Revelation: Church at Thyatira

 To the church of Thyatira 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 or 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.

Attribute:  “The Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass.”

Attribute applied:  Jesus says:  “ I know:
 your works
 charity
 service
 faith
 your patience
 your works

“Not withstanding I have a few things against thee”...

 
This church has allowed 'that woman Jezebel' in that teaches sexual impurity and to eat things sacrificed unto idols and is causing others to fall from the Lord through deceptions of this kind of sin.  It needs to be noted here that Jesus says if verse 21 'And I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not.'  The Lord always gives time to repent; for some, it can be for as long as their natural life is but not for others such as this woman.

This sin that the church has allowed in has long effects.  Any sin does:  It effects those around us for a long ways.  If a person could see the effects what he or she does and says, I wonder would we do and say some of the things we do and say?  We think no one will know or care, but people do.  Look at the world today, at the mess we are all in.  This is the effects of someones' sin.

Attribute applied:  The Lord is demanding purity from them and from us, that is the reason for the “His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass” which represents purity.  

V 18 Feet travels:  Isaiah 52:7. How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publish peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto ion, 'Your God reigns..."

Also this is the only letter that says, "The Son of God".  Why?  Because The Son of God is the Redeemer of our souls, the One Who died and rose from the dead to deliver us out of the hand of the enemy, and made us to be victorious.

Fire burns, it burns hot,  It cleanses and makes pure.  This church and us today needs to repent and let the Word cleanse us from the impurities we have allowed into our lives.  His eyes:  because He sees into our very being and knows the truth of our lives, what we think, if what we are doing is in right-standing or a show.

Brass represent oneness with the Lord Jesus Christ:

 Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper and is a substitutional alloy.  (Jesus took our place on the cross and paid for our sin so we don’t have too--we couldn’t anyway.)   It is used in place of gold (we are here to be the light, hands, feet of Jesus.)  Jesus is the propitiation of our sin through faith.  (Propitiation "is viewed as appeasing divine justice and effecting reconciliation between God and man." *) Romans 3:25,  1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10

 Brass is resistant to tarnishing and is a natural germicidal.  When we are walking in God Word-studying it, living it, confessing it, sin and sickness must flee and die.

 
 Brass has malleability--it is capable of being reshaped or extended by beating with a hammer or by pressure of rollers.  And is an easy material to cast.  We must let the Potter make us into what He wants us to be--Righteous, over-comers, living in victory and without sin.  

 Brass has acoustic properties--we are to make melody in our hearts to the Lord.   We are to sing His praises and worship Him.

 Brass becomes stronger and self healing when aluminum is mixed with it.  I had asked the Lord about this:  “Why not mix aluminum in with the zinc and copper?”  His answer was immediate:  “ Because I don’t want you to be hard hearted but tender-hearted to the needs of other and you can not heal yourself.  I am your Healer!”

 This brass alloy must be produced with great care, with special attention placed on a balanced composition and proper production temperatures and parameter to avoid long-term failures.  God has taken great care to make sure of our success in Him!!  The word alloy means:   *A state as to being mixed with base metals; comparative purity.  A substance composed of two or more metals INTIMATELY mixed and united, usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; as, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.  This leaves no room for impurities.  

Jesus prayed in John 17: 20-23  “...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;  that they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that You has sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in One; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and has loved them, as You have loved Me.  Father, I will that they also whom You have given Me, be with Me where I AM; that they may behold My Glory, which You have given Me:  for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.  O Righteous Father, the world has not know You:  but I have know You, and these have know that You have sent Me.  An I have declared unto them Your Name, and will declare it:  that the Love wherewith You have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 16:33. These things, I have spoken unot you, that in Me you might have peace.  In the world you hsall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

He is telling them, and us that we must keep ourselves pure and separated from the sexual and worldly lust and be united intimately with Him.  Those who have not gotten caught in this trap He says to them:  “ I will put upon you none other burden.  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come."

Repent, do what is right in His site and you will receive a
Reward:  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.

Revelation 22:16 

Facts about brass is from the on-line encyclopedia: Wikipedia
* Definition of  alloy and propitiation is from Webster’s New International Dictionary 2nd edition

Revelation: Church At Pergamos

 To the church of Pergamos 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 your works, and where thou dwells, even where Satan’s seat is:  and you hold fast my name and have not denied my faith, even in those day wherein     Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.  But I have a few things against you, because thou have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of  Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.  So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.  Repent, or else I will come unto you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, to him that overcomes 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 knows saving he that receives it.

Attribute:  “He which has the sharp sword with two edges”

This church allows people into their congregation that is leading people into sin by deception.   It should not be allowed!

Pergamos is where there is a throne and altar for satan.  He was worshipped here and lived here in Pergamos. There is where God's faithful servant Antipas (2:13) was killed for preaching the Truth of the gospel.  

It is interesting to note that in this verse Jesus says He knows this:
 your works
 and where you live
    AND
 where satan's seat is
 where satan lives
    Knowing those things He also knows:
 who is holding fast His name and has not denied 'My' faith

In the midst of all the evil and all that is wrong in this area there are those who love the Lord with all their hearts, work for Him, and will NOT deny His name nor His faith, but will keep going on being faithful.  

This can be applied today.  With all the evil that is growing in our communities, state, country, world, we can remain faithful and do the work of the Lord even when it means death to our bodies.  Because death to our bodies brings us into eternity with Jesus!

The problem with this church are two-fold
 they have allowed people in that hold to the doctrine of Balaam.  Balaam you remember from Numbers chapters 23 and 24 that Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel but God told him he better not do that.  But Balaam was so enamored with the money Balak offered him.  You can read the rest of the story there in Numbers.  It very interesting and God used a donkey which spoke to Balaam.  Balaam then told Balak how to be a stumbling block to the children of Israel and that is what is happening here in this church.  The leaders have allowed this same teaching in to be a stumbling block to God's people.
 also they have allowed and hold to the doctrine of the nicolaitanes, who led "lives of unrestrained indulgence". (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaism)  

The Lord hates both of these practices and tells us to STAY AWAY  from them.

Attribute applied:

The Sword:

 Isaiah 49:1-2 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord has called Me from the womb, from the bowel of My mother has He made mention of My name.  And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of His hand has He hid me, and made Me a polished shaft in His quiver; has He hid Me;
 Ephesians 6:16-17 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
 Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Second Corinthians 6:14-18 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers?  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?  and what concord hath Christ with Belial?  or what part hath he that believes with an infidel?  and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  for ye are the temple of the Living God; as God hath said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate”, saith the Lord, “and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters”, saith the Lord Almighty.

The sword divides.  It divides the wrong from the right.  The wrong needs to be cut off and gotten rid of––cast away.  As you can see in the scripture of 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18 the Lord does not want us to be unequally yoked with unrighteousness.  By allowing this evil teaching in the church causes confusion and unrest and leads people away from the truth.  This should not be.  The leaders of the church needs to boot that out.  We either take up the sword and boot out evil in the Name of Jesus or Jesus will take up the sword and will boot us out.
 
Jesus told them (and us) in verse 16 of Revelation 2, “ Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”  This church and us are to repent for this fellowship with sin and and boot them out of our churches if they do not repent.  We are the ones to deal with this.  Jesus gave us the authority in His Name to do this, also it is our place to do it.  He tells us to have NO fellowship with false teachers and with the people who what nothing to do with the Lord and living righteously.

He will come and “fight against them with the sword of His mouth”.  But we have the same sword--the Word of God and this fight is for us to do .  It won’t be the blessing that it should be.  Just like Pharaoh was to be a blessing to Israel when they were to leave Egypt and give Israel the wealth that belongs to them for all the years of service.  But Pharaoh, because of his selfishness and wanting slaves to build his wealth and cities would not be obedient.  God used him anyway but not to Pharaoh’s or Egypt’s benefit.  Pharaoh and his army were killed in the Red Sea and Egypt lost it power and status in the world.  

He is telling us the same thing today:  we are to repent, turn on back on the evil world and “come out from among them, and be ye separate”.  Then we will overcome and will:

Reward:  be given to eat of the hidden manna, and will be given a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it!

Revelation: Church at Smyrna

To the church of Smyrna Revelations 2:8-11

V8    And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive;
V9    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.  
V10    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.  
V11    He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.  

Attribute:  “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive”

 Smyrna, today is Izmir, was 35 miles north of Ephesus.  It was the most splendid of the 7 Cities and was the pride of Asia.  The caesar cult had emerged and the Christians suffered a great deal because they would not worship Caesar.  Polycarp, the bishop of the church, was martyred here in A.D. 156 because he refused to call Ceasar "Lord".


This is one of only two churches that Jesus did not find any fault with and with Smyrna He is warning them and giving them encouragement He is also addressing fear.  

Jesus knows:
their works
tribulation
poverty

V8. The First and The Last
    Isaiah 41:4
    Isaiah 44:6
    Isaiah 48:12. hearken to Me; hear and obey

V9    1 Timothy 6:17-18. ...do good and rich in good works...



V10. Fear none of those things:
    Matthew 10:22.   Jesus said, "And you shall be hated of all for My name's sake:  but he that endures to the end shall be saved."
    Be thou faithful:
      Matthew 24:13.  Jesus said,  "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Jesus is telling the church at Smyrna that He is very aware of them and what they do for Him.  He knows they are very obedient to Him.  He also know what because of that they are being troubled by those around them for their faith and teaching/preaching the gospel.  They are a poor church but He says they rich in the Word and are storing up treasures in Heaven–Matthew 6:19-21 through being obedient.

Jesus is warning them that they will suffer because of those that are of satan's group, and some of them will be cast into prison for 10 days.  But He tells them to not be afraid what those things.  He always tells us to fear NOT!

Attribute applied:  He also knows because He has been through it Himself when He lived here on the earth.  He IS The First and The Last,  was dead, and IS alive!  He has lived here on the earth for 33 years and has faced what the Smyrnaians have faced.  He knows they will be severally tried and He tells them to remain faithful unto death.  He is telling them: ‘I have been there and come out on the other side.  I am the first and last; I was dead and now alive.  I know what is awaiting for you––remain faithful!!’  Don't get discouraged.  Never give up.  (Winston Churchill!)

He is telling us the same thing:  Remain faithful!!  Keep focused on Jesus and be obedient to what He tells you to do through though severely tried-remain faithful!  And you will:

Reward:  “Not be hurt of the second death”

Revelation: Church at Ephesus

To the Church at Ephesus  2:1-7
V1     Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
V2     I know thy works, and thy labor, 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:  
V3     And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.  
V4     Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  
V5     Remember therefore from whence thou are 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.  
V6     But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.  
V7     He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit hath unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Attribute:  “He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

 V1    The seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks represent Light.  

The seven stars is the pastor of this church; the seven golden candlesticks is the church of Ephesus and also Christians today spreading his Light into the dark places.  

The number seven represents perfection-Jesus is perfect, He is Light and His Light is perfect and pure.      Jesus, the Revelator is shedding light onto the Ephesian Christians.  He is shedding His Light on the good and right things they are doing and encouraging them and He is shedding light on what needs to be fixed and He tells them how to fix it.

V2–3    Jesus reveals to Ephesian church:
 their works (2041 Gk ergon-where we get ergonomics)  It means WORK

 their labor (2873 Gk  kopos) toil; demands the whole strength of a person exerted to the uttermost if he is to accomplish the task which is before him.  Reminds me of a farmer.  Farming is very hard work.

 their patience 5281 hupomone the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.  1 Thess 1:3 patience of hope

 how they can't not bear them which are evil

 that they tried them that say they are apostles and found them liars. 1John 4:1 believe not every spirit...
2 Corin 11:10-15 Amp

 and have borne (941 Gk bastazo) through the idea of removal; to lift, to bear, carry, take up John 20:15,  Acts 21:35-36

 have patience (5281 Gk hupomone) cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy, patient continuance (waiting)

 has labored (2872 Gk to work hard and and feel fatigued (spiritually)

 they have not fainted (Gk 2577) they didn't quit, or get 'sick of it',

V4     While the Lord has complimented them on many things He continues by saying “Nevertheless”.  They have left their first love

What happened here is a couple of things.  

They are workers!   Also, they can’t “bear those which are evil have tried those that say they are apostles and found them liars”.  While both of these are good things, like Peter walking on the water, he got his focus off Jesus, they left their focus from off the Lord and quit shining the Light by living and preaching the Word of God to judging and  looking for evil  in everyone that comes into their midst.  The Lord doesn't call anyone to do that.  Also salvation is not by works as said in Ephesians 2:9, "Not of works, lest any man should boast."   And Jesus is telling them to STOP IT! and repent:  to remember where they came from and put their focus back on Jesus and His Word.  

It was like Peter walking on water.  Jesus called him to Himself and Peter did great until he got his eyes off Jesus and "saw" the wind boisterous then he started to sink.  Jesus called Ephesus to Himself and they did great until they got their eyes off on the problem–––or problem makers and then things went wrong.

V5    and He tells them ‘remember therefore from where you have fallen--"repent!, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will removed your candlestick out of his place except you repent."

They have left their first Love.  Remember when you first came to know the Lord and have made Him your Lord as well as Savior?  You felt clean, light.  The burden of sin was off of you.  You saw the world in a totally different way––as God's creation.  The colors were brighter and it was all good.  Also, you looked to God, to praise Him, to look for His guidance, to talk to Him, listen to Him.

As time goes on, we get caught up in the daily things we have to still do and may have added church work on top of that.  We start feeling the weight of those things again.  We get caught up in the work and leave aside reading God love letter to us and leave aside praying and listening to Him.  But while doing church work we think that is just what He wants.  But in reality most of that is just busy work.  Most of it does not need to be done.

What The Lord wants is our first love relationship we had with Him.  When we are in the relationship, our ears are keen to hear what He really wants us to do.  More things will get done.  It is more to the point.  And we rest content knowing we are in His will.   Our work should be done out of love and obedience to Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Because we want to please Him.

We don't need to go looking for evil.  It is all around us and unfortunately, in the church as well.  I heard a preacher say once, that when you turn the light on, bugs will show up.  The devil will send his group to churches where the Word of God is being preached to distract, confuse, and lead away.  Once it is seen, yes, it needs to be dealt with to the point, if the person/people don't repent and do right, kicking them out of the church.  That is Biblical.  God doesn't want evil around to lead others away from Him.

V6     He commends them again.

V7    He is tell us the same thing:  Jesus ended His letter to this church with, "He that has and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches;..."  So the messages is for us today as well as for the church at Ephesus so long ago.  If evil comes in our midst, yes it needs to be dealt with in the proper manner.  Don’t go looking for it!!  Keep our focus on Jesus and His Word––studying it and sharing it and keep in the love relationship that we first had when we first became Born Again.

Reward:  “To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Revelation: Letters to the Seven Churches

Revelation:  Letters to the Seven Churches

Revelation is a book of Hope, Mercy, and Redemption!

Revelation means to reveal something.  In this case it is to reveal [Jesus Christ] what the Lord will do in the last days of this earth and human life on this earth and what will take place in Heaven!  It is an exciting book.  God wants us to know that is why He made sure it was written down and He gave it to us.  He said in chapter 1 Verse 3 "Blessed {Happy} is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein:  for the time is at hand."
And it is at hand!  All the prophecies concerning Israel that needs to happen before the Lord's return has all been fulfilled.  [Not all prophesy, but all concerning Israel]  Now He is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh for an awakening to Him and to the Truth of His Word; for people to be born again and to walk closely with Him before the rapture takes place.
Chapter 1
Jesus had John write letters to seven churches in Asia-seven different messages from the mouth of Jesus and John acted as secretary and wrote.
But these letters are not just for those seven church, but the are also for us today.  For at the end of each letter Jesus tells us:  “He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the church...”           There are certain benefits given to those who heed these words.
 
These letters are given to “us” just before Jesus reveals what will happen in the very last day--the very end.  We need to listen to what is contained in them and take inventory of our lives as we read them.

V1 “must shortly come to pass”  1722 (en) and 5034(tachos)  brief space of time i.e. in haste; quickly, shortly, speedily.  
When it happens, it will happen in a short space of time––quickly.

Time shortened. Matthew. 24:22-28; Mark 13:20-23

...signified by His angel...(Webster’s)  to show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token as words, gestures, signals or the like.  To make known; announce.   ...to John:  who bare record of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus


V2 John bare record:  of the Word of God
                                    of the testimony of Jesus Christ,          
                                   of all things that he saw

V3 Blessed is he that:  reads, hear, and keeps–2083 watch, observe, guard
                                     that hear the word of this prophecy
                                     and keep (guard from loss or injury; keeping an eye                         on) those things which are written therein

Blessed––Makarois–one who's in the world, yet independent of the world; his satisfaction comes from Go and not from favorable circumstances.
...for the time is at hand

    Romans 13:11 ...time closer now than when we first believed
    James 5:8 Be patient, stablish your hearts
    1 Peter 4:7...all things are at hand.   Now more than ever
Sober 4993 so-phro-eh-o. to have a sound mind i.e. sane e in right mind; not to drink.

V4-20 is a cover letter (Hilton Sutton) that was included to each of the churches along with the personal letter that the Lord had John write to each.

V4 Grace 5485 (Charis) to rejoice, joy, favor, acceptance, a kindness granted or desire, a benefit, thanks, gratitude.  A favor without expectation of return; absolute freeness of the lovingkindness of God to people, finding its only motive in the bounty and free heartedness of the Giver.  Unearned, unmerited favor.

Peace 1515 (Eirene) The absence or end of strife.  Such a state of peace is the object of divine and saving promises and is brought about by God's mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all distresses that are experienced as a result of sin...referring to a new relationship between man and god brought about by the atonement.  To set at one again.

From Him which is, and which was, and which is to come and from the Seven Spirits which are before His throne;  
...Seven Spirits or seven-fold Spirit Isaiah 11:2
Revelation 3:1    7 Spirits of God,
Revelation 4:5   7 lamps                            > all refers to the Spirit of God
Revelation 5:6   7 horns, 7 eyes
Zechariah 3:9     7 eyes

V5 And from Jesus Christ,
    Who is the Faithful Witness,        
        John 8:12-19
        John 5:19-47
The Lord always has a witness--2 or 3; Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15-16
1. Himself, 2. John, 3. His works, 4. the Father

    Compare John 5:31 with John 8:14.  Why the difference?  Must look at John 5:30––He is not seeking His own will but the will of the Father.  If He were, His witness would not be true.  Read John 5:30-31 in Amp.

    First begotten of the dead 1 Corin 15:20-23, Col. 1:18
    Prince of the kings of the earth.
Prince 758 One first in power, authority, dominion, hence a ruler, lord
        Rev. 17:14 *
        Eph. 1:20-23
        1 Tim 6:15-16
He: washed us from our sins in His own blood

Life in the blood––Leviticus 17:11, 14

V6 made us kings and priest unto God and His Father
    (hand-outs)

Kings 935 basileus (bas-il-yooce) meaning king, monarch ie. one who
exercises royal authority and sovereignty

Matthew 28:18-20  Jesus won back the power Adam gave to satan,
            Jesus gave it to us
Mark 16: 15-18 & 20       
Luke 9:1-5  Jesus gave disciples authority

Priests 2409 hiereus (hee-er-yooce) a priest, one who performs the
sacred rites:  prayer, communion, sharing the gospel

1 Peter 2:5, 9 A royal priest...holy nation
Exodus 19:5-6 If you will obey....kingdom of priest; even in the OT before                     redemption
Malachi 1:11––Make His name great among the heathens
Acts 1:6-8   power + witness

V7 He comes with clouds
    Daniel 7:13-14
    Mark  14:62
    Hebrews 12:1––clouds of witness?

V8. Which is:  always present.
Almighty 3841––The All Ruling, i.e. God; Absolute
He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending
Isaiah 41:4 (AMP
      44:6-8
      48:11-13

V9  John:
brother 80 deriving from the same Father
companion 4791 in tribulation 2347 co-participant, partake with or in affliction, anguish, trouble
kingdom 932 royalty, rule, dominion–reign that is the exercise of kingly power
patience 5281 endurance, constancy, patient continuance, bearing up under

10-19  John talking to the 7 churches, telling them he can relate to them.
(10) I (John) was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
(11) saying, “I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last and, what thou seest write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”  
(12)  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
(13) and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  
(14) His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;
(15) and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.  
16) And He had in His right hand seven stars:  And out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” and His countenance was as the sunshineth in his strength.  
(17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, “Fear not; I am the first and the last:  
(18) I am He that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and Have the keys of hell and of death.  
(19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
(20) the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:  and he seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Lampstands 3087 luchnis (lookh-nee-ah lampstand from 3088 luchnos
a portable lamp; illuminator

First of all we see Jesus explaining the seven stars and the seven candlesticks, V20. The word angels means:  messengers,  heavenly beings or pastors.   The seven lampstands are the churches.  So it makes sense that the angels are probably pastors of the churches.  And these letters are being written to the pastor of each of these churches to be shared with their congregation.  

Stars and lampstands offer light.  Pastors and the churches are to be a beacons of light to show those in darkness the way to go.  Jesus holds the stars––pastors––in His right hand.  They are precious and valuable to Him.
The right hand––high in rank; highest honor; and it means He is their Helper and Protector.  

Secondly, we will be looking specifically at the attributes of Jesus listed in the verses above and how they relate to the different churches, and will only be looking at the highlights of each church because there is so much more to each of these churches.
Revelation chapters 2 through 3

Thirdly, after each letter, chapter 2 verses 7, 11, 17, 29, chapter 3 verses 6, 13, 22, Jesus ended each of these letters with "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches...".  So then, not only are these letters written to the actual church but to us today and we are to pay attention to what is beings said––the warning, as well as to the praises that in included in each of these.

Amos 8:11. "Behold, the days come", says the Lord God, "That I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor of thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the Lord."

V17-18     Fear is cancelled because of verse 18
I AM He that lives
was dead, and behold I AM Alive forevermore
Amen
and have the keys of hell and of death.

No reason to fear any more.

Revelation Class Notes:

Revelation means to reveal something.  The Lord is showing us what will come to pass.  This book is an exciting book, not one to fear.

Revelation is written in an order.  1.  Chapter one tells that things are about to happen.   2.  Chapters 2 and 3 are letters to the Churches---to the pastors of the churches.  These are warning, call to repentance, and encouragement to not fear, to remain in faith, and trust toward the Lord and His Word.   These are foundational.  3.  The sensational comes after and the sensational is the judgment.  

We need to be in the foundational.  We need to have the Word of God in us and before us.  It is our life.    We are facing things today that we have never before faced in this country.  We need to know what the Lord says to us and about us.  

Chapter 1

V1  Shortly come to pass:  Shortly comes from two greek words 1722 (en) meaning "in"; and 5034 (tachos) meaning brief space of time.  The meaning then is "in haste".    It has the meaning that 'when it happens, it will happen quickly'.


V2. John bore record:   of the Word of God
                of the Testimony of Jesus Christ
                of all things that he saw.

V3. Blessed is he that:  reads, hear, and keeps
                that hear the Word of this Prophecy
                and keep those thing which are written therein
...for the time is at hand
    Romans 13:11 ...time closer now than when we first believed
    James 5:8. Be patient, stablish your hearts
    1 Peter 4:7 ...all things are at hand.   Now more than ever.

V4-20 This is a cover letter that was included to each of the churches along with the person letter that the Lord had John write to them.



V4. From His which is , and which was, and which is to come and from the Seven Spirits which are before His throne;  Isaiah 11:2

Isaiah 11:2
Revelation 3:1. 7 Spirits of God        >All refers to the Spirit of God
Revelation 4:5. 7 Lamps
Revelations 6:7 Horns, 7 Eyes

V5. Jesus Christ, Who is:
    the Faithful Witness,
        John 8:12-19
        John 5:19-47
    Compare John 5:31 with John 8:14.  Why the difference?  Must look             at John 5:30––He is not seeking His own will but the will of the                 Father.  If He were, His witness would not be true.

    First begotten of the dead. 1 Corin 15:20-23, Col. 1:18
    The Prince of the kings of the earth

V6 made us kings and priest unto God and His Father

Kings 935 basileus (bas-il-yooce) meaning king, monarch ie. one who
exercises royal authority and sovereignty
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16: 15-18 & 20
Acts 1:6-8
Priests 2409 hiereus (hee-er-yooce) a priest, one who performs the
sacred rites:  prayer, communion, sharing the gospel
1 Peter 2:5, 9 A royal priest...holy nation
Exodus 19:5-6 If you will obey....kingdom of priest
Malachi 1:11––Make His name great among the heathens


V7 He comes with clouds
    Daniel 7:13-14
    Mark  14:62
    Hebrews 12:1––clouds of witness?



V8. Which is:  always present.
Almighty 3841––The All Ruling, i.e. God; Absolute




V9  John:
brother 80 deriving from the same Father
companion 4791 in tribulation 2347 co-participant, partake with or in affliction, anguish, trouble
kingdom 932 royalty, rule, dominion–reign that is the exercise of kingly power
patience 5281 endurance, constancy, patient continuance, bearing up under


Lampstands 3087 luchnis (lookh-nee-ah lampstand from 3088 luchnos
a portable lamp; illuminator


Stars and lampstands offer light.  These are pastors and their churches who offer light to those who sit in darkness.

Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

 Chapter 5

The end of chapter 4 is the rapture.   Chapter 5 starting at v1 is talking about the second coming, during the tribulation.

V1 and 2.    You need not that I write ... for you know
        the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night
Amplified–––But as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have not necessity for anything bing written to you.   2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord['s return] will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night.

No one knows the when.   BUT...V3 His return is compared to a woman in labor.  She doesn't know the exact day or time when her baby will be born but as the time gets close she sure knows it is close.  The closer it get the better the prediction!

V3. For when they say, 'Peace and safety';

V4 Not in darkness---we won't be surprised.    We are expectant

V5-6  let us not sleep (2518), but be doers, sharers of the Good News; be sober 3525 = be discreet, abstain from wine and alcohol, and watch

V7. They that sleep 2518 = to fall asleep––––those that have not hope

V8. Those of us who are of the Day
    be sober 3525 to abstain from wine (drinking alcohol period),  watch
    put on the breastplate of faith and love
    put on the helmet of hope of salvation

––Those of us that are believers need to be aware, and keep being aware of the signs and times.  
––The Lord doesn't want  us to just float along in life as those that have no hope do.
––those that have no hope---the unbelievers, those that say they believe and yet act as the unbelievers do––not looking to Jesus and His Word, not seeing what He says, not trusting
––We need to be reading His Word, believing it, confessing it, studying it, trusting it

V9.   He has not appointed us to wrath 3709–––not to get angry at people, to correct them, but to share the gospel–––to share the truth in love.  Ephesians 4:15–speaking the truth in love.  The rest is up to them.
----but to obtain salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

V10    We should live together with Him––day and night

V11    comfort and edify one another

Read from the Amplified verses 9-11

V12-13    know who labors over you––
–our pastor esteem her, prayer for her, pray for her, honor her
–teachers who work with our children
–––and be at peace

V14    we exhort or beseech you to warn that are unruly
    comfort the feebleminded–small or little, discouraged
    support the weak––those without strength

V15. Don't give back evil for evil

V16. Rejoice evermore     Philippians 4:4 rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.

V17  Pray without ceasing 89 uninterruptedly, i.e. without                 omission –––omitting:  whether leaving something out or             abstention from inserting, or by neglect or failure to do                 something.  Thing omitted or left undone.

    Luke 18:1 ––– always pray and not to faint--don't give up
    Luke 21:36 ––– watch---and pray always

V18  in everything give thanks      Colossians 3:17  and whatever you do...

V19  quench 4570 to extinguish––go out

V20  in fact we are told to seek to prophesy  1Corinthians 14:1, 39

V21 prove all things
    and hold fast to that which is good

V22  Abstain from the very appearance of evil
    CJB––Keep away for every form of evil.
    AMP––Abstain from evil––shrink form it and keep aloof from                         it––in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

V23. 2Peter 2:9. The Lord knows how to deliver....
    Amp –– Now if [all these things be true, then be sure] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials, and how to keep the ungodly under chastisement until the day of judgment and doom;

Psalm 34:17-19

V24  Faithful – pistis – Trustworthy, True, Believable
        God cannot change

V25. Pray for us

V26 Kiss 5370 philema from 5368 phileo which means to be a friend

V27 read to the rest

V28Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Amen.

Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 4

Chapter 4

In this chapter Paul is instructing the Thessalonians in life matters:  How to conduct themselves, their speech

V1   Amplified:  Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed your are doing; that you do so even more and more abundantly––attaining yet greater perfection in living this life.

Keep on, keeping on.  Keep pressing forward in Christ.  Keep learning and growing in Him

V2   Acts 15:20.   Here Gentiles are coming to know Jesus and the believing Jews thought they should be circumcised.  Verses 7-21 give generalization.

V3.   This is the will of God  
Abstain from sexual impurity
from harlotry includes adultery and incest
The Lord wants us pure for Himself and to be a great witness for Him.  We want to live lives different from the world and should

Romans 12:1-3
-present ourselves a living sacrifice––reasonable service
    holy
    acceptable
    to God––always keep in mind that we are always before the Lord.  He is always mindful of us and we should always be mindful of Him.
-be not conformed to this world
    be transformed by renewing our minds
    that you prove the will of God which is good, acceptable and                 perfect
- don't think more highly of ourselves than we ought
    we all need to keep our perspective  and not judge others,                 but judge our own selves.


V4–5  ...know how to possess his/her vessel––how to control oneself.

Self-control always starts with the Word of God.  One of the Fruit of the Spirit––temperance

2 Peter 1:2–-9 (pg 1543)

2P 1V2.   Grace and peace.    To have peace must experience grace.
through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord
Knowledge 1922 is full discernment, having and understanding

2PV3 according His divine power ––  He did the work
But he has given it to us––completed
all things that pertain to life and godliness
Through the knowledge of Him.       There it is again!

He has called us to glory and virtue
    glory–doxa.  honor and praise, also means to recognize, to think
    virtue–valor i.e. excellence

2PV4 We are given:
Exceeding ––superabound
Great. 3176. superlative--to the highest degree; greatest or very great
AND precious 5093 valuable i.e. costly; honored, honorable, beloved, dear, (had in reputation)
Costly---it cost Him something to give us these things!

Promises 1862 ep-ang-el-mah self-committal
God committed Himself to His promises!!
God committed Himself to over-seeing that His promises are kept.

WOW!!!!!!!!! HIS PROMISES DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!!!!!!

That by these you might be partakers of His Divine Nature
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

CJB:   3:
5-7 For this very reason, try your hardest to furnish your
faith with goodness  (KJV = virtue),
goodness with knowledge,
knowledge with self-control (KJV = temperance),
perseverance with godliness,
godliness with brotherly affection (KJV = kindness), and
brotherly affection with love (agape).
8 For if you have these qualities in abundance, they keep you from being barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.  
9 Indeed, whoever lacks them is blind, so short-sighted that he forgets that his past sins have been washed away.

Furnish––Webster's   to provide for or supply

The Lord has given us all thing that we need to live in godliness.


Ephesians 5:23-27

The Lord compares our relationship to Him as a marriage.  We are to give ourselves to Him and not at all to the world and worldly  ways.

V27    ...that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the Word.

-sanctify––to consecrate:  as being set apart of God and sent by Him for the performance of His will
    by the Word:  John 17:17
-reason:  to present a glorious church...

Romans 12:1-3. Read in CJB

–offer self sacrifice
    KJV present your bodies
    living sacrifice ––– as alive unto God, ready to be of service
    reasonable service––worship
    holy ––– blameless in heart and life; set apart from the                         common to a sacred use

spoken of priest Revelation 1:6  He has made us kings and priests
                        5:9-10
                       1 Peter 2:5, 9
kings:  rule and reign.   priest:  intercede and minister to others  
Matthew 28:18-26            James 5:16
Mark 16:15-18                1 Timothy 2:1-2


V 6. Don't defraud in ANY matter
    The Lord will take vengeance

    Hebrews 10:30 vengeance is Mine
He is watching out for His people

V7. We are called to holiness keeping ourselves pure for Him, as a witness before and to others.

V7–8. CJB–– For God did not call us to live an unclean life but a holy one.  Therefore, whoever rejects this teaching is rejecting not a man but God, indeed, the One Who gives you the
Ruach HaKodesh, Who is His.

V9 John 13:34-35 (pg 1340) A new commandment

    New––2537 Kahee-nos. new, especially in freshness, newly made, not impaired by time or use, current, not known before, newly introduced.  Spoken of a new doctrine, commandment or precept.

V10. You do this
     but we beseech you to increase more and more

V11. Now here is something!!
Study 5389 to be fond of honor, i.e. emulous em u lus (eager, or earnest to do something):  labor, strive, study

Quiet 2270  to keep still, refrain from meddlesomeness or speech; to be quiet, to live quiet.
and to work with your own hands
as we commanded you

V11-12 CJB. Also, make it your ambition to live quietly, to mind your own business and to earn your living by your own efforts –– just as we told you.  Then your daily life will gain the respect of outsiders, and you will not be dependent on anyone.

There are a lot of verses that talk about not using much words.

study 5389––in eagerness and earnestness
quiet 2270–– to keep still; i.e. refrain from labor, meddlesomeness or –– cease, hold peace, be quiet, rest.  To be quiet, live quiet, be silent, keep oneself from speaking.

We don't need to go around correcting everyone and poking into everyone's lives.  We need to be good witnesses for the Lord, mainly just by the way we live our lives; by the way we conduct ourselves.

V12 Two reasons:  First and foremost–to be honest before the unbelievers.  It is a very bad witness to defraud.  People do watch and see even when we don't realize it.
Second–to lack nothing.  The Bible says when we give it will be given unto us more than what we gave.  We honor God through our giving.

V13.  Evidently the Thessalonians were concerned about the believers who already have died would miss Jesus' coming back.

 God doesn't want us to grieve as unbelievers grieve.  We have the hope of seeing our loved ones again.

V14.  Sleep=koy may sis taking a rest, reposing
When Jesus returns He is bringing them with Him!!

V15. shall not prevent= to be before hand
V16. those who have died in Christ will rise first
V17. then we...shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
Clouds––Hebrews 12:1-3.   Great cloud of witnesses
So shall we ever be with the Lord!!!!
 

V18 Comfort one another with these words.

Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 

 

 Chapter 3

Paul missed the Thessalonians and wondered how they were doing.  They hoped they were not discouraged by the bad treatment toward Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

V1 Paul was left at Athens and he sent Timothy to see how they were doing.
A certain group of Jews that did not believe in Jesus as Lord followed Paul to Berea to make trouble for him there

forbear 4722 stego  to roof over, i.e. to cover with silence (endure patiently), (for-) bear, suffer.

V2  When Paul was chased out of Berea he went to Athens, but he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica.
    to establish them 4741 stay-rid-zo—to confirm, to fix, set, steadfast
    to comfort them concerning their faith.

V3      that no one should be moved
    God had appointed them to Thessalonica, that is where God had led them to be.

V4  We told you…

Suffering tribulation 2346 thlee-bo to crowd, afflict, throng, trouble, narrow (Webster’s confining, limited, close, small, meager);

V5  When he couldn’t stand it any longer he sent Timothy to them to see how they were doing.

Paul was hoping that the tempter had NOT discouraged them and they walked away from the Lord making the three’s labor in vain

V6
Amplified:  “But now that Timothy has just come back to us from [his visit to] you, and has brought us the good news of [the steadfastness of] your faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] how kindly you cherish a constant and affectionate remembrance of us, [and that you are] longing to see us as we [are to see] you.”

V7  With all that affliction and distress the three were experiencing this brought much comfort.

V8  Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord or stand firm in the Lord
They can endure anything knowing the Thessalonians are right and still stand with the Lord.

V9  Their hearts were full of thankfulness and joy
Which causes much strength.

V10  Desiring so much to see them again
to perfect that which might be lacking

V11  Prayer

V12  Amplified:  And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you.

V13  He may stablish––to set fast
your hearts unblameable in holiness before God

Bible study: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2

 I want to explain that when I give a number next to a word out of the Bible, the number is from the Strong's Concordance and gives the meaning to either the Hebrew word if in the Old Testament or the Greek word if in the New Testament.  The Strong's Concordance is a great study guide and I highly recommend you get one to help you in your study of the Bible.

 

Chapter 2

V1 not in vain or not without results

V2 shamefully treated in Philippi
    Lord made them bolder
    with much contention
    This is  important, because a lot of times contention makes people back off

V3 exhortation didn’t come from bad motives

V4 put in trust with the gospel
    We have to have the right motives––to please God and to share the Gospel or the Good News.
    they didn’t change the truth to impress anyone, or just because certain people were listen
    In other words if someone was living a life style that God said was wrong, they didn’t make light of it––they spoke the truth, the plain truth without compromise.

V5  never used flattering words
    spoke the truth without motives no matter what.
    and not greedy for gain
    no compromise

V6  they didn’t seek to glorify themselves or others

V7  at the same time they were gentile and not brash or overbearing
Ephesians 5:15 the first part:  But speaking the truth in love…
this is so important that we conduct ourselves in love to others to show them Jesus and how much He loves them.

V8  They cared about them so much they were pleased to share the Word of God and their very lives
    Because the Thessalonians were so dear to them

V9  It was important to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to not be a burden on the Thessalonians
    See V4-5

V10  holily––3743 hos-ee-oce piously;  from 3741 Hos-ee-os  holy, righteous, unpolluted with wickedness, right us conformed to God and His Laws.

Justly1346 dikaios equitably—fairly, impartially

unblameably
we behaved ourselves among you.

How we behave is very important.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy are great examples to us on how to behave.

V11  exhort 3870 parakaleo to call upon someone to do something, to admonish

comforted 3888 paramutheomai, encourage, console

charged 3140 to be well reported of, to be a witness, bear witness

As a father teaches, admonishes, guides his children how to live in life.  How to act not only as a child, but how to conduct themselves as an adult.

V12 the charge:  Walk worthy of God…
Who called you  into His kingdom and glory

V13 When they heard the Word of God preached, they received it as Truth
which effectively works in you
effectively works 1754 en-erg-eh-o  This is where we get our word:  energy from
  to be active,  effectually or fervently (intense, hot, glowing, burning), to produce effect, to show forth, be mighty in, work

V14  Followers of Jesus often suffer.
    the Thessalonians suffered

Acts 17:1-9
    V9  They took bail from Jason and the others they had arrested and let them go.
    17:10-15—Jews of Thessalonica:  not the Christians from there, but the unbelievers

like your own countrymen

V15 who killed the Lord Jesus
    and persecuted us

V16 forbidding us to speak to the gentiles––When I read something like this it reminds me of the verse Matt 23:15 scribes and Pharisees proselytizing and making two-fold the child of hell than themselves.
    we can see that here:  Acts 17:5
    as well as other places through Acts

…to fill up their sins alway… Amplified Classic  “Forbidding and hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may be saved.  So as always they fill up (to the brim the measure of) their sins.  But God’s wrath has come upon them at last––completely and forever!

fill up 378 an-ap-lay-ro-oo  complete, occupy, to accomplish, fill up, fulfill, spoken of measure
Genesis 6:5
Genesis 15:16
    Other examples:
Ecc 9:3
Matt 23:31-32
Acts 13:10
Romans 1:29

But it can be for good as well
Galatians 6:2
        
Measure (part of the definition of fill-up) as a measuring up—How full are we with the things of the Lord—His Word, thoughts of Him etc.

V17 we being taken from you  Back in Acts 17
Like desiring to see a child

V18   hindered—God works through people, so the demons do also
Romans 15:22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

V19-20  This is our desire!!

Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians Chapter one

Bible Study                                                1 Thessalonians

Thessalonica was the chief seaport of ancient Macedonia and an important commercial and military center.  Paul was forced to leave Philippi and he went to Thessalonica and was also forced to leave there.  Eventually he sent Timothy to finish his work there.

V1  These 3 ministered together in Corinthian.
        2 Corinthians 1:18-20

         Church in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
    
    Challenge:  In Colossians and in Ephesians, highlight verses that talk about in Him, in Whom, in Christ, in the Lord, in Love.
    This tells whose you are and where you are located.

Grace and Peace

Grace- Charis (greek)-– The divine influence upon the heart and its reflections in the life, including gratitude.

Peace- eirene (greek) , in Hebrew it is Shalom––to join, quietness, rest, to set at one again (this means wholeness), tranquility.  Peace meaning health, happiness, prosperity, and every kind of good.

Grace will always be listed first because a person must have a right relationship with God before they can experience His peace.

V2  Interceding—it is a Christians duty to be interceding for others.

V3 Remembering without ceasing your:

    work of faith––John 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him Whom He has sent.”

Work––Ergon––Deed, doing, sense of undertaking, to take upon oneself
Faith––Pistis––Confiding belief in the truth.  (to have confidence to trust)

To believe on Him to the point that you take Him at His word.  Act as though it were true and Jesus meant every Word.

James 2:18-22 Holman––But some will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”  Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.  You believe God is one; you do well.  The demons also believe––and shudder.  Foolish man!  Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?  Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works faith was perfected.

AND Faith works by love:  Galatians 5: 6 and 14



Labor of love

Labor––2873 pains, trouble, weariness

Love––26 Agape––the God kind of love,  God’s love flowing through us  to others.  And quite often it is trouble, and pains-taking and causes us to be weary.



Patience of hope

Patience 5281 hupoomone (hoop-om-on-ay)––constancy:  remain constant; patient continuance:  WAITING

Hope1680 elpis––Confident of expectation of good

All three depends on Faith in God’s Word.  Knowing the Word.
This also correlates with 1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abides faith, hope, charity (love:  God kind of love); these three; but the greatest of these is charity.


V4 Election of God:  Amplified classic:  O brethren beloved of God, we recognize and know that He has selected (chosen) you

Complete Jewish Bible:  We know brothers, that God has loved and chosen you.

[Talk about ministry]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19  And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and has given us to the ministry of reconciliation, to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.

We may never be on TV, radio, travel with the gospel, but we can tell our family, friends, neighbors, and all those we meet about Jesus and what He has done for us.  This is how the masses are reached.


V5  In other words in demonstration of the Holy Spirit

Power:  specially miraculous power; intrinsic power––>within, internal, secret.  

We MUST take in God’s Word into our being, in our secret place
––> our spirits
 
Holy Spirit:  Jesus said:  Howbeit when He, theSpirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth:  for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak:  and He will show you things to come.

This verse sounds like John 12:49-50 and John 5:19

in much assurance:  entire, confidence, full assurance; from persuasion.

About Abraham when told he was going to have Isaac

Romans 4:18-21  Who against hope believe in hope that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, ‘So shall your seed be.’
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:  
he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
 and being fully persuaded that, what He has promised, He was able also to perform.

Against hope––His and Sarah’s bodies were well past the ability to have babies.  There was no earthly hope for them to have children.  BUT he had hope in God and was fully persuaded that what God was telling him was true and He would perform.

Talk about healing:
God wants us to be “fully persuaded” as well.

How does one do that?

First of all we have to know the Word.  What does God’s Word say about healing?  Search the Scriptures and grab them and hold on to them.   When we know what God’s Word says about healing we have something we can hold on to.  Do we believe it?  Do we KNOW it?  Then we take that scripture(s) before God and hold it up to Him and say Your Word says…

Habits or routines:  Routines can be good–––or they can prevent us from hearing from God.

When things happen, bad, we come to God wondering if He is able to perform His promises.  We come to Him tense.  We come up for prayer, which is good, but desperately hoping, wondering if God will hear us.

Rest:  Hebrews 4:9-11  There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.   For he that is entered into His rest, he also has ceased from his own works as God did from is.  Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the example of unbelief.

And it is labor.  It is a different labor that is in 1 Thessalonians 1:3.  This is 4704 spoo-dadzo  to make an effort, to be earnest, diligent, endeavor

Rest 2663 katapausis—reposing, to make to cease
To cease from worrying, from despair.    To be confident in the Lord that He is able and will keep His Word.  KNOW IT from with in the secret place where the Word is hidden.

Psalm 115:1-3  Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your Name give glory, for Your mercy, and for Your Truth’s sake.  
Wherefore should the heathen say, ‘Where is now their God?”
But our God is in the heavens:  He has done whatsoever He has pleased.

And what does He please?  

God wasn’t moved by criticisms, or their hatred, or their unbelief or any other negative thing they have to offer.

Matthew 6:31  Therefore take no thought saying, “What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”

Take NO thought SAYING––don’t be saying any thing contrary to God’s Word.  Don’t be speaking any negative thing.  Only speak what God says about the situation.  If you are not fully persuaded, certainly don’t speak contrary to His Word.  This is the only way is to study it, read it and know God will never, EVER lie.

Look at the scriptures, read, study it until you know and are fully persuaded as Abraham that what God says is true and don’t be moved from it.

Abraham was fully persuaded that what God had promised He was able also to perform.  Be fully persuaded.


1Thessalonians 1:5—-in much assurance

V6  The Thessalonians became followers of not only of these 3 men but of the Lord Jesus Christ:
    in much affliction
    with JOY in the Holy Ghost
They recognized they taught the Word of God.

V7 they became ensamples 5179––tupos––stamp, model

This word cannot be interchangeable with the word example.  It is quite different.  It is like the type leaving an imprint.  Such as they way newspapers used to be printed with the type.  Type-setters had to set the type.  Also like an old fashioned typewriter.  The arms that hold the letters at the end that hit the paper is also called type.  Both types leave imprints onto the paper.  This is what the people of Thessalonika did and what we do as Christians sharing the gospel with others.  We leave an imprint on them.

to ALL that believe in Macedonia and Achaia

Show map if possible

V8 wasn’t just limited to all that but went even further!    
 From you sounded out the Word of the Lord to EVEN more places

Holman:  V8  For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out, so we don’t need to say anything.

Up to today–to us!  John 20:27-29:  Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here your finger, and behold my hands; and reach here your hand, and thrust it into My side:  and be not faithless, but believing.’  Thomas answered and said unto Him.  ‘My Lord and my God.”  Jesus said unto him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed:  blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.’                  That is us!!!

V9  They told us how you:
    what welcome you gave us
    how you repented
    turned from idol worship
    turned to the One True God
    and serve Him alone.

V10  How you look forward to His return