Podcasts about nicolaitans

Revelation 2: 1-7“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

Patrick opens with a story about art critics mistaking Monet for AI slop, sparking questions about authenticity in a tech-soaked world. He follows twisted threads connecting digital surveillance in China to new digital IDs in the UK, then tosses in stories of hysterical climate predictions, AI anxieties, and the social decay linked to endless scrolling. Children and families become the focus as Patrick unpacks warnings from experts, connecting smartphones, plummeting fertility, and a relentless tide of content that threatens innocence. What happens when you post a real Monet and say it’s AI? The comments are amazing. - https://x.com/SHL0MS/status/2054280631807316329 (00:42) Audio: 2016. Guy McPherson (a climate change expert, scientist, and professor from the University of Arizona) says that there will not be any humans on the planet by 2026 due to the effects of climate change - https://x.com/mazemoore/status/2055376238345076837?s=46 (06:01) Audio: King Charles announces new UK digital ID - My ministers will also proceed with the introduction of digital ID that will modernize how citizens interact with public services. - https://x.com/OliLondonTV/status/2054542004219232295?s=20 (09:59) Audio: Zach Galifianakis on AI – It’s a biblical biting the apple - https://x.com/Zigmanfreud/status/2051691184477913346?s=20 (23:31) Audio: TikTok is the fentanyl of social media. With Jonathan Haidt –https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/2054654456701100040?s=20 (27:30) Audio: 4 norms to pull kids out of the anxiety spiral we’ve created - Jonathan Haidt on the Daily Show - https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/2055349160514081005?s=46 (31:22) The rise of smart phones, and the decline infertility - https://x.com/lugaricano/status/2055778470878449892 Audio: Giving your kid a smart phone - This is exactly what you are doing when you give your child unsupervised access to the internet (A phone not only gives your child access to the world, it gives the world access to your child) – https://x.com/Miss_Snuffy/status/2045051230838558930?s=46 (39:56) Mike - In the book of Revelation, Jesus talks about Nicolaitans. Who is the Synagogue of Satan? (44:21)

Prepare for the Man-Child Birth (1) (audio) David Eells, 5/17/26 Let me begin with this Word to be ready for this manifestation of the Man-Child birth and the work to follow. A Quick Change Anonymous 6/21/23 (David's notes in red) “There will be a quick change coming soon and more of My Son will be manifesting through you and those who choose ALL of Me. I am increasing and quickly, be ready each moment. LET GO OF EVERYTHING that is NOT Me. Let go of ALL doubt and unbelief. Let go of all carnal and worldly thinking. Everything you think you know and what you know is changing into Me. You will begin to not recognize yourself, but you will see Me in you (and our other Brethren). Completely in unity in Me you will soon be, closer and closer each moment, becoming one together fully in Christ. Time is now. Stop thinking and looking to the future (planning the future) or past but focus on each moment you are in now. I Am now. Time is now. My Son focused on this moment. His Mind was and is on all of you. Let go of all the distractions that stop you from bathing in My presence. Let go of all those little sins you think are hidden; I see all, and I want all evil out of you. No evil is in My Son, as there will be no evil in His Bride, now and for eternity. Time is ticking and passing more quickly than you think; things will start proceeding more rapidly. In an instance, I will be; don't look back. Let go of all your carnal desires, senses, and interests in this world. Face Me only. Look to Me. Think of Me. Communion with Me every moment. I Am in you and for you and everything is from Me. Look to Me and you will keep my peace, my joy and my pleasure that is beyond anything in the natural. I am coming sooner, get ready now. Don't miss out on the things I have for you. Each minute and second, I have a gift for you, and when you aren't in Me, you miss out on what I wanted to give you. Don't look away or to the enemy. Only Me. I Am coming and am already here; look and see”. (I sense that this is going to be coming and happening quicker than we expect.)   Enter Ye in By the Narrow Gate B. A. - 07/25/2011 (David's notes in red) I had just finished my morning prayers and was getting out of bed when I received a word from the Holy Spirit: “If you think the body scanners and pat-downs at the airports are bad, wait until you see the searches I will be doing with My body!” I sat back down on the bed as this took me by surprise. After a few minutes, I got up, dressed, and went down by the lake to meditate on this word. As I was sitting there, I got a vision: I was inside a huge megachurch filled with people. It looked like a football stadium. (In a larger sense, the stadium is the body of Christ. In a smaller sense, it is UBM.) I saw a man dressed as a shepherd who was speaking from a podium to the people. (This is a type of the “one shepherd,” Jesus, ministering in the man-child to the “one flock.”) I couldn't figure out why I was there. I felt like an ant inside this place, as it was so big. I was pondering why I was there when suddenly I saw a bright light coming down from the high ceiling. I watched as the light came down and went through the crowd. (The light is the Word that “came down out of heaven” to give us rebirth in the image of Jesus.) Suddenly, it stopped and hovered over someone down toward the front. At this time, two ushers came and escorted that individual from the building. This happened several more times. I was surprised that no one else seemed to notice what was going on. (Many don't understand the opportunity we have to humble ourselves to the Word and be like Him and love Him.) This bright beam of light seemed to be working its way from the front of the building toward the back, to where I was seated. (The geometric progression of the Word being passed on from person to person.) Then, just like the others, this beam of light came down and hovered over me and the two ushers came and escorted me out of the building. (This represents being born of the mother, as the bride was in Song of Solomon.) As I got outside, I saw the others who had gone out before me. They were all standing together in a group and were hugging each other. As I drew near to them, they came up and started hugging me and shouting, “We've been chosen! We've been chosen!” That was the end of the vision. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. (The Bride is being chosen before the tribulation because that is the seven-day Marriage Feast when the groom feasts with the bride over the bread/word and wine/nature of Jesus Christ.) Just as I was getting up to go back into the house, I received another word from the Holy Spirit: “Strive to enter in by the narrow gate.” (Luk.13:24) Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Mat.7:13) Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. (14) For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. I believe the Lord was giving me a warning. I believe the Lord is taking what is going on in the natural to prepare His body for the spiritual. Those body scanners and pat-downs at the airport are very revealing and humbling. I believe the Lord is warning us that that's nothing compared to the BODY (God's people) search He is going to do to His people. (Anything illegal, according to the Word, will not pass. Unforgiveness, lust, pride, rebellion, etc. won't fly.) I believe this message is for the first-fruits (Man-child and Bride). The Lord gave me more word this morning. The Lord told me He was searching HIS people and that He has been giving them a series of pop quizzes leading up to the final test for the first-fruits. If we can't pass the series of quizzes, we have no chance of passing the BIG TEST! These quizzes are to test the body to see where they stand spiritually. How will we as the body be able to function when situations get much tougher, as world events become more extreme? We are being sifted! (If one cannot prove to live in the love and nature of Jesus in the small tests, they could never conquer the big tests that are coming.) Also, I believe the Lord is telling the body to “GET REAL” with their hearts. Anyone holding on to any unforgiveness or unconfessed or hidden sin will not make the cut. Love each other from the heart, brothers and sisters. It is a HUGE blessing to be in the first-fruits. We are not to be concerned about our specific place within the body; it's the Lord's decision and His alone to place each and every one of us in the position He has chosen for us. We do not appoint ourselves to positions as many do.   Birthing the Man-child and Under Attack Warren Edwards - 09/21/2009 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was with a woman who was about to give birth. We were alone in a birthing room. There was great commotion outside. When the woman was just about ready to give birth, two people who were outside the room burst in and said we were about to be overcome and that we would have to leave. (The beast threat against the church will be great at the time God births His Man-child in them and to lead them.) We were in another room just like the first room; the only difference was that now the woman who was to give birth looked more pregnant than before, and I was aware that the two men who were outside were there to protect us from the people trying to attack us. Just as the woman was ready again, they burst into the room and said again that we were about to be overcome and had to move, so we moved again. (The church will be running from the devil, instead of after the devil, before this leadership arrives.) We were in the same type of room again, with the same commotion outside. The woman was larger with child than ever and looked as though she would burst because she was so big. I became aware that I was not protecting the woman but was to protect the child she carried. The men burst into the room again and said again that we were about to be overcome and we had to move. They had weapons in their hands; one carried a fence post (which is for separating us from beasts-- symbolizing sanctification from the flesh) and the other a piece of steel tube (which is a vessel for the water of the Word to flow through). Sanctification is necessary for us to be a channel for the spoken Word, which is our sword of the Spirit. Some only know the word through the colored glasses their preachers give them. Know and experience the word through the Holy Spirit.) I noticed the weapons bore no marks of use, and I became angry. I asked the men why they had not used their weapons against the enemy. They argued the enemy was too strong and insisted that we leave before we were overcome. (Unsanctification, doubt and the lack of the knowledge of authority makes God's people cower before the enemy.) Very angry, I lifted my hands and spoke; the enemy was immediately quieted and fell. The men who were protecting the woman fell silent and had an expression of fear on their faces. They just moved out of the way; they were not hurt. The woman gave birth. The child and I were taken away in the spirit. End of dream. This is the story of the dragon beast in Rev,12, awaiting the birth of the Man-child, in order to devour it before it is caught up to the throne of authority. Care has been given to some to birth this Man-child, who are also to be members of it. (Rev.12:1) And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. 3 And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. 4 And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven (This falling away of the stars God said were Abraham's seed is the danger.), and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child (And this is the other threat spoken of.). 5 And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. I, David, had a dream or vision, many years ago, about birthing the Man-child from a dying religious system. My notes are in red: I was standing on top of a mountain (representing the kingdom of God) and looking down the mountainside. I saw a construction crew coming up the mountainside, putting up the big metal power poles for high voltage power lines. (Bringing the latter rain power of God to come as Christ in us.) Then I looked down beside me on the ground and noticed a very old, emaciated cow lying there. It looked as though it was about to die. Next to it was a very large baby boy that I knew had been born from that cow. Next, I saw a front-end loader come and scoop up the cow and carry it away. (Moving the old, dead system out of the way of the power coming through the Man-child as it was in Jesus' day.) I picked up the baby and walked over and got on an escalator. (Resting and being caught up to the throne of God's authority to use power.) As we were going up, I noticed a woman next to me with a normal-sized baby. Looking at my baby, she said, “That looks like a real baby boy”. Watching the front-end loader carry away the cow, I said, “Yeah, I wonder how that's possible”. Then the scene changed and I was walking into a ministers' conference. All the famous religious leaders were there. A famous minister whom we all know walked over and handed me some papers. (The Lord showed me that he represented a generation of Saul ministers who were ceding their authority to the Man-child.) Then the Lord said to me, “This is his propaganda about what he has accomplished”. Judy Miller also had a dream on 12/10/08, which we called Christian Snipers, where I was under attack while trying to deliver the Man-child. Here is the shortened version: I have never, to the best of my recollection, dreamed about someone I never met. But I can't seem to get it off my mind. Since this dream was about David, I thought it might be something he would understand. He and I and a woman who could have been his wife, but I never saw her, were in a big, empty room like a cafeteria. (The cafeteria is where food is served, so I believe this has something to do with our teachings that we feed the saints.) There was only one table, which was standing on its end in this empty room. It was one of those really heavy tables that takes two people to move. David and the woman were on the underside of this table and he was delivering a baby from her. (Delivering the baby “under the table” symbolizes being out of public view. Some people pay no attention to the fact that some Davids work very hard at delivering the individual and corporate fruit of Christ from the woman church behind the scenes.) I was on the topside digging a bullet out of David's back. (The top side of the table represents being in public. David was shot from the direction of the public and Judy removed the slug in public. Sniping at Davids in public is the work of those who have critical, factious spirits and do not care what they do day and night to serve the saints. Those who have wisdom of the Word should publicly but gracefully correct slander, backbiting, gossip and criticism, as Judy was symbolically doing here. (Psa.11:2) For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.)  How I was doing this through the table, I don't know. But the strange thing was this: He never seemed to notice he had a bullet in his back; he didn't acknowledge any pain while I was digging it out. He actually never said anything during this whole thing, but seemed to be concentrating on delivering this baby. (The most important thing is delivering the baby. I get bullets in the back without me knowing it all the time because some don't speak to your face “alone”, as Jesus demands in Mat.18:15, but go to the public, which is reserved for the third step in verse 17 and only when there is sin. Some who are overcome by critical, factious spirits and selfish ambition receive accusations against elders [1Ti.5:19] in their minds or from others for the purpose of separating brethren unto themselves.) I finally managed to get the bullet out of his back, and I held it up to the light and it glittered on the brass when the light hit it, and I just smiled; that was the end of the dream. (The glitter on the slug speaks of putting on a public display to impress men, since that is the way glitter is used. Public persecution has come against our ministry and, sadly, sometimes it is from within, as it was with Jesus. Some like to magnify themselves at others' expense.)   Jesus Is Again Coming in Humility June Johnson - 07/29/2008 (David's notes in red) In a very vivid dream, I saw a donkey in the middle of a road with a baby on its back. It is Jesus birthed in the end-time corporate Man-child, whose beastly flesh is in servitude and humility by God's grace. (Mat.21:5) Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass. Jesus is coming as the latter rain on this morning of the third thousand-year day. (Hos.6:2) After two days (2000 years) will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. (3) And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning (of the third thousand year day,); and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. He will anoint the first-fruits man-child with the latter rain first, as it was with Jesus in the former rain. The Jews expected Him to come as a reigning king over their enemies, as the Christians do today. But the enemy wasn't the Romans but the devil, sin, and the flesh. “The things that have been are the things that will be”. Instead, He will come once again in the form of humble servants before coming personally. I then heard a car coming and thought to myself that I had to get the baby out of the road before the car came closer. The dragon will seek to destroy the corporate Man-child, as with Jesus, Moses, Joseph, David, etc, but he will be anointed with authority to rule from the throne, as they were. (Rev.12:4) And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. (5) And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. (6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. The donkey then knelt down and I grabbed the baby and ran. End of dream. Jesus will come wherever the beastly flesh is in submission. Others will partake of the Spirit of Christ in them. The fruit of Christ will be served to God's people through a humble, fleshly body.   Jesus Is Coming in His People Jan from Alaska - 02/04/2009 (David's notes in red) I got several confirmations during the day that this was from the Lord, and I don't want to miss any message in it. I'm standing just outside an open doorway that leads into a bedroom in the heart of the house. I'm told or asked by someone high above me (literally high over my head in the Spirit) to go to this woman to midwife her having a baby and the baby is Jesus. I walk into the room, and it's flooded with bright light, with a great light on her. She is ruddy in complexion, and I can see only her body from the base of her neck down. She's young --15-18, small, naked, alone in the room, and up on her elbows pushing in agony with the birth. She's in the end stage of delivery as the baby has already dropped into the birth canal, and she barely looks pregnant. I go over and put my hand on her stomach to comfort her and not so much to guide the baby, as to feel the baby. I have great compassion for her pain. Then I walk to the end of the bed, and I see the baby's head has already burst through the canal and the top of His head, which is snow white, is exposed (the revelation of Christ as head.) (Song of Solomon 5:8-10 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love. What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand). I'm excited with happiness, but I stay focused, talk comfort to her, and watch as the baby is born into my arms (and He is very ruddy). (The man-child David was said to be ruddy.) I hold the baby to my chest and run down a narrow hallway toward the front (future? outer court?) of the house, where I know a lot of people are waiting to hear He's been born. I'm crying and laughing because I'm so happy I got to witness this, that Jesus has come! (With the latter rain anointing for the whole man-child reformer body.) Baby Jesus, who is very red and physically very strong (Rev.12:10) Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ), leans over and takes my left index finger into His mouth and bites down and I realize He has a full set of very white adult teeth (Gen.49:9) Judah is a lion's cub; (12) His (Judah's) eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.). “Left hand” means “hiding place”; “place of covering”. “Index finger”, or “forefinger,” means “the finger of God”; i.e., “power of God”. I awoke crying and praising God, overcome with joy of it all. This dream may be a confirmation or continuation of a dream I had two weeks ago in which I was looking at the Word and in red letters I read: Tell of your Master and of His coming... (Gen.49:1) And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the latter days. ... (8) Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise: Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father's sons shall bow down before thee. (9) Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? (10)(This verse was given by faith at random to us when we asked what spiritual tribe are we from?) The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come: (Hebrew: peace giver. From Assyrian: prince, ruler) And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be. (11) Binding his foal unto the vine, And his ass's colt unto the choice vine; He hath washed his garments in wine, And his vesture in the blood of grapes: (12) His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk. A word I received at this same time: (Isa.33:10) Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted. Jesus came as a baby with the former rain ministry and passed this on to the Woman Church, who were called “Christians” because Jesus lived in them. Now history must repeat, as Ecc.1:9 says: “That which hath been is that which shall be”. Jesus said He would return again as a Man-child born to the woman Church. (Joh.16:19) Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me? (20) Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. (21) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. (22) And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you. (He will come manifested in His corporate end-time Man-child reformer body.) (Rev.12:5) And she was delivered of a son, a man-child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. (6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (He will come through the Latter Rain anointing after two thousand-year days on the morning of the third thousand.) (Hos.6:2) After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. (3) And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. Then this anointing will be spread throughout the elect Church, as history repeats. And then He will come in the clouds of His heavenly people.   The David Ministry Is Born Eve Brast - 11/11/2013 (David's notes in red) I dreamed that my husband and I had a fourth son. (In real life, we have three sons: Noah, 16; Elijah, 11; Josiah, 8.) I had just given birth to this fourth son. I was wondering where my husband was in the dream because he was not present for the birth. My older two sons were nearby, but it was my son Josiah who was present for the birth. He was standing at my right hand and admiring the new baby boy with me. (I have learned that the birth of the Man-child is different from the birth of the Man-child ministry. In Jesus' life, there were 30 years between these two. It was that way with Joseph, David and Moses, as types of the Man-child. They all had a pre-anointing life and service to God. But when the anointing came, the real ministry began.) I had wrapped him in a white blanket and was holding his head with his right cheek against my heart. I was talking to Josiah and exclaiming, “He looks just like Elijah when Elijah was born, only he has richer, thicker hair!” (My son Elijah was born in November, the 11th month of the year (And he is at the time of this dream 11 years old), and Father gave me this dream on 11/11/13.) (11 has been a number of manifest judgment on the wicked but also deliverance and blessing for the righteous. This is what comes with the Man-child ministry of the white horse rider.) I started quoting Bible scriptures to this new baby, as he rested on my heart. I didn't know where these verses were located in the Word, but every verse I quoted to him, he would quote them right back to me in a soft, quiet, gentleman's voice! And then he would add where that verse was located in the Word. I discovered that most of the verses I was quoting to him were in the book of James! (What we see here is the Man-child ministry being birthed into the world. Though they are small in size and number, they will manifest the supernatural knowledge and nature of the Word made flesh.) Josiah and I were looking and smiling at the new baby, and I was saying, “Isn't he so precious? He is so sweet! We are going to name him David. I've always loved that name”. Then I woke up. (The anointed David ministers are now coming onto the scene.) I asked Father for scriptures for this dream and received: (Ecc.7:1) A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth. (This ministry will have gone through birth, death and resurrection to the latter rain anointing to manifest the name of Jesus.) (Luk.24:50) And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (He led them to the House of Bread and blessed them.) (Mat.11:27) All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. My finger landed on the words “to reveal him”. (The manifest sons will be revealed by the Lord, and they will reveal the Lord.) Then I asked for a word concerning me in this dream, and my finger landed on (Mat.1:21) And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. My finger was on the words, “And she shall bring forth a son”. Amazing! (Word received by random by faith in God.)   “The Armies of God March Soon” Eve Brast - 10/08/2011 (David's notes in red) The Father gave me a dream on 9/22/11, two days after the vision He gave me of the birth of Isaac in Abraham's tent dream. (This was the birth of the Man-child, who, as David, will lead the Lord's earthly army into battle against the spiritual Philistines and their demon gods. I share this dream below.) Eve said, I'm sending it now because last night I was lamenting to the Father how pronounced the separation is becoming between myself and friends and loved ones who love the world more than the truth of the Word and discipleship. It seems to have become extremely pronounced recently. I was asking the Father to speak to me concerning this, and when I opened my Bible my finger was on: (Psa.18:29) For by thee I run upon a troop: And by my God do I leap over a wall. (The Lord's power and anointing will enable us to leap over walls of separation and battle for souls in bondage, but we must have our armor and be led by our General.) I went on to read the entire text of Psalm 18, which answered my questions perfectly and gave me comfort. I knew instantly after reading this that it was time to send this dream. Dream - 09/22/2011 I saw myself standing in the driveway in front of my grandmother's old house (Eve, as a type of the bride of the last Adam, is a part of the house of the ancient Church and Word before the falling away. Contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.) that house I grew up in on Lago Vista Street (meaning “Lake View”). I was facing west, looking across the pond. The sun was disappearing over the horizon. There was just enough light left to make out the scene. (A time of darkness coming on the world, but the waters of the Word are always before the Bride's face.) I was dressed in silver-polished armor with gold trim (armor that reflects the Sun or Son and blinds the enemy). My hair had turned blonde. (Hair represents submission to our husband. Blond hair represents submission to the Sun [Son] -- 1 Corinthians 11) The wind started to gust (false winds of doctrines) out of the north (the beast), blowing the dead leaves that had fallen from the trees and what seemed like dead grass clippings over me. (Coming in contact with those who are falling away to their flesh, for Peter said, “All flesh is as grass”.) I heard a voice from the south (God's army) say, “The armies of God march soon! “ I became concerned and started to panic because my armor had some missing pieces, like pieces of a puzzle. There was no time left to go back into my grandmother's house (representing the ancient original church), where the rest of the pieces were located, and find them. (The armor can only be found in the original Church of the Word.) At that moment, I cried out to the Father, “Help me, Father! I don't know what to do! “ I knew that if I went back inside, I would miss the deployment of troops, and that if I went into battle like I was (missing some armor) I could be wounded. (Effectual fervent prayer to the Father can finish up the armor. Many are taken out even now because they had no armor.) Suddenly, the missing pieces started appearing from above me and attaching themselves in their proper places on my armor suit, completing it for the march and the battle. (All need to pray to complete the armor so they are not taken out in the coming darkness and association with the dead around us. (Eph.6:12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.) When I asked the Father for scripture for this dream back on September 22nd, I opened my Bible and my finger was on: (2Ch.33:14) Now after this he built an outer wall to the City of David, on the West side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance of the Fish gate; and he compassed Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height: and he put captains in all the fortified cities. This was after King Manasseh in verse 13 had repented to God, and God brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. (And he was preparing for war, coming against the city of David by putting on its armor.) I asked for another scripture to expand the meaning of this dream to me and when I opened my eyes, my finger was on: (Joh.8:56) Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (Abraham fought for the people taken captive by the kings of Canaan's land, the beast.) This amazed me because it connected the previous vision the Father gave me two nights before with this current dream! God is so awesome and faithful to show us what He is doing! Dream - 10/08/11 I was flying through space inside our inner solar system toward the sun, and as I was coming up, I saw Mercury, Venus, and Earth. Mercury and Earth were in alignment and Venus was extremely close to coming into perfect alignment with them. (Eve didn't know this, but these planets were in perfect alignment, or very close to perfect alignment, from October 31 until November 15.) I was brought in closer, and all my attention was placed on Venus. As I was waking up, I heard a voice say, “And He shall be given a rod and a staff with which to rule over the sons of men”. (Could this be hinting at the anointing? We'll see. The rod represents chastening and the staff restraint and guidance. The alignments of Earth, Mercury and Venus can actually be seen as a type of a rod. The rod and the staff are the instruments of the Shepherd Who is coming in His Man-child to be the General for His troops. (Rev.22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star [Venus]. Jesus is the root that brought forth the branch of David and He is in the Branch -- Jeremiah 23 & 33.) The scriptures that were given to me for this dream were (Eze.40:6) Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the East, and went up the steps thereof: and he measured the threshold of the gate, one reed broad: and the other threshold one reed broad. (Jesus is coming through the Eastern Gate into the temple of His people. He is measuring the Way through which He comes and many will not measure up. (Joh.14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.) (Jer.30:17) For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds saith Jehovah, because they have called thee an outcast, saying, It is Zion whom no man seeketh after. (Then Zion, the bride, will be sought out and restored.) With love for all my brethren. Be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord.   Promised Seed Brings in Multitudes Eve Brast - 09/20/2011 (David's notes in red) On 9/20/11, before going to bed, I was out on my porch facing the east toward a fantastic lightning show that was occurring in the storm clouds. It was completely silent with no thunder at all, which is unusual. In my imagination, I saw the angel, Michael, and his angels fighting against Satan and his forces of darkness in the heavens, and Satan being cast down to the Earth. I felt in my spirit to pray against the forces of darkness that are coming against the saints of God. (Rev.12:10) And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death. This casting down of Satan will be for the purpose of persecuting the woman church and driving her into the safety of the wilderness for 3 1/2 years, as in Revelation 12:13-14, to be trained by the Man-child in verses 5-6. After this, I went to lie down, but before I could fall asleep, the Father gave me a vision. I (Eve, the bride of Adam/Jesus) was standing on the corner of an angled portion of the roof of Herod's temple, which was over some pillars and steps. In the vision, this is where Satan had taken Jesus during His time of testing. (The Bride is being tested by Satan to see who will overcome by faith in the blood, the words of their testimony and sacrificing their life.) I was looking down and observing a scene. At my left, crouching down and observing the scene was Satan. He was dressed in a solid black hooded robe, and all I could see were his gray and bony hands with sharp, pointed nails. My attention returned to the scene below. (Satan hides in the darkness of wicked men, the seven-headed, 10-horned dragon body of lost humanity, so that men do not perceive this to be a trial from him. Men are tempted to wrestle with flesh and blood in this way.) Abraham had pitched his tent on the cobblestones in front of the steps of the temple and was pacing outside the tent like an expectant father. (Abraham means “father of a multitude”. He is the father of the faithful and represents our Father in Heaven.) I was able to see right through the top of the tent, and I could see Sarah, who was old and gray-headed, giving birth to Isaac with the assistance of three handmaids. She gave birth to him with great ease. (Our Father sowed the seed of the Word in Sarah, meaning “princess”, who represents the Bride who has not brought forth the seed of man. As with Sarah, the Bride is in the midst of the Church, who is now in old age. She is bringing forth the promised Man-child seed of Father Abraham, through whom he will be the “father of a multitude” from all nations.) Then I saw Abraham hurry into the tent as soon as Isaac was delivered, and he held the baby up to the heavens toward the Father in praise and dedication. (The gift from God through whom He will begin the latter rain revival to bring in the multitudes.) As soon as Isaac was born, Satan, still crouched on my left, started to pound his right fist down upon his left palm and scream twice, “We've lost them! We've lost them!” (As sure as this child will be born, Satan will lose the multitudes who were captive to him. YOU LOST THEM 2000 YEARS AGO, SATAN!!! LOL!!!) This is when the vision ended, and I became aware that I was in my bed trying to go to sleep. I looked this up in (Heb.11:11) By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted Him faithful who had promised ... (18) even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (In Isaac was and is in type the seed of all future generations. He begat the one whose seed was the 12 patriarchs, just as Jesus did and just as the Man-child will spiritually.) When I asked the Father for some verses, my finger was on (Pro.18:20) A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied. (The spoken word will bring forth the multitudes, like the commands through Moses to Pharaoh) Also (Isa.66:19) And I will set a sign among them and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame neither have seen my glory: and they shall declare my glory among the nations. (The “sign” here is the Man-child Emanuel, meaning “God with us” prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and Luke 2:10-12,34. He will send those who escape the beast to the nations to declare the fame of the Lord.) Praise the Lord that Satan has already been defeated! Be encouraged, brethren.   Birthing of the Man-child and Bride's Fruit and the Beginning of Great Judgment Eve Brast - 11/18/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed that I was in an old military-style fort with UBM. The entire perimeter or outer wall doubled as living quarters and storage rooms. The interior courtyard area was open. We were gathering supplies in preparation for an imminent, massive judgment from God in the form of a thick blanket of darkness that was heading towards the fort.) (At this time we know of one possibility of an imminent judgment, in that the DS has prepared more deadly plagues to unleash upon the global population. This judgment could also represent the beginning of the 7-year tribulation when the Man-child is born.) The judgment was fast approaching, coming from my right in the form of an oppressive darkness that was blanketing the earth. I knew that many people would die from this judgment in the dream. (The vaccine deaths multiplied quickly. We know the DS has another ‘Plandemic' worse than COVID's vax. As this was coming upon the world, I was simultaneously standing on a large wooden deck where I was in active labor to give birth to twins, a boy and a girl, even though I did not outwardly look pregnant. I had a vision of them coming through the birth canal side by side, the boy on the right and the girl at his left. They were being born in an upright position, or what they call breech, which is “feet first.” (This represents the fruit of Christ in the Man-child and the Bride coming to maturity and being born ready to walk in the steps of Jesus through the 7-year Tribulation period that is quickly approaching.) While I was laboring to bring them forth, I would squat down and try with all my might to push them out, but because they were being born at the same time, I could not birth them in my own strength, and I was becoming tired. Then the knowledge of the Holy Spirit came to me to “just stand and relax.” When I did this, they were born smoothly and with ease on their own. Then I woke up. (Through faith and rest of God, the Bride will bear her own fruit and that of the Man-child.) Missy got this text by faith at random for the morning prayer meeting on 11/18/21 and she thought it went with this dream, 2Ch.6:4-11, And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hands fulfilled it, saying, 5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be prince over my people Israel: 6 but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. 8 But Jehovah said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart: 9 nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. 10 And Jehovah hath performed his word that he spake; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised, and have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. 11 And there have I set the ark, wherein is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with the children of Israel. (This parable represents the two stages of the Man-child ministry: David, a warrior, and Solomon, meaning peaceful. The son of David, Solomon, [peaceful], which the Man-child Jesus, the prince of peace, was also called. This fruit of David, representing Christ in him, will build the house and not his old man. David was a man of war, but his fruit, Solomon, was the prince of peace to build the temple. David provided the materials for the Temple and his son, or fruit built it.)   She was Delivered of a Son; a Man-child Alenna Timoshchuk - 12/2/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was at my sister Lidiya's house and I took a shower in her bathroom. After I finished showering, I lay down on her bed to take a nap. (I've recently repented of some idols the Lord showed me were still in my life, and I believe the shower represents the washing away of my sins and this repentance and cleansing that I had just gone through in the Lord, and now that I am made pure by Him, I have entered into His rest.) In the dream, as I closed my eyes, I immediately started seeing a vision in animated form. I saw a large old-fashioned church building made of gray stone. (The old-fashioned church represents the original church, and the stone represents Jesus, Who is the Rock and foundation of the Church.) Then it was as if I was standing in the back of the church and could see everything happening inside. I saw rows of pews with people in them; they were all facing the front, where you'd normally see the preacher behind a pulpit. (I believe these people are the ones eagerly waiting for the Man-child, and they have their eyes forward, focused on Jesus Christ.) (The Nicolaitans put one man over the sheep of the congregation who lords his position over them, but Jesus did not intend it to be so for His disciples. The Man-child will restore the original 5-fold ministries of leadership and accountability in the Church government. Mat.20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.) Instead of a preacher, a woman was standing there. She was dressed in beautiful garments in various hues of blue. The way she was dressed reminded me of the pictures I'd see of Mary with the baby Jesus. (This represents the woman of Revelation 12 who gives birth to the corporate body of the Man-child just as Mary gave birth to Jesus in His individual body 2,000 years ago. Mary was the bride of the Lord to bring forth the Man-child, Jesus, by the seed of the Holy Spirit.) She lay down on a table that was behind her, and I saw that she was pregnant, and I could see the shadow of a baby inside her belly. She started pushing and gave birth to a baby boy. When the baby came out, everyone in the church jumped up and started rejoicing and hugging each other. The Man-child will be born out of the Bride body.) The woman was looking at everyone with a huge smile on her face. That was when I noticed a gold crown on her head and a long blue veil covering her blonde hair. (I believe the woman looked like pictures I saw of Mary because she is the parallel of the one who births Jesus Christ in our day and the woman from whom the Man-child will come. She was clothed in beautiful hues of blue, representing heavenly colors, and her veil is her submission to Christ. The crown is the glory she will have in heaven because she represents the Bride.) (Joh.16:19-22) Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. (Represented by the “huge smile” she had on her face.) 22 And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you. The corporate Man-child reformer David ministry in whom Jesus lives by Word and Spirit is about to be born. In the night that Cyrus, as Trump, conquered Babylon, Daniel, as a type of the Man-child, was promoted as a ruler of the Kingdom. We are close to the Man-child's anointing to rule.) After their moment of rejoicing, everyone went to the front of the church and exited out a side door. (I believe there will be great rejoicing for those waiting for the Man-child, and they all walked out of the church when he was born because they are going to spread the true gospel.) (These are the modern-day disciples of Christ who are going forth as the first disciples did.) The church was now empty, and I saw a man appear in front of the church, where he sat down on the steps of the stage. He wore clothes that resembled royalty; the colors of red and white, with a gold crown on his head. He had light brown hair, and his expression looked sorrowful. (I believe the man represented Jesus in the Man-child. The red and white symbolize the blood sacrifice and purity of Jesus, and the gold crown is also the glory he has been given by the Father in heaven for his obedience and sacrifice. I believe his expression was sorrowful because he feels his Father's sorrow over the people that have fallen away.) Then I heard a voice fill the whole room, and I knew it was the Father speaking to him. I can't remember the exact words our Father was saying, but I remember the idea of it, so I will just put it in my own words. He told the man that His people have been on the fence for too long, worshipping Him and mammon. The time has come for them to make a choice, for very soon they will be judged and many, many deaths are going to start occurring. (In the natural many will die because of the graphene oxide and spike protein, which is sprayed and/or in vaccinated people. Spiritually, there will also be a falling away. See our book Escape the Falling Away. These are the rebellious and lukewarm that the Lord will spew out of His mouth. Rev.3:16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.) He told him to go out and warn his people because the time has drawn very near. (I believe Father is showing me here that the Man-child is coming very, very soon, but for those who are not living in the Spirit, but after the flesh, a very difficult time is also very near. We need to intercede for them in prayer and warn them to repent and draw nigh unto the Lord. We also must give up our idols and worship our one true God.) The man jumped up with a determined expression on his face and went out the side door to do as the Father had told him. Then the vision ended in the dream, and I opened my eyes. (When the Man-child is anointed and sent forth by the Father, He will have power to complete all that He is sent to do.) ...I stepped outside onto the back porch to clear my mind so that I could write down the vision. My brother Leo came out and started the grill because he was going to grill some meat… (Leo represents the Lion of Judah, Jesus, who is solely focused on crucifying our flesh in the fiery trial.) Then something started happening in the sky. I saw clouds forming in lines very quickly, and it looked like the lines were being sprayed into the sky. The way they formed was very interesting. It started as a line that would turn into a 45-degree angle, ultimately forming a triangle. (This likely represents the 'all-seeing eye' within the triangular-shaped pyramid representing the Illuminati at the head of the DS. They are Luciferians and eugenicists, and they are de-populating the global population through their chemtrail spraying programs and vaccines.) As soon as the triangle was formed, the cloud would turn black and another would form connecting to the point of the other triangle and it was making lines across the sky that just looked like a bunch of black triangles. (It could be that these large black triangular crafts are TR3B antigravity, noiseless, extremely fast, U.S. aircraft black ops spraying plagues, vax, mapping, spying, etc.) It was very fast. I stepped off the porch and lay down in the grass to try to see what was happening more clearly. (Lying on top of the grass represents conquering the flesh of our old nature. The Bible says, “All flesh is as grass…” This allows us to have spiritual discernment and to see things more clearly.) I asked my brother, “Could these possibly be natural?” (The triangle with the all-seeing eye represents the leadership of the DS and is forming lines across the sky, which we call chemtrails that can spray plagues, vax, etc.) I never heard his reply because as soon as I asked that question, a robot jumped onto my face and started attacking me. I was wrestling with him and managed to push him off, and I jumped up. (Representing their chemtrail spraying, the nano-bot technology that has been discovered in the vaccines attacking the people by deoxygenating their blood, thereby making it feel like it's hard to breathe.) At first, I thought it was some kind of futuristic delivery robot. It had black, white and blue colors. The robot started coming at me again when I saw many more robots falling out of the sky into the backyard, and they were all chasing me. (This nanotechnology is capable of being aerosolized and sprayed upon large groups of people at one time.)(We are not under this curse, which Jesus bore, Gal.3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. We are under Psalm 91 where we are taught how to escape this. Psa.91:2-3 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. 3 For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence… 9 For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.) I looked back at my brother, wanting to ask for his help, but he was just focused on grilling the meat. (In the midst of tribulations, we must focus on the sacrifice of our flesh in the fiery trial.) I started running around the backyard trying to climb on trees and fences, but they would follow me wherever I went. (Because they are in the air.) It seemed as if they were angry at me for being on the grass. (With the flesh under our feet, the demons are threatened and will attack us by every means and distraction they can muster.) Finally, I ran back onto the porch (where Leo was sacrificing the flesh.) and all of the robots disappeared. (We must stay on the porch with Leo, the Lion of Judah. There is safety from our enemies when we abide in Christ and the crucified life.) Then the scene changed again, and I saw a couple sitting in a pool filled with water. The woman was very heavily pregnant, and I could tell that she was due to give birth soon. There was a midwife on the side of the pool, instructing her so that she could give birth without tearing. Then I woke up. (Staying in the water of the Word makes giving birth to the fruit of Christ possible and easier.)   UBM Born Again M. L. - 07/01/2013 (David's notes in red) I dreamt of a bombed building. I do not know what building or where it was. And I only saw a few yards ahead of me. (UBM was attacked by spiritual terrorists to separate the unclean from us, as has been prophesied for years. But also, this process has been going on around the world, as has been reported to us.) The enemy had moved on, and there was a total absence of fear. UBM had come together to rebuild. Our focus was that we had a job to do: cleaning away debris and rebuilding this place. (Cleaning away the old unregenerate of UBM and bringing forth the new, like the lunar eclipse of Michael Campbell's dream, where there was an eclipse and the first sliver of the new moon was much brighter than the whole moon had been before the eclipse.) Sometimes I only saw feet and legs and sometimes up to the shoulders, or saw people from the back. The most amazing thing was that I noticed people we knew from our former church who were working with us. They had come out to help, and it seemed so good to see them being freed. I saw some of the faces of our former leadership and others. This is a text we received before for this: (Zec.1:17) Cry yet again, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: My cities shall yet overflow with prosperity; and Jehovah shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. (18) And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, four horns. (19) And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. (20) And Jehovah showed me four smiths. (21) Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head; but these are come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.) My husband and I were observing this, and I had the knowing that members of our local UBM were there. I felt that close-knit communion that we have -- a unity I've never felt before. (This unity and love is increasingly happening.) I saw a person carry a five-gallon white bucket in each hand and go toward a corner of the room. The wall did not exist; only the two two-foot sections that formed the corners remained. Each of the walls was like this around the building. (Walls between groups are passing away; only the cornerstone of Christ will remain. UBM will be without walls, with room for many more people; a great revival. This is the text the Lord spoke to me that we have received before about UBM: (Zec.2:3) And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, (4) and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein. (5) For I, saith Jehovah, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her. (6) Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, saith Jehovah; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, saith Jehovah. We must flee now from the Babylonish beast nature and captivity if we are to be safe. (7) Ho Zion, escape, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. (8) For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: After glory hath he sent me unto the nations which plundered you [these who brought down the walls]; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. (9) For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them [they will be returned]; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me. (10) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith Jehovah. As the old die, the new come in with the Lord. (11) And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day [the nations or Gentiles join Zion's daughter, the Bride, in these days as a great revival], and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me unto thee. (12) And Jehovah shall inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. (13) Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah; for he is waked up out of his holy habitation [to fight for Zion].) The man with the buckets bent to his knees and started scooping up pieces of debris with his hands, then dropping the cement chunks and wood into the bucket. (Cleaning out the old to make room for the new.) A few moments later, I saw another pair of hands helping him. This was happening all through this room (UBM), and I knew that it was happening in the rest of the building (or house of God) also. Then I saw a very kind older man with a beard and collar-length gray hair sitting down at a makeshift table, and I thought I had seen him before. (Likely the Man-child.) It was made from broken pieces of brick (cement block) and a flat old board about 12-14 inches wide. The length was long enough to go across the bricks that support it. (A wilderness setting.) On the board, he had a piece of paper and some kind of list. It may have been job assignments, I'm not sure. Two people had left after talking to him and seemed excited. (UBMers coming into their individual ministries to compliment others' gifts.) There was a lightness in the air and even though there was a lot to do, everyone was pulling together and with much joy. (Like the new birth, there will be much joy and excitement in UBM and other faithful ministries which God will join together. We will be one flock with one Shepherd, as Jesus said.) I received this concerning the rebuilding of UBM: (Hag.2:1) In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying, (2) Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, (3) Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing? (4) Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest (two Man-child types); and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Jehovah, and work: for I am with you, saith Jehovah of hosts, (5) [according to] the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, and my Spirit abode among you: fear ye not. (6) For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; (7) and I will shake all nations; and the precious things (Heb. “desire”, i.e. The Lord) of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, saith Jehovah of hosts. (8) The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith Jehovah of hosts. (9) The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, saith Jehovah of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith Jehovah of hosts.

Babylon = Iran area?; Towers = bloodlines?; Nimrod's (mighty provider's) protection; The WAY of Babylon - not the WAY of Moses or Christ; Human resources; Error of Balaam = Deeds of the Nicolaitans; Melchizedek; Tithing; Sons of Jacob; Corban; Government of God; PreparingYou.com; Sin to go to the government for benefits; Bondage of Egypt; Cities of blood; Tens, hundreds and thousands; Aristobulus vs Hyrcanus; Libera res Publica; The Market; Giving of yourself; Doctrine; Providing for parents; Psalms 69:22; Welfare snares; The solution; Same message repeated through the bible; Obligations; Deut 23:4; Rom 11:8-10; Mystery Babylon; Your escape from bondage; Prov 23:1; Repentance; Prov 12:11; Freewill offerings alone; Evidence in works; Seed of Abraham; Ex 23:32; Prov 6:2; Your comforter; "Leaven"; 1 Tim 6:9; Loving your enemy; Walking in forgiveness; Rome v U.S.; Guidance from Holy Spirit; Redemption?; Josea 13:14; 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 1:6; Faith; Eph 2:2; Children of disobedience; Just weights and measures; Eph 4:16; Love = Charity; Christ's WAY; Philemon 1:6; 1 Thess 2:13; Receiving the word of God; Doing the will of the Father; Lk 6:46; Join the Living Network.

Are you a Christian?; Under what law?; What's your direction? Mt 24:5 "Many"; Christ = Anointed; Mk 13:6; Lk 21:8; Striking accord; Strong delusion?; Personal savior?; Words vs deeds; Checklist; Mystery Babylon vs Kingdom of God; Idolatry = Covetous; Choosing a commander-in-chief; Tribe of Ruben; Acts 13:43; "Grace of God"?; Baptism with Holy Spirit; "Pure Religion"; Unspotted by the "world"; Exercising authority; Legal Charity; Dividing house-to-house; Sharing with the needy; Benefit addiction?; "Nicolaitans"; "Baalam"; Social welfare through Charity alone; Welfare weakening people; Brethren of Christ?; What are WE doing?; Mt 6:14; Prerequisites for being forgiven; Abortion; Making marriages work; Covetousness is not okay; Taking care of parents; What saved Israel?; Knowing Abraham, Moses and Jesus; Sacrifice?; Christian conflict in Rome; Tithing?; Misunderstanding "worship"; Jesus, "Seek, strive, persevere…"; Fire of God?; Public Religion; Calling no man on Earth "father"; Owing Caesar; "Eucharist"?; Jesus appointed a kingdom; Cursing your children; Degenerating society; Love requires sacrifice; Getting separate from the world?; Christian in belief only; 1 John 3:10; 1 Tim 3:7; Baptism with fire and Holy Spirit; Why gather?; Socialism; Opportunities to forgive; Right reason of Christ; John 3:16 - keep reading; Sharing the light; Laying down your life; Strengthening the poor; Denominations?; Being a doer of the word; Christ's commands; Seek His kingdom and His righteousness.

Understanding People by understanding yourself; Bias; "The Word"; Right Reason; Logical; Prophets - having insight; Lesson of bondage; Adam's fleeing the garden; Depending upon community; Midian communities; Day of worship?; Sunday? Daily ministration; Day of rest; Sabbath; Faith, hope and charity; Problems in Iran; Constantine's army; Legalizing Christianity; Puppet Jimmy Carter; East Timor?; Urim and Thummim; Parthia?; Charity; Maji?; Seducing mankind; The knowledge you need; State religion?; Benefit addiction; Many kinds of king; The seed of Abraham; Faith; What happened to Iran?; Social Security?; Anti-Christ; Doomed Americans; Fake Christians; Are you being manipulated?; Islam's inroads into Iran; Protests; Caliphate; Spreading Islam; God is not in the Koran; Mystery Babylon; United States a free country?; Opposition to war; Tree of Life; God's advice; Insane judges?; Urim: Light in your heart; Your divine door to revelation; Minister's responsibility; Redistribution of wealth; Man-made gospels; Commandments?; Personal sacrifice; Monotheism; Social welfare; Deportation; Living according to Moses and Christ; Perfect law of liberty; Judging presidents; Dominating others; Taking care of your parents; Administrative courts; Coming to the aid of others; Thinking differently; Why go to Church?; Q from Katwellair: Brutality of Islam? - Why does God allow abuse? - Nothing dies? - Killing children?; Fire that consumes; Dress and keep instructions; John 3:16?; The real decision; Spiritual choices - not intellectual; The spirit of Christ; Laying down your life for others; Prayers to God; Are you teachable?; Men loving darkness; Wicked, evil; The number; Exercising authority - contrary to Christ; Not wanting to see the light; God's answer for you; Pain and suffering?; Comforter = Holy Spirit; Building up spiritual body; Hating deeds of Nicolaitans; Living sacrificial lives; Tasks from God; Still small voice; We allow evil by sitting in darkness; Our connection with God can bring light; Evil wants isolation; John 3:16 - continue reading; Puppets?; Corruption by power; Celibacy?; Simplicity of the gospel; Repentance; Let the light in.

What does Yeshua say to a church that tolerates compromise? In this powerful teaching from the Book of The Revelation 2:12–17, the Messiah rebukes the assembly in Pergamos for holding to false doctrine and allowing corruption in their midst. Even while remaining faithful under persecution, they permitted compromise — and Yeshua’s warning is severe. What is the doctrine of Balaam? Who were the Nicolaitans? And how does this ancient message apply to today’s church? Michael Rood unpacks Yeshua’s words in an urgent call to examine modern Christianity in light of Scripture — not societal norms. Join this channel to get access to perks: / @aroodawakening Watch more on the Michael Rood TV App! https://bit.ly/2X9oN9h Join us on ANY social media platform! https://aroodawakening.tv/community/s... Your Donation keeps these videos going! Thank you! https://aroodawakening.tv/donate/ Support us by visiting our store! https://roodstore.com/ Support us with purchases on Amazon!* https://amzn.to/3pJu9cC Have Questions? Ask us Here! https://aroodawakening.tv/support/con... "PLEASE NOTE: This is an affiliate link. This means that, at zero cost to you, A Rood Awakening! International will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leviticus - turning points; What's wrong here?; Words?; Deception and sophistry; Gregory history; Burnout?; Accepting doctrines of men; Replacing the truth; Confusion; Learning Hebrew?; Writing; Alphabets; "Breastplate"?; chet-shin-nun; Questioning your teachers and preconceptions; Honoring parents; Caring - attending to their welfare; Why honor parents?; Monkey story; Old testament altars; Dignity, purpose and affirmation; "Wave offering"; Ex 29:24; "Aaron"; Garments?; Breeches made by the people?; Is God so shallow?; Breast of the ram?; Do you believe?; Ordering the wood; Sacrifice of the red heifer; "Heave offering"; Seed of Abraham; Faith!; "Idolatry"; Covetousness?; Freewill offerings; Creating social bonds; Moses' social security; Fire = wife/woman = caregiver of the family; Contributions for Christ; Righteous redistribution; "Sprinkling"; "wood" = "counsel"; Kickbacks? ;"One Purse"; Choosing what Christ had forbidden; Lev 8:1 Does Moses hear a voice?; Aaron and his sons; Seeking righteousness; Literally?; Tents of the congregation; Where to gather?; Washing Aaron and sons; Baptism; Urim and Thummim?; Chet-shin-nun; "Leaven"; Nakedness?; God breathed life into man; Tree of knowledge?; Sitting in darkness; Bringing light and liberty?; Presumptions; Clothing = status; Pastor?; Strange fire; Ex 29:21; Gleaning meaning; biet-gimel-dalet (garment); Steps?; Authority; Freewill offerings; Responsibility of government; Miracle of loaves and fishes; Oversight; Returning everyone to family and possessions; Making sure all have enough; Mt 20:25, Mk 10:42, Lk 22:25; "Sophistry" article - kidneys given to Levites?; "Burnt" offerings; Rights in God's system; vs man's system; Fixing corruption; Measuring a man's Christianity; "Casting bread upon the waters"; Pure Religion - unspotted by "world"; Dependence on government; Inheritance tax?; Legal title; Benefit addiction; Covetous practices; "breast" = chet-zayin-hey; Communicating with "stones"?; Enlightenment; "chezah" = see, behold, prophesy, provide; Redistributing the wave offering; Breast? Shin-dalet; DOGE?; Repentance; Recreating Christ's system; Service; Learning to be free; Going contrary to God's way; Parental responsibility; Family!; Hate of the day…; Error of Baalam = Deeds of Nicolaitans; Welfare snares; alternate system of Leviticus; Join the Living Network.

“To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Who are the Nicolaitans mentioned in the Book of Revelation — and why does Yeshua say He hates their deeds? In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, one of the strongest rebukes given to the seven churches is against the Nicolaitans. But what does this mysterious term really mean? Is it a historical sect… or a spiritual system still active in churches today? This teaching will challenge you to examine your faith, your fellowship, and your leadership structure — whether you gather for Sunday church or Sabbath services. Join this channel to get access to perks: / @aroodawakening Watch more on the Michael Rood TV App! https://bit.ly/2X9oN9h Join us on ANY social media platform! https://aroodawakening.tv/community/s... Your Donation keeps these videos going! Thank you! https://aroodawakening.tv/donate/ Support us by visiting our store! https://roodstore.com/ Support us with purchases on Amazon!* https://amzn.to/3pJu9cC Have Questions? Ask us Here! https://aroodawakening.tv/support/con... "PLEASE NOTE: This is an affiliate link. This means that, at zero cost to you, A Rood Awakening! International will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus calls us to hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans — but should we hate the Nicolaitans themselves? God claims to hate and abhor sinners in some places, and He gives us imprecatory psalms which invoke curses upon them. Should we not be singing Psalm 137 as Christians — or is there a way to do so while also obeying the command to "love your enemies and bless them that curse you"?

As Paul's time in Ephesus was coming to an end, he urged the believers to remain steadfast against cultural pressures and false teachers (Acts 20:25—this was after three years of ministry, around A.D. 52–55). Timothy, who led the church in Ephesus, diligently followed Paul's instructions to guard against all false doctrine. Fast forward several decades, and Christ's reflection on their deeds is commended by Christ. He commends them for their works, labor, perseverance, and rejection of false teachings, especially their strong opposition to the practices of the Nicolaitans (v. 6). The church in Ephesus was an exemplary model—firm and unwavering in resisting cultural influences. However, despite their outward faithfulness—fighting doctrinal battles, exposing errors, and condemning ungodly conduct—something seems to be missing—4, ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

Cities are known for their slogans. New York is called The City That Never Sleeps. Paris is The City of Light. Philadelphia is The City of Brotherly Love. Chicago is The Windy City. Every city has a name it embracessomething that captures its identity and the image it wants the world to believe about it. But in Revelation 2, Jesus gives Pergamum a name no city would ever choose for itself. He calls it where Satans throne is (Rev. 2:13). Imagine that as your citys reputation. Not The Pride of Asia. Not The Seat of Learning. Not The Crown of Culture. But The Place Where Satan Dwells. Pergamum was the capital of Roman Asia, a center of political authority, pagan worship, and emperor devotion. Towering above the city stood a massive altar to Zeus, a visible reminder of pagan power. The Roman governor there possessed the ius gladiithe right of the sword authority to execute. Power, religion, and politics converged in Pergamum in a way that made allegiance to Jesus costly. So when Christ introduces Himself as the One who has the sharp two-edged sword, He makes a bold claim: ultimate authority does not belong to Rome. The sword does not finally rest in Caesars hand. It rests in His. Pergamum teaches us that the churchs greatest danger is not merely persecution from outside, but compromise from withinand that even where Satans throne seems near, Christ still reigns. Dangers from the Outside (v. 13) The Christians in Pergamum faced very real dangers. To the church in Smyrna, severe persecution was coming; to the church in Pergamum, it had already arrived in the martyrdom of Antipas. Unlike many cities in the empire, Pergamum offered few places to hide from Rome, as it was the headquarters of Roman government in Asia. Michael Wilcock observed, If Ephesus was the New York of Asia, Pergamum was its Washington, for there the Roman imperial power had its seat of government. Devotion to emperor worship was not optional civic ritual it was public loyalty to Rome and for Christians, refusal came at a cost. But Pergamums pressure did not come from Rome alone. The city was saturated with devotion to Zeus, Athena, Dionysos, and Asklepios all of whom had prominent temples. The massive altar to Zeus, hailed as the god of gods, rose like a throne above the acropolis, proclaiming that ultimate power and salvation belonged to him. Asklepios, the famed healing god, was symbolized by a serpent-entwined staff still used in medical imagery today; his worshipers sought restoration and life from him. Athena embodied wisdom and civic strength, reinforcing Pergamums intellectual pride. Dionysos promised joy through wine, feasting, and sensual excess, blurring the line between celebration and corruption. And over all of it stood the emperor, honored as lord and savior, demanding allegiance that directly rivaled the confession that Jesus alone is Lord. Robert Mounce, in his commentary on Revelation, wrote: ...as the traveler approached Pergamum by the ancient road from the south, the actual shape of the city hill would appear as a giant throne towering above the plain. This is probably why Jesus refers to the city as the place, where Satans throne is. But against Pergamums skyline of rival saviors stands the living Christ. Zeus claimed ultimate power, but Jesus is the One to whom all authority in heaven and on earth belongs. Asklepios promised healing through a serpents symbol, but Jesus crushed the serpents head and, as the risen Lord, conquered death, giving eternal life to all who believe. Athena embodied worldly wisdom and pride, but Christ is the wisdom of God made flesh, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Dionysos offered joy through indulgence, but Jesus gives the true bread from heaven that satisfies forever. Caesar demanded worship as lord and savior, but only Jesus shed His blood to redeem sinners and now reigns as the King of kings. Pergamum was filled with promises of power, healing, wisdom, pleasure, and security but only the gospel delivers what these gods could only counterfeit. Jesus commends these believers despite the immense pressure around them: Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith They lived in a city crowded with rival saviors, yet they clung to Christ. Though we are not told the exact circumstances of Antipas death, it is not hard to imagine how it unfolded. He likely died by the blade of a Roman sword for refusing to bend his knee to the gods of Rome or to confess Caesar as lord. He would bow to only one name the name above every name Jesus Christ. And it is this man, Antipas executed by Rome, forgotten by the empire whom Jesus calls my faithful witness. We know from Roman records that this was the very test Christians faced. About twenty years after Revelation was written, the governor Pliny the Younger explained that accused Christians could avoid execution by invoking the Roman gods, offering incense to Caesar, and cursing the name of Christ. Those who refused were executed. He even admitted that genuine Christians could not be compelled to curse Christ. When Jesus praises these Christians Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith His words are not cheap; they are costly. To hold fast His name meant refusing to renounce it when your life was on the line. Rome took Antipas life, but Jesus rendered the greater verdict the very title He bears Himself: my faithful witness (see Rev. 1:5). The kind of faithfulness Antipas demonstrated in the face of death is the same faithfulness we are all called to whether suffering comes in the form of persecution or in circumstances beyond our control, such as illness, discouragement, or a life that did not unfold as we had hoped. Faithfulness is not measured by the kind of suffering we face, but by the Christ to whom we cling. And we cling to Him by looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2). Dangers from the Inside (vv. 14-15) While the dangers from the outside were real, the greater threat was emerging from within. The Christians in Pergamum had stood firm against persecution, but they were less vigilant in confronting compromise within the church. Some adhered to the teaching of Balaam, and others to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. Though these errors shared similarities, they must be considered individually. To grasp the true danger here, we need to recall Balaams actions. In Numbers 2225, Balak, king of Moab, enlisted Balaam to curse Israel, but God turned every attempted curse into a blessing. When outright opposition failed, Balaam changed tactics. As Numbers 31:16 reveals, he counseled Moab to entice the Israelites drawing them into idolatry and sexual immorality through seductive feasts and relationships with pagan women. What Balaam could not accomplish through direct attack, he achieved through compromise. Israel was not destroyed by an enemy from without but by corruption from within. Here is what Balaam was guilty of: He lingered where God had already told him not to go. He pursued recognition and reward at the expense of Gods honor and the holiness of His people. He walked as close to temptation as he could without openly defying God. 4. His obedience was reluctant because his heart was drawn to what God forbade. Balaams problem was not ignorance but desire. He lingered where God had already told him not to go. He pursued recognition and reward at the expense of Gods glory and the holiness of His people. He walked as close to temptation as he could without openly defying God. And though he spoke Gods words, his obedience was reluctant because his heart was drawn to what God had forbidden. This is why Jesus references Balaam. The problem in Pergamum wasnt an outright rejection of Christ but a willingness to tolerate compromise. Some believed they could remain committed to Jesus while engaging in behaviors God had already forbidden. Compromise rarely starts with denialit begins when we linger where God has said no, chase comfort or recognition over holiness, and edge as close as possible to temptation without openly defying Him. We shouldnt think were exempt; this same risk exists in every congregationeven Meadowbrooke. Whenever we treat Gods commands as optional or hover near what He prohibits, were at risk of the compromise Jesus warns us against. The second thing Jesus has against the church in Pergamum is that some adhered to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. As we learned from the letter to the church in Ephesus, Jesus says He hated their works (2:6). What about their teaching provoked such strong language? They promoted a compromise similar to Balaams the idea that one could claim to belong to Gods people while participating in the very sins God had clearly forbidden. The Nicolaitans appear to have encouraged Christians to join in idolatrous feasts and sexual immorality, likely arguing that Gods grace covered such behavior. In their view, holiness became flexible and obedience negotiable. Listen, the spirit of the Nicolaitans is alive wherever Christians rationalize that blending in with culture poses no danger, that hidden sin is under control, or that Gods grace permits what He has clearly condemned. If we downplay sin, treat Gods commands as negotiable, or blur the boundaries between wholehearted faithfulness and self-indulgence, we risk falling into the same compromise Jesus warns against. Why does Jesus name both Balaam and the Nicolaitans in His rebuke? Because Balaam enticed Gods people into sin, and the Nicolaitans justified their continued presence in it. Those who held to these teachings were not outside the church but within it, and the ideas they embraced posed an immediate and dangerous threat to its spiritual health. The Danger of a Greater Sword (vv. 12, 16-17) Jesus takes the purity of His Bride seriously. The dangers from the outside were real, but all Rome was able to do with its sword was to kill and no more. The dangers within were more significant because they threatened the witness, testimony, and mission of the church. Listen, with the martyrdom of Antipas, his witness and testimony continued. His willingness to die for his faith and to stand in the security of Christ, even in the face of death, continued to speak even beyond Antipas death. What the early Christian apologist Tertullian wrote in 197 AD is true: The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Persecution may wound the body, but it often strengthens the church. Compromise, however, weakens and destroys the church from within. If Satan can infiltrate the church through subtle, subversive teaching persuading believers to tolerate what God forbids and to justify what Christ condemns then the churchs witness is not martyred; it is muted. Its testimony is not silenced by force; it is weakened by concession. What Rome could not accomplish with a sword from without, false teaching seeks to achieve from within. Jesus is madly in love with His Bride and will protect Her when She is threatened. He is also a jealous Groom and will not tolerate any force or teaching that seeks to win Her affections. This is why Jesus hates the works of the Nicolaitans (2:5)! The Nicolaitans offered a perverted version of the Grace that Jesus secured at the cross, teaching that the freedom they had in Christ freed them from obedience to Jesus regarding personal holiness and sexual sin. Jesus calls the Christians in this church to repent by both calling out the false teaching and standing against it. Jesus warns this church that if they do not repent, He will come to war against them with the sword of His mouth. That is sobering language, but it is not unloving. It is not loving to overlook sin in your own life, nor is it loving to tolerate sin in the life of Christs church. This is why the Bible states in James 5:1920, My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Indifference to sin is not grace it is neglect. A Savior who refuses to confront what destroys His Bride would not be loving. The sword of Christ is not the weapon of a tyrant but the discipline of a faithful Bridegroom committed to the purity of His people. Take a close look at Jesus words in verse 16: Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. That is not a casual warning; it is a decisive command. If they refused to turn from their sin and false teaching, it would not merely expose weakness it would reveal they never truly belonged to Him or experienced the saving grace that brings new life. Saving grace does not leave a person at peace with sin; it creates an urgency to cling to Christ. Where Christ truly reigns, repentance follows. Now notice verse 17. The sword is not the only thing Jesus offers. He promises that the one who has truly received Him as Savior evidenced by firmly holding fast to His name will be sustained and kept by Him. The true Christian is promised three things: hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name. The manna is for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6). In a city filled with public feasts honoring false gods, Jesus promises hidden nourishment provision the world cannot see and idols cannot give. The white stone likely referred in the Roman world to a token of admission, acquittal, or honor. But the stone Jesus gives is not temporary; it signifies divine acceptance and permanent residence in His kingdom, where there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). And on that stone is a new name a name given by Christ Himself belonging to the one who receives it. That new name speaks to your identity in Christ, an identity no sword, no demon, not even Satan himself can take from you. On that stone is the evidence of your redemption. Its meaning echoes the words of our Redeemer: You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you (Hos. 3:3). Persecution may wound the church, but compromise will hollow it out. Romes sword can threaten the body, but Christs Word searches the heart. So hold fast to His name. Repent without delay. Refuse to justify what He condemns and to flirt with what He died to free you from. Live as those who belong to Him alone nourished by hidden manna, accepted by His verdict, and secure in the name He has written over your life.

The church in Pergamum had lost its edge, so Jesus brought His sword to church. In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally continues the sermon series on the letters of Revelation.Pergamum, the Roman capital of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), faced intense pressure to worship Caesar and was filled with temples to false gods.Revelation 2:12 (NLT): This is the message to Pergamum from the one with the sharp two-edged sword...Hebrews 4:12 (NLT): The word of God is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword...The word of God has two edges: comfort and correction—one delivers, the other disciples.Revelation 2:13 (NLT): I know that you live where Satan has his throne.Pergamum was saturated with idolatry.Revelation 2:14–15 (NLT): You tolerate teaching like Balaam and the Nicolaitans—the doctrine that sin is no big deal.Jesus confronts their compromise with sexual immorality and idolatry.Revelation 2:16 (NLT):God wants to fight for you, but if you play for the other team, He will fight against you. Refuse His correction, and you will face sin's consequences.Revelation 2:17 (NLT):The promises: manna—provision now and in the life to come—and a white stone with a new name. A white stone meant "not guilty" and was a token of admission.Timeless Truths1. Where you live shouldn't affect how you live.Philippians 3:20 (ESV): Our citizenship is in heaven.You live here, but obey there—address here, allegiance there.James 4:4 (NLT):Be friends to the world, not of it. A friend OF the world imitates it; a friend TO the world calls people out of it.You can't be like the world and help it. Boats belong in the water, but water doesn't belong in the boat. You're in the world; it shouldn't be in you.2. Jesus gives freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.Grace empowers you to meet the standard.Compromise treats forgiveness as a reset instead of transformation.God's forgiveness gives freedom to say no.Titus 2:11–12 (NLT):Live with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion. Grace gives power over sin, not permission for it.3. Change comes from repentance, not remorse.Remorse feels; repentance acts. Remorse looks back; repentance moves forward.2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT):Worldly sorrow repeats the pattern; godly sorrow produces change.God's word is a sword—it cuts to heal, not humiliate. Repentance isn't "I'm sorry," but "I surrender."4. God's promise is greater than your compromise.God's grace outruns our failures.2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT): If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.Your failure isn't final. God warns to welcome, not write you off—He writes a new name on a white stone.ClosingCompromise is a destructive fire—ignored, it spreads and consumes.Though compromise destroys, Jesus restores. He calls us to repent, not to shame us, but to save us.What compromise is God asking you to deal with today?

In this message from Revelation 2, we explore Jesus' letter to the church in Pergamum, a church that stood strong under persecution but slowly drifted through compromise. Jesus warns that when pressure doesn't destroy you, pleasure will try to seduce you. From the doctrine of Balaam to the influence of the Nicolaitans, we uncover how small allowances, cultural conformity, and subtle mixture can erode spiritual authority from the inside out. “The Drift That Destroys” calls us to examine what we've tolerated, what we've blended, and how to intentionally return to a life of conviction, purity, and bold faith in a world that constantly pulls us away.

What the bible is all about; Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil vs Tree of Life; Walls of misunderstanding; Pharisees and Sadducees; The serpent in the garden; Whole truth?; Why Leviticus was written; Pontius Pilate's position; Monetary system in Judea; Decline of Roman republic; Duty to fellowman; Evidence of salvation; Knowing the WHOLE Jesus; Devil believes in Jesus; Have you repented?; Things God hates; Nicolaitans and Baalam; Charity; Levites; Atonement; What we thought we knew that just ain't so; Lev 5:1 Awkward translation; Jewish Christmas lights story; Hating; The "world" God loves; All MIGHT be saved; Bearing witness to iniquity; Carcase?; Unclean things?; Sacrifice?; nun-biet-lamad-hey; Julius Caesar and the Gauls; Unclean bread provided by Rome; Foolish things; Golden calf; Reserve fund?; Oaths; Bound to unknown crimes; Guilt; Confession - to whom?; Making recompense; How to have a healthy community; Unintended consequences; Trespass offerings; Stones of the Levite altars; Touching unclean things; Offering covering the trespass; Taking care of the needy; Social welfare via the altars; Turtledove?; Cheating; Sprinkling blood?; Christ forbade us…; Atonement for sin?; Ransom, price of life, sacrifice; Things of value; The principle: you caused damage; Owning up; Responsibility; Spirit of a free society; v12 - bringing to priest; "fire"; Why the old men wept; Forgiveness; Paying it forward; Reparations?; Freewill offerings; What Christ was doing; Making amends; Forgiven by whom?; Prodigal son example; Whose house do you live in?; Getting back to your father's house; Repent and seek His kingdom and righteousness; Why a priest?; Wise, efficient giving; "Kingdom"; Determining what you owe in recompense; Things forgotten; Injuring someone is a trespass against the LORD; Human resources; Caiaphas and Jesus; Pay it forward.

Truth matters, especially in the last days. In this powerful and discerning message, Pastor Corey Erman exposes the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans mentioned in Revelation and what it represents: compromise, corruption, and the mixing of worldliness with the Church. Learn how to guard your faith, stand firm in biblical truth, and remain spiritually pure in a culture that pressures believers to conform. “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” - Revelation 2:6To support this ministry and help us reach the nations with revival visit RiverWPB.com or text GIVE and any amount to (855) 968-3708.

I believe the book of Revelation is intentionally shaped by the rhythm of the seven Jewish feasts, with deep echoes of the Exodus and Israels wilderness journey woven throughout its visions. We have already seen how this works in chapter 1, where the imagery echoes Passover. Passover marked Israels deliverance from slavery through the blood of a substituteand in Revelation 1:1216, that substitute is revealed in all His risen glory. Jesus stands among His churches as the victorious Lamb who was slain and now lives forever. Because of His sacrifice, the Christian belongs to God. If you have been redeemed by Almighty God through His Son, what is there to fear? Jesus Himself answers that question: Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Rev. 1:1718). Our confidence is not rooted in our circumstances, but in the One who has conquered death itself. As we move into Revelation 23 and read the seven letters to the churches, the dominant echo is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover. This feast called Gods redeemed people to live holy lives, set apart for Him (Lev. 11:4445; 1 Pet. 1:1617). Israel removed all leaven from their homes as a visible reminder that they belonged to the Lord and were no longer to live under the old patterns of corruption. That same call still comes to us today: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:1920). Each of the seven churches faced real and pressing challenges in their own dayand what they struggled with are many of the same things we struggle with today, just dressed differently. While we will look at each church individually, here is a brief snapshot of what we will encounter: The church in Ephesus had lost its first love. The church in Smyrna was about to suffer tribulation for ten days. The church in Pergamum struggled with faithfulness to sound doctrine. The church in Thyatira tolerated a false teacher within the congregation. The church in Sardis was spiritually lethargic and nearly dead. The church in Philadelphia faithfully clung to the word of God. The church in Laodicea was lukewarm and missionally useless. In every one of these churches, there was the danger of leavensin quietly working its way through the house. And the call of Christ was to remove it: through renewed love for Jesus and for one another, faithful endurance in suffering, a commitment to truth, intolerance for evil, vigilance against spiritual apathy, unflinching obedience to Christ, and a wholehearted devotion to the mission of God. About forty years before Revelation was written, Paul wrote about Gods expectation for His church: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2). Revelation 1 is about the One who makes our salvation possible. Revelation 2-3 addresses the kind of people He calls us to be. So, when we come to Revelation 4, we encounter the One on the throne who is holy, holy, holy! The City of Ephesus When the gospel came to Ephesus, it was a wealthy and influential trading city, best known for the Temple of Artemis (also called Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The citys economy, culture, and moral life centered on the worship of this goddess. Artemis worship was deeply sexualized and demonic, marked by ritual immorality and idolatry (1 Cor. 10:20). Ephesus was a place where spiritual darkness was not hiddenit was celebrated, institutionalized, and profitable. Into this city, the gospel came with unmistakable power, as it always does in Gods timing and in His way. What we read in the epistle to the Romans was experienced in Ephesus: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). When the apostle Paul preached Christ in Ephesus, lives were transformed, and the worship of Artemis was directly challenged. So disruptive was the gospel that those who profited from idolatry feared economic collapse, admitting that Paul had persuaded many that gods made with hands are not gods at all (Acts 19:26). Paul spent over two years there, and in this spiritually hostile environment, God birthed a faithful churchthe same church later addressed by Christ Himself in Revelation 2. What makes Jesus words to Ephesus so sobering is not the citys darkness but the fact that a church born in such devotion, perseverance, and truth would later be warned: You have abandoned the love you had at first (2:4). So what happened? To answer that question, we need to first recognize the many things Jesus praises the church for. What the Ephesian Church Was Doing Right The Ephesian church was commended for many things by Jesus such as their toil, patient endurance, and intolerance for evil. Heraclitus, a native of Ephesus and philosopher, spoke with open contempt of his citys moral corruptionso severe that later writers summarized his viewby saying no one could live in Ephesus without weeping.1 The fact that the church was able to endure for forty years in a city known for its sexual promiscuity and demonized idolatrous worship, while holding on to biblical orthodoxy, is staggering! Because of their orthodoxy and fidelity to the Word of God, the church was intolerant of evil, refused to ignore false teachers, and shared Jesuss hatred of the Nicolaitans. Forty years earlier, Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church: I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears (Acts. 20:29-31). This is what the church did well, and Jesus praised them for it. Now, notice what Jesus does not say to the church in Ephesus. He does not say they were being too orthodox. He does not say they were too truthful, or that their intolerance of evil, false teachers, and the works of the Nicolaitans was too extreme. Jesus does not tell the church to dial it back but instead celebrates these as examples of what they were doing well. What the church did well was refusing to yield to the pressures from their city to conform. Before we look at what the church got wrong, we need to address who the Nicolaitans were and why Jesus hated their teaching. From what we know, the Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect associated with the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2:14-15). They taught that the grace of God permitted freedom to engage in the kinds of things their pagan neighbors enjoyed, such as sexual immorality and full participation in pagan temple feasts. Why? Because grace covered it all. We will come back to Balaam when we look at the church in Pergamum, but for now what you need to know is that Balaam is known for his false teaching that served to seduce the men of Israel to engage in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab that also resulted in the worship of their gods in place of obedience and worship of Yahweh (see Num. 25). The Nicolaitans did not deny Jesus, they just reinterpreted what obedience to Jesus really meant, in that you could both be loyal to Jesus and actively pursue and participate in the kinds of things the Word of God commands the people of God to flee from. The Ephesian church was rightfully commended for their hatred and intolerance of the works of the Nicolaitans because Jesus shares their hatred for the same reasons. Listen carefully. Jesus does not merely disagree with teachings of the Nicolaitans He hates them. He hates any belief that suggests a person can remain loyal to Him while willfully embracing the very sins He died to free us from. The cross was not a license to make peace with sin; it was Gods declaration of war against it. To claim Christ while pursuing what nailed Him to the tree is not freedomit is self-deception. Christ did not die to make sin safe, but to make His people holy. 1 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2017), 91. What the Ephesian Church Got Wrong So what was it that the church in Ephesus lost? Well, we know it wasnt the churchs orthodoxy. It was the love they had at first. What love did they have at first? I believe the love the church lost was a combination of their love for Jesus and others. I believe this because of what the apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Ephesians and what Jesus said the church needed to do to regain the love they had lost. First, lets look at Jesus criticism in verses 4-5, But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. The way back to regain what they had lost was to first remember where they had fallen or had lost sight of their love, then to repent by doing the works they had done at first. What were the works they had done at first? We are given a few clues in Ephesians about the church from what Paul says at the beginning and the end of his epistle to the Ephesians. 1st Clue: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers... (Eph. 1:15-16) 2nd Clue: Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:24) I believe that the love the Ephesian church lost had to do with the love they had for Jesus and for one another. The New Living Translation captures this in their translation of Revelation 2:4, But I have this complaint against you. You dont love me or each other as you did at first! When a group of religious leaders asked Jesus to identify the most important commandment, His response was clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:3739). Genuine love for God leads to love for othersyou cannot claim to love God while refusing to love those who bear His image. As our love for God grows, it overflows into love for those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you find this hard to accept, consider the words of the apostle John: If someone says, I love God, but hates his brother, that person is a liar; for anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). I believe the Ephesian church, first known for their faith in Jesus and their incorruptible love for Him, became the catalyst that fostered in them a love for one another, which they were known for in the early days of the churchs existence. Their love infused their faith in Jesus, and their love for all the saints was the cocktail God used to push back evil and transform lives! What Revelation 2:1-4 teaches us is that Jesus wants our obedience, but He also wants our hearts! In fact, if Jesus has your heart, He will have your obedience. Conclusion I believe the Ephesian church is listed first among the seven churches because of the danger we face when what we believe and what we do are no longer tethered to a living love for Jesus and His people. Listen carefully. Rather than criticizing the Ephesian church for its zeal for the truth of Gods Word, Jesus praised them for it. Orthodoxy is essential to the spiritual health of both Christians and the church as a whole. When believers abandon orthodoxy, spirituality does not become freer or deeperit becomes hollow and lifeless. So do their churches. But love keeps orthodoxy from hardening into something Jesus also hated. When truth is severed from love, orthodoxy collapses into legalism. And legalism is not holiness; it is a corruption of orthopraxyright living. Christian, we are called to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. Scripture commands us: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Pet. 1:1416). But the way we pursue holiness is not through cold precision or moral superiority. It is through the kind of love the Ephesian church once hadand then lost. This is the first of seven ways Christ calls His people to cleanse His house of leaven. What is that love? Scripture defines it plainly: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth Love never ends (1 Cor. 13:48). This is the love Jesus spoke of that must be true of His followers: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). We live in a nation deeply fracturedso fractured that many believe we are in a cold civil war. Civil conversation between the left and the right is nearly impossible. But it must not be that way in the church Jesus redeemed from the world. Our love for Christ must overflow into genuine love for one anotherstrong enough to allow disagreement without division, conviction without contempt, and truth without hatred. Let me take this one step further. If you love the Jesus who died to ransom people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, then you must be liberated from the partisan blindness that grips both the left and the right. Christian, you belong to another kingdom. Your allegiance is not to a political ideology but to King Jesus. Please hear me: the world will not see, hear, or receive the gospel from the left or the rightbut only from Jesus Christ Himself. By Gods design, His gospel is not entrusted to government but to His church. The mess in the White House, ournation, and the world is evidence that what people need is the One who makes the Gospel the Gospelnamely, Jesus! If you cannot see thatif you cannot believe that while still calling yourself a Christianthen you are in danger of the very thing that threatened the church in Ephesus. You have lost your first love. So I leave you with the same words Jesus spoke to them: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

I believe the book of Revelation is intentionally shaped by the rhythm of the seven Jewish feasts, with deep echoes of the Exodus and Israels wilderness journey woven throughout its visions. We have already seen how this works in chapter 1, where the imagery echoes Passover. Passover marked Israels deliverance from slavery through the blood of a substituteand in Revelation 1:1216, that substitute is revealed in all His risen glory. Jesus stands among His churches as the victorious Lamb who was slain and now lives forever. Because of His sacrifice, the Christian belongs to God. If you have been redeemed by Almighty God through His Son, what is there to fear? Jesus Himself answers that question: Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Rev. 1:1718). Our confidence is not rooted in our circumstances, but in the One who has conquered death itself. As we move into Revelation 23 and read the seven letters to the churches, the dominant echo is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover. This feast called Gods redeemed people to live holy lives, set apart for Him (Lev. 11:4445; 1 Pet. 1:1617). Israel removed all leaven from their homes as a visible reminder that they belonged to the Lord and were no longer to live under the old patterns of corruption. That same call still comes to us today: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:1920). Each of the seven churches faced real and pressing challenges in their own dayand what they struggled with are many of the same things we struggle with today, just dressed differently. While we will look at each church individually, here is a brief snapshot of what we will encounter: The church in Ephesus had lost its first love. The church in Smyrna was about to suffer tribulation for ten days. The church in Pergamum struggled with faithfulness to sound doctrine. The church in Thyatira tolerated a false teacher within the congregation. The church in Sardis was spiritually lethargic and nearly dead. The church in Philadelphia faithfully clung to the word of God. The church in Laodicea was lukewarm and missionally useless. In every one of these churches, there was the danger of leavensin quietly working its way through the house. And the call of Christ was to remove it: through renewed love for Jesus and for one another, faithful endurance in suffering, a commitment to truth, intolerance for evil, vigilance against spiritual apathy, unflinching obedience to Christ, and a wholehearted devotion to the mission of God. About forty years before Revelation was written, Paul wrote about Gods expectation for His church: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2). Revelation 1 is about the One who makes our salvation possible. Revelation 2-3 addresses the kind of people He calls us to be. So, when we come to Revelation 4, we encounter the One on the throne who is holy, holy, holy! The City of Ephesus When the gospel came to Ephesus, it was a wealthy and influential trading city, best known for the Temple of Artemis (also called Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The citys economy, culture, and moral life centered on the worship of this goddess. Artemis worship was deeply sexualized and demonic, marked by ritual immorality and idolatry (1 Cor. 10:20). Ephesus was a place where spiritual darkness was not hiddenit was celebrated, institutionalized, and profitable. Into this city, the gospel came with unmistakable power, as it always does in Gods timing and in His way. What we read in the epistle to the Romans was experienced in Ephesus: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). When the apostle Paul preached Christ in Ephesus, lives were transformed, and the worship of Artemis was directly challenged. So disruptive was the gospel that those who profited from idolatry feared economic collapse, admitting that Paul had persuaded many that gods made with hands are not gods at all (Acts 19:26). Paul spent over two years there, and in this spiritually hostile environment, God birthed a faithful churchthe same church later addressed by Christ Himself in Revelation 2. What makes Jesus words to Ephesus so sobering is not the citys darkness but the fact that a church born in such devotion, perseverance, and truth would later be warned: You have abandoned the love you had at first (2:4). So what happened? To answer that question, we need to first recognize the many things Jesus praises the church for. What the Ephesian Church Was Doing Right The Ephesian church was commended for many things by Jesus such as their toil, patient endurance, and intolerance for evil. Heraclitus, a native of Ephesus and philosopher, spoke with open contempt of his citys moral corruptionso severe that later writers summarized his viewby saying no one could live in Ephesus without weeping.1 The fact that the church was able to endure for forty years in a city known for its sexual promiscuity and demonized idolatrous worship, while holding on to biblical orthodoxy, is staggering! Because of their orthodoxy and fidelity to the Word of God, the church was intolerant of evil, refused to ignore false teachers, and shared Jesuss hatred of the Nicolaitans. Forty years earlier, Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church: I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears (Acts. 20:29-31). This is what the church did well, and Jesus praised them for it. Now, notice what Jesus does not say to the church in Ephesus. He does not say they were being too orthodox. He does not say they were too truthful, or that their intolerance of evil, false teachers, and the works of the Nicolaitans was too extreme. Jesus does not tell the church to dial it back but instead celebrates these as examples of what they were doing well. What the church did well was refusing to yield to the pressures from their city to conform. Before we look at what the church got wrong, we need to address who the Nicolaitans were and why Jesus hated their teaching. From what we know, the Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect associated with the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2:14-15). They taught that the grace of God permitted freedom to engage in the kinds of things their pagan neighbors enjoyed, such as sexual immorality and full participation in pagan temple feasts. Why? Because grace covered it all. We will come back to Balaam when we look at the church in Pergamum, but for now what you need to know is that Balaam is known for his false teaching that served to seduce the men of Israel to engage in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab that also resulted in the worship of their gods in place of obedience and worship of Yahweh (see Num. 25). The Nicolaitans did not deny Jesus, they just reinterpreted what obedience to Jesus really meant, in that you could both be loyal to Jesus and actively pursue and participate in the kinds of things the Word of God commands the people of God to flee from. The Ephesian church was rightfully commended for their hatred and intolerance of the works of the Nicolaitans because Jesus shares their hatred for the same reasons. Listen carefully. Jesus does not merely disagree with teachings of the Nicolaitans He hates them. He hates any belief that suggests a person can remain loyal to Him while willfully embracing the very sins He died to free us from. The cross was not a license to make peace with sin; it was Gods declaration of war against it. To claim Christ while pursuing what nailed Him to the tree is not freedomit is self-deception. Christ did not die to make sin safe, but to make His people holy. 1 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2017), 91. What the Ephesian Church Got Wrong So what was it that the church in Ephesus lost? Well, we know it wasnt the churchs orthodoxy. It was the love they had at first. What love did they have at first? I believe the love the church lost was a combination of their love for Jesus and others. I believe this because of what the apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Ephesians and what Jesus said the church needed to do to regain the love they had lost. First, lets look at Jesus criticism in verses 4-5, But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. The way back to regain what they had lost was to first remember where they had fallen or had lost sight of their love, then to repent by doing the works they had done at first. What were the works they had done at first? We are given a few clues in Ephesians about the church from what Paul says at the beginning and the end of his epistle to the Ephesians. 1st Clue: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers... (Eph. 1:15-16) 2nd Clue: Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:24) I believe that the love the Ephesian church lost had to do with the love they had for Jesus and for one another. The New Living Translation captures this in their translation of Revelation 2:4, But I have this complaint against you. You dont love me or each other as you did at first! When a group of religious leaders asked Jesus to identify the most important commandment, His response was clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:3739). Genuine love for God leads to love for othersyou cannot claim to love God while refusing to love those who bear His image. As our love for God grows, it overflows into love for those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you find this hard to accept, consider the words of the apostle John: If someone says, I love God, but hates his brother, that person is a liar; for anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). I believe the Ephesian church, first known for their faith in Jesus and their incorruptible love for Him, became the catalyst that fostered in them a love for one another, which they were known for in the early days of the churchs existence. Their love infused their faith in Jesus, and their love for all the saints was the cocktail God used to push back evil and transform lives! What Revelation 2:1-4 teaches us is that Jesus wants our obedience, but He also wants our hearts! In fact, if Jesus has your heart, He will have your obedience. Conclusion I believe the Ephesian church is listed first among the seven churches because of the danger we face when what we believe and what we do are no longer tethered to a living love for Jesus and His people. Listen carefully. Rather than criticizing the Ephesian church for its zeal for the truth of Gods Word, Jesus praised them for it. Orthodoxy is essential to the spiritual health of both Christians and the church as a whole. When believers abandon orthodoxy, spirituality does not become freer or deeperit becomes hollow and lifeless. So do their churches. But love keeps orthodoxy from hardening into something Jesus also hated. When truth is severed from love, orthodoxy collapses into legalism. And legalism is not holiness; it is a corruption of orthopraxyright living. Christian, we are called to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. Scripture commands us: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Pet. 1:1416). But the way we pursue holiness is not through cold precision or moral superiority. It is through the kind of love the Ephesian church once hadand then lost. This is the first of seven ways Christ calls His people to cleanse His house of leaven. What is that love? Scripture defines it plainly: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth Love never ends (1 Cor. 13:48). This is the love Jesus spoke of that must be true of His followers: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). We live in a nation deeply fracturedso fractured that many believe we are in a cold civil war. Civil conversation between the left and the right is nearly impossible. But it must not be that way in the church Jesus redeemed from the world. Our love for Christ must overflow into genuine love for one anotherstrong enough to allow disagreement without division, conviction without contempt, and truth without hatred. Let me take this one step further. If you love the Jesus who died to ransom people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, then you must be liberated from the partisan blindness that grips both the left and the right. Christian, you belong to another kingdom. Your allegiance is not to a political ideology but to King Jesus. Please hear me: the world will not see, hear, or receive the gospel from the left or the rightbut only from Jesus Christ Himself. By Gods design, His gospel is not entrusted to government but to His church. The mess in the White House, ournation, and the world is evidence that what people need is the One who makes the Gospel the Gospelnamely, Jesus! If you cannot see thatif you cannot believe that while still calling yourself a Christianthen you are in danger of the very thing that threatened the church in Ephesus. You have lost your first love. So I leave you with the same words Jesus spoke to them: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Hosted by Pastor Josh SorensenCalvary Live is an outreach ministry of GraceFM at Calvary Church in Aurora, Colorado.If you like what you hear on Calvary Live – don't forget to follow us, and share it with your friends and family!

In Revelation 2, Jesus speaks directly to His Church and He doesn't waste words. He commends endurance, faithfulness, and a refusal to compromise, but He also exposes what can quietly die in a church that keeps “doing the right things” with the wrong heart.We started with a sobering truth: a church that's not under the control of the Holy Ghost will eventually be out of control. We aren't called to be open-minded people drifting with culture, we're called to be Christ-minded people anchored in the Word.Jesus rebukes the church for this: they had the fire of truth, but they lost the flame of love. It's possible to be doctrinally sound and still spiritually dry. Truth without love becomes cold. Holiness without intimacy becomes hollow. And sometimes we can prioritize ministry, activity, and effort while our first love fades in the background.The call of Revelation 2 is clear: Return. Repent. Be rekindled. Not just keep going, but come back to the heart of it all, Jesus Himself. Everything must exalt Him.We also confronted compromise head-on. The Nicolaitans taught a mixture of Jesus and pagan values, treating grace like a license to sin. But Pastor Jon made it plain: you cannot walk with Jesus and dance with the devil. In a world trying to blur the lines, the Church must hold both truth and love, the way Jesus walked in truth and grace.Then we looked at Smyrna, a church that wasn't popular, but was faithful. They paid a price for truth. And we were challenged with a powerful gut-check: If the Bible doesn't cut you at least once a week, you're not reading it right. God's Word is supposed to examine us, expose motives, and align our living with what we say we believe.Jesus closes with a promise to those who have ears to hear and the courage to endure: Don't be afraid. Be faithful. Because whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death, the death that doesn't end life, but ends hope. Eternity is real, and the decisions we make now matter forever.Takeaway: Examine yourself. Is what you're reading reflecting how you're living? Let His Word search you, let His Spirit lead you, and let your love be rekindled. The Lord is still speaking. Are you listening? 

To get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.TS Wright Speaks: Church in Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17Introduction: In the third chapter of Revelation, we encounter the Church in Pergamum, a community grappling with the challenges of faith amid a culture steeped in idolatry and immorality. This podcast episode dives deep into the lessons Jesus imparts to this church, offering timeless wisdom that resonates with believers today.Main Content: **The Context of Pergamum** The Church in Pergamum existed in a city notorious for its pagan worship and idol practices, symbolized by the phrase "where the throne of Satan sits." TS Wright highlights that this church was located right in the midst of spiritual warfare, a battleground where faith and culture collided. Despite the overwhelming presence of evil, members of the church held fast to their faith, demonstrating remarkable courage and commitment.**Commendation for Faithfulness** Jesus begins His message with commendation, acknowledging the church's perseverance even in the face of persecution. TS Wright points out the significance of this acknowledgment, especially regarding Antipas, a faithful witness who was killed for his beliefs. This serves as a powerful reminder that true faith often requires sacrifice, and believers today must also hold fast to their convictions despite cultural pressures.**Warnings Against Compromise** However, the message is not solely one of encouragement. Jesus issues a stern warning against those in the church who have adopted the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, practices that led to idolatry and sexual immorality. TS Wright emphasizes that just as the early church faced temptations to conform to cultural norms, modern believers must also guard against the subtle ways in which culture can infiltrate their faith. He urges listeners to recognize the importance of living a life that is set apart, above the moral compromises prevalent in society.**The Call to Repentance** A key theme in this message is the call to repentance. TS Wright elucidates that repentance is a process, not just a one-time confession. It involves a deep heart transformation, turning away from sin, and taking active steps towards obedience. He reminds believers that while the journey may be challenging, the promise of restoration and a new identity in Christ awaits those who repent. **Living Above Culture** In a world where cultural acceptance is often equated with success, TS Wright's insights challenge believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all else. He discusses the dangers of becoming a "carnal Christian," attempting to blend faith with worldly ideologies. Instead, he encourages a commitment to living out the teachings of Christ, even when it comes at a personal cost. The podcast underscores the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between faith and culture, particularly in moments of conflict.Conclusion: The message to the Church in Pergamum serves as a timely reminder for contemporary believers to navigate their faith with courage and conviction. Key takeaways include the...

Revelation 2 To the Church in Ephesus 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. To the Church in Smyrna 8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. To the Church in Pergamum 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. To the Church in Thyatira 18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.' 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery'—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-735995925390297f16d8b5e92cfdbbd5{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-735995925390297f16d8b5e92cfdbbd5 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-735995925390297f16d8b5e92cfdbbd5 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 30Revelation 2:8-17 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 30 Revelation 2:8-17 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1230db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Revelation 2 Letter to the Church in Smyrna 8 To the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: The First and the Last, who was dead and came to life again, says this: 9 I know [1] your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich. And I know the blasphemy that comes from those who say they are Jews but are not; rather, they are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear anything that [2] you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you will be tested, and you will suffer for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Letter to the Church in Pergamum 12 To the messenger of the church in Pergamum write: The one who has the sharp, two-edged sword says this: 13 I know [3] where you live—where the throne of Satan is. And I know that you hold fast to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me even in the days when Antipas, my faithful witness, [4] was put to death near you, the place where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block in front of the children of Israel so that they would eat things offered to idols and commit sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore, [5] repent! If not, I will come to you soon, and I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious I will give some of the hidden manna. [6] I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one will know except the one who receives it. Footnotes Revelation 2:9 A few witnesses to the text add your works. Revelation 2:10 Some witnesses to the text read Do not fear what. Revelation 2:13 A few witnesses to the text add your works and. Revelation 2:13 Or martyr Revelation 2:16 Some witnesses to the text omit Therefore. Revelation 2:17 A few witnesses to the text add to eat. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-68849d3c772a1752e164ae96ad1cc02b{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-68849d3c772a1752e164ae96ad1cc02b .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-68849d3c772a1752e164ae96ad1cc02b .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 29Revelation 2:1-7 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 29 Revelation 2:1-7 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1229db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Revelation 2 Letter to the Church in Ephesus 1 To the messenger of the church in Ephesus write: The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven gold lampstands, says this: 2 I know your works, your [1] labor, and your patient endurance, and that you are not able to tolerate evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them to be liars. 3 Indeed, you do have patient endurance. You have endured hardships on account of my name and have not become weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [2] 5 Remember, therefore, the state from which you have fallen! Repent and do the works you did at first. Otherwise I will come to you [3] and remove your lampstand from its place, if you do not repent. 6 But you do have this: You hate the actions of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious I will give the privilege to eat from the tree of life, which is in [4] the paradise of God. Footnotes Revelation 2:2 Some witnesses to the text omit your. Revelation 2:4 Or You have lost the love you had at first Revelation 2:5 A few witnesses to the text add quickly. Revelation 2:7 A few witnesses to the text add the middle of. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

As we start a new series on looking at the 7 churches in Revelation, today, we will just be looking at the church of Ephesus, also known as the same Church that Paul wrote to in his day; known as the book of “Ephesians.” So what does it mean to “forsake your first love?” Have I done that? Who are the Nicolaitans? What are the seven stars and the seven lamp stands? All great questions and I will do my best to explain them all clearly really excited to dive into the series with you guys

His Righteousness?; Right reason; Leviticus; God is the same; Kingdom of God = form of government; Instructions to seek it; "World"; Offerings; Meat? Grain?; Imperfect translations; Lesser gods; John the Baptist; Leaven-filled baptisms; Cryptic bible?; Haters; Knowing yourself; Loving your enemy; Our error; Jacob called Israel; The meaning of the mystical story; Leaders; Awakening to the truth; Burnt sacrifice?; Evolution?; Morality; Lev 1:1; Tabernacle of the congregation; Debating; Equality; "Religion"; "Yahweh"; Genocide; Koran; God speaking out of tents of the congregation; "Synagogue"; Having your own house; Returning men to their families and possessions; Altars?; Entangling yourself in the bondage of Egypt; Voluntary offerings; Freewill; State-run social safety nets; Idolatry; The whole truth; Offering = qorban; Hebrew language; Socialism?; Family: Institution of God; Benevolent dictatorship?; Dependency upon government; Taking care of society's needy; "Burnt"?; aleph-tav; kuf-resh-biet-nun+kof+mem; Reason to bring offering; male without blemish?; zayin-kof-resh (male); Without blemish = you own it; Being generous in your sharing; Putting his hand upon it; Burnt offering; Romans 13; Liberty; Helping your neighbor; Diet; No Christian socialists; Detach from the giving - retain freedom; Usage of offerings; Tens, Hundreds and Thousands; Gen 9:5; Early Church social welfare; Temple of Ephesus; Covetousness; Deut 12:27, Deut 19:10; "Strange fire"?; Creating a great nation; Government of, for and by the people; Bible's about government; Character of God; Deeds of Nicolaitans and Error of Baalam; Repentance; Sweet savor?; Choosing your minister; Letting God be the judge; Allowing Holy Spirit to flow through you; Love = Charity; Finding hope; Minister sharing; Join the Living Network.

His Righteousness?; Right reason; Leviticus; God is the same; Kingdom of God = form of government; Instructions to seek it; "World"; Offerings; Meat? Grain?; Imperfect translations; Lesser gods; John the Baptist; Leaven-filled baptisms; Cryptic bible?; Haters; Knowing yourself; Loving your enemy; Our error; Jacob called Israel; The meaning of the mystical story; Leaders; Awakening to the truth; Burnt sacrifice?; Evolution?; Morality; Lev 1:1; Tabernacle of the congregation; Debating; Equality; "Religion"; "Yahweh"; Genocide; Koran; God speaking out of tents of the congregation; "Synagogue"; Having your own house; Returning men to their families and possessions; Altars?; Entangling yourself in the bondage of Egypt; Voluntary offerings; Freewill; State-run social safety nets; Idolatry; The whole truth; Offering = qorban; Hebrew language; Socialism?; Family: Institution of God; Benevolent dictatorship?; Dependency upon government; Taking care of society's needy; "Burnt"?; aleph-tav; kuf-resh-biet-nun+kof+mem; Reason to bring offering; male without blemish?; zayin-kof-resh (male); Without blemish = you own it; Being generous in your sharing; Putting his hand upon it; Burnt offering; Romans 13; Liberty; Helping your neighbor; Diet; No Christian socialists; Detach from the giving - retain freedom; Usage of offerings; Tens, Hundreds and Thousands; Gen 9:5; Early Church social welfare; Temple of Ephesus; Covetousness; Deut 12:27, Deut 19:10; "Strange fire"?; Creating a great nation; Government of, for and by the people; Bible's about government; Character of God; Deeds of Nicolaitans and Error of Baalam; Repentance; Sweet savor?; Choosing your minister; Letting God be the judge; Allowing Holy Spirit to flow through you; Love = Charity; Finding hope; Minister sharing; Join the Living Network.

Do you Hate the Works of the Nicolaitans?God Does!

Bible studies at PreparingYou.com; Passionate subject; Divisive ideas; Who is God?; Language confusion; "Covenants of the gods" - based on law; Meaning of words; Public religion?; "Religion" defined; Metaphors and allegory; Sophistry; "Altars"; Imprisoned by your thinking; Idolatry = covetousness; Bringing people together; Bible translations; "world"; 3rd book of Torah; 4th branch of government?; "We the people"; Bringing offerings; "Bondage of Egypt"; Different form of government; "Laity"; Nicolaitans; How to stay free; Perfect law of liberty; vs Human Resources; Seeing yourself; Repentance; "Leviticus"; Religious duty; Who is the real son?; "Leaven"; Sacrifice (Corban); Holy = sacred = separate; Clarifying biblical language; History of Leviticus; Mystery Babylon; God's insecurity?; Allegiance? Or faith?; "Worship"; Charity; Strengthening your neighbor; Sacrificial systems; Entitlements; Today's "Israel"; Freewill; Choosing sides; Righteousness; Atonement?; Faith, hope and charity; Seeking His kingdom and His righteousness; Types of sacrifice; "Kingdom of God"; Righteousness compelled by faith; Practicing pure religion; Countering degeneration; No forced contributions; Divine revelation; Rules for a system of justice; Judicial corruption; Mt 21:43; Fruits of righteousness; Minister network; Recognizing your weakness; Practicing charity; Destroyers of liberty; Hearing your neighbor's need; Responsibilities; "Priest" class; Maintaining individual rights; Government of, for and by the people; Church in the wilderness; Understanding relationships; Helping your fellowman; Join us!

We live in a world today that is spiritually dark. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been watered down, to where people can live comfortably in their sin, while the stay on the road to the devils Hell. Todays episode looks at the spirit of the Nicolaitans, something God states He hates. Don't fall for this wrong and false teachings.

If you would like additional information, books, or if you would like to make a love donation; please visit us at https://www.walkinginpower.orgThe study of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 focuses on the seven letters Christ addresses to seven literal churches, which Bern interprets as a chronological history of the Church Age and a type of the end-time church condition. Each letter follows a structured pattern: a commendation (praise), a rebuke (criticism), an admonition (exhortation to repent), and a promise for overcomers. Bern establishes the historical context by noting that man has repeatedly rejected God's provisions: Israel rejected the Father in favor of the Law, Judah rejected the Son (Jesus) for the counterfeit (Barabbas), and the early Christian Church, following Pentecost, began rejecting the Holy Spirit in favor of denominationalism and man-made systems, leading to the quenching of the Spirit's power.Bern then begins analyzing the first churches, highlighting their historical and doctrinal significance. Ephesusrepresents the Early Apostolic Church (a church of duty and works) that Christ rebukes for losing its "first love" and being "backsliden." Smyrna represents the persecuted church from the Apostolic Age up to Constantine; notably, Christ gives this church no rebuke, only encouragement to remain faithful amid suffering. Pergamum represents the Imperial State Church under Rome, where Christ says "Satan's throne is." This church is praised for holding fast to the faith but strongly rebuked for holding the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans (clergy controlling the laity), indicating a doctrinal compromise and a "licentious" condition due to the influence of paganism. The letter to Thyatira (the most complicated) begins the discussion of the influence of the "Jezebel spirit," representing a period where the church tolerated immorality and idolatry by mixing pagan practices with Christian doctrine.

Revelation 2:12-17 ESV “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

Ephesians 6:19-2019 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.Revelation 2:1-7“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'Your Unseen Enemy ResourcesYour Story Has A Villain – Jonathan PokludaThe Battle Is The Lord's – Tony EvansLive No Lies – John Mark ComerIf The Tomb is Empty – Joby MartinSpiritual Warfare Sermon Series – J.D. GreearDefeating the Enemy – Phil HopperKingdom Authority – Adrian RogersThe Weapons of our Warfare – Phil HopperStand Firm Sermon Series – Joby MartinWhen the Enemy Strikes – Charles Stanley40 Questions About Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare – John GilhoolyThe Divine Defense – Robert JeffressRun Over by the Grace Train – Joby MartinLord, Change My Attitude – James MacDonald

Revelation 2:1-7 ESV “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

News thriving on drama; Problems when not doing what Christ said; What was Abraham doing?; Understanding the bible text; Eating meat with blood in it; What Christ commanded; "Liturgy"; Solution to world's problems; "Israel"; Generations of Esau = Edom; "Corban"; Sacrifice; Cursing your children with debt; Recognizing righteousness; Gen 37:1 Jacob in Canaan; "Strangers"?; Idolatry = covetousness; Jacob's ladder; Rights; Joseph tattling on brothers; "Flocks"?; Joseph's dream; Dominion over people; Tav+Mem-shin-lamad+biet+nun+vav (dominion); Lot?; Abimelech; Forcing offerings/sacrifice; Membership in social safety nets; Tents for cattle?; Jealousy of brothers; Sachem (consent); Returning every man to family and possessions; Kings? (rulers); Perfect law of liberty; Knowing Holy Spirit; "Dothen"?; Plotting to slay Joseph; Evil beast?; Socialists; Sequence of Hebrew text; Ruben's advice (plan); The pit you're in; Selling Joseph to Ishmaelites; Willingness to sell neighbor into bondage; One purse; 1 Sam 8; Hearing your brother; Faking Joseph's death; Types of kings; Forewarning of famine; Wrath of God; Loving the light; Claiming to know Moses; How to be a free people; Leavened bread; Corruption; Strong delusion; Idols?; The ways of Jacob; Gen 33:17; Setting your brother free; Choosing the direction of your life; Learning to be Israel; Coat of many colors?; Imaginary freedom; Abraham's dream - burning lamp; Organizing in Tens; Tithing vs taxes; Identifying the "evil report"; Deut 12:23; meat with blood in it; Biting one another; Error of Balaam and deeds of the Nicolaitans; Appetite for benefits; Need for repentance; Feeding the sheep; resh-ayin-hey; Truth - Be ready to repent.

Revelation 2: 14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold 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. 15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.  Songs: Mansion Over the Hilltop, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed, Amazing Grace.

Scripture - Revelation 2:12–17To the Church in Pergamum[12] “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.[13] “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. [14] But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. [15] So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. [16] Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. [17] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' (ESV)

Slaves? Bondsmen? Apprentice? Student loans; Jacob's deal with Laban; Marriage license; Moses' exodus; Julius Caesar's bondage; Contracting rights away; Egypt's Pharaoh; Cause/effect world; Contracts, covenants and constitutions; Asking father for permission to marry daughter; Patriarchy; Parens patria; Isaiah 9:2; Darkness; Error of Baalam; Nicolaitans; Your consent; Offer and acceptance; Pharaoh's sharing; China one-child contract; Benefits as bait; One purse?; Free?; Coercion; What made Rome great?; Loss of values; Decrease in rights; Bait = something for nothing; Pure religion; Sacrificing for your neighbor; Altars; Lively stones; Mark Q?; Communist manifesto; Back in Babylon; Education; Learning from history; Loving the truth; Kristie Q? - Davy Crockett; Lady Godiva?; No exercising authority; Charity requirements; "Faith" defined; Un-holy spirits; Guilt-control; No coveting; Bankruptcy; God's salvation; Walking in faith; Loving neighbor as self; Ekklesia; Miracles; Mark Q? Altars misunderstood?; Creeping corruption; Notes; Denominating money; Deception; Bowing down to statues?; Golden Calf = Reserve fund; Working together; Mystery Babylon; Mark of the Beast; Finger-pointing?; Neglecting our duties; Knowing God; Coming together like Christ; True Church; Allowing choice; Going to the light; Tree of Life; Unhewn stones; Meat with blood in it; Cities of blood; Join the Living Network.

The Church in Pergamum is encouraged by their holding fast to Christ in the midst of persecution, but is reprimanded because of their lack of discernment regarding the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 2:12-29 ESV To the Church in Pergamum12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'To the Church in Thyatira18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

X-Space discussions; Why hate Charlie Kirk; "Judeo-Christian" ideas; Nicolaitans?; Baalam?; False accusations; What are Judeo values?; Christian values?; Doers of the word; Califates; Importance of context; Translation; "Abimelech"; vs "Melchizedek"; Sycamore tree?; Luke 19 parable; Zacchaeus; Taxation; Perils of electing rulers; Pure religion vs public religion; Jesus hailed as king - of peace; Firing moneychangers; Both king and high priest; Tithing; Freewill offerings; Abraham's altars; "Communities"; Tesserae?; "Logos" = "The Word" = Right reason; vs "Rhema"; Mt 4:10 Worship and serve; Dictates of the LORD thy God; Cloaking the bible in mindless rituals; Corban; Serving God from home; Blessing of Abraham; Understanding your bondage; Willingness to communicate/converse; Gen 32:1; mem-chet-nun-yod-mem (Mahanaim); Gen 28:12; mem-lamad-aleph-kof-yod Angels; Prov 16:11 (Messenger); Unjust weights; Righteousness; "Leaven" = oppression; Two ways to rule a nation; Gifting Esau?; hey+mem-lamad-aleph-kof-yod+mem messenger? "Host" of God?; Messengers, angels; Herod's recognizing messiah; Values of God; Laban's ways; Covering Abraham's wells; Symbolism; Freedom of choice; Altars of charity; Covetous practices = idolatry; Anti-Christ; Is Christ really your king?; Well of satisfaction; Augustus Caesar - son of God?; Welfare snares; Egyptians leaving Egypt; "Shem"ites; "Fear not!"; Is your church taking care of all the needy?; Making Christians "peculiar"; Seeking the fullness of the kingdom; Jacob's procession of gifts; Consistent Christianity; Jacob wrestled a man = mem-lamad-shin-kuf; Gen 32:28 "strive"; Prince having power; Listening to Holy Spirit; Need to pray; Setting others free; Consistency of living in faith, hope and charity; Trusting God; Respecters of persons; pey-nun-yod-aleph-lamad (Peniel); Becoming Israel; Face of God?; Walking with God; What was Esau doing differently?; What about Jacob's sons?; Making Jacob stink; Seek His kingdom and His righteousness.

Revelation 2:1-7 ESV “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.' For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

The church at Pergamos was a good church in many ways. They had stayed faithful to Christ even though they were planted in Satan's backyard. They endured through persecution. They didn't deny Christ's name. However, the danger of compromise had crept into this church. Pergamos was allowing the Nicolaitans to come in and teach that believers could live however they wanted to, embracing idolatry and immorality. Jesus speaks to warn them of allowing this compromise to remain in the church.

Sunday Service: Revelation 2:12–17 is a message from Jesus to the church in Pergamum, a city known as the place "where Satan has his throne." Jesus introduces Himself as the one with the sharp two-edged sword, symbolizing His authority, judgment, and the piercing power of God's Word to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. He commends the church for holding fast to their faith even in the face of martyrdom, but rebukes them for tolerating false teachers like the Nicolaitans who were leading God's people into sexual immorality and idolatry. The issue of eating food offered to idols wasn't about the food itself, but the spiritual compromise and confusion it created among believers. Jesus calls the church to repent—meaning to change their way of thinking to align with God's truth—or else He will personally confront and remove the corrupting influence. He is not fighting the faithful but the deceivers among them. To those who overcome, Jesus promises hidden manna (salvation in Jesus), a white stone (symbolizing acquittal, victory, and acceptance), and a new name—representing a personal, intimate identity in Christ known only to the one who receives it. Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com                  

Sunday Service: Revelation 2:1–7 is Jesus' message to the church in Ephesus, commending them for their hard work, perseverance, intolerance of evil, and discernment against false apostles. However, He rebukes them for abandoning their love for God and for one another. Jesus urges them to repent and return to the works they did at first, warning that if they do not, He will shut down their church. Yet, He also praises them for hating the practices of the Nicolaitans, which He also hates. The message concludes with a promise that those who overcome will be given the right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com                  

Exiled on Patmos, the Apostle John receives a vision from Christ and dictates the message we now know as Revelation to seven churches across Asia Minor. This Sunday we focused on Pergamum, a church living in the shadows of Roman power—called “Satan's throne”—yet praised for its steadfast faith and refusal to deny Christ even amid persecution. Christ commends their loyalty but rebukes them for tolerating the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans and calls them to repentance. He reminds us that open compromise with the world can dilute our witness and invites the faithful to overcome, promising hidden manna and the white stone of victory. May we, like the church in Pergamum, resist cultural pressures and faithfully proclaim that Christ is Lord above all.

Gen 25; Deeper stories; In, but not of the world; City-states; Civilization of Abraham; Meaning of place names; Traveling the desert alone?; "Pottage"?; Esau's failing; Mere words on the page?; Why Abraham in the desert?; Gerar?; Between Kadesh and Shur; What's wrong with Sodom?; More than Esau; Terah's idolatry; Deception; Treaties; Consent; "Sodded" = Nun-zayin-yod-dalet; Gen 25:29; 2 Kings 4:38; Stewpot and cauldron; Biting one another; One purse; Welfare snares; Natural disasters; Rumors of wars; Corruption; Living in the cauldron; Nicolaitans and Baalam; Addiction to benefits; Freewill offerings; Presbyterians on abortion?; Empowering wickedness; Breakdown of families; Gen 26: God's promise to Isaac; "Abimelech" = father king; Calling no man "father"; Roman republic; Bondage; Choice of sacrifice; Gen 26:5 "Because"; Natural law; Cause/effect; Abraham's obedience; Gerar = biet+gimel-resh-resh; Ear-tickling preachings; Doers of His word; Melchizedek; "Corban"; Isaac's fear; Already self-evident commandments?; The Comforter; Culture; Patriarchy; Who's your daddy?; The source of corruption; Your responsibility; "Put to death"; Sowing; Increasing in righteousness; Choosing your father by consent; Spreading corruption; Gen 26:15 filling wells?; Wells are sources; Well-fare?; Networks of care; Altars; Dwelling in a different way; Stephan; "Tables"; Finding a well in your own heart; Covetous practices are forbidden; Sharing; Covenanting with Abimelech; Having eyes to see; The peace of Christ; Abraham's righteousness; Showing the better way of faith, hope and charity; Mt 23:9; Robbing widows and orphans; Households; Helping neighbor without oppression; Share!

This powerful message on holding fast in a world of compromise explores the message Jesus gave to the church of Pergamos in Revelation. Discover how this ancient city—filled with pagan temples and Caesar worship—created intense spiritual pressure on believers, yet some remained faithful even unto death. Learn why Jesus described Pergamos as 'where Satan has his throne' and what that means for Christians living in spiritually hostile environments today. This message examines how compromise subtly enters through doctrine, culture, entertainment, and relationships, and provides biblical strategies to recognize and resist it. Understand the dangerous teachings Jesus identified—the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans—and their modern equivalents that threaten spiritual growth. The message unpacks Jesus' solution to compromise: genuine repentance that changes both thinking and direction. Explore the three remarkable promises Jesus offers to those who overcome: hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name. This teaching includes practical application questions to help identify areas of compromise in your own life and steps to align more fully with Christ. Perfect for Christians struggling with cultural pressure, those seeking spiritual revival, or anyone wanting to understand how to live with integrity in a compromising world.

Understanding Abraham's mission to sacrifice Isaac; Altars of the ancients; Symbolism; Messages in stories; Gregory stories; Why Jesus was hated; Warnings in the bible; Rulers exercising authority; Chief Executive Officers; Cities of blood - cauldrons - flesh pots; Lot and Abraham; Truth vs opinion; Following God's lead; Bondage of city-states; "Church" (ekklesia = called out) in the wilderness; Duties of Levites; Learning to be "Israel"; Walking in faith; Melchizedek; Righteousness; Temptation; Following what is right; Government of God; Lot in the cities; "Moses"; "Egypt"; Philistines; Leaven; Circumcision; Creeds; Double standards; Convictions; "Trinity"?; gods many; Workers of iniquity; Eating of the Tree of Knowledge; Self-justified injustice; Lot as judge; Living in fear; Killing Christ; Understanding the bible; Replacement sacrifice; Sharing; Smoking furnace?; Receivers of Holy Spirit; Significance of Abraham; Canaan; Importance of Sarah; Gen 23:1; City of four?; Hebron = association or to bind; Bondage today?; Fear of leaving the city; Freedom?; One purse; Gathering like the Early Church; Organizing as Christ commanded; Tithing according to service; Wanting to see the light; Being watchful; Balaam and Nicolaitans; Spirit of Christ; Humility; Lamentation; Burying Sarah; Sons of "Heth" - chet-tav; from chet-tav-tav = people of faith; Cause/effect; Double-tav = more faith vs some faith; Responsibility of liberty under God; Sureties for trillions; What are you missing?; House of Abraham; Unkept oaths; Job 6:21; Washing feet; Not taking gifts; "The Way" of Christianity; Why seek the kingdom; Sacrifice; Righteousness; Eating of the Tree of Life; Saving others; Your choices; "Corban"; Making God's word to none effect; Volunteerism; "Abraham House" organization; Peace through power?; Jer 6:10; What the LORD has to say; Making covenants; Desire for benefits; Good Samaritan?; Covetous practices make you merchandise; Welfare snares; Take back your responsibilities!