Was the door to heaven open? After the message to the seven Churches, John looked up to heaven and saw the open door. NET. John, after hearing the voice, was immediately in spirit. “After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I heard speaking to
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Jesus ascends to heaven on the morning of his resurrection. Jesus ascended to heaven on the day of his resurrection to enter the Most Holy and open the door for all. Unfortunately, not all want to enter through the door that Jesus opened. When Mary recognized Jesus in the garden, she fell at his feet.
The open door that no one can shut. Jesus tells the Church in Philadelphia, “I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.)…” Revelation 3:8, NET. While still on earth, Jesus assured his followers that he was the door to heaven. Jesus assured them
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Laodicea self-deceived. Jesus gave the apostles the Holy Spirit so they could understand the Scriptures. He did so on the evening of the day of his resurrection. “And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22, NET. This was the ‘Early rain’ for the apostles. When Jesus
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Laodicea, the self-deceived Church. The Church in Laodicea needed something to proclaim. Therefore, she waits for the later rain to receive the message. However, the later rain does not bring the message. The Laodicea needs the message. Therefore, she needs the early rain. The latter rain is the power to proclaim the message that comes
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The weak versus self-deceived congregation. The Church in Philadelphia was weak or poor. The members of the Assembly in Philadelphia had little to demonstrate. However, they held on to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus praises the church in Philadelphia for its faithfulness despite its lack of means to show its achievement. In contrast, the Church in Laodicea
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The faithful remnant. Christian Congregations always had the faithful remnant in their midst. “But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white because they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4, NET. Through the power of the Cross of Christ, we are free from
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Consequences of self-deception. As noted in previous blogs, Jesus disapproved of a compromise in the Church’s teachings. Jesus chastised the Congregations who tolerated teachings in the spirit of Balaam and Jezebel. The teachings in the spirit of Balaam and Jezebel do not reject the sound gospel outright. They only insist that other well-sounding ideas and
Dangers of compromise. Throughout Christian history, some individuals practiced the spirit of Jezebel. They introduced teachings and interpretations of Scriptures that did not initially appear to contradict the sound gospel. Gospel is the good news. The good news is Jesus Christ. Those who practiced the spirit of Jezebel did not oppose Jesus Christ openly. On
Consequences of self-deception. Believers who have experienced the power of the cross of Christ should follow Jesus’ instructions despite the Pergamum and Thyatira type of circumstances. The Churches in Pergamum and Thyatira did not promote teaching contrary to apostolic teaching. However, they tolerated those who advocated teachings and practices contrary to the sound gospel. Revelation
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The consequences of self-deception. The self-deceived Christians believe that if they do their best, Jesus will do the rest. However, if the sinners could do anything for their salvation, why would they need help? The self-deceived must realize they cannot contribute to their justification and salvation. The self-deceived believe that if they improve their behavior
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The consequences of self-deception. “For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” Philippians 3:18, NET. Enemies of the cross of Christ are those who acknowledge Jesus and his achievements. However, they do not recognize a fully
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The self-deception problem. “To the Church in Ephesus.” Jesus did not reprimand the Church in Ephesus for not doing enough. On the contrary, he acknowledged their efforts and assured them he was with them. Jesus reminded the believers, “I see you; I know what you do, and I am with you.” However, Jesus reminded the
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