In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, Jesus speaks openly to the two Churches of Jesus Christ in Asia (Smyrna and Philadelphia) that had remained faithful to the Gospel, which represented the True Church of Jesus Christ.
In contrast to this, Jesus mentioned a few good things the remaining five had done, but then went on to specifically criticize these churches about the things they hadn’t done.
This article looks specifically at what the True Church should function as, where each Christian is required to become an individual member within Christs spiritual body (of many members) on the Earth.
Removal of Churches
In the verse below, Christ provides a warning to the rebellious churches that says unless they stop sinning entirely, He will remove their spiritual light from them and they will dwell in spiritual darkness:
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and REPENT, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou REPENT." (Rev 2:5)
In Rev 2:5, the Greek word kineo (GSN-2795) means to be removed.
Removing a church because of its accommodating of sin among its people indicates judgment and destruction, as this is the penalty for sin (Rom 6:23; Rom 8:12-13).
The words of Christ in Rev 1:20 clearly state that every church representing the True Church of Jesus Christ is provided with an angel so as to project ‘spiritual light’ from that congregation into the surrounding community. If such a church departs from the Bible and from Christ into ‘error’ by refusing to repent from their sinful ways, then Christ reserves the right to remove His angel (or candlestick) from that church, which then leaves that church in spiritual darkness.
Results of dwelling in spiritual darkness
The term of being in “darkness” (John 3:19) is indicated by rejecting the “light” that comes from God. It does not mean being abandoned and left alone in the world.
In the spiritual realm, every being or entity has an owner or a master. If a church belongs to Christ then it MUST comply with Christ’s requirements by “walking in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). If any church congregation fails to honor those obligations, this indicates it has become fearful (2 Tim 1:7) through lack of faith (Rom 14:23) and the fear of man. Fear brings “a snare” to those hoping to serve Jesus Christ (Prov 29:25) and means those those who fear—dwell in spiritual darkness. Such church congregations are therefore do NOT belong to the True Church of Jesus Christ.
If Christians overcome their fear of being criticized by others, they must then develop a genuine desire to serve Christ without fear (Col 3:24).
After overcoming fear, Christ then restores them to their former glory and will reinstate the angel over their church that provides the spiritual “light“. That’s how this chapter reads to churches in need of repentance.
The requirement for Christians to produce “fruit unto God”
As stated in the ‘My Gospel’ page regarding individual Christians:
- Christians must produce spiritual “profit” towards God throughout their new lifetime on earth while being a disciple of Jesus Christ (Matt 25:14-30; John 15:1-8).
- Such “profit” can only be obtained by becoming a spiritual member of Christ’s body within the local church. These ‘members’ are comprised of feet, hands, ears, eyes, nose and other internal organs termed “uncomely members” working together with the Lord as mentioned in verses 1 Cor 12: 23-24.
- Individual Christians who associate with and actively participate in evangelistic activities using their ‘gifts’ are known as the True Church of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual ministries in the local churches
The scripture verses below illustrate what ministries Christians are to aim for in their spiritual life within their church congregation. The ‘works’ undertaken by the church collectively bring forth the required “fruit” (John 15:1-9). God inspects the “fruit” from time to time (John 15:1-2). For Christians to be termed a “good and faithful servant” at the Judgment (Matt 25:21, 23), God requires them to bring “much spiritual fruit” into His kingdom.
"For as the body [of Christ within each congregation] is one [or in complete ‘unity’], and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. {13} For by one Spirit are we all baptized [through the Spirit Baptism - (Matt 3:11] into one body [or Christ’s spiritual body into each church congregation], whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
{14} For the body [of Christ in the church] IS NOT ONE MEMBER, BUT MANY. {15} If THE FOOT shall say, Because I am not THE HAND, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? {16} And if THE EAR shall say, Because I am NOT THE EYE, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? {17} If the whole body were an eye, where were THE HEARING? If the whole were hearing, where were THE SMELLING? {18} But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body [of Christ in the churches], as it hath pleased him." ( (1 Cor 12:12-18) )"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, THAT WE SHOULD BRING FORTH FRUIT UNTO GOD." ((Rom 7:4) )
Therefore, members of the True Church of Jesus Christ are expected by God and Jesus Christ to bring forth MUCH spiritual fruit into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ministries that are required within the churches
The illustration below aims to identify the various ministries that should be readily apparent within each ‘born-again‘ church congregation.
To illustrate how such ministries might operate, the following list could symbolize the following ministries:
- EYE—a Prophetic ministry (Eph 4:11)
- EAR—Wisdom (1 Cor 12:8)
- NOSE— the discerning of Spirits (1 Cor 12:10)
- MOUTH—Teaching ministry (Matt 28:20)
- HAND—Gifts of Healing ministry (Mark 16:18)
- FOOT—an Evangelistic ministry (Eph 6:15)
- Other internal organ ministries such as a HEART, LUNGS, KIDNEY, LIVER, etc. could relate to ministries inside the church that complement the other ministries mentioned above.
Therefore, every True Church of Jesus Christ MUST have members within the congregation exercising their spiritual gifts within the ministries listed above.
Signs of a “lukewarm” church
Therefore, if these spiritual ministries no longer exist in today’s churches, it is doubtful that such churches are spiritually alive.
Any spiritually“lukewarm” churches that “have need of nothing” could be viewed as Jesus viewed as the Church at Laodicea:
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; {15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I WOULD THOU WERT COLD OR HOT [to know what you actually believed in]. {16} So then because thou art LUKEWARM, and neither cold nor hot, I WILL SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH. {17} Because thou sayest, I am RICH, and INCREASED WITH GOODS, and HAVE NEED OF NOTHING; and knowest not that thou art [spiritually] wretched, and [spiritually] miserable, and [spiritually] poor, and [spiritually] blind, and [spiritually] naked: {18} I counsel thee to buy of me [spiritual] GOLD tried in the fire, that thou mayest be [spiritually] RICH; and [clothed in] white raiment, that thou mayest be CLOTHED, and that the SHAME of thy nakedness do not appear; and ANOINT THINE EYES with eyesalve, that thou mayest SEE. {19} As many [of My children] as I love, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN: be zealous therefore, and REPENT." (Rev 3:14-19) God the Father requires ‘Christians’ to perform ‘works’ that bring forth the necessary ‘fruit’ into God’s kingdom. This statement is explained further in the post titled “Works of Faith“.
None of the above can be performed or produced unless the Christian has truly been “born-again” (John 3:3-8). To read more about this “birth”, read the next article The New Birth in this series.
Conclusion
To achieve “Final Salvation”, the above article proves that all Christians are required to become spiritually mature and then spiritually joined together “in love” with brethren in their local churches so that collectively they can bring forth the spiritual fruit of lost souls in this world into Christ’s kingdom. Doing this proves that such a church is one of the True Churches of Jesus Christ.
What’s up?
I found this article very interesting…please read!
Do you remember the blockbuster hit film The Matrix that was released in 1999? You may not know this, but it has deep spiritual implications concerning the times we are living in and Bible prophecy.
It tells a story of how these “agents” are trying to turn us into machines. We are closer then ever before for this to become a reality when they cause us to receive an implantable microchip in our body during a time when physical money will be no more.
You may have seen on NBC news concerning the implantable RFID microchip that some people are getting put in their hand to make purchases, but did you know this microchip matches perfectly with prophecy in the Bible?
“He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name…
You also may have heard of the legendary number “666” that people have been speculating for possibly thousands of years on what it actually means. This article shares something I haven’t seen before, and I don’t think there could be any better explanation for what it means to calculate 666. This is no hoax. Very fascinating stuff!
…Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666″ (Revelation 13:16-18 NKJV).
To see all the details showing why the Bible foretold of all these things, check out this article!
Article: https://biblewoke.com/rfid-mark-of-the-beast-666-revealed
GOD is sending out His end time warning:
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name'” (Revelation 14:9-11).
In the Islamic religion they have man called the Mahdi who is known as their messiah of whom they are waiting to take the stage. There are many testimonies from people online who believe this man will be Barack Obama who is to be the biblical Antichrist based off dreams they have received. I myself have had strange dreams about him like no other person. So much so that I decided to share this information.
He came on stage claiming to be a Christian with no affiliation to the Muslim faith…
“In our lives, Michelle and I have been strengthened by our Christian faith. But there have been times where my faith has been questioned — by people who don’t know me — or they’ve said that I adhere to a different religion, as if that were somehow a bad thing,” – Barack Obama
…but was later revealed by his own family members that he indeed is a devout Muslim.
So what’s in the name? The meaning of someones name can say a lot about a person. God throughout history has given names to people that have a specific meaning tied to their lives. How about the name Barack Obama? Let us take a look at what may be hiding beneath the surface…
“And He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples), ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven'” (Luke 10:18).
In the Hebrew language we can uncover the meaning behind the name Barack Obama.
Barack, also transliterated as Baraq, in Hebrew is: lightning
baraq – Biblical definition:
From Strongs H1299; lightning; by analogy a gleam; concretely a flashing sword: – bright, glitter (-ing, sword), lightning. (Strongs Hebrew word H1300 baraq baw-rawk’)
Barak ‘O’bamah, The use of bamah is used to refer to the “heights” of Heaven.
bamah – Biblical definition:
From an unused root (meaning to be high); an elevation: – height, high place, wave. (Strongs Hebrew word H1116 bamah baw-maw’)
The day following the election of Barack Obama (11/04/08), the winning pick 3 lotto numbers in Illinois (Obama’s home state) for 11/5/08 were 666.
Obama was a U.S. senator for Illinois, and his zip code was 60606.
Seek Jesus while He may be found…repent, confess and forsake your sins and trust in the savior! Jesus says we must be born again by His Holy Spirit to enter the kingdom of God…God bless!
I find this teaching interesting and rooted in Bible, however, let me ask you brother how it be that apostle Paul taught that we are not all teachers, that the church is compose of many talents. Evangelization and teaching shall be done by those who have the spiritual gifts of teaching. Therefore, not all individual Christian are called to teach. Secondly, how do we know what gift we have received? And third, how do we know that we have interpreted the words of God correctly that we can assert with authority and dignity that is what it should be. The interpretations of the Bible has caused the growth of thousands different groups and cult worldwide.
Thank you very
much and may
you
have God’s
answers.
Florian Bohol
Hello Florian – thank you so much for your comments.
I will answer your questions below:
Firstly:
Answer: “He [Jesus Christ] that descended [into Hell] is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:10-12)
Therefore, Jesus appoints the ministries in the church – especially that of “teachers“. It is the Holy Spirit who distributes the nine ‘Gifts of the Spirit” (1 Cor 12:8-10) that support the ministries of an EYE, and EAR, a NOSE, a HAND and a FOOT – as stated in 1 Cor 12:14-18.
Therefore, the ‘Ministries” (such as teaching) are appointed by Christ.
The Holy Spirit baptizes every Christian into the Body of Christ. If Christians are not associating with other Bible-believing Christians so as to form a spiritual body, this can’t happen.
This “baptism” provides the Gifts of the Spirit necessary for each particular ministry to function, so that Christ can send His “body of members” out to defeat the Devil.
The “talents” are what Christ gives each Christian in their ministry role. Christ requires them to at least double the talents He has given them. Ideally, He requires 10 times increase. To see this, read the Parable of the Talents in Matt 25:14-30.
Next you said:
If you have been baptized into the Body of Christ as stated above, you will know your ministry role and the Gifts of the Spirit that the Holy Spirit has given you that enables you to function in that role as God intended. Others will know your ministry and witness you demonstrating your gifts.
Please remember that such “gifts” are NOT for adornment – meaning, to know that you have them but never use them. They are for use to perform “good works” that bring forth fruit into God’s kingdom that can ONLY be achieved using the gifts provided (John 15:1-8).
Finally you said:
Everything said and done by God’s people MUST be as if we were an “AMBASSADOR” here on the Earth representing both God the Father and Jesus Christ.
“Now then we are AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
If you STUDY the Bible (2 Tim 2:15) and learn to listen to God the Father teach you the things He wants you to know as His child (John 6:45) you will then “…know that we have interpreted the words of God correctly that we can assert with authority and dignity that is what it should be.”
I hope this answers your question, Florian.
Blessings, Alan
Is every Christian obliged to evangelize and to bring people to Christ? Is that the meaning of the parable of the talents?
Blessings Srdjan,
In your first question you ask, “Is every Christian obliged to evangelize and to bring people to Christ?”
The answer to this is “Yes”. That is the prime role God has ordained for the church. If Christians in the churches fail to evangelize the unsaved into the churches, then Satan has overcome the church. That’s how I see this and I’m sure this is how God and Christ see this – because of this statement:
If Christians choose to NOT evangelize others to Christ (not the church’s beliefs or doctrines) then what good is the church to Christ or God? Christ answers this question by saying:
This means that if Christians (who are supposed to be the “Salt of the Earth” – (Matt 5:13) have lost their “saltiness” or flavor towards God, why should God honor His promises to them?
In your next question you ask, “Is that the meaning of the parable of the talents?”
The meaning of the Parable of the Talents describes how “profitable” each Christian has become to God as a “spiritual branch” grafted into Jesus the Vine. In this,
That is how the following passage of scripture reads, Srdjan.
I suggest that you watch this YouTube video I made that gives a deeper insight into what Christians should be doing in their relationship towards God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LvYSlZZkTI
Let me know how you go, Srdjan.
Blessings,
Alan