Stabilize Cont.
Two of seven knew.
How do we know if our church is telling the remnant's story or not? Every church has some swagger that gives them a sense of righteous indignation, but there are so many churches to choose from? Modern reality has such a variety of tolerance-this and brimstone-that whereas these places are as a business with a product. You can compare them as easily as comparing the major automobile manufacturers: common parts, same roads, same crashes, same results, they just target different audiences.
Why does the written evidence go against that which these denominations do? Except for the stupor why can't they see it or break free? Most importantly what does this have to do with you if you believe in Jesus? Well, have you heard any rapture theory lately? How about giggles and so-called tongues? Do you shut down on Saturday? Sunday? Danced with any snakes? Called anyone Father, or Reverend? Is this in your church? If you have a denominational plaque on your wall it's just a bookmark to His evidence against your position. A position that will be addressed by Christ personally to you personally and you are accountable for where you stood. It's not too late to wise up because this is a time where He is calling the sheep that know Him out of their current confusion. If that sounds funny then just think back to the disciples… were they not grown men (except one) in various roles before they were called? Luckily for us one of them, John (who penned the book of Revelation) captured the information you need to know to verify for yourself how your church stands. Let's see what Christ taught through John and if it has anything to do with our scenario now:
Revelation 1: 9
John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Here John wants you to know that he is a student and servant of Christ just like we are. He taught the testimony of Christ and was sentenced to banishment on this island for that very reason. One critical detail that you can see right here is that we are talking about "John" and not the "church". John is the subject. The church wasn't sentenced to the island of Patmos for teaching Christianity? John was. This is very important because many teach today that the church was taken and that is one of the pillars they claim in their rapture theory. In fact the very next verse should remove any doubt John alone was taken to the Lord's Day in his spiritual body:
Revelation 1: 10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
"I" is pretty singular. "I" is John. He is still the subject as established in verse 9 and it was he alone who was taken to get a glimpse of the Lord's Day so that he we would have this report today (the book of Revelation). That means he was taken from that time to a point in the future to get a vision of the final events of time in the flesh and the details of Jesus' return. The trumpet that he hears is the 7th trump because it is the trumpet that calls to action these final events. The 7th trump, 7th seal, and 7th vial indicate when Christ returns and that should give further clarification to you regarding the 666 we are to watch out for. It will be after the one representing 666 that the transformation from our era now to the Lord's Day shall happen.
In the second chapter Christ is addressing seven churches. These are not the churches of John's time? John isn't there anymore. He is addressing the churches of our time. If we leverage the parable of the fig tree to establish the time line it means he is addressing us. Our histories may have come from then and our heritages may have passed them down, but we that continue the ignorance are no better than the ignorant guides. From church to church He gave comment. See if He described your church? Look hard, but there is no need to stare. If He calls you out of confusion your church will become obvious. If you are ready to see how and where your church stands then you are about to be fed because out of the seven only two churches had no fault spoken about. Five of you are going to have to face some internal alliances and do a little reconciliation to come out of the confusion that makes you susceptible to the upcoming finale. The good news is that two were (are) doing what they were supposed to do. That means you too have the answer to what you are supposed to do. How thoughtful of Him was that? He put the answers out there so that when He called his own they would hear. Here's what he said about the first one without fault, Smyrna:
Revelation 2: 8
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
God is the first and the last… Christ paid the price here in the flesh and does live now, and these are the credentials to the words recorded.
Revelation 2: 9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
He is very much aware of the trials we all face but as members of his team many of us are in the positions He needs us to be in. That may be a little different than the position you wished you were in, or in comparison to the apparent position your neighbors, peers, or relatives are in. But it is a fact that you can't seek those positions and still play the position He has for you in the victory. Our richness comes from the fact we know the truths (as outlined in this work) that give us the gospel armor we need to stand when the time comes. Wow!?!? How can I say that? Simple. He confirmed they knew of those that claimed to be Jews but were not. Who were they? Would they be decedents of Cain? When Cain was banished from the garden of Eden he did go east to the land of Nod where he took a wife. You did know there were other people out there past the view of the garden didn't you? Cain didn't go to some other land and wait for a monkey to evolve? He didn't go over there and then have some god form a wife? Adam and Eve did not make a thousand babies and ship them out to make foreign countries? Any church that teaches you Adam and Eve were the first flesh on this earth is immediately put into the category that limits them to teaching the most basics of salvation. Past that they are as a millstone around your neck in the depths of the Word. If that offends you… GOOD! Try to prove me wrong legitimately and you will indeed learn who has been offending you. Try to prove me wrong and you will learn who has been trying to reach you. Think before you leap my friend, this isn't for nothing.
What took place in the garden initiated the physical seed line that would prove God came here in the flesh and partook in the plan of salvation just as it was written He would. This is why Christ said you must learn the parable of the fig tree. That is a prophesy directed to the last generation before His return. The last generation before His return started in 1948 so make no mistake about the fact it is related to the very people spoken of in Revelation 2: 9. After all these are the churches that were present at the time John wrote about. That one plus one is very easy to reconcile. A double witness to our time for sure. The people of this church are aware of the significance behind Israel becoming a nation again, but in addition they also understand both the good and bad figs are present (and therefore the meaning behind the good and bad fig).
That's a lot to hang on one church, and the Word does a pretty good job of providing backup to all the major tenets. Let's dig a little more and see if these statements have the credibility required to get you digging past this work? In the third chapter we find the Church of Philadelphia was the other church God found without fault. Can you pick up why?
Revelation 3: 7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Who is holy? Who is true? Who had the key of David? Who can open a door before you that no man can close? God. An open door is simply recognizing a truth you couldn't see before. Then by stepping through with that knowledge it enables you to see other closed doors and open them as well. That is why it is said the truth will set you free. Once you have a truth no man can shutteth, meaning that once you see one of God's truths with clarity you will never fall for another man who tells you it means something different. AND (conversely) once you see the falsehood that props up another man's doctrine you have to rest that it is God that will open the door for that person and not you. Take your test as best you can and let those face theirs. We don't save the world, God does.
Revelation 3: 8
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Our knowledge of the truth enables us to avoid the snares of those that present alternative variations or doctrines that pull people astray. Once the truth is known no man can take it away. That is how we have been able to keep our story consistent. This is why we stand firm. We may appear to be of little strength but that's because we are so small in number by comparison to those being set up to service the false one. This scripture is indicative of the story leading to our victory not our status and odds in an open ended battle. There is truly a difference.
Revelation 3: 9
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
What was that? This statement shows they too knew that there were those that claimed to be Jews but are not. These others may have control of the stage now but their vain reign won't last.
Revelation 2: 9 and 3: 9 give the common thread that both churches Jesus was pleased with shared. It's not that they were better people or even did greater works on the earth. That has nothing to do with the fact they understood the end times would hang on these details. The other churches still have healthy memberships (if their people adjust to the criticism), but the information these two had ensured they escaped the hour of temptation. Do you know what time it is?
Two of seven knew. (You are here.)