Believer are you standing alone?
Promises to the Overcomer
It may serve us to dwell briefly on the various promises to the overcomer in Rev. 2 and 3, as indicating the circumstances and the responsibilities of the Church in view of "that coming day".
1. Ephesus: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. 2:7). This is a precious promise wherever there is overcoming in a day of coldness and apathy - may we not say in these very days in which we live. Christ is the Tree of Life, and there can be no higher reward than to partake of His fullness in the Home of God. And this is the prize awaiting all who have the fire of first love—a present heartfelt appreciation of His preciousness in this life.
2. Smyrna: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Here are words of cheer for any who endure hardness for His sake; who bear reproach, scorn, suffering, in the path of obedience. Here still in closing days is there opportunity to suffer for the truth and for Him who is the Truth. "Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17).
3. Pergamos: "To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it" (Rev. 2:17). What a promise to those who resist settling down at home where our Lord was rejected. Are we feeding now and here on the manna, God’s perfect provision for a wilderness path? For those who turn away from the dainties of earthly pleasure and worldly conformity there is a feast and a white stone in the Home prepared.
4. Thyatira: "He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations…and I will give him the morning star" (Rev. 2:26-28). In Thyatira we see the church established as a world power, and its place here instead of where the Lord is. As we look about us today, we can see the same spirit working. Corruption follows in spite of varied activities and faithfulness on the part of some. For the overcomer the Morning Star of hope [link] sheds its holy light in the heart, and the coming of the Lord is nigh.
5. Sardis: "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" (Rev. 3:5). Sardis, with its boasted light has but a name to live. Cold, lifeless formality, and even doctrinal accuracy, cannot take the place of a living heart of affection and devotedness to Christ. How cheering to the overcomers is this promise. "With Thee in garments white, Lord Jesus, we shall walk; and spotless in that heavenly light, of all Thy sufferings talk".
6. Philadelphia: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.....I will write upon him my new name" (Rev. 3:12). A true Philadelphian will not think lightly of any part of that Word, much less of that which has to do with the nature of the church, its government, ministry, and testimony. Are we sharers in His patience, not looking for great things here, but holding fast what He has given? What will it be to be a pillar in the temple of God!
7. Laodicea: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev. 3:21). May the Lord make us true Philadelphians, and keep us from approaching the pride and self-satisfaction of poor, wretched, blind Laodicea. Difficulties may increase; nothing can stand the test but what is of God. Our whole resource must be Christ alone. May there be a true revival ere He come; not necessarily in numbers, but in soul, in true-hearted devotion to Him who gave us His all.
These blessed promises give the hints of the holy joys that await the overcomer in these evil days. May we ponder them, and live in the expectation of soon entering that bright home. Let us individually and unitedly pray for the Church which He has purchased with His own blood [Acts 20:28].
Samuel Ridout (1855-1927; of the Plymouth Brethren)
***
Ephesians 6:13 'Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand'
___________________________________________________________Promises to the Overcomer
It may serve us to dwell briefly on the various promises to the overcomer in Rev. 2 and 3, as indicating the circumstances and the responsibilities of the Church in view of "that coming day".
1. Ephesus: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. 2:7). This is a precious promise wherever there is overcoming in a day of coldness and apathy - may we not say in these very days in which we live. Christ is the Tree of Life, and there can be no higher reward than to partake of His fullness in the Home of God. And this is the prize awaiting all who have the fire of first love—a present heartfelt appreciation of His preciousness in this life.
2. Smyrna: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Here are words of cheer for any who endure hardness for His sake; who bear reproach, scorn, suffering, in the path of obedience. Here still in closing days is there opportunity to suffer for the truth and for Him who is the Truth. "Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17).
3. Pergamos: "To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it" (Rev. 2:17). What a promise to those who resist settling down at home where our Lord was rejected. Are we feeding now and here on the manna, God’s perfect provision for a wilderness path? For those who turn away from the dainties of earthly pleasure and worldly conformity there is a feast and a white stone in the Home prepared.
4. Thyatira: "He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations…and I will give him the morning star" (Rev. 2:26-28). In Thyatira we see the church established as a world power, and its place here instead of where the Lord is. As we look about us today, we can see the same spirit working. Corruption follows in spite of varied activities and faithfulness on the part of some. For the overcomer the Morning Star of hope [link] sheds its holy light in the heart, and the coming of the Lord is nigh.
5. Sardis: "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" (Rev. 3:5). Sardis, with its boasted light has but a name to live. Cold, lifeless formality, and even doctrinal accuracy, cannot take the place of a living heart of affection and devotedness to Christ. How cheering to the overcomers is this promise. "With Thee in garments white, Lord Jesus, we shall walk; and spotless in that heavenly light, of all Thy sufferings talk".
6. Philadelphia: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.....I will write upon him my new name" (Rev. 3:12). A true Philadelphian will not think lightly of any part of that Word, much less of that which has to do with the nature of the church, its government, ministry, and testimony. Are we sharers in His patience, not looking for great things here, but holding fast what He has given? What will it be to be a pillar in the temple of God!
7. Laodicea: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev. 3:21). May the Lord make us true Philadelphians, and keep us from approaching the pride and self-satisfaction of poor, wretched, blind Laodicea. Difficulties may increase; nothing can stand the test but what is of God. Our whole resource must be Christ alone. May there be a true revival ere He come; not necessarily in numbers, but in soul, in true-hearted devotion to Him who gave us His all.
These blessed promises give the hints of the holy joys that await the overcomer in these evil days. May we ponder them, and live in the expectation of soon entering that bright home. Let us individually and unitedly pray for the Church which He has purchased with His own blood [Acts 20:28].
Samuel Ridout (1855-1927; of the Plymouth Brethren)
***
Ephesians 6:13 'Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand'
9 comments :
Praying with all prayer and supplication for the saints --- is an important part of the armor--- so many needs of true Christians and pastors, one thing some of the Catholic websites and forums do right is to constantly talk of how our religious freedoms are rapidly being taken away and that terrible persecutions will begin soon for Western Christians.
to Natalia (above comment),
This warning about coming persecution of Christians is being heard frequently now from many quarters. The reality is though that this is not actually scriptural. The bible speaks nothing to the idea of a persecution of Christians 'in the last days'. It does warn of course of a terrible persecution that will take place during the 'time of tribulation'. What the bible foretells for 'Christendom' in the 'endtimes' (pre-trib) though is not persecution but rather assimilation into the global system and one-world-religion. This is the 'falling away' [2Thes. 2:3]. This falling away is well advanced today. Interesting to consider: the 'church' is so apostate today that persecution is not really necessary. They have already left true biblical Christianity behind - but they do not even know it. As for the Catholic church the truth is that they do not meet the criteria to be considered 'biblical Christianity' in the first place because too much of what the Catholic religion teaches is just plain unscriptural. If any Catholic believer would take exception to that statement they must first explain a long list of Catholic doctrines/teaching that cannot be found in scripture.
The real agenda, i would argue, is to continue moving the apostate churches degree by degree into a one-world ecumenical merge of religions. The Catholic church is leading the charge on this actually - building unity with Islam, and pushing for 'protestants' (many agreeing) to join back to Catholicism, and (along with many 'protestants') welcoming LGBT, etc.. Mormonism (and other 'cults') also being made out as compatible with biblical Christianity by the one-world-religion strategists, that they would also be merged. Synthesis is the goal. Persecution makes people cling more firmly to their positions.
Note on this: i would argue that what is happening today with Corona is technically not religious persecution. Churches were closed yes, but so were movie theaters, sports arenas, schools, businesses, entire cities, etc.. Corona is about the big picture - changing everything.
What the bible does teach for true biblical Christianity is the 'blessed hope' - Titus 2:13
Many Catholics detest Francis and ecumenicism and some believe francis is the false prophet. CathInfo, Fisheaters, One Peter Five, Church Militant, The Remnant Newspaper-which some on forums point out that 2 of the columnists are Opus Dei and a wild satirical site Call Me Jorge which has some interesting truths about the Infiltration of the Catholic Church. Doesn't Daniel tal of endtimes abolishing sacrifice which sometimes seems the sacrifice of the Mass, I don't mean 9:27 but a later verse. Too tired to argue about anything but in watching in the endtimes lie the burning of Notre Dame for your information only. The massive persecution of the Chinese Christians and the deal thought to be a $3 billion bribe to the Vatican not to mention or fight against the persecution -- Cardinal Zen is very courageous wrote, For Love of My People I Cannot eep Silent, he was snubbed by Francis in his efforts to find out about this deal.
http://mauricepinay.blogspot.com/ has an interesting photo of francis hiding his pectoral cross in his cumberbund while sitting with some zionists. fwiw
to Linda (2nd comment above)
re: Daniel tal[ks] of endtimes abolishing sacrifice which sometimes seems the sacrifice of the Mass
The verse you are referring to is Daniel 11:31 - 'And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate'
This verse is referring to the rebuilt Jewish temple during the time of the tribulation - and what the jewish Antichrist [see post] will do there at that point in time. It very definitely has nothing to do with the Catholic religion and the 'sacrifice of the Mass'...which has been performed continually through the centuries.
Something very important on this subject actually because every other Catholic teaching aside for the moment, this one teaching alone - the "sacrifice of the mass" - when understood exactly what this foundational Catholic doctrine teaches, is more than enough to qualify the Catholic religion as "another gospel".
This is not said to debate though, but rather to make a suggestion. The suggestion is a verse of scripture - Acts 17:11. The verse speaks of "search[ing] the scriptures daily, whether these things were so". This would be a very good thing to do regarding all of the teachings of the Catholic religion, so many of which are extra-biblical - doctrines derived from the Catechism, not scripture. Reality is that things not found in scripture, cannot be counted 'scriptural'. [note if using a Catholic bible it has been altered along with every Westcott/Hort version - recommend compare with kjv also)
Again, Acts 17:11 referring to the Bereans, we are told they were counted "more noble", as they took it upon themselves to 'do the homework' (so to speak).
Sounds like a good idea to me
Rev18.4
I have been searching the scriptures about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and reading Catholic articles and pondering. I have also thought and read someone else once or twice who thought of the fact that no building made with hands will ever again be the Holy Place but that believers are the only and true Temple of the Holy Spirit. It is hard to imagine but would be interested in your opinion esp about the probably rebuild temple by zionists who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and if it could be the Holy Place and what the Abomination of Desolation could be, could it be the Great Apostasy seen now?
Church casts out golden oldie hymns Rather than singing hymns which are "incomprehensible", the modern worshipper should be able to focus on themes such as ecology, healing and unity with people around the world, says the Kirk.
"There is something unjust if a church includes a hymn which only speaks to the past of those who are singing it and not to the future of those who are being born."
The public still prefers the longer-standing hymns, irrespective of archaic language and incomprehensible phrases.
"The Church's One Foundation" was the only survivor of a list of 200 "unsuitable" hymns - rescued thanks to a flood of objections from traditionalists._____________________________________________
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/church-casts-out-golden-oldie-hymns-278937.html ___________________________________________________________________________________________This article so disgusting, worth reading for showing how the wolves have been destroying the Protestant church from within for a very long time. The last Lutheran church I went to changed the Apostles Creed --- He was crucified and buried --- left out the fact that Jesus died for our sins! In the last Methodist church attended the Wesley Challenge had a modern language Lord's Prayer that left out DELIVER US FROM EVIL - the next study program was Rethinking Wesley but I stopped going. ____________________________________________________________ The song was written as a direct response to the schism within the Church of South Africa caused by John William Colenso, first Bishop of Natal, who denounced much of the Bible as fictitious. When the bishop was deposed for his teachings, he appealed to the higher ecclesiastical authorities in England. (Colenso was reinstated!) It was then that Samuel Stone became involved in the debate. It inspired him to write a set of hymns titled Lyra Fidelium; Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostles' Creed (1866). https://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/the-churchs-one-foundation ________________________________________________________________________
I will build my church and the gates of Hades (Hell) will not overcome it.
Jesus in Matthew 16:18
___________________________________________________________________________________________For years, a favorite indoor sport of Americans was bowling. Now, this seems to have been replaced with a new sport…attacking the Christian church, the body of Christ.
"The church" quipped one writer, "resembles a group of porcupines huddling together in a storm, trying to keep warm." Another pundit wrote that the church resembles Noah’s ark: "If it weren’t for the storm on the outside one couldn’t stand the stench on the inside."
___________________________________________________________________________________________But, the church is one of only two groups that God declared necessary for the world that He created. The first, given before the Fall, is the family. The second, given after the Fall, is the church. Our hymn sings both of the importance of the church and of her permanence.
Used to sing as a child in Lutheran parochial school. Lovely melody by a Wesley brother and important words:
The Church's One Foundation
https://youtu.be/jotNbcFelX4
1 The church's one Foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is His new creation,
by water and the Word;
from heav'n He came and sought her
to be His holy bride;
with His own blood He bought her,
and for her life He died.
2 Elect from ev'ry nation,
yet one o'er all the earth,
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy Name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with ev'ry grace endued.
3 Tho' with a scornful wonder,
men see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
YET SAINTS THEIR WATCH ARE KEEPING
their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
4 The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord, to defend,
to guide, sustain, and cherish,
is with her to the end;
tho' there be those that hate her
and false sons in her pale,
against the foe or traitor
she ever shall prevail.
5 'Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
6 Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with Thee.
(response to 3rd comment up)
Mathew 24:15 says: 'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
This is one verse that shows us that there will be a jewish temple in the time of the tribulation. The jewish temple had three areas - the outer court, the inner court, and within the inner court a third smaller room designated the 'holy place' - where the ark of the covenant was, with the mercy seat covering it. No one was ever allowed to go into the holy place except the high priest, and he only once a year - on the 'day of atonement' (can read about this day Leviticus ch. 16). The inference of Matt. 24:15 is clear - for the abomination of desolation to be in the "holy place" there must be a jewish temple at this time. This is not the only scripture though - for instance 2Thes. 2:4 says the 'man of sin' aka the Antichrist will sit in that temple; and Rev. 11:1-2 refers directly to the temple as standing at that time. The abomination of desolation either refers to the image of the beast which all the world will be commanded to worship [Rev. 13:14-15] being put in the holy place of the tribulation jewish temple (replacing the ark of the covenant), or, it may refer to the Antichrist himself, or likely both as they are essentially connected.
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