And now brethren, let’s look in Ephesians 5 and let’s see what Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus on how they needed to conduct their lives. And also we’ll see here that he gave them warnings about their own personal conduct, and warnings about people coming in and deceiving them. Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore, be imitators of God,…” Now that’s the pattern we are to follow. That’s why we need to study the life of Jesus Christ in the gospels and know it and understand that. That’s why we need to realize and understand all the attributes of God. We need to be imitators of God. Now that doesn’t mean that we become sweet nothings like the supposed professing Christians of the world are. Christ, as you go through and see how He lived His life, He was not a patsy, He was not a pushover, but He stood for God. Yet He was compassionate, He was kind, understanding, healed the sick, raised the dead, etc.

Verse 2, “…And walk in love, even as Christ also loved us,…” That goes right back to the words of the covenant for the Passover, doesn’t it? “…And gave Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, do not permit it even to be named among you, as is fitting for saints;…” Now those things have been allowed and permitted within the churches of God, and it’s a shame. “…Nor filthiness, nor foolish talking or jesting, which are not becoming; but instead, thanksgiving. For this you know, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Which tells us very clearly that you cannot live in sin and expect God to give you eternal life. It just isn’t going to be.

“Do not let anyone deceive you with vain words [because they will come in with all kinds of vain words]; for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be joint partakers with them. For you were once darkness; but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,…” So this is how then, you maintain your first love. “…(Because the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is well pleasing to the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them;…” That’s why the truth of God needs to be preached, the laws of God need to be preached, and repentance needs to be preached so that hopefully, as many as possible may be saved. “…For it is shameful even to mention the things being done by them in secret. But all of these things being exposed by the light are openly revealed. Therefore He says, “‘You who are sleeping—wake up,…’” That’s the message to the church at Ephesus. “‘…Arise from the dead!’” That’s the message to the church at Sardis. “‘…Arise from the dead! And Christ shall shine upon you’” (Eph. 5:1-14, FV).

Now let’s come back to Revelation 2 again, and let’s go on to the next of the seven churches, because these churches – not only are we talking about the seven churches then, but talking about how God views the church of God down through history, and we could say the seven eras of the church, as we have known it to be, or the seven epics of the church. And also it has to do with the attitudes that can be with individual Christians at any time. And that’s why the message is: “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” That’s what He said here. And He also says another thing, continuing in Revelation 2:7. “‘To the one who overcomes…’” So all the problems and difficulties that have been mentioned need to be overcome, or that you are in the process of overcoming. “‘…I will give the right to eat of the tree of life that is in the midst of the paradise of God.’”

“‘And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: These things says the First and the Last, Who was dead but is alive. I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.’” And that’s bringing in now, once the first love is lost then here comes against the faithful ones who remain true. They don’t have a lot in the way of doctrine. They understand the truth of Christ, they keep His name and so forth, but now the forces of evil have organized themselves into the synagogue of Satan and they come after them. And they are martyrs. However, if God is for you, nothing can be against you. Always remember that. And when you’re going through a trial or tribulation, remember that. He says, “‘Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life’” (Rev. 2:7-10, FV).

Now let’s come to Matthew 10 and let’s see how Christ also prophesied of this. See, we don’t have to fear what men can do to us. That’s the thing. And today in this political world we are fearful of what people will think. Fearful of what people will do. Listen, the one that you need to please is God the Father, and then Jesus Christ. Now then, those of the people that you need to please, if you’re loving God with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and being, and doing that which is right before God as motivated with the Spirit of Christ in you, then you will please the ones you need to please. There will be some people who are never pleased. And today we operate in a world where we try and have everything so we don’t offend anyone. Well, that’s not the way it’s going to happen, see.

Now let’s pick it up here in Matthew 10:16, “‘Behold, I am sending you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.’” That’s what God wants us to do. He doesn’t want us to be dumbed down and ignorant. He wants is to be wise, He wants us to the understanding. But He says, “‘But beware of men;…’” How many times does He say beware of men? Beware of false preachers? “‘…For they will deliver you up to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and you shall also be brought before governors and kings for My sake [that means “brought before” as Paul was as a prisoner], for a witness to them and to the Gentiles. Now when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you should speak;…’” Just like He told the church at Smyrna. “Don’t worry. You be faithful. Don’t be afraid.” Now also here’s the thing that’s important, continuing verse 19, “‘…for in that hour it shall be given to you what you shall speak. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you.’” So God is going to give that, so we don’t have to worry. But we need to know the Word of God. We need to understand the Word of God. We need to live by the Word of God. And if God calls upon us to be a witness such as this, then He’ll give us the strength, and He’ll give us the means and the ability to do what He wants us to do.

“‘Then brother will deliver up brother to death; and the father, the child; and children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. And you shall be hated by all for My name’s sake;…’” So you can’t please the world. Eventually they’re going to hate us. And that day is coming down very quickly. Look at how they’re trying to get rid of all forms of Christianity in the world today. “‘…But the one who endures to the end, that one shall be saved.’” That’s exactly that the message that He told those in Smyrna. “‘But when they persecute you in this city, escape into another; for truly I say to you, in no way shall you have completed witnessing to the cities of Israel until the Son of man has come. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is sufficient for the disciple that he become as his teacher, and the servant as his master.’” And that’s what we need to do, brethren, continually in that way.

Now notice he says, “‘If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call those of his household? Therefore,…’” Now here is the key. Let’s understand this, let’s realize this. “‘…Do not fear them because there is nothing covered that shall not be uncovered, and nothing hidden that shall not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops.’” Here is the key, verse 28, “‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but do not have power to destroy the life; rather, fear Him Who has the power to destroy both life and body in Gehenna.’” Then he comes down a little later he says, “‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother,…’” etc. (Matt. 10:16-28, 34-35, FV). And so that’s the message to the church at Smyrna.

Now let’s come to the church of Pergamos. There’s quite a bit to that church and the things that happened. And the whole lesson here with the church at Pergamos is this: If you are living in Satan’s world you are automatically going to have problems confronting you, and you need to be very, very careful that your dedication to God is such that you will be able to withstand.

Now let’s finish up with the church of Smyrna here first. He says, Revelation 2:10, “‘Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.’” Then He says, “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.’”

Now then the church at Pergamos. He’s laying it out very clear, and here is how God will fight against those, even within His own church, who turned against Him and the teachings of Jesus Christ. “‘And to the angel of the church in Pergamos, write: These things says He Who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know your works and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is; but you are holding fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’”

Now then He has something to tell them here after praising them for the things that they did. “‘But I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.’” Now there are some things that God hates. Here they are. “‘Moreover, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate’” (Rev. 2:10-15, FV). Now let’s see what that is. Jesus fought that attitude just before the last Passover meal that He had with His apostles. So let’s come to Matthew 20 and let’s see what that was. And let’s see that this is what Jesus hates. He hates the lording-over of the brethren. He hates treating the brethren as chattel and personal possessions of the ministry because the ministry is to be overseeing not over-lording. And you have seen in your experience what happens when those ministers overlord.

Now let’s come to Matthew 20:25. “But Jesus called them [that is, His disciples] to Him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them, and the great ones exercise authority over them.’” Now you see, the greatest authority in your life is God the Father and Jesus Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit. And the “great ones” as we will see, refer to the religious leaders. And remember what we learned in The Death of Truth #2. When truth dies, power fills the vacuum. And we modified that just a little bit, remember. When truth and love die, power and authority fill the vacuum. Well you see, when people go beyond the point of saying “Here’s the Word of God, prove it by the Word of God, believe the Word of God, don’t believe me.” When they go beyond that and say, “I am the one who is in charge, what I say is going to go”, and begin to preach false doctrines - that is exercising authority and lordship over the brethren. And many times we have heard, “You’re all a bunch of dumb sheep.” Well God doesn’t expect us to remain dumb sheep. He expects us to be wise, to grow, to grow up into Christ, you see. And those kind of statements are exercising lordship and authority because truth was being lost. And so that’s why authority and power had to be exercised.

He says very clearly here, verse 26, “‘However, it shall not be this way among you;…’” This is an example for all the ministry. And that’s part of the problem with the churches of God today – are the ministry who wants to exercise authority, and the brethren who want to go out and do every stupid dingy thing that comes into their heads. So you’ve got both fighting against each other instead of coming to Christ. Now is that not a device of Satan the devil or not? Now you think on that.

Jesus says, “‘…but whoever would become great among you, let him be your servant; and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many’” (Matt. 20:25-28, FV). And that’s the whole purpose, you see. That’s why when Peter learned the lesson he said, “Feed the flock of God.” Not by constraint, or don’t treat them as things or chattels that you own and possess. But be an example to them because of the way you live your life. And then God will give growth both to the church and to others.

Now let’s come here to Acts 8 and let’s see a direct parallel of this, because Acts 8 is the account concerning Simon Magus, isn’t it? And Simon Magus was the one, as we know, who was preaching the mixture of truth and error after he came in contact with the preaching of Philip. Now let’s pick it up in Acts 8:9. This goes right in with the church of Pergamos because the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes and the eating things sacrificed to idols were all incorporated in this false religion of Simon Magus.

Now verse 9, “But there was a certain man named Simon, who had from earlier times been practicing sorcery in the city and astounding the nation of Samaria, proclaiming himself to be some great one.” And it’s the great ones who exercise authority, right? “To him they had all given heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ Now they were giving heed to him…” (Acts 8:9-11, FV). Well to make the long story short, he had a superficial belief in Jesus and was baptized, but his motives were so that he could have power and authority as an apostle. Well you know the rest of the story. Peter and John came down. They rebuked him. They did not have any part with him and they told him to repent of his sins, that maybe God would forgive him. Well if you want an interesting study, go to the Encyclopedia Of Religion by McClintock and Strong and read the article regarding Simon Magus and you will know that he was instrumental in doing the things which raised up the false Christian church.

Now let’s come to 2 Corinthians 11 and let’s see how the ones who came of Simon Magus were also coming teaching and preaching. Let’s understand something important here. We do have the account of Apollos. Apollos came from Alexandria and he was mighty in the Scriptures. Now let’s understand this: Apollos was probably not the only one who came from Alexandria. And when you understand that Alexandria, Egypt later became the hotbed for the early church fathers, and the changing of the doctrines from what the true church was following to build up the false church. So what we’re finding here in Revelation 2 and 3 is the attempts and amalgamations of these false prophets to try and take away the church of God from God and create it into a church of Satan.

Now let’s pick it up here in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For indeed, if someone comes preaching another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different gospel, which you did not accept, you put up with it as something good.” Why? Because they were just like Paul was saying that they had itching ears and wanted to hear the things that pleased them. So what did he call them? He says here verse 13, “For such are false apostles [that’s what was bothering the church in Pergamos]— deceitful workers who are transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And it is no marvel, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his servants also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness—whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15, FV). And that’s what was the problem there in Pergamos.

Now let’s come back to Revelation 2 and see what Christ said unless they repented of it. This also, eating things sacrificed to idols, was the beginning of what is now known as the Eucharist, or the sacrifice of the Mass as it is now perfected in the Catholic Church. So this is exactly what we have taking place here in Pergamos. Now notice what He says those things God hates. Christ is not going to put up with it. And yet, just like the Corinthians, they thought, “Oh, well, it’s a good thing. We need to have things fair and balanced. We need to have the no spin zone.” And decide for yourselves, see. Just to use a little modern parlance in there.

Verse 16, Christ says, “‘Repent! For if you do not repent, I will come to you quickly, and will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.’” Just like those back there in the days of Hezekiah. They repented, went out and destroyed all the things of the idols and statues and all of the worship of Baalim. It’s the same thing that is effecting here. And the way that they did it, they did just like Hezekiah. He proposed a covenant in his heart to serve God with all his heart, and mind, and soul, and being. And that’s actually the covenant that we are under, brethren.

Now notice verse 17, “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except the one who receives it.’”

Now we come to the church at Thyatira, verse 20. And their first problem is that they allowed Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess (which is probably a prophetic type of the Roman Catholic Church today), “‘…to teach and to seduce My servants into committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols.’” To bring in the false religions, the false ways. And that is exactly what has happened to the Worldwide Church of God today. Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:12 that he did not allow a woman to preach or to have authority in the church. That’s what Paul wrote. What did they do? They allowed women preachers. Same thing today. There is a church in Dallas, Texas that has a woman preacher – a pastor, who does just exactly like the Satanists have always done, twist and turn the Scriptures so it sounds good. And all the broadminded peopled say, “Oh, isn’t that nice. And don’t we have liberty.” You better get back to the Word of God. That’s why He said repent.

Now there’s another thing here that He says. Verse 21, “‘And I gave her time to repent of her fornication,…’” Now that’s an interesting statement, isn’t it? Because when sin comes along God gives time to repent. If you don’t repent then the punishment comes. But the deception is this: while you’re given space to repent, and don’t, you think that God likes what you are doing. You miss the message. He says He’s going to cast them into great tribulation.

Now let’s notice one thing that’s important. Verse 23, “‘And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He Who searches the reins and hearts [God is searching every day]; and I will give to each of you according to your works.’” Now that becomes important because the next one is profound. “‘But to you I say, and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will not cast upon you any other burden,…’” (Rev. 2:16-17, 20-21, 23-24, FV). Now what is the depths of Satan? The depths of Satan is this:… And I will describe it. You can read it in the book Primitive Christianity In Crisis, and this is the ultimate of what you would say is Hindu spirituality. That you rise to a point of perfection within your mind, that you unite with the great deep. And the great paternal father, who is Satan, in the heavens (not the true God), and that you come to a point that you are so perfect that you no longer have any sin. That you can no longer can commit sin.

Now John was fighting that. Let’s look here in 1 John. Very important to understand. And he was fighting that in his days when he wrote 1 John. Now he says here in 1 John 1:6, “If we proclaim that we have fellowship with Him, but we are walking in the darkness, we are lying to ourselves, and we are not practicing the Truth. However, if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His own Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we do not have sin, we are deceiving ourselves,…” and that is the ultimate of Satan’s deception, is to convince people that they can become sinless through spiritual progressions, as Deepak Chopra said, the seven progressions to becoming God. “…And the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:6-8, FV). So he shows that we have to continually confess our sins.

Now let’s come back to Revelation 2 again. Let’s continue where we left off. Verse 26, “‘And to the one who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end,…’” And Jesus also said, “He who endures to the end, the same shall be saved.” “‘…I will give authority over the nations;…’” And He says, verse 29, “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Rev. 2:26, 29, FV).

Now we come to chapter 3 and the first church we have here is the church at Sardis. It has a name that it lives but it’s dead. And I already spoke to that, you who are dead – AWAKE and do the things you need to do. And I’ve heard it said, people have attended different churches of God and it’s like walking into a tomb. You need to get out of there. And He says, hold fast the few things that you have and I won’t blot your name out of the book of life. Which tells us what? There are a lot of Christians living on the fringe and they can have their names blotted out of the book of life.

Then we come to the church of Philadelphia. Verse 7, “‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: These things says the Holy One, the one Who is true; the one Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shuts, and Who shuts and no one opens.’” And that’s the key. Brethren, anything we are going to do, it’s got to be evident that that’s what God wants and that He has opened the door. You see, trying to get in new people by dumbing down to their level and getting numbers – look what happened to the church because of it. So we have to preach the Word of God. We have to preach repentance. Not only to the church but also to people not in the church.

Now notice, He says, “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.’” Of all of the churches this is the only one, outside of Smyrna. Now Smyrna was not doctrinally very deep. They held fast the name of Christ, they lived according to God’s way, they were chased, they were persecuted, but they didn’t have a chance to really sit down and study like we do here. And that’s what this implies to the church at Philadelphia. You have time to study, you have time to pray, you have time to grow and overcome, you have time to learn the Word of God so that we keep His Word and not deny His name. Now there’s going to be a great reward in this. That’s why we’re not to fear anything that anyone out there can do to us because here is what God is going to do. Jesus says, “‘Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who proclaim themselves to be Jews [that is, they are truly Christians] and are not, but do lie—behold, I will cause them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the time of temptation which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth.’” So this is the coming world wide thing of the coming mark of the beast. God is going to help us and strengthen us and protect us. There’s a promise right there. He’s going to keep us from the ravages of that.

“‘Behold, I am coming quickly; hold fast that which you have so that no one may take away your crown.’” As I mentioned before there are a lot of people out there trying to be crown snitchers and stealers. “‘The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name.’” And again He says, “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Rev. 3:7-13, FV).

Now then let’s see what it means to be faithfully keeping the Word of God and what that will lead to. Let’s go to Philippians 2 and let’s see the ultimate, the pinnacle of what Christ is talking about here concerning the church at Philadelphia. Verse 1, “Now then, if there be any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any deep inner affections and compassions, fulfill my joy, that you be of the same mind, having the same love, being joined together in soul, minding the one thing.” Seek first the kingdom of God. That’s minding the one thing. “Let nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but in humility, each esteeming the others above himself. Let each one look not only after his own things, but let each one also consider the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;…” That’s what it is. To grow to have the mind of Christ. Being filled with the Word of God. Being filled with the Spirit of God and humbling yourself like Jesus did here. In the same example.

Then we come down here to verse 12. “So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed,…” That’s how they did it - faithfully keeping the Word of God. That’s what He commended the church at Philadelphia for. “…Not as in my presence only,…” You don’t do it just because people are watching. “…But now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Who works in you both to will…” If you’re led by the Holy Spirit of God, He is going to give you the will and the desire. And if you’re not led by the Holy Spirit of God then all these other problems will come about. “…And to do according to His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:1-5, 12-13, FV). So that’s the church of Philadelphia.

Now let’s come back and let’s look at the Laodiceans. Let’s see what happens with the Laodiceans when you’re living in an age that we’re living in today. Before we get to the Laodiceans let’s read Revelation 3:13. “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” And on this Day 49 we need to ask the question: Do we all have ears to hear? Are we hearing what Christ is saying to the churches?

“‘And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginner of the creation of God. I know your works,…’” Now in every case He says “I know your works”, is that true? Christ knows what you are doing. Christ knows what everybody else is doing. He knows the works. This is why we need to busy ourselves drawing close to God and doing the things that please Him, because He knows our works. “‘…That you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you be either cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and are neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’; and you do not understand that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’” And that’s the way it is with so many people in the world and in the church today, that they have so many things. Yes, God does bless and He does gives things, doesn’t He, to those who obey Him. That’s true. But you see, one of the things that Satan can do to make you relax, is make you think that every one of these blessings that God has given is because you are in right standing with Him. And then you become lukewarm. And then you are not zealous and on fire for God. And then you come to the point that it happened with the biggest church of God in the history of the world, and they are spewed out of the mouth of God. And everything that they looked to, every possession that they had is gone. And so we need to realize that’s what happened. And those of us who were involved with that we need to change, we need to grow, we need to overcome.

We need to ask God to give us of His Spirit. We need to do what Jesus said here, “‘I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire…’”, which is the greatest kind of spiritual character that Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 3, that Christ is the only foundation and you build on there gold, silver, precious stone. But the Laodiceans are building wood, hay, and stubble, and it’s going to be burned up. He says, “‘…purified by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;…’” And the shame of the nakedness and the carnality of the things that went on in the church of God, even people in the world looked at the church of God and said, “How can they be God’s people?” Well God knew that. He took care of it, didn’t He? Yes, He did.

And “‘…anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.’” That is that you may see and understand the Word of God. You may see your own condition. You may see the way that you are before God and go before Him and repent. Christ is there to forgive. Christ is there to cleanse. Christ is there to re-energize. Christ is there to give you of His Spirit and zeal, and the precious spiritual knowledge and character that comes from Him. See, it’s not a shame to be a Laodicean. It’s a shame to not repent and remain one. So we need to become zealous Laodiceans, anxious doing the Word of God, doing the things that please Him and not hold on to our physical things and say, “My relationship with God is so good that He’s blessed me with all these.” But do you thank Him? Do you study? Do you pray? Do you take the time to draw close to Him? That’s what you need to do.

Now He says, “‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.’” So let the correction of God work in you. “‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.’” People have put Christ out of their lives and He’s there knocking at the door. “‘If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.’” And so there you see is the solution. “‘To the one who overcomes will I give authority to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne.’” And here’s the ending message. “‘The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

So just like in the days of Hezekiah, they started out with the Passover and came all the way through Pentecost and on down to the fall feasts. There was great repentance. There was great change. There was great zeal. And they were able to be put in right standing with God again and God blessed them, and helped them, and strengthened them, and inspired them. So let’s take this day and Pentecost tomorrow to make a covenant in our hearts with God to seek Him with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and being.

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