He traces Christs genealogy to King David and refers to Him as the Son of David seven times. This can often spare us the heartache of making poor choices or bad decisions. How about the truth on faith or healing? Righteous doesnt mean sinless, of course. The more we study, the stronger we are, which makes the Church stronger. Deuteronomy 11:12, In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how Gods hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.. Good communication is not one-sided. Thomas Watson, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. The religions of the world teach that the law is done away. Philadelphia means brotherly love. Instead of waiting months to receive four lessons and a test in the mail, paying to ship the completed test, and starting the wait all over again, Bible course students can now log in to the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course website and progress through the lessons and tests much more quickly. Hello heaven! But how about a book titledThe Righteous Father? What does God think of that? We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? It was not uncommon in the Old Testament for the word of the Lord to come to Gods prophets again and again. The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. This rosy evaluation is suspect from the standpoint that we also think it is the church . Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Doesnt it make sense to take notes and study them later? Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy to think we "have it made" if we were or are part of Philadelphia. we will have at least 30 scriptural passages identifying an end-time prophet who has to be on the scene just prior to Christs Second Coming. The Greatest Questions. Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. With pride? Whatever you love more than God is your idol. The Apostle John wrote about a savage persecution that tore apart God's Church in the first century. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises. They should, however, only be used to establish historical or grammatical facts. Friendship is the marriage of affections. Start today! It also highlights the parallels with the modern-day spiritual Laodiceans. "Its name was given to it in honor of Attalus II, because of his loyalty to his elder brother, Eumenes II, king of Lydia. 3:4). He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. It has also served the community through its unceasing volunteer efforts, living up to the city's nickname . Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed. That its the same old routine day in and day out? The annual religious festivals that God commands true Christians to observe are clearly discussed in Leviticus 23. C. S. Lewis, For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Have you ever talked with someone who just likes to talk and talk but never listen? He is also true in the sense that he is faithful and trustworthy. Thats nothing compared to the treasure youll find when opening the covers of the Bible. The conventional interpretation among those who have come out of the Worldwide Church of God is that Christ has given the Philadelphians an open door to preach the gospel, an idea that is not without merit. Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. But well soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! It is true for us today also. When language obscures a scripture, you can check a more modern translation, such as the one by James Moffatt, the Revised Standard Version or the Ferrar Fenton translation. The Church of Philadelphia. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11). Jesus faced this dilemma when He healed a paralytic man. (Part 5). Philadelphia Dallas Monday Night Service. Actually, the church of Philadelphia has arisen already, and it is Eastern Lightning that everyone has heard aboutit is The Church of Almighty God. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Hensley said the website represents a huge upgrade for students in the rest of the world, especially. Bible correspondence course students living in Africa, South America and elsewhere have found that receiving and sending lessons and tests through the mail has proven to be not only time consuming but also very unreliable. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. They are not those who seek after earthly glory, like Shebna, but they are faithful in their responsibilities to the Most High God, like Eliakimand like Jesus Christ. A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. What is the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation? Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Revelation 3: 7. The deeper we delve into that treasure chestthe Biblethe richer we become and the happier well be, not because of physical riches we put to work at the bank but because of the spiritual riches we put to work in our lives. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere up there in the heavens. If our prayers are getting stale and were running out of things to say, maybe were not listening enough. Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. ", John W. Ritenbaugh God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. A Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles does the same thing for those books. John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf. faithful also in much. A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. Sep. 17, 2020 How God Educates Gerald Flurry Aug. 19, 2022 After the pcgs information services department completed the mammoth task of rolling out a new contact management system, Cedar, in May, programmers, graphic designers and writers continued the online Bible course project in earnest. Please browse around our website for various information about our church. In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Second, as a result of Abrahams trust in God, he became a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). Our free 12-lesson Bible Study Course is designed to walk you through the basic lessons of the Bible. That verse changes our view of idolatry. However, if we study the scriptures referred to and use them as a basis to construct an outline of the booklet, chapter by chapter, we will have a pretty good synopsis of the booklet based on the scriptures. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. David C. Grabbe Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! It is billeted as an outreach program, . Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. Yet Christ admonishes Philadelphia just as He does the other churches: Overcome! The Holy One is a common Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 40:25; 43:15). He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. Almighty God's words say, " The church of Philadelphia has taken shape, which is entirely due to the grace and mercy of God. If you need a victory in your life, begin every day by renewing your faith in Christ in whom all our victories are to be realized. Books of the Bible. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. 2 Peter 3:9. M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893, I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside. Meet the founder of the Philadelphia Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong College and the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. The beautiful imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 lets us know that the new earth will be a place that reflects the glory of God throughout. Daniels three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"they are weak. In other words, it is Gods urgent desire that He speak to us so we can stay on track in this dying world! (Luke 18:8). In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. When all four tires are in motion, we will be able to respond to the authority of the Bible (Isaiah 66:2) and take action. Francis Schaeffer, And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. A concordance is a time-saving toolparticularly Strongs Exhaustive Concordance, because it lists every word used in the Bible and groups all the scriptures together that use that same word. Christian Kryptonite? He commands us, therefore, to [s]tudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). That is integrity. The door Christ opens to the Philadelphian, the door no man can shut, may well be the door to the Kingdom itself! Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. Consider these verses: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). But Jonah fled west toward Spain because he feared the Assyrians. 2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV. Goodbye trials and troubles. Lets review a few of the many blessings that flow from studying Gods Word. It will teach you why the Bible is true, teach you how to study more effectively, and answer some of life's greatest questions. Are You a Prisoner of Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. Each of us has responsibilities and specific assignments (study 1 Corinthians 12). Think of every promise as a precious stone. In these cases, topical books such as topical study Bibles, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (with over 500,000 scripture cross-references and parallel passages) and a book called Where to Find It in the Bible (that lists over 3,700 contemporary topics from abortion to zoology) are very useful. Some people wonder about the value of the Old Testament in a Christian's life. The church at Smyrna, the church at Philadelphia were faithful, godly, loyal, effective. William Gurnall, Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. John Calvin, Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Far from suggesting that the Philadelphians are going to heaven, the chapter reiterates the fact of their access to the One in heaven. Please refer to the table below for a sample of 40 very encouraging scriptures. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. We now study the second last message addressed to Philadelphia, the faithful church (Revelation 3:7-13). Jonah 3:1-2. They often deal with speculation that does not emanate from the Spirit of God and can be wrong in their conclusions. Thats how He speaks to us. In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, I am not willing. There is a place where the Bible says God is not willing, and that is 2 Peter 3:9. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to go to His Father in prayer for strengthening and guidance, how much more do we (Psalm 32:6)? They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. The Christians victory is through Christ. Study Bibles identify themes and provide outlines for each book of the Bible along with some commentary, among other things. Have you responded to Gods willing invitation to come to Him? | By Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church | Facebook Log In Forgot Account? Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Genesis 1:28. This course has been designed to guide you through a systematic study of your Biblethe Bible is the only textbook. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow. Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. It happened to Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and others. 5. Keep in mind that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and meditate on these promises when you need a spiritual boost! These can be used to get an overview of a particular book, but the commentary provided can sometimes be misguided because the authors do not have the framework of Gods overall plan for man as revealed to His Church. So we study to be corrected. It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasnt worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. How did He stay on track and endure? The website was conceived eight years ago, but underwent two long delays in the process. Paul mentions about 20 personalities in the context of faith. 4. In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). But then the rains of grace came and David confessed his sin and God forgave him (verse 5). Launched in 1888, features include: In-depth teaching on a wide range of key Bible topics Bible-based comment on contemporary culture and current affairs Interviews with, and updates from, Christians involved in the Lord's work Personal testimonies of salvation and spiritual growth Thats just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. To what things was Paul referring? Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). But he never concluded his third epistle. Connections are available beginning at 6:45 PM. To see what is behind the open door, we must read and meditate on the rest of the chapter. If we knock and keep knocking (as the Greek indicates), God opens the door. Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead Gods people into the Promised Land because He believed in Gods promise and presence. Still another name of the city was Decapolis, because it was considered as one of the ten cities of the plain. Is it difficult for you to get really excited about your future? Those who attain that level of character will be able to serve as kings! There are many exciting ways to study the Bible that will enrich your life! How we study the Bible is an indication of how much we are yielding to God and the work He is doing through us. Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. He is in fact commending them for doing as well as they have. The evidence shows that the Philadelphia group lacks the spiritual strength of the beginning of the Ephesian group. Notice what Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10, 13: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. They have "a little strength. The creation is both a monument of Gods power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom. The Great Awakening marked the emergence of Anglo-American . If we neglect Bible study, however, we simply cannot grow sufficiently to be born into His Family. Services normally begin at 12:30 PM, except on a few select dates. A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). Or do you graciously say, Thank you, in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? To first-century leaders in the Roman world, the imagery was familiar: A victorious Roman general returning from battle leading his soldiers and their captives into the city. Individuals in the Bible are noteworthy of study. International readers pay significant postage rates for sending their tests to Edmond for grading. Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God. That makes it easier to talk to Him. Gods Church has many doctrines that differ from this worlds contrived religions. We can talk about what He has taught us and rehearse it with Him. We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. The Online Bible Study begins at 7:00 PM. Moreover, God expects parents to teach their children His way of life just as He has taught us (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and to be able to answer their questions. Church at Philadelphia. God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. During difficult times, the hope of eternity gives us strength. Its not just about Christian living today but also about the kind of character Christ is looking for in those He will need to rule with Him. The Philadelphians have one fine qualitythey are faithful. Goodbye hardship and heaviness. It will happen. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. Robert Murray McCheyne, an early 19th-century pastor and preacher in Scotland, created this well-known reading plan. Thus, the One they seek responds, giving more of His Spirit. Temptation. The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:1315). Obviously, studying the life of Jesus Christ is the best example. For example, Paul lists nine qualities related to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. Jesus encourages the Philadelphian believers regarding His future coming: "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Directed almost entirely at the group itself, and will only be of marginal interest to outsiders.. Bible study is one of those assignments! Ezekiel 1:1, NIV, We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). As a result of searching the Scriptures, the brethren in Thessalonica believed what they were taught (Acts 17:11-12). How well do we understand the doctrines of the Church? How do you view yourself? A great help to any Bible study is the use of a concordance. We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. A Christian must never rest on his oars, no matter what his situation or era. On May 5, 2001, God signaled the beginning of a new phase in this rapidly fading age of man. The Revelation of Christ (Revelation 1-5) >Seven Churches >Sixth Message, Philadelphia . We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. How to Speak the Truth in Love in a Hostile World. And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. Dwight L. Moody, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. J. Vernon McGee, The Lord your God cares.