Tag: suffering

  • The Time Is Near For Our Church – Pergamum

    The Time Is Near For Our Church – Pergamum

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ

    John to the seven churches

    Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

    “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, … to Pergamum

    16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

    “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

    20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

    Christ, our risen Lord and Savior holds in His right hand the angels of the churches. Christ, our returning Lord and Savior stands in the presence of His golden churches – the believers to be taken-up along with those who have gone before us.

    Yet each letter to the churches is specific to a group of believers: praise for faithfulness and call to continued faith. For not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will be taken-up. Not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will stand as a light of witness as a lampstand on His right. For some will be separated to the King’s left and He will say of those who did not glimmer with the light of Jesus, “I never knew you.”

    And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. – Matthew 25:46 KJV

    Therefore: The warnings for the seven churches are addressed to the saints of every generation until the last.

    You with ears to hear, let the scripture of Revelation speak to your eternal soul.

    the_seven_churches_of_revelation

    City of Science … and Satan?

    pergamon hill

    Pergamum
    Pergamum

    Pergamon’s strategic location along both land and sea trading routes contributed to its prosperity. Pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean region would flock to the city to engage in commerce or to visit the famous Ascelpion, a center of medical treatments.

    Perched atop a windswept mountain along the Turkish coastline and gazing proudly—almost defiantly—over the azure Aegean Sea sit the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Pergamon.

    The modern visitor approaches the site from the steep and winding road that leads from the modern Turkish city of Bergama just a few miles away. Upon reaching the ruins, the commanding panoramic view from Pergamon’s 1,000-foot-high perch makes it easy to understand how this city once dominated the entire region.

    Antipas, a Christian bishop of Pergamum, was believed to have been martyred here at the end of the first century A.D., around the time when many scholars believe the Book of Revelation was composed. The execution of their bishop certainly would not have endeared the city to its Christian inhabitants, and the Biblical reference to the city is reflective of the general tension between Christian and pagan communities at the end of the first century A.D. – 7/16/2013 article excerpt- Sarah Yeomans

    Revelation 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

    Mention of this “sword” occurs only once outside of Revelation.  It is a very large sword.

    1. properly a long Thracian javelin, also a kind of long sword wont to be worn on the right shoulder

    Simeon, after having dedicated the baby Jesus said: “For my eyes have seen Your salvation .” – Luke 2:30

    Then Simeon turned to Mary and also prophesied: “yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also…” Luke 2:35a

    13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

    Pergamum theatrePersecution of first century Christians, familiar to us by fictional accounts of actual incidents in Rome, were common throughout the Roman Empire.

    The martyrdom could have taken place at this famous pagan temple or in their large amphitheater.

    Pergamum or Pergamos is just one city where Christians were persecuted and killed for cruel sport.  (Ephesus, as you may recall from Paul’s later letters, is another.)

    14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent.

    John 15:19 [The words of Jesus:]

    If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

    Jesus expects the church to be different from the world. We are NOT like the worshipers of idols and unbelievers.

    Christ reveals through John “some there who hold the teaching of Balaam.”

    Do you recall the donkey speaking to the Prophet to preserve his life from the sword of the angel?

    Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand…

    IF a Prophet of God may risk execution for disobedience, surely a Christian in a faithful church may also be warned for standing too close to sin.

    Once again the issues are idol worship, sexual immorality, and false teaching.

    Has anything changed from these temptations up to this 21st century, dear faithful believer?

    Yet, be encouraged that our All-Powerful risen and returning Lord may wield a large sword in your defense against the world, IF you remain faithful.

    * In verse 15:

    • 1. Notice that the church in Ephesus hated the “deeds” of the Nicolatians (2:6)
    • 2. Now in this church in Pergamos, (the infiltrated church), it has become “doctrine” = teachings!
    • 3. Ephesus hated their deeds as the Lord hated their deeds. Now Pergamos allows what God hates!
    • a) The Lord has always hated when anyone “lords” over His people but Himself!!

    Revelation 2:16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

    Repent! But IF NOT, come I to you without delay, indeed to war against the same with the edge of the sword of my mouth. {see concordance}

    * Verse 16: 

    1. Repentance is not mere “I’m sorry!” It must be a change of heart and actions!

    2. If we, as the Lord messengers and servants, do not admonish and stand for the truth, HE WILL!!!

    Commentary of John Brown

    17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

    b) A white stone with a new name!

    (1) No one knows for sure what this allude to but there used to be a custom of voting for an accused criminal with a black and a white stone.

    (2) If the white stones outnumbered, the criminal was set free!

    (3) Through our faith in Jesus as Lord as Savior, the white stone has been cast, we have been set free!!

    (a) And along with that freedom as slaves to this world, we have been given our FATHER’S name! It will be written in the Lamb’ Book of Life!!!

    NEXT: Thyatira

  • The Time Is Near For Our Church – Smyrna

    The Time Is Near For Our Church – Smyrna

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ

    John to the seven churches

    Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

    “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, … to Smyrna

    “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

    20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

    Christ, our risen Lord and Savior holds in His right hand the angels of the churches. Christ, our returning Lord and Savior stands in the presence of His golden churches – the believers to be taken-up along with those who have gone before us.

    Yet each letter to the churches is specific to a group of believers: praise for faithfulness and call to continued faith. For not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will be taken-up. Not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will stand as a light of witness as a lampstand on His right. For some will be separated to the King’s left and He will say of those who did not glimmer with the light of Jesus, “I never knew you.”

    And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. – Matthew 25:46 KJV

    Therefore: The warnings for the seven churches are addressed to the saints of every generation until the last.

    You with ears to hear, let the scripture of Revelation speak to your eternal soul.

    the_seven_churches_of_revelation

    200 Christians Burned inside church in Turkey - 1915

    To the Church in Smyrna

    8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

    9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer.

    Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

    Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

     “DO NOT FEAR what you are about to suffer…”

    Does the Revelation of Jesus Christ through the Apostle John encourage you?

    The encouragement for the Church at Smyrna was for upcoming, soon-to-be fulfilled prophesy in the first century. However if any 21st c. Christian dare believe such persecution of Christians for our faith in Christ Jesus has ceased, think again.

    A glance at the map of Turkey above, the headline of Urumiah from the 20th c. and the burning church in Egypt just weeks ago ought to convince Christians that persecution and suffering of Christians in contested areas of the world is actually on the increase.

    4 weeks ago - Egypt
    4 weeks ago – Egypt

    The encouragement of Revelation is actually for a FINAL BATTLE between Christ and the enemies of the Cross, led by the Devil, that great deceiver of the world (including the world news that filters to our non-consideration).

    Jesus Christ reveals:

    You may be tested. You will have tribulation.

    Be faithful unto death.

    Suppose you are a Christian in Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia or one of many other countries that persecute Christians where old men and young thugs stand boldly against the love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus.

    Would you be encouraged?

    The Saints of the Church of Smyrna were encouraged not in life; but in death!

    The Church is encouraged to withstand every persecution for the Name and Cross of Jesus Christ.  In fact, Jesus’ promise is for the crown of Life – that is, eternal life.

    Our encouragement is that regardless of analysis of the Battle now, the outcome is assured. In the Last Battle, JESUS WINS. (See end of story.)

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    The facts of Islam and Jihad go well beyond tolerance.  9/11/2001 was just an opening salvo of just one more battle in a patient war by the enemy Satan.

    Our memory of history is both short and tainted.

    Discern for yourself some of what you will not hear from the world:

    Timeline 

    Historical facts say that Islam, including Muhammad, launched their own Crusades against Christianity long before the European Crusades.

    The word “crusade” (derived from the Latin word for “cross“) in an Islamic context means a holy war or jihad. (Same war; different leader.)

    • 630 Two years before Muhammad’s death of a fever, he launches the Tabuk Crusades, in which he led 30,000 jihadists against the Byzantine Christians.
    • 635 Muslim Crusaders besiege and conquer of Damascus. (3 years before capturing Jerusalem)
    • 673-678 Arabs besiege Constantinople, capital of Byzantine Empire
    • 680 Massacre of Hussein (Muhammad’s grandson), his family, and his supporters in Karbala, Iraq.
    • 691 Dome of the Rock is completed in Jerusalem, only six decades after Muhammad’s death.
    • Much more on link above.

    Persecution of the 19th & 20th c. (partial)

    Voice of the Martyrs – a current look at Turkey & other “restricted” nations (Click on any country for detail. Here is current detail for Turkey.)

    Turkey has experienced an ongoing political struggle between secular proponents, urban moderates and rural Islamist forces vying for government control. The country has been officially secular since 1924, but 97 percent of the population is Muslim. Questions about the role of religion in society dominate public discourse. The current president is a proponent of political Islam, and there are few signs that Turkey will soon embrace true religious freedom.

    Category: Hostile Nation
    Religion: Muslim 96.6%, Christian 0.2%
    Ideology: Islam
    Head of State: President Abdullah Gul

    Despite government claims and a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, Christians do not enjoy freedom of religion in many areas. Politicians, police, Islamic secularists and the growing Islamist movement are hostile to Christianity, and foreign missionaries are seen as a threat. Local officials often refuse to issue licenses to new churches. Turkish culture has a deep prejudice against Christians, and many adhere to the maxim that to be Turkish is to be Muslim. Conversion is not technically illegal, but converts have been charged with “insulting Turkishness.” Recently, persecution has increased. Christians frequently experience discrimination, slander, personal attacks and attacks against churches. VOM supports the growing persecuted church and Christian radio programming.

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    God will judge.  Christ IS victorious.

    Christians throughout the world must remain awake on the wall.

    What begins with subtlety is masked as tolerance and covered with ignorance.

    The result is false security, false government, false faith, and fallen nations. 

    We are fallen sinners redeemed in the Blood of Christ Jesus, Who was and IS, and will return in victory.

    While we remain on watch, let us pray for these many persecuted Christians throughout the world.

    11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

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    NEXT: Pergamum

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