Job 1-6

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. The King James Version,

Humm!!
We are shown in the bible that the angels are also called 'sons of God'. Every believer has an angel and both are called the 'sons of God'. Just as the believers in Christ are a part of the body of Christ, it also seems to me that the powerful holy angels are part of the body of the Holy Spirit.

 

Revelation 17:8

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to ascend from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the inhabitants of the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.(nrsv)

1 Peter 1:19-20

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.(nrsv)

Humm!!
From the first bible passage we are shown that the angels were around at the beginning of the world, in the second passage that all of mankind was already there written in the book of life waiting for their turn to become individuals and in the third passage that God (Jesus) was destined to come into the world before the foundation of the world at the end of the age to bring mankind back to God.

This raises a number of interesting issues in that God already knew that mankind would rebell against Him so Jesus was destined, before the rest of mankind was even planned, to heal the rift of sin between God and mankind which is supported by the fact that the bible says the Word(Jesus) was in the beginning. Also it seems that God's Word and Spirit separated to form many indivudals in mankind and angelkind at the foundation of the world who would later rejoin at the ressurection of God's holy people to form the sons of God becoming like God under Jesus.

 

Philippians 2:5-7

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing(OR He laid aside his mighty power and glory); he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Humm!!
When God came into the world as the man called "Jesus" he made himself nothing or laid aside his mighty power.

Humm!!
Christ and his church(the people that believe in Christ) are one as a man and his wife are one in purpose.

 

Humm!!
This woman is the body of believers(past,present and future) in Christ and these twelve stars are the twelve apostle chosen by God. This woman(God's people) gives birth to Jesus.

 

Humm!!
Jesus our sacrificial lamb for all of our sin finally makes himself one with his bride(the body of believers in him).

 

Humm!!
Jesus is the cornerstone on which all of our faith rests on, the twelve apostles(note that Jesus replaced Judas who betrayed him with Paul- Acts26:14 to 18 and Acts13:9) laid the foundations for the wall of believers in Christ that would follow. These gates(protected by angels) of this Holy City let in and out the twelve tribes of Israel who put their faith in God before they ever knew Jesus so that they too can worship God.

 

Humm!!
And so the body of Jesus and his bride, continues to grow till the very end of the age. Lets have a close look at the seven groups that make up the body and bride of Christ.

GROUP	GOOD POINTS	BAD POINTS	CONCLUSION
EPHESUS = " permitted inhabitant"	Deeds, hard work, perseverance, endured hardships for Christ, do not tolerate wicked men, able to discern false apostles, hate practices of the Nicolations(introducing sexual immorality and idol worship into the church)	Love other things now more than Christ, told to repent and remember first love.	Permitted to eat from the tree of life in paradise once ressurected otherwise removed from Christ if they don't change.
SMYRNA= "Myrrh inhabitants" [myrrh: an antiseptic it was used for embalming, fragrant resin, choice fruits of the land(Gen43:11) and ingredient of the sacred anointing oil]	Afflicted, persecuted and poor but rich in faith towards Christ, slandered by so called God's people who have more in common with Satan than God, some put into prison, faithful even to the point of death(martyers).		Crown of life given and not hurt at all by second death i.e no need to eat from the tree of life after they have been ressurected from death. Choice fruits!
PERGAMUM= " fortified inhabitants"	Living under Satanic rule but faithful to Christ even after God's servant was put to death.	Some hold to the teachings of Balaam-prophets of greed who corrupt God's people(2Peter2:14) and the Nicolations(sexual immorality and compromising with paganism)	Repent and fortify against Satanic false teachings and beliefs so that they may receive some of the hidden manna(eternal life-John 6:49), a white stone(purified from sin) with a new name written on it(adopted into God's family).
THYATIRA= " Afflicted inhabitants"	Deeds, love, faith, service, perserverance, doing more now than at first.	Tolerate false teachers who lead God' servants into Satan's deep secrets, sexual immorality and idols. Told to repent or those who follow that path will suffer intensely and be struck dead during the tribulation if they are around at that time i.e. not taken out of the tribulation.	Those that overcome this affliction and do Christ's will to the end(maryters) will be given authority over nations, an iron scepter and the morning star(a powerful angel-Job 38:7)
SARDIS='Red ones'	A few are worthy.	Reputed to be alive but are dead, told to wake up and repent, deeds not complete, strengthen what remains of their faith before it dies, have no idea when the rapture will come.	Maybe called the red ones due to having power and wealth to do a lot for Christ but did little and having to spend eternity embrassed knowing what could of been for them but now is not. Christ will come like a thief, at a time when these people are not expecting Him, and take only those that are precious out of the tribulation and leave the rest behind, the precious will walk with Christ dressed in white, those left behind who overcome will also be dressed in white, names not bloted out from the book of life, acknowledged before Father and his angels.(Notice it says before the Father and his angels so where is the Holy Spirit? Answer-All God's people form the body of Christ just as all God's angels form the body of His Holy Spirit with the archangel Michael in charge but under Christ's authority.)
PHILADELPHIA= 'brotherly love'	Deeds, Christ's open door before them, little strength but kept true to Christ, kept command to endure patiently but most of all because of their brotherly love towards mankind and God hence the name.		The liars who claim to be God's people will bow at their feet and acknowledge God loves them, those who are alive at the time of the tribulation will be taken out, crown of love given, made a pillar and permanent resident in the temple of God, God's name-the new Jerusalem's name-Christ's new name will be written on them i.e. they will be the closest of friends, the inner loop, the BRIDE of Christ, those of the first ressurection. Everybody else is of the second ressurection.
LAODICEA= 'Justice of the people'		Lukewarm for Christ, needing to be spat out and disciplined out of love so that they don't get thrown away all together, riches have made them poor-blind towards Christ, Christ is knocking on the shut door of their hearts waiting to come in, told to repent	.The lukewarm will endure the tribulation and those that then become hot for Christ will sit with Christ on his throne to dispense justice to the people once resurrected, no crown.

Notes to table below:

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Defining what a church is:

AV - church 115, assembly 3; 118
GK - 1711 { ejkklhsiva }

1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.

Humm!!
So the whole Christian church is the whole body of Christians, whether living or dead, and that is the first point that has to be made.

2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.

Humm!!
The second point that has to be made is those Christians about two thousand years ago were expecting Christ to return at any moment but obviously He hasn't so why?

Revelation 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

Humm!!
God's total number of believers have not yet reached their final number.

So what is the significants of the seven churches in Revelation?
Why is there only seven churches mentioned since at that time there were more than seven churches?

By reading the descriptions of those people in the churches we can see that they could also be describing modern day churches and that is the key point. These seven churches describe the seven different groups of Christians making up the body of Christ.

Lets look at these seven communities a bit closer:
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Revelation 1:
19 Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

To the Church in Ephesus
Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, 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. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices 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 the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Humm!!
Ephesus=From Strong's number "2179" Ephesinos meaning a native or inhabitant of Ephesus(from 2181 Ephesos=permitted)
=permitted inhabitant (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

The Ephesus church therefore is the permitted inhabitants of the christian community.

GOOD POINTS: Deeds, hard work, perseverance, endured hardships for Christ, do not tolerate wicked men, able to discern false apostles, hate practices of the Nicolations(introducing sexual immorality and idol worship into the church)

BAD POINTS: Love other things now more than Christ, told to repent and remember first love.

CONCLUSION: Permitted to eat from the tree of life in paradise once ressurected otherwise removed from Christ if they don't change.

-Matthew 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

To the Church in Smyrna
8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty, yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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 will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Humm!!
Smyrna=From Strong's number "4668" Smurnaios of or belonging to Smyrna(from 4667 Smyrna = myrrh)
= Myrrh inhabitants (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

[myrrh: an antiseptic it was used for embalming, fragrant resin, choice fruits of the land(Gen43:11) and ingredient of the sacred anointing oil]

GOOD POINTS: Afflicted, persecuted and poor but rich in faith towards Christ, slandered by so called God's people who have more in common with Satan than God, some put into prison, faithful even to the point of death(martyers).

CONCLUSION: Crown of life given and not hurt at all by second death i.e no need to eat from the tree of life after they have been ressurected from death. The choice fruits!

-James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

To the Church in Pergamum
12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Humm!!
Pergamum=From Strong's number "4010" Pergamos of or belonging to Pergamum(from 4444 purgos = a tower or a fortified structure rising to a considerable height, to repel a hostile attack or to enable a watchman to see in every direction)
= fortified inhabitants (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

GOOD POINTS:Living under Satanic rule but faithful to Christ even after God's servant was put to death.

BAD POINTS:Some hold to the teachings of Balaam-prophets of greed who corrupt God's people(2Peter2:14) and the Nicolations(sexual immorality and compromising with paganism)

CONCLUSION:Repent and fortify against Satanic false teachings and beliefs so that they may receive some of the hidden manna(eternal life-John 6:49), a white stone(purified from sin) with a new name written on it(adopted into God's family).

-Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

To the Church in Thyatira
18 To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come.
26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations!
27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Humm!!
Thyatira=From Strong's number "2363"Thuateira = odour of affliction
=Afflicted inhabitants(Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

GOOD POINTS:Deeds, love, faith, service, perserverance, doing more now than at first

BAD POINTS:Tolerate false teachers who lead God' servants into Satan's deep secrets, sexual immorality and idols. Told to repent or those who follow that path will suffer intensely and be struck dead during the tribulation if they are around at that time i.e. not taken out of the tribulation.

CONCLUSION:Those that overcome this affliction and do Christ's will to the end(maryters) will be given authority over nations, an iron scepter and the morning star(a powerful angel-Job 38:7)

1 Corinthians 6:1If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels?
The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

To the Church in Sardis
Revelation 3:1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Humm!!
Sardis=From Strong's number "4554" Sardeis= 'red ones'
=The inhabitants called the 'Red ones' (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

GOOD POINTS: A few are worthy.

BAD POINTS:Reputed to be alive but are dead, told to wake up and repent, deeds not complete, strengthen what remains of their faith before it dies, have no idea when the rapture will come.

CONCLUSION:Maybe called the red ones due to having power and wealth to do a lot for Christ but did little and having to spend eternity embrassed knowing what could of been for them but now is not. Christ will come like a thief, at a time when these people are not expecting Him, and take only those that are precious out of the tribulation and leave the rest behind, the precious will walk with Christ dressed in white, those left behind who overcome will also be dressed in white, names not bloted out from the book of life, acknowledged before Father and his angels.(Notice it says before the Father and his angels so where is the Holy Spirit? Answer-All God's people form the body of Christ just as all God's angels form the body of His Holy Spirit with the archangel Michael in charge but under Christ's authority.)

Matthew 24:40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

To the Church in Philadelphia
7 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. 8 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. 9 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. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him 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 him my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Humm!!
Philadelpheia= Strong's number "5359" Philadelphia = 'brotherly love'
=Inhabitants called 'brotherly love' (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

GOOD POINTS:Deeds, Christ's open door before them, little strength but kept true to Christ, kept command to endure patiently but most of all because of their brotherly love towards mankind and God hence the name.

CONCLUSION:The liars who claim to be God's people will bow at their feet and acknowledge God loves them, those who are alive at the time of the tribulation will be taken out, crown of love given, made a pillar and permanent resident in the temple of God, God's name-the new Jerusalem's name-Christ's new name will be written on them i.e. they will be the closest of friends, the inner loop, the BRIDE of Christ.

-Revelation 14:1Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

- Revelation 20: 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

To the Church in Laodicea

14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

Humm!!
Laodicea= Strong's number "2994" an inhabitant of Laodicea(from 2993=justice of the people)
='Justice of the people' inhabitants.(Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)

BAD POINTS:Lukewarm for Christ, needing to be spat out and disciplined out of love so that they don't get thrown away all together, riches have made them poor-blind towards Christ, Christ is knocking on the shut door of their hearts waiting to come in, told to repent.

CONCLUSION:The lukewarm will endure the tribulation and those that then become hot for Christ will sit with Christ on his throne to dispense justice to the people once ressurected, no crown.

Matthew 25:1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.