Posted by Lou Pilder on February 24, 2008, at 14:04:38
In reply to Re: Lou's reply to Dena-beastoutvthesea-B » Lou Pilder, posted by Dena on February 21, 2008, at 22:42:44
> Ok, Lou (wondering, is it just you and me here, or is anyone else reading along?).
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> I just did a search of the beginning of Revelation, to see what was said by (I call Him Jesus, and I know you don't... do you refer to Him as Y'Shua, or just The Rider?). I'll call Him the Annointed One (interesting that AO also stands for Alpha and Omega!).
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> Lou - first, is there any significance to how all the assemblies are located in Asia (which is now Turkey)?
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> 1. Ephesos. The AO affirms them for their hard work, endurance, how they've exposed false envoys, and have not grown weary. But, He chastises them for letting go of the Agape Feasts, and calls them to repent. He commends them for hating the Nicolaitians, even as He does (note: I've come to believe that Nicolaitians are those who promote the practice of the clergy/laity divide... "over the laity").
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> He tells them "to the one who is victorious they shal eat from the Tree of Life."
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> 2. Smyrna (a wealthy port city). They are oppressed and financially wealthy. Some who claim to be Jews, but who are really a "synagogue of Adversary" will torment them for 10 days; but they are to be faithful to the death, and will receive a winner's crown.
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> He tells them that the one who is victorious will not be harmed by the second death (Lou, is that a reference to the lake of fire?)
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> 3. Pergamon (a center of administration). Adversary's throne is among them; but they did not renounce faith during the martyrdom of Antipas. Some there worship Balaam; some follow the teachings of the Nicolaitians. They're told to repent.
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> He tells them that the victorious will receive hidden manna and a white stone with a new name.
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> 4. Thyatira (a crossroads of commercial routes, and a fertile valley). They demonstrate love, faith, mnistry, enurance - they are doing more than they did at first. But, they tolerate Jezebel (symbolizing idoloty and adultery). He will "strike her offspring dead" (Lou, what does her "offspring" represent?). He searches the hearts and minds, and will repay each one for their deeds (Judgement Day?). Those who see truth hold on.
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> He tells them that those who conquer and do His work will have authority over all the nations, the same authority that His Father gave Him -- they will also receive the morning star. (My take: is this referring to the Millenniel Reign? With those who receive age-abiding life reigning over those who undergo age-abiding correction? And, what is the morning star?)
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> 5. Sardis (gold refineries, and purple dye). They have a reputation of being alive, and yet are really dead. HE tells them to get back to their foundation - what remains is close to death. In God's sight, their actions are incomplete. Hold fast, and repent. A few in Sardis are worthy, and wearing white.
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> He tells them that the one who conquers will wear white and not be blotted out of the Book of Life.
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> 6. Philadelphia (on a trade route). There is an open door in front of them, which will never be shut. They have small power; they hold firmly to the Word, and have not denied His Name. The false followers will be prostrate before them, knowing that God has loved them. They wil be spared the season of tribulation, and the ordeal (Lou, would this be referencing the age-abiding correction of the Millennium, and later the lake of fire?).
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> He tells them that the victorious will be a pillar in the temple of God, and will have a new name.
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> 7. Laodicea (a banking center) They are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and will be vomitted out of His mouth. They claim, "I am rich and need nothing", but He says they are pitied, wretched, poor, naked and blind. He tells them to buy refined gold (which I've learned is the only thing of value on the planet that does not decay or corrupt), white clothing to cover their nakedness, and eye salve, so they can see.
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> He says (& this touches me deeply!), "I indeed rebuke and educate those I love. Be quick to change your minds. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and we will eat together."
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> He tells them that the one who has the victory, He will give the right to sit with Him on His throne.
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> That's my quick study of what the Annointed One says to the 7 assemblies... which you've said represent all of us, for all time.
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> Lou -- are there 7 categories of people, or do we all tend to go through 7 stages...?
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> I'd like to hear anything you have to say about all of this...my insights, my questions, etc. If I need something "tweaked", or if I'm way off, please tell me how you see this.
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> I'm finding this fascinating!
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> Shalom, Dena
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> "The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the unquestioned answers."Dena,
You wrote,[...and what is the Morning Star?...]
The book called The Revelation writes in verses 26 and on,[...he that overcomes...I will give him the morning star...].
The Morning Star. The Morning Star can be seen before the dawn. The Morning Star is a signal that the Day is near. The Morning Star announces to those that see it that a New Day is comming. And that The Darkness is going to be over. The New Day is At Hand, there is Hope and purpose in the hearts of those that receive the Morning Star. When one sees the Morning Star, the Sun of Rightiousness in comming soon, for the Morning Star is seen right before the dawn of a new day when The Sun of Rightiousness floods the earth with light. That Light is in the hearts of those that receive the Morning Star. That Light is The Glory of God in one's heart when the long night is over. I have seen the Morning Star. My eyes have seen the comming of the glory of the Lord. And when I was on the sand and saw the beast come out of the sea, the beast was the Darkness of the mind, the carnal mind, death. And then the Rider said to me, "I am the Light of the World; he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life."
Lou
poster:Lou Pilder
thread:799425
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20070227/msgs/814447.html