The Book of Haggai: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!

 

My Dear Readers
In this article I will attempt to bring some kind of perspective of how the Old Testament book of Haggai and its message was not only relevant to the Jews of the time but is also significantly relevant to us today as born again Christians and also significant to us on the “Day of the Lord” in the end times in the New Jerusalem – A new heaven and a new earth – Revelation 21:1-8!

Brief background information to the Book of Haggai.
The Book of Haggai forms part of the Hebrew Bible which the Jews call the Tanakh. The Tanakh is the foundational text and teaching of Judaism. The word “Tanakh” is an acronym of its three parts:

1. The Torah which consists of the Five Books of Moses - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These five books are also commonly known as the Pentateuch.

2. The Nevi’im, pronounced ‘nih-vih-eem’ is the plural of the word ‘navi’ and means ‘Prophets’.

3. The Ketuvim, pronounced ‘ke-tu-veem’ and means ‘writings’. It contains stories, law, poetry, and teachings about God and His relationship with humanity.

The Book of Haggai is found in Part 2 of the Tanakh, the ‘Nevi’im and Haggai himself is considered to be one of the minor prophets.

One interesting fact about the minor prophets from Hosea through to Malachi, is that they were originally compiled as a single book called ‘The Twelve’. Haggai being the 10th book of The Twelve.

Who Was Haggai and What Is the Book of Haggai About?
When Assyria and Babylon rise to power there was nothing and no one to stop them becoming global superpowers. Assyria takes over the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Babylon sacks the Southern Kingdom of Israel. Israel spends 70 years in captivity before they return to Jerusalem. Haggai steps onto the scene when they return to Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon. His book contains hopeful messages from God about Israel's and ultimately the Church's future.

Haggai was a prophet who lived during the time of the rebuilding of the second temple. For context, the Israelites had turned away from the Lord and had neglected the rebuilding of the temple and were rather concentrating on building their own homes and establishing their careers in their own strength. They were not obeying the Word of God!

Not much is known about Haggai as a person as the Bible gives no familial knowledge about him and his lineage, but his name means, ‘let’s celebrate the Lord.’

His prophetic ministry lasted for just less than four months. The Lord gives five messages to Haggai between August 29, 520 BC, and December 18, 520 BC. We know this as Haggai records each precise date with the messages themselves.

The shortness of Haggai’s prophetic ministry time would indicate that the Lord wanted the Jewish leaders to act almost immediately.

Haggai’s message was directed at the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem after 70 years exile in Babylon. The leaders of the Jews in Jerusalem at the time of the return from exile were Zerubbabel who was a descendant of King David through Solomon and Jeconiah and the High priest was Joshua the son of Jehozadak.

Zerubbabel was a governor of the Achaemenid Empire's province of Yehud and was the grandson of Jeconiah, the penultimate king of Judah. Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian captivity in the first year of Cyrus the Great, the king of the Achaemenid Empire – this empire is sometimes known as the First Persian Empire and its territory is now known as modern day Iran. The date is generally thought to have been between 538 and 520 BC. Zerubbabel also laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem soon after the return of the exiles to Jerusalem.

Haggai’s prophetic ministry was a very short ministry and lasted just less than four months in circa 520 BC. His message begins with a rather stern rebuke of the Jews because they were only focused on themselves by establishing homes for themselves and forgetting about serving God and building the second temple – the Lord’s House! Their priorities were sadly misplaced!

Note: in the body on this article the verses from Haggai are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Chapter 1 (NKJV)

The Command to Build God’s House

1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,

In verse 1 Haggai pinpoints the exact date that he received his prophetic message from the Lord. This would make the exact date in our calendar today as 1 September 520BC.

2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ”

In verse 2 Haggai tells the Jews that his message comes directly from the Lord, “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts…..” He lets the people know that God knows that they are deliberately putting off building the second temple in order to feather their own nests. God knows that the Jews have got their priorities wrong and are not putting Him first which is displeasing to Him.

3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

In verses 3-5 God’s message to the Jews through Haggai is a rebuke! The gist of the rebuke is that they’ve made fine houses for themselves and have left His house in ruins! He goes on to sternly tell then to, “Consider your ways.” This is a call for them to repent and get on with building the second temple. Putting God first is our FIRST priority!

6 “You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

In verse 6 God tells the Jews and His church today, exactly why our own efforts and works outside of Christ yield little or no reward not only in the flesh but in spiritual reward as well. When we focus on ourselves, as the Jews were doing, we are never satisfied and what we have is wasted. But when we focus on God our every need is catered for, both physically and spiritually. Our works of the flesh (our works outside of Christ Jesus) are like filthy rags to God – he sees them as unclean!

Failing to put God first in everything is a sin!

Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)

But we are all like an unclean thing,

And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;

We all fade as a leaf,

And our iniquities, like the wind,

Have taken us away.

7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

In verse 7 God tells His people to, “Consider your ways!” This is an instruction to them to repent of their wicked ways and not to fall into the same trap as their ancestors that resulted in the temple being destroyed and them led off into captivity.

This call to repentance rings out to us today. We, those of us who are born again, are His Church (the Temple) and God wants us to repent of not putting Him first in all our ways. As individual children and corporately as His Church we will never be able to walk in the fulness of Christ and in the power of His Holy Spirit if we do not put Him first in everything we do!

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV)

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord.

In verse 8 there is a very clear command from God telling the Jews to go and get the materials they need to build the temple so that He can take pleasure in it and be glorified!

This command still stands today! As His Church (Temple) each of us are required to build ourselves up in the most holy faith. Faith in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, faith in Word as it instructs us in righteousness and faith in the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us in all truth! In this way God takes pleasure in us as we glorify Jesus!

All the material we need to build our “temple” is found in the Bible, but we have to read it (fetch the material) ourselves and become doers of the Word and not just hearers and listeners! We need to live life in the Spirit!

Jude 1:20-21 (AMP)

20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

James 1:22 (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

John 16:13-14 (NKJV)

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

In verses 9-11 Haggai’s message to the Jews further explains that because they have neglected God in not rebuilding the temple, they have brought the covenant curses of disobedience from Deuteronomy 28:22-40 (I encourage you to read this passage!) upon themselves once again. The labour of their hands has become fruitless, and they gain nothing but hardship and heartache.

Now, how are these verses relevant for today’s Church? Well, using the reference point of the Church being individually and collectively the temple of God, we need to put God first in all we do and say! If we don’t then we are wilfully walking in disobedience to the Word and are thus walking in sin and as such we will be unable to walk in the fulness of Christ unless we repent and turn to walking in full obedience.

As the in the Mosaic Covenant the Jews were free to choose between good and evil, so today we, as born-again Christians, have the freedom to choose between obeying God’s Word or not. When we choose not to and remain unrepentant of not putting God first in everything, we hinder ourselves from walking in the fulness of Christ Jesus, which is living life in the Spirit.

Galatians 6:16-17 (NKJV)

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

The People’s Obedience

12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord.” 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.

In verses 12-15 we’re told that Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of Israel were provoked (stirred up in their spirits) by Haggai’s message and were motivated to start rebuilding the temple. They were stirred up into obedience and a reverent fear of the Lord overwhelmed them and galvanised them into action. Wisdom came upon them!

Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

When we walk in obedience to the teachings of the Bible, we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven where they will not be corrupted. Disobedience of the Word leads only to heartache and pain and to a corrupt soul!

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Let your heart always be for the things of God first and foremost. God will supply all your needs when He has first place in your heart.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 2 (NKJV)

In the second section of Haggai’s message, which follows about a month after the first, Haggai addresses the problem of disappointment, low morale and shattered expectations among the people. The temple they are rebuilding doesn’t come anywhere near as grand and impressive as the first temple that Solomon built some 500 years before!

In verses 1-9 Haggai gives the Jews an encouraging pep talk by reminding them of the great prophetic promises of God’s future Kingdom in the new Jerusalem as spoken of by the preceding prophets and in particular Isaiah and Micah.

He tells them that the new Jerusalem will be the place from which God will redeem the world and that all nations will come and participate in worshipping in God’s future Kingdom which will result in peace for all (Isaiah 9, 60-62; Micah 4-5).

So, the temple plays a key role in God’s plans not only for the Jews of the time, but for all the future generations, and the temple the Jews are now rebuilding is a shadow of what is to come. Haggai calls on the people to work in hope and faith, standing on God’s prophetic promises for the future, despite the current disappointing circumstances.

The Coming Glory of God’s House

1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. 5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’

In verses 1-5 the Word that God gives to Haggai for the Jews is one of encouragement. The Lord tells them not to make comparisons between the glory of Solomon’s temple and the one they are now building. He exhorts the people to be strong and to continue working on restoring the temple for He is with them as He was with Israel when they were released from Egypt – His covenant promises to them are still with them. He tells them not to fear because His Spirit is still with them.

For today’s Church we need always remember that God is a promise keeper, and he never changes. He is the same yesterday today and always. We too can take encouragement from Haggai’s message when things don’t seem to be going right for us or we have experienced profound loss in our lives. God was good to His children yesterday, He is good to them today and He will be good to us tomorrow and beyond into eternity because we belong to Him through the blood sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

In verses 6-9 Haggai’s message to the Jews from God changes tack from the present day hardship to one of His future glory, not only for the Jews but for all nations – The New Jerusalem with His temple, God and His Lamb will be the new temple, His dwelling place, filled with His glory!

Revelation 21:1-3 (NKJV)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Revelation 21:22-24 (NKJV)

22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.

6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;

In verse 6 Haggai tells us that God at some time in the future, will once again shake the heaven and earth.

Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.

In verse 7 God tells us that at this future time He will shake all nations and they shall come to the “Desire of All Nations.” There is some controversy surrounding what is meant by this phrase, but I am of the opinion that it refers to Jesus based on the fact that every knee shall bow before him. The desire of every born again Christian should be to bow before King Jesus, the Lamb of God, Lord of lords and King of kings!

Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 7:9-11 (NKJV)

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.

The Jews had become despondent about the temple they were building not shaping up to the glory of Solomon’s temple. But God says to them in verse 8 that all the silver and gold in the world is His anyway to do what He likes with. God is not interested in material richness He is interested in spiritual richness which includes obedience. All He required from the Jews was to rebuild the temple as He had instructed, instead they were only intent on gaining material wealth for themselves.

God is not interested in our material possessions and wealth! He is interested in our relationship with Him. He is interested in our full obedience to His Word and allowing ourselves to be led and guided by His Holy Spirit. He is interested in us loving our neighbours as ourselves. In this way the Church will bring glory to Jesus!

9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

In verse 9 Haggai gives a prophetic reference to a future event. This event is the New Jerusalem as mentioned in Revelation 21:1 quoted above. This temple is Jesus Christ and His Bride, the Church. The New Jerusalem filled with the glory of God. The Church are His temple, in the New Jerusalem His glory will shine in and through us. The Church, the Bride of Christ, will be far greater than any of the former temples built by the hands of men!

The People Are Defiled

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?” ’ ”

Then the priests answered and said, “No.”

13 And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?”

So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.”

14 Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

In verses 10-14 Haggai delivers a strong word to the people, he tells them that God considers them to be unclean or defiled before Him because they have neglected His instruction and have turned back to their idolatrous ways.

Haggai engages with the priests in a conversation about ritual purity. If someone touches a dead body and becomes ritually impure or marked by death and then goes to touch some food, does it become impure too? The priests say, “Yes.”

Haggai tells them it is the same with the people of Israel because they have defiled themselves in disobedience and selfishness and what they’re putting their hands to is thus also defiled (the works of their hands in their own strength) and they are unable to receive God’s blessings.

For the Church today we have a similar situation, many in the Church are not putting God first in everything and are only seeking self-gain. Many Christians have turned the things of the world into idols and are worshipping them. If this current generation doesn’t humble themselves and turn from this idolatry, apathy and self-indulgence, then whatever they do with their hands outside of Christ Jesus, including themselves as a temple of God, will become impure before Him!

Promised Blessing

15 ‘And now, carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the Lord— 16 since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord. 18 ‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it: 19 Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’ ”

In verses 15-19 Haggai encourages the people to repent of their wicked ways and turn back to putting God first and heeding His instruction to rebuild the temple. He tells them that when they do this, from that very moment forward, God will bless them, and they will live in the fulness of His love and provision! What they put their hands to will no longer be eaten up by blight, mildew and hail -when they put God first and are obedient to His Word!

It will be the same for God’s people today, His Church, we will be able to live in His full blessing and provision if we repent of not putting Him first in all we do and humble ourselves before Him so that he can lift us up to live in harmony with Him and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We will be able to live together in the unity of the Spirit and bring glory to Jesus.

James 4:10 (NKJV)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet

20 And again the word of the Lord came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying:

‘I will shake heaven and earth.
22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms;
I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms.
I will overthrow the chariots
And those who ride in them;
The horses and their riders shall come down,
Every one by the sword of his brother.

23 ‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

In verses 20-23 Haggai delivers a personal message to from God to Zerubbabel after telling the people that God will defeat all His enemies and destroy all the kingdoms of the Gentiles. He will shake the whole earth and overthrow any kingdom and ruler that stands against Him – in that age as well as the ages to come and in particular the “last days!” No weapon that comes against Israel or His Church will succeed!

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.

The personal message to Zerubbabel is that God will make him like a signet ring for he is God’s chosen one.

Zerubbabel was to become symbolically a “signet ring.” The “Signet ring” in those days was usually worn by the first son in a Jewish family and was engraved with the father’s name and a design to identify the son's authority in the name of the ring’s owner. 

It was also used to attest to the authority of royal messengers who carried papers stamped by the image on the ring (see 1 Kings 21:8). It was also used to mark precious articles. It proved ownership. It proved that Zerubbabel belonged to God!

For us today, all born again believers – His true Church, we carry God’s signet ring! We are chosen ones as well – when we become born again we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. We belong to God the Father. The devil has no hold on us, and we will receive God’s protection and covering here on earth until the Lord returns for us. We are God’s royal priesthood in the name of Jesus.

John 15:16 (NKJV)

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (AMP)

13 In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]. 14 The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.

The Holy Spirit in every born again believer is God’s signet ring and seal of approval and authority on us in Christ Jesus!

NO WORD FROM GOD WILL EVER FAIL!

Luke 1:37 (NIV)

For no word from God will ever fail.”

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to put you first in everything I do. Help me to read and study your Word daily and help me to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the reverent fear of God that I may glorify Jesus. Help me Lord to remain humble before you and put the needs of others before my own. Lord help me not neglect my relationship with the you in order to fulfil my own wants and needs in my own strength and worldly ways.

Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

What is Holiness?

 

What is holiness?

In the verses below we can see that it has always been God’s intention for His people to be holy because He is holy. In Leviticus 11, God tells us to consecrate ourselves and be holy because He is holy.

And the Apostle Peter confirms that this scripture still applies to the Church today when he quotes it in 1 Peter 1:15-16! 

And the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 1:9 says a similar thing when he tells us that God has called us with a holy calling for His own purpose and grace.

To consecrate oneself means to dedicate oneself to a higher purpose, for a Christian today this means our purpose is to dedicate ourselves to God through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Hebrew word for consecrate in Leviticus 11:44 is "qadash" pronounced "kaw-dash" and means to be set apart or to be consecrated as holy. (Strong's 6942).

The Apostle Peter quoted this scripture in 1 Peter 1:15-16 and thus we know without a shadow of doubt that this instruction still applies to Christians today!

Lev 11:44a (NIV)

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Holiness is a characteristic of who God is, and as such holiness should be of paramount importance to us as believers and something we should be earnestly seeking, because without it no one will ever see the Lord!

Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Before we can look at what the Bible teaches on being holy, let’s first understand what the word means from the original Greek text of the New Testament.

Holiness in the verse above is from the Greek word ‘hagiotes’ meaning holiness or sanctity. Hagiotes is derived from the Greek adjective ‘hagios’ which means set apart (for God) for the specific purpose of being holy and sacred.

From this we can safely conclude that God expects us, as Christians, to set ourselves apart to be holy to Him. In fact, Hebrews 12:14 above states quite emphatically that the we won’t see the Lord unless we pursue holiness.

Also, as we endeavour to pursue holiness, setting ourselves apart to Him for sanctification, we will experience a measure of pain as He chastises us for our own good when we go astray, through the sanctifying process of dying to self. As John the Baptist says: "He must become greater I must become less."

John 3:30 (AMP)

 He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.

Nevertheless, this chastising process will yield within us the peaceable fruit of holiness and righteousness in Christ Jesus. We are trained by God's sanctification and chastening process in Christ Jesus!

Hebrew 12:9-11 (NKJV)

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

In other words, that which is holy belongs to God, and conversely whatever belongs to God is holy. We are sanctified and "set apart for a holy use or purpose" by God, and to find out what our use and purpose is in Christ Jesus we need to live life in the Spirit.

As God's children we are called to be holy and we must clothe ourselves appropriately in order to show ourselves holy and set apart from the world. The character of the true child of God should look like this:

Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV)

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We are God's elect and He has chosen us to be His children and to serve others as Jesus came to serve, and He has called us to come out of this world, to be different and separate from the rest of the world - to be holy! To love others as He loves us! We are a royal priesthood, a chosen generation and it is our responsibility to reflect this to the world.

John 15:16-17 (NKJV)

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

The heavenly host sing of God's holiness to the 3rd degree. We are called to be holy in a fallen world as this reveals God's glory to the whole world!

Isaiah 6:1-3 (NKJV)

 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

The whole earth is full of His glory!”

Revelation 4:8 (NKJV)

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!”

Jesus reminds us that we are not of this world,

John 17:14-16 (NIV)

14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

The Christian must live in this present evil world, but his life must he different from the lives of the other people that are in the world – who are not born-again, who do not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. In other words, our lives and the way and manner in which we live, must reflect God’s holiness in Christ Jesus!

We, as born again believers in Christ Jesus, must come out from any of this world's ways that are sinful and evil out from the religious and spiritual "Babylon" that is this whole world.

Revelation 18:4 (NIV)

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her (the world), my people,’[Jer 51:45)

so that you will not share in her sins,

so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

Making such a distinction and living by it is one of the many ways that God's true children and servants are different from the rest of the world.

Instead of being immersed in the lawless and sinful ways of the world, we should put our thoughts on better and higher things:

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This scripture makes is very clear that we should avoid filling our minds with entertainment that is sinful: void of (God’s) love, lustful, sexually illicit or that is filled with murder, hatred, evil and all other such things.

We often justify our sinful actions by saying things like: "It’s only a song" — "it's only make-believe", "it's only a movie" or "that’s who I am."

On the contrary, the Bible says this:

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

We cannot call ourselves Christians and continue to walk in the ways of the world – we must walk in the way of the Spirit (be holy)! Christians need to be different from the rest of this world — to say no to sin, to evil and to wrong things as it is written:

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

We will continue to be holy if we live a life of holiness in the reverent fear of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of Jesus. That is the way of obedience and conformity with God's ways and His Word. This is living life in the Spirit.

God wants a glorious Church without spot or blemish. Jesus gave his life for the Church in order to make her holy and blameless:

Ephesians 5:26-27 (NIV)

26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless

My dear Readers, if we are not reading and study the Bible for ourselves, how on earth can we become washed and cleansed by it and know how to pursue holiness!

Prayer

Dear Father

In the name of Jesus I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to be holy just as you are holy. Help me to read and study your Word daily and help me to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the reverent fear of God that I may glorify Jesus.  Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Offenses Will Come

In Matthew 18:6-7 and Luke 17:1-2, Jesus warns us (His Church) that we will be subject to offenses coming our way. These offenses will happen, and we must learn how to deal with them without letting ourselves become trapped by the sin of unforgiveness and remain in it to fester and become a root of bitterness in our lives!

Matthew 18:6-7 (NIV)

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

Luke 17:1-2 (AMP)

Jesus said to His disciples, “Stumbling blocks [temptations and traps set to lure one to sin] are sure to come, but woe (judgment is coming) to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea, than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble [in sin and lose faith].

In the above verses Matthew and Luke give their account of the same teaching that the Lord had given to his disciples and other followers.

The Lord gives this teaching to the disciples not long after they had asked Him, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of God?” The Lord’s response to this question was:

Matthew 18:3-5 (NIV)

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

In Matthew 18:3 and 18:6 the Lord refers to His followers as ‘little children” and “little ones’ and qualifies this statement by telling us that by this term, He is referring to ‘those that believe in me (Him).” This tells us that He is not referring to actual children but to His disciples and other adult followers! Those that are in the Lord.

The inference from these verses is that we need to believe in the Lord as little children believe, without the encumbrance of our worldly knowledge, self-opinions and other such negative influences!

The Meaning of Stumble?
Now, in both Matthew and Luke’s account of this event they make use of the word “stumble” or “stumbling blocks”. Let’s examine this word “stumble” in a little more detail so that we can get a better picture of what the Lord is saying.

In Matthew 18:6 the original Greek word for ‘stumble’ is ‘skandalizó’ (pronounced: skan-dal-id'-zo) which is a verb, a doing word and its expanded meaning and application is: to put a snare (in the way of), to cause to stumble, to give offense to, to cause to sin, to cause to become indignant, to shock and to offend.

And in Luke 17:1 the Greek word for ‘stumbling block’ is ‘skandalon’ (pronounced: skan'-dal-on) which is a noun, a naming word and its expanded meaning and application is: a stick of a bait trap (the stick - the skandalon - is pulled away and the trap falls on whatever you are wanting to trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense, a cause for error.

Both ‘skandalizo’ and ‘skandalon’ carry the same meaning, the only difference being that ‘skandalizo’ is a verb, what we do to someone or something – to stumble, and ‘skandalon’ is a noun, what we name something that is done to someone that causes them to falter or to knock them off track – become a stumbling block.

As a matter of interest, we derive our English word ‘scandal’ from the Greek word ‘skandalon.’ A scandal is an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage and individual humiliation.

So, my dear Readers, from our examination of the word stumble we can deduce that something that can cause us to stumble or falter in our Christian faith can be taken as an offense and a stumbling block is something that can cause us to be tripped up (stumbled) or offended in our Christian walk!

Being stumbled by something or someone in our Christian walk is not a good thing! How do we know this?

We know this because of the seriousness in which God views anyone who causes one of His children to stumble. Look what Jesus says in Matthew 18:6-7 and Luke 17:1-2 above – it would be better for them to have a millstone tied to their neck and be thrown into the sea.

So, on the one side of the “offense” coin we have a consequence for the perpetrator of the offense. They will be dealt with very severely by God unless they turn to Him in repentance and ask forgiveness! The “millstone” bit!

On the other side of the “offense” coin, we have the one who has taken offense and refuses to forgive and let go of the offense. These people cause spiritual problems for themselves through holding unforgiveness and bitterness in their hearts.

The true follower of Christ will be ever forgiving when asked to forgive and will constantly develop, in Christ Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit, a pure and humble heart.

How many times must I forgive?

Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Always be quick to forgive others as God forgives us!

How do offenses come?
Offenses come through the words and actions of other people. These words and actions can be directed at us or at someone who we hold dear and we take offense for them.

But how does the taking of offense happen? What actually happens to us when we take offense?

The taking of offense, or feeling offended, often occurs when we have a negative emotional experience or reaction to something that has been said or done to us or to someone else which conflicts with what we expect and believe to be right and appropriate behaviour. Our personal, moral compass has been knocked off balance! Our pride and our flesh rears its ugly head. Who do they thing they are? How dare they? Don't they know who I am? 

Feeling offended is deeply rooted in the expectations we have of others that govern our daily moral standing in life. These expectations are usually so high that nobody could ever possibly comply with them even if they knew what they were!

Taking offense at what someone else says or does is a choice – we can choose to take offense, or we can choose not to. Just like we can chose to sin or we can chose not to sin!

Taking offense can have a profound effect on our Christian walk, both in our mental feeling of well-being and on our own self-worth and self-esteem.

An offense can not only change how we see ourselves but how we see and interact with others. This change in a Christian affects our outlook in a negative way and hampers not only our relationship with others, but even more seriously our, personal  relationship with Jesus – we start to withdraw from Him! Unforgiveness and bitterness puts a self-made and often impenetrable barrier between God and the offended one!

This taking on of an offense can lead to conflict with others and to us withdrawing from interaction with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to holding on to unforgiveness in one’s heart and to allowing bitterness to overcome ones life. And just as bad, it can lead to those around us whom we love, to tread lightly around us, walking on eggshells. This can really dampen our relationship with our loved ones and the ones dearest to us and of course to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Proverbs 17:9 (AMP)

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,

But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

Proverbs 19:11 (AMP)

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,

And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].

Holding on to offenses leads to emotional conflict within oneself and manifests outwardly by causing conflict with others and destroys the peace that we have available to us in Christ Jesus.

The apostle James warns us about this in the below scriptures:

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NKJV)

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Always taking things personally and becoming offended can lead to a low self-esteem. By constantly putting yourself in the position of feeling offended, you may start to create a sense of paranoia about how others view you.

It indicates a high level of self-absorption to hear what someone says and immediately assume they are being offensive to you. To hold on to offenses is a sin and needs to be repented from as it will not only defile you but will also defile those around you, even those that you love and that love you the most!

Jesus Himself warns us that our Christian walk will not be trouble free and that offenses will come, but when they do, to keep our eyes on Him alone! In Christ Jesus we have the victory for He has overcome the world!

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

How do we overcome the offenses we are holding on to?
As born again Christians we are so fortunate to have a Lord and Saviour who sets us the perfect example in overcoming this world, including the offenses that come our way. The Bible exhorts and encourages us to follow him in all His ways.

Luke 23:34-35 (NKJV)

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

Jesus suffered and died for you and me. He was humiliated, sworn at, spat on whipped and beaten and killed for us – how offensive is that? Yet He chose not to be offended – He chose to forgive – no sin was found in Him – He let go of all human pride and emotions and chose to forgive.

1 John 3:5-6 (NIV)

5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

Dear Readers, let’s be like Jesus and let go of the sin of offenses and pride before a root of bitterness sets in! Let’s choose to forgive others from the heart as Christ did, so that our sins can be forgiven!

Matthew 6:14-15 (AMP)

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:35 (AMP)

My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

If we hold on to offenses and hold unforgiveness in our hearts, how can our heavenly Father forgive us?

Let’s make it our mission to repent of the offenses we hold on to and ask God to forgive us in Christ Jesus and to make peace with others so that we can move on in our Christian walk to maturity.

Let’s chose to let go of our earthly baggage and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us! Our Christian walk to maturity will be a much lighter load when we let go of offenses!

Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father
I pray in Jesus name that you Lord, forgive me for not letting go of my pride and the offenses that I have held on to in my heart. I pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit that you would help me to let go of all my pride and the offenses and unforgiveness that I am holding on to and deliver me from the root of bitterness. Amen.

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

The Seven Types of Church – “Nevertheless, I hold this against you.”

 

Revelation 1:18-20 (NKJV)

18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of *Hades and of Death. 19 [Therefore]Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The [Hidden truth]mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the [messengers]angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

*Hades and death (Spiritual death – separation from God) are of the unseen spiritual realm that we cannot physically see but will spiritually experience.

In the Book of Revelation in chapters one to three, we are told by the writer, the Apostle John, of the Lord’s messages to the seven churches in the province of Asia. These were His personal messages to each of the seven churches individually.

Revelation 1:1-4a (NKJV)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Greeting the Seven Churches

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

In this article I will attempt to explain how relevant and significant these personal messages from the Lord are to the Church today by focusing the article on what the Lord highlights to them (the 7 Churches) that they have been doing wrong and that if they don’t repent of this wrong doing, he will deal with them harshly even though they have been doing some things correctly and in line with the Word of God!

Before we tackle the individual messages to each Church, let us bear in the forefront of our minds that all scripture is God breathed and is therefore relevant to the Church throughout the ages and even more so today as the increase of evil in the world is escalating rapidly! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and always – Jesus is the Word! The Word of God is always relevant! The Word of God is living, powerful and active!

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJV)

12 For 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. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Let’s now examine the messages the Lord sent to the Churches individually and see how they relate to us today!

1. The Church in Ephesus – Revelation 2:1-7
In verses two and three, the Lord tells the Church in Ephesus that He knows all about their good deeds and that for His name’s sake they have persevered, and they have not become weary of doing good in His name!

Revelation 2:2-3 (NKJV)

2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

But, in verse 4, there is a “nevertheless” which tells us that there is something very seriously wrong about them that Jesus is not happy with!

This something is that they had left, forsaken or neglected their first love. The Church had become so busy 'doing things', both as individuals and as a congregation, that they had left/forsaken their first love.

Yes, they were doing good deeds in Jesus’ name as we all should, but they had become mechanical in their actions and had been overwhelmed by ‘busyness’ which had taken them away from what is the most important thing in any born again Christian’s life, and that is their first love of Christ, they had forsaken fostering and nurturing their personal relationship with their Saviour – our Lord Jesus Christ in order to “do”!

They had become Martha’s who was too busy to sit at the Lord’s feet instead of becoming Mary’s who valued her relationship with Jesus more than anything else!

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Make sure that each day you spend time at the Lord’s feet listening to what He has to say to you before you rush headlong into busyness. Be led by the Holy Spirit in all things!

Make time to read and study the Bible and put its teachings into practice. Be an obedient servant of the Lord!

Revelation 2:4-5 (NKJV)

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

In verse 5 above the Lord gives us a very strong warning that we need to heed and do today! Repent and do the first works which is to love Jesus with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbour as we love ourselves and in this way build a relationship with Him before anything else.

Matthew 22:36-40 (AMP)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

If we don’t repent, He will remove us from our place – Rev 2:5! To me (my opinion) this suggests that we could be removed from the Lamb’s Book of Life if we don't repent. Remember, the 7 Churches were all believers!

Our first love is Jesus Christ, nothing should come before our relationship with Him, not even the good works he has predestined us to do – these works are done in and through our relationship with Him in the power of the Holy Spirit! They are a labour of love in Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot emphasise this enough!

John 16:13-15 (NKJV))

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

This message to the Church at Ephesus is still very much relevant to today’s Church if we will only be completely honest with ourselves! We cannot hide anything from God – He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Hebrews 4:13 (NKJV)

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

And I, dear Reader, am the first to throw up my hands and say, “Forgive me, Lord, for forsaking my first love and becoming overwhelmed with busyness! I repent, Lord, and turn away from this sin. I love you, Lord! Lead me by your Spirit on the path of your will be done and not mine! Amen.”

2. Smyrna – The Persecuted Church – Revelation 2:8-11.
In His message to the Church at Smyrna, there is no rebuke for them as there was for five of the other Churches. Instead, He comforts them by saying that He knows all about the persecution they have been through and are going through at the hands of the unbelievers.

Revelation 2:9-10 (NKJV)

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a [congregation]synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

In verse 9 above He reminds the Church that He knows their obedience and diligence in doing their works and He also knows the tribulations they have gone throw because of their strong relationship with Him, their obedience to Him and the things they do in His name. Scripture tells us that we mustn’t be surprised when we face persecution but to remember that He was persecuted first.

1 Peter 2:21 (AMP)

For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.

1 Peter 4:1-2 (NIV)

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

In Christ Jesus we are overcomers of the world!

John 16:33 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

In verse 9 as well the Lord says he knows all about their physical poverty (possibly caused by those that persecuted them) but encourages them to press on by assuring them that they are spiritually rich because they have endured and remained faithful to Him.

In verse 10 above, the Lord encourages us not to live in fear of persecution but to remain faithful to Him and He will give us the crown of life – eternal life! Amen.

Let’s take encouragement from the words of the Apostle James who tells us to count persecution as joy as it produces in us endurance that leads to spiritual maturity and inner peace!

James 1:2-3 (AMP)

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].

3. Pergamum – The Compromising Church – Revelation 2:14-16 .
Now, my dear Readers, this Church is a prime example of many Churches in the world today, in fact far too many!

In verses 14 and 15 below the Lord, in His rebuke of the Church in Pergamum, refers to the Church as holding to two separate false doctrines. The first in verse 15 being the “doctrine of Balaam” and the second in verse 16 the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans”. The Lord states emphatically the He hates both doctrines!

And in verse 16 He tells the Church to repent of holding to these doctrines or He will come and fight against them. This stark warning still applies to many of today’s Churches that follow false teachers and prophets!

Revelation 2:14-16 (NKJV)

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Now, let’s examine the word “hold” from its original Greek word so that we can grasp what a strong word it is in this context.

The Greek word for hold is “krateó” (pronounced krat-eh'-o, Strong’s 2902) and its meaning is: to be strong or to rule. In this context it is used to indicate strength in oneself for example, I am strong or I rule or I take hold of or I stand fast on or hold fast to. We can become "I" specialists in our own strength - pride which was Satan's downfall!

The essence of what the Lord is saying is that instead of holding fast to Him, they were holding fast to the erroneous teachings of false prophets and teachers and were putting their faith in men and their doctrines and their own strength!

This is what is happening in many Churches today especially those that come out of the prosperity movement and other false doctrines that have perverted the scriptures to feed the greed of false teachers!

Let’s have a good look at what these two doctrines are:

i. The Doctrine of Balaam
The account of Balaam and his evil ways can be read in Numbers 22-25. I encourage you, Dear Readers, to read and study these chapters for yourself as I am not going to go into great detail about Balaam in this article, just the basics of the doctrine.

The doctrine of Balaam revolves around self-gain, self-indulgence and greed. Balaam was a false prophet, and it was his counsel to Moab that led to Israel rebelling against God and indulging in all sorts of sinful activities with the women of Moab such as idolatry (in this case worship of the Baal of Peor), fornication and other perverse sexual activities that Moab was involved in.

This behaviour did not go unpunished by God and a plague broke out among the Israelites that killed many. God does not let sin go unpunished!

Numbers 25:1-3 (AMP)

Israel settled and remained in Shittim (Acacia Grove), and the people began to play the prostitute with the women of Moab [by being unfaithful to God]. 2 For they invited the Israelites to the sacrifices of their gods, and the Israelites ate [food offered to idols] and bowed down to Moab’s gods. 3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor [in worship]. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

Numbers 31:6 (NKJV)

Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

This was the kind of thing that was happening amongst the congregation of the Church in Pergamum. They were led astray by false prophets and teachers and were prostituting themselves to idolatry, self-gain and self-indulgency.

In many ways the Church today is being led astray by modern day false prophets and teachers that preach it is ok for Christians to carry on wilfully sinning once they are born again just as Israel was led astray by Moab and the Church at Pergamum was! This is not OK!

Beware of false prophets and teachers! Test everything against the Word of God with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this way your lifestyle and your Christian walk will bring glory to Jesus!

A born again Christian cannot go on willfully sinning with immunity! All sin carries a consequence to your Christian walk of faith in Christ Jesus! All sin needs to be repented from and God asked for forgiveness! Have a heart like King David, a man after God’s own heart, be quick to repent and say sorry to the Father in Jesus’ name for every slip!

See my blog on “What happens when a Christian sins?” Click this link:
https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/09/what-happens-when-born-again-christians.html

ii. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans
Unlike the Ephesian Church who, like Jesus, hated the practices of the Nicolaitans, some of the Church at Pergamum had welcomed and embraced the practices of the Nicolaitans.

Now, just who were the Nicolaitans and what were their practices?

The Nicolaitans were a group of people in the early Church, today we would probably call them a sect, who taught that it was alright for a born again Christian to continue in his old life of sin. They were guilty of using the grace of God to practice licentious and ungodly ways. They taught things that were contrary to the teachings of the Apostles and the Bible. They were wolves in sheep’s clothing!

Unfortunately, we still see many of these and similar practices being carried out in Churches today by many preachers and teachers! One of the most destructive and misleading doctrines in today’s church is the ‘Prosperity Preaching or the Word of Faith Movement’, but there are many other false so called Christian movements that are equally destructive and lead people astray on the path to Hell. These teachings encourage believers to use and manipulate God and scripture for their personal gain, especially in the areas of health, wealth, happiness, and victory.

The Lord’s warning to this type of Church in verse 16 is to repent or he will come quickly and fight against you.

Revelation 2:16 (AMP)

Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment].

4. Thyatira – The Corrupt Church – Revelation 2:18-19.
The Church in Thyatira was a Church of divided faith. There were those that had forsaken Christ and were following the teaching of a false prophetess whom the Lord addresses as Jezebel. Much in the same vein as the Church at Pergamum! Whether Jezebel was her real name or not we aren’t told, but she was definitely a real person!

It is my belief that the Lord was likening this false prophetess to the evil wife of King Ahab spoken of in 1 Kings because she carried the same evil spirit that Ahab’s Jezebel did! Jezebel brought corruption to her husband Ahab and consequently to the whole of Israel by teaching and leading them into idolatry and all sorts of licentious practices contrary to the Word of God. She was corrupt and led her husband into corruption who in turn led Israel into corruption! This was happening at Pergamum.

This is what God says about King Ahab – he did more evil in God’s eyes than all the other kings of Israel:

1 Kings 16:30-33 (AMP)

30 Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all [the kings] who were before him.

31 It came about, as if it had been a trivial thing for Ahab to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made the Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Then there were those in the Church at Thyatira who rejected the false prophetess Jezebel’s teachings and ways and stayed loyal to Christ but didn’t to anything to bring correction to Jezebel and her followers or have here thrown out of the Church!

The Lord views those within the Church (leaders) who do not correct the sin of others in their congregation just as complicit as those who do the sin. Church leaders will be held accountable for their inaction in bringing correction to those within their congregations of believers who continue to willfully sin and embrace false doctrines and teachings.

Revelation 2:20-23 (NKJV)

20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Church! Let us not become Ahab’s and Jezebel’s. Let us walk in the Spirit as Jesus did and let us walk according to the path of righteousness in Jesus’ name and let us help our brothers and sisters in Christ do the same. Let us proactively build each other up according to the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and bring glory to Jesus! Let us repent and turn away from any evil ways that we have been led into by false prophets and teachers and our own distorted thinking!

5. Sardis – The Dead Church.

Revelation 3:1-3 (NKJV)

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

The Church at Sardis had built up a reputation amongst men that because of their wordly vibrancy, progammes and activities, they saw themselves as alive and “going places”, but in the eyes of God, they were a dead Church, and their works were imperfect before God! They were operating in the flesh and not in the Spirit!

Romans 8:5-8 (NKJV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

James 4:4 (NKJV)

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

God considers those that once knew Him and then deliberately turn away and deny Him and the truth of His Word and reject Jesus as His Son and as their Lord and Saviour to be adulterers and adulteresses – they are unfaithful.

Doesn’t this Church just look like many of the so-called mega Churches of today who run on worldly programs and stir up peoples’ emotions instead of the spirit that God placed within them during the miracle of physical birth! 

They preach the doctrines of men and bring the world into the Church instead of taking Jesus into the world! They use the Church as a place of entertainment under the pretense of being relevant in society! They are friends of the world and thus become enemies of God! In the eyes of the world, they are vibrant and alive but in the eyes of God they are dead!

They do not preach the truth of God’s Word that leads to eternal life, they preach the false doctrines of man and distort the truth and lead themselves and their followers to Hell – eternal death!

Today God is calling the false Church to repent and turn away from their wicked ways and come to Jesus as their Lord and Saviour! If you do not, He will do as He promises in Revelation 3:3 Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Church! Now is the hour to repent! You false teachers and prophets, you who eagerly devour the sheep and lead them to Hell – REPENT! You know who you are!

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

6. Philadelphia – The Faithful Church.
The Church in Philadelphia is the second out of the six that the Lord addresses that is not disciplined or corrected in any way. There is no, “Nevertheless I have this against you!”

Instead, the Lord says he knows their works and He has set an open door before them that no one else can shut. This suggests that He is pleased with their works as they are done with correct motives and guided by the Holy Spirit and bring glory to Jesus alone! Because of this, the Lord welcomes them into His presence with an open door.

They are a faithful Church because of three attributes they have that are mentioned in verses 8 and 10.

a. You have a little strength. Unlike the other six churches, because they were a poor community they relied solely on the Lord for their provision and not on their own strength and material things for their providence.

b. You have kept My word. They adhered steadfastly to the Word of God and did not entertain man made and distorted doctrines of false prophets and teachers.

c. You have not denied My name. They did not turn their backs on Jesus and start to follow the teachings of false prophets and teachers and practice things that are contrary to the Word of God.

d. You have kept my command to persevere. They have clung to Jesus and have not faltered through thick and thin!

Revelation 3:8-11 (NKJV)

8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

The promise from the Lord to the faithful Church and the faithful Christian is that we “will be kept from the hour of trial that shall come upon the whole earth.” It is my belief that those who remain faithful to the Lord will not face the tribulation period that is coming “to test those who dwell on the earth.”

7. Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church.
Being a lukewarm Christian or a lukewarm Church is something which our Lord issues a very strong warning about when we examine his feelings as shown in the book of Revelation. In the below verses he tells us exactly how he feels about lukewarmness.

Revelation 3:15-17 (NKJV)

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Let me try and paraphrase these four verses:
“I know what you have been doing and that your lives and lifestyles are not fully committed to me and that you are still self-serving in many ways. Because you are like this and because you live so far away from my teachings you leave a bad taste in my mouth and your ways turn my stomach. If you don’t change your ways and serve me fully, I will cut you off. You are focused on wordly things and not on Spiritual things. You think that you have gained these things by your own efforts and do not realise that apart from me you can do nothing and are nothing. You have become blinded by the things of the flesh and have ignored the things of the Spirit. I urge you to repent and turn back to me and submit to my teachings. You have moved out of my covering and your eyes have become seared by the lure of world and its temptations and you are no longer able to see and discern the things of the Spirit. Clothe yourselves in me and my Holy Spirit so that you will be able to see clearly again.”

The Church in Laodicea had lost its way by the lure and temptation of things like money, possessions and position in a worldly society. The had become worshippers of ‘gold’ and only had a half-hearted approach to the things of God. If you are not for God, then you are against him! You cannot be camped on both sides of the fence - one foot in the world and one foot in God's Kingdom.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

When we look at the Church today it is easy to see that many are building their ‘ministries’ around prosperity, self-gain and other such false teachings. Today New Age teachings are rife in the Church and are being allowed to permeate, water down and corrupt the teachings of the Bible in the name of being politically correct.

The Church today is allowing itself to be moulded by ungodly laws and lawmakers instead of standing its ground with feet firmly rooted in the infallible Word of God and to the glory of Jesus. These Churches and their followers, if they remain unrepentant, are soon to be spewed out! They do not taste good to the Lord!

“Canned Christianity and Christians” are an abomination in the eyes of God!

Just as in Laodicea, many of today’s Churches have been corrupted and led astray by false prophets and teachers who preach the messages of man and not the truth of the Bible. Many have been led astray by teachers who tickle peoples’ ears with what they want to hear, a watered down and diluted gospel, as they have never humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God, or who once did believe but have now turned their backs on God!

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV)

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The Church in general have become worshippers of the things of the world that man has wrapped in a pretty and corrupted gospel of lies and misrepresentation and have labelled it ‘Church’. Many people attend Church to be entertained rather than to worship God, be led by the Holy Spirit and bring glory to Jesus alone.

Titus 1:15-16 (NIV)

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

2 Tim 4:3-4 (NIV)

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Matt 7:15-20

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

In the Kingdom of God there can be no fence sitters or lukewarm Christians. We must wholeheartedly give ourselves to God in Christ Jesus and not look back. If we remain lukewarm, we will be spewed out. God has said it, and it will be so!

Now is the time for all fence sitters and lukewarm Christians to repent of their sin of indecision and neglect of the truth of the Gospel, ask God for forgiveness and return to wholeheartedly loving Him and serving Him!

What type of Church/Christian do you want to be?

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven
Help me to remain faithful and true to you and your Word. I repent of being a lukewarm Christian and of not giving myself to you with wholehearted love and devotion. Forgive me Lord, I pray. Thank you for forgiving me of this sin and from this time forth, Lord, please help me to be on fire for you always. Lord, I ask that you fan into flame the gifts you have placed within me to do the works that you have predestined me to do and to keep your fire ever burning within me by the power of your Holy Spirit and to the glory of your Name. Help me Lord to live my life in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help me Lord to be discern what is the true gospel from that which is false. Help me Lord to help others, to encourage them and to build them up to reach their full potential in Christ Jesus. I ask this, Lord, in your precious Name. Amen.

Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no excuse for you not reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed, the Word of God is not!