Letter to the Converted from
Pergamum (the
blindly obedient and accommodated ones - those who hire religious leaders
to love the neighbor in their place)
Characteristic
·
I know thy works, and
where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is (Rev 2.13)
In this church there is no punishment as
drastic as in Ephesus, because not everyone was corrupted. There are few
weaknesses in comparison with the qualities, but they are very serious.
Pergamum lost the character of a pilgrim
and was doing this world a dwelling (Rev 2.13). and whereas
Ha-Satan is the prince of this world (John 12.31; 14.30; 16.11), that the world lieth in wickedness (1John 5.19) and that the
beast is based on many waters (populace), so the populace is the
throne of Ha-Satan and the Church, the throne of the Eternal One.
Satan means adversary. Although Ha-Satan is the
enemy of our souls, for sure it is not him that is referring. After all,
Ha-Satan is spirit and is not bound to a given place. He is the
prince of the power of the air (Eph 2.1,2).
Who is then?
·
"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying,
Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
·
Mat 16:23 But
he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence
unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of
men." (Matt 16.22,23).
Note that, wherein this apostle tried to persuade
Jesus to see things from the human point of view and of the flesh, Jesus called
him Satan. Considering the presence of the nicolaitanes,
soon satan it is members of religious
system that, by having acquired both prestige with the Roman
Empire, were reigning over the city of Pergamum (as it was in Jesus' time, when
the Sanhedrin ruled the Israelites with the support of the Roman Empire -
John 11.47,48; 19.15).
In other words, the nicolaitans
and the supporters of the doctrine of Balaam were not mere individuals, but
servants of the emperor infiltrate in congregation of Pergamum in order to lead
them to sacrifice to idols, and fornication, claiming that by
doing so they could approach more of the Eternal One and would be
able to manipulate with armies of evil spirits in order to meet the material
needs of each one.
In this way, the faith of all became fleshly. These
false teachers taught those servants of the roman emperor as encouraging
the brothers of Pergamum to prostitution and to participate in the table of the
demons (1
Corinthians 10.18-21), coming to corrupt the wisdom of the Eternal
One and lead the followers of Jesus to worship the emperor, but
thinking that they were worshipping Jesus (John 16.2).
Therefore, when the Scripture says that in Pergamum was the throne of satan, is saying that the religious system (satan) was using the teachings
of Christ in this city and had already conditioned the people (the throne of satan) to worship the emperor and the world (with the alleged excuse that it
was for the sake of Christ).
This group of brothers was being led by the
witchcraft (trying to
control the Eternal One and the angels) and enchantments (idols, and fornication, seeking
to control people), so as to use the faith of all in the
direction they wanted. Instead of fighting the faith of false teachers, these
were taking place to manipulate the faith of the brothers and use their
potential in favor them (the slave
who thinks being free works with more fervor).
As Jesus
presents Himself?
·
These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (Rev 2.12).
Jesus is the One in whose mouth is the only
word capable of discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb
4.12). It is His word pronounced that destroys the wicked (when talking about something,
indirectly the individual breathe - 2Thess 2.8), as well as His
followers (Rev 19.21).
Although the Bible is of extreme importance,
only when Jesus utters (live) His Word is that it
has power. And there isn’t another word that is alive and effective. The great
mistake of Eve and Adam was to put their trust in another word than the one of
the own Eternal One (Gen 3.11), thinking it to be a
source of wisdom (Gen 3.5,6).
Instead of relying on the word of men (Jer
76) or in the wisdom of this world (1 Corinthians 3.18-20), all our confidence must
be deposited just on what Lord Jesus says. His sheep follow only His
voice (John
10.2-5), because only the Word that Jesus utters now is that transforms
realities.
But that is not all! Jesus has a two-edged
sword to divide the whole religious institution in various denominations (see 1 Corinthians 11.19). After all, who does not
act with Jesus, is against Him; and who with Him does not gather, spreads (Matt 12.30). Jesus not designed
a system that could operate mechanically without His presence.
What
qualities can be seen?
·
I know where thou dwellest; where Satan has his throne; and that preserved my
name, and hast not denied my faitheven in the days of
Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells (Rev 2.13).
·
Keep the name of Jesus, i.e., to keep
everything that He is (His
character, to wit, correct concept);
·
Do not deny the faith of Christ. See
that it is not "deny the faith in Christ," but His
faith, that is, the way He believe in the Father (correct view).
Note as Pergamum had started well, keeping the concepts and the correct
view about Jesus. It comes the question: how a group of converts, who was able
to face up to the martyrdom (Rev 2.13), has fallen so
shameful (Rev 2.14)? This shows that the
desire of the soul, most of the time, just talking louder even than the needs
of the body or spirit.
What is
the complaint of Jesus?
1.
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 stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things
sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Rev 2.14).
2.
So hast thou also them
that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which
thing I hate. (Rev 2.15).
As Ha-Satan cannot do much through persecution (because many remained steadfast
in the faith, as Antipas), he decided, then, to lure the leaders through
political alliances and the brothers, through the delicious foods of pagan
temples and prostitution.
Difficult circumstances are not justifications
for making a covenant with the world and their representatives. It is easy, in
difficult times someone justify such a commitment on behalf of "we need
all the help possible." But the Church of Christ do not need this kind of
help.
How Phinehas was rewarded with
"everlasting priesthood" by virtue of his zeal against this type of
sin, so the priesthood in heaven is the reward promised to those who are
zealous against balaamitas of New Testament (which try the Church as Israel
once outside seduced).
Many believe that the problem with this group
of brothers was the erroneous doctrines. However, who was this man called
Balaam?
·
"Because they met
you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt;
and because they hired against thee Balaam the
son of Beor of Pethor of
Mesopotamia, to curse thee." (Deuteronomy 23.4).
·
"He sent
messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children
of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from
Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against
me: come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are
too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and
that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot
that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom
thou cursest is cursed. And
the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their
hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him
the words of Balak." (Numbers 22.5-7).
Balaam was a wizard gentile son of Beor, natural of Pethor in Mesopotâmea (Deut 23.4). He was so famous that he charged so
much by his enchantments. It should be noted, by speech of Balak, that his blessings and curses were very effective.
Although he knew many entities, he also knew the Eternal One enough to
recognize His voice (Num 22.8-13; 23.4.5), as well as what dislike
Him.
Certainly he was a student of the gods of the
nations, since he knew what was needed to handle each one (and he thought he could do the
same with the Eternal One).
Although the Eternal One cannot be manipulated,
he knew very well what He liked or not. Thus, by loving the award of
unrighteousness (2Pet 2:15;
Jude 11) Balaam took advantage of this knowledge to teach Balak, the most efficient method to lead the people to
stumble in their faith, and thus become a curse.
After seeing that God was on the side of
Israel, Balaam, how false teacher, in order not to lose the awards and honors
of Balak (Numb
24.10,11), used the knowledge he had about the Lord and His Word to "induce"
the Creator One to turn against Israel. These teachings constitute the
doctrine of Balaam.
Note that Balaam did not infiltrated into
Israel to induce Jews to change their beliefs. Before, what he did was teach
Balak how to encourage Israel to withdraw from the
true God and follow vain things, as well as the pleasures of the flesh, namely:
by convincing him to choose beautiful women so that they would be dancing so
sexy near the border of Israel and, with this, to mislead those who stood by to whore
with them (both physically and spiritually,
as in Exodus 34.15.16; Isaiah 1.21; Ezek 16; 23;
Hosea 1.2; Rev 17) and worship other gods (Nm 25.1-3), in addition to eating
things sacrificed to idols (1Cor
8.7-13; 10.20.21). Instead of military force, Balaam counseled
the strength of seduction.
This is the kind of attitude adopted by the
Babylonian System. In the world, the political and economic system uses marketing
and cleverness in order that the dissatisfaction to take over of people and,
thus, they will consume more and more.
To facilitate this, the religious system,
through their representatives (religious
leaders), uses the Bible to turn people away from the Eternal One so that, thus,
they are dissatisfied, coming to become easy prey.
That it wasn’t easy for the Gentiles to refrain
from idolatry and fornication, this is something understandable. However, as
Israel can get carried away so easily? There is only one explanation: they were
so familiar with the neighborhood (as shown in Rev 18.3) that they did not
want to be different (see 1Sam
8.19,20). Israel is so good for growing in relation to
pagan people who became whore (Jer 23.15; Ezek 16.46-52) and, at the
end, will become the Great
Whore (the unique
(Rev 13.3.4; 18.18), the more
skillful in manipulating the masses and the riches and the rulers. Note
how Israel is the only country that is involved closely with all countries). She is great precisely
because, in the eyes of most, she will be unsurpassed, perfect,
magnificent (Lam 4.12).
Lastly, Balaam acted externally using the power
of seduction. He tried to manipulate people and even the Eternal
One through the strength of feeling (fleshly desires in man, purity and holiness of God in
relation to His Word).
But some of this group of brothers was
beyond. Also embraced the Nicolaitans’ doctrine.
And to think that they had started well (keeping the name of Jesus and
not denying the faith that comes from Him - Rev 2.13). However, with time, they
no longer trust the leadership of Christ. Result: they came to bow down
before men, to be the object of cursing (Jer 17.5) and being unable to
see the good in their life (Jer 17.6; Isa 57.19-21).
This gives place to the nicolaitans
which, as it is said, comes from the union of the word "nikaoll" (that means winning) with the word "laos" (which means
"common people"). In other words, NICOLAITANS are those that
arise to conquer (or master) the common people.
This conduct of putting oneself over others (as is done in a job or as a mediator) is wanting to take
the place of Christ (1Tim 2.5), presenting oneself as
the solution to all problems, and at the same time, claiming (though often without realizing
it) that it is better than Him.
There are those who consider the name "nicolaitans" as being "devourer of the
people", which is consistent with the character of the people,
because those who do not enter the door that is Jesus (John 10.2,8,9), comes to steal, kill and
destroy the lives with the abundance that God gives (John 10.10).
And the worse: this gesture just sowing strife
between the brothers (Prov 6.19), as well as the partisanship, as can be seen
in Corinth (1
Corinthians 1.10-13; 3.3-7).
In other words, the nicolaitans
are people from within who think they are better than the others and that,
therefore, fears them in such a way that does not support the hypothesis
of seeing them in freedom. Thus, using the knowledge of the Sacred Scripture
to keep the people captive (whether by virtue of fear,
cunning, manipulation of Holy Scripture, etc.).
The union of these two doctrines produces
people who infiltrate the church to seek to entice the brothers with carnal
desires, and thus dominate over them. This is to harmonize the Sacred
Scripture with the desires of the flesh of the brothers, in order to be able to
more easily keep them under control.
This is exactly what happens in our days.
People are being convinced by the religious system that sin is
something natural in this world and that Christ died so that we might live
in our conduct and satanic, even so, be saved. According to this theory,
just we confess our sins (distort 1John
1.8-10), and obey the voice
of the religious leader (who was put
in place of high priest). The followers of this doctrine argue
that we will be perfect when we arise from the dead and that, if some day we
achieve perfection in this world, Jesus lifts us out of it.
LIE! Jesus did not set us free to be
saved in sin, but in order to be saved from sin (see 1 John 3.5-9). Some versions try
to undermine this by saying that what cannot happen is live sinning,
as if a little sin here, another there, it did not matter.
In this way, what exist is a religious
institution that believes in mentally in the Holy Scripture, but thinks it
normal not to be taken it seriously.
Who does not hate what the Creator One
hates is in sin. The church was designed to be pure and holy. Note that, while
the religious system is a great whore (plenty of political and economic alliances), the Church is the bride (connected to Jesus and His
heavenly things). Note that, while Israel is called the wife (hence John have said that anyone
who has the bride is the bridegroom, because he was in the Old Covenant -
John 3.29), the Church is called the bride after Rev 18, when Jesus will use her
as a witness of His judgment (Rev 19.7; 21.2,9). Prior to this, she is
just a bride.
You can question: but what difference this
makes? The great whore, after having relationship with all the kings of the
earth (Rev 19.3) generates countless
children for the world; the bride, on the other hand, generates no physical
children, since they are one of the responses of the Eternal One to
physical death so that the world will continue to be inhabited by human
beings (Luke
20.34-36).
The Bride does not think in this
world (see Col
3.1-3; Gal 6.14), but on heavenly things (Matt 6.19-21). She cannot bear
children, because the marriage with Jesus is not yet accomplished (it is only bride - 2Cor 11.2; Eph 5.25-27). The bride is used as a
shelter for those who, for having been chosen and purchased by Jesus, must be
withdrawn from the world" (John
15.18-20) (this view is symbolized by the
rapture) when, then, they will receive the adoption of children (Rom 8.19-22).
The Church does not bring additions to the
world, but draws of it those of whom the world is not worthy (Heb
11.38).
Who generates sons is Babylon the Great,
which, added the DNA of Ha-Satan to DNA of each king of the earth,
generates a corruption of Holy Scripture and the true God on the basis of the
culture of the country and the interests of those who govern it.
Here is a note: the religious system tries
to convince everyone that the problem in this congregation was the introduction
of false doctrines. However, note how Jesus says He has a few things against
them (Rev 2.14). This means that the
majority of people was keeping faithful to Jesus and His Word. And those
who were deviating, weren’t doing in bad faith, but by weakness in the flesh
and because they are realizing the subtleties of the religious
system.
What is
the consequence of sin?
·
I will come unto thee
quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Rev 2.16).
What would be this sword coming out of
the mouth of Jesus? This does not mean that the tongue of Jesus was a
sword, but that His word was alive, effective and able to penetrate down to the
point where soul and spirit are divided. Note, however, that do not come out
multiple swords out of the mouth of Jesus, but only a sword, which shows
that His Word is complete. It isn’t a collection of words, but a single word
pronounced bit by bit.
This sword also has to do with the sword
of the angel who wanted to kill Balaam because he had despised the word that
came out of the mouth of the Eternal One (Num 22.12,31-33). It also has to do
with Revelation 19:
·
"And out of his
mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should
smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of
Almighty God." (Rev 19.15).
·
"And the remnant
were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded
out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." (Rev 19.21).
And to think that this sword is to be an
instrument of healing, deliverance and salvation for all who believe in Jesus. Do
you want something more sad than not be able to live with what the Eternal One made
especially for us? For example: after sinning, Adam could not have peace in the
garden of Eden that was made especially for him (hence he sew fig leaves - Gen
3.7). The wicked, although they receive from the Creator One the peace,
cannot live with it (Isaiah
57.19-21).
Comes the question: if man cannot be in place
that the Creator has prepared, enjoy what was created especially for
him, with what he will be succeed? If the Word of the Creator One is
something foreign to the man (Jer 6:10), then what is left for him to follow and
trust? In the wisdom rotten and limited of the rulers of this world (see Ephesians 2.1,2)?
What is
promised to the faithful?
Nothing is mentioned.
Exhortation
·
Repent (Rev 2.16).
Although only a few members of the Church have
strayed, the other should repent because they have been tolerant of sin.
Instead of rejoice with sin, they should seek the sadness that works, in
the heart, the repentance that leads to salvation:
·
"Sorrow is better
than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made
better. " (Ecc 7.3).
·
"Now I rejoice,
not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye
were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in
nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance
to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2Cor 7.9,10);
·
"Draw nigh to
God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify
your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness." (James 4.8.9).
What is
the reward to the winners?
·
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
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).
The manna was the supernatural provision
that the Eternal One gave to the people of Israel when they sojourned
in the wilderness. It was something that was beyond the imagination of anyone (hence the name Manna - Exodus
16.15,31).
The hidden manna is an allusion to the golden
pot containing the manna, which was placed inside the Ark of the Covenant.
This manna was not to eat, but a memorial of food that once they ate.
The generations that followed Moses didn't eat
manna (with the
exception of those who were alive when Joshua began the conquest of the
Promised Land), but only heard about it. Although a portion of it always to accompany
them, nobody could even see it (how will
eat it).
And even if it could be seen by each one, that
only would satisfy a mere curiosity. Even because, even if it were allowed to
eat this manna, only one individual could eat it, and this only once.
All winners, however, will may eat of the
hidden manna all the time. Just dying for the ten commandments and resurrect to
be continually guided by the Holy Spirit, which watch by the word of the Eternal
One (Jer 1.11.12; Romans 8.14). This means being freed
from having to be sustained by the resources of this world.
The manna was regarded as the "bread of
angels" (Psalms
78.25), which teaches us that this food was the symbol of the true spiritual
food for those who want to be messengers of the Eternal One.
This leads us to conclude that Jesus is
the hidden manna, the revelation of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2.3). What Solomon asked (1Kings 3.9), and many kings and
prophets have desired to see (Matt 13.17;
Luke 10.24), Jesus gave this those who win.
As the hidden manna in the sanctuary was, by
divine power, preserved from corruption, so Christ is in His body which is
imperishable. He has come into the heavens and is "hidden" there
until the time of His Second Coming. Christ, in Himself, is the manna "hidden
from the world," but that was revealed to the faithful, which
has already come beforehand feeling the taste of His presence.
You see: our food is the body
of Christ (John 6.55) and the hidden manna (His Word). This hidden manna
recalls the food of Christ, to whom the apostles did not know (John 4.32), namely, to do the
will of the Creator One (John 4.34;
Job 23.12). In the same way, reminds each one of us, since we are the
body of Christ, the true food which is obliged to eat all who wish to be
saved (John 6.51-57).
In contrast with the food sacrificed to idols (Rev 2.14), the winners (which managed to abstain
it) will be fed from the food in heaven: the hidden manna (they will eat what Jesus began
to do in the lives of others - John 4.37,38).
Consider that it is not only of bread that man
lives, but everything that comes from the mouth of the Eternal One (Deut
8.3; Matt 4.4; Luke 4.4; John 6.48-50) and that Jesus is the
living bread come down from heaven (John
6.33,35). He is hid from the world, but available to those who believe
in Him.
Jesus gave Himself to quench all thirst for
knowledge that accompanies every human being. The desire for this search is
something that comes with each one. Unfortunately, most people get tired looking
for knowledge and wisdom wrong (Isaiah 57.10;
Jer 9.5). And the worst thing is that, in the end, they
think that is the quest to be closer to Jesus that brings boredom (Isaiah 43.22). As, however, they
will may have courage for what is good, if they already wore out
completely in evil?
Our drink, on the other hand, is
the Blood of Christ and the living water (John 4.13.14; 7.37-39).
Raking it with the fact that:
Ø
"It is the
spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto
you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6.63).
Ø
“For by one
Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit.” (1
Corinthians 12.13).
Ø
“And there
are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood:
and these three agree in one.” (1John 5.8).
Therefore, our drink is the testimony of Christ
on earth.
The second reward is the stone with a new name.
In the Old Testament, the name change meant a change in lifestyle. Here
are some examples: (Gen
17.5.15; 32.28). Not to mention that:
·
" And the Gentiles shall see thy
righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new
name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a
crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy
God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt
be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the
LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married." (Isaiah
62.2-4).
·
"And ye shall
leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee,
and call his servants by another name:" (Isaiah 65.15).
But that is not all! This stone with the new
name also represents the secret of Eternal One (Psalms 63.79). And to think that
Eve sinned because he was in search of a wisdom which was to remain hidden (Gen 3.5,6).
Many people go in search of a prophet to find
out that the Eternal One has for them, or to become aware of things
that are not for them to know (Acts 1.7).
However, considering that only the Holy
Spirit probe the deeper things of Eternal One (1Cor 2.10,11) and
that He has this little pebble whose name is known only by him who
receives it, therefore only the Holy Spirit can reveal what will really make a
difference in our lives.
No matter how much someone think in helping us
and is enabled, either physically or spiritually. As the Eternal One has
something peculiar to each one, therefore there is no way someone receive
something really good without intimate communion with the Spirit of the Eternal
One.
This, however, is in order that each one may
realize how unique and special is each person in the face of the Eternal
One and, thus, nobody thinks in despise the neighbor, under penalty
of having such a blessing off of heaven (Matt 18.18). After all, that the
Eternal One has special to an individual will not be given to anyone else.
This confirms the truth taught by the apostles:
that what the Eternal One has to His elected is beyond everything
that exists in this world:
·
"But as it is
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart
of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2.9);
·
" (For we
walk by faith, not by sight:)” (2Cor 5.7);
·
"For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the
things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2Cor 4.17,18).
And not just this!
·
Worship is something invisible (John 4.23,24);
·
The real food of who follows Jesus
is invisible (John 4.32,34; 6.27, that is, feed
oneself of what Jesus did (body) and does (blood) in the
Church (John 6.51-57)). (Matthews 6.19-21, Col 3.1.2);
·
The work of God is spiritual (John 6.28,29);
·
The kingdom of Jesus is not of this
world (John 18.36);
·
The Wisdom of God is hidden in His mystery (1 Corinthians 2.7);
·
The faith (Heb 6.11,12) and hope (Heb 6.18,19) are based on
what we cannot see. Love based on what we see in the neighbor has no value and
is mere hypocrisy (Matt 5.44-48).
The stone with unique name also means
that the Eternal One has something that only the person can
understand and receive. Certainly it is a revelation of Christ concerning the
person who is receiving the pebble:
·
"For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13.12).
They do not know Christ only in an impersonal
way, by means of other people, but will experience His presence within
themselves.
However, although the true wisdom and Favor
have always been hiding from the powerful ones of this century (Matt 11.27; 1 Corinthians
2.6-12), for the winners, they are available in the form of manna. And as
the people of Israel, at that time didn't know what was the manna (Exodus 16.15), today those who claim to
be following Jesus are also not knowing, and for this reason, they are feeding
just the knowledge of good and evil expressed in the law of the Eternal
One and, especially, in the laws of men.
There is still one more analogy to be observed.
In the Old Testament, the High Priest wore Urim and Thummim, which was stones killed, put in the
breastplate of judgment (Exodus
18.25,30) on the heart in order to obtain the Eternal One the correct
direction to be taken in certain circumstances:
·
"And thou shalt
make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod
thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of
fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Foursquare it shall be being doubled;
a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth
thereof. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of
stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz,
and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be
an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row
a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the
children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a
signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of
judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the
holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. And thou shalt put
in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment
of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually." (Exodus 28.15-21,29,30).
In the breastplate of judgment were twelve
stones on which was written the name of the twelve tribes of Israel, as
well as the Urim and Thummim.
The principle, by logic, he alone is the one who should have the privilege of
eating the hidden manna (since only
he entered into the holy of holies, and this once a year) and to know what was
written on each one of the stones that were in the breastplate.
All this, however, is to teach us that the
winner is the one who, instead of seeking what the world will show or hide, we
must find what is hidden with God and in God.
The new name was not necessarily new in itself (as if Jesus were necessarily
receive a name completely different - Isaiah 62.2; 65.115). Rather, the new name is
a new revelation of nature (power,
wisdom, etc.) and the character of the Eternal One, which only those
who have received Jesus can understand (Rev 14.1; 19.12). Also means vision,
activities, purity and joy completely new.
Watch out for the connection between the new
name of Christ (Rev 3.12) and of the
elect. The new name of them is the name of Christ, which was placed
as a seal in their lives. When a woman marries a husband, she
receives His name. The new name expresses, in this way, a new style
of life, higher, more real, the fruit of a change of heart and character. Indicates,
in this case, that the bridegroom has chosen a bride to receive his essence,
identity.
Considering that Jesus is our high priest, therefore
these two promises imply in have access into the presence of the Eternal
One. Instead of having the Eternal One just as God and Lord, we have Him,
first of all, as our Father, in whose heart we have our own place, which
guarantees us a peculiar perception of whom the Eternal One is.
However, it is necessary to clarify that the
gifts given by the Eternal One are not award, but present. Jesus grants them
based on grace, that is, based on the ability and desire that each one has to
receive what concerns Him.
What is being promised here to those who
overcome the world (1 John 5.4) is the true
life and their feed:
·
"For ye are dead,
and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians
3.3)
·
"Anyone who finds
his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it."
(Matthew 10.39)
Comes the question: who would be the winner in
this case? The one who has managed to live the Kingdom of Heaven in spite
of all the conspiracy against the world, tempting them to accept their rules.
That who refused any participation in the table of the demons, waiting for the
true nourishment for his soul. Instead of being tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine (Eph
4.13,14) following human beings (Rom 16.17.18; 1Tim 6.3-5; 2John 10.11), not content themselves
with less than to hear the voice of the Eternal One (John 5.24.25; Rev 22.17).
The white stone with the unique name and the
hidden manna are the two requirements necessary for the exercise of the
priesthood. As Phinehas, for being zealous for his God, received the reward of Eternal
One priesthood (Num 25.11-13), whoever wins will receive this reward.
Identity
This group
represents individuals who, although they know what is right, not
conform to see others teaching and doing the wrong thing. Because of the
distortion promoted by the religious system, the populace has been led to believe that,
like the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin (verse taken from the context of
1John 1.9) and the religious leader is, presumably, the
representative of the Eternal One on earth, then if they have worshipped
the Eternal One in a wrong way, this is not the fault of them, but the
leader (ignore that
both those who teach error, as those who practice it, will suffer the
consequences of their sins - Isa 9.16,17; 19.13,14; 30.1-3; 31.1-3; Ezek 14.9-11; Matt 15.14).
In addition to this, there is the fact that the
such one does not want compromise with what is good, what makes it
convenient to hire someone (religious leader) to love your
neighbor in their place, as well as seek Jesus for themselves. In this way, it
is easier to blame someone if something goes wrong. Not to mention that in this
way, the person feels in "peace" with oneself, in spite of their
evil acts because he believes that is in compliance with their obligations
before the Eternal One (as if the
Kingdom of Eternal One was a requirement to be followed or a
place of rest and relief from problems).
They don't realize that the Kingdom of Eternal
One is the continuous experience of His character
and goodness operating within each one. It is the ability to
live all the time in favor of love and bless the neighbor.
Obviously, this stimulates
many followers of Christ to ingress the courses of theology and to make
alliance with freemasonry in virtue of prosperity which they acquired in
the world. After all, do you want something more seductive that dominate on a
group of people (NICOLAITANS) and, in addition, to
achieve the "privilege" to participate in political and economic alliances
extremely advantageous?
And it is clear that, to
sustain these alliances, they need to teach the masons what do to induce the
followers of Christ (especially
those who have achieved prominence in the religious system) to join themselves
to them to worship their idols (for
example: promoting events or launching products with attire
"gospel", but which, in fact, are full of concepts and worldly
values, arguing that it is a strategy to reach the lost).
Be certain: within
religious institutions, especially the larger ones, who effectively governs is
the freemasonry through its puppets disguised as ministers of the Eternal One (see 2Cor 11.13-15), hidden behind works of
"philanthropy" (after all,
there isn’t love to the neighbor, but a masked form of get rid of tax
obligations).
The brothers who trust
their lives to religious leaders are seeking the Eternal One just the
things of this life (1Corinthians
15.19), which makes them miserable individuals and, because of
the transitoriness of this world, slaves of a excessive job. They just tired and overworked (Matt 11.28) with the obligations
and, especially, with the heavy yoke imposed by leaders who are elected on
themselves (tithes,
offerings, "works for God", etc.).
In short, this group is
characterized by those who accept gladly the nicolaitans
about themselves (those who
want to rule the world through religion) in order to live his
life selfishly without worrying about the consequences of this, since,
supposedly, who will pay for all the wrong doctrine is the religious
leader (contradicting
the exhortations of Joshua 7.1.10.11; Isa 9.16; 19.13-15; 30.1-3; 31.1-3; Ezek 14.7-11; 4.6; Matt 15.14; Acts 5.9,10).
They are people timid,
lazy and bad that, condemning the Eternal One for its alleged
rigidity and intolerance (as did the
one who hid his talent (Matt 25.24,25), and the mine (Luke 19.21)), prefer to be ruled by
humans (how happened
with Israel - Exodus 20.18-20; Deut 5.23-27) for the pleasure
that they have in their evil deeds (Heb 12.18-21).
This gospel populace,
although see the sin happens, make like Pontius Pilate, wash their
hands and throw the responsibility on the backs of others (Matt 27.24). They have as much pleasure in sin which, although
they know it is wrong, do nothing to combat it:
·
The most because like;
·
The rest, because they do not wish to be
criticized and condemned by those who love such practices. They use the excuse
that it is a "strategy" to reach the lost in order to feel at peace,
even knowing that such practices are contrary to Holy Scripture.
Abstract
Here the brothers make a covenant with the
Babylonian System with a view to entice the religious leaders of major
religious denominations to accede to their interests and, thus, to entice
the brothers are seeking in Christ the prosperity of the flesh.
To combat this, Jesus warns that only His
mouth is able to speak words sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even
to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4.12). i.e., only His teachings produce real
results.
Anyone who can pass through this planet without
being subject to the dictates of the world, will receive two rewards:
Ø
They will receive the true life, the
supernatural food of the Eternal One which confirms that everything that He has
been in the past He still is (as a
stimulus to help overcome the doctrine of Balaam, i.e., to show that
the true wealth is hidden in the world, well beyond this (1Cor 2.9; Eph 3.20)).
Ø
They will receive an individual who truly
belongs to the Church and that reveals something new about who is Christ
in their life, as well as of who they really is (by attacking the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans that induces the individual to want
to be more than the others).
Letter to the Converted from
Thyatira (the female
ministry)
Characteristic
Thyatira is located in the confines of Mysia and Ionia, forty miles south west of Pergamum, a
little to the left of the Roman road which goes from Pergamum to Sardis.
Thyatira was a shopping center, especially in purple. It was there that Lydia
was born (Acts 16.14). Inscriptions found
on the site testify to the existence of a corporation of sellers of
purple.
Certain portions of the description are taken
to indicate the special relationship of Christ alive for each particular group
of brothers. Jesus do not reveal Himself to the Church completely, but what the
church needs to know of Him.
Thyatira was simply the inverse of Ephesus. In
this, very zeal for orthodoxy, but little love; here, a lot of activity of
faith and love, but insufficient zeal for godly discipline and doctrine, a endurance to the error even where they don’t participate
in it.
Ephesus watched for good deeds and purity in
doctrine, but eventually became cold and rancorous. Thyatira,
although a church warm and affectionate, in what they sought to deal
well with everyone, they end up giving up the purity of doctrine to be
enjoyable.
Although Thyatira were working for love of
neighbor more than at the beginning of your hike (Rev 2.19), the absence of truth made
that everything became unpleasant in the eyes of Jesus. (were working on the
error - Mark 12.24,27). And the more we persevere in it, further away
we will be of the Creator One.
He who has ears, from this letter is placed
after the promise to the winner.
As Jesus
presents Himself?
·
These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of
fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (Rev 2.18).
Observe as, in the Gospels, Jesus used to refer
to Himself as "Son of Man". Even in other places of Revelation (Rev 1.13; 19.13), Jesus is called this
way. However, here He introduces Himself as "Son of God".
The Eyes of Jesus as a flame of fire shows what
He sees:
Ø
The spiritual wealth of the brothers of Smyrna,
in spite of their material poverty;
Ø
The faithful remnant exists in Thyatira;
Ø
The spiritual death of the brothers of Sardis
despite having a reputation of being alive and vivacious;
Ø
The door opened to the brothers of
Philadelphia, in spite of its low strength.
Ø
The unhappiness, misery, poverty, blindness and
nakedness of the brothers of Laodicea, despite being so rich and wealthy on the
outside.
To the church of Thyatira, that was tolerating
idolatry and immorality, Jesus thus presents Himself as:
·
The Son of God (Psalms 2.7,9; Rev 2.27) -> one that pleases
God, not just for what He does, but because He was who He is. Whereas
these brethren were induced by the religious leaders to engage more and more in
their ambitious projects (thinking
they were doing the work of the Creator One) (note that, in the same verse, it has three references
to works: "works", "services", "recent works"), to say that Jesus was
showing that it isn’t doing great works that will please to the Eternal
One, but allowing Him to put his likeness on them.
·
Having eyes like a flame of fire -> whereas
the their faith led them to persevere in works increasingly audacious, when
Jesus claimed to be the One who searches minds and hearts (Rev 2.23) (Psalms 7.9; Jer 17:10), Jesus was saying that
what He saw not only the quantity of things made, but the thoughts and feelings
involved. Being the eyes of Jesus as fire, therefore there is nothing
dark for Him. Rather, He sees everything as if it was clear.
·
Having feet like fine brass -> He will break the
nations as the vessels of a potter are broken (Rev 2.27) and after He trample
them burning (Malachi
4.1,2), without getting hurt (with
thorns, rocks, etc., because your feet are hard as bronze) or contaminate (after all, the bronze refined in
the fire is not affected by impurities). These feet
symbolize His judgment (Note:
"and the
winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress,
even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred
furlongs." - Rev
14.20) about those who despise the feet of those who preach the good
works.
What
qualities can be seen?
·
I know thy works, and
charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last
to be more than the first. (Rev 2.19).
Here we have two sets of qualities: passive (works and services) and active (faith and perseverance), being the love the link
that connects the two.
The qualities of the brothers of Thyatira
did they seem a perfect group.
Many, with sincerity of heart, adhered to the
advice given in (1Thess 4.1), coming to immerse
themselves in many works. So much so that the last works were more numerous
than the first. Although, in the beginning, they were the fruit of love and
faith, with the time faith was being directed to the wrong thing. They came to
value more people than the Eternal One. From there the motivation of them to
serve the Eternal One was fill the meeting places.
When this happens, the individual becomes
more accommodating with sin, thinking that is pleasing to the flesh of
people which will enable them to know Christ. From there, fulfill
itself what is in Rev 22.11: the spirit of the addiction takes hold of the
person, so that the latter state this is worse than the first (Matt 12.45; 2Peter 2,20).
Anyway, it was a group of loving brothers that
was beginning to give up the truth to maintain the unity (as can be seen in many religious
institutions).
What is
the complaint of Jesus?
·
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. (Rev 2.20).
What are the failures of these brothers?
1 - the presence of
Jezebel
Who was Jezebel?
·
"And Ahab the son
of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all
that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing
for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him." (1Kings 16.30,31).
·
"For it was so,
when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred
prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)"
(1 Kings 18.4)
·
"Now therefore
send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal
four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table." (1 Kings 18.19).
·
"And Jezebel his
wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom
of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee
the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters
unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth" (1Kings
21.7.8).
·
"And it came to
pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace,
Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so
many?" (2 Kings 9.22).
As you can see, Jezebel was the leader in the
worship of Baal, master in whoredoms and witchcrafts.
She is the one who in fact ruled Israel in the back of Ahab, which recalls
the global elite. Is the government shadow’s.
Jezebel also taught, i.e., exercised control
over the Israel’s people.
Similarly, in Thyatira, the wife of one of the elders of the community (perhaps the Angel to whom the
letter is directed), was using the name of the husband to exert
their influence, and thus induce the members to sin.
This woman, proud, titling herself prophetess
of the Creator and, therefore, the owner of sacred truth, didn't want
to stop having the Bride of the Lamb. Despite being only the Bridegroom (Jesus) that has this right (John 3.29), she wanted the zeal
of the bride was in favor of her (Gal 4.17). She not only was adulterating
the Eternal One’s word in the life of the
brothers, but did everything to control the life of one by one, manipulating
every moment of them.
And the worst thing is that these people were
so rooted in sin that didn’t matter to continue adulterating all the will of
the Eternal One to their lives.
·
"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." (Rev
2.22.23).
Those who commit adultery with Jezebel were
corrupting themselves (coming to
lead the brothers along with her) and leading many to depart from the faith.
These are the children of Jezebel, who will go out into the world to contaminate
more individuals, bringing them to your religious fold.
See the problem: when a woman had
relations with another man, she was giving continuity to the seed planted
by him in her womb. Likewise, whosoever shall have also the whore
faith, adulterating the word of the Eternal One and passing it on to the
wrong way (either in
concept or in the vision of the same).
2 - The Idolatry
Seducing the brothers to eat things sacrificed
to idols. Idolatry is to change the vision of individuals about the
Eternal One, in order to get them to see in Him something of this world. Thus,
people are worshipping the creature rather than the Creator One (Rom 1.25).
To understand this, think: it is possible for
someone to worship another God? It is logical that no, because there is only
one God (Eph 4.6). You may wonder: what about Asherah and Baal, Milcom, Dagon,
Tammuz, Chemosh, etc.? It is the fulfilment of Rm
1.23:
·
"And changed the
glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and
to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things." (Romans 1.23).
In other words, it is the spiritual
adultery mentioned below. Someone may ask: but how do you make sure that
isn’t fornication physic? Although this may have happened, but considering
the idolatry, for sure it is spiritual manipulation. Each one was
beginning to shape the Eternal One in the way that best suited them, adapting the
gospel according to their own interests.
I know that this sounds aggressive, but at no
time Jesus said to centralize His teachings. Rather, the order was to go around
the world making disciples (Matt 28.18;
Mark 16.15), i.e., making their day-to-day a lesson for those brothers and sisters
so that the same, after having understood the necessary, could be brought to
the place where Jesus wanted them.
3 - The prostitution
·
"And I gave her
space to repent of her fornication;" (Rev
2.21).
But after all, what is fornication (prostitution)?
You must first understand what comes to be
adultery. Adultery is deliberately modify the characteristics of something. For
example: If a remedy has been adultered, meaning that
some of its chemical components has been changed.
From the moment that someone decides to get
married, one body is constituted between this guy and the other (Gen 2.24) with a view to
generate a seed of godly (Malachi 2.15). As one of the spouse
decides to gather together oneself with another individual, they is
contaminating the purpose of the Eternal One to life of yours, of your
spouse and of your children. After all, the spouse is finding another
source of pleasure that will keep their soul divided and unable to concentrate
fully on their home. Instead, will acquire for oneself memories, thoughts,
feelings that are foreign element in your home.
Prostitution is nothing more than repeat this
process countless times (1
Corinthians 6.15-17).
In the case of brothers in Thyatira, Jezebel were
corrupting the seed of the Holy Spirit implanted in the hearts: the
word of the Eternal One (Luke 8.11).
The idea was to lead the brothers to think they
could, through the prayer and of the manipulation of the Holy Scripture,
lead the brothers to think that they could obtain blessings (which can be corroborated by
false witness). To see several ones who say they are brothers in Christ being
blessed supposedly by the prayer of the religious leader (Jezebel) or by devote their
lives to him, the others were misled to believe that they could achieve
the same case adhere.
4 - Tolerate Jezebel to
teach
Without doubt, the greater of evils
was being committed by the angel of Thyatira: his tolerance to false
prophets, as Ahab tolerated the behavior of Jezebel, satisfying his desire.
Firstly, when the Church is gathered by
the Holy Spirit in a given place, nobody has the right to occupy the
place of Christ in the life of anyone. In addition, it is good to
remember that the woman could not teach or exercise authority over a
man and others. It is Jesus who must personally teach (Matt 11.27-29; John 16.44,45; Eph 4.20,21), treat (Eph 5.25-27), driving (Rom 8.14), purify (Titus 3.3), rid (2Peter 2.9) and build up His bride (Matt 16.18).
Only at the beginning of the conversion is that
Jesus raises teachers to be used by Him to disciple His sons. But this is only
until all come in the unity of the faith, the knowledge of the Son of God, unto
a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph
4.13).
The Eternal One will separate each one for
the work He has appointed them (Acts 13:2). It is not the role of
anyone stand carrying someone on his back for a lifetime. Before, we must be
instruments so that people to be awakened to experience the love of Jesus
operating within them, and then let themselves be guided by Him.
5 - Understand the deep
things of Ha-Satan
While the purpose of the Eternal One is
our sanctification and purity, of Ha-Satan is our corruption. In his relentless
pursuit to mislead the believers to sin, he will use:
·
The antimessias
to try to seduce the Church to make use of force the world
to solve their problems.
Many times we fear so much
that people deny us a well that we prefer to worship the god of forces (Dan 11.38) instead of use of
humility toward neighbor, giving them the opportunity to choose. Even if you
reach the desired benefit, do not experience the true love that could accompany
them if we put us in a position of humility.
·
The false prophet to convince everyone
that the messiah invented by him is the true one and, thus, raise them to the
condition of God.
Here the goal is to get
the brothers to look at Holy Scripture the supposed means to control the Eternal
One.
·
Babylon the great, that is, the political-religious
system that seeks to carnalize the Church,
so that She is held and conducted on the basis of the concepts and
values of this world.
His role is to promote a system of worship fun,
easy, which suck the resources of the faithful and keep them under control.
However, instead of knowing the deep things of
Ha-Satan, what each one should look for are the hidden treasures
that the Eternal One has for each one (1 Cor
2.10; Rev 2.24).
You can be sure that isn’t wanting to control
Ha-Satan, much less use his armor, that someone will be successful.
What is
the consequence of sin?
·
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. (Rev 2.22.23).
When the Bible says "committed
adultery with her," this can happen in four ways:
Ø
Helping her directly;
Ø
Suffering by seeing her act, but without taking
action against her.
Ø
Ignoring her, not caring whether what she was
doing is correct or not;
Ø
Leaving and, thus, leaving her free to act.
Hiding behind a timid
soul implies encouraging Jezebel to continue in this practice (see Ezek
3.18-20; 33.8,9).
It has been here three types of punishment:
o
Jezebel is launched on a bed;
o The religious
leaders who have committed adultery with Jezebel (spiritually, although it may
also have been guilty of fornication) will be launched in
a great tribulation. Note how the reason of recent works of these brothers are
more numerous than the first is precisely because of the additions made by the
religious leaders without scruples. They didn’t what Jesus commanded and in
place, introduced a series of practices that had nothing to do with the
will of the Eternal One to His people. That is to say, there was a deterioration
of the gospels and of spiritualand ministry gifts.
o
The children of this religious
prostitution between Jezebel and the religious leaders (the disciples) would die.
Note how the punishment on the children is more
severe than on the adulterer ones that,
in turn, is more severe than the judgment on Jezebel. We are misled by
religious system to think that is the opposite (which, by being Jezebel who was heading the wrong, therefore
it was she who should receive the greater punishment). However, worse than the
villain are the people who support the bandit. After all, this can only
act because, unfortunately, there are people supporting him.
Understand: Jezebel just manages to stay
because there are people generating sons with her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have
effectiveness. And as for the children, because they have been generated with
the DNA of Ha-Satan (Gen 3.15), are completely devoid of
goodness and justice.
Thus, in terms of wickedness, we have:
1st -
Children
2nd -
Those who have committed adultery with Jezebel;
3rd -
Jezebel.
However, as the possibility of children being
recovered is higher (analyze Matt
5.3; Luke 7.47; Romans 5.20; BT 2.5), therefore the correction
on them is more severe. Remember that the Eternal One correct to whom He loves (Heb 12.5).
o
To Jezebel, be placed in a bed is enough. How it
is difficult she repents (Rev 2.21), it is useless (see Isaiah 1.5; Heb 6:1-3) spend a lot of
effort. For what the Eternal One would impose suffering on Himself
because of the sins of others if they refuse to convert (after all, the Eternal One doth not afflict willingly nor
grieve the children of men. - Lam 3.33;
Micah 7.18. This is why the Holy Scripture says that God suffers for our sins
(Isaiah 43.24,25)). After All, such person knows the truth,
but deliberately turned the truth into a lie (Rom 1.18,25). Jezebel represents
the group of those who like to deceive;
o
For those who commit adultery with her is
harder to recover, because that person knows the truth, but
still decided to follow the wind of doctrine established by
Jezebel (Eph 4.14). i.e. this is the group that likes to be
deceived, if that enable them to gain advantages (even though, for this, they have to use of deception). These are lukewarm people
that want to live in the shadow of the others.
The trouble here is the mean used by Jesus to shake the
person, so she has time to repent, convert and leave completely the
condition of religious leader.
o
For the children there is complete possibility
of recovery (see 1John
5.16.17; Rev 22.11), because when the first fruits of the earth
are impure, all the rest will be (see Psalms 42.7; Romans 11.16). Because they have
been created with the DNA of Ha-Satan (Gen 3.15), they have never had the
opportunity to know the path of God's favor. The first two were born again, but
turned back unto perdition (Matt 12.43-45; Heb
10.37-39; 2Pet 2.20-22). These, on the other hand, because they
have never known Jesus, can now die and be born again (1 Corinthians 15.36).
That is to say, these are the group of sincerely deceived,
i.e., those who, thinking that are pleasing the Eternal One, engage in
numerous works. The such fail to realize that, because they are working in
error (Mark
12.24,27), are going to more away from him (Psalms 82.3-5).
Jesus will give to every man according to his
work (Psalms
62.11.12; Prov 24.12; Ezek
18.30; 33.20; Matt 16.27). Not only with respect to the work itself, but
especially with regard to motivation, faith and love with which the person so acted.
If you pay attention, you will see in the Old Testament the death terrible that
fell upon the worshippers of Baal (1Kings 18.40) and the sons of
Ahab (2Kings
10.6,7,24,25).
With regard to the expression "smite of
death" (Rev 2.23), this repetition (hurt, in Holy Scripture, is normally
related to death when it relates to humans - for example: Gen 14.15; 36.35; Exodus
12.29; Numbers 21.24) points to a supernatural death (see Numbers 16.29).
It is worth noting that this message is for the
Church as a whole, in all times and eras. The proof of this is the Eternal
One said: "and all the churches shall know that I am the searcher of
kidneys and hearts" (Rev 2.23).
Detail: all these punishments are for those who
are of the Eternal One does not have doubts that He is omniscient and probe the
depths of each one.
One of the prerogatives conferred more in
Scripture to the Eternal One is its ability to probe minds (kidneys) and heart (feelings) (1Cr 28.9; Psalms 7.9; 11.4;
44.21; 139.2; Prov 15.3; Jer
11.20; 17.10; 20.12; 32.19; Heb 4:13).
What is
promised to the faithful?
·
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. (Rev 2.24).
The fight to not allow Jezebel to disseminate
their teachings and not to corrupt for prostitution and idolatry (whether physical or spiritual) is so intense that
Jesus wasn’t willing to impose another load on them.
Therefore, there is no need for news, as if
there was something good out of Sacred Scripture. It’s enough of the numerous
burdens thrown over the shoulders of men by the religious system, which does
not pass from boredom (Matt
11.28-30) and loads in vain (Lam 2.14).
The truth of Jesus is sufficient.
Everything is done (John 19.30). The banquet of
salvation has already been prepared (Matt 22.3,4).
What we need is to take one another's
burdens (Gal 6.2), that is, to suffer the
labors of them. It is not supporting the false brethren, how these brothers
were doing, but take everything that undermines the spiritual
strength of brothers in Christ.
Many, to example of the Pharisees, although say
that faith in Jesus is what saves, yet maintain the importance of obeying the
laws of the Old Testament, as well as to develop new techniques increasingly
advanced to neutralize Ha-Satan. For them, Jesus and all that He did on
Golgotha was not enough. They like to laws because this allows them to control
all things without Eternal One (at least,
that's what they think).
Instead of seeking novelty to defeat the enemy,
return to the ancient paths (Jer 6:16; 18.15) and take possession of Eternal
One life (Phil 3.13,14;
1 Tim 6.12).
Exhortation
·
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 (Rev
2.24).
·
But that which ye have
already hold fast till I come. (Rev
2.25).
They boast themselves of knowing the enemy
deeply, as if this were a part of the knowledge of the Eternal One, as if it
were possible to beat him with his own weapons and strategy. Do you not realize
that evil is not an entity, but a concept that comes to life when someone brings
it into oneself (as happens
in the theater when a character is brought to life through the soul that
resolves embed it).
For example: in which Adam sinned, that tree
full of knowledge mixed (Gen 2.17) won life inside him. Now
he had to live with this for the rest of his life. He couldn't pretend that he
knew nothing. Now such knowledge dwelt within him, disturbing their way of
seeing and perceiving things. This is why he had to be expelled from Paradise
and die: because physically nothing else had to change this reality. Only death
could bring everything to oblivion (Ecc 9.5.6).
This is why only can follow Jesus who dies for
their thoughts, feelings, desires, plans and actions (Matt 16.24), i.e., considers as slag
everything that won in this world (Gal 6.14;
Phil 3.8,13,14) in order to achieve the Christ.
Today, the depths of Ha-Satan has to do
with the theology of spiritual battle. It is said by religious
institutions that each one should know well the enemy in order to defeat him. This,
in addition to this alleged strategies of Ha-Satan to defeat the Church, the
brothers were led to believe that they should engage in a series of activities
so that the enemy had not more time to act; instead, he was defeated.
This is a mistake! First because there isn’t
war between Ha-Satan and Jesus. God is almighty. Obviously, there is no enemy
to Him. Ha-Satan is the enemy of our souls. However, his action is limited by
the Creator One. So, what we should do is to seek to be righteous in the eyes
of the Eternal One, instead of knowing the paths of Ha-Satan.
The depths of Satan also has to do with the
effort of leaders in developing methods increasingly effective for combat
Ha-Satan to take people from his claws and lead to Jesus. It may seem something
right, but to each strategy worked out, the more they struggle to know deeply
who is Ha-Satan in order to subdue it.
Now, let us be honest: the human being fell, not
because he did evil, but by taking knowledge of the same. The more person is
deepened in the art of wickedness, the more it is a slave of this evil and the least
they have knowledge of everything that Jesus is. This is why Paul said that we
must be wise in what is good, and simple for evil (Romans 16.19).
Watch out for the difference: while Ephesus
could not bear the wicked (Rev 2.2), here many were serving
as a support for them.
May this be clear: the issue is not simply stop
supporting Jezebel, but seek, of all forms, neutralizing her, so that the
brothers are no longer retain within themselves this doctrine
cursed.
Keep what you have - the apostolic
exhortation will always be needed because whenever someone rises up in favor of
justice and truth, surely there will be someone to try to make this person
hesitate, stop, that is, to intimidate them, either through reproaches,
threats, slander and persecution.
But he that shall endure unto the end (until Jesus comes), this will be saved (Matt 24:13).
Comes the question: what should they keep?
What they had of the sound
doctrine (Jude 3). Today, the doctrines of
demons (1Tim 4.1,2), the deep things of
Satan, have been explored within religious institutions. Although the Holy
Scripture anything mention about hierarchy of demons, spiritual mapping, names
and classes of demons, nor orders that investigate such things, many
evangelical religious institutions create an entire theology around it in order
to try to convince the members more accommodated that need the "spiritual
covering" of religious leaders they elect after their interests.
However, such teachings weaken and
even take the focus of Christ (see Gal
1.6-9; 4.17; 1Tim 6.3-5; 2Pet 2.1-3).
The order is: fight for the unity of the
faith (Jude 3), for hiding the Word of
the Eternal One in the heart lest sin against Him (Psalms 119.11). After all, only he
who has the commandments of Jesus and guard them is that, in fact, love Him (John 14.21,23).
Considering that Jesus did not come until
today, this means that this word is also for all of us. The fact of Jesus
saying that comes in brief means that each person should be ready to be called
by Jesus, because this word applies to all generations. And how our life
is so brief, therefore the coming of Christ for us is how that "at
hand", that is., extremely close to us.
What is
the reward to the winners?
·
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. (Rev 2.26-28).
Who is the winner? The winner is the one
who saves up to the end of the works of Jesus, instead of wanting to see
Ha-Satan in every corner and beat him. Jesus mentions "my works" to
make a contrast with the works of the religious system, since His ones bear
the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The winner, instead of knowing the deep
things of Satan, will know the deep things of Christ (Rev 2.28).
Who by faith overcame the world, is above it (John 8.32-36). For a group of brothers
tolerant to sin, the winner gets two promises:
Receive authority over the
nations, coming to direct them with a rod of iron.
This promise was confirmed at other times (Matt 19.28; 20.23; John 17.22,24;
2Tim 2.12; Rev 2.26,27; 20.6).
The winner will judge the wicked and reign with
Christ (1
Corinthians 6.2.3; Rev 20.4). Power over the nations is alluding to
the Sl 2.8.9. The believers will not merely rule over
the nations, but legitimate will direct them with Christ (analyze Matthew 19.28;
25.21,23).
And who are these winners? Those who were
beheaded (Rev 20.4) and had the
authority to judge because remained steadfast in truth despite such persecution
and suffering. They are the judgment, since they are the proof that the Word of
the Eternal One is possible to be maintained even at the risk of being
tortured.
But what is ruling with a rod of iron?
Reign with a rod of iron, in
relation to Christ (see Psalms 2.8.9;
Rev 12.5), this is not a dictatorship. The truth of Christ acts as a rod of iron,
because, after Jesus proclaims His truth (John 15:24), the person that denial
it becomes possessed by hatred against the Eternal One and the Lamb. They will
be overwhelmed by the hatred to contemplate the love and wisdom of the Eternal
One on the neighbor.
On the other hand, he who holds to sound
doctrine will also being crushed inside because of seeing so much injustice and
nothing can do.
This Scepter may well be the stick of bad pastor. The Eternal
One raises bad pastors about the rebels (for example, the fools pastors who, besides not
taking care of the sheep, the lead them to the wrong way - see Jeremiah 6.3;
Zechariah 11.6; Luke 2.14 and compare with Isaiah 19.13,14; 30.28).
See these illustrations about this type of pastor:
Ø " I
have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman. The
shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents
against her round about; they shall feed every one in
his place." (Jer 6.2,3).
Ø "For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land,
which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one,
nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth
still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces."
(Zechariah 11.16).
Christ, first, governs with a rod of iron for
later reign with a rod of gold: first comes the law, then the grace. The
"rule with a rod of iron" symbolizes sure justification and triumph
with Christ. (Romans
5:17; Gal 3.22-25).
On this basis, to say that the winners will
govern with Jesus, it implies that they will govern according to what He has
received from the Father. Remember that Jesus refused the
kingdom without cross from the hands of Ha-Satan, i.e., the salvation without a
rod of iron (Psalms
2.7-9).
At principle, one can find that rule with
a rod of iron is something pleasurable for those who govern. However,
the worst thing that there is to be obliged to give orders to someone who
should, in principle, to obey out of love and wisdom.
Finally, to the winner Jesus will share with them
the glorious victory which the Father promised Him on all
nations that still resist it.
This promise has to do with the fact that Jesus
is present as the one who has His feet like fine brass and with the
error that they were committing to eat things sacrificed to idols,
and to commit fornication.
As soon as the Eternal One promises to
crush the head of Ha-Satan under the feet of the Church (see Genesis 3:15; Romans 16.20), He promises to smash all
nations with a rod of iron, so that those who are of Jesus can tread the
ashes that remained of them (Malachi 4.3).
Likewise, Jesus is going through His
Church to burn all idolatry and crush all prostitution, both
physically and spiritually, so that all believers in Jesus can, in life, reign
by Jesus (Romans
5.17). Idolatry and fornication weaken every follower of Jesus (Hosea 13.1), leaving them at the
mercy of the world and its followers, both of which take the heart of the
individual (Hosea 4.11).
Those who allow themselves to be catch by such
things, become a slave of pleasures (Prov 21.17), and for this reason,
never reaches the real wealth. On the contrary: everything they do is to keep
away all with whom they lives of everything that is really good.
Have the morning
star (2:26-28)
In promising the morning star, Jesus was
promising Himself (Rev 22.16), as He did when He
promised the hidden manna (John
6.31-33). He is the star that goes against the terms of the Moabites (Num
24.17), the star that guided the various mages who came from the east when He
was two years of age (Matt 2.2). Many theologians are
speculating the nature of stars, being that it was Jesus Himself leading them
until Him.
That is to say, Jesus shines in someone's life
in order to lead them to Himself and, in this way, they can shine as lights in
the world (Dan 12.3; Matt
5.14-16; Phil 2.14,15). It is noticeable that Jesus did not say that
would cause the winners were morning stars (as in Dan 12.3), nor that they would be
compared to the morning star (like the
king of Babylon - Isaiah 14.12), nor that they remind a morning star (which could be seen by someone
like Balaam in a figured way - Numbers 24.17).
Comes the question: what does meaning "morning
star"? Is the latest star to disappear from the sky clouded by the
brightness of the sun. That is to say, it is the star that only disappears
after being full day. Jesus is the One who stays with us throughout the
period in which the darkness of Ha-Satan cover the world (Isaiah 9.1.2; Matt 4.15,16) and stay with us until
the day in that He will reign at last in this world.
This promise is related with the fact of Jesus
present Himself as "Son of God" and "He who has eyes like a
flame of fire" and with the error that they were committing "wanting
to know the deep things of Ha-Satan" and "tolerate
Jezebel".
The Eternal One grants the Morning Star to
those who wins, every day, the false prophets (1John 4.4). With this:
1 - nobody needs to know Ha-Satan
deeply. After all, considering that Jesus is the
Son of the Eternal One, nothing and no one can against Him (Job 42.2; Isa 43.13). No matter the
problems that arise, in Christ we are already more than conquerors (Rom 8.37). And remains with us
until the night in our life becomes light. There is no need for strategy
for winning Ha-Satan and its evils (brought by
his minions).
2 - nobody needs to tolerate Jezebel. We do not
need to be at the mercy of false prophets (see 2Pet 1:19). After all, all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Col 2.3). With Jesus we receive the grace and truth (John 1.17).
There is no need of revelations that go beyond
the precepts of Sacred Scripture. As it is well known, the woman is not allowed
to teach (1Corinthians
14.34.35; 1Tim 2.12-15). The woman does not need to leave the mission
that the Eternal One gave her to teach what is good for the Church.
Jesus gave the morning star so that we can
see everything clearly, even when the world is growing in the apostasy (2Thes 2.1-3). After all, as
Jesus has eyes like a flame of fire, there is nothing that is not fathomed
by Him (Jer 17:10; 1Corinthians 2.10,11).
Furthermore, it is good to remember that it
was precisely for having heard the voice of his wife that Adam fell:
Ø "And unto Adam he said, because thou hast
hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which
I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for
thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;" (Genesis 3:17).
The angel of Thyatira, instead of accepting
that a woman controlled the brothers, he should encourage the brothers to seek
to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and, on that basis, govern their
homes, as well as meetings of the brothers.
Comes the question: we will share the lordship
of Christ, or are we going to be crushed by His glory? We will be full of joy
when He comes, or will we hide in caves (Rev 6.15,16)?
Identity
Jezebel, as in the Old Testament, is the
perfect picture of the female ministry and government.
But the problem is not only in Jezebel,
but in fact many men tolerate and even support and justify, on
the basis of Holy Scripture, the female ministry and government within the
Church.
Unlike the brothers of Sardis who were asleep
spiritually, here people are not anesthetized. Come the error, are able to act,
but do not act. While in Pergamum the wizard Balaam allured to
prostitution outside of Israel, in Thyatira the witch Jezebel inveigled
internally, distorting deliberately the Sacred Scripture.
Abstract
A witch woman had managed to infiltrate into
the midst of these brothers marrying some of the elders of this community.
Claiming to have divine revelation, she was teaching her concepts and values to
the brothers and sisters, as well as inducing them to participate in the altar
of pagan gods and to the prostitution, either physically or in faith.
And nobody was doing anything about it. On the
contrary: many were adhering to this practice.
In this regard, we get the following table:
|
JESUS PRESENTS HIMSELF |
DEFECT IN THIS COMMUNITY |
PROMISE TO THE WINNER |
|
The Son of God |
Getting to know the deep things of Ha-Satan |
Morning Star |
|
He who has eyes like a flame of fire |
Tolerating Jezebel to teach |
Morning Star |
|
The One who has His feet like fine brass |
Eat of things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. |
Govern the nations with a rod of iron along with Jesus |
In short: Jesus promises to be together
all the time with each one that dispose oneself to overcome day to day (see 1 Corinthians 15.31). In this way, they don’t
need teachings that have nothing to do with the Holy Scripture (as erred Adam - Gen 3:11).
He, in person, teaches us all that is useful
and guide us on the path on which we are to walk (Isaiah 48.17,18). After all, He is the
only One who knows and can do everything, which can crush and burn everything
that isn’t good, without defile Himself. And if we let Him guide us, we will be
able to see the errors around us and annihilate with them, without, with this, we
have our faith tainted and corrupted.
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