Thoughts

Blog for Podcast #37 (People’s true gods)

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Intro

Welcome again to another broadcast. I am Dreamwalker1960. You can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM.

Discussion

For those that have not listened to my past podcasts I wish to once again establish something about myself. I am a dreamer of dreams as shown in Acts 2:17, and thus the name I use in these broadcasts.

“‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

The other night I had one of these dreams, which I had to think upon and ponder for a while to gain understanding from it. This is not the first time that has occurred, but that is the way the Lord works at time. To make someone think through what He has given us. Like for example the Bible. It is to be studied thoroughly and taken in context.

Where I was led was back to Matthew 24.

10 – And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 

Let us look at this in the KJV:

“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

I want to key in on the word “offended.” In the actual Greek it is seen as:

“Be offended” – G4624 – skandalizo – to entrap that is trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

As you can see there is a lot happening with these two words in the original Greek. So, let us look into each of these.

First off, we have the wording we see in the KJV. To “be offended.” Has not the woke, politically correct crowd taken offence to a ton of stuff including Christianity itself?

The answer is yes.

Has that not entrapped many and caused them to feel guilty when there is no need to feel guilt thus enticing them to enter into sin, by forcing them to accept the sins of others?

Ephesianes 5:6-7 – Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.

James 4:17 – Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

These which we are told to turn away from are condoning sin. They are becoming apostate. They become lukewarm. Which is seen as worse than denying God and His Son Jesus Christ outright.

Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

This is what is said about those like this in the times we now live within:

1 Timothy 4:1-5 – Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

Does this not sound familiar yet again?

Again, this needs to be made truly clear. These letters that have been made into the New Testament are for those that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. The four Gospels and the book of acts are the witness to the truth of Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah. The rest of the New Testament is guides for those that have accepted Christ as their Savior on how to live and act.

When a statement like “some will turn away from the true faith.” It is referring to those that were originally saved and filled with the Holy Ghost and have turned their backs upon God. This means that you can lose your salvation and have betrayed God Himself.

They are labeled as what they are. Hypocrites, liars and since they live in acts of sin yet believe they are right with God they have no conscience.

To them being apostate is normal and natural. They see themselves as one with God, who as I just said they have turned away from and left. It is made clear they receive their teachings and beliefs from “deceptive spirits” and “demons.”

Here some will scoff. They will say there is no such thing as demons.

Is there a heaven?

Is there wars being fought in heaven between right and evil?

Angels must have adversaries. The Devil did not fall to earth alone, those angels that followed him went with him in his defeat. Joining him in his pursuits to deceive humanity.

Let us focus in on apostasy. For that is what betraying God is called.

Apostasy is defined as “the act of giving up your religious or political beliefs and leaving a religious or political belief and leaving a religion or a political party.” Per the Cambridge dictionary.

But this is not how the Bible see it. The Bible says this:

Hebrews 10:26-29 – Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

The implication here is that those that continue to place their sin first in their life. Not only continue to live in this sin are exposed to a worse punishment when they stand before God on the day of the Great White Throne Judgment. But they continue to live their lives as if they are still under the grace of salvation.

A prime example of this was brought to my attention the other day.

A friend of my wife said that her and a friend were going to go to church, which my wife said was an excellent idea. My wife when relating this conversation to me mentioned that her friend’s friend was very happily a homosexual and had no intention of changing his life choice in this regard. Yet to condense Romans chapter 1 especially verses 24 through 32. Says that God turned his back upon those that worshipped God’s creation instead of God and so the people turned to the sin of same sex relationships.

It is shown as a sin in 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Jude 1:7; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13.

Yet many, especially in today’s world insist that this is fine to live this life choice. Now let me make this clear now. If this is how you wish to live your life. Fine do so. However, when taking all the references I have included here. Does this make you right with God?

Now taking the verses mentioned before into consideration The Bible shows that this life choice is not the best for allowing a person to stand before God. In fact, you are most likely making it worse for yourself. Especially if you say you are Christian. As is made noticeably clear in Revelation 3:15-16.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” 

God would rather you live in this life choice denying God. For it is worse in His sight that you live in this sin and then say you are “Christian.”

God makes it clear that this lifestyle choice does end when you truly accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 6:11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

“Some of you were once like that.”

Does this mean it will be easy and without suffering? No.

Why is living the life of the lukewarm, the apostate, worse than living in the same sin denying Christ?

Let us revisit Hebrews 10:29, which we read a bit ago.

Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

Now let’s look at Luke 12:10

Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

This is seen again in Mathew 12:31-32

“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. 

Therefore living in sin, which a person sees as greater than God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, which has been given unto those who asked for salvation.

When someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

They are given a part of God to live within them.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Those who are saved. Makes their body become the holy of holies when being filled with the Holy Ghost. Being filled with the earthly representative of God Himself. When a person places their sin above all else. That is their god. When they say: “I must live in this sin, for it is where my heart is.” That is their god.

This breaks the first of the Ten Commandments. To place no other god before the Lord God Almighty. This breaks the greatest commandment. To love God with all your heart mind, and soul.

This is blasphemy, and so is the unforgivable sin.

This is the line that should never be crossed, but millions cross it daily. They cross it in this blind belief that they are one with God. When it has just been shown is totally and completely the opposite. So, opposite that is the seen as unforgivable.

So how can this be fixed?

First and foremost, the person living in sin needs to come to the realization. That their current god is not the true God. They need to show real unadulterated remorse.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 – I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 

This true remorse will change a person. In many cases there will be emotional pain. Most likely a lot of tears and heartache as well. As for my example I gave earlier. At the least those that truly repent. There will be a desire to abstain or enter into celibacy. At the most you will move into a heterosexual relationship, bound in marriage with mutual respect, desire and love.

True repentance means that the god that a person worships. No matter what it is becomes something that makes them sick and upset to even think of worshipping ever again. Their new god becomes the true God through the blood shed by His Son our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Their former god is no longer welcome in their life. Their new desire is to seek to please God. Being filled with the Holy Ghost and being baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Their old desires, their old life is left behind and they begin to seek to find out who they have become. They do this by painstakingly studying the Bible and learning how to live a truly Christian lifestyle.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #35 (A look at the Rapture)

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Intro

Welcome again to another podcast. This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM.

Discussion

In the past few months I have been listening to God as I haven’t done in a long time. This is not His fault, it is mine. It is always mine. That is how it is. The human falters, God never does. This is what I have been trying to get across to those that take the time to listen and read to understand. I am but a servant to our Creator. I am a tool being used by the Holy Spirit. To relay unto those out there that have had the urge come over them, to not turn away from what they are now hearing or reading.

The first rapture is approaching.

Time is running out.

The time of being selfish must end.

Remember the greatest commandment.

To love God with ALL your heart, ALL your mind and ALL your soul. (Matthew 22:37;Luke 10:27; Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

I can feel the Holy Spirit touching me as I write these words unto you the ones listening or reading.

The last gathering is coming, and to some it will be painful. But to others it will be like something joyous as they have never felt before.

There are tough times between here and that day when we are gathered up into the sky to meet our Savior face to face. There may be years between here and the time this is first shown to the public. But it will not be decades, or centuries as it has been for those before us.

Israel is a nation and His return is near, and none can stand in the way of Him who created all.

What I just read to you was a message I was given to convey unto those that are now listening to this message. Today we will look into the rapture.

Now you will note in what I said in the message that the “first rapture is approaching.”

There has been a great debate throughout the centuries as to how and when THE rapture would occur. This caused terms like “pretribulation rapture,” “midtribulation rapture,” “posttribulation rapture,” “partial rapture” and “pre-wrath rapture.” To come into existence.

If you have been listening to my previous podcasts like that upon the Olivet Discourse and the Daniel Dilemma. You know I have recommended the John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries. As a matter of fact I still do. Dr. Walvoord insights into prophecy and his presentation of them have been very enlightening and I feel very accurate. However, he had a flaw that was projected into these works. He has a very Baptist point of view which has placed a blind spot into his interpretations. This blind spot has led him to totally disqualify one of the possible types of events of how the rapture could occur. That being “partial rapture.”

If you have been listening to my podcast you will know that my calling has been to instruct through teaching those that are called the “lukewarm.”  These people are real and have turned away from their Savior Jesus Christ. This is counter to the teachings of the Baptist church. The Baptist church insists that once you are saved you are always saved. Yet as I have taught and again shown throughout all my teachings, especially the first four podcast entitled “Who are the ‘lukewarm?’” I have established within the Bible and usually directly form the words of Jesus Christ Himself that the man-made doctrine of once-saved always saved is blinding many and causing them to in many cases to be the “lukewarm.”

But to get back on track.

Dr. Walvoord totally dismissed the idea of the rapture being a “partial rapture.” Because he could not accept that there are those that are living a lukewarm life. Yet if you take in particular the parable of the ten virgins which begins at verse 1 of Matthew 25, from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. You will see, as I covered in detail in an earlier podcast that half of the virgins are left out of the wedding supper. Which occurs in heaven during the first part of the tribulation.

Now how the theory of the partial rapture is explained is that those that have been the vigilant virgins will be accepted into the wedding feast at the pretribulation point. This will leave the foolish virgins behind as well as those that didn’t accept Jesus Christ or even God as real or their Savior.

It is here that the tribulation begins, because all will see that God is real and so is Jesus Christ. It is here that those that are against God will strive to take credit for the first rapture and subvert it from His glory.  Many will accept the lie. However, those within the lukewarm will awaken to the errors of their ways and turn wholeheartedly to their Savior the Son of God, Jesus Christ. They will preach the Word openly and accept the fate that is required of them, which is martyrdom.

What many try to avoid when they don’t keep the Bible in context is how it verifies itself. Many times people mention the uncountable mass of people that stand before the Throne of God at the midpoint of the tribulation. However, they never continue on to where John is asks who are these people. So let us look at these verses in the full context.

Revelation 7:9-14 – After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

14And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”

Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

So it is the lukewarm that did not heed the call to be diligent that are left to start to minister, after they repented. In the first three and half years of the tribulation it is those that listen that are added to the fold of Salvation and then die in the name of Jesus Christ.

So these that are the billions of people that are standing before God at the midpoint of the tribulation are the next part of the partial rapture theory. Or as I see it the second rapture.

Yet in Daniel there is mention of another rapture, and this rapture does not include any Christians. For it is made clear in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, that the antichrist will remain hidden even though working in the background until one thing is removed:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.

“He who restrains is taken out of the way.” Is speaking of the Holy Ghost. If people are saved DURING the tribulation as is shown in the verses of Revelation. The Holy Spirit MUST be present to accomplish this. So once the last person to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior is killed then the midtribulation rapture occurs. It is here that the desecration of the third temple occurs.

So let us digress a bit because it is clearly established that when the first rapture occurs Jesus will come like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

Matthew 24:37-39 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

How did the people in Noah’s time act?

Genesis 6:5-6 – The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

So not only will people be living their lives as if nothing is going to happen. They will be wicked and causing nothing but evil to occur, and it will be midnight for the world of humanity, for in darkness is where evil lives.

Matthew 25:6 – “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’”

Acts 26:17-18 – “And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’”

So the first rapture singles the beginning of the tribulation. The second rapture removes the Holy Spirt from the world and allows the antichrist his freedom to act. As was shown earlier in 2 Thessalonians 2.

So the third rapture is for who?

Daniel 12:1-3 – 1“At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

This rapture is reserved for the children of Israel. For no Christian will be left once the antichrist is fully allowed to reveal himself. It is during this time that the two witnesses shall walk the earth, and the sealed 144,000 Jews will witness unharmed the events of this time, the chosen of God. The fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

Ponder and think upon what you have heard today, and pray upon it as well.

God Bless

To the ladies on dating sites (especially Christian Mingle)

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Re-post and update

I was just watching the news and they had a segment about how more and more women are finding themselves staying single. The problem stated in the segment? Women are looking for what equates to a fantasy man that does not exist.
I admittedly am on a couple… well a few sites myself, and I would have to agree with this news segments findings. I am in my fifties and am once again looking. So when I look I see someone that interested me. I check them out and look for compatibility. Then I stop dead in my tracks. Most are looking for athletic, muscular, tone men. In their fifties?
I did my research, since I admit I am overweight. Over fifty percent of all males over fifty are overweight. Then you add in smokers, men that are not desirable attitude wise and if you are lucky maybe just maybe two percent of males fit what women are looking for that could maybe fit the fantasy women have made for themselves and so they end up single.
In the segment, the women stated that they are looking for a kind man. From my own observations most kind men fall into the fifty plus percentage that are overweight, and are over fifty percent of that original fifty percent plus. So ladies it is time for a wake-up call.
Do you want the fantasy or do you want happiness? It is time to rethink what you really want in your life. It is time to decide if you want to remain single or if you want to share your life with someone that wishes to share your life with you.
Now to those that partake of Christian Mingle, where again I see women looking for the fantasy male. These ladies disappoint me the most. As I have discussed in other posts of mine is that this life we now live is temporary, basically we are trying life on for size and seeing if we do well with it, then we will move on into an eternal body when Christ returns to earth. This eternal body I will theorize will be at our physical best. In others words the very fantasy man you ladies are looking for. So think on this. If you go looking for that kind, caring, man that will treat you as an equal. Not someone that looks down on you, or abuses you. A man that seeks to have a partner throughout all eternity is someone you should be seeking out, but as I stated above most the men that fit this description are overweight. To me this is a test for you ladies to go through. Can you look past the physical and look to the spiritual? That is what those that go to Christian Mingle should be searching for. I know I do.
So sue me, I am being a bit selfish here, because I would like the chance to share my life with someone special as well. A life that to me will not last for thirty or even forty more years, but billions. It will only work out that way if a few ladies do wake up and start to look for inner quality over outer quality.
Good luck ladies and I wish you the best in your efforts.

 

I noticed someone looked at this post. I  re-read it. As of this March 2021 I will be celebrating my 6th anniversary with a woman I desire to spend all eternity with.

My recommendation was correct.  Seek a Godly man eventhough they are harder to find than the fantasy man…

Again good luck and know that Jesus is soon to return

URGENT must read for those that voted in the November 3 2020 election.

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This is a special post taken out of protocol for my new setup of my podcast and this blog working in unison.

This is aimed at those that live in the United States and call themselves “Christian.”

Earlier this week we had our nation election for president. Both men running are seen as unsuitable. But this is not aimed at these men. This is in reference to one particular aspect that truly defines and separates these two groups, which each of these men are being the figurehead for at this time.

This one defining element is abortion.

When looked at from a Biblical perspective. (Deuteronomy 12:31, 18:10; Psalm 106:37-41)  It is seen for what it truly is. Human sacrifice to whatever god those that perform these atrocities worship. Themselves, their money, their position in life, whatever.

It is still the killing of an innocent for the reward of their parent to live the life they wish to lead without the burden and financial drain this child they chose to create will place upon them.

Over 60 million Americans voted for the group that wishes to keep this practice going. Within this number are those that call themselves “Christian.”

It is these people I am here to address.

God warned Israel time and again not to turn from Him, but they did. He allowed Babylon to cast them out. Then they turned again and then the temple was desecrated. Then finally due to their disobedience in 70 AD the people were spread throughout the world. These were test from God for people He had given a blessing to.

Will this election was that very test for those that call themselves “Christian,” within the United States.

The turmoil we are not experiencing due to no clear winner being achieved on Wednesday morning is the direct result of those that call themselves “Christian” voting for abortion. Voting for human sacrifice.

Do not start to protest and get angry because you could not stand the current president.

This is not about the man.

As a “Christian” your first responsibility is to God and no one or anything else.

So, the men running are not a factor.

What is a factor is committing idolatry.

It is here that there will be those that say they have never been part of an abortion.

The Bible makes it clear that to condone or allow a sin makes you guilty of this very sin yourself. (James 4:17; Ephesians 5:3-7, 5:11; Romans 1:28-32)

So, you are guilty of committing the sins that are supported by the group that also wishes to continue abortion. You are guilty by association, and so are answerable to these sins to God.

This is why we are in turmoil right now.

This turmoil will either continue or diminish.

Which do you wish to see?

The only way to diminish these troubling times is to repent.

You must renounce your affiliation to those that wish to be of and with the world. (James 4:4)

You must return to God through Jesus Christ your Savior. You must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

You must turn away from sin. ALL SIN.

You must start to seek your treasures in Heaven and to end seeking treasures here on earth.

REPENT!!

Now not tomorrow.

NOW!!

Before the lawsuits reach the SCOTUS.

For once they do reach the SCOTUS it will be too late if you have not repented and we will go quicker toward the Tribulation and the end of days.

For Jesus Christ will be coming within this generation, for that is what the Bible says will happen when we see the signs of His soon return. They are happening NOW!

You must repent NOW!!

Blog for Podcast #12 (A Different Tack)

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Intro

Welcome again to another broadcast. I am Dreamwalker1960. I remind you once again that you can read this podcast at dreamwalker1960.com
Discussion
Today I will take a different tacked. As I have established in the first lesson I did in these podcasts. The four part series “Who are the ‘lukewarm?’” Our salvation is not guaranteed. If this bothers you please refer to those podcast and review and study the Bible verses that are shown within that series. Due to the foundation I established in that series I have felt led to do the teaching we will be addressing now.
As I was studying 1 Thessalonians once again. It struck me just how distressed Paul was over those within Thessalonica that had come to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Why be so upset over them. Why worry?
This is why:
1 Thessalonians 3: 7 – So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.
“Because you have remained strong in your faith.”
Why such worry over these people who accepted Jesus as their Savior? They’re saved. They are children of God. They are Christians. Their fine now. They are blessed for the rest of eternity.
Why did I make those statements? That is the mentality throughout those that live within what is called the Christian church on mass throughout the world, in most churches.
These people were saved. They were born again to the new spirit through the filling of the Holy Spirit into them. As established in 1 Thessalonians 4:8. Yet early in this chapter Paul says this:
3 – God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Why do we need to control our own body? As I have established we are an active member in the relationship we have with God though His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not do our part in the relationship then we will fall into the realm of the lukewarm and thus in time lose our salvation. Again if you wish to challenge this please listen to the first lesson in these podcasts.
We now come to the main topic of today’s podcast.
Jude 1:3 – Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. 4 I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Now for the KJV of verse 3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
That ye should earnestly contend – G1864 – epagonizomai – to struggle for [Strong’s]
a – struggle – to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something: [Cambridge Dictionary]
We are to make a great effort to keep our salvation. This fortifies that our salvation is not guaranteed and something that we must labor to keep. You just can’t say, “I have accepted Jesus as my Savior” then go about your life the same as you did before asking Jesus to be your Savior. To be honest odds are in favor you actually weren’t saved.
Why do I say this?
I was an expert at lying. I could tell the best most complex lies and you would actually belief that I was telling you the truth.
When I accepted Jesus as my Savior I was in a Pentecostal church during a revival. I actually felt a tickling sensation that started at the tip of my head and slowing proceeded throughout my body all the way to my toes. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I know this without question or doubt.
One way I knew. After that I couldn’t tell the massive lies I use to tell. It just wasn’t even in me to try. There were other external confirmations. One, the person I knew myself to be before I hit puberty returned. The anger and temper that was in me was not totally gone but diminished to a level that it became extremely hard to provoke me.
I became a new person. If someone asks Jesus Christ to be their Savior and yet they go about acting exactly the same. What evidence is there of their change? There is none. Then are they truly saved? That is not for me to say. Paul did say this about his transformation:
1 Timothy 1: 15 – This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Both Paul and I changed from one being to another. Then if you changed you were saved. At that point you should have been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Not the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Jesus. Does this forfeit your salvation? No, however it does weaken you and open you up into falling into a lukewarm existence.
What are your priorities?
Do you seek after a house? Do you seek after wealth? Do you seek after worldly things, items, and people’s attention?
Do you seek after knowledge from the Bible? Do you seek to have a better relationship with God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ? Has your empathy increased or even come into being? Do you have the desire to find a way to serve God in some form or manner?
Do you see the differences in these two paragraphs?
My thirst for knowledge from the Bible amplified. My desire to know God better and to understand Him became something that drove me at times. Yes I had my ups and downs. Why this happened was because I was doing all this mainly on my own. I had no elders teaching me. I was all alone. I stumbled and I failed and then I got up again and tried again.
My entire reason I started these podcast was to help those that have become the lukewarm. For I was a lukewarm. I know without any doubt that I came extremely close to losing me salvation. I know that I was being pulled into the black pit of darkness I once dreamed about. In this pit as I fell and fell within it was that there were those that believed they were Christian, yet they were falling in the darkness as I was. Falling. Falling toward an ever moving mass within a dull reddish light below me that became barely visible only after I had been falling for some time. When I landed sometime later I was surrounded by naked people all miserable and aware that they had fallen for the lies given to them by the king of liars.
I never want anyone to experience that as a reality. For once it happens to someone, their best hope is to get passed the Great White Throne Judgement, but don’t get your hopes up as was stated here:
21“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Mathew 7:21-23

God Bless

The Seven Churches (Part 8) – The letter to Laodicea

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The City is Laodicea was found on the road to Colossae some forty miles southeast of Philadelphia. The city had become wealthy under Roman rule and were known for their production of wool garments. They were so wealthy in fact that after an earthquake in 60 A.D. the city had rebuilt itself off its own resources. There had been references to the existence of the church up into the fourteenth century, but now the city is nothing but ruins. Paul mentioned Laodicea in his letter to Colossae.

Revelation 3:14 – And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.”

CHRIST THE ETERNAL AND FAITHFUL WITNESS: Christ called Himself the “Amen” which mean “so be it,” something He used frequently during His time when He walked amongst us. As Dr. Walvoord states it: “As a title for Christ it indicates His sovereignty and the certainty of the fulfillment of His promises.”
He also called Himself the faithful and true Witness, which tells us that he see all and knows all. Within our minds and in our actions and when the time comes and those that do not understand why they are standing before the Great White Throne instead of in the audience looking upon the judgment that is soon to follow will then simply look upon the Glorified Jesus and they will instantly know the answer without even having to ask the question.

Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Christ does not mince words with those that lived in Laodicea. It made it clear and plain. Without works and faith together you are dead and a bitter taste unto God and must be cast out of the Body.
James 2 (KJV) – 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Christ makes it very clear he would rather you be cold or against God then to be lukewarm. But what are works? The key to works is found within the two new commandments given to us by Christ:
Matthew 22(KJV) – 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Revelation 3:17-18 – “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”

This is also today’s church which has been seduced by the luxuries of this soft and pampering world we now live within. Even now the children revolt against their elders. Thinking they know better than those that have been in this world longer. They have been so spoiled that they wish to have everything just handed over to them. This is selfishness to the extreme. This is the total opposite of placing God first and treating all those about you as you would wish to be treated yourself. The golden rule is dead and it was killed by those that wished to kick God totally out of the world. Well now as violence is on the increase. Different social groups begin to self-segregate, refusing in interact with none but their “own.”

Revelation 3:19 – “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent”

Christ here makes it clear that those HE LOVES he will “reprove and discipline.” So the next time you feel like accusing someone, especially someone who appears to be a Christian, of “judging,” remember it may not be.
2 Timothy 4(KJV) – 4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
We are as Christians are instructed by the Bible to reprove, rebuke and to exhort and any that calls this “judging” are wishing to stay lukewarm and desire to be spit out of the Body of Christ.

Revelation 3:20-22 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The Seven Churches (Part 7) – The letter to Philadelphia

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The city of Philadelphia now known as Alasehir has existed for a long time even though located in a region that suffered from earthquakes. It is twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis.

Revelation 3:7 – And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “The words of the Holy One, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”

CHRIST THE HOLY SOVEREIGN: Jesus being the son of God and who walked amongst us to know us and then took our sins was given the keys of David upon His arrival in heaven. Between the time of His crucifixion and His resurrection Christ went into the hell itself and took the keys of death and hell. He is the holder of the keys and all actions go through Him. Any door of opportunities are opened and closed by Him. Biblically this is also associated with Isaiah 22:22 in reference to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah who was placed in charge of the kings treasure. As Dr. Walvoord says in his commentary: “The Philadelphia church, surrounded by paganism and wickedness, needed the assurance Christ gives that He has to power to bring about His sovereign will.”

Revelation 3:8-9 – “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is about to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie – behold. I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.”

Dr. Walvoord believes the image of an open door is in reference to opportunities for the witness of the gospel and to spread the word of that Jesus is the Messiah. Of all the options he listed this one makes the most sense. I do not agree with his opinion of the fallen away Jews though. Christ and God have never let their desire and love for the Jewish people fade. This does not mean that the Jewish people have done the same for Him. It has been twenty-five years since the destruction of the Temple by the Roman army. It is my personal believe that these Jews fell away in their true faith of God and had started to embrace the world about them since in their eyes God had abandoned them. Then to have the Christians of their city professing the Son of God and the Messiah made the Jewish congregation turn to wrath not only out of hearing a group profess of a true Messiah but also out of their falling away from their believe in God and their own guilt was a factor as well.

Revelation 3:10-11 – “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

To me this praise given to the church of Philadelphia supports my above statement. For in prophecy the Jewish nation is not given this promise that the Christians are given. We are offered the Rapture while the Jewish nation is to stay upon the earth during the Tribulation to come.
Historically for the church as a whole this period of praise, worship, and ability to spread the gospel took place between the 1500s till the middle of the 1960s. After this the time of the great falling away started to take place and in my opinion was celebrated at Woodstock by Satan in 1969.

Revelation 3:12-13 – “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My God out of heaven and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To those that overcome and live a faithful life to Christ are promised glorious rewards in this closing. They who have an ear, let them hear.

The Seven Churches (Part 6) – The letter to Sardis

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Sardis the capitol of the country Lydia was located fifty miles east of Smyrna and thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. It was also located on the main trade caravan route. Much of the wealth for this city came from textiles, dyes and jewelry. Found near each other are the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and a Christian Church.

Revelation 3:1 – And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”

CHRIST THE POSSESSOR OF THE SPIRIT: This is the first of two letters that have no commendation. Instead it goes straight into a rebuke. Here Christ is in possession of the seven spirits of God, the same which were shown before the throne of God in the first chapter of Revelation. This is a reference to the sevenfold character of the Holy Spirit as described in Isaiah 11:2-5. He also holds the seven stars which are the angels of the seven churches. This is to show Sardis that He has the power to judge them in righteousness.

Revelation 3:2-3 – “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

Even though most were seen as dead to Christ, there were those that still has a spark of the life of Christ within them. His admonishment in these verses is to cause them to awaken from their decline unto death like the rest of those about them. Wealth and luxuries were all about them. The world was pleasing to look upon and so they felt contentment and peace. This wealth allowed them to live a life where the actions of faith were seen and heard, but the fruits they bore were dead and rotten.
It is also amazing how the hand of God works. For though this letter was written to the church of Sardis in the mid 90s A.D. God had planted His message to this church hundreds of years before. First in 549 B.C. when Cyrus the king of Persia conquered the city and again in 214 B.C. when Antiochus the Great conquered Sardis in the exact same way. It was at night and it was where the guards were not looking.
For the church as a whole this reflects the point in history between the time of the first discovery of the Americas (or rediscovery, however you wish to view that), till the time of the landing of the Puritans at Plymouth Rock. Within this time events like the later part of the inquisition were still in practice as well as the formation of the Church of England. Both of which were dead, but from them rose the Quakers and the Puritans.

Revelation 3:4-6 – “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.”

Here is a critical part of the Bible. Something many do not wish to hear or accept. For to do so would mean that they have to change their lives. That they need to awaken for the slumber unto to death.
The sentence is setup for what is to follow within these three verses. “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis,” is directly set to work with “and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.”
The other setup is “people who have not soiled their garments, and they walk in white,” which connects to “the one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments.”
Why is this important? To the first point. The way the sentence is worded at the beginning “yet you still have,” this implies that at one time their names were in the book of life. They had been saved, they had been known, they had been seen by God. So to the next point. They had white garments and they then soiled them and fell into death as a result.
John 15:1-2 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
2 Peter 2: 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
So per the Bible the man-made doctrine of “once saved always saved” is just that man-made, a lie, a falsehood. Designed to put those not willing to hear to sleep unto death in the eyes of God. As was stated earlier to the church of Sardis we are to stay ever vigilant by learning the word of God, but staying true to the teachings of the Bible and not allowing in those things that are called sins, or allowing the luxuries of a soft and pampered life to overwhelm us and send us into a sleep we will never awaken from.

The Seven Churches (Part 5) – The letter to Thyatira

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The city of Thyatira is about forty miles southeast of Pergamum in a rich agricultural area. It was known for the making of purple dye. How the church of this community come into existence is unknown. What is known is that a woman named Lydia was brought to Christ by Paul in Acts 16.

Revelation 2:18 – 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.”

CHRIST THE HOLY ONE: Here Jesus introduces Himself as the “Son of God” instead of what He usually called Himself the “Son of man.” Since in every church how He describes Himself is part of the message to each church, how he depicts Himself is important. Here He is stating clearly that is the only way to God.
John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
As Dr. Walvoord puts it: “The church of Thyatira was tolerating a departure from the true worship of Christ that was so serious that He responded with burning indignation and purifying judgment.”

Revelation 2:19 – “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.”

COMMENDATION: None of the preceding churches were commended for their love of Christ, but this church is. Those that are loyal to God within this church truly are, but….

Revelation 2:20-23 – “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. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 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, 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.”

It is doubtful that the woman’s name was actually “Jezebel” it was a reference to the wife of Ahab of 1 Kings 16 who was known for her subtle corruption, immorality, and idolatry. This same influence has welcomed its way into this church and was corrupting it in the worst way possible. Jesus said He would cause her to fall ill and those that follow her practices into great tribulation.
Dr. Wolvoord found it notable that “adultery” was specifically called out against this church, since other churches has encountered “sexual immorality” as he states this: “is indicated, a reference to the violation of the marriage vow. Those in Thyatira who had sinned in this way had not only violated the moral law of God, but had sinned against their covenant relationship with God that bound them to inward as well as outward purity.”
This church is seen in the overall church throughout the Middle Ages. In this time Catholicism worshipped the mother of Jesus Christ and began placing statues everywhere. This is idolatry and also tries to approach God through someone that cannot and should not be used to gain access to God. Also in this time period took place such great events as the Plague, The Crusades, and various other hardships that devastated the population of humanity. From within this also came the Protestant Reformation which were those that saw the corruption within the Catholic Church and so separated themselves from it.
Dr. Wolvoord stated it this way: “The idolatry being tolerated in Thyatira also foreshadows the departure from the scriptural doctrine of the finished sacrifice of Christ. In the Middle Ages the false teaching of the continual sacrifice of Christ was advocated, transforming the observation of the elements of the Lord’s Supper into another sacrifice of Christ. This fundamental error of the church in the Middle Ages has been corrected in modern Protestantism by the recognition of the bread and the cup as symbols, but not the sacrifice itself, which Christ performed once and for all on the cross of Calvary, In contrast to the false doctrine exalting the Virgin Mary, Christ introduces Himself to the church of Thyatira as the Son of God, The One to whom alone we owe our redemption and in whose hands our final judgment rests.”
As I stated in part 1 of this series that the doctor was not a fan of Catholicism, but he himself was blind to the erroneous teaching of “once saved always saved,” which in itself is leading to the great apostasy and will be witnessed later in the letters that follow.

Revelation 2:24-25 – “But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold the 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. Only hold fast what you have until I come.”

Here is the first time in all the letters that a group is singled out within a local church as being true to Christ and He encouraged them to continue to do so. This also shows that the idea that these churches do truly reflect the church as a whole throughout the centuries could be fact. Since as mentioned above the Reformation took place, separating those that saw the corruption within the Catholic Church and like Martin Luther who started it, left that church behind. Here also is made mention for the first time of Jesus return to earth in His second coming.

Revelation 2:26-29 – “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 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. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
In this closing Jesus promises those that overcome will be shepherds unto the nations that exist after His return and as God gave Him authority, He shall pass that authority on to those that prevail.

The Seven Churches (Part 4) – The letter to Pergamum

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Pergamum was a prominent religious centered city that was north of Smyrna. Within it were multiple religions and cults that worship various gods that were known throughout the known world at that time. Here a small group had come together in all honesty to worship Christ. This letter from Jesus is His message to them.

Revelation 2:12 – And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: “The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.”

CHRIST THE JUDGE: The sharp two-edged sword refers to the Word of God. As stated in Dr. Walvoord’s commentary on the book Revelation: “Its representation as a double-edged sword indicates on the one hand the way God’s Word, by its promise and message of salvation, cuts loose the chains of sin and condemnation that bind the helpless sinner. On the other hand, the same Word is the means of condemnation and refection of those who refuse the message of grace. The Word of God is both the instrument of salvation and the instrument of death.”

Revelation 2:13 – “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.”

COMMENDATION: Jesus gives them praise for continuing to exist in as He Himself states “where Satan dwells.” He also mentions a man named Antipas who had been martyred. Nothing is known of him save that he died for Christ who called him His “faithful witness.” Those there tried to stay faithful to His name.
Now there are those that believe that the gods in all the ancient Polytheistic cultures were none other than the fallen angels which included their leader Satan. When you actual think upon it there is some credence to this being true. So Jesus making the statement that this is “where Satan’s throne is” could actually pertain to a temple of Zeus which was one of the gods worshiped here since most times Statues of him showed him seated upon a throne.

Revelation 2:14-15 – “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teachings 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 teachings of the Nicolaitans”

Here is the last time the “Nicolaitans” are mentioned and again no detail is given and so their acts fall into the darkness of history only to ever be seen again upon the day of the Great White Throne Judgment when their membership will stand exposed before God as He passes judgment upon them.
Also mentioned thou is the false prophet Balaam found in Numbers 22-25. In Numbers 31 we find that he had advised King Balak to corrupt Israel by tempting them to intermarry with pagan women and begin worshiping their wife’s gods in acts which included eating sacrificed food and precipitating various sexual immoralities. Some within the church had fallen prey to these practices. The same is true today for those churches that have embraced and welcomed homosexuality into their churches.
This same mentality is the mentality that embraced the church as a whole soon after Constantine allow them to worship God freely and openly. Shortly after attempts to bring into it the use of pagan rituals which entered the church and began to defile the structure of the church. This is also per Dr. Walvoord where the beginning elements of Catholicism began to take hold with the church adding rituals which were never given to the church by Christ.

Revelation 2:16 – “Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”

Again I turn directly to the words of Dr. Walvoord: “In this abrupt command, Christ issued a sharp word to the church at Pergamum – and their modern counterparts. Even though many in the church at Pergamum had been faithful and one of their number had dies as a martyr, it was still true that the church was being invaded by an evil so serious that Christ warned He would fight against it. There is no alternative to continued impurity and compromise with the truth but divine judgment. The apostasy that is seen in it early stage in the church at Pergamum has its culmination in the still-future apostate church in Revelation 17, which is ultimately brought into divine judgement by Christ, the Head of the church.”

Revelation 2:17 – “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 received it.”

Again there is the exhorting for those that can hear to hear, for not all will. For those that do hear and overcome the sins listed against the church of Pergamum they are promised not only a special mana that is hidden to the world, but they are to receive a white stone on which a name only known to the Trinity and those that are given this stone.