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THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA
/REVELATION 2 - 3
Copyright November 20, 2007
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CHAPTER 1 (4 of 9)
EXPLANATIONS
AND CAUSES
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The reason God begins the book of Revelation
with His exhortation to these seven churches is the impact that the spirit
condition of God's people play in the fulfillment of prophecy.
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It
is obvious that God's word to the Seven Churches, at the beginning of the book
of Revelation, is not just a word from God to the Seven Churches of that era,
but to all churches transcending all generations from the first word to the
final word of God's revelation to Jesus, given to the Apostle John to write,
being fulfilled. The warnings and
praise, blessings and judgments to the seven churches of Asia Minor are a word
for all generations.
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All of the words of the Revelation
to Jesus Christ given to him by God for His church are to all churches who
profess to be Christian, and are as relevant for us today as they were for
John's day, and not just to a congregation, but also to the very heart and
spirit of each individual in any congregation. What was the significance of God
exhorting the seven churches and not all of the churches of that era? I would say partly, because the seven
churches of Asia are our example of what an approved Christian lifestyle before
God is, and what is not approved; that, along with repentance from sin, will
make us worthy of eternal life, God's standard of Holiness. The Religious,
Hypocrite, and Lukewarm, will be cast out. It
is those who make the necessary effort to perfectly obey God’s moral ethical
laws who will be accepted.
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I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the
renewing your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
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Although we are saved by grace and faith, true faith compels us to obey
God. Holiness in the sight of God is not just obeying a set of written laws,
DOs and DO NOTs, Holiness is also obeying
the dictates of God’s Holy Spirit.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons and Daughters of
God [Romans 8:14], but not without the instruction the bible gives to keep us
on the right path to God’s perfect will for us. God does not have a permissive will. If we are not making
the effort to obey God’s
"perfect will" we are in disobedience, and the rod of correction is
forth coming. It is evident that there are those in the churches of Asia Minor
who God specifically picks out by name or by the doctrine they teach, for a
reason, for ALL scripture is given
for our instruction; even that which is written in the book of Revelation.
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For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
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As
many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:19)
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For
whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. (Hebrews 12:6)
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But
when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)
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All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2
Timothy 3:16-17)
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There is so much information and research available about
the history of the cities the seven church bodies resided in, which it is not
God's intent that I write about, except only to use anything about the history
that would give added significance to what is already written in the second and
third chapters of Revelation for those who will read this book. Jesus’
Apostles never taught eternal life is an unconditional
guarantee after we receive Jesus’ atonement for sin. It is my prayerful intent
to write all that God desires to be shared about His will for us, what makes us
acceptable in His sight, and worthy of the abundant life now and the eternal
life to come that would be hidden in what He is saying to the Seven Churches of
Asia, and for us as individuals. The two chapters embody the attitudes and
conduct of those in the Seven Churches that are just as active in the lives of
every person who profess to be a Christian today, whatever status they may fill
in the title of foolish virgin or wise
virgin.
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Then
shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and
five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil
with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the
bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps. And the foolish said unto
the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise
answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you
rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy,
the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:
and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying Lord,
Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you
not. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son
of man comes. (Matthew 25:1-13)
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My Facebook Timeline
- www.facebook.com/samuelsiders1 -
contains responses I have posted in answer to those who God has had me to share
with for over seventeen years on Facebook Forums created to share the
Scriptures. My activity about sharing the Word of God with Muslims, other false
Cults, and with those who profess to be Christian continues; this open door
that the Lord has made available to me as an Apologist/Teacher is one where
worldwide opportunities are made available to all English speaking people
around the world from many different countries, races, and religious
beliefs.
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It is WRITTEN in 1 Peter 3:15 … “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and
be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you of the hope that
is in you with meekness and fear:" God wants us to know AND understand His
Word (2 Timothy 2:15), “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman
that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Jude 3,
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should
earnestly contend [Gr. agonize with fervent zeal] for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints.”
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I have three published books that can be found online, type in the search bar
of the Amazon website: “three Samuel Siders Books” and you will be directed to
where they can be found.
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Most of my responses
this past week were to prove Jesus is not Almighty God to those who profess to
be Christians. A Christian name Randy posts numerous Biblical questions for
others to answer and learn from. It appears that Randy believes Jesus is
Almighty God, and so do many who response to questions he posts. What follows
is one of the responses I post for Randy to answer his question “did the Patriarchs
worship one God” my answer was “No,” explain Why, and that the Melchizedek in
Genesis is – not – Jesus but Shem Noah’s son.
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Randy ... No
the Patriarchs did not worship one God and my following response explains the
Biblical answer Why. Jesus taught we are to worship Him also in John 5:23; God
commands it in Hebrews 1:6; being done to Both in Heaven as written in
Revelation 7:9-12, and Jesus is called “God” like His Father Almighty God in
Psalm 45:7 and quoted for Jesus in Hebrews 1:8-9.
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It is quite obvious
that Jesus is mentioned in Genesis 3:15 made known to Adam and Eve, Jesus
existed together - with - His Father Almighty as proven in Genesis 19:24 (Two
Yehwehs one on earth the other in heaven), Abraham being a prophet prophesied
about Jesus' coming in Genesis 22:8 "God shall provide HIMSELF a Lamb”
which John the Baptist taught when he saw Jesus, David knew of Jesus as written
in Psalm 2:12, Solomon knew about Jesus' existence in Proverbs 30:4 which Jesus
taught is He in John 3:13, Isaiah in both Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7, and Daniel in
Daniel 7:13-14; just to name a Few of many references; they All would have
Known about Jesus existing before He received His physical body through Mary.
John 1:1 makes it clear that Jesus (Logos/Memra) is as eternally existent as
His Father Almighty God, and Jesus taught this in John 17:5 "before the
world was."
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With these Facts
since the OT does not mention Jesus' BODY it does validate Jesus' spirit and
soul did exist before He received it and as Hebrew 1:3 validates IN His Father
Almighty God's SUBSTANCE - before - Jesus received His physical Body.
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With these facts, even
though the Patriarchs - might not have known - about Jesus' spirit and soul
being IN Almighty God's Substance not only were they worshiping Almighty God
they were also worshiping Jesus as well He having been in His Father Almighty
God's Substance. A similar example of this ideology is what Apostle Paul wrote
about Levi paying tithes to Melchizedek while being in Abraham's loins (Hebrews
7:9-10).
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FYI about Melchizedek
that is the name of a Priesthood not the name of who Abraham gave tithes to,
which the Jewish Targum teaches was Shem – not – Jesus, and which Apostle Paul
made clear in Hebrews 7:15 about Jesus “For that after the --Similitude -- of
Melchizedek there arises – Another – priest,” with this fact there are Two
Melchizedeks mentioned in the Bible - not - one.
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To read more
responses I posted this past week my FB timeline can be visited. https://www.facebook.com/samuelsiders1
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Samuel Siders 9/13/2026
[Go deep in your relationship with God not shallow.]
THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA
/REVELATION 2 - 3
