Tag: bible study

THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

When Job’s friends heard about his troubles they decided to pay him a visit.

Arriving at Job’s home these friends were shocked to find Job in such a position. 

For a while all Job’s friends could do was sit with him and observe his suffering.

They could not believe what they were seeing.

Here was a man of faith sitting in the worst position ever!

At last these friends could not keep quiet. 

Job’s suffering was in such contrast to his prior blessings that they thought surely something must be wrong with him.

Why did Job go from being a blessed man of faith to being under such extreme attack?

They could think of only one answer. Job messed up in some way! 

Neither Job nor his friends at the time knew what had happened in the court of God. 

Satan desired to sift Job in the same way that Satan desired to sift Peter. 

God gave his permission for this sifting to occur.

Why do you think God would do that? 

Peter tells us in his epistle that our faith in God will be tested by the enemy.

Satan will challenge our walk with Jesus !

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7

Both Peter and Job were men of bold faith. 

Peter proclaimed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. He made a loud declaration to the Lord about it.

Peter was ready even to to lay down his life for Jesus. 

Job’s life was blessed.

He followed God without wavering. Everything that Job touched prospered. 

But if you look closely at these two men you will find a common denominator.

Both of them trusted in their own ability to trust God.

While these men were indeed men of faith, Job and Peter were also men of great strength in the natural realm.

Peter was a strong fishermen used to living a rough life at sea.

Job was a rich businesses man, used to getting things done and having his own way. 

Sometimes the line between being a person of faith and a strong person gets blurred.

God allows our faith to be tested in order to reveal our own hearts to ourselves. How much are we trusting in God and how much are we trusting in our own abilities? 

In Psalm 66:10 David says 

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

He goes on to say that God brings his people through the fire purified as silver because of his great mercy. 

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. Proverbs 17:3

Peter who knows first hand tells us, not to be upset when these trials come to test our faith.

Jesus himself had trials and testing.

 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12,13

In James Chapter 1 we are told how trials and temptations work. 

1. God allows them

2. It is not God doing the tempting.

3. The lust of our heart is what causes us to sin.

4. God gives his children good gifts. 

5. God made us new creations in Christ. 

6. God expects us to act like new creations.

7. Be doers of the word not just hearers.  

8. Keep our mouths from sinning.

9. Stay separate from the world.

Trials prove whether we are truly in the faith. That is are we trusting God just because things are good or will we still trust God when all hell breaks loose?

God knows our hearts but we don’t know what we are really made of. 

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9-10

Fiery trials reveal our weak areas, our secret sins, and if our hearts are truly sincere. 

God tells us in James 1 to be joyful in trials. 

This is a tough one.

Who could feel happy when their body is covered with boils and all their family is falling apart? 

To be joyful in this context really means to be calmly assured or content knowing that God is working all things out for our good. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Paul tells us to be patient in trials. (Romans 5:3-5)

Solomon tells us to trust God even when we don’t understand. ( Proverbs 3:5,6)

James tells us to ask for wisdom in our situation. (James 1:5 )

Trials and temptations are allowed by God according to the Bible.

We are trained by them. We learn and grow from our experiences even though they are difficult. (1 Peter 1:7-12)

Trials let us know how much we need to rely on God in everything. (Psalm 73:26)

. The Bible says that Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

Jesus had constant persecution by the religious spirit and even before his crucifixion Jesus was tempted by the devil.

( Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 4:1-11)

The scriptures tell us that even though the afflictions of the righteous are many, God delivers us out of them all.( Psalms 34:19-22)

The Bible tells us to pray for our deliverance. (Psalm 34:17) (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The Bible tells us to pray for what is lacking in our faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:10)

Recently I found myself under a fiery trial.

I was attacked by all sorts of situations and people. I even got sick to the point of death but I kept standing on the word of God.

I prayed the word, I pled the blood of Jesus over my life 24/7, I listened to worship music and I even got prayer for myself as scriptures tell us.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:14-16

It was a rough one but God brought me through that trial. My body gradually healed and my heart attitudes were dealt with too.

I learned a few things from that trial. No matter how full of the word I am, I cannot rely exclusively on my own faith to see me through. God’s power is the source of all my strength!

While my stand on the word of God was good and it ushered me into the presence of God, I needed to learn to be dependent on the Rhema of God’s word. That is to seek God’s presence and be dependent on him like a small child.

Sometimes we can have faith in our own faith! Now I’m trying to be more careful to be dependent on the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures tell us to ADD to our faith. With faith we need knowledge and understanding, patience and kindness to others even when we are attacked by them.

Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:5-7

During trials it is common to have fingers pointed at us with accusation. Peter had a few fingers pointed his way and Job had friends who rather than pray for him chose instead to judge him.

Job’s friends insisted that Job must have done something wrong. He was being judged for his sins.

After all how could a man of faith be going through such a trial?

Sometimes we don’t know until afterward why we are going through a trial.

Job didn’t have a clue why his sufferings were happening to him but he told himself that he was going to trust God anyway. 

We must trust the Lord to work all things out for our good even though we don’t understand why we are going through a trial. 

Job determined that he was going to seek the Lord for answers. 

Then Job prays to God about his miseries.

He pours out his complaint to the Lord. He seeks God’s face for answers.

God did finally answer Job but not in the way he expected.

Job was told the same thing in affect that God told Jeremiah.

Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does? declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. Jeremiah 18:6

The answer given to Job was to trust in the Lord even though he wasn’t privy to all the details.

God is molding us into his image and even though Satan wants to kill, steal and destroy, God has a perfect plan.

The Lord is working for us a far greater eternal purpose!

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

Are you going through a fiery trail right now?

Keep trusting in Jesus. (Psalm 37:3)

Patiently wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

God promises to heal us. (Exodus 15:26)

The Lord promises to deliver us. (Psalm 34:19) 

The Lord asks us to remember to pray for those who are suffering as if we are suffering with them. (Hebrews 13:3)

Pray for one another that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

Comfort one another in our trials. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 )

Bear one another’s burdens so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

In eternity we will have all the details but for now we can trust God’s word and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us forth as pure gold through every trial of our faith!

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THE GRACE SINNER

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

Now I know the title of this blog doesn’t make sense because when the Lord gave me this word I did a double take too. 

I woke up a few days back to an interesting word from the Holy Spirit. 

 “There are those not under the law that sin.” 

Shaking my sleepy head I said, “Huh? Where is that in the Bible?” 

Then the Bible verses starting popping into my head. 

The grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodly passions and to live self controlled upright and godly lives in this present age while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14

That my friend says it all in a nutshell! 

The grace of God teaches us. 

In other words God’s grace or paideuō in the Greek, trains, educates, instructs, disciplines and chastises us so that we live godly lives in this wicked world.

Those born again of God’s Holy Spirit are being redeemed or rescued from wickedness and purified by the fire of God’s Holy Spirit to do what is good. 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Let me give you some background context. Many moons ago I got saved out of a ….how shall I put it ? 70’s culture. Without going into the details you can imagine the stains of sin on my lost soul! 

I was not raised in a Christian home. My family members were believers and I gave my heart to Jesus when I was nine at a Bible camp but due to hardship I ended up an orphan at an early age with no parental guidance in my life.

I was constantly around the DS&RR 70’s  culture, so naturally I fell into that lifestyle. 

When I got saved in my twenties I never knew it was sin to smoke a reefer or to drink a beer or to smoke a cigarette. 

Everyone I knew did it so it was normalized to me.  

Sure I knew it was wrong to steal and murder but wearing mini skirts? Come on! 

When I got saved, I had to have my mind renewed. A lot of things just did not seem wrong to me but were wrong according to scripture.

Little by little God cleaned me up. Out with the reefers when I got the baptism in the Holy Spirit. No more playing around with the occult. No more ‘anything goes, free love‘ mentality. I was under Holy Spirit reconstruction! 

This brings me to my point.

Under grace Christians still sin. That’s what the Bible says!

1 John 1:8-10 KJV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10

But if we confess our sins God shows us his mercy.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

However, in order to confess your sin you must know its a sin! 

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7

Now outward things that people can see are more obvious to deal with but inward sins are not so easy to detect. 

Your heart can  deceive you! You may think you are a pretty good Christian but if you go on a week fast and seek the Lord you may be confronted with a whole bunch of stuff you didn’t even know was there! 

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9

That’s what a fast does. David said, “Search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me into your life ever lasting!” Psalms 139:23-24 

The Holy Spirit searches our heart to reveal things we have hidden in our heart. Knowingly or subconsciously.  

More context concerning this word.

The day before I led someone to the Lord who was messed up and cussing up a storm. This person wanted to get saved but also had a whole bunch of issues. These need to be dealt with. He was willing but didn’t know what to do to change his old ways.

God saves us not because we deserve it but because he is merciful. This person was ready to surrender but I know the journey with Holy Spirit for him has just begun. God will perfect that which concerns him in his way and in his time.

Now that does not mean he doesn’t need help. He needs to be mentored and start reading the word. However, because he was saved out of a sinful lifestyle he will need to go through a lot of healing and deliverance. Sometimes these things take time.

Many of us are quick to judge other believers because they don’t live up to our standards. Someone is struggling with an addiction or has a bit of a potty mouth or dresses a little too revealing. We are ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater! The churches are full of these religious zealots quick to crucify every sinner that has a speck in his eye!

Instead we need to take our critical finger and point it back at ourselves.

What is the spiritual protocol for stone throwing? Oh yeah, back at us! 

The Lord loves sinners so much that he gave his life for them. It goes even further than that.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.2 Corinthians 5:21

He who knew no sin BECAME SIN.’

That we might what? 

Be the righteous of God IN CHRIST JESUS.

Not in ourselves.

The Christian under grace still sins but God is working in them.

The unbeliever who is under law is a sinner too but is not covered in the righteous of God in Christ Jesus.

That is the difference. 

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11: 33-36

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A Grain of Mustard Seed

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

You don’t have to have great faith to win a battle against the evil one. All you need is one small seed.

Jesus said that, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20

Jesus was addressing the disciples inability to bring deliverance to an afflicted man.

He said that because of their unbelief they could not cast out the devil.

This is not difficult to understand when you realize that Jesus sent his disciples out to heal the sick and cast out devils. (Just the same commission he has given us today.) How many are doing this?

Most of us when confronted with some guy flaying all over the place and out of his mind would have a hard time dealing with that situation too. Why? Because the devil likes to put on a show! He likes to flex his muscles and say, “See y’all, I’m a tough guy, you can’t handle me!”

To most of us this is intimidating. Not many of us Christians have signed up for the deliverance ministry. Most of us have to be drafted!

Satan does the same thing with our circumstances. They can be so big, so monstrous, so huge that they look like a giant mountain standing in front of our face! A seemingly impossible situation. Intimidating!

What does Jesus say to the disciples who failed to cast out that devil? He confronted their unbelief.

In order to fully understand the correction Jesus was giving we need to look at what unbelief means. In English unbelief is another word for disbelief. In Greek unbelief is apistia which means disbelief, or disobedience.

Disbelief according to the dictionary is the inability or refusal to accept that something is true or real. So, as we can see unbelief can be willful or non willful but either way it is a sin. God himself calls unbelief a sin.

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12,13

We have established at this point that unbelief is the inability or refusal to believe.

Believe what? Believe that God is able to do what he promised to do!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

Look at the rest of that verse in Hebrews. ‘departing from the living God.”

Unbelief is departing from the living God!

Now that sounds harsh but in the context of this chapter the author is talking about not having a hard heart deceived by sin which causes unbelief. He uses the example of the Israelites who had to wander around in the wilderness because of their constant unbelief.

After seeing all the miracles, you would think that the Israelites would believe in Yehovah and trust him, but they did not. Why? They loved the world! They wanted to go back to Egypt! They distained the ways of God! (Numbers 14)

Do you think that the Lord wants to hog tie a group of people and force them to serve him or else? No, he does not. That is why he gave them over to their sin. Those Israelites never entered the promised land!

It’s the same with us. If we love the world or anything else more that we love God, then we won’t receive his promises either.

After confronting their unbelief, Jesus says two things to his disciples in order to deal with the devil.

He says IF you have just a little bit of faith then you can cast out the devil from your circumstance BUT you must also fast.  

In other words, the small seed of faith will be sufficient if you deny your self.

Fasting has some health benefits and is a great religious exercise, BUT its real purpose is to humble you. There is no greater way to humble oneself than to deny the flesh pleasure.

Many Christians miss this point about fasting. They think that fasting is all about developing spiritual prowess. While there is some truth to that, it’s real purpose is to help us die to our sin! In this way we can submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee! (James 4:7)

 Therefore, also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Joel 2:12-16

When we fast, we are humbling ourself before the Lord. We get our sin dealt with, including our unbelief. The Lord will reveal to us even hidden sins, we never acknowledged, and yet hinder our walk with him.

When we fast God will hear our prayers and heal our situation. The devil will have to take a hike! The small faith we have in our hearts will grow and become bigger when we submit to the Lord. All we need is a small seed of faith with our fasting. By this we are saying, “Yes, Lord, I am willing.”    

Mustard Seed Faith

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                           Wishful Thinking?

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

 

One of the reasons why I prefer the KJV is the importance of words. Just one word off can change the whole dynamic of the sentence. This in turn changes the concept of the scripture being expressed.

Now paraphrase Bibles are alright if you want to read the Bible as a story book but if you are a serious Bible student, I would say, NOT!  

While the KJV is translated well it is not perfect. Also, many of the words used in 1611 are not used today. However, in order to understand the true meaning of a word you must be able to do a word for word search from English to Hebrew and Greek. The KJV is the best for this.

Recently I came across something while reading John 15:7 from the NIV that blew me away. What I suspected turned out to be true when I did some research on it. This is only one example of how the NIV is not a good study Bible. There are more, including the omission of many scriptures which interestingly enough have to do with the deity of Christ. (You can research about NIV errors on your own)

So, lets take a look at John 15:7 in the NIV and the KJV.  

 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7(NIV)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7(KJV)

Notice anything? If not let me point out two different words. Wish and Will.

What’s the big deal you say? Don’t they imply the same thing? NO! Absolutely they do not!

While today some people may use the word ‘wish’ for desire, it is a word with occultic connotations that have no place in the Bible!

Let me show you, the true meaning of the word.

Wish is the old English word wȳscan, of Germanic origin. Notice how the KJV did not choose that word when it is closer to old English that todays English. Now wish does mean to desire and long for something, which while seemingly OK, is not the Greek word translated in the KJV as will.

The idea of wishing is an old Norse concept of chance. If you ‘wish upon a star’, if you toss a coin in a ‘wishing well’, all dependent on the whim of the gods. This is not what Jesus was saying. To wish and to will are two different concepts.

Link below wiktionary says Wish is ‘an expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and the supernatural.”

https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/wish#:~:text=From%20Middle%20English%20wisshen%2C%20wischen,to%20wish%2C%20love%E2%80%9D).

Now some Christians will balk when the true meaning of this scripture is revealed but it is what it is. Maybe that is why the NIV chose the word “wish” because they could not wrap their heads around the true meaning of the word.

Lets take a look at the word ‘will’ used in this verse in the Greek. Thel-o eth-el-o.

First of all, it is not a passive word. Wish is a passive word. It has an element of hope or wishful thinking.

Thel-o eth-el-o

To determine

To choose

To be inclined

To be disposed toward

To will

To desire  

Now lets look at this word used in the context.

John 15:1-9 KJV

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

The theme of what Jesus is saying here is to ABIDE. If you abide( meno) in Jesus, that is continue in, remain in, tarry in, endure AND his words (rhema) abide in you, ye shall ask (aiteo -require, make a request, demand, desire)  what ye will ( Thel-o eth-el-o- determine, choose, inclined, be disposed toward, will, desire.) AND IT SHALL BE DONE (ginomai-to cause, to become, come into being, be fulfilled,) unto you.   

Do you see the difference?

To wish implies hopeful, maybe, if the gods whim it to be so. To will is a predetermined outcome.

Now lets compare scripture with scripture. Go back to

John 5.14,15

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

The perquisite for petitions granted are ‘according to his will.”

How do we know what is God’s will? God’s word dwelling in you is God’s will. Back to John 15.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

God’s promises are ‘yes and amen’! There is no wishful thinking involved. There is no maybe or whim of the gods.

If you are abiding in Jesus Christ, if his word is abiding in you, if you are walking in the light, then you with confidence can ask what YOU WILL, and it shall be given to you.

What about asking amiss as James says? There is no asking amiss to abiders who walk in the truth of God’s word and the light of his presence. Our will is submitted to his will, the word of God.

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:22

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         IT IS GOOD!

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

After God created the heavens and the earth, his Spirit hovered over the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw the light, was good so he continued with his creation process. After everything God said he was going to create, it was created. When God saw his creation he said, ‘it is good.’  (Genesis :1-6)

  I’m going to show you a spiritual principal the Lord revealed to me. But first I’m going to give you some Biblical background context.

To expound on the creation process, John tells us that the word was in the beginning. The Logos was manifest in the flesh.   

John 1:1 (NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.   

The word spoken in Genesis 1:1 is amar, in Hebrew. This word means to command, speak, or declare, one’s mind.

The Greek equivalent is Logos. The word, divine mind. God’s divine mind was revealed to humanity through his incarnate Son Jesus Christ.

The spiritual principle I want to show you (which is seen throughout the Bible if you look for it) is, that the same spirit of faith that dwells in us by the Spirit of God, speaks what is believed in the heart and then is manifest in the natural realm. (2 Corinthians 4:13)  

This truth has been relayed by many in the body of Christ over the years so I won’t reiterate BUT what I want to expound on is the part in scripture which says “it is good.”  

We know that after God spoke something into existence that was in his mind he said, ‘it is good’.

God spoke through the prophets in the Bible the word of the Lord. What they declared by divine inspiration occurred in its time. Everything God speaks into existence is good. Even divine judgments are for correction in order to bring repentance. This is good.  

“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God…” Ezekiel 28:1

Now, lets go back to Genesis to see this principal at work, in the ‘not so good.’

Eve is standing in the garden of Eden looking at the tree of the knowledge of ‘good and evil.”

God’s tree of life is there in the garden too, but Eve ignores it. She becomes fascinated with the other tree. The one forbidden.

The reason for this is because God’s word is being challenged. The serpent cunningly devises a plan to get Eve to put her eyes on him, incline her ear to his evil report, and to doubt God’s word.

The serpent asks Eve, “Did God really say?”

God created everything according to the account given in the Bible. He said, “it is good.”

The serpent challenges the word of God. The divine mind, the Logos.

“Did God really say?” the Serpent asks Eve. Doesn’t God mean something else?

Without going into detail because we all know how the story goes, Eve makes a choice to believe the lie. She choses the knowledge and wisdom of the evil one over the Logos.

Now many may be thinking ‘what a dumb thing to do.’ Eve had it made living in that beautiful garden enjoying the benefits of God’s creation. How could she believe a lie when she experienced the Logos personally?

Let me ask you this. When we have the Logos, the written word of God why don’t we believe what God says?  

God tells us, that it is good, but we don’t believe it. We run to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil instead. Has God really said that he wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul is prospering? Has God really said that by his stripes we are (present tense) healed? Has God really said that we will eat the fruit of our doings? Has God really said that the soul that sins will die? Has God really said?

Those are just some examples of the Logos that we don’t believe.

Did God really say those things in the Bible? No, of course not. We prefer to believe the word of man rather than the Logos. We believe man’s knowledge and wisdom. We believe the evil reports of this world.

Today people are running around squawking like the sky is falling! Oh, I was one of them until God by his grace straightened me out. Today people are running to Dr. Frankenstein to get a remedy for what ails them before they even ask God about it!  Some in the church believe the word of man over God’s word

Let me show you what happens when we believe the lie instead of the Logos.

After Moses (who could not enter the promised land because he did not believe God’s word), the children of Israel were about to enter the promised land and God sent spies ahead to check things out. (Numbers 13)

An evil report came back. There were giants in the land! The people saw the giants and they said. “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are. The giants were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Notice that they did not see anything good. They saw an impossibility.

When the spies saw the giants, they looked at their own ability. “We are not able,” they declared.

After the spies looked at their own ability, the giants looked at them and scoffed. ‘

“What a bunch of grasshoppers’! ” they said.

Notice a pattern? Eve saw that the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil looked good to eat! Eve believed in her heart that the fruit pointed out to her by the serpent was good, so she ate it. She believed the lie, and the lie was acted upon and the results of the thoughts, the agreement with the lie, resulted in the act of disobedience.

Those spies also agreed with the lie.

‘We are not able’. they declared.

The spies spoke the lie, to everyone else. This caused those hearing the lie to agree with the lie too.  

So, all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. Numbers 14:1

Then comes the faith guys, speaking faith, (Joshua and Caleb) 

“Do not fear, it is good! We are able to take the land!” they declared.

Those two spies had a good report.

“The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” Numbers 14:6

How did the people of God react to the declaration of faith? The doubters, wanted to stone the faith guys for speaking faith!

 ‘And all the congregation said to stone them with stones.” Numbers 14:10

This is a common occurrence in churches today. Speak faith, believe the word, encourage others to believe the Logos and they want to give you the boot, discredit you, and call you a heretic!

“Did God really say you can be healed? Don’t you know that you have an incurable disease? Don’t you know that your bank account is empty? Don’t you know that you will never ever succeed at such an impossible task?

Some people even Christians like the lie. It is good to eat the fruit of the knowledge and wisdom of men they say. It has lots of benefits you know. Acceptance, money, fame, no persecution. Some Christians’ eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil all the time. Man’s word over God’s word. Its scientific you know! But the results are disastrous! Sickness, disease, wandering in the wilderness, poverty, depression, and even death.

What does the Logos say to the lie of unbelief?

We may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me! Don’t be carried about with various and strange doctrines. (Lies made up by man). Receive the word of God spoken by faith filled people like Joshua and Caleb! (my paraphrase)

The Logos (Jesus Christ) that said 2000 years ago it is good, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 16: 6-9 

What good things does the Logos that is the same, yesterday, today and forever have to say to us? Here are some examples.

“So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” Exodus 23:25

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Remember all the promises of the Old Testament are for the church today for we are God’s spiritual adopted children.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:5

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 4:9

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelations 15:9-6

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:52

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.  Psalms 107:20

If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 15:26

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1-4

Putting this all together we see that the Logos says, it is good.

The lie says it is not good.

The lie says you are sick, weak, helpless, can’t make it on your own, you are defeated. There is no hope for you at all. Those giants are too big to tackle!

God’s word says, if you believe the Logos all things are possible for you. If you pray, seek, knock, the door will open for you. If you trust in God, you will not be disappointed. If you rejoice in your trial God will bring you forth as pure gold! Plus, many. many more good words!

Now watch what happens as Joshua and Caleb who believed God’s word (the Logos) that it is a good land, are about to lay hold of the promise. What do they do?

(Note, that those who did not believe God’s word perished in the wilderness. They wandered around without receiving the promises.)

Joshua and Caleb saw giants, but they said, we are able ! Why? Because they did not look at their puny selves! They looked at the greatness of their God and believed his word!

They knew God would help them bring down the giants and subdue the land.

Many times, God’s people want a quick fix. If they get prayer for healing and don’t get an instantaneous miracle, they throw the baby out with the bath water! They assign all kinds of man-made doctrines to it too! Did God really say? Doesn’t the fruit on this man’s knowledge and wisdom tree look better?

God tells, Joshua and Caleb, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” Joshua 1:2

All the promises of God are yes and amen! But there is a challenge to them. The serpent, points to the giant circumstance and says, Did God really say you can have that promise?  

God gives us some instructions in his word to inherit the promises.

  • Do not agree with the lie.
  • Do not fear.
  • Only believe.
  • Walk in his ways.
  • Take the land. Lay hold of the promises.
  • Declare his promises. Agree with God’s word.
  • Obey the Lord’ instructions for the situation.
  • Battle the enemy for the promises! (Spiritual warfare)

 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you, shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:4-9

 If you continue reading the book of Joshua, you will find the battles and how God used praise, prayer and faith to defeat the enemy. You will see how the promised land was secured.

It did not happen over night. There were giants to defeat, battles to wage, lessons to learn BUT in the end the promises of God prevailed!

The first step towards victory is to agree with the Logos that ‘it is good’! What God has promised he is able to perform!

Reject the lie for Satan will always challenge the word of God. Don’t agree with him! Don’t eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that exalts itself against the knowledge of God! Cast down those lies!

Agree with God’s word, declare it is good! I believe and therefore I speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13-15) 

My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19)

He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4,5

For the LORD my God is the one who goes with me to fight for you against my enemies to give me the victory! Deuteronomy 20:4. 4 

“Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world!” says the Logos, Jesus Christ. John 16:33

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Laodicea : Unto the Churches Series

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Laodicea was a rich ancient city in Asia Minor on the river Lycus. (Turkey)

It was located in the regions of Caria and Lydia, during the Hellenistic period.

Laodicea’s history under Alexander the Great was thoroughly steeped in Greek history and culture.

Laodicea was ‘worldly’ before the Romans took it over. Adhering to Greek Philosophy, secular reasoning, and human logic.  

When Rome took over Laodicea it became a flourishing commercial city due to its strategic trade route. Laodicea was known for being a banking center with a medical school and a market for high demand black wool.

Laodicea was called the “City of Zeus.”  

Zeus was the God of the Cosmos, dwelling on Mount Olympus. (the home of the gods)  

That is Laodicea was Satan’s domain, where he sat in a high place as the prince of the power of the air.

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:2-6

   Many of the Jews who had been transported to Laodicea by Antiochus from Babylonia, had converted to Yeshua. They were wealthy merchants.

 As long as Christianity was considered a Jewish sect in Laodicea the converts were exempt from ’emperor worship’. However, when more Gentiles were converted to Christianity, their special status as a Jewish sect was removed.  

Jesus tells the church at Laodicea to repent of their lukewarmness. Being materially comfortable caused the Laodicean church to become spiritually apathetic.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 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: Revelation 3:15–16

The word spue is the modern English word for’vomit.’

The Bible tells us that to vomit something out means that one is spuing something out that is defiled.

https://www.quotescosmos.com/bible/bible-concordance/H6958.html

 Laodicea is warned by the Lord to to repent.

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. Revelations 3: 18,19

The Laodicean Church was told it faced being ‘vomited out’ because of the worldly materialistic lukewarm position they had taken. Jesus told Laodicea that they would be put through the fire for purification. Scriptures tell us that going through the fire is going through trials, tribulation, and persecution.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10

So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ Zechariah 13:9

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Going through the fire, reveals our ‘nakedness.’ Our poor spiritual condition. It helps us to see ourselves the way we really are. All our sins are exposed. All our self righteousness is revealed.

The Laodicea church went through a time of persecution and great shaking.

Although Jews were exempt from persecution under Domitian’s reign (81–96 C.E.) Christians were not. This affected their ability to ‘buy and sell’.

The compromising Christians of Laodicea faced the consequences of “I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16)

Laodicea continued to be an important city until the seventh century C.E. when it was struck by an earthquake and abandoned.

The Laodicean church is an example of what happens when the followers of Jesus Christ become compromised due to extreme wealth and comfortableness.

Just like the Lord exhorts the Laodicean church to preserve through the fire he is asking the wealthy, materialistic, spiritually lukewarm church of today to persevere in the trials and persecutions upcoming.

Jesus is standing at the door. He is ready to return. Are you ready for his return? Are you watching? Looking for the signs?

If you are going through tremendous trials right now it is for a divine purpose. To bring you through the flames as pure gold. Remember that Jesus is the forth man in your fire. He will walk with you through it!

Draw close to him. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you.

When he has brought you through the fire you will be able to look back and see his hand of grace on your life!

You will be a vessel meet for his use!

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Unto the Churches Series: Philadelphia

~ Kim Balogh ~ 2 Comments

The City of Ancient of Philadelphia, (Modern name Alaşehir) was founded by King Attalus II Philadelphus (r. 159–138 BC) of Pergamon. The city was named for the King’s love for his brother, his successor. (Attalus II, 159–138 BC)

The city was called “Philadelphos,” meaning “one who loves his brother.”

Under Roman rule, Philadelphia became an imperial cult of emperor worship. Philadelphia was also known for having earthquakes, which may be why Jesus promised the church of Philadelphia that he would make them a ‘pillar in the temple’ if they were overcomers in his name.

The church of Philadelphia had challenges. Not only were they persecuted by Roman secularism but also by religious opposition. This combination makes for shaky ground if one is not grounded on the rock of Jesus Christ.

Jesus told the church of Philadelphia that they had a little strength. In other words, they were holding on while the shaking was going on all around them. They did not deny his name in spite of persecution.

Sounds like today, huh? Shakings, persecutions, hardship.

This shaking is not only coming at the Lord’s church from the world and the religious folks but from inside their inner circle! From family and friends!

There is a lot of shaking going on right now in this world. The sifting has started. The tares are being removed from the wheat!

Are you a weary pilgrim wandering through this world of woe? Misunderstood? Rejected for your faith? Hated because you belong to Jesus Christ?

Well, hold on dear believer, don’t let go of the helm of the Lord’s garment! Praise him in your storm! He has your back! 

The church of Philadelphia was promised preservation from temptation if they continued to be faithful. The Lord promised to see them through! In the same way God has promised to see us through every trial and temptation.

Not only that, but the church of Philadelphia was promised eternal blessings where they would be honored in the Lord’s future kingdom! If they held on to his promises!

Whatever shaking you are enduring right now, friend, remember that the Lord will hold you up. He has all the keys to the kingdom of God. That is why he mentioned this to the church of Philadelphia.

Jesus Christ alone has the power to open and close doors! Seek him for He can open or close the doors to your situation. 

Knock and keep on knocking! He will not fail you!  He has the key to your deliverance!

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”  Revelation3:11

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Unto the Churches Series: Sardis

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Jesus addressed the church of Sardis in a unique way. He refers to himself as the one who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars.

All through the Bible we find the number seven. The number 7 is the most important symbolic number in the Hebrew Bible. It symbolizes completion and perfection.   

https://www.thetorah.com/article/seven-the-biblical-number

The seven Spirits of God are the seven-fold operation of the spirit of God, as referred to in Isaiah.  

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. Isaiah 11:1-5

The seven stars are the seven angels of each church, and church age.

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; Revelation 1:4

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20

The seven churches are the seven churches that existed at the time this prophecy was given but also the church ages. Of which we are in the last church age.

However, every individual can learn from the address Jesus makes to the churches, pertaining to specific things that please and displease the Lord. In this way we can have our hearts dealt with and come into alignment with God’s perfect will.

It is important to note that salvation is a free gift not based on our works. However, blessings in this life and rewards in the next are dependant on the way we live our lives in this world. God wants us to be overcomers, not just sinners saved by grace.

That being said, lets take a look at the Lord’s exhortation for the church of Sardis.

First of all, Jesus exhorts Sardis to be watchful. Being watchful was an exhortation Jesus continually made to his disciples.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 2 John 1:8

 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Then Jesus tells Sardis, strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. To tackle the meaning of this verse we have to break it down.

Strengthen sterizo in the Greek means to set fast, turn resolve, to confirm in ones mind.

Remain loipoi in the Greek means to remain as a remnant.

Which are ready to die apothnesko in the Greek means to be slain, at the point of death, perishing.

In other words, make up your mind with firm resolve to be a part of the remnant of God and die to that which hinders you from achieving that goal! (my paraphrase)

Jesus tell Sardis this because I have not found thy works perfect before God. Revelations 3:2

Obviously, Sardis was asleep, not watching and not dying to self. To find out what may have been the cause, we need to look at what kind of environment they were living in.

Apparently, Sardis was a flourishing city. It was known for its great wealth. The decline of Sardis was gradual but final.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Sardis

There is an important lesson here. During times of prosperity God’s people may be tempted to let our guard down. Not being watchful in prayer. Not dying to our carnal nature.

God in his mercy sends waring. Always warning before judgment.

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. Revelations 3:3   

Prosperity in this world is a double-edged sword. It can be used for good. To further the gospel, blessing in this life, BUT it can also be used to destroy. Make us weak in spirit, slothful in prayer and watching, concerned with the affairs of this life.  

Jesus warns his church of this tendency towards spiritual apathy during times of blessing. He says STAY AWAKE! BE WATCHFUL IN PRAYER! STAY SEPERATE FROM THE WORLD.  

Then the Lord gives Sardis an incentive for obedience to his word.

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. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelations 3:4,5

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelations 3:6

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Unto the Churches Series: Thyatira

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments

 

In speaking to the church in Thyatira, Jesus reveals himself as having eyes of fire and feet like brass. In other words, Jesus says he sees the situation in Thyatira. He stands in that situation to judge it and bring correction.   

Fire and brass in the scriptures refer to God’s judgment, purification, and refinement.   

For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:2

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. Luke 12:24

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So, he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2

They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon. They made Zedekiah watch as they slaughtered his sons. Then they gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. 2 kings 25: 7

I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. Leviticus 26:19

Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be. Deuteronomy 33:25

Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. Zechariah 6:1

Jesus tells the church at Thyatira that he sees their good works, faith, and service in the kingdom of God, But he also sees something else. He sees that God’s people have allowed “that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”

To understand what Jesus is referring to metaphorically, we have to go to the biblical story of Jezebel. In the Book of kings, Jezebel was a woman married to the king of Israel. This was an unholy union. To secure peace, Ahab, the king of Israel, allied with the Phoenicians. (modern Lebanon, where the cities of Tyre and Sidon were located) 

Jezebel seduced King Ahab into worshipping the Tyrian god Baal-Melkart, a nature god. In other words, he allowed a seducing spirit or doctrine of demons to sway him away from worshipping the God of Israel. The church at Thyatira also allowed this seducing spirit to have a place in their congregation. 

Jezebel was a zealous worshipper of the nature god Baal-Melkart. This god required allegiance to the earth. The elements of the earth were glorified through this god over the God of all the earth. The church of Thyatira allowed the nature god to have a place. Jesus makes it known to the church of Thyatira that this is idolatry. Glorifying the creation over the creator. 

In the same way that the nature god was allowed to spread its teaching in Thyatira, there are parts of the church today that allows the Jezebel spirit to teach nature worship. The “save the planet, climate change” radicals have invaded God’s church today! There is an obsession in our culture with nature worship. Parts of the church today have gotten on that bandwagon. 

For more info on that, I refer you to this article,

http://environment-ecology.com/religion-and-ecology/276-gaia-worship-the-new-pagan-religion.html

 Jezebel seduces God’s people to worship nature. Jesus views this act as fornicating with a false god and partaking in fellowship with it.  

 Notwithstanding 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. Revelation 2:20 

God gives “Jezebel” a chance to repent. Those associated with this seducing spirit, Jesus calls out of that false teaching. He also gives a warning to those who will not repent.  

“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 2:22,23

Many times, if we don’t repent of our sins, we end up reaping the consequences. This includes tremendous hardship, sickness, and even death. 

Baal worship includes the following nature-ordinated practices. As God’s children, we must examine ourselves to see if we have allowed fornication with this seducing spirit. 

Jezebel taught dependence on Baal instead of Yahweh.

 This dependence encourages mixing pagan ideology with Christianity or adopting parts of pagan ideas and practices into the church. By doing this, one enters the depth of Satan or commits spiritual fornication with demons. (Sorcery, or the false prophetic that uses pagan practices. ) 

 What are some examples of Pagan practices?

 Observance of special times of pagan seasons, ceremonies, and festivals. Such as Halloween, Easter practices, some Christmas practices. 

 Sacred spaces such as worship in particular places, at venerable monuments, earth-based devotions, observation of celestial bodies.

 Devotional worship of ancestors, safe spaces, nature worship.(environmental ideology)

 Rites and ceremonies, like practicing magic or using demonic methods for personal benefit.

Personal spiritual behaviors inducing self-promotion, such as wearing charms, burning candles or incense, chants, occultic mediation, and Yoga. (You can’t sanctify this practice!)

 Devotion or worship of demons by use of shrines, crystals, holy water, sacred stones or feathers, charms, self-procured visualization, mantras, chanting, prayer beads, astrology, fortune cookies, use of essential oils or sage for purification, worship of nature objects, worship of Gia. 

 Use of symbols such as dream catchers, pentagrams, medicine wheels, tree of life jewelry, Celtic or Norse symbols, upside down cross, all-seeing eye, lucky charms, wishbones, celestial objects, feminist or false rainbow signs. 

Jesus warns that adhering to these things releases demonic influence, resulting in sickness, poverty, and possible early demise.

For more information refer to this article.

https://www.patheos.com/library/pagan/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism

Jesus admonishes his church because he loves it. He wants his people to repent and get right with him. 

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 2:24-29

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Unto the Churches Series: Pergamos

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Pergamos was a church where the Lord brought the two-edged sword. The audience that Jesus was speaking to would understand what he was referring to. The two-edged sword used in Roman warfare was called the gladius Hispaniensis. It was used in battle when an enemy was approaching from both sides. The gladius Hispaniensis was deadly when swung to the left or right.

A two-edged sword does twice as much damage to the enemy because it was forged with two edges, allowing for better thrusting effects. A double-edged sword is more effective at penetrating through armor than a single-edged sword. An enemy cannot grab a two-edged sword in battle like a single-edged sword. The Lord likens his word to a double- edged sword that can do damage to the enemy. God’s two-edged sword is alive and active. It is quick, filled with life, effective and powerful.

God’s two-edged sword can also pierce or penetrate to separate or divide the soul and the Spirit. That is, a division can be made by the word of God in a person between what comes from the soul (mind, reason, intellect, emotions) and what is from the innermost being or spirit of man. (the eternal being) In other words, God’s word penetrates our being to discern what is from the soul and the spiritual person. God’s word discerns the thoughts and motives. 

The sword of the Spirit is a part of the Christian’s armor in fighting battles with the devil. 

 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of Spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12    

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18 

The Lord addresses the church in Pergamos with his two-edged sword. He tells them that he knows their work. (their labor in him) He also recognizes that they are living in an environment that is satanic in nature. The Lord sees that the church are standing in his power and might, making a firm stand against the devil’s wiles to steal their faith.   

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges. 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, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”  

Using his two-edged sword, the Lord also sees that the church in Pergamos has allowed a doctrine of demons to creep into their midst. While the church at Pergamos trusted in the name of Jesus, they were compromisers of the gospel in a pagan culture.

The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which the church in Pergamos allowed to operate was antinomianism[i]in nature. That is the doctrine that teaches Christians can retain sinful habits and worldly ideology and still be saved. 

“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 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” 

The two-edged sword came to address this false doctrine. To point it out by exposure and then to offer a remedy. That remedy is repentance. Acknowledging sin and turning away from it. Failure to follow the Lord’s instructions results in getting into a battle with the two-edged sword.

“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation 2: 16

The Lord warns the church at Pergamos to repent from the false doctrine of loosey goosy grace. The Lord himself says that he hates that doctrine.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 

The Lord makes it clear where he stands about a Christian living in sin, as the Bible describes. God’s mercy will thrust his two-edged sword at the believer’s heart.

The Lord desires all to repent and come to him for forgiveness. God’s word will fight against those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. To those who still live in the sins that they were redeemed from.

For those believers that repent, the Lord says he will extend to them his mercy and eternal life.   

“He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.” Revelation 2:17

[i]https://www.theopedia.com/antinomianism

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