Some more sobering meditation on the state of the persecuted church today
My last post focused on America; often compared in this day to the Laodicean church mentioned in Revelation 3:14 to the end of that chapter. In terms of what we can do; as I stated we need to get beyond having an improper contentment with material things just for the sake of having or hoarding it for ourselves; thus prioritizing our finances toward the ministry which to a large extent would extend to missionaries abroad who are usually struggling to make ends meet as well as trying to help with medical and other infrastructure concerns in their country of focus.
In the past I knew someone who was one of a small group of about 16 people that went into a nation of high persecution through borders of other countries; and 4 or so of them were martyred. I applaud the courage of those who are called to such a mission for the sake of the Gospel; I'll just add that we should sense the Spirit's leading in such endeavors lest we attempt it in our own strength or for some reason it isn't His will at the time. Our status diplomatically has allowed some restraint on such actions to American citizens in the past; but persecution certainly isn't far from our doorstep. When we do a cursory exam of Nigeria as an example; it is interesting that the nation itself did a fair amount of effort to enforce gun control; and the overall economy has been doing fairly decently in recent years. That; of course doesn't do much for a majority of citizens in dire poverty; but the REASONS for much of this are militia groups (with guns) that stop people from leaving their area to go to town or their own lands to harvest. The soldiers from the military are the only barrier to stop these marauding tribesman (I won't try to pronounce the main one of several factions). We should therefore pray God will lead some more of them to the truth so they have the conviction to protect their own citizens.
The Laodocian church is everywhere and not just prevalent in the States.
The 7 church ages of Revelation 1/2 and 3 shows a declension . From " leaving your fist love" . Which opened the door to the error of the Nicolaitins which in turn led to the errors of Jezebel which in turn led to the errors of Baalam etc.
By the time we get to the Laodocian church it is "wretched poor and blind "
The last king of Isreal was blind . The last judge of Isreal was blind the last church age is also blind .
Yet alongside that church or rather perhaps within it is another church that of the Philadelphian's who thought of themsekves as poor but in the Spirits eyes is " rich"..
But in any even the Lord is OUTSIDE the church knocking on its door . There are no demonisations in heaven but one church with but one door . If after the resurrection no door locked or otherwise presented an obsticals to Him . Why is He outside and knocking on the door? Indeed how is it that the church as a whole thinks He is inside ? I would suggest that it is the Holy Spirit thatbis knocking on the door . Which in effect is a call to the whole church to repent . For to all but one? The message was to the churches was to repent . But in case by such reasoning some exclude themselves, I suggest that we should take another look . For each denomination has "by their traditions made the Word of God of none effect".
And with so many 'versions' of the truth abounding it has come to a merry pass that all we like sheep have gone astray each going his own way with their own version "
To the extent that to the Laodocian church the promise if they overcame was I will make you sit IN my throne even as I overcome and sit IN my Father's throne . Versions havevit as " ON" . The only one that can sit ON the throne is the Son and the FAther . No one else. The call then is to all . The promise however is only to those who have " ears to hear" .
My last post focused on America; often compared in this day to the Laodicean church mentioned in Revelation 3:14 to the end of that chapter. In terms of what we can do; as I stated we need to get beyond having an improper contentment with material things just for the sake of having or hoarding it for ourselves; thus prioritizing our finances toward the ministry which to a large extent would extend to missionaries abroad who are usually struggling to make ends meet as well as trying to help with medical and other infrastructure concerns in their country of focus.
In the past I knew someone who was one of a small group of about 16 people that went into a nation of high persecution through borders of other countries; and 4 or so of them were martyred. I applaud the courage of those who are called to such a mission for the sake of the Gospel; I'll just add that we should sense the Spirit's leading in such endeavors lest we attempt it in our own strength or for some reason it isn't His will at the time. Our status diplomatically has allowed some restraint on such actions to American citizens in the past; but persecution certainly isn't far from our doorstep. When we do a cursory exam of Nigeria as an example; it is interesting that the nation itself did a fair amount of effort to enforce gun control; and the overall economy has been doing fairly decently in recent years. That; of course doesn't do much for a majority of citizens in dire poverty; but the REASONS for much of this are militia groups (with guns) that stop people from leaving their area to go to town or their own lands to harvest. The soldiers from the military are the only barrier to stop these marauding tribesman (I won't try to pronounce the main one of several factions). We should therefore pray God will lead some more of them to the truth so they have the conviction to protect their own citizens.
The 7 church ages of Revelation 1/2 and 3 shows a declension . From " leaving your fist love" . Which opened the door to the error of the Nicolaitins which in turn led to the errors of Jezebel which in turn led to the errors of Baalam etc.
By the time we get to the Laodocian church it is "wretched poor and blind "
The last king of Isreal was blind . The last judge of Isreal was blind the last church age is also blind .
Yet alongside that church or rather perhaps within it is another church that of the Philadelphian's who thought of themsekves as poor but in the Spirits eyes is " rich"..
But in any even the Lord is OUTSIDE the church knocking on its door . There are no demonisations in heaven but one church with but one door . If after the resurrection no door locked or otherwise presented an obsticals to Him . Why is He outside and knocking on the door? Indeed how is it that the church as a whole thinks He is inside ? I would suggest that it is the Holy Spirit thatbis knocking on the door . Which in effect is a call to the whole church to repent . For to all but one? The message was to the churches was to repent . But in case by such reasoning some exclude themselves, I suggest that we should take another look . For each denomination has "by their traditions made the Word of God of none effect".
And with so many 'versions' of the truth abounding it has come to a merry pass that all we like sheep have gone astray each going his own way with their own version "
To the extent that to the Laodocian church the promise if they overcame was I will make you sit IN my throne even as I overcome and sit IN my Father's throne . Versions havevit as " ON" . The only one that can sit ON the throne is the Son and the FAther . No one else. The call then is to all . The promise however is only to those who have " ears to hear" .
We have two sets of eyes at least and of hearing?
God always leaves a witness, a remnant, a true testimony of Himself ( Acts 14:17)
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