The church of Pergamos

                                          Picture of modern-day Pergamos

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God  (Heb 6:1)

Is Doctrine important?

The meaning of the word doctrine comes there the Greek word “Logos” which means sayings of Decree, mandate, or order. In the ’80s, there was a push to unify the church. We saw a strong showing of unity in the Washington for Jesus movement.  Believers fasted and prayed unto the Lord. Things started to turn around for this country for a season.

After that season, we saw a couple of things happen. A few prominent ministers fell and false doctrines started to make their way into the movement. Ministers started saying that doctrine was not important and as a consequence of those incidents, the unity of the body took a back seat. My friend, doctrine is very important for the body of Christ if we are to stand and make an impact on society.

Doctrine of Balaam

As we study the church of Pergamos, we find two major doctrines that are the mentioned-the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitanes. We had discussed the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes some time ago, and now we will take a look at the doctrine of Balaam. What is the doctrine of Balaam? It is based on the love of money and compromise (2 Peter 2:15)

Have you heard the saying–Money talks? It does, especially within the church. Many Pastors who were once anointed, have compromised the word for the sake of money. There are others who talk about money, prosperity and feeling good without repentance or holiness. I don’t mean to fault-find because by the grace of God stand I, but the doctrine of Christ has to be followed in order to have unity within the body.

The word commands us to be of one mind. ( Phil 1:27, Phil 2:2) One obstacle to this is that we are opinionated, so in the natural, this would be hard to follow. The good news is that God has given us the mind of Christ. If we put on Christ and his identity, being of one mind will not be hard. Revelation knowledge will come and it will cause us to walk in one mind and be unified.

So, in this day, make it a practice to put on Christ. Ask God to help you discern proper doctrine. Declare that you have the mind of Christ. Spend some time seeking his face, praying for the body and what is your part in this end-time movement. God bless.

Reprint courtesy of the Christian corner community church. 

 

 

Highlights of Revelation 1

 

Note-Welcome to our study of highlights of Revelation 1. We, highly, suggest that you pay attention to these highlighted words. As you click on these words, it will give you more material to help you in this study.

Chapter one of Revelation is filled with many wonderful insights. We can spend a month on just chapter 1 and not finish it. In this study, we are going to see the use of symbolism and its analogies. This is a timeless message for the church and its leaders. Let’s begin by looking at Rev 1:12-20—
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Six major points

As we study the verses above, we see six major points that stand out in these verses—

• John heard the voice of the Lord and saw seven golden candlesticks. (Rev 1:12) This symbolic meaning is defined as the seven churches. (Rev 1:20) Notice the word candlesticks. The Greek word for candlestick is Luchnia, which means a lamp.
  A lamp had Olive oil running through it with a wick for light. The light is the witness of the Holy Spirit. A true church of the Lord should be a light to the community, family, and nation.
• The Lord Jesus was dwelling in the middle of the Church. (Rev 1:13-15) He was and is observing everything the church does.
• The lamps were made of gold. Gold was a precious commodity even in those times. The church is precious to the Lord Jesus.
• The number seven. Seven is the number of completion. He sees the church complete in him. (In spite of having to bring about correction) The word says that we are complete in him. (Col 2:10)
• His feet of brass. (Rev 1:15) Brass speaks of Judgement. Many have misunderstood the meaning of grace. God’s grace will allow us a season to repent. Failure to do so will result in judgment.
• He had seven stars in his right hand (Rev 1:16) and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. The stars represent the angels of the church. Angels in the Greek text are defined as messengers. They are not literal angelic beings because they were being corrected. We, all, know that heavenly angelic beings are perfect and sinless. This is speaking of the Pastors of the churches.

Thoughts to ponder.

Where were these churches located? They were located in modern-day Turkey. Turkey had experienced a revival on a great scale that impacted its society, along with persecutions. The Lord Jesus had a prophetic word for them thru the Apostle John. John was in charge of the 7 churches located in Turkey.

Today, ruins remain as a testament to those churches. Turkey went through a series of changes. It is believed that radical Islamic invaders took over the churches, converted them into mosques, and forced Christians to convert to Islam. There are some pockets of churches and believers that still remain to this day. More to come.

Want to further your studies? Click on this link…https://bit.ly/3yMXSBp

Reprint courtesy of the Christian corner community church. 

Pastor's thoughts---Feb 10, 2015

                             WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

While thinking on what to share on my post, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked--What's on your mind? As I read my face book posts from many well-meaning ministries, I hear the topic of repentance and holiness. Many times, I hear that we need to get back to preaching the cross. Many would say that all you see on TV is prosperity teachings and no preaching of the cross. With all due respect to my minister friends, Yes, I would agree that we have to repent. In some ways, we may have gotten off track but not completely.

Case in point, you will, always find ministries on TV that do preach the cross, among them, the 700 club. I work as a prayer counselor at the 700 club. I have seen the phones light up as soon as Pat or Gordon invite people to say the sinner's prayer. Also, Pat is not afraid to speak out against sin and the dangers that we are facing as a country. Many would agree to that but would question the endless telethons in raising money for TV stations.

Beloved, I, personally know that it takes money to air the gospel. I had a radio spot for 15 minutes more than twenty years ago. I, very rarely, spoke about money believing that it would come. Yes, a few funds came in but that was not enough to maintain my program. Within about 6 months, I was off the air. Why? Because I did not want to speak about money.

The Apostle Paul spoke about money (II Cor 9) as well as Jesus. Imagine if the Apostle Paul was raising funds for a TV station, would he been mocked? I, personally, get excited when I have an opportunity to give. Dr. Murdock, whose face we all see at late night, challenges people to give a $58.00 seed. I took his challenge and got blessed financially beyond my wildest dreams. I am not saying you ought to give $58 just to try it. You make sure you hear from God before you do.

The important thing is to partner with a ministry and support it. Do we need repentance as a body and walk in the fear of God? Yes, to some degree but let us not overlook what God is doing in our nation. Human nature is so used to bad news. I believe that as the body of Christ adjusts itself and seeks God's face, we will see a revival unparalleled in history with signs and wonders following. Many prophets predicts the year of 2015 as the year of push back. Let's pray for one another and be open to doing our part in pushing back in 2015! God bless.

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