We can study their livesput ourselves in their shoes. It is true for us today also. Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy That kind of knowledge may only inflate the intellect and puff us up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Follow Abrahams example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God. A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, I am not willing. There is a place where the Bible says God is not willing, and that is 2 Peter 3:9. If you dont get it fixed, youre not going to reach your destination. As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. 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. When He was very tired? . To see what is behind the open door, we must read and meditate on the rest of the chapter. 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. Or do you graciously say, Thank you, in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? With false humility? D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. The words of the Bible are Gods thoughts in print (2 Timothy 3:16). 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). Note the qualities He exhibited and ask yourself how you would act and how you should act, according to His example. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. Gods Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. For the Apostle Paul, doing Gods Work was more important than his own salvation! Apollos, for example, didnt have any Bible helps, yet he was mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24). God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? How did you feel? The church in Philadelphia, They have the key of david 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The conventional interpretation among those who have come out of the Worldwide Church of God is that Christ has given the Philadelphians an open door to preach the gospel, an idea that is not without merit. Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. The Apostle John wrote about a savage persecution that tore apart God's Church in the first century. Bible students can enroll, study and take tests at bcc.hwacollege.org. Titus 2:7. Bible study helps are not necessary to become well acquainted with the Bible and Gods way of life. So we study to be corrected. Some outstanding Bible helps include: Langes Commentary ; Jamieson, Faussett and Brown Commentary ;the Anchor Bible Dictionary ; the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon and Thompsons Topical Chain Reference, to name but a few. Yet Christ admonishes Philadelphia just as He does the other churches: Overcome! 4. Nevertheless, the Philadelphians, though faithful, are somewhat weak. As Mr. Armstrong often said, those who have their hearts in the Work grow spiritually. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. As a result of searching the Scriptures, the brethren in Thessalonica believed what they were taught (Acts 17:11-12). But then the rains of grace came and David confessed his sin and God forgave him (verse 5). Knowing something about the historical city of Laodicea enhances our understanding of the language Christ chose to correct it. Is it the opposite of pride? We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. They have "a little strength. To be honest, we would have to make the same assumption for each of the groups, and no one has been able to make a significant conclusion in this vein for the Ephesian group in regard to the name "Ephesus," or for the Thyatiran group with "Thyatira," or for the others. Sometimes the meaning of a word is lost in the translation. It is billeted as an outreach program, . Directed almost entirely at the group itself, and will only be of marginal interest to outsiders.. When Gods mandates go unfulfilled on earth, Gods glory is diminished. None of us is above God's discipline if we engage in sin. But when he was about twenty-five, Ezekiel was seized and taken to Babylon, and he never saw the temple again. Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool [see Revelation 3:18, white garments contrasted] and in the banking industry. However, if we study the scriptures referred to and use them as a basis to construct an outline of the booklet, chapter by chapter, we will have a pretty good synopsis of the booklet based on the scriptures. Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead Gods people into the Promised Land because He believed in Gods promise and presence. That is why Scripture is of paramount importance. A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. W. A. Criswell, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. To what things was Paul referring? When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the door is open to some of the virgins and closed to others (Matthew 25:10-12). Richard Sibbes, DavidJeremiah.blog is part of the broadcast ministry of David Jeremiah. The more we study, the stronger we are, which makes the Church stronger. Our studies now bring us to the final message of Jesus to the seven churches. In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. Lets look at seven of them. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. 8 I know your deeds. He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. This article will show you that studying your Bible may be just the remedy you need! A way to reinforce the teaching we receive is to study the notes thoroughly within 24 hours. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). During this year, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. "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. Stephen Flurry Article on Fear Winds Down the Wrong Road. 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 apostle Paul addressed that question in 1 Corinthians 10:11"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition." But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. They loved Jesus, and Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:11). How can we benefit from lessons learned? 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). we will have at least 30 scriptural passages identifying an end-time prophet who has to be on the scene just prior to Christs Second Coming. In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). This has nothing to do with how much money you do or dont havea poverty-stricken person can covet just as much as a billionaire. 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. Lets review a few of the many blessings that flow from studying Gods Word. Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. 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. The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). Church of Philadelphia. They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. was prophesied by name more than 150 years before he came on the scene. In January 1990 Gerald Flurry and John Amos broke away from the Worldwide Church of God and began a new church called "The Philadelphia Church of God." They have pointed out many of the drastic changes Worldwide is going through, and claims to want to return to the faith of Herbert Armstrong, whom they look upon as "Elijah." Christian Kryptonite? A Bible dictionary gives information about biblical words, people, places and things. Look for topics that will help you overcome and develop character. Bible study builds up our faith. It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. Do the problems and frustrations of this world continually get you down? Acts 19:10 )." 'Freely you have receivedfreely give ' We want to share God's truth with as many who want to receive it. God's inspired words to the congregation at Philadelphia are an uplifting message of hope and encouragement. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to go to His Father in prayer for strengthening and guidance, how much more do we (Psalm 32:6)? Consider highlighting these in your Bible and/or linking them together by writing the next reference in your Bible margin. Paul mentions about 20 personalities in the context of faith. Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. 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. Can we explain the details of the gospel, the Kingdom of God, the Millennium and Gods government? Goodbye hardship and heaviness. With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? We are Gods FamilyHis royal householdand we need to thoroughly digest the meat contained in these articles. The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Through Christ's blood, we have access to the Almighty, the Most High God. This can often spare us the heartache of making poor choices or bad decisions.