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| User: "James" |
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| Title: Re: Does anyone know... |
03 Jun 2006 01:49:25 PM |
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"Kingpin" <getready2dye@yahoo.com>
Re: Does anyone know...
Kingpin wrote:
Does anyone know what the significance of the church in Ephesus is?
(Found in Revelation 2:1).
Actually, does anyone know the significance of any of the churches
mentioned in Revelation?
Hello,
Well, let's take the first one; Ephesus. Here is a detailed word for
word explanation from this Bible publication. See if it helps you find
what you are looking for.
"JESUS' first message is to the congregation in Ephesus, at that time
a thriving coastal city of Asia Minor close to the isle of Patmos. He
commands John: "To the angel of the congregation in Ephesus write:
These are the things that he says who holds the seven stars in his
right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands."
(Revelation 2:1) As in the other six messages, Jesus here draws
attention to a feature denoting his authoritative position. He reminds
the overseers in Ephesus that all elders are under his own protective
oversight and that he is inspecting all the congregations. Down into
our 20th century, he has continued to exercise this loving headship,
watching over the elders and kindly shepherding all associated with
the congregation. From time to time, he adjusts congregational
arrangements so that the light can shine more brightly. Yes, Jesus is
the Chief Shepherd over the flock of God.-Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter
5:2-4.
2 Jesus then sets a pattern for all but two of his seven messages by
opening with warm words of commendation. For the Ephesians, he has
this message: "I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and
that you cannot bear bad men, and that you put those to the test who
say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them liars. You
are also showing endurance, and you have borne up for my name's sake
and have not grown weary." (Revelation 2:2, 3) Years before, the
apostle Paul had warned the Ephesian elders about "oppressive wolves,"
apostate disturbers of the flock, and had told those elders to "keep
awake," following his own tireless example. (Acts 20:29, 31) Since
Jesus now commends them for their labor and endurance and for not
growing weary, they must have applied that counsel.
3 During the Lord's day, too, there have appeared "false apostles" who
"speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves." (2
Corinthians 11:13; Acts 20:30; Revelation 1:10) They see good in all
the conflicting sectarian religions, claim that God does not have an
organization, and deny that Jesus received Kingdom power in 1914. They
fulfill the prophecy at 2 Peter 3:3, 4: "In the last days there will
come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own
desires and saying: 'Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from
the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are
continuing exactly as from creation's beginning.'"
4 These ridiculers rebel at the thought of making public declaration
of their faith. (Romans 10:10) They have enlisted the support of
Christendom's clergy and the aid of news journals and TV stations to
spread lying reports about their former associates. Faithful ones soon
find that the speech and conduct of these deceivers do not ring true.
Like the Ephesians, Christians today "cannot bear bad men," so they
disfellowship them from their congregations.
5 Now, however, as he does with five of the seven congregations, Jesus
singles out a serious problem. He says to the Ephesians:
"Nevertheless, I hold this against you, that you have left the love
you had at first." (Revelation 2:4) They should not have failed in
this respect, for Paul had written them 35 years earlier referring to
God's "great love with which he loved us," and he had urged them:
"Become imitators of God, as beloved children, and go on walking in
love, just as the Christ also loved you." (Ephesians 2:4; 5:1, 2)
Further, Jesus' words should have been inscribed indelibly on their
hearts: "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, and you must love Jehovah
your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your
whole mind and with your whole strength." (Mark 12:29-31) The
Ephesians had lost that first love.
6 Whether we are old-timers or new associates in the congregation, we
must guard against losing our first love for Jehovah. How can this
loss come about? We could allow attachment to our secular work, the
desire to make a lot of money, or the pursuit of pleasure to become
the big thing in our lives. Thus we could become fleshly minded rather
than spiritually minded. (Romans 8:5-8; 1 Timothy 4:8; 6:9, 10) Our
love for Jehovah should impel us to correct any such tendencies and to
'keep on seeking first God's kingdom and his righteousness,' so as to
'store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.'-Matthew 6:19-21, 31-33.
7 Let our service to Jehovah be motivated always by a deep-seated love
for him. Let us have a fervent appreciation for all that Jehovah and
Christ have done for us. As John himself wrote later: "The love is in
this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and
sent forth his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins." John
goes on to tell us: "God is love, and he that remains in love remains
in union with God and God remains in union with him." May we never let
fade our love for Jehovah, for the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the
living Word of God! This love we can express not only in zealous
service to God but also by obedience to "this commandment we have from
him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also."-1
John 4:10, 16, 21; Hebrews 4:12; see also 1 Peter 4:8; Colossians
3:10-14; Ephesians 4:15.
"Do the Former Deeds"
8 Those Ephesians must rekindle the love they once had if they do not
want to lose out. "Therefore," Jesus tells them, "remember from what
you have fallen, and repent and do the former deeds. If you do not, I
am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place,
unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5) How did the Christians in the
Ephesian congregation receive those words? We do not know. We hope
that they repented and succeeded in reawakening their love for
Jehovah. If they did not, then their lamp would be extinguished and
their lampstand removed. They would lose their privilege of beaming
forth the truth.
9 Nevertheless, Jesus has this encouraging word for the Ephesians:
"Still, you do have this, that you hate the deeds of the sect of
Nicolaus, which I also hate." (Revelation 2:6) At least they hated
sectarian division, just as the Lord Jesus Christ hates it. As the
years went by, however, many congregations failed to heed those words
of Jesus. Lack of love for Jehovah, for the truth, and for one another
resulted in their drifting into spiritual darkness. They became
fragmented into numerous quarreling sects. "Christian" copyists who
had no love for Jehovah removed God's very name from Greek manuscripts
of the Bible. Lack of love also allowed room for teaching Babylonish
and Grecian doctrines, such as hellfire, purgatory, and the Trinity,
in the name of Christianity. Having no love for God and for the truth,
most of those who claimed to be Christian ceased to preach the good
news of God's Kingdom. They came to be dominated by a selfish clergy
class that made its own kingdom here on earth.-Compare 1 Corinthians
4:8.
10 When judgment started with the house of God in 1918, the sectarian
clergy of Christendom were giving open support to World War I, urging
Catholics and Protestants on both sides to slaughter one another. (1
Peter 4:17) Unlike the Ephesian congregation that hated what the sect
of Nicolaus was doing, Christendom's religions had long been riddled
with conflicting, anti-God doctrines, and their clergy had thrown
their lot in with the world, of which Jesus said his disciples must be
no part. (John 15:17-19) Their congregations, ignorant of the Bible's
theme, God's Kingdom, were not lampstands beaming forth Scriptural
truth, nor were their members part of the spiritual temple of Jehovah.
Their leading men (and women) were not stars but were revealed to be
members of "the man of lawlessness."-2 Thessalonians 2:3; Malachi
3:1-3.
11 The John class, however, emerged from the tumultuous days of the
first world war with a love for Jehovah and for the truth that
impelled them to serve him with flaming zeal. They resisted those who
tried to introduce sectarianism through practically idolizing the
first president of the Watch Tower Society, Charles T. Russell,
following his death in 1916. Disciplined by persecutions and
adversities, this Christian group clearly received a judgment of "well
done" from their Master and an invitation to enter into his joy.
(Matthew 25:21, 23) They recognized in the course of world events, and
in their own experiences, the fulfillment of the sign that Jesus had
given to mark his invisible presence in Kingdom power. From 1919
onward, they moved forward to share in the further fulfillment of
Jesus' great prophecy: "And this good news of the kingdom will be
preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations;
and then the end will come." (Matthew 6:9, 10; 24:3-14) If their love
for Jehovah had been in some way lacking, it was fanned into a flame
from that time onward.
12 At a historic convention, attended by 18,000 of these Christians,
at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., September 5-13, 1922, the call went out:
"Back to the field, O ye sons of the most high God! . . . The world
must know that Jehovah is God and that Jesus Christ is King of kings
and Lord of lords. . . . Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise,
the King and his kingdom." Jehovah's precious name was being made more
prominent. In 1931 these Christians, assembled in convention at
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., rejoiced to embrace and take the name
indicated by God in Isaiah's prophecy-Jehovah's Witnesses. (Isaiah
43:10, 12) With its issue of March 1, 1939, the name of the
organization's principal journal was changed to The Watchtower
Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, thus giving primary honor to our Creator
and his royal government. Jehovah's Witnesses, with renewed love for
Jehovah, have repented of any possible previous failure to honor and
magnify his illustrious name and Kingdom.-Psalm 106:6, 47, 48.
"To Him That Conquers"
13 Finally, as he does also in his other messages, Jesus calls
attention to God's spirit as making known through Jesus the rewards
for faithfulness. To the Ephesians he says: "Let the one who has an
ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To him that
conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7) Those with hearing ears would be
eager to heed that vital message, knowing that it did not come on
Jesus' initiative but that it flowed from the Sovereign Lord Jehovah
himself through His holy spirit, or active force. How would they
'conquer'? By following closely in the steps of Jesus, who kept
integrity to the death and so could say: "Take courage! I have
conquered the world."-John 8:28; 16:33; see also 1 John 5:4.
14 Since they have no prospect of living in an earthly paradise, how
is it that anointed Christians, such as those Ephesians, are rewarded
with eating "of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God"?
This could not be the restored Paradise on earth, since the 144,000
anointed Christians, including those of the congregation at Ephesus,
are bought from among mankind to rule with the Lamb, Christ Jesus, on
the heavenly Mount Zion as spirit sons. (Ephesians 1:5-12; Revelation
14:1, 4) Hence, the reference here must be to the heavenly gardenlike
realm inherited by these conquerors. There, "in the paradise of God,"
yes, in the very presence of Jehovah himself, these overcomers who
have been granted immortality will continue to live eternally, as
symbolized here by their eating of the tree of life.
15 What, then, of the loyal earthly supporters of the 144,000 anointed
ones? A great crowd of these companion Witnesses are also conquering.
But their hope rests on entering an earthly paradise, where they will
drink from "a river of water of life" and find healing from "the
leaves of the trees" planted alongside that river. (Revelation 7:4, 9,
17; 22:1, 2) If you are one of this group, may you too express your
warm love for Jehovah and win out in the conquest of faith. Thus you
may attain to the happiness of everlasting life in the Paradise
earth.-Compare 1 John 2:13, 14." ( Revelation-Its Grand Climax At
Hand!, pp. 33-37)
Sincerely, James
***********************************
Want a FREE home Bible study?
Have Jehovah's Witnesses questions?
Go to the authorized source:
http://www.watchtower.org
***********************************
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| User: "futurman" |
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| Title: Re: Does anyone know... |
10 May 2006 12:37:37 AM |
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See my book at: http://www3.telus.net/public/futurman/
The Seven Churches:
The names of the churches, position them in Asia Minor. This was the
crossroads of many cultures, and the Megiddo, over which many wars
occurred. This was also, where Alexander the Great, the west wind,
collided with East at the battle of Issus, against the Media-Persian
Empire and Darius. This was the beginning of the baptism of the world
into the Hellenistic influences of the Hellenistic Age, thus making
this area the crossroads, not only of many cultures, but also of two
worlds, discussed earlier in this book. It seemed wise to God to
position the seven churches there, this, making it crucial to our
understanding of the Revelations. This transient situation was the
dumping ground for many sins, as well as much bloodshed, and what
better a place to position Churches. By their positioning, they could
address a wide variety of peoples simultaneously, that came through
Asia Minor. We can spiritually apply Asia Minor as meaning this
transient world as a whole; and the churches as templates, for all
churches of Christ, in it.
As it is written in the scriptures, "Judgment must first begin at the
house of God". The letters to the churches express a variety of
judgments and councils, with the exceptions of the churches of Smyrna
and Philadelphia, whom were told only, to continue in faith. The
Apostle Paul however, said in one of his epistles, that all of the
churches in Asia had forsaken him. II Tim. 1:15 This you know that all
they that are in Asia have turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus
and Hermogenes. Take this to mean whatever you will. Personally, I am
only bound to a church if it continues to serve the founder, but if
not, I am not obligated. I serve the founder of Christianity, and
Christianity if it continues with the founder, Jesus Christ. It is very
important to understand, that the judgments to the churches are
separate from the judgments to the world, in the rest of the book.
Judged accordingly is the world, having had every opportunity to hear
the Gospel of Christ; but them of the churches that did hear, but went
back, are the worse for it.
Hebrews 10:26~30 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a
certain fearful looking for, of judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without
mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment,
suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the
Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of
grace? For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will
recompense, says the Lord; and again, The Lord shall judge his people.
"Judge not, lest you be judged".
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| User: "Kingpin" |
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| Title: Re: Does anyone know... |
10 May 2006 10:20:19 AM |
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futurman wrote:
See my book at: http://www3.telus.net/public/futurman/
The Seven Churches:
The names of the churches, position them in Asia Minor. This was the
crossroads of many cultures, and the Megiddo, over which many wars
occurred. This was also, where Alexander the Great, the west wind,
collided with East at the battle of Issus, against the Media-Persian
Empire and Darius. This was the beginning of the baptism of the world
into the Hellenistic influences of the Hellenistic Age, thus making
this area the crossroads, not only of many cultures, but also of two
worlds, discussed earlier in this book. It seemed wise to God to
position the seven churches there, this, making it crucial to our
understanding of the Revelations. This transient situation was the
dumping ground for many sins, as well as much bloodshed, and what
better a place to position Churches. By their positioning, they could
address a wide variety of peoples simultaneously, that came through
Asia Minor. We can spiritually apply Asia Minor as meaning this
transient world as a whole; and the churches as templates, for all
churches of Christ, in it.
As it is written in the scriptures, "Judgment must first begin at the
house of God". The letters to the churches express a variety of
judgments and councils, with the exceptions of the churches of Smyrna
and Philadelphia, whom were told only, to continue in faith. The
Apostle Paul however, said in one of his epistles, that all of the
churches in Asia had forsaken him. II Tim. 1:15 This you know that all
they that are in Asia have turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus
and Hermogenes. Take this to mean whatever you will. Personally, I am
only bound to a church if it continues to serve the founder, but if
not, I am not obligated. I serve the founder of Christianity, and
Christianity if it continues with the founder, Jesus Christ. It is very
important to understand, that the judgments to the churches are
separate from the judgments to the world, in the rest of the book.
Judged accordingly is the world, having had every opportunity to hear
the Gospel of Christ; but them of the churches that did hear, but went
back, are the worse for it.
Hebrews 10:26~30 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a
certain fearful looking for, of judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without
mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment,
suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the
Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of
grace? For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will
recompense, says the Lord; and again, The Lord shall judge his people.
"Judge not, lest you be judged".
Thanks for the info.
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