7/08/26 PROPHECY THAT PROVES PROPHECY
Prophecy can be given for the purpose of foretelling (warning, instruction, or verification), or for the purpose of forthtelling (proclamation or instruction).
Some of the foretelling prophecies concerning Jesus' earthly incarnation were not warnings or instructions, but rather they served as verifications (proofs) after the foretold events had taken place. They proved the veracity and reliability of the prophets and their words, and they proved the identity and authority of Jesus.
This is what we see in the prophecies concerning the Church in Revelation 2 and 3. Obviously, the letters had immediate importance to the seven targeted churches. The letters instructed and warned those specific churches, as well as other local churches that read those letters. Remember, New Testament letters (from the Apostles) were circular in the sense that copies were made by the recipient church and then sent to other churches. The messages in the inspired Apostolic letters were intended for the whole Church.
The seven letters to the seven churches continued to instruct and warn Christians over the past 2,000 years, since they are part of the Book of Revelation. The instructions and warnings in those seven letters have applied to untold thousands of churches throughout Church history. But the prophetic accuracy of the seven letters also verifies what the prophet said in the next 19 chapters of Revelation.
We can now look back and see how the characteristics of the seven churches of Asia Minor became the characteristics of seven different periods of Church history. The seven periods include:
(Ephesus, the Apostolic Church, 33-100 AD) Leaving their first love (relationship with Jesus and Apostolic teaching),
(Smyrna, the Persecuted Church, 100-313) Vicious and widespread persecution at the hands of the State and a Christ-hating society,
(Pergamos, the Compromising Church, 313-590) Acceptance and alliance with pagan rule and religion through compromise (mixing truth with non-Christian beliefs and practice),
(Thyatira, the Corrupted Church, 590-1517) Exchanging Christ's Lordship and Biblical Authority for man-made religion and doctrines of demons,
(Sardis, the Dead Church, 1517-1740) Dependence on Orthodox but lifeless rules and ritual,
(Philadelphia, the Open Door Church, 1740-19??) Rediscovery of transforming truth and evangelistic fervor,
(Laodicea, the Worldly Church, 19??- today) Abandoning spiritual reality and grasping carnal and temporal counterfeits.
Dates are approximate since transitions are not immediate.
This overview of the Church Age culminates in its being caught away, and the beginning of the Tribulation. Obviously, I do not know the schedule or details of God's plan, but I do know the order of events. The plan of God includes His earthly reign, His final victory, and the promise of eternity with Him, for those who trust Him. God is faithful. Put your trust in the Lord.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
7/08/26 DON'T GET ROBBED
7/08/26 DON'T GET ROBBED
Don't let anyone defraud or rob you of your inheritance.
People who call themselves Christians, who call themselves teachers, who call themselves leaders, are robbing most Christians in our society of the inheritance God has given to believers.
God's salvation not only provides forgiveness, justification, sanctification (cleansing), regeneration (newness of life), adoption, election, and glorification; God also provides for entire sanctification (purifying the heart from the sinful nature, aka Old Man, Carnal Mind [the Flesh], Double Mind, and the Law of Sin and Death).
In salvation (justification, regeneration), God cleanses our hands (past sins, present behavior, and conscience. But God will purify the heart of the believer from the sin nature. The message of Romans seven and eight is not a Death Sentence to victorious Christian living, it is the Death Knell to the Old Man.
Preachers who teach against the purifying presence and power of the fullness of the Holy Spirit are deceived and deceiving people. They are robbing Christians of blood-bought deliverance from the Adamic nature, which wars against the Holy Spirit.
Deliverance from the Old Man is an inner purifying that saves the believer from an ongoing inner battle. We still contend with spiritual powers outside of ourselves and with temptation, but the battle is not internal.
Christ died to purify unto Himself a distinctive people and the Holy Spirit fills us with power, purity and purpose. When we move into the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we do not have the internal struggle.
Anyone who tells you that you, as a born-again believer cannot be pure, even as Christ is pure, that you cannot love God with you whole heart, mind, soul and strength, that you cannot have perfect love and you cannot keep God's commandment and do that which is pleasing in His sight, that person is telling you a lie, whether they are intending to or not.
DON'T BE ROBBED OF GOD'S PURIFYING SALVATION.
Don't let anyone defraud or rob you of your inheritance.
People who call themselves Christians, who call themselves teachers, who call themselves leaders, are robbing most Christians in our society of the inheritance God has given to believers.
God's salvation not only provides forgiveness, justification, sanctification (cleansing), regeneration (newness of life), adoption, election, and glorification; God also provides for entire sanctification (purifying the heart from the sinful nature, aka Old Man, Carnal Mind [the Flesh], Double Mind, and the Law of Sin and Death).
In salvation (justification, regeneration), God cleanses our hands (past sins, present behavior, and conscience. But God will purify the heart of the believer from the sin nature. The message of Romans seven and eight is not a Death Sentence to victorious Christian living, it is the Death Knell to the Old Man.
Preachers who teach against the purifying presence and power of the fullness of the Holy Spirit are deceived and deceiving people. They are robbing Christians of blood-bought deliverance from the Adamic nature, which wars against the Holy Spirit.
Deliverance from the Old Man is an inner purifying that saves the believer from an ongoing inner battle. We still contend with spiritual powers outside of ourselves and with temptation, but the battle is not internal.
Christ died to purify unto Himself a distinctive people and the Holy Spirit fills us with power, purity and purpose. When we move into the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we do not have the internal struggle.
Anyone who tells you that you, as a born-again believer cannot be pure, even as Christ is pure, that you cannot love God with you whole heart, mind, soul and strength, that you cannot have perfect love and you cannot keep God's commandment and do that which is pleasing in His sight, that person is telling you a lie, whether they are intending to or not.
DON'T BE ROBBED OF GOD'S PURIFYING SALVATION.
7/07/26 THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
7/07/26 THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
Love follows, fully and freely, driven by desire, not duty.
Love follows, fully and freely, driven by desire, not duty.
7/07/26 CALLED TO VICTORY
7/07/26 CALLED TO VICTORY
Victorious Christian living is the fruit of Divine control. If you have a control problem, go to the Creator/Redeemer; spend time with Him, listen to Him, surrender to Him, trust Him, and continue on in faith.
Two of the main components of a powerful life are love and faith, which are miraculous works of God in us. Remember, believers are created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You and I are exactly who He had in mind.
Luke 9:23
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
There is a negative (a minus, not an evil) side, and a positive (an addition) side to personal victory.
The negative side of the victorious life (the part that must be removed) is SELF-WILL.
The positive side of the victorious life (the part that adds to our success) is CHRIST IN US.
God's solution may be a complete renewal or replacement, or an overhaul or restoration, or a tuning-up, depending on your current relationship with God. God will give you what you need, but you must seek Him, you must come to Him without any reservation, in complete self-denial.
Jesus said,
1 John 5:1-5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Victorious Christian living is the fruit of Divine control. If you have a control problem, go to the Creator/Redeemer; spend time with Him, listen to Him, surrender to Him, trust Him, and continue on in faith.
Two of the main components of a powerful life are love and faith, which are miraculous works of God in us. Remember, believers are created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You and I are exactly who He had in mind.
Luke 9:23
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
There is a negative (a minus, not an evil) side, and a positive (an addition) side to personal victory.
The negative side of the victorious life (the part that must be removed) is SELF-WILL.
The positive side of the victorious life (the part that adds to our success) is CHRIST IN US.
God's solution may be a complete renewal or replacement, or an overhaul or restoration, or a tuning-up, depending on your current relationship with God. God will give you what you need, but you must seek Him, you must come to Him without any reservation, in complete self-denial.
Jesus said,
1 John 5:1-5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
7/07/26 THE REASON TO THE RHYME
7/07/26 THE REASON TO THE RHYME
His "delayed" return is merciful; to save whosoever will. Make certain you are one of the "whosoever."
2 Peter 3:3-18
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
His "delayed" return is merciful; to save whosoever will. Make certain you are one of the "whosoever."
2 Peter 3:3-18
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
7/07/26 GOD TOLD US
7/07/26 GOD TOLD US
In Revelation 2 and 3, God gave us an expressly clear preview of coming events for the Church.
A QUICK OVERVIEW...
Ch.1 Introduction.
Chs. 2-3 Prophecies of the Seven Periods of Future Church History.
Chs. 4-18 Prophecies concerning the Seven Years (after the Rapture) of The Tribulation Period.
Ch. 19 Prophecy of the Return of Christ.
Ch. 20 Prophecy of the Millenial Reign of Christ, the Final Defeat of Satan, The Great White Throne Judgment.
Ch. 21 Prophecy of New Heaven, Earth and Jerusalem.
Ch. 22 Prophecy of the Eternal Reign of Christ and Call to Faithfulness.
You will notice that the 200+ years of prophesied Church History only takes two chapters. Likewise, the Prophecies of the Return of Christ, the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Final Defeat of Satan, The Great White Throne Judgment, the New Heaven, Earth and Jerusalem, and the Eternal Reign of Christ are addressed in only
four chapters.
The major portion of Revelation is focused on the coming Tribulation. This does not mean that the other prophecies are unimportant.
It is important to realize that the two chapters about the Seven Periods of Church are also prophetic.
The seven churches mentioned in Revelation actually existed in Asia Minor during this time, in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Jesus did dictate letters to these seven Churches,
But the seven churches were also representative of coming periods of the Church History, and the characteristics, the commendations, the condemnations, the warnings and the blessings of those churches would be applicable to the seven periods.
Each of these types of churches would exist in each of the seven periods, but the period would be characterized by the specific churches.
As we study the seven different character profiles of each church we will find those characteristics become very distinct for each period. The prophecies are amazingly applicable.
I will give you a basic outline. The exact time for each period is approximate. We also may not know all of the applications and interpretations of these two chapters. But with the history we have at this time, it is easy to see the prophetic meaning to each church.
Ephesus... The Apostolic Church... 33-100 AD (Authority of Apostles).
Smyrna... The Persecuted Church... 100-313 AD (targeted by Caesars).
Pergamos... The Compromising Church... 313-590 (the influence of Constantine and mixing with paganism).
Thyatira... The Corrupt Church... 590-1517 The establishing and development of RCC and the Papacy).
Sardis... The Dead Church... 1517-1740 (the Reformation movement).
Philadelphia... The Open Door Church... 1740-1900 (the recovery of abandoned Christian doctrine and practice and evangelism).
Laodicea... The Lukewarm Church... 1900-Today (the rejection of Biblical revelation and surrender to worldliness).
In Revelation 2 and 3, God gave us an expressly clear preview of coming events for the Church.
A QUICK OVERVIEW...
Ch.1 Introduction.
Chs. 2-3 Prophecies of the Seven Periods of Future Church History.
Chs. 4-18 Prophecies concerning the Seven Years (after the Rapture) of The Tribulation Period.
Ch. 19 Prophecy of the Return of Christ.
Ch. 20 Prophecy of the Millenial Reign of Christ, the Final Defeat of Satan, The Great White Throne Judgment.
Ch. 21 Prophecy of New Heaven, Earth and Jerusalem.
Ch. 22 Prophecy of the Eternal Reign of Christ and Call to Faithfulness.
You will notice that the 200+ years of prophesied Church History only takes two chapters. Likewise, the Prophecies of the Return of Christ, the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Final Defeat of Satan, The Great White Throne Judgment, the New Heaven, Earth and Jerusalem, and the Eternal Reign of Christ are addressed in only
four chapters.
The major portion of Revelation is focused on the coming Tribulation. This does not mean that the other prophecies are unimportant.
It is important to realize that the two chapters about the Seven Periods of Church are also prophetic.
The seven churches mentioned in Revelation actually existed in Asia Minor during this time, in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Jesus did dictate letters to these seven Churches,
But the seven churches were also representative of coming periods of the Church History, and the characteristics, the commendations, the condemnations, the warnings and the blessings of those churches would be applicable to the seven periods.
Each of these types of churches would exist in each of the seven periods, but the period would be characterized by the specific churches.
As we study the seven different character profiles of each church we will find those characteristics become very distinct for each period. The prophecies are amazingly applicable.
I will give you a basic outline. The exact time for each period is approximate. We also may not know all of the applications and interpretations of these two chapters. But with the history we have at this time, it is easy to see the prophetic meaning to each church.
Ephesus... The Apostolic Church... 33-100 AD (Authority of Apostles).
Smyrna... The Persecuted Church... 100-313 AD (targeted by Caesars).
Pergamos... The Compromising Church... 313-590 (the influence of Constantine and mixing with paganism).
Thyatira... The Corrupt Church... 590-1517 The establishing and development of RCC and the Papacy).
Sardis... The Dead Church... 1517-1740 (the Reformation movement).
Philadelphia... The Open Door Church... 1740-1900 (the recovery of abandoned Christian doctrine and practice and evangelism).
Laodicea... The Lukewarm Church... 1900-Today (the rejection of Biblical revelation and surrender to worldliness).
7/06/26 BOTH DIVINE AND HUMAN
7/06/26 BOTH DIVINE AND HUMAN
Knowing about the death of Christ does not save anyone.
This statement does not demean the sacrifice of Christ; it simply recognizes the Biblical record of the Divine plan.
Jesus died and rose again, but there are people who are not saved.
Some people were told about the death and resurrection of Christ, but they were never saved.
Some people witnessed the death and resurrection of Christ, but they were never saved.
Some people have believed the report of the death and resurrection of Christ, but they were never saved.
There is NO SALVATION without the death and resurrection of Christ, but there is no salvation without saving faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.
The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His victory over death are Divine essentials for our salvation. God provided this.
Saving faith in Christ as Lord, confession of, and turning from sin are human essentials to our salvation. God requires and enables this.
We can't do God's part, and God won't do our part. This is God's design.
We are not saved by the "law of works," but we are saved by the "law of faith."
Romans 3:27
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
The "law of faith" is contrary to the "law of works."
Faith (saving faith) is not a human invention or endeavor; it is a Divine plan and provision.
Faith is not self-salvation or self-reliance; it is self-denial, self-surrender to God, and total dependence on God.
The Bible tells us that we become and continue to be His children by faith, we are saved by grace through faith, we are justified by faith, we are sanctified by faith, our hearts are purified by faith, we have access to His grace by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, and God enables His people to "stand by faith," "live by faith," "walk by faith," "overcome the world" by faith, obey and please God by faith, pull down spiritual strongholds by faith and faith secures the unseeable. Faith is God working in us.
To trust and obey is not a work of the flesh; it is a work of faith.
Knowing about the death of Christ does not save anyone.
This statement does not demean the sacrifice of Christ; it simply recognizes the Biblical record of the Divine plan.
Jesus died and rose again, but there are people who are not saved.
Some people were told about the death and resurrection of Christ, but they were never saved.
Some people witnessed the death and resurrection of Christ, but they were never saved.
Some people have believed the report of the death and resurrection of Christ, but they were never saved.
There is NO SALVATION without the death and resurrection of Christ, but there is no salvation without saving faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.
The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His victory over death are Divine essentials for our salvation. God provided this.
Saving faith in Christ as Lord, confession of, and turning from sin are human essentials to our salvation. God requires and enables this.
We can't do God's part, and God won't do our part. This is God's design.
We are not saved by the "law of works," but we are saved by the "law of faith."
Romans 3:27
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
The "law of faith" is contrary to the "law of works."
Faith (saving faith) is not a human invention or endeavor; it is a Divine plan and provision.
Faith is not self-salvation or self-reliance; it is self-denial, self-surrender to God, and total dependence on God.
The Bible tells us that we become and continue to be His children by faith, we are saved by grace through faith, we are justified by faith, we are sanctified by faith, our hearts are purified by faith, we have access to His grace by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, and God enables His people to "stand by faith," "live by faith," "walk by faith," "overcome the world" by faith, obey and please God by faith, pull down spiritual strongholds by faith and faith secures the unseeable. Faith is God working in us.
To trust and obey is not a work of the flesh; it is a work of faith.
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