fredlott63

2nd chapter Revelation
God doesn’t criticize only two of the churches, they are Smyrna and Philadelphia. In both those churches there is mentioned being able to spot hypocrites. This country is filled with hypocrites. We think we are saved while we kill children and legalize gay marriage. If we were God’s children we would act like it and stop doing things that are unnatural and disgust God.
Verse 1 and 2

God says to all seven churches that He knows their works. He never says He is moved by their songs where there is a good melody but the words don’t have any meaning. In all of the bible there is no mention of songs being sung and God’s heart being moved. This church is doing the right thing as far as recognizing hypocrites. We should not be moved by how well someone sings if they aren’t walking a Christian walk. Just because you are a featured soloist doesn’t mean it is okay to cheat on your husband.

Verse 3

They didn’t just talk about it; they put the word of God into practice. They did this even though it didn’t see a payoff for doing well.

Verse 4

What is first love? 1 John 4:19 says we should love God because he first loved us. It is easy to get sidetracked and get seen in a negative light. We should do our best to do God’s will and let the chips fall where they may. Always try to follow God’s word. The only thing this church did wrong was get away from God’s word through legalism. Follow the letter and not the spirit. Obeying God’s commandments would make this a better country to live in. Our salvation has already been purchased. Your first love should be the realization that the bible is true and God is real and that this is not made up but really happened.

Verse 5

Jesus has already paid the cost for our sins. This isn’t a license to sin, but permission to try and get it right, fall short, repent and try again. In spite of everything this church is doing right it still needs repentance. Light is intelligence, the ability to think. When God removes light then you walk in darkness. Walking in darkness is like trying to find the bathroom in the middle of the night without turning the light on. You know not when you will stumble. But when you turn the light on you see everything.

Verse 6

The word Nicolaitans is close in meaning to the word victory. If your church is singing about victory without studying the bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse, then I would be concerned. These churches are promoting a feel-good Christianity that contains a lot of emotion and very little appeals to intellect. They tell people what they want to hear to gain an audience. Just like the bible says in 1 Timothy 4:3 and 4.

Verse 7

The tree of life is in Genesis 3:22. If you ate the fruit of that tree you would live forever. In every church the overcomers get gifts. If you haven’t done any work don’t look to get paid.

Verse 8

Smyrna is one of the two churches that don’t receive criticism. The other is Philadelphia. Even though God is pleased with this church satan puts them into jail. We should not give to God that which cost us nothing. The sufferings of this present world are nothing to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Jesus went through tribulation. The disciples went through tribulation. All who live Godly in Christ shall endure tribulation. John 16:33 ends this way, “in this world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world”.

Verse 9

Notice they don’t know of their wealth in the eyes of God. We think of wealth and prosperity as signs that God is pleased with us. Luke 6:24 says, “woe unto you that are rich”. Gain is not Godliness. Again Jesus notes how difficult it will be for a rich man to enter into heaven. Man can make money but money cannot make man.

Verse 10

The church of Smyrna will be persecuted. We should notice who is really behind the persecution. You can know satan is behind your persecution when nothing anyone does makes any sense. Anyway your trial won’t last long, and you will come out better. All things work out for the good of them that love the lord and are called according to his purpose.

Verse 11

This is the same gift as Ephesus. This is what happens when you eat from the tree of life.

Verse 12 and 13

This message was for Pergamos. They were trying to maintain God’s standards in the midst of a satanic culture gone mad. There were some that even lost their lives.

Verse 14

Who was Balaam and what did he do? The story of Balaam is found in numbers 22 – 24. Balaam dies in Numbers 31:8. Balaam let his desire for material gain take his eyes off the big picture. Instead of pleasing God, he found a way to get God to curse His own children so that he could get stuff.

Verse 15

Who were the Nicolaitans? The closest word in the Strong’s Concordance is the word “nicolaus” which means “victory”. If you are in a church where they offer victory I would be on alert. True followers of Christ will share in rejection and persecution. God says He hates those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. This doctrine is a mindset. This is thinking you will be the head and not the tail. These kinds of people disrespect a man in his own house.

Verse 16

The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Verse 17

Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The hidden manna may be knowledge. Everyone wants everyone else to know their name, but I don’t think fame and wealth is good. It seems to cause more pain than joy. In every relationship I have had as long as things were tight we stayed together. When money started coming in, it caused conflict. As long as no one is sure of whom I am then no one is sure of anything when they dig in my past. All satan has as a weapon is character assassination. His logic is pitiful.

Verse 18

Jesus can read minds. He sees everything and knows what was in our minds when we did what we did. That is why it is best to make sure the words you speak are sweet because you may have to eat them later.

Verse 19 – 23

Jezebel was the Canaanite wife of Ahab king of Israel. What she did was use the bible when it was convenient, and ignored it when it wasn’t. Ironically there were more scriptures speaking out against her than for her. We should follow the word of God instead of letting someone promise us things that will never happen. Notice that our praise and testimony aren’t even mentioned, only our actions. I may be a sinner but I have never murdered anyone. Your singing and praise accomplish nothing. God would prefer that we stop killing children and think before we act. Notice God doesn’t punish Jezebel, only those stupid enough to get in bed with her or listen to her nonsense.

Verse 24 - 26

Even in this church there are those that are more concerned with pleasing God.

Verse 27

This verse is quoted in Psalm 2:9. All of the word of God tells a story from God’s perspective. I hope for the sake of everyone this verse isn’t talking about me. I am going to show as much compassion as I have received.

Verse 28 and 29

I believe Jesus is the Morning star. The physical morning star is the sun. When it comes up we don’t need flashlights. His word is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. When the sun is up it is easy to see what is ahead. At night you can only see as far as the headlights. We don’t know everything, we do the best we can to live Godly.

PeterS

Freddie, don't marry your gay lover and don't get an abortion. Live your life and stop trying to use your bible to control the life of other...

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

Good morning Fred. Verse 22 says that she will be cast on a bed of suffering 23 says that He will strike her children dead. That is severe punishment.

fredlott63

I don't have a gay lover. This is why I don't talk about myself. You are making up unfounded lies and how do I address your false accusations?

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

The "victory " that most churches offer is the victory over death itself! They will spend an eternity in heaven in a perfect body! Now that is VICTORY!

fredlott63

Where did you see 23 days? A day with the Lord is a thousand years to man. God doesn't look at time like man.

fredlott63

good morning

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

Verse 23! Sorry

fredlott63

I still don't see 23 days. I do see those that put faith over works will be disappointed.