NCarolinian

            For the Christian, Christ Jesus has experienced all, conquered all and promises to be with us all - no matter what each day holds. John records Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).           There is what Christians celebrate as Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, however much of Christ’s victory for believers stems from holding fast to Christ's continued work or love on The Second Day.           Just because the price was paid by Jesus on the cross did not mean Christ stopped working. Sometimes, our Second Day is mercifully short and other instances prove to be so long we wonder if this too shall pass. I believe a big key to keeping despair, fear and discouragement away is to remain busy with the Lord's work.         ...

                    As I mentioned in Part One of this series (Ephesus), I hope you have observed the format Christ used to dictate for John to write to the believers. As review, in each letter -  Christ introduces Himself by way of declaring one or more of His many titles to the individual, to the congregation and/or church era which each church knows personally in some way.  In many of the letters He mentions the church's successes.  Jesus addresses the faults with each church.  Christ provides the solution.  He grants rewards for following through on learning the lesson and applying the solution.  Then Jesus, toward the end of each letter, repeats a phrase that is noticeably not seen again in the book of Revelation - "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."            Many biblical eschatologists believe the absence of this exact...

                    Throughout the seven letters to the churches, the loving concern is meted out in the hope that the individual, the church or the church era will follow the counsel supplied for the issue at hand. This last letter to the church in Laodicea is no different. If anything, this letter should scream to Christians today to take action.            Unfortunately, this church and its issues are said to be what many end-time scholars believe all Christians are moving into or are currently experiencing.  "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not nee...