The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere up there in the heavens. Bible study is like one of the four tires of a car that youre driving down the road to the Kingdom of God. A five-mile-long aqueduct supplied the city with tepid water [Revelation 3:16, the lukewarm reference]. Daniels three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). Some say the city was founded by Eumenes, in honor of his brother. Today, these churches occupied the areas that ranged from Asia Minor to present-day Turkey. | Philadelphia Church of God The church at Smyrna, the church at Philadelphia were faithful, godly, loyal, effective. Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. We sponsor the global broadcast of the "Tomorrow's World" television programa weekly half-hour telecast explaining the end-time prophecies of the Bible, announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God, and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. Are we able to disprove those beliefs and prove the truth of the commandments, the Sabbath, holy days, tithing, and grace versus law from the Bible? The Philadelphians' strength is small, but God's is without limit. We know that Abraham wasnt perfect. God can always be counted on to keep his promises (Titus 1:2). Do any of them have problems similar to ours? Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). (Part 5). We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. World News, Economics and Analysis Based on Bible Prophecy Of all Jesus' comments to the churches, the one to the Church of the Laodiceans is undoubtedly the most sobering and solemn. Individuals in the Bible are noteworthy of study. 1 Corinthians 15:58. God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. It was founded by the king of Pergamum around 190 B.C. We hope to have the opportunity to fellowship with you soon. Far from suggesting that the Philadelphians are going to heaven, the chapter reiterates the fact of their access to the One in heaven. slope of Mt. Revelation 21:1. It is true for us today also. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Those who overcome will be blessed and they will receive and enjoy all the promises of God. He wants us to be happy, fulfilled and excited about our future in spite of all the pain and suffering in this present evil world. was prophesied by name more than 150 years before he came on the scene. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him. 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. 3. How can we benefit from lessons learned? The church in Philadelphia, They have the key of david 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 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. Services normally begin at 12:30 PM, except on a few select dates. Welcome to our Philadelphia church website! He still is able to overcome. The words rightly dividing connote making a straight cut. Philadelphia - The Church that was Faithful - Revelation 3:7-13 Theyre building a palace for me over there. When his thirtieth birthday came, he must have struggled with questions of why and if only.. What Is the Church of Philadelphia in the Bible? We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. When He told the man that his sins were forgiven (and by extension, he was healed), He was criticized. 7. Philadelphia -- The Faithful Church | Bible.org But this metaphor has no connection at all to Christ's quotation of Isaiah 22:22. We need to be taught, encouraged, directed and corrected by our loving Father all the more as the evils in this world abound and proliferate around us. What was Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation Privacy Policy, Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. If so, you might be neglecting a vitally important aspect of Christian living! (From Forerunner Commentary). 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). As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. 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. Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. To see what is behind the open door, we must read and meditate on the rest of the chapter. We serve the same God who said: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. Question: "I was baptized at age 11 by a minister of a large denomination, but I didn't understand the true meaning of repentance until I began studying my Bible and hearing your broadcasts. Because they consistently knock, Christ reminds them of His pivotal position as second-in-command to the Absolute Deity and that through Him as Steward, they have access to the throne of God. 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. Thats why it is important to review and study those notes. Philadelphia was founded about 150 B.C. Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? In the middle of lifes battles, were tempted to question Gods ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of Gods Providence. The hardest part of forgiving another person isacting like the offense never occurred. One of the most striking and helpful illustrations of Jesus humanity was His prayer life. Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful. And it also happened to Jonah: The word of the Lord came to Jonah the first time (Jonah 1:1) and then the second time (Jonah 3:1). If we put these study ideas into action, Bible study will be exciting, fun and richly rewardingsomething to eagerly look forward to! Who doesnt want and need more faith? Christ praised the believers for four principles that we often lose sight of among the practices and programs of modern church culture. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. Plain Answers. We must look for and take "the way of escape" God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). Citizens lined the streets applauding while the aroma of celebratory incense filled the air. Knowing something about the historical city of Laodicea enhances our understanding of the language Christ chose to correct it. The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. The non-conclusion of 3 John exposes that the attack on God's Church didn't end in the first century. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. The 'Open Door' of Philadelphia, There is criticism or maybe it is simply a statement of fact. 1 Corinthians 15:57. A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. The truth is hidden in His Word (John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:11), and only those with His Spirit can understand. Its a tool for teaching teachers and preparing them to help Jesus Christ rule the Earth., Bible Correspondence Course Website Launches on 27th PCG Anniversary. After the seven letters, in Revelation 4:1, John is shown an open door in heaven. Many schools today are educating students in how to livethe wrong way! 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. So we study to be corrected. Other Bible helps that should be mentioned are A Harmony of the Gospels, which combines all four gospels side-by-side so that the gospels can be read simultaneously in time sequence order. As Christ says in Luke 16:10, ". Jonah 3:1-2. G. Campbell Morgan, When Jesus saw [the friends] faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. But well soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! This is what He compliments them for being, meaning they have a commendable measure of obedience. 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. The Bible speaks a great deal about virtue, those excellencies of character that imitate the holy and righteous character of Jesus Christ. Do you often feel that life is passing you by? 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). Many other Bible prophecies have already been fulfilled and are substantiated by . Thus, the One they seek responds, giving more of His Spirit. Hensley said that the site will also prevent stagnation, which can result in enrollees quitting the course. Chronological Bible Reading Plan NT Magazine, Bible Studies, Intelligence - Churches of God Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! Bible Study | pastor | Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Philadelphia PA A Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold. Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"they are weak. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. 8. Laodicea -- The Lukewarm Church | Bible.org Bible Map: Philadelphia Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? Integrity of heart is indispensable. He has served as Youth Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Camden, NJ and Mount Zion Holmesburg Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, as Interim Pastor of Faith Fellowship Non-Denominational . God's inspired words to the congregation at Philadelphia are an uplifting message of hope and encouragement. Those same words are each used in many other places in the New Testament. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. Expose` on the Royal . A really humble manwill not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. If one of them goes flat, you are stuck until you get it fixed. 89 Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy Bible study is one of those assignments! 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. The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). Colossians 3:5. Philadelphia Church of God - Home - Facebook In Romans 12:3 Paul exhorts the believers not to think of themselves pridefully but rather to think of themselves soberlythat is, realistically or accurately. You dont have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. It was not uncommon in the Old Testament for the word of the Lord to come to Gods prophets again and again. Many countries coastlines are littered with plastic and debris, and there is an island of plastic more than the twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean where currents have accumulated the debris. That verse changes our view of idolatry. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. Tmolus. (Part Four). The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). 2 Peter 3:9. But we need to remember that knowledge not used is really of no value. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). And when he believed God, [God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). W. A. Criswell, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. What is this open door? In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. James 2:23. It is elevated above the valley, on the n.e. Philadelphia in the Bible - Definition, Meaning and References The Church of Laodicea: The Church that Grew Too Comfortable The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. 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. Ezekiel is the prophet of the glory of the Lord. Can we prove the truth? Gods Church has many doctrines that differ from this worlds contrived religions. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. SERVICE TIMES SUNDAYS AT 8:00 & 10:30AM 200 W. WILLOW STREET LAFAYETTE, LA 70501 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR OMAR COME AS YOU ARE Attention Conservation Notice: A long take on why I left a small, cult religious group that I grew up in. Our natural thoughts and actions are not Gods thoughts and actions (Isaiah 55:8-9). Philadelphia was located on a hillside about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham. Paul mentions about 20 personalities in the context of faith. D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. We will start at 7:00pm at 3269 Independence Pkwy, Plano Tx. 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)? The "church in Philadelphia," along with the "church in Smyrna," are the only two churches (of the seven mentioned) about which Jesus had nothing negative to say. Through study of Gods Word, we gain wisdom that helps us avoid sin and the misery that accompanies it. Sabbath services usually last about 90 minutes. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches. Home Bible Study Course The Church of God International Keep in mind that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and meditate on these promises when you need a spiritual boost! Each of us has responsibilities and specific assignments (study 1 Corinthians 12). We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. They told the king they would not divide their allegiance, that they would maintain their faith in God and His promises. Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. In fact, even with the record we have in Johns writings, most people still do not understand Christ as John described Him. How did He stay on track and endure?