The church at Pergamum

 The church at Pergamum

The book of Revelations states,

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

"These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." Revelations 2:12-17.

Here Christ realizes that the Pergamum church is "where Satan has his throne". That they did not renounce their faith even when Antipas a member of their congregation was put to death.

Still this church has a problem they had people in their midst that believed the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans both heretical groups.

As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot compromise our beliefs. We must live by what the scriptures teach. Not what we or anyone else wants them to say.

As someone once said,

"Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition." Author unknown

It is the duty of church leaders to make sure false teaching does not continue in the church. To speak out against false teaching. The apostle Paul stating.

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13

I firmly believe we are in the time the apostle Paul warned against when he wrote to Timothy saying.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

It is very easy to use the bible to say what you want it to say. To take things out of context which is what the Nicolaitans were doing. 

The call of Jesus to the church at Pergamum and to any who would call themselves followers of Christ Jesus is to turn away from false teaching and turn back to God

To heed the warning to the church in Pergamum,"Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

Thus the questions for all those who would call themselves believers in Jesus Christ is:

Am I listening to false teachers? 

Am I standing up to them? 

Are we expelling false teachers from among us?

                               OR

 are we allowing false teachers to remain in our midst?

Please think about it.

To the church at Smyrna

 To the  Church in Smyrna

The book of revelations records, 

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." Revelations 2:8-11 

As I noted in my previous blog through the book of Revelations Jesus speaks to seven churches. 

Scholars have noted that these churches can be taken in several ways. They can speak to individual churches and denominations throughout both throughout history and today and they can be personalized by individuals.

The Second church mentioned is Smyrna. Smyrna was a major port city just north of Ephesus. The Imperial Roman cult was presence in the city as was a large number of Jews. Both of whom may have persecuted early believers in Christ.

Here Jesus identifies Himself as "the First and the Last, "who died and came to life again."

He notes that the church has gone through affliction and poverty, yet is rich. That they are slandered.

Today around the world there are churches and individuals who are as one person said "dangerous neighbourhoods". Areas of the world where being a follower of Jesus Christ can get you put in jail, attacked or even murdered. 

Jesus in addressing the church at Smyrna is addressing them. He calls on them not to be afraid. That while they may be put in prison and suffer persecution they will be given a crown of life.

For anyone going through persecution it can be hard. No one deserves to go through persecution for their faith no matter who they are. That being said however as believers in Christ Jesus we have the assurance that in the end we will receive the victors crown and live eternally in Heaven with God.

If you are a Christian living in the west that is not undergoing persecution take time to remember the persecuted church. Men and Women who are suffering for their faith. Take time to pray and if you are in the western democracies especially write to your member of parliament, or prime minister. Ask them to bring up the plight of persecuted Christians. It can't hurt but it may just do a lot of good.

Perhaps even bring up to your pastor and Church congregation the need to keep praying and doing what you can to help believers in Christ that are being persecuted.

Please think about it.

To the church at Ephesus

 To the church at Ephesus

The book of Revelations widely believed to be written by the apostle John speaks of seven individual Churches. 

The first Church addressed is Ephesus John writes,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.  

But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelations 2:1-7.

It has been said that each church addressed in the book or Revelations is representative of Churches that have existed throughout history and are around today. Further more one can personalize these churches. 

Thus we can look at what is said to each of the churches in Revelations and see if it is like the church congregation, denomination or church movement we attend. At the same time we can look at ourselves and see if we are acting like the church described. 

Here the Ephesian church is commended for what they have gone through, for their hard work. Jesus commends them for not tolerating wicked men. For their testing of false prophets. He even commends them for hating the practices of the Nicolaitans a group of heretics.

Jesus then says,

"I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."

Our first love as believers must always be God.

It is possible for a church or an individual to seem to be doing everything right yet not be truly following God.

Thus I would ask you the reader, if you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, examine yourself, and the congregation you attend. Then ask yourself am I like the church at Ephesus? Is the congregation or denomination I am a part of like the church at Ephesus?

Please think about it.

Words Pleasing to God

 Words pleasing to God

The writer of proverbs states,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

                                                 Proverbs 12:18.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we are accountable for our actions. We must always remember that it is through our words and deeds that people will see Christ. We must remember that our words and deeds potentially have eternal consequences.

We must always think before we speak. As the writer of Proverbs states “Reckless words pierce like a sword.”

The wrong words at the wrong time can scar a person for life. The wounds from words can hurt a person far more than a physical injury. 

Likewise right words at the right time can bring healing. That is why we must think before we speak asking God for wisdom. 

Our prayer should be the words of the Psalmist who writes,

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are your words and the meditations of your heart pleasing to God.

Please think about it.

Giving it all

  Giving it all

Matthew’s gospel record this interaction between Jesus and a rich man.

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"...

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:16,20,21.

Now from the outset let me say that there is nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of material possessions. It’s the emphasis you put on the money and possession you have. The apostle Paul wrote,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

Jesus said,

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.

As believers we are called to follow Christ which could mean giving everything up and relying on God to provide for us.

It’s obvious in the response of the rich man that his trust was in his material possessions not in God. 

We here in the western democracies are blessed with freedom of worship. Sadly this is not so for many places around the world. In those countries many have suffered persecution, imprisonment and even death for following Christ.

What I would ask to those Christians living in the democratic countries of the world is. Would you be willing to give everything, even your life for Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Having the attitude of Christ

 Have the attitude of Christ 

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.

I believe the Christian life is about being humble before God. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8.

In the book of James we read,

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, 

and he will lift you up."

                                        James 4:10.

Please think about it. 

Now all has been heard

  Now all has been heard

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

As a Christian I firmly believe that everyone, from the most powerful man on earth, to the Pope, to the humblest man and all in between will stand before God to be judged. It is a judgement no one can avoid.

There is a quote from the Talmud I like it states,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not,

  "Have you believed in God?" Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?"   The Talmud.

Thus I would ask especially if you consider yourself a Christian “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?”

What will God say to you? 

Will you hear,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:34-36

Or will you hear,

"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,     I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 

"They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

"He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:41-46

Please think about it.

No matter where you are

  No matter where we are

The psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, You are there;

 if I make my bed in the depth, You are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there 

Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                            Psalm 139:7-10.

Here is something we as believers must always remember. No matter where we are God is there for us. God is there to guide us in the best of times and in the worst of times.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Reckless words Pierce like a Sword

 Reckless words Pierce like a Sword

The writer of proverbs states,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

                                                 Proverbs 12:18.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we are accountable for our actions. We must always remember that it is through our words and deeds that people will see Christ. We must remember that our words and deeds potentially have eternal consequences.

We must always think before we speak. As the writer of Proverbs states “Reckless words pierce like a sword.”

The wrong words at the wrong time can scar a person for life. The wounds from words can hurt a person far more than a physical injury. 

Likewise right words at the right time can bring healing. That is why we must think before we speak asking God for wisdom. 

Our prayer should be the words of the Psalmist who writes,

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” 

                                                                                         Psalm 19:14.

Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are your words and the meditations of your heart pleasing to God.

Please think about it.

Consider Psalm 52:8,9

 Consider Psalm 52:8,9

The Psalmist writes,

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; 

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. 

I will praise you forever for what you have done; 

in your name I will hope, 

for your name is good. 

I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

                                                                        Psalm 52:8,9.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus. Can you do as the Psalmist says in Psalm 52:8,9?

Please think about it.

Truly trusting God

  Truly trusting God

The Psalmist writes,

“I wait for the LORD,

 my soul waits, 

and in his word I put my hope.” 

                                    Psalm 130:5  

If you claim to be a Christian, where is your trust. Billy Graham the American evangelist wrote, 

"Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do." Billy Graham.

In Proverbs we read,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.” 

                                                        Proverbs 3:5,6.

Here is a question for all who claim to be followers in Christ Jesus. Do you truly “trust in the LORD with all your heart?”

Please think about it.

Be at Peace

 Be at peace 

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18.

Do you live at peace with those around you?

The only way we will ever win a soul for Christ is if we live at peace with those around us and show unconditional love toward them.

In the book of Hebrews takes this a step further saying,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are you making every effort to live at peace and to be holy with those around you?

Please think about it.

The Conclusion of the matter

 The conclusion of the matter

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

I believe there is a God. Furthermore I believe what the writer of Ecclesiastes is saying here about Him. If I am wrong and God doesn’t exist. I will have lived a good life. A happy life.

If on the other hand I am right then many people in this world have a lot to fear. 

What about you dear reader. What do you believe about God?

Please think about it.

A good workman

 A good workman

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Within our multi-media world anyone can be made to look good. And sadly way to many Christians don’t check out the pastor, teacher evangelist and even politicians they are following. As a result too many Christians are following false teachers.

Note what Paul is saying here these people will “have a form of godliness”

This is what is happening here in North America where I live. They claim to be true Christians. True followers of Christ Jesus but in reality they are what Jesus warned about. 

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Matthew 7:15.

We as believers in Christ need to do what the apostle Paul says,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Where will you be most happy?

  Where will you be most happy?

Jesus said,

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36.

I think most people do not think much about Jesus and salvation. I would even go as far as saying many don’t even know what salvation means in a Christian sense. 

Most are concentrated on the here and now. On improving their way of life. Trying to find personal satisfaction by earning large amounts of money. By buying luxurious hoses and expensive cars.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich or having luxurious material goods. The apostle Paul tells us,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

Jesus tells us,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 16:19-21.

We as individuals must chose where we will store our treasure. In heaven or on this earth.

Where we will be most happy.

Tony Campolo wrote,

"When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo

Please think about it.

Have you received?

 Have you received?

In Philippians we read,

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

                                                                                 Philippians 4:20.

Can you say this in all honesty?

Is God your Father?

The apostle Paul writes,

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” John 1:10-13.

Have you received Jesus into your heart?

Please think about it.

Jesus The Heigh Priest

 Jesus The Heigh Priest

In the book of Hebrews we read, 

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  Hebrews 4:14,15.

As believers in Christ Jesus we have “a great high priest”. 

A high priest who has been tempted in every way.

When we stand before God on judgement day, we can never say He didn’t understand what it was like to be human and tempted. The reason he came to earth and went through everything a person could go through. 

Jesus was a refugee his family, while he was an infant having to run to Egypt to save his life. 

Jesus was a carpenter and thus knew what it was to do hard work. He attended weddings. Had many friends and followers.

Simply by living on the earth he would know what it was experience the mundane like the smell of dusty road after it rained. He would have felt the sun and rain on his face. 

At the same time he experienced the pain of being whipped and nailed to a cross.

Through all of this he acted as a man. As such unlike an earthly high priest he could sympathize with us in our weakness. 

Additionally while going through his life he lived a life without sin.

This is the one all who claim to be Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, serve, worship and honour.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Confession

 Confession

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

We are all sinners. No one is perfect. We all do something each day that are wrong. Things that fall far short of what God wants for our lives. That’s why we need to look to God daily and confess our sins. For it is by Gods grace that we get to heaven. The apostle Paul writing, 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

Christians believe that we cannot live a life good enough to enter heaven. That is why He sent Jesus to die for our sins. The apostle Paul writing,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

For us to receive forgiveness we first need to believe in God. The writer of Hebrews stating,

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

How about you?

 How about you?

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD; 

let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me; 

let us exalt his name together." 

                                        Psalm 34:1-3.

If nothing else the New Testament shows Jesus and his apostles experienced all that it is to be human. They attended weddings. The followed the rules set down in the Torah. They interacted with people of all walks of life.

They were also beaten, thrown in prison all but one dying for their faith. Yet through all of this they praised God. They praised him not only in the good times, but after they’d been beaten and while they were in prison.

They praised God because they knew that even in their darkest hour God was with them. 

How about you, if you profess to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you praise God in the good times and in the bad?

Please think about it. 

Believe and Confess

 Believe and Confess

The apostle Paul writes,

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.

This is as simple as it gets. The apostle Paul states that if you “confess with your mouth “Jesus in Lord” and believe in you heart God raised him from the dead you will be saved.

So the question becomes have you done this?

Please think about it.