 21st Century.

(Call) Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Often called the great evangelistic call, this passage screams out one extraordinary fact. The Lord’s standing outside! He’s knocking on the door trying to get in, hoping (dare I say praying?) that someone, anyone, will hear His voice and invite Him in. If they do, He’ll say, “Better change your mind about your need for a savior. Time’s about up.”

(Challenge) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Right up until the time of the Rapture, anyone in the Church of Laodicea can recognize his or her need for a savior and look to the Lord for salvation. And even if it makes them the very last member of the Body of Christ they’ll receive full rights and privileges. The number’s almost complete. If you’re a Laodicean reading this, you just may be the one we’re all waiting for.

(Promise) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

There’s a bit of the Laodicean in all of us. Some part of the Word we’re lukewarm about, some area of our life where we think we’re self-sufficient, some sin we’ve blinded ourselves to. Let’s get right about it while there’s time.

As we stood beside the Greek amphitheater that morning (Laodicea has both Greek and Roman amphitheaters) it was clear that the Laodiceans did not hear the Lord knocking at their door. What remained of the church was but an empty shell.

Let ’ s Get Personal

As you sit in your seat each Sunday, regardless of the sign on the church door, you’re joined by folks from Thyatira. They’re the ones who add to the Gospel: Jesus plus someone or something else, grace plus works, scripture plus tradition. There are also some from Sardis. They subtract from the Gospel. “You don’t need to be born again, just join the church, give some time and money, you’ll be fine.” And then there’s the group from Laodicea. “Jesus was a great man and teacher, and lived a life of such gentleness and grace that it’s ALMOST as if he was God. Just love everybody like he did. The good life you live is an obvious sign of your favor with God, and everyone knows there’s no real heaven, I mean come on.”

But if you know you’re a sinner and have given your heart to Jesus because He gave His life for you, then you’re from Philadelphia. There may be some others there with you, but you’ll never really know for sure how many till you all vanish together some day soon. And don’t be surprised when you’re joined by some who’re Catholic, some who’re Protestant, some conservatives, some liberals, and even some who didn’t appear to attend any church at all. After all it’s not what you say you are, but what you believe in your heart that matters.

Next time we’ll begin part three of the Revelation, “the things that will be after this.” See you then.


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