Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. The Apostle John wrote about a savage persecution that tore apart God's Church in the first century. We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. After Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Worldwide Church of God, died at age of 93 (January 16, 1986), Gerald Flurry (born April 12, 1935 and a minister in WCG since 1973, 1 was one of those that disagreed with the new changes that Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. began instigating. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people.". The Philadelphians' strength is small, but God's is without limit. The more we study, the more we become familiar with how God guides, delivers and heals His people. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my . Consider these verses: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). G. Campbell Morgan, When Jesus saw [the friends] faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. The Christ, the Author and Answer (3:7b) Once again our risen Lord presents Himself in an aspect of His person and work which is fitting to the needs and problems of the assembly to ever remind us of the sufficiency of His life. Daniels three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). A Christian must never rest on his oars, no matter what his situation or era. Moreover, the fruit of this interpretation has been exclusivity, comparing ourselves among ourselves, division, competition, and a pitiful supply of loveworks of the flesh rather than fruit of the Spirit. . Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God. The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your pathbut only if you read it and heed it. The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasnt worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. Just reading a booklet is not really Bible study. We will start at 7:00pm at 3269 Independence Pkwy, Plano Tx. The pcg won the copyright to the correspondence courses predecessor, the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, in 2003. Thats why it is important to review and study those notes. To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. To what things was Paul referring? The Gr. Integrity of heart is indispensable. Still another name of the city was Decapolis, because it was considered as one of the ten cities of the plain. Through Christ, we have entrance into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Great God, which we may enter with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). People interested in studying the Bible can sign up for the online course regardless of whether they have previously enrolled in the mail correspondence version. Nevertheless, the Philadelphians, though faithful, are somewhat weak. Books of the Bible. The more we let Gods Word correct our natural carnal thinking, the more we are fashioned into Gods image and prepared to be born into His eternal Family. Bible study builds up our faith. God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. We continue looking at the seven messages in Revelation 2-3. from Jesus to the churches of Asia. Privacy Policy, Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. The more we study, the stronger we are, which makes the Church stronger. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Jonah 3:1-2. California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. How we study the Bible is an indication of how much we are yielding to God and the work He is doing through us. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy If we put these study ideas into action, Bible study will be exciting, fun and richly rewardingsomething to eagerly look forward to! William Gurnall, Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. They often deal with speculation that does not emanate from the Spirit of God and can be wrong in their conclusions. John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf. After the seven letters, in Revelation 4:1, John is shown an open door in heaven. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). Then frame the scriptures within that context. That enables us to trust Him more easily, and our faith builds. By grouping all the scriptures together that use the same word we gain a deeper understanding of what each aspect of spiritual fruit entails and how specifically we need to change. Hensley said the website represents a huge upgrade for students in the rest of the world, especially. Bible correspondence course students living in Africa, South America and elsewhere have found that receiving and sending lessons and tests through the mail has proven to be not only time consuming but also very unreliable. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). As Christ says in Luke 16:10, ". Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. It also shows the root word from which the Hebrew or Greek word was derived. Bible students can enroll, study and take tests at bcc.hwacollege.org. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible . Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. God's inspired words to the congregation at Philadelphia are an uplifting message of hope and encouragement. He wasnt discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. He commands us, therefore, to [s]tudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). Other biographies worthy of study are noted in Hebrews 11the faith chapter. Please refer to the table below for a sample of 40 very encouraging scriptures. Thus, the One they seek responds, giving more of His Spirit. The Bible correspondence course is at the foundation, booklets and articles are on top of that, and Mystery of the Ages is the capstone., The launch date for the course website came exactly 27 years after the Philadelphia Church of God began. Friendship is the marriage of affections. Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy to think we "have it made" if we were or are part of Philadelphia. Focusing on a particular book of the Bible will give us a deeper insight and context for its message. He wants us to be happy, fulfilled and excited about our future in spite of all the pain and suffering in this present evil world. King David said, I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162; New King James Version). Pauls topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. There is no cost or obligationever. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). Notes from Sabbath services and Bible studies. Those who attain that level of character will be able to serve as kings! Is it the opposite of pride? Matthew uses the word kingdom 56 times. (Romans 9:1-4). Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. Hello Jesus! The Online Bible Study begins at 7:00 PM. Through study of Gods Word, we gain wisdom that helps us avoid sin and the misery that accompanies it. There are also subjects like repentance, baptism, laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit, and what is a true Christian. Library These books, booklets, articles, questions & answers, and sermons explain the truths of God in intricate detailsubjects such as the true Church, the Sabbath and God's annual Holy Days, prophecy, marriage, childrearing, and more! 3. He spoke of looking forward to these things. and [looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13-14). Follow Abrahams example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God. The Church of God in Philadelphia. That its the same old routine day in and day out? The results of historical criticism of the Bible prompted him and others (Louis Duchesne, Maurice D'Hulst, George Tyrrell, Herman Schell, and Baron von Hugel) to advocate modernizing the church's traditional biblical views. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for . Why Would Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast? It can be found in Gods holy day plan! You can place your steadfast trust in Him. .". On May 5, 2001, God signaled the beginning of a new phase in this rapidly fading age of man. Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. You need all four tires operating in conjunction with one another to make any headway. Start today! Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City Several of the organizers and members of Philly Bible Study worship with the West Philly Assembly of Christ. 1. A five-mile-long aqueduct supplied the city with tepid water [Revelation 3:16, the lukewarm reference]. The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while , , and 2.5 are fractions. Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed. The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is a non-trinitarian, . 1 Corinthians 15:57. But they also know that the only way to endure courageously (Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. One of the most striking and helpful illustrations of Jesus humanity was His prayer life. They are idolatry, immorality, infidelity, and disloyalty. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. Citizens lined the streets applauding while the aroma of celebratory incense filled the air. When all four tires are in motion, we will be able to respond to the authority of the Bible (Isaiah 66:2) and take action. It is true for us today also. ), the king of Pergamum. That kind of knowledge may only inflate the intellect and puff us up (1 Corinthians 8:1). This king had a special devotion to his brother, Eumenes II. When we attend services, we are in class at Gods college for teachers. The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life? of Ephesus. We hope to have the opportunity to fellowship with you soon. Our Bible study should always lead us to Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Baptism is an important step in your spiritual life and it must be done properly - at the right time and in the right way . James 2:23. Titus 2:7. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. Or is it things below? We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else! We invite you to attend Sabbath services with us! In fact, even with the record we have in Johns writings, most people still do not understand Christ as John described Him. Question: "I was baptized at age 11 by a minister of a large denomination, but I didn't understand the true meaning of repentance until I began studying my Bible and hearing your broadcasts. The religions of the world teach that the law is done away. Can we explain the details of the gospel, the Kingdom of God, the Millennium and Gods government? Practice studying the Bible each day, and you will enrich your life now and forever! Only then can we ensure that we keep the right attitude when studying the Bible and that we study for the right reasons (as outlined earlier in this article). Of all Jesus' comments to the churches, the one to the Church of the Laodiceans is undoubtedly the most sobering and solemn. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. But they also know that the only way to endure courageously ( Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. When we tune in to God and listen to His words, our faith increases (Romans 10:17). Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. They are not those who seek after earthly glory, like Shebna, but they are faithful in their responsibilities to the Most High God, like Eliakimand like Jesus Christ. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Revelation 21:1. This is not a put-down but an honest appraisal. Thomas Watson, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. God tells us to study His Word because He knows its good for us. Bible study is like one of the four tires of a car that youre driving down the road to the Kingdom of God. 8 I know your deeds. Dont let your past keep you from trusting God for a second (or third, or fourth) chance. Whatever you love more than God is your idol. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, brings forth death (James 1:1315). A Place of Safety? Read the below Bible verse on faith and then five Bible lessons about faith from the old testament. But how about a book titledThe Righteous Father? To think less of Gods gift would be to devalue it; to think realistically about it allows one to serve humbly. By devoting time each day to the study of Gods Word. M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893, I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside. We can talk about what He has taught us and rehearse it with Him. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. Do you often feel that life is passing you by? The Passover is a memorial of the crucifixion of Christ. That is integrity. EDMONDIndividuals who want to learn about the Bible can now do so online, as the 36-lesson Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course went live this afternoon. Bible study helps are not necessary to become well acquainted with the Bible and Gods way of life. He listed them in verses 710. But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? Revelation 3:7, however, is clear that the key of David belongs, not to the church, but to the One who is holy and true, Jesus Christ. Philadelphia Dallas Monday Night Service. History The word Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) means "brotherly love ." This city was built before 138 B.C. Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. Goodbye trials and troubles. Using a concordance, one can search out key words related to any one of these doctrines. It is nearly 70 ms. e. of Smyrna and about the same distance n.e. We should be able to explain each doctrine in terms of what, why, when, who, where and how. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him. The King James Version is the most accurate English translation, but, written nearly 400 years ago, it does have some hard-to-understand expressions. To help students avoid this fee, pcg regional offices in Canada, the Philippines and Australia collected tests from those nations and sent them overnight to Edmond for grading and processing. That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises. Best of allthese lessons are absolutely free! Jesus encourages the Philadelphian believers regarding His future coming: "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. The letter to the church at Philadelphia is the one to which most current church members relate. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Said another way, God is willing for any who want to be saved to come to Him (John 6:37; 7:37). He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. Have you ever talked with someone who just likes to talk and talk but never listen? Hensley said that the site will also prevent stagnation, which can result in enrollees quitting the course. Gods Church has many doctrines that differ from this worlds contrived religions. Today we look at the sixth church: the church in Philadelphia. Message to Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13. God gave him a second chance. What Is the Work of God Now? Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. Useful knowledge will always humble us and prepare us to be in Gods Family. Plain Answers. It's the city of brotherly love, perfect for the Church of God. Is it things above? Instead of waiting months to receive four lessons and a test in the mail, paying to ship the completed test, and starting the wait all over again, Bible course students can now log in to the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course website and progress through the lessons and tests much more quickly. Church at Philadelphia A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do God's Work. Its the act of becoming too attached to the material things of the worldfalling more in love with the things on earth than on things in heaven. It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. He refers to Jerusalem as the city of the great King. Matthew is a book about kingship. Have you responded to Gods willing invitation to come to Him? The rapture of the church is the subject of three passages in the New Testament: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 our scripture reading for this morning, none of these passages speak of judgment, but instead speak of the church being taken up to heaven. These can be used to get an overview of a particular book, but the commentary provided can sometimes be misguided because the authors do not have the framework of Gods overall plan for man as revealed to His Church. Then review them at least one more time, perhaps the following Sabbath before services. But compared to the online course, even that method was a very inefficient process, Hensley said. The "church in Philadelphia," along with the "church in Smyrna," are the only two churches (of the seven mentioned) about which Jesus had nothing negative to say.

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