We are looking at the faithful church in Philadelphia. This is the Church with the open door. Their is a little strength in this church and the key to this strength is the Word of God. This is so evident of our day. There is no complaints about this Church. This is also the only Church where Jesus did not pick a description of Him in Chapter one as His title. Why?

What is this open door that is set before them? We look at that and many more.

We are looking at Sardis, the dead church. This is so true to a lot of churches today. A form of Godliness but lost the power thereof. What happened that this church found itself in this stage?

We are looking at the fourth church in Revelation chapter 2 - Thyatira. This is the corrupt church and gives a warning to the church in large today. The danger of Gnosticism is on display here. Corruption is dangerous and is deeply hidden, same as the parable in Mat 13.

This Church - like many churches today - were flirting with corruption and immorality. One can say that we have in front of us in the scripture a graphic example of the spirit of the world entering the church. This has led to a watered down message preached without any conviction of sin.

The enemy - Satan has two weapons he use against the church - intimidation and enticement. The one drive people away from Christ through fear and the other trough lust. This is how you get corrupt practices and corrupt preaching.

This is explained in the text referring to Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel. Still happening today. We explore this and compare this passage with the parable of the mustard seed in Mat 13.

The name Smyrna means myrrh and is a fragrance spice taken from the bark of myrrh trees. This bark is crushed an produce the fragrant used at burials. This is so fitting for the church that was based there. This church - like the bark were crushed through severe persecution for their faith. In fact once a year the people had to go to the Emperor temple and say "Caesar is lord" or if not "Jesus is Lord". This caused incredible persecution against the church.

Not only that. The Jews also persecuted the Christians. They infiltrated the church as believers just to expose and give them over to the authorities to be killed. Compare this to the second parable in Mat 13 talking about the wheat and tares and you get the idea.

Now in the midst of this Jesus pick a fitting title to address them. This says He who is the first and the last. Who was dead and is alive....Oh! there is so much here to encourage us.

We're approaching one of the most exciting and systematic passages in the book of Revelation. The dispensation of Grace or as we know it the Church age. We will discover where this age starts and where it will end. Starting with the church in Ephesus compared with the first parable in Matthew 13, will lead us on an amazing discovery of how active our Lord is in His church.

John turned and saw One like the Son of Man. We look at how he describe Jesus. Remember John saw Him incarnated, resurrected, crucified and now ascended. This is how you and I will see Him. We unpack verses 9 - 20

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7

This scripture point toward a specific time in the future. We discover this and much more from these 9 verses. I will discuss what the seven Spirits before the throne means in verse 4.

We will discover the instruction given to John to write this prophesy.

God Bless

We are starting the new year with a study of the book Revelation. So timely with everything happening in the world. Let me remind you that this is the only book promising a blessing for the one who read it. Verse 3 "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and those who keep those things which are written in it" It amazes me then that there are many who reject this book. I will start with an introduction and discuss the first 3 verses. Then Sunday after Sunday go through verse by verse. You are welcome to join or listen online - God Bless.

I find no scripture anywhere in the Bible that we need to remember or celebrate Christ's birth - no where. So why are we doing it? I don't see any of us bringing our baby photos when we celebrate our birthdays - yet have the nativity scene everywhere this time of the year. (Inaccurate may I say) Santa Clause and St Nicolas has been promoted to have equal value than Jesus this time of the year. Parents keep on telling their children lies about the gifts they buy for them saying "Santa is bringing them if they are good". Same as the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny. I know, I know it is all part of the fun. (But is still a lie and make Santa this mystical figure which you don't see yet have the same power as Jesus) I celebrate Christ's birth but not on Christmas! I celebrate it everyday. I remember the one thing Rabbi Jesus told me to remember - The Communion table. Our sins were set free at that Cross. I will do an exposition on Isaiah 9:6.