Uncle John Dee Memories

Posted on August 1, 2021 by growintheword

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What Happens After… Part III , 05/26/21

Posted on June 25, 2021 by growintheword

What Happens After Death?

Synopsis May 26, 2021

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

I.          INTRODUCTION

  1. Dying is a significant part of our living. As Christians, more than anyone, we should know what happens after we die.
  2. Our main source for researching this should be the Bible. Know that there is life after death.

II.          KEY PHRASES FOR UNDERSTANDING

A.    Eternal Life

  1. Jesus promised we as his followers would have eternal life.
    1. John 11:25-26 NKJV 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

B.     Jesus’ Life an Example

  1. God sent Jesus into the earth that us as humans could have eternal life. – John 3:16 NKJV 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. –

C.     Resurrection of The Body

  1. During the resurrection, we will be raised with a new spiritual body.  – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NKJV 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

D.    Immortality of The Soul

  1. Luke 23:42-43 NKJV
    42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” – When your soul leaves your body, it will live again, if you are saved or born again.

III.          WHAT ARE WE?

  1. The essence of who you are was what God breathed into you. When God made Adam, he did not live until God breathed His breath into him.
  2. The reason we were put into this body of ours, is because this is how our minds relates to each other. The natural man has to understand from an anthropomorphic perspective.
  3. Jesus had to come us in a body, because we could not comprehend His natural state. God’s presence in His normal state is just too much for our minds to comprehend II Corinthians 5:1 NKJV  “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”– When we die, there is a separation of the body and soul. The soul leaves the body. The body goes back to decay and soul goes back to the originator who is God.
  4. Your body is like a house. It is temporary housing for your soul. We often cry when a loved one dies, but really we should morn at birth of a child and celebrate at death of a saved loved one.

IV.          IS CREMATION A SIN?

  1. Cremation is leaving bone behind. During cremation, a body is placed into a chamber that is 800 to 2000 degrees. The only thing that doesn’t burn completely is the bones.
    1. 1 Samuel 31:11-13 NKJV 11 Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
  2. Is cremation a sin? No. The body is just the house or essence of who you are.
    1. 1 Corinthians 15:42-45 NKJV 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
    1. God is able to raise a person that has been cremated. It doesn’t matter if it is buried or cremated. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 NKJV 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise
      first. – God made us from the dust and to dust it shall return.
    1. We want to glorify the flesh, but our flesh is not really who we are.
  3. Job 34:14-15 NKJV 14 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, 15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. – Funerals were meant for the living to remember the person who passed. If you were to research the bible, you won’t find one funeral that Jesus attended. There are only 2 incidents that even come close to Jesus attending a funeral
  4. He went to Lazarus after he had died and raised him from the dead.
  5. Jesus happen to come by as a grieving mother and others taking her dead son to the grave and having compassion for her, he touched the little boy and raised him from the dead.
  6. God gives us life, breath in our lungs, and our spirits.
  7. One day He will raise us with a body that will never wear out. We will have a new body.

V.          Sorcery, communication with the dead, divination

  1. James 1:5 NKJV 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
  2. Leviticus 19:26 NKJV 26 ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.
  3. Deuteronomy 18:10 NKJV 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
  4. Galatians 5:19-20 NKJV 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

E.     When you mess with demons, it opens the spirit world to the demonic.

  1. Acts 7:57-60 NKJV 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
    1. Acts 8:1-4 NKJV 1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
    1. Acts 9:4-5 NKJV 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
      Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
    1. Philippians 1:21 NKJV 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
    1. 1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

VI.          IS SUICIDE A SIN?

  1. Does a person have a chance to repent in that split second before they die? What if it is mental illness that causes a person to commit suicide? Is this still a sin?

VII.          IMMEDIATE CONSCIOUSNESS

A.    After death, we transition to a place of immediate consciousness.

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:8-10 NKJV 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. – The body enters consciousness instantaneously even though the body dies.
    1. We learn from the story of the rich man and Lazarus that when Lazarus awoke, he knew that he was in the bosom of Abraham. This represents paradise.
    1. We also know that when the rich man arose, he immediately realized that he was in torment.
    1. We also know that the rich man was aware of Lazarus, because he asks Abraham if Lazarus could dip his finger in the water and drop it on his tongue. Lazarus on the other hand never speaks as if he is not aware of the torment that the rich man is going through.

VIII.          SLEEP VS. DEATH

  • Sleep is for the believer and death is for the unbeliever.

A.    Three Biblical Examples

  1. Jesus Referred to Death As Sleep On Two Occasions
    1. Jairus’ Daughter Was Only Sleeping
  2. Matthew 9:18 NKJV 18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”
  3. Matthew 9:23-24 NKJV 23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him.
    1. Lazarus Was Only Sleeping
  4. John 11:11-14 NKJV 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” 12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.
  •  
  • Stephen’s Statement
  • Acts 7:59-60 NKJV 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
  • He expected to be in the presence of the Lord immediately.
  • People who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are not dead. They are just asleep.
  • David’s Body Decayed
  • Acts 13:36-37 NKJV 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. – His body, not his spirit, saw corruption.
  • On this side, we experience a lot of mess, but on the other side, we experience the Peace of God.

IX.          REST UNTIL THE RAPTURE

  1. John 5:25-29 NKJV 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. – We are raised from a state of sleep. We are aware of the presence of God, but we are sleep.
  2. Psalm 16:10 NKJV 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
    Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. – Sheol is hell.

X.          WILL WE KNOW OUR LOVES ONES AFTER DEATH?

  1. The spirit will know the spirit, but not the flesh. On this side, we can only process what we have known. We know each other now carnally. We know each other by how we look.
  2. In the spirit, we will know each other by our spirits. When God makes us over, there is no time or measurement. Light skin, big or small doesn’t exist in the spirit realm. All these things are of the flesh.
    1. In the spirit realm, the essence of who you are is completely different.

C.     What will time be like?

  1. There is no time. The morning you were born, you started aging. You were born to die in a sense. When we die and are raised again, there will be no aging, because the spirit realm will be timeless.
    1. Before sin entered into the garden, Adam wouldn’t age and wouldn’t have died.  We were originally intended to live forever.   
    1. When we die, we will return to the state we were intentionally meant to be. We will be made over in a spirit state.
    1. When you die, instantly you will know if you are in the presence of God or not. Some people believe that being absent from the Lord’s present is considered being in Hell .
    1. Hell has been depicted of fire and place of suffering.
  2. What is purgatory? Some people believe that there is a place of limbo when we die. In this place, you are not in heaven and you are not in hell. You would be in limbo and this is what people call purgatory.
    1. There is no purgatory. The bible doesn’t speak it at all.
    1. God gave us the choice to love him or not.

XI.          IS HELL REAL?

  1. Luke 16:23 NKJV 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom – When a person dies and hasn’t lived right, wake up in torment. A person who gave their life to Christ, wakes up in the presence of God.

XII.          HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF REST

  • There is no communing between this world and that world. (the after life).
    • Luke 16:23 NKJV 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. – Notice that the rich man saw Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham, but he never talked to Lazarus. He was only able to talk to Abraham
    • Hebrews 11:13-16 NKJV 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
  • Heaven and Hell is real. The choice however, is ours. Live in a way that when you die, eternal life will be yours.
  • As a believer, we should find comfort in knowing that absent from the body is present with the Lord.
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PART 2: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I ACKNOWLEDGE MY ASSIGNMENT , Bible Study 05/12/21

Posted on May 20, 2021 by growintheword

What Happens After…

PART 2: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I ACKNOWLEDGE MY ASSIGNMENT

Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

Bible Synopsis May 12, 2021

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I.          INTRODUCTION

  1. We are all here to operate in our assignment on the earth. Your assignment will not fail if you do it God’s way. God has planned out what He wants you to do according to Jer 29:11.
  2. You were born to solve a problem.

II.          WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I ACKNOWLEDGE MY ASSIGNMENT?

  • God has laid out a roadmap for us to follow, so that we may be successful following his plan.

A.    Spiritually: Get to Know the Voice of The Holy Spirit

  1. You have to be locked in on what the Holy Spirit is saying. The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us.
  2. There comes a moment you have to be still, so that you can hear the Holy Spirit speak.
  3. You have to listen to what the Holy Spirit is passing to you. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in your heart.
  4. Follow clear instructions. God is never confusing.
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV
    33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
  6. Psalm 32:8 NKJV
    8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will guide you with My eye. – This is why we should study the word. We can better understand God’s instruction, if we know His word.
  7. When it comes to God, we don’t use our resources to get better at knowing Him and operating in our assignments, but we use our resources to perfect other things that we want to get better at.
  8. To fulfill your assignment, you have to follow God’s word.
  9. What is God’s assignment for me? We are a child of God that is a musician. We are a child of God that is a teacher. We are a child of God who is a Minister. What is God’s assignment for you?
  10. 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, – God exalts his word more and his word never changes. It is the immutability of God.
  11. Matthew 24:15 NKJV
    15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), –
  12. There are two reasons you need the bible after you acknowledge your assignment.
  13. To be an example of what you are going through.
  14. To see how you are measuring up.
  15. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
    11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. – God uses your thoughts to give you an answer. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
    1. Listen to your spiritual leadership. Use the resources that your church has for your development.

B.     Practically: Get to Work

  1. You can’t be so spiritual that you have no practical skills. It is now time to put the vision to work.
  2. This thing is not for the faint at heart. You have to put work behind your faith.
  3. We have to figure out how to make our assignment fit where we are. You have to look at where you are and where God is trying to take you.
    1. You need to ask yourself, do you need to alter your life for this new found passion (assignment)? Do you think God would give you something that would totally disrupt your life?
    1. You don’t abandon your family trying to do the work of the Lord.
      1. 1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV
        8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – You can’t forsake your family and work doing God’s work. God is a God of order. God factored all of your situations in when He gave you the assignment.
    1. God doesn’t want you to abandon your primary responsibilities.

C.     Futuristically: Create A Plan

  1. You have to have a strategy or a game plan. You must have measurables.
  2. Don’t just stay in Stage 1. Work your assignment out!
  3. Comfortability is the enemy of creativity.

III.          9 PRINCIPLES YOU NEED AFTER YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ASSIGNMENT

A.    Be Convinced God Is Calling You and Not Man

  1. God calls us to our next responsibilities. You got to know deep down inside that God has called you to this next venture.
  2. There will be times that this belief will be tested. If you are not convinced God called you to your assignment, then you will lose your mind every time you hit a snag.
    1. This is how people abandon the mission. Many times, the convictions of your calling will be challenged.

B.     Don’t Rely Solely on Prophetic Words

  1. Prophetic words alone is not supposed to give you direction. It is meant to work in conjunction with other things.
  2. Don’t pack your bags, just because you received a prophetic word.
  3. Acts 21:10-12 NKJV
    10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. – Why is this important? Paul receives a prophetic word from Agabus. Some people that heard this thought it was a word warning Paul not to go. Paul knew what it meant because the Holy Spirit had already been dealing with him previously on this specific issue.
  4. Acts 22:22-24 NKJV
    22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. – The word of prophecy from Agabus was not a word of warning to Paul. Instead, it was a word of encouragement. Don’t just rely on the prophetic word alone. Apply it to the word that has been preached into your life by your Pastor and word that God has been speaking into your spirit.
  5. When you get a prophetic word, it should confirm what your Pastor has already been telling. Prophecy should be confirmation not direction.

C.     Understand the Path You Traveled to See The Path You Are To Follow

  1. Everything you’ve gone through was necessary to get you to this place. Every moment is necessary.
  2. Take a moment and look back over your life. If you do, you can see how all those things worked together to prepare you for what you are doing and what you are going through now.
  3. God won’t give you an assignment where you are assigned to others if you haven’t had experience in that area.

D.    Evaluate the Changes

  1. As you sense Him leading you to next level, you have to discern specific things about your assignment. It might mean eliminating debts for example so that you are not financially struggling.
  2. It may also mean removing strongholds or toxic relationships.

E.     Prepare to Overcome Opposition

  1. Changes will have challenges. You are going to need the grace of God along the way. The song even reminds us, “I’m going to see the victory, because the battle belongs to the Lord”.

F.     Find Mentorship

  1. It may be more than one person who speaks into your life concerning where God is taking you. One of the worst things you can do is have the wrong person guiding you through the new season.
  2. Find people who are equipped to go through what you are about to go through.

G.    Understand Spiritual Attacks Will Come

  1. There is no way you will walk into a great assignment without getting attacked by Satan.
  2. You have to be equipped for warfare.
  3. Ephesians 6:13-18 NKJV
    13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— This is warfare. You will not going into assignment if you have been equipped and prepared to walk in it.

H.    Remember Change Is A Process Not an Event

  1. Be patient in the process of your next level. God wants people to come along with us on this journey.
  2. Be patient as you walk it out. God has designed change to be a process and not an event.
  3. Too many times, we expect instant results. God has a crockpot, not a microwave, that he is working through.
  4. Know that God might give you a vision in one season that won’t manifest until another season.

I.       Be Bold and Be Strong

  1. This is when you put action into your calling.
  2. Philippians 1:6 NKJV
    6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; –  Know that this assignment is critical.
  3. Bishop explains that he has been pastoring for 29 yrs. In all the assignments he has been given, he settled on what the Holy Spirit settled within him instead of the advice of others, even when it might have seemed to be good sound advice.
  4. Stay in God’s word for your assignment. God’s word is a lamp onto your feet and a light onto your pathway.
  5. There is a problem in the earth that you were placed on the earth to solve. Are you ready to step out and do it? If so, now the real work begins? Know it is time for real work and a lot of faith. Acknowledge your assignment.
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The Revelation in The Book of Revelations Part Two, Bible Study 03/16/21

Posted on March 16, 2021 by growintheword

Christ 7 Letters to The Churches (Chapters 2-3)

Synopsis of Bible Study 03/10/21

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

In this lesson we will discuss destination, command to right, archaic language, titles of Christ, the “I know “narrative, admonitions and exhortations, the proclamation formula, the victory formula

Revelation 1:9 NKJV  9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I.            REVELATION CHAPTER 2

A.     Lessons from Ephesus

  1. It was the Largest city in province of Asia.
  2. They opposed the teaching of a particular sect.
  3. They held to a doctrine of immortality.
  4. They were criticized for being loveless. They were slipping into coldness and religiosity.
  5. Revelation 2:1–7 NKJV “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 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. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’- Verse two says they have been tested. Visiting missionaries were supposed to audit expectations.
  1. God says he will remove the lampstand from them, if they didn’t repent. In other words, God will remove what was holding them up.
  2. God acknowledged things that this church had done right, but he pointed out that they had turned away from their first love. You can do a whole lot of stuff right religiously and still end up not being right with God. For example: You can study the bible, attend all bible studies, engage in worship, but if you are cold and mean to your fellow man, then you still aren’t pleasing God.
  • John 15:13 NKJV 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – It’s important to know that God affirms what they had done, but he still calls them to repentance.
  • No matter how great the things are we do in church, it means nothing if you don’t exhibit love. Lead like He led, love like He loved.
  • Example- People are sometimes mean at the door and won’t to scoot over, when someone wants to sit down in church. This discredits the true love of Jesus Christ. You have to love God’s people.

,

B.     Lessons from Smyrna

  1. This church suffered under brutal persecution. The challenge for this church was the synagogue of Satan (Jewish Leaders)
  2. Revelation 2:8–11 NKJV  8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 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 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. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
  3. Smyrna was a harbor city. It was city by the water. It was a city of cult worshippers.
  4. Despite their poverty, they were spiritually rich. They had faith in God but were slandered by the Jews and they stayed in conflict with them.
  5. The crown of life is a reward of eternal life. It is symbolic of the crown that they gave to people who won events in this cultural .
  6. If I don’t know Jesus, I die a second time. If you born twice (otherwise called born again), you will not die the second death and will live forever.

C.     Lessons from Pergamum

  1. Was a city of 180,000 people. They were guilty of cult worship.
  2. Balaam. Was one of the gods they worshipped. Satan dwelled deeply there.
  3. Revelation 2:12–17 NKJV  12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 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. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
    1. Verse 13 speaks of Satan’s throne which means a judgement seat.
    1. Antipas was named as a martyr. Martyr in biblical terms is someone who dies for the cause.
    1. God warns that they should repent or face a fight with God with the sword of His mouth.

D.     Lessons from Thyatira

  1. Thyatira lies between Pergamum and Ephesus. They believed in the sun gods.
  2. God rebukes them for permitting sexually temptation.
  3. God promises to bring judgement to Jezebel and her followers.
    1. Jezebel was a prophetess whose teachings led Christians astray. 
      1. Stop calling women Jezebel. According to scripture, Jezebel is someone who leads people astray. Its not necessarily a promiscuous are flirty woman.
  4. Revelation 2:18–23 NKJV  18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 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.
  5. Flame of fire is part of the description of Jesus.
  6. God says this church allowed Jezebel to lead their people astray. God promises to cast her into her sickbed because she didn’t repent.
  7. God also promises to judge all the lie with her.
  8. God will also punish Jezebel’s kids for misleading the church.

II.            REVELATION CHAPTER 3

Revelation 1:19 NKJV  19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

A.     Lessons from Sardis

  1. Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘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. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
  2. This church must understand that though God started with a positive comment, he soon followed with scolding.
  3. This church was too prideful of their accomplishments.
  4. They were known as the Kingdom of Lydia.
  5. They were known to be the originators of gold and silver coins.

B.     Lessons from Philadelphia

  1. This church was known as the Church of Brotherly Love.
  2. This church is not given a rebuke from Jesus. They are instead praised.
  3. They had been attacked by the synagogue of Satan.
  4. They will be rewarded for their faith when Jesus returns.
  5. Revelation 3:9–11 NKJV 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.
  6. God will punish those who came against this church.
  7. When you are faithful, God will open a door that no man can shut. The open door is an opportunity to evangelize.
  8. In the midst of all opposition, we must create opportunities to reach others.
  9. God provides a way in the face of opposition.

C.     Lessons from Laodicea

  1. We will introduce a word today called Eschatological. This is relating to death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of mankind.
    1. This relates a lot to the triumph of God in the end.
  2. Revelation 3:15-16 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.
  3. This church is the only church that doesn’t receive any positive commentary.
  4. This church is heavily criticized. They were familiar enough with God to brush him off.
  5. God says they have been playing the fence long enough. You got to choose which side of the fence you are on. At some point, you’ve got to choose!
  6. Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
  7. The Lord gives this church an opportunity like he does with us. You have to be all the way in or all the way out. He is giving you a chance to repent.
  8. God is standing at the door knocking. He’s not going to force his way into our lives.
  9. He’s standing at the door wanting more of us. Are we still going to keep doing what we are doing and keep him out there? God wants to come in and dine with us. He wants to give us a life like we never imagined possible.
  10. He’s knocking on the door of our hearts. Will you let him in?
  11. We’ve seen things done right, but as God audits these 7 churches, we need to see what we need to do to get things right.
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