Quote:
Originally Posted by zeek
I don't see a problem.
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phesus: thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false…But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.
The first portion clearly commends the saints for investigating the claim to apostleship and finding it false. That might support a thread referring to "poor, poor Christianity". However this needs to be tempered with "leaving their first love". I understand that to refer to the Christ we received when we heard the gospel. To go from that salvation story to now judging every group out there is akin to leaving your first love.
Smyrna: the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10*Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
My concern about those in Ephesus judging others seems to have become worse with Smyrna, they are hypocrites, blasphemous, and abusive to the believers. All of this is under the cloak of religion. the warning to me is who am I? Am I the suffering church or the synagogue that has become the adversary to the Lord.
Pergamum: in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14*But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. 15*So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.
I would say the religious persecution we see in Smyrna has grown worse here. Antipas is killed, martyred, as a faithful witness of the Lord. Balaam is a key teacher, he teaches leaders how to stumble the weaker believers. If Drake is claiming that this is what he is focused on in the statement "poor, poor Christianity" it is best supported with this church. You have idol sacrifice, fornication, false prophets, and martyrdom.
Thyatira: 20*But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21*And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. 22*Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. 23*And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. 24*But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.
Rebuking the saints for "tolerating" Jezebel is also a strong support to this thread. If the claim is that "poor, poor Christianity" is poor because they tolerate Jezebel, idol worship and fornication, then it is valid to say "I am with Antipas", not going to tolerate this.
Sardis: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.
However, each church is very focused on you. Instead of pointing fingers at others, "are your works perfected before God?"
Laodicea: I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17*Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
It seems to me that most of the judgement given by the Lord to these churches is based on their speaking. Arrogance, boasting, hypocrisy, blasphemy, and persecuting and martyring those who won't go along with you. You have false prophets teaching leaders how to stumble those who are not aligned with them. You have apostles claiming to be apostles when they aren't. You have Jezebel claiming to be a prophetess when she isn't.