​ REVELATION 3:14 STUDY GUIDE NOTES CHURCH OF LAODICEANS
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
The Spirit of God mentions the Lord as the amen to mean the end result “so be it”. He is speaking through the spirit of faithfulness and truth to this church because this church refuses to make a true commitment to the Most High. They have a form of godliness, yet they deny the Power of God. They say with their mouths that they love the Lord and are called by his name, but with their actions, their hearts are far from him.
I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
This church cannot make a decision to choose Jesus Christ as their Savior and to trust him no matter the situation or circumstance. They are partly worldly not willing to surrender completely to do what thus saith the Lord. The Word said that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve God and the world. We will love the one and hate the other. Be servants of Christ only. He said come all who labor and are heavy laden for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
With actions of unbelief and doubt we begin to operate on our own authority. It is fleshly. The worldly church of Christianity operates on a system of money, power, and respect. They operate based on prestige. The walk in the wisdom of the world and store up treasures on Earth. It has become sensual and demonic. In their hearts they say their rich by what they have built up for themselves in the flesh and on outward appearance. They feel like they have “arrived”. However, spiritually they are bankrupt. They are lacking Fruits of the Spirit and true purified love of God that covers a multitude of sins. They are spiritually blinded to see that they need the Holy Spirit to complete them and refine them with fire to cleanse them from the inside-out. They need joy and peace that comes with the Prince of Peace. They buy things (covetous practices) just because of the lusts of the flesh, but the Lord by His Spirit says to come buy of him gold tried in the fire. Come get purified and transformed by the renewing of the mind that you may be spiritually rich and have treasures stored up in Heaven. Spiritual treasures where no thief nor robber can take or where rust nor moth can corrupt. His Spirit gives good gifts that are incorruptible.
Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.
He said he would give white raiment though our sins be as crimson. The blood of Jesus cleans and makes us white as snow. The white raiment is “proper attire” for the wedding.
Matthew 22:9
Go ye therefore unto the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not own a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, friend, how camest thou hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
We must be covered by the Holy Sprit to be kept and to endure these perilous times. He is our righteousness. He will shield and clothe us so that our shame does not appear on the day of visitation.
Matthew 13:13-15
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith; by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
For these reasons the Lord Jesus is compelling his church to anoint their eyes so that they may really see spiritually what his will is and be complete in him before he returns for his church. He also compels us to get our heart right because the heart has us act on what we see and hear. If our heart is not in line with the Spirit of God, then we don’t perceive what the Lord is spiritually attempting to reveal to his chosen. Thus is his statement fulfilled in 1 Corinthians 2:9.
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.
These things are given by the Spirit of God and we compare spiritual with spiritual.
II Corinthians 4:1-5
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not; lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake.
This church has one foot in the world and one foot out and because of their indecisiveness the Lord uses Paul in his letter to the Corinthians to speak the Word concerning this ministry. He shares that the Lord has been merciful in given a ministry and commands that we faint not. Do not give in to the cares of the world. Do not faint at the trials and tests. Do not faint and think it a shame to suffer for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 We don’t want to handle the Word deceitful or with craftiness in order to gain the respect and approval of man. We don’t need to add to or take away from the true Word of God to meet the standards of the religious sector. He shared that those that do this deceive their own selves and are blind. They hide their light to those that are lost when in fact they are supposed to use the light to compel men and women to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. They preach prosperity messages and feed into the world system falsehood message theory of money, power, and respect. They run church like a business, and they refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to do the works. We should surrender completely and overcome the falsehood, deception, and covetous practices.
II Corinthians 5:2-3
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from Heaven. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
The Lord has made us a house us a house unto him, a house not made with hands. Our spirit man has a great desire with earnestness of Spirit to be clothed upon and to be accepted of him. There is more required of us. We must present ourselves a living sacrifice unto the Lord, holy and acceptable that we may be without spot or wrinkle and blameless at the Lord’s coming.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Hear what the Spirit of the Lord has to say. Despise not the chastening of the Lord. He corrects those he loves so that they may understand and perceive what the will of the Lord is. Blessed is the man who is not offended in him. He desires that we all come to the knowledge of him and repent. The Lord is a gentleman. He will not force himself upon us. He loves us so much that he is willing to do whatever necessary to “by all means save some”. He looks past our faults to meet our needs. Though we are wretched we are greatly in need of his righteousness. Therefore, He knocks at the doors of our heart with hope that we will receive him forever. Many are called, but few are chosen. His sheep know his voice and are known of him. He says those who receive him will sup with him. If you sup with him. You will eat of the whole loaf. We will not take pieces and deny the Power of God.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
It is interesting that the Lord mentions that to him that overcometh he will allow them to sit in his throne because those within this particular church are attempting to build their own kingdom with their actions. These are the mega church go-ers and the private jet-setters that often want to be seen and heard of men. However, Jesus said we must overcome and we will share the throne with him and the Father.

​Jeremiah 15:1
Then said the Lord unto me, though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
Ezekiel 14:14
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.
It is necessary to mention these scriptures in hopes that I could persuaded the men and women who are called by the name of the Lord Jesus to humble themselves and surrender while there is still a chance. The spiritual situation at the time the Lord used his prophets to speak this word was wrath provoking. The Lord warned numerous times to repent and return. He told them that they would be carried away captive because of their iniquity and abominations so there was a famine in the land and a troubling time. The Lord spoke through the mouth of Ezekiel and pleaded for repentance because of the idolatry and iniquity of the people. Though we may not have erected idols in the natural we have heaped to ourselves spiritual idols. Even self-righteousness is a form of idolatry in the sight of God. We give half-hearted praise and half-hearted trust. We trust in our own ability while doubting the ability of the Most High. In doing so, we have put the enemy up and trampled the Word of God in our hearts. With our actions of unbelief have we done these things. With pride beating upon our chests, we have gone forth making programs, changing laws, and putting reformers in place without seeking for the council of the Most High. Therefore, the Lord said he would visit us for our iniquities and transgressions. Though Samuel and Moses stood before him they would not be able to change the mind of God to repent from his anger toward his people. The Lord mentions both Samuel and Moses because they were the mouth of God toward the children of Israel, and they knew how to get to the heart of God through prayer and interceding on behalf of the children to avoid the wrath of God coming upon them. Samuel pleaded with the children while they sought to be like the heathen asking for an earthly king instead of the Spirit of God. Moses also gave the instructions to the children of God and pleaded wit them in the midst of their stiff-necked and unbelief to surrender completely to God. He stood between life and death to intercede for them. These men had a passionate pursuit after God’s own heart to move him for favor, grace, mercy, and longsuffering towards his chosen people. It is imperative to seek after the Lord for leadership and guidance to do his will and purpose his way. We cannot go on our own will and lean toward our own understanding to do what’s easy and comfortable. There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is destruction. Think on the lives of Noah, Daniel, and Job. Noah had a ministry of obedience. He had a simple mission to build the ark of safety and do righteousness. Job, though surrounded by friends who questioned his righteousness and faithfulness to the Most High he maintained his integrity and trust in the Lord. Then the Lord told his friends to repent, and Job would pray for them. Daniel who was placed in the midst of wickedness and idolatry amongst the children of captivity chose to maintain a life of passionate pursuit and fervent prayer to the Most High. #pray #seek #fight

II Corinthians 12:14
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
​
As we seek to come into the unity of the faith, it is necessary to mention that children must be covered and protected. This generation is a rather perverted and backward generation if you haven’t already seen it with your own eyes. Through covetous practices many are being deceived who have been once established firmly on the foundation of faith. It is needful that we recognize as many people are building and setting aside for things we consider to be inheritance and the such that we understand that parents store up for the children. This is not just the things concerning the flesh but those concerning that of the Spirit.
Jesus stated that He has gone to prepare a place for us and that if it were not so he would not have told us. We, too, ought to store up for the children. The spiritual treasures concerning the faith which are the gifts and fruits of the spirit. How can we have an expectation of godliness if it is not sown into the children. We must teach them that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. We must teach them to be servants. We must teach them the ways of holiness so that they have righteous expectations and fear the Lord with their whole heart. We see all around us day after day how the world continues to spin and grow evil, but we stand on the sidelines and behold and spectate as if we do not have a responsibility to give the word and establish them with righteous values. If we don’t do the work, who will? We cannot expect a righteous harvest without faithfully do the work to plant and sow on good ground. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. If don’t want our children to walk in the character of man, we must teach them the difference between the lusts of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. How can they have treasures stored up in heavenly places if we don’t? We, too, must seek after the Holy Spirit and walk therein. The lord stated, “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. No one wants to do the work anymore, but they do want the reward. This is what the Lord means by perverted and untoward generation. If we don’t do the work, we are contributing to the falsehood that we have been attempting to avoid. We must teach that the love of God is to be treasured and that we must let our light shine because if our gospel is hid it is hid to them that are lost. Also, our children aren’t our meal ticket. We shouldn’t be sitting there hoping that they take care of us. There is a spiritual order of things, just as the world has rules and laws. There are heavenly ordinances. The ordinance starts with faith an obedience to do the will and purpose of the Lord. The blessings trickle downward from the righteous head. Unfortunately, it is needful to state these truths for many will give up a child in a minute if it meant them receiving a blessing and therein is the covetous practices that the Lord Jesus has warned us of and stated for us to flee from lest we be subject to the second death. He said in the last days there will be perilous times and that many of our foes would be of our own household because of such things including failure to surrender to the will and purpose of Christ. The Lord stated that He came, and He laid down His life. We, too, must love Him enough to lay down our flesh to walk after the Spirit of Truth. Let us eat the whole loaf of the Word and not just be hearers and denying the power of God. Watch and pray. Repent. Seek for His Holy Spirit. Let us take heed those who think they stand lest they fall. Be not weary in well doing knowing that we shall reap if we faint not.
Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I THANK GOD FOR LIFE, HEALTH, AND STRENGTH. I THANK GOD FOR VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY AND VICTORY OVER SIN! I AM SO GRATEFUL TO STILL BE USED TO BRING FORTH THE WONDERFUL PLAN OF SALVATION EVEN IN TIMES SUCH AS THESE. THERE IS TROUBLE ON EVERY SIDE, TURMOIL, AND CHAOS. HOWEVER, I SAY TO THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO HOLD FAST TO THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST AND WHAT HE HAS TAUGHT YOU FROM THE BEGINNING. FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. NO ONE KNOW YOUR TESTIMONY LIKE YOU KNOW YOUR TESTIMONY. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH LIKE JESUS KNOWS. ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND SITUATIONS ARE TO BRING YOU TO YOUR EXPECTED END. THERE WAS A QUESTION THE LORD WOULD OFTEN ASK ME WHEN I FIRST DEDICATED MY LIFE TO HIM AND I WOULD WAVER IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. HE WOULD ASK, "WILL YOU STILL BELIEVE?" WHEN NO ONE ELSE AROUND BELIEVES, WILL YOU STILL BELIEVE? WHEN IT'S NOT POPULAR WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, WILL YOU STILL BELIEVE? WHEN THERE IS PRESSURE TO UNIFY IN A WAY THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE WORD OF GOD, WILL YOU STILL TRUST AND BELIEVE THAT JESUS WILL DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO? WHEN YOU GET SAVED THERE IS ALWAYS A ZEAL TO RUN AND TELL PEOPLE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE, HOW HE DELIVERED YOU, AND HOW HE SET YOU FREE. THERE IS JOY AND REJOICING AND YOU DONT WANT IT TO GO AWAY. YOU WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO FEEL WHAT YOU FEEL AND TO KNOW THE LORD IN A WAY THAT YOU HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM. WE CAN'T LOSE THAT ZEAL AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART. REMEMBER THAT HE WARNED US THAT THIS WORLD WAS ALREADY OVERCOME BY HIS BLOOD THAT WAS SHED. SOMETIMES WE CANNOT CONTROL SITUATIONS YET WE CAN CONTROL THE WAY WE REACT TO THE SITUATION. WILL WE COME OUT PURE AS GOLD. WILL YOU REACT WITH FAITH? WILL YOU REACT WITH PRAISE? WILL YOU RE-VISIT THE WORD THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SPOKEN? WILL YOU REACT WITH PRAYER? THESE ARE THE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL SERVANTS. WILL HE SAY WELL DONE WHEN YOUR TIME OF VISITATION COMES? SOMETIMES THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BODY HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN GIVEN REVELATION IN REGARDS TO YOUR SITUATIONS BECAUSE WHEN ONE MEMBER SUFFERS WE ALL SUFFER. HOWEVER, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE SPIRIT HAS GIVEN US THE UNCTION TO SPEAK WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED, BUT IT HAS BEEN SIMPLY GIVEN THE COMMAND TO PRAY BECAUSE THE EFFECTUAL, FERVENT PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILETH MUCH. SEEK AFTER HIS HOLY SPIRIT. THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE. LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! REJOICE BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL HERE! REJOICE BECAUSE YOU KNOW TO CALL ON JESUS NAME! REJOICE BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE!! REMEMBER LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS. #SEEK #WATCHANDPRAY #FIGHTTHEGOODFIGHT  

​Revelation 2:12-17 Study

AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS WRITE; THESE THINGS SAITH HE WHICH HATH TH SHARP SWORD WITH TWO EDGES;

The message to this particular church addresses the need for the true Word of God to come front and center to conquer the demonic forces that this church is wrestling with. The church of Pergamos at one point is located as the capitol of a roman province. They are in the midst of Roman rulers, Roman laws, and Roman traditions. The sin and iniquity runs deep and had become the common way of life. The Romans worshipped pagan gods and provoked the wrath God. The issues and abominations must be fought with the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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 hearts.

I KNOW THY WORKS, AND WHERE THOU DWELLEST, EVEN WHERE SATAN’S SEAT IS: AND THOU HOLDEST FAST MY NAME, AND HAST NOT DENIED MY FAITH, EVEN IN THOSE DAYS WHEREIN ANTIPAS WAS MY FAITHFUL MARTYR, WHO WAS SLAIN AMONG YOU, WHERE SATAN DWELLETH.

The Lord Jesus Christ is encouraging the true believers to remain faithful to the Word no matter the circumstance. No matter where you are, or what atmosphere you’re in the Word will stand. Even remain faithful not loving your own life even unto death if it comes to that. The Lord Jesus Christ has eyes everywhere beholding the good as well as the evil. Where the seat of the adversary is, there is surely much affliction upon the righteous. There are all manners of evil, but the true believer must hold fast to the name of Jesus Christ and the works of faith. 

BUT I HAVE A FEW THINGS AGAINST THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST THERE THEM THAT HOLD FAST THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM, WHO TAUGHT BALAC TO CAST A STUMBLING BLOCK BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, TO EAT THINGS SACRIFICED UNTO IDOLS, AND TO COMMIT FORNICATION. 

It is needful to stress the fact that in these last days the enemy is coming to deceive believers and have them fall away with seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The account of the prophet Balaam is mentioned in Numbers chapter 23. The prophet is approached by the king who is intimidated by the children of Israel. He asked the prophet to curse what Jesus Christ has blessed. The prophet was a true prophet of the Most High, but was given to seducing spirits and covetous practices and had a respecter of persons for the king. He petitioned the Lord God to get guidance about how to handle the situation. The Lord answered the prophet, but the prophet’s actions reflected that he didn’t like the answer or he somehow thought the Lord would change his mind. He became a stumbling block to the people of God. Instead of seeking the face of God the prophet went chasing the King Balac who wanted demise for the children of Israel. The spiritual condition during these times had provoked the Lord God to anger toward his children. They began to commit whoredom against God. Spiritual harlotry. They began to sacrifice to idol gods and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Though the spiritual church condition is provoking anger, the Lord has his hand stretched out pleading with his children to repent and overcome this situation. The reward is hidden manna a food which is heavenly and not prepared by man. The Lord God also stated he would give the overcomer a white stone with a new name. During the days of Jacob he instructed him to leave a stone as a memorial of how he established them as a nation. He also did the same with Joshua and the children when the Lord parted the waters a second time and the children went on over on dry ground. The Lord is the same. The stone is a memorial of how the Lord God delivered the children from the hand of their enemies on every side.