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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What does Jesus expect? “But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love.” Revelation 2:4, NET. Jesus repeated this phrase in three messages to the assemblies in Asia Minor, where John was a spiritual leader. At first, the believers in some of the assemblies accepted and fell in love with Jesus,
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Jesus sees and knows his Church. In the message to the congregations, Jesus assures the believers that he knows his Church; he does not only know about her. To know his Church means he is with her and among the congregations wherever they are. To each of the seven assemblies, Jesus says, “I know your
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John hears Jesus. “I turned to see whose was speaking to me, and when I did so, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the middle of the lampstands was one like a son of man.” Revelation 1:12 – 13, NET. Jesus portrays the churches as lampstands. Why? The seven congregations to which Jesus referred
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The presentation of Jesus continued. “This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness.” Ephesians 3:12, NET. In the Old Covenant, the high priest presented the people to God. And he spoke to God on
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The letter to the Churches. John begins the letter to the churches by stating from whom the message is. “From John to the seven churches that are in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from “he who is” and who was, and who is still to come, and from the seven spirits
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Greetings to the churches. Verse 4 of Revelation chapter 1 is John’s beginning of the Letter to the Churches. Those who forwarded the letter from Ephesus to other Churches may have included the previous three verses as an instruction to the readers and forwarding statement. What kind of Jesus do we find in John’s letter
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How should we read the book of Revelation? The message in the book of Revelation is clear. The entire book presents Jesus as the key figure. The book of Revelation aims not to present an influential individual, not the Antichrist, the Satan. The only hero in the Book of Revelation is Jesus Christ. It is