What about JERUSALEM

WHAT ABOUT JERUSALEM

Jerusalem was originally called Jebus and was inhabited by the Jebusites before David conquered it.“And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.” (1st Chronicles 11:4)

The entire chapter 16 of the book of Ezekiel describes the birth of Jerusalem and God’s love for her and how he married her by putting his skirt over her. Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. (Ezekiel 16:8

In this chapter Ezekiel also describes how Jerusalem turned from God and he rejected her. Yet, in the end he reunites with Jerusalem again. Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, (Ezekiel 16:1-2)But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.(Ezekiel 16:15)
Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 16:60-63)

The Psalms inform us that they shall prosper that love Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Psalms 122:6

We read of Jesus’ love of Jerusalem by his passionate words spoken in the book of Luke “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Luke 13:34)

Considering the situation of Jerusalem and the world today these prophetic words spoken by Jesus should grab our attention. “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:20″

In the following scriptures we find that much is written in the book of Zechariah, Micah, Ezekiel and Isaiah pertaining to the city of Jerusalem. We discover information concerning now, in the future and in world to come. Although Jerusalem is to become a burdensome stone for the entire world, which it is, and all will be gathered against her, which they are, God declares that He will defend and strengthen her and will destroy all that come against her and will set her as His city in the world to come.

Scriptures:

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. (Zephaniah 3:16)

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. (Zechariah 8:3)

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:3)

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:6)

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (Zechariah 12:8)

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:9)

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the morning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (Zechariah 12:11)

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. (Zechariah 13:1-2)

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. (Zechariah 14:8)

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (Isaiah 24:23)

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:13)

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. (Isaiah 31:5)

And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:7)

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. (Jeremiah 3:17)

And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2)

The final triumph of Jerusalem is the New Jerusalem described for us in the book of Revelation.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:1-3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that Jerusalem is a city that is at the center of God’s plan and will be the location where Jesus will rule from in the future.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION – 2012

A CHALLANGE FOR THE NEW YEAR – GET INTO GOD’S WORD.

A FEW REASONS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT ARE GIVEN IN THE SCRIPTURES BELOW:

Amos 8:11(THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON)
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Deuteronomy 12:28 (MAKES OUR LIFE RUN SUCCESSFULLY)
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

Psalm 18:30 (IT IS OUR BUCKLER)
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Proverbs 30:5 (IT IS OUR SHIELD)
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Isaiah 40:8 (IT IS ETERNAL TRUTH)
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Jeremiah 15:16 (IT BRINGS US JOY IN OUR LIFE)
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Matthew 4:4 (WE ARE COMMANDED TO DO IT)
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luke 11:28 (IT BRINGS US BLESSING)
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Romans 10:17 (IT IS HOW WE STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17 (IT IS OUR WEAPON)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

2 Timothy 2:15 (IN ORDER TO NOT BE ASHAMED)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Hebrews 4:12 (IT IS OUR POWER)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Revelation 19:13 (BECAUSE JESUS IS THE LIVING WORD)
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

THE AUDIO BIBLE ON LINE IS A GOOD WAY TO READ AND STUDY THE BIBLE.
Go to it at http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html and put it under your favorites. It lets you visually see and hear the word. Just click on the chapter you want to hear. It is in large print. It keeps track of what you have read. Let’s see how much we can read this year. GO FOR IT.

HAPPY STUDYING

Bible Word Origanation – AMEN

BIBLE WORD ORIGANATION

AMEN

Used 78 times in 72 verses in the KJV Bible

First used in Numbers 5:22
Last used in Revelation 22:21

HEBREW Meaning of word (Biblical usage) #543 in Strong’s Concordance Hebrew Dictionary
PRONOUNCED – a-man

Verily, truly, amen, so be it

GREEK Meaning of word (Biblical usage) #281 in Strong’s Concordance Greek Dictionary
PRONOUNCED – a-man

(1) Firm
(2) Verily, amen
(At the beginning of a discourse) – Surely, truly, of a truth
(At the end) so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled

BIBLE WORD ORIGANATION – REPENT

BIBLE WORD ORIGANATION

REPENT

Used 46 times in 43 verses in the KJV Bible

First used in Exodus 13:17
Last used in Revelation 3:19

HEBREW Meaning of word (Biblical usage) #5162 in Strong’s Concordance Hebrew Dictionary
PRONOUNCED – na-kham (nacham)
Description – to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted

GREEK Meaning of word (Biblical usage) #3340 in Strong’s Concordance Greek Dictionary
PRONOUNCED – me-ta-no-e-o (metanoeo)
Description – (1) to change one’s mind, (2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins

Bible Word Origanation – SATAN

BIBLE WORD ORIGANATION

SATAN

Used 56 times in 49 verses in the KJV Bible

First used in 1 Chronicles 21:1
Last used in Revelation 20:7

HEBREW Meaning of word (Biblical usage) #7854 in Strong’s Concordance Hebrew Dictionary
PRONOUNCED saw-tawn
adversary, one who withstands

from root word etymology #7853
to be or act as an adversary, resist, oppose

GREEK Meaning of word (Biblical usage) #4567 in Strong’s Concordance Greek Dictionary
PRONOUNCED Sa-ta-nas
adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to
the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God and Christ

The Day of the Lord – Return of Jesus Christ

THE DAY OF THE LORD – THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

In searching the scriptures it is impossible to separate The Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus Christ. They are intertwined. The Bible speaks repeatedly concerning the Day of the Lord, when Jesus Christ, the root of Jesse, also called the Branch, shall return as King of kings and this time he will be exalted and respected. He will execute justice and righteousness over the entire earth.

For Christians, comfort can be found in these words from Isaiah, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut the doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:20-21) But, for those who are NOT His, this will be a day of vengeance, of darkness and sorrow.

Some of these scriptures seem scary, but remember He is not mad at his own. Read over these scriptures and the scriptures surrounding them in the Bible and ask yourself, “will I be in darkness and gloom,” during that time or, “will I be one of the comforted who will be glad and rejoicing?”

In Revelation, the final book in the Bible, Jesus warns three times, for emphasis, that He is coming quickly.

Scripture:

At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 17:7)

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)

Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that speak; behold, it is I. (Isaiah 52:6)

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (Isaiah 61:2)

Behold the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5)

I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (Daniel 7:13)

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:10-11)

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:4-5)

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9)

Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (Joel 1:15)

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (Joel 2:1)

And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel 2:11)

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. (Joel 2:31)

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14)

Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. (Amos 5:18)

Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? (Amos 5:20)

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: (Amos 8:9)

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. (Obadiah 1:15)

But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appearth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: (Malachi 3:2)

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27)

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark. (Matthew 24:37-38)

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in and hour that he is not aware of. (Matthew 24:50)

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13)

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Matthew 25:31)

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. (Luke 17:24)

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:26-30)

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1st Thessalonians 4:16)

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones. (Jude 1:14)

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7)

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

(Additional scriptures – Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 12:4, Jeremiah 33:15, Ezekiel 48:35, Hosea 2:16, Zachariah 14:20, plus there are many more which are not listed here)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that there is a Day of the Lord coming when Jesus Christ will return and rule the entire world in righteousness. Some will be rejoicing and some will be in darkness.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Day of the Lord – A Great Shaking

DAY OF THE LORD – A GREAT SHAKING

A thread is found running all the way through the Bible pointing to a climatic time in history when human life and the earth as we know it will be changed. In the book of Zephaniah, verse 2:3, it is signified that some shall be hid from the negative portion of that time. “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” What does it take to be hid? Seek the LORD, His fairness, righteousness and humility.

Isaiah makes several references to that day. He states that there will be a great shaking in the land and some will be humbled. We find there are additional scriptures that make mention of this great shaking; some in reference to the shaking of the earth and others to the shaking of heaven. Jesus spoke of this great shaking when describing the end times. Whether this is a physical shaking or a great spiritual “shake up” or both is something to consider. One thing we do see is that there is going to be a shaking and we need to ask ourselves if we will be one that will be hid or humbled.

Scripture:
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terrible the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terrible the earth. (Isaiah 2:17-21)

Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13)

For in my Jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. (Ezekiel 38:19-20)

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:6-7)

(Jesus speaking) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. (Matthew 24:29)

(Jesus speaking) And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. (Mark 13:25)

(Jesus speaking) Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things, which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:26)

Hebrews 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Hebrews 12:26)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
The Bible speaks of a time to come when there will be a great shaking which will cause many to be humbled.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Perilous Times in the Latter Days

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
PERILOUS TIMES IN THE LATTER DAYS

In the New Testament Timothy, Peter and James describe what the world would be like in the latter days. Timothy speaks of perilous times consisting of self centered people who have a form of godliness, but deny the power of God. Peter describes scoffers who would be making fun of Christians and James speaks of irrelevant riches being gathered.
Concerning the last days keep in your mind these scriptures. “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust him.” Nahum 1:7 “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalms 50:15 Our Father knows those who trust in him.

Scripture:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2nd Timothy 3:1-5)

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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. (2nd Peter 3:3-4)

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (James 5:3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Timothy, Peter and James warn us that self-centered, scoffers who store up riches that have no eternal value will be prevalent in the latter days.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

God Will Pour Out His Spirit in the Latter Days

Watering the Garden
GOD WILL POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT IN THE LATTER DAYS

Pentecost according to the Strong’s Concordance means “the fiftieth day” the second of the three great Jewish feasts, celebrated at Jerusalem yearly, the seventh week after the Passover, in grateful recognition of the completed harvest.
In the book of Acts, on Pentecost day in Jerusalem, Peter repeats the words from the Old Testament book of Joel concerning the last days when God says he is going to pour out his spirit on men and women, young and old. People will, prophesy, see visions and dream dreams. On Pentecost day those present heard a rushing wind and saw tongues of fire ascended on the believers. Everyone present, who was from all nations of the world, understood clearly what was being said in their own language.
It is indicated by Jesus that there will be those in the last days who will speak out for God in the same manner allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them and that even the gainsayers will not be able to resist what they say. Those who are delivered up to speak are warned not to premeditate what they will say, but to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them.

Scripture:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (Acts 2:17-18)

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (Acts 2:3-8)

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. (Mark 13:11)

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (Luke 21:12-15)

And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. (Luke 12:11-12)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
In the latter days God is going to pour out his Spirit and some, who allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them, will be delivered up. As at Pentecost, all nations will understand what is being said in their own language and even doubters will believe what they say.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

We Will Understand in the Latter Days

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
WE WILL UNDERSTAND IN THE LATTER DAYS

Two Old Testement Prophets, Isaiah and Micah, describe the latter days as a time when all nations shall turn to the LORD’s house.
The Prophet, Jeremiah, informs us that these times will be a result of God’s plan as well as his anger. He also informs us that in the latter days we shall believe and understand everything clearly.

Scripture:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. (Isaiah 2:2)

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. (Micah 4:1)

The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart; in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. (Jeremiah 23:20)

The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he hath done it, and until he has performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it. (Jeremiah 30:24)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Isaiah, Micah and Jeremiah speak of the latter days when all nations will turn to the Lord and that when it happens we will understand it perfectly.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Daniel Will Participate in the End Times

Watering the Garden
DANIEL PARTICIPATES IN THE END TIMES

From these scriptures we discover that Daniel was told it would be many days from the time of his visions until the time of the end and that the words he was given were to be sealed until then. He also was told that travel and knowledge would increase as the end times approach and he was given the promise that he would be a part of that end time.

Scripture:
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for yet the vision is for many days. (Daniel 10:14)

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (Daniel 12:9)

But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:13)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Daniel was informed that the visions which he saw were to be sealed until the end times and that he would participate in that period.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

HAILSTONES

Watering the Garden
HAILSTONES

We discover from the scriptures that hailstones were utilized by the LORD during the time of Moses against the enemies of Israel and they were also used during Joshua’s time where it is reported that more of the enemy was destroyed by the hailstones than in the battle.

And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 9:23)

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. (Joshua 10:11)

The book of Job reveals that hail is reserved for the time of trouble to come.

(God speaking to Job) Hast thou entered into the treasures of snow? Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? (Job 38:22-23)

As the following scriptures disclose, in the book of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Revelation, hailstones are to be used in the future. The book of Revelation revels that during the battle of Armageddon when the seventh angel’s vial is poured out hailstones will be used against God’s enemies.
The weight of a talent could be 120, or as much as 180 pounds.

And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. (Isaiah 30:30)

Say unto them, which daub it with untempered morter that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower: and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall: and a stormy wind shall rend it. (Ezekiel 13:11)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury: and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. (Ezekiel 13:13)

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood: and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, and overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (Ezekiel 38:22)

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (Revelation 16:15-21)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that hail was used by God in the Old Testament against the enemies of God and will be used in the future at the battle of Armageddon.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Daniel Interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

DANIEL INTERPRETS KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was given a dream from God which included information concerning the end times. He was troubled and did not understand what this dream meant. Daniel was given the ability by God to interpret the king’s dream.

In the dream it is indicated that in the end times the world kingdoms would be part iron and part clay, or possibly part weak, part strong and that, “They” shall mingle themselves with the seed of men. “They” may be those angels that are to be kicked out of heaven, along with Satan. Iron and clay do not mix. Consider Revelation 12:9 which states, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” This brings to mind the words spoken by Jesus himself,“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18 We can’t stop there, but need to add the words that Jesus continued on to say in verse 19. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

We are also reminded by Jesus in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 that during the end times things would be just as they were in the times of Noah before the flood. In Genesis 6 before the flood we find that these fallen angels were mingling with the daughters of Adam. Genesis 6:2 “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

In the end God will topple all kingdoms and will sit up his non-ending kingdom with the stone cut out of the mountain without hands. We find in Psalms 118:22-23 that stone is Jesus Christ, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

(The kingdoms described in the following scriptures are believed to be, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and in 636 AD until today, the Mohammed Kingdom.)

Scripture:
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days, Thy dream, and the visions of the head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon they bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and break them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and burse. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. (Daniel 2:28-45)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
In the end times, the “powers that be” will not mix very well, but God is going to topple all kingdoms by his son Jesus Christ and set up an eternal kingdom.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

God’s Promise to His Servants (If you need a lift)

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
GOD’S PROMISE TO HIS SERVANTS

God’s promise in the following scripture is the inheritance given to those who are his servants.

Scripture:
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
No attack waged against the servants of Our Father will succeed and every word that is spoken against them will be condemned.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

The Rainbow Promise

Watering the Garden
THE RAINBOW PROMISE

God made a promise to Noah, his sons and all living creatures after the flood. Each time a rainbow appears in the sky he will remember His promise never to destroy man and animal with a flood and that as long as the earth remained the four seasons would also remain.

Scripture:
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:21-22)

And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. (Genesis 9:8-17)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
When we see a rainbow in the sky we can remember God promised that our seasons would remain and that he would never again destroy man and animals with a flood.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Trust In God

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
TRUST IN GOD

Our Father urges us to trust in him in every aspect of our lives and not to trust in our own comprehension of a situation. He also does not want us to put our trust in any person other than Our Father.

He has given us the promise that if we trust him, he will guide us in the correct path.

Scripture:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5)

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5)

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2nd Samuel 22:31)

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. (Psalms 112:7)

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum (1:7)

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psalms (37:3)

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We are not to depend on our own understanding of a situation or in other people, but are to trust Our Father and he will lead us in the correct direction.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Wait on the Lord

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
WAIT ON THE LORD

To those who wait upon the Lord we find these beautiful promises; The LORD will renew their strength to soar like an eagle and they shall inherit the earth while those who do evil will be blotted out.

The word, wait, means to wait, look for, hope or expect. Or, it can also mean to collect, bind together such as being entwined together with Our Father.
(#6960 in the Hebrew Concordance)

Scripture:
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalms 27:14)

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (Psalms 37:7-9)

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (Psalms 37:34)

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. (Psalms 59:9)

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
If we entwine ourselves with the Lord and wait, He will renew our strength and cause us to soar like an eagle.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

SATAN AS THE ANTI-CHRIST

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
SATAN AS THE ANTI-CHRIST

Although his spirit is already at work in the earth, there is a point in the future when Satan, along with his angels, is going to literally be kicked out of heaven and cast to the earth. That is when the last big deception will take place. Are you prepared?

Perhaps Our Father has a purpose for you when the spoiler arrives. “O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us. I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.” Jeremiah 6:26-27

Daniel says he will come in peacefully and cause to prosper and generously spread around wealth. Most are expecting a cruel, dictator type being, but what the actual deception will be is a great revival. He will claim to be Jesus. (The root word or etymology for Anti can mean instead of Christ. Here are the explanations in the Strong’s Greek Concordance: over against, opposite to, before, for, instead of, in place of something)

Revelation 13 says that he will deceive the world by performing miracles such as snapping his fingers and cause lightening to come down from heaven. This is why Jesus said in the gospel of Matthew, “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Matthew 24:23-26)

Jesus spoke of that day when Satan would be booted from heaven. Remember, another of Satan’s names is the serpent. Jesus said he gives his followers power to tread on serpents. “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:18-19

Scripture:
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14)

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:23-25)

He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. (Daniel 11:24)

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4)

And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. (Revelation 9:11)

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them, Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Revelation 12:12)

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Revelation 13:13-14)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
The anti-Christ will be Satan come to earth pretending to be God or Jesus performing miracles, spreading riches and deceiving the people of the world.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

What Was Unfavorable with the 7 Churches?

Watering the Garden
WHAT WAS UNFAVORABLE WITH THE 7 CHURCHES?

Of the 7 churches listed in the book of Revelation no fault was found with the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. The faults that were found in the others included, they had left their first love, taught wrong doctrine, allowed a false teacher to teach, their works were dead, and they were neither hot nor cold.

Scripture:

Ephesus: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Smyrna: (Nothing unfavorable)

Pergamos: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Thyatira: I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2)

Sardis: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Philadelphia: (Nothing Unfavorable)

Laodiceans: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
(Revelation 3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
There were problems with 5 of the 7 churches revealed in the book of Revelation. We need to make sure that we are not guilty of any of their faults.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

What was Favorable with Each of the 7 Churches?

Watering the Garden
WHAT WAS FAVORABLE WITH EACH OF THE 7 CHURCHES?

We find described below what was of good report concerning the 7 churches listed in the book of Revelation. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos and Philadelphia had the best reports. Sardis and Laodicea had no good thing said of them and Thyatira did not measure up. The highest compliments appear to go to the church of Philadelphia.

Scripture:
Ephesus: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Smyrna: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Pergamos: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith,

Thyatira: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. (Revelation 2)

Sardis: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Philadelphia: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Laodiceans: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Only 4 of the 7 churches described in the book of Revelation had a good report and Philadelphia had the best.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan