The 7 Letters of Revelation: #6 PHILADELPHIA- HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT (Rev.3:7-13) - FAITH

Rev.3:7-13
Philadelphia was a Faithful Church
Rev.3:8: She had LITTLE STRENGTH but Kept the Word
It doesn't matter if the strength is small; His Grace is Sufficient

His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses

Mustard seed faith can remove mountains
Persistent blows can crack great rocks

Gideon considered himself the least (Jdg.6:11), but with 300 men, by the help of God, he won a great battle (Jdg.7:7)

Rev.3:12
- Will be kept from trial
- Will be a Pillar in God's Temple
- Will receive Name of the City

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The 7 Letters of Revelation: #5 SARDIS- Negligence Destroys Intelligence (Rev.3:1-6) - WATCHFULNESS

Rev.3:1-6
Sardis was a Careless Church
Negligence Destroys Intelligence

1. They had a name "Alive", but were dead
2. They had works, but the works were not perfect
3. Jesus said that if this continued, when He comes, they will not know....

A. A Negligent Christian is a Fool
5 Foolish Virgins - negligent about the oil, negligent about the time of the groom (1Thess 5:2,4)

B. A Negligent Christian is Not Diligent
The Diligent
- Constant in effort to accomplish something
- Attentive and persistent in doing anything
- Someone who works in a careful and thorough way
(Prov.10:4; 22:29; 2Pet.3:14)

C. A Negligent Christian is Indisciplined
1Cor.9:27; 2Tim.2:1-5

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The 7 Letters of Revelation: #4 THYATIRA- Lack of Authority Destroys Integrity (Rev.2:18-27) - AUTHORITY & SUBMISSION

Rev.2:18-27
Thyatira - The Corrupt Church. The city was famous for dyeing.

Lack of Authority Destroys Integrity
Rev.2:19. Jesus always began with a positive note. He got something to praise about, but He introduces Himself as the Judge (Rev.2:18)

Rev.2:23,24: Division: Judgment on Jezebel. No burden on others.
But they were responsible because they allowed (Rev.2:20)

Jezebel in the Church - Rebel
1. She was a Stranger to God ("that woman")
2. She was a self-made, self-declared prophetess
3. She was a teacher-seducer of God's servants (deception)
4. She was unrepentent (Rev.2:21). She crossed the deadline of repentance.
5. Her doom was pronounced.

Submission to authority is important.
(Num.16:1; 1Sam.15:22-23)

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The 7 Letters of Revelation: #3 PERGAMOS- One Dead Fish Pollutes the Pond (Rev.2:12-17) - PURITY

Rev. 2:12-17
Pergamos was a Compromising Church. The city was a head quarter of Satan.
One Dead Fish Pollutes the Pond
Balaam's Error: Tolerated

Beware of 3 Polluting Elements
1. The Old Leaven. The leaven of malice and wickedness. The leaven of tolerated sin (1Cor.5:7)
2. The Root of Bitterness. The bitter root of unbelief (Selling Birthright) (Heb.12:15)
3. The Garment Spotted by Flesh. The garment covering of carnality (Jude 1:23)

Smyrna: Satan's Synagogue
Pergamos: Satan's Dwelling Place, Throne

Warning: Rev.2:16; 1Cor.3:16
Promise: Hidden Manna, Hidden Name on White Stone (Not parchment, which Pergamos was known for).

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The 7 Letters of Revelation: #2 SMYRNA- The Bold Get the Crown (Rev.2:8-11) - COURAGE

Rev.2:8-11
Smyrna was a Persecuted Church. It was where Polycarp was leader and was martyred in 155 AD

The Letter exhorts Smyrna Church to be Courageous

The Bold Get the Crown
The Kingdom of God is Taken by the Aggressive

Courage is the Virtue of the Warrior. He Never Turns Back.

There is no armor for the back.

Matt.11:12; Dan.11:32; Prov.28:1; 2Tim.1:7

7 Reasons Why We Must Be Courageous
1. He is the First and the Last: A & Z
Your beginning and your end are in Him. The battle belongs to the Lord. He is in control
2. He Conquered Death and Came to Life
Death shall not have dominion: Where is your sting, power, O Death?
3. He Keeps a Record of Your Suffering ("I Know....")
(Ps. 56:8; Job 23:8)
4. He Keeps a Record of What You're Going to Suffer (Rev.2:10)
(Acts 9:16)
5. He Wants Us to Pass the Tests (TESTED)
Don't give up midway (Heb.10:32-39)
6. He Wants to Give Us the Crown of Life 
Second Death Can't Hurt.
7. It's His Command
(Eph.6:10)

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The 7 Letters of Revelation: #1 EPHESUS: Your Affections Affect Your Destiny (Rev.2:1-7) - LOVE

You are responsible for your affections (2Cor.6:12)

7 Incredible Facts Revealed by Jesus (Rev.2:2,3)
1. You can be an active Christian and yet be a failure. (works)
2. You can be a laborious Christian and yet be a failure. (labor)
3. You can be a patient Christian and yet be a failure. (patience)
4. You can be a righteous Christian and yet be a failure. (cannot bear those who are evil)
5. You can be a wise and discerning Christian and yet be a failure. (tested those who say they are apostles...)
6. You can be a perseverant Christian and yet be a failure. (have persevered)
7. You can be a tireless Christian and yet be a failure. (have not become weary)

3 Facts About Love
1. Love is the key that opens the heart of God (Jn.14:23; 2Cor.6:12)

When God measures a man, He puts the tape around his heart - not around his head. - Guideposts

2. Love is the wall that keeps the enemy out (Song 4:12)
3. Love is the stronghold of victory already got.

Love God and do whatever you like - St. Augustine

Why Love is A Place of Victory
1. Love never fails (1Cor.13:8)
2. Love fulfills all law and prophets (Rom.13:8,10; 1Tim.1:5)
3. Love is the strongest witness of Christ (Jn.13:35)
4. Love is as strong as death (Song 8:6)
5. Love win people (even enemies) (Prov.18:19; Rom.12:20-21)
6. Love covers a multitude of sins (Prov.10:12;17:9)
7. Love activates faith (Gal.5:6)
8. Love casts away all fears (1Jn.4:18)
9. Love does no harm to neighbor (Rom.13:10)
10. Love edifies (1Cor.8:1)
11. Love is the pulse beat (sign) of eternal life (1Jn.3:15-16)
12. Love compels action (2Cor.5:14)
13. Love begets love (1Jn.4:19)
14. Love brings meaning to life (1Cor.13:1-2)

Symptoms of Love Failure
1. Love run dry - Indifference (hardened)
2. Love grown cold - Insensitivity (numbed)

8 Enemies of Love
1. Lawlessness (Matt.24:12)
2. Looking backward (Josh 23:11,12)
3. Wrong alliances (1Kg.11:2)
4. Critical attitude (Prov.15:12)
5. Annoying Acts (Prov.17:9; 25:17(
6. Desire for human honor (Jn.5:42)
7. Disobedience (Jn.14:24; 15:10)
8. Hypocrisy (Rom.12:9)

Instruction
1. Remember. Memory is important. Meditation. Prayer. Worship. (Col.3:2)
2. Repent. Walk in repentance. Humility. Brokenness. Change
3. Do. Actions Affect Affections

Sow a thought, reap an action
Sow an action, reap an habit,
Sow an habit, reap character,
Sow character, reap a destiny. - Samuel Smiles

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God Cannot Be Doubted, He Is In Control - A Short Story

The jailer pushed the youth into his prison cell with utter disgust. The youth had been convicted for attempt to rape, a serious crime, and even more serious when committed in the premises of a government official’s residence. From their cells, the other prisoners gazed at the youth with astonishment and contempt. He snuggled into a corner.

There were whisperings and comments in tones and terms that would send chills down the spine. And, they continued for long and long till the heavy rug of the night dampened all sight and sound. After a while, only the guards could be heard walking with their spears tapping on the ground. The taps were being mixed with rhythmic snores buzzing through the cells. In his locked corner, the youth sobbed with hushed tears. He groaned in between snivels in a language different than that spoken in this land:

“Why is this happening to me?”
“What have I done to deserve this injustice?”
“Now, I’m hated by my family and also by the world for no wrong?”

The world was fast asleep. He was talking to God. But, was God also listening? Or, was He as indifferent as the world around? Was He also compelled by circumstances and the violent wills of men? The past was too painful. The future looked bleak, uncertain, and dark.

The youth kept weeping for a long time till it seemed all his tears had run dry. Then he stopped for a little while, and all of a sudden started weeping the more vehemently again. This time it seemed he was singing a song:

“Forgive me Lord for doubting Your hand
That holds the scepter over sky, water, and land;
By one gesture, You have signaled it to be,
That the luminaries of heavens bow down to me.
And, yet not to me but to You who commands!
What power can resist it, what mortal hand!”

He moved his shackled hands and the chains clanked. A prisoner woke up in the opposite cell and fell to snoring again.

“Darkness has covered me like a thick cloud,
And I can’t see You anywhere around;
But, should I ask for proof before I believe,
Should I have the answer before its appointed time?
Should I trust my sight and doubt Your might
By which the day exists and also the night!
Yes, also this night! Yes, also this night!”

The youth fell asleep. Unseen by him, two luminous angels who stood guard over his cell talked to each other, 'This young man knows our Master, and he knows that the Master cannot be doubted." Just then two other angels appeared. "You are both summoned to the Master now; we'll take over. The sun is soon to rise; has the boy found some rest?" they inquired.

"Yes, he has found rest," they smilingly answered and disappeared.

---

Several years after this incident, the boy became the Prime Minister of that nation. The King gave him the name Zaphnath-Paaneah, which some believe means "the preserver of life"; others think that it means "the one to whom secrets are revealed." But, we remember him as Joseph, the dreamer of dreams.

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Your Attitude Should Be The Same As That Of Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5)

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5)

Attitudes are our disposition towards someone or something. Our attitudes affect our character and relationships.

Attitudes are important; they can either make a person or break him. Some years back a research was done on job interviewees who were successful in getting a job. The research revealed that the majority of those who got the jobs got them not because they were smart but because they had a right attitude.

The Bible teaches us that God wants us to have the attitude of Christ. He left for us an example of how we must look at and treat our fellowmen, our children, our elders, and God.

Jude 10-11 lists three kinds of attitudes that can destroy the life of any person.

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. (Jude 1:10-11)

The three destroyers are:
1. The Way of Cain. It is the attitude of selfishness, envy, and hatred against one's brother. A person with this kind of attitude will never be happy at anyone else' success. He would always desire his own praise despite his shortcomings and sins. He doesn't look at the man whom God accepts as an example but looks at him as his enemy. King Saul was another example of a man with this attitude.
2. The Error of Balaam. The attitude of Balaam was materialistic and utilitarian. He even felt that God could change His mind, and when it seemed that God wouldn't, he tried to corrupt Israel by introducing worldliness into their life. He was ruled by the love of money which is the root of all evil. Jesus said that a man cannot serve both God and Money. The rich young man couldn't follow Jesus because he loved money. Balaam's error lay in considering godliness as a means of gain. A mind dehumanized by money can never look at others as fellow-humans. It loses the love for neighbor and God.
3. The Rebellion of Korah. Korah's was the attitude of pride. It was the Luciferic attitude. It is the I-am-better-than-thou attitude. Korah rebelled because he was not ready and willing to accept any God-appointed authority over his life.

Now, look at the attitude of Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Phil 2:6-8)

Attitude determines the formation of character, and character is what a person is. If suppose I asked someone who he is, he may reply by saying that he is related to so and so, or he is a teacher or an engineer or a doctor. But, God doesn't look at a person in that manner. God looks at one's character.

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (Psalm 51:6)

Character is something between God and the person. It is God who sees and judges. A few things need to be noted about character.
1. Education cannot build character. If it could then sin couldn't co-exist with knowledge. Education can inform but cannot transform. If it could then why would people be smoking cigarrettes and chewing tobacco despite the warning that tobacco causes cancer, why would there be corruption among the police who are expected to know and protect the law, and why would there be winelovers among medical practitioners. King Solomon had so much knowledge but he couldn't keep character.
2. Anointing cannot build character. If it could Lucifer wouldn't have fallen. He was known as the anointed cherub (Eze 28). King Saul had the anointing but he lost his character.
3. Religion cannot build character. If it could the pharisees and sadducees wouldn't have crucified Jesus. Jesus called them hypocrites. It was not the sinners and publicans who wanted Jesus crucified. It was the men with religious authority who didn't have character.

In each case, attitude determined what one was.

If character is to be built there must be a change in the way of thinking; in our disposition. And the first in the line is the attitude of self-emptying, as Jesus did. One needs to humble himself before the Lord.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
(Psa 51:16-17)

One must die to self, to the world, and to sin; or else, he can never be a follower of Christ. The attitude of total repentance is the beginning of forsaking the old and following the Lord. Unless the heart is broken because of the sin, repentance is not possible. A hardened heart is rebellious in nature. A repentant heart is reverent.

Secondly, the Bible teaches us that evil company corrupts good habits (1Cor. 15:33). It also says that "he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed" (Pro.13:20). The Book of Psalms begins with warning us against wrong companionship; so also does the Book of Proverbs. Right attitudes are formed in the fellowship of the Master; right character is formed in the crucible of one's walk with the Master.

Let us walk with a heart that is ready to repent from the wrong and committed to live and die for the Truth, a heart that continues to be transformed through the walk with Jesus.

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Boredom - Excerpt

Excerpt from Epistemics of Divine Reality, pp.211-212

Boredom or ennui may be considered to be the metaphysical turbulent emotion that arises out of the paradox of the rational sense of immutability and the empirical sense of mutation. Reason anticipates permanence, changelessness, and immutability as the quality of ultimate reality; however, for experience immutability is an impossibility. Nothing immutable is empirically conceivable; for if something doesn’t move in space, it at least moves in time. The tension between the immutable and the mutable produces the emotion of ennui, the sense of tediousness and vexation associated with the absence of immutable or lasting purpose in the cosmic phenomena of change. Boredom is not due to immutability or mutability but due to the failure of harmony between the both. Thus, one is not bored with the same self, that experiences change. No one expects the consciousness of self to be filled with multiple memory-erasures of itself…. Obviously, the framework of immutability (‘self’ or ‘itself’) is impossible to dispense with, since it is provided by reason. Similarly, mutability is anticipated by experience without which no experience would be possible; all would be a monotony. Boredom, however, results when mutation fails to relate and harmonize with the immutable. Thus, the Preacher says,

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?... All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing….I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.[1]

Thus, in the Preacher’s eyes, work and labour is a burdensome drag and vexation since, first of all, it seems to possess no meaning; but, secondly, it is incessantly unsatiable. Thus, the incessant labour for novelty, creativity, and change in order to find a final immutable satisfaction itself becomes tedious since no immutable satisfaction seems to come out of all labour.

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine….I made me great works….I made me gardens and orchards….I made me pools of water….I got me servants and maidens….I gathered me also silver and gold….So I was great, and increased more than all….And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them….Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.[2]

Obviously, neither reason, for whom, as has been seen, immutability comes at the expense of mutability, nor experience, for whom mutability precludes immutability, is able to solve the paradox. The problem is rather existential and can only be resolved in an existentially fulfilling situation.

According to the Bible, this condition of contentment cannot be given by the world of experience; for the world itself is a turbulent changing one, pointing out the fact that as a whole the universe itself has not reached the point of contentment. ‘For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.’[3] Accordingly, Jesus says to His disciples: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.’[4] To the Samaritan woman at the well, He says: ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’[5]

Thus, some kind of an immutable condition (‘never thirst again’) of incessant fulfillment (‘well…springing up’, indicating motion) is the solution for the problem of boredom that arises from the immutable-mutable paradoxical sensation

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[1] Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 3, 8, 14 (KJV)
[2] Ecclesiastes 2: 3-11
[3] Romans 8: 22
[4] John 14: 27 (KJV)
[5] John 4: 13, 14 (KJV)

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4 Pillars of Spiritual Instruction

Spiritual Instruction must be a part of every home in order for each family to be strong. Following are the four pillars of Spiritual Instruction:

1. Sound Doctrine

This is the RULE OF TRUTH. It provides the RIGHT PERSPECTIVE in life.

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.
2Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2. Strong Discipline

This is the RULE OF PATIENCE. It produces STRONG CHARACTER.

Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son while there is hope; do not set your heart on his destruction.
Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
2Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Romans 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (RSV)

3. Spotless Devotion

This is the RULE OF LOVE. It guards the heart with PURE AFFECTIONS.

Galatians 5:6 faith which worketh by love.
2Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

4. Spiritual Deeds

This is the RULE OF ACTION. It accomplishes GOD'S WILL.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:20 faith without works is dead
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

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March 3, 2014
The above four rules anticipate the four pillars of education by UNESCO:
1. Learning to know: Rule of TRUTH (INFORMATION)
2. Learning to be: Rule of PATIENCE (holding on to character) (UNIQUENESS, SELF-ACTUALIZATION, VOICE, IDENTITY, CONSISTENCY)
3. Learning to live together: Rule of LOVE (SOCIAL RELATEDNESS)
4. Learning to do: Rule of ACTION (PRACTICAL WISDOM)
These are the same as the 4 Pillars of Faith.

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New Release: A Dialogue on Trinity

A Dialogue on Trinity

By Domenic Marbaniang

View this Author's Spotlight

Ebook, EPUB Format

Download immediately 13-Year Madeleine approaches her dad, Rev. Clarke, for answer to a question on Trinity and a dialogue ensues. They begin by discussing problems of consciousness and personality in the Three persons of the Godhead and proceed on to evaluate various theories, models, and views on the doctrine before finally evaluating the concept of "Unity" in Zeno's paradoxes and in the Priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17.

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A Tale of Something, or Nothing, and God

In the beginning was God and nothing.
Then, God created something out of nothing.
But, soon that something forgot she was once a nothing.
And, forgetting herself and God, she assumed herself to be everything.
And, assuming herself to be everything, she died to everything else and God.
After many days, when this something had run out of everything she got,
She came to her senses and "Who am I? Where am I?" she thought.
Then, she realized she was a nothing without her God,
And so returned to her original place in God.
In the end was God and something.

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