Bible Study: December 25, 2007
Hello My Friend/Guest,
"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily." (Psalm 102:1-2)
It is Tuesday December 25, 2007 and today we are comtinuing our studies on the book of Revelations. Please read, Revelation 3 -- 5 In Today's Reading we will learn about our Lord's messages to the churches at Sardis and Philadelphia; the disapproval of the church at Laodicea; and the sealed book.
The church in Sardis could boast that there were no false doctrines being taught, but there was an equally serious sin that was being commited. It is not enough to teach the doctrine, one must follow what one teaches. A person that does not know better is not expected to know what works are made perfect before God's eyes, but a person that knows and teaches it to others yet does follow it sins just as a person who teaches falsely does. "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." (Revelation 3:1-3).
"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." (3:4-5). During His earthly ministry, Jesus had also said: If you obey from the heart My Commandments, you shall dwell in My love. "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." (John 15:10).
Jesus commended the church in Philadelphia for their faithfulness, saying, "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." (Revelation 3:8-10).
The majority of church members in Laodicea probably congratulated themselves on being moderate and broad-minded. They probably pitied the narrow-minded Christians in other churches. The Laodicean believers prided themselves on their ability to compromise. But Jesus severely condemned this church: "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." (3:16-19).
However, Jesus, the Lord of His Church, is still knocking on doors of men's hearts with the same words of encouragement: "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." (Revelation 3:20-21). Anyone that accepts Jesus as their Saviour is going to face opposition. In fact whether you live for Jesus or the world you are still going to face opposition of some form or another, however those who choose Jesus have something to look forward to and no matter what they are going through they will be at peace and overcome anything thrown at hem. On the other hand those who live in the world who face opposition do not know what to do when they are faced with those challenges, often resulting in depression and dependacy on things which are only temporary hide aways. May God bless all who have fallen into that trap.
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We just want to praise your name today, and of course every day, but today we just want to bask in the joy of knowing that we can glorify you just by living according to your will. You are too gracious and merciful. You make life worth living. You love us even when we're at our ugliest. Thank you for being the one true, omnipotent God and loving US anyway. Thank you for choosing us. We love you, and want to worship and praise you always. In Jesus name, we pray.....Amen.
Have a wonderful day/night and Merry Christmas to you.
God Bless,
Christina
