Biblical history provides a record of prophetic examples for us. Some are examples to follow, while others are terrible examples to avoid. This is the redemptive essence of prophecy! God wants to rescue us from impending danger, but we must want to be rescued!
Read MoreOn the surface, this problem may not look so bad. It even has an element of piety. She calls herself a prophetess. And while it is true that the early church had respected women who received the gift of prophecy, this woman was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and they knew it—yet did not take a stand against it.
Read MoreBut these followers of Jesus in the church of Thyatira were genuine. Their characters became the ‘modes of transportation’ that successfully bore the light of God’s salvation during dark times.
Read MoreThe longest of letters to the churches is given to the church in the smallest city of the seven. Buried beneath the modern-day district of Akhisar in Turkey is the ancient city of Thyatira.
Read MoreJesus knows each of His faithful ones so intimately that this affectionate new name will signify an aspect of character that resulted from enduring, endearing faithfulness . . .
Read MoreWere it not for the reality of divine grace, the sore temptations and tests would swallow us. The rewards of the overcomer’s life begin right away: gaining understanding of this thing or that concept which was hidden before.
Read MoreIn what is identified as unconditional prophecy, the righteous judgement of the Lord is a sure thing. It will happen – and soon! What a wonderful advantage to understand this fact ahead of time.
Read MoreThere are false teachers, instruments of Satan, who are introducing error among church members. God loves people so very much, and that is exactly why He hates for error to be mixed into His pure doctrine of salvation.
Read MorePergamos was the leading city in the empire for “emperor worship” in addition to being a center for pagan religious life. A yearly test of loyalty to Rome required each one to offer a pinch of incense before an idol representing the emperor while saying “Caesar is Lord.”
Read MoreIn our fallen world, culture and compromise have a dangerously close relationship. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are to discipline ourselves by cultivating our sensitivity to the hearing of His words.
Read MoreAt the time that our first parents chose to eat from the forbidden tree, they had not so much as seen a single leaf wither and fall to the ground. The intrinsic, vibrant beauty of a world without death is beyond the scope of our imagination.
Read MoreThe intense tribulation experienced by the church in Smyrna brought great fear and stress into the lives of these believers. It is only natural that they were under great tension and strain. But Jesus did not want that to be the heaviest weight of focus in their lives…
Read MoreBeloved, do you truly desire to be God’s instrument in winning the lost? If so, you will be supplied with the opportunity to speak and act in a winsome way. Just ask!
Read MoreIn our fallen world, the inevitable result of total surrender and faithfulness to Jesus is persecution from the opposition. Jesus had already laid this out for His listeners in the longest section of the Beatitudes.
Read MoreThere is a lifelong continuum of overcoming to do, as the enemy of souls has a veritable parade of shiny counterfeits to draw our worship away from the Creator.
Read MoreSocietal obligation to partake in pagan religious festivals was put forth as an expectation in John’s day. It is the same today and will rapidly become even more pronounced before Jesus returns.
Read MoreJust as truth and love must not be separated, obedience must not be cut out of our relationship with God. To love Jesus supremely means that we will gladly obey Him.
Read MoreAs the decades wore on, they lost their focus on Him, the Rock upon which they were built. While the adamant determination to guard doctrinal truth was admirable, it would collapse as unsustainable apart from love for the Lord, for that is the only basis upon which we can possess a sincere love for the lost.
Read MoreThe infant church stood firmly against both Docetism and Gnosticism, correctly identifying them as deceptive and heretical.
Read MoreThe job of protecting the church from falsehood began ‘right out of the gate’. They tested certain individuals who claimed to be followers of Christ and found them to be liars. But how? Most certainly by the Word of God!
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