CAN YOU HONOR GOD WITHOUT BEING CONFRONTATIVE TO OTHERS?

No. If Jesus Christ was persecuted, hated (and He was!) why do you think you can lovingly get along with everyone? I mean: everyone…

We are not all in this together. All are not welcome at the church. Many churches have security! Why? Two kingdoms: and beloved, some sinners are and some are not – violent.

Selah.

AS A CHILD OF GOD WHO LOVES HIM FIRST AND FOREMOST I am not afraid of controversy. Every Christian has to expect this…  And every Christian has been warned by Jesus, Himself, to the truth of unjustified insults, betrayals, persecutions, and more:

 

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Persecution has come, will come! It is a privilege to be hated by the devil! Don’t believe me? Why is the devil your adversary? Do you really want him to be your friend?!

 

John 15:18-25
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.  Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.  If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.  But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

 

What is a disciple of Christ? A disciple is a learner, a pupil. You had better learn to take God at His Word. It is amazing to me that those who claim they love the only true and living God are shocked when they have to resist evil! Are shocked, absolutely shocked, that their niceness, their extending love, doesn’t make a clear path to peace. One only has to read the Bible to see there are two kingdoms! In fact, even a child at a very tender age sadly learns there are nice people and nasty people. How old were you when you mother told you not to talk to strangers?

We need to remember the teachings on the seven churches revealed to John the Revelator in the last book of our Bible. We are to embrace, believe and cherish the book of Revelation — not Revelations — for there is one revelation we must accept, Jesus Christ revealed as King of kings, Lord of lords, Son of God, Son of Man, coming King, Great I AM…

PLEASE NOTE: if you go to a ‘church’ who won’t uplift the book of Revelation; who won’t lift up the entire Bible as being God-breathed, I highly advise you to leave that place which is led by such a cowardly ‘pastor’. It does your soul good to remember that Jesus is worth dying for, living for, losing a job for, having family member disown you (the Bible tells us Christ came to bring division), for, getting kicked out of a ‘ministry’ for. Take heart!

 

Revelation 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

 

If you are not pleased to quote this entire biblical verse, claim it, own it, live and be willing to die: you’d better man up!

 

Selah!

NOW:  let’s look at what we can learn from these seven churches.

 

THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS:

Revelation 2:1-7
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

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.

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

 

The believers at Ephesus worked hard, persevered and they could not tolerate wicked people (thank God); yet Christ had something against them. They had forsaken their first love! Imagine! They had forsaken God! Frightening! What did Christ tell them to do?

 

Verse 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.

 

Jesus told them to repent. Repentance is required. “I’m sorry!” alone doesn’t cut it. Actions have to be changed; it is possible, or it would never be required:

 

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

 

THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

Revelation 2:8-11
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

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.

 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

 

This church was told to not fear though they suffered tribulations, poverty and reproachful words against them (blasphemy) from ungodly people. God called them to remain faithful as they were and they will be given the crown of life!

 

THE CHURCH OF PERGAMUM

Revelation 2:12-17
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

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.

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

 

The church of Pergamum was taunted by satan in their midst…  But God’s Word is sharp. The Word is a double-edged sword and it cuts to dividing right from wrong, good from evil. It is more than able to cut God’s people from any chain of torment. Pergamum was told to turn away from accepting teachings of Balaam who taught Balak to entice the Israelites: idol worship and pursuing sexual immorality will never be acceptable to our holy God of all. Repentance again was commanded from Him.

 

 

THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA:

Revelation 2:18-29

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;

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.

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.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

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.

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

And I will give him the morning star.

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

 

Unlike the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia, the church of Thyatira needed to change… These believers were told by Christ they were now doing more than they had at first, but they tolerated a false prophetess, Jezebel, (a name famously known for those who adhere to evil) whose evil works encouraged sexual immorality.

Those of this church who held to Jezebel’s ways were warned they will also suffer intensely unless again – they repent.

 

THE CHURCH OF SARDIS:

Revelation 3:1-6

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

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.

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.

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.

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

 

The church of Sardis was dead! Dead; with unfinished deeds! A dead church can only be awakened through repentance and God, who is a consuming fire. The Godhead is the only one they could turn to in order to be cleansed, then forgiven… If not, those who were in Christ, left Him, and died by their own free will choice would have their names removed, yes removed, from the book of life. If they went that path, the would be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement, to be assigned eternally to the lake of fire and brimstone, which is very real and very eternal!

Selah.

 

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA:

Revelation 3:7-13
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;

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

 

The church of Philadelphia received no retribution. I pray that be said of me, of you… Remember, beloved, God knows your deeds. He is: omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. We believers cherish that! These holy ones of the Philadelphia church proved their love for God and man through their words and their works. Patient endurance was noted of them by Jesus. It can be done! No Jezebel nor blaggard will steal their crown!

Selah.

 

THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA:

Revelation 3:14-22

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;

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

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

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:

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.

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

 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.

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.

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

 

Like someone who is notoriously on today’s scene, such as an athlete, actor or talk show host, the members of Laodicea were not paying attention…  They were not just blemished, they were lukewarm! The rebuke from Christ was so severe, that is they did not repent He told them He would spue them out of His mouth! You know what that means right? Christ would vomit them out of His mouth? Friends, does one ever receive vomit back into his body?! Of course not! They would be consigned to Hell justifiably if they had not turned from their extremely wicked ways!

Take heart! Take care! Take God at His Word!
Study to show yourself approved and deeply meditate on the many instances Christ told most of these churches to repent! God is love. God is holy, holy, holy. The wrath of God is equal to His love!

You’d better believe it!

Therefore, beloved:
stand firm and do not fear man, nor controversy!

 

Revelation 22:12-21
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.  Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.