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The Book of Revelation
Notice
that Jesus said “I WOULD”. Some read that as I WISH, but
this isn’t the case. Jesus said “I would”. Knowing that
“Would” is also a form of the word “WILL”, it should be
read as IT IS MY WILL …. That you were either hot or
cold.
Jesus
said it is my will that you were either hot or cold, “but
you’re not” (my paraphrase). He said “because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out
of my mouth.” In other words (again, my paraphrase), “You
make me sick”. This literally means that the Lord will
“vomit” them out (hence the word “spew”).
The
reasons for this are listed and I can see why so many
relate this church to today’s church:
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind,
and naked:…” (Revelation 3:17)
This is
exactly what riches do to people! An overabundance causes
indifference toward God, and people begin to relate
“Things” (Possessions) to Godliness. They begin to
believe that the more they gain the more this is an
indicator of how “blessed” and spiritual and godly they
are.
Folks,
if you’re caught up in this so called “health an wealth”,
“name it and and claim it” gospel you need to know 2
things.
(1)
This is exactly what the church a Laodicea believed and
(2)
it is a false gospel. In fact, it is “another gospel”!
Paul
told Timothy:
“If
any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to
the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is
proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and
strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings,
evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that
gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But
godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy
6:3-6)
Jesus
gives the remedy for this church and the real formula for
riches in verse 18:
“I
counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest
be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not
appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.” (Revelation 3:18)
Verse
19 give us the reason for the blunt speech from the Lord.
Jesus says I chasten you because I love you!
Finally, Verse 21 contains the promise to those who
overcome.
In
these letters to the churches it is apparent that the Lord
is concerned with Holiness, Righteousness, Truth and the
welfare of the churches themselves. It is no different
for us today! Jesus cares about YOU!
The
study thus far has been rather simplistic. It is from
this point forward that there is the study begins to take
a different turn. Much of the material will get very,
very deep and a strong bible background is often required
in the understanding of the material. As always, I will
endeavor to explain it simply, but in the Book of
Revelation there is often much background required in
order to explain one or two verses. I will try to present
that background in a fairly in-depth manner.
You
must realize that the Book of Revelation is the ending of
the previous 65 books and of the end of all things. In
order to fully cover the material, I would have to
reproduce a volume of teaching that would include every
passage from Genesis to Jude and then add commentary on
top of that. Did I list every verse of scripture that
goes with the passages of Revelation? Not hardly. There
is no way I could do that and still present the teaching
in a concise manner. I did, however, include enough
relevant passages in order to establish a solid
understanding of the verses in question.
Allow
me to prepare you as we enter into chapter 4 of
Revelation, for MANY “sidetracks”. From Chapter 4
throughout the remainder of the book, we see much
symbolism and it will quickly become needful to examine
many passages from Genesis to Revelation in order to gain
an understanding of the events presented to us. I
encourage you to use the links at the top of each page to
print, save, or copy the material. I also highly
encourage you to make notes for yourself as you study.
The rest of the study will often "bounce" to many
scriptures in order to explain the one we are currently
studying. A solid understanding of biblical prophecies is
not necessarily required, but it is helpful. Likewise, a
good, solid understanding of the overall theme and meaning
of the bible is also helpful.
Please
continue to Chapter 4.
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