Using Grammatical Signals Suitable to Patterns of Idea Development
Prophecy
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The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.
http://www.teachingfaith.com/content.cfm?id=304
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Many theologians believe that Revelations 3:14-22 was written to the church in the "Last Days".
As 2011 has sprung up and I take a deep look at the society that surrounds us, I find it a hard
point to argue.
Over the past 2 years I have had the privilege of taking an extremely active role by helping my
pastor pioneer a church in San Diego. We adhere strictly to the Word of God and maintain strict
standards for those wishing to be in platform ministry. We outreach a few times a week, pray on a
daily basis, and actively disciple men to stand up for what is righteous. In other words, we disciple
Christians to stand up for what is right and live as Christians ought. We are a church planting
fellowship that has planted close to 2,000 churches worldwide. Our pioneering church in San
Diego is one such planted church. We actively seek to disciple men to be obedient to God's calling
and as a result we struggle to maintain weekly services with 30 in attendance.
The church down the street has had slightly better success. They too have only been around for a
few years, but their services see closer to 10,000 in attendance each Sunday. I am unaware of
what their ministry standards are because they frequently employ hired musicians. Discipleship is
rather absent too, as most members I have spoken with have no idea how to contact a pastor in
their church (these same members have asked for counseling from my pastor as a result). The
Word of God is preached though. Well, sort of. The message of salvation is present and members
are periodically given the opportunity to accept Jesus, but the more controversial issues within the
bible are scurried through, if mentioned at all. A genuine call to be holy and set apart from the
world is lacking. Or perhaps I missed it when I attended a few services, as I was distracted by the
hundreds of LCD televisions that adorned the walls of the church. Afterall, if you sit in the upper
echelons of the church it is nearly impossible to see the pastor without one. Or maybe I missed a
part of the message when I left the sanctuary to visit the gift shop which remains open throughout
each service. But they do use their proceeds to feed the homeless and provide for other charitable
works. Unfortunately, a burning desire to evangelize and advance the gospel message of Jesus
Christ, as in the days of Acts, is practically absent.
When Revelation 3:14-22 was written by John in a vision with Jesus, Jesus was not referring to
believers who did not desire to serve God, but rather believers who no longer desired to serve
God above the desires of this world. It refers to a wealthy and materialistic generation whom Jesus
states, "because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not
know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" Revelation 3:17. This is a
generation consumed by wealth and having itchy ears. A generation who prefers professional
worship music, LCD televisions, gifts shops, and teachers who preach "feel-good" messages
completely void of any topic that would bring true conviction rather than a genuine call to live right.
Whether or not we are the church of the Laodiceans, the message remains the same. We MUST
2. work out our "salvation with fear and trembling". We must not take the gospel of Jesus Christ
lightly. This is a call for all true believers to "sell out" for Jesus! To cast down the materialistic idols
of this world and serve the God who created us. Do not allow yourself to grow lukewarm or you
might one day find yourself vomitted out of the mouth of Christ himself.
While other churches conform to the will of the people, we choose to conform to the will of God.
The Door Christian Center is a local church in San Diego with a world vision to see souls saved
and lives changed.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Simons
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The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.
http://www.teachingfaith.com/content.cfm?id=304
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