Saturday's Prayer 28JUN25

Revelation Friday Night Bible Study 27JUN25 (Revelation 3:8-22)

To the Church of Laodicea 

 

“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Laodicea write: “These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and  Origin of God’s creation: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]. Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches’ ” (Revelation 3:14-22).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laodicea was a city located in Phrygia, which is now part of modern-day Turkey. Antiochus II Theos, the Greek king of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, founded it. Laodicea was named after Antiochus II Theos’ first wife, Laodice, who was later believed by many to have poisoned him. Laodicea was situated along a major trade route; although it was very prosperous, its water supply was inadequate. The city’s residents had to rely on various water channels for a lukewarm and enriched mineral water supply.

Jesus disapproved of the condition of the Laodicean Church. They were in a lukewarm state. Jesus desired for them to be either hot or cold, but they couldn’t be in between. This meant that they either had to choose God or Satan, but there was no way to worship both, nor would He accept them doing so. Jesus detested it to the point of saying that He would vomit them up because He found it to be repulsive. He wanted their whole hearts and not just a piece of them. The Bible says: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21). There are many in the Body of Christ today who try to hold on to the world while claiming that they are a Christian. They feel that they can do both when one can’t. You must make a choice. You must either serve God or the devil. You must be either black or white, but gray will not suffice. The Bible says: “But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). 

Laodicea thought they were self-sufficient and did not need God. They looked to themselves as having it all together. Jesus, however, called them worthless, pathetic, deprived, blind, and bare. They thought that they were balanced and good, but were living in a state of delusion. God wanted them to lean on Him and wear the garments of His righteousness, so that their eyes could be opened to see. The Bible says: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28). So, what are some of the signs of being in a lukewarm or Laodicea state? The lukewarm believer:

a.       Goes with what’s popular instead of what’s biblical. The Bible says: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

b.      Easily offended by biblical truth instead of being offended by sin. The Bible says: “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning” (Proverbs 9:7-9).

c.       Rejects the teaching and preaching of sound doctrine and prefers seeker-friendly churches. The Bible says: “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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

d.      Confident in their own works instead of the work Jesus did on the cross. The Bible says: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

e.       Comfortable with outward Christian appearances rather than real inward change. The Bible says: “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

f.        Satisfied with giving God the leftovers of their lives instead of making Him their first fruits. The Bible says: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

g.      Find it easier to return to former sinful habits. The Bible says: “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:43-45).

 

God loves His children and therefore rebukes them when they are in error. He called the Church of Laodicea to repentance, and He desires the same for His church today. The Bible says: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12). 

 When we hear the voice of God, we are to answer it and obey His commands with a humble heart. To all who are victorious, they will sit with our Heavenly Father. Let us be sure to listen to what Jesus said to the churches in the past and apply it to our lives as Christians today. 

 

 REMINDER: There will NOT be any Bible Study Group on Friday, July 4, 2025. However, we will resume the following Friday at our regularly scheduled day and time. Take care and God bless!

 

 

Saturday's Prayer 21JUN25

Revelation Friday Night Bible Study 20JUN25 (Revelation 3:7-13)

 

To the Church of Philadelphia 

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:7-13).

 Philadelphia, today’s Alaşehir, was a city in ancient Lydia (modern-day Turkey). It was named Philadelphia by King Eumenes II, ruler of Pergamon, in honor of his younger brother, Attalus II, whom he nicknamed Philadelphus, meaning "brotherly love." Attalus II served under his brother as a general, and although he was favored over his brother Eumenes by the majority of Roman senators, he remained loyal to his brother.

The city of Philadelphia was known for its trade in silk and leather. Its surrounding areas were popular for producing grapes. However, it did experience some hardships due to frequent earthquakes. Now, John the Apostle was tasked with writing a letter to the church of Philadelphia.

Jesus was aware of the deeds of Philadelphia. He had a Word for them that came from Him because He is holy and true. The Bible says: “…and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:4). There was never any sin found in Him, and His word is True. He reminded them that when He opens a door, no one can shut it, and when He closes one, no one can open it. The Bible says, “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Isaiah 22:22). This is a valuable reminder for Christians because what God has in store for you is specifically for YOU because He holds the key or has all power and authority. No one can take it away once God opens the door for you to receive it, except for Him. However, it is important to understand when God is closing a door, so what are the signs?

1.      You keep hitting a brick wall. Refer to the story of Balaam (Numbers 22:21-35).

2.      God provides an ark of protection and closes the door Himself to separate you from others and/or danger. Refer to the Story Noah (Genesis 7:1,16b).

3.      God sends a word of warning through someone. Refer to the story of Rehoboam when he was warned by the prophet Shemaiah not to engage Jeroboam, the northern kingdom of Israel, in war (1 Kings 12:22-24).

4.      God will confuse the language, situations, people, and places to get your attention. Refer to the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9).

5.      God will spiritually drown the one who tries to walk a path not for them. Refer to the story of Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Exodus 14:23-31).

6.      God will allow you to be swallowed by your circumstances until you learn to listen. Refer to the story of Jonah (Jonah 1).

7.      God will allow you to get beat the by same demons you keep playing with. Refer to the story of the seven sons of Sceva, the chief priest (Acts 19:16).

Saints must also know when the Lord opens doors. Knowing God’s favor in a door opening is to recognize His voice, and one can do this through prayer, fasting, and studying His Word.

Philadelphia had endured a great deal, and its strength felt depleted, but it remained faithful to the name of God. They were aware of the pretenders of the faith, but God promised to make their enemies their footstool.  “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand; until I make your enemies your footstool’ ” (Psalm 110:1). God will take care of those who come against the ones who are dedicated to doing His will. Therefore, one never needs to worry when they are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for in the end, there is a great reward.  

 

Jesus promised to keep them from the hour of testing because of their patient endurance. Many within the body of Christ take this scripture to mean that the church will not be persecuted in the last days. However, one must cautiously understand this text to not mean that believers will never endure persecution. The Bible says: “The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121:5-8). Our faith must be in the Lord regardless of what materializes in the natural. For example, many believers are losing their lives right now in places like Nigeria for their faith. Nevertheless, the Lord keeps them spiritually even when they lose their physical bodies. They are determined to live for Christ even at the threat of death, for they do not shrink back from going to their churches and worshiping in other places even though they are under constant danger. Why is this? Jesus not only can protect us physically but mentally and spiritually where the suffering that takes place all around us will not affect us even if we lose our physical bodies.

  

The Bible lets us know that there will be Christians who will be persecuted, just as we see today in the news. However, this particular church was not going to endure the persecution that others would go through. Many of us will face persecution for the sake of Christ and may have to offer up our lives; however, there is a reward in the end that is greater than the fleshly vessels that we currently occupy. Those who will not go through the great persecution will have to be in constant prayer for those who do. ^“When they take you and turn you over [to the court], do not worry beforehand about what to say, but say whatever is given to you [by God] in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit [who will speak through you]. Brother will betray brother to [be put to] death, and a father [will hand over] his child; and children will rise up and take a stand against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but the one who [patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and] endures to the end, he will be saved” (Mark 13:11-13). 

 

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Take your chosen favorite verse and turn it into a poem that explains the meaning of the verse for a non-believer to understand. It may or may not rhyme...the choice is up to you. Have fun!