Featured The Calvinist hated the Ana-Baptists

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20

I experienced Christ in such denominations and helped a niece get through Liberty University. The movements that influenced me as a teenager were…

1. GARBC Baptist - Many a spiritual youth retreat and revival
2. Freewill Baptist - Used to love the communion-foot washing services
3. Pentecostal Holiness- Wonderful revivals and experiences in sanctification

If I could go back in time I would love to have experienced that all over again. Especially to sit in church with those whom I considered sanctified. In meditating on this thread I miss the old writings of John Bunyan and the encouragement and sense of holiness. In those meetings there was a sense of Christ in the midst of us. The warning to the Philadelphian…

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out… - Revelation 3:12

Noting… “No more go out.” Which is disappointing when we take the turn to Laodicean. An example of this is the disappointments we have in men like Jerry Falwell Jr who need to re-acquire some kind of sense of holiness in their life. Liberty University went on to fire son Trey as well desiring to distance themselves from such activity.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...6a1568-eccc-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25

I worry, in these COVID times, that we do not spend enough time together in quality Christian conference and the result is reflected in sloppy Christian living minus the John Bunyan kind of holiness.

 

DL Moody did a wonderful work. Ira Sankey printed a little pamphlet of 23 of his favorite “Sacred Songs and Solos.” It was well received, and eventually grew to a book of 1,200 pieces. At one time Sankey’s books of hymns had sold more copies than any book save the Bible. One publisher sold more than 80 million copies.

I have read on some complaining over all the money generated. But… I have lost my references so I will go on to say I was wrong. My apologies. I do not mind being righteously corrected.

 

I believe the Laodicean way of life began here in America. I wonder of it’s origins.

 

No problems here, and I may be wrong in some points. If I am in error I will admit and apologize. If I think I am right I will go on to defend my position. No problems! God’s blessings on you!

 

And we may have an argument for OSAS here…

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. - Revelation 1:20

Candlesticks - Seven church congregations
Stars - Individuals within the congregations, all held in the right hand of Christ
Seals - The seven seals sealed each congregation within the lambs book of life

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5:4




Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 2:1

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. - John 10:27-28

iIn which case, you can believe in OSAS and not be Calvinist.

 

I don't believe John Wesley willed the denomination and the UMC was the offspring of Asbury. Here in a Philadelphian church age type letter, like Bunyan would have wrote, to Francis Asbury where he chastises Asbury for such activity....

LONDON
September 20, 1788


My Dear Brother:

There is, indeed, a wide difference between the relation wherein you stand to the Americans and the relation wherein I stand to all the Methodists. You are the elder brother of the American Methodists: I am under God the father of the whole family. Therefore I naturally care for you all in a manner no other persons can do. Therefore I in a measure provide for you all; for the supplies which Dr. Coke provides for you, he could not provide were it not for me, were it not that I not only permit him to collect but also support him in so doing.

But in one point, my dear brother, I am a little afraid both the Doctor and you differ from me. I study to be little: you study to be great. I creep; you strut along. I found a school: you a college! [Cokesbury College] nay, and call it after your own names! 0 beware, do not seek to be something! Let me be nothing, and "Christ be all in all!"

One instance of this, of your greatness, has given me great concern. How can you, how dare you suffer yourself to be called Bishop? I shudder, I start at the very thought! Men may call me a knave or a fool, a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content; but they shall never by my consent call me Bishop! For my sake, for God's sake, for Christ's sake put a full end to this! Let the Presbyterians do what they please, but let the Methodists know their calling better.

Thus, my dear Franky, I have told you all that is in my heart. And let this, when I am no more seen, bear witness how sincerely I am Your affectionate friend and brother,

John Wesley

 

If so… Why are the churches a mystery?

 

Then the Bible is wrong!

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. - Revelation 1:20

 

I was looking for a beginning of the Laodicean church. I must consider this and find new origins.

 

In my generation people are judged by who best kept the American dream. If you have an education, a family, a $500,000 home, nice vehicles in the driveway, a wonderful career you are judged to have done well. I wonder, though, if the ends there is not Laodicean.

 

Quoting "Charismatic movement formed in this time" (which is admittingly better said without including the Moody). I believe the materialism formed in this time...

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;- 1 Timothy 6:17-18

I believe you can have riches, do well, and still remain Christian. It is when the highminded spirit accompanies the materialism that things go wrong. Highminded according the Strongs...

hypsēlophroneō - to be high minded, proud from a compound of G5308 and G5424; to be lofty in mind, i.e. arrogant:—be highminded.

G5308 - hypsēlos high, lofty exalted on high with an uplifted arm, i.e. with signal power metaph. eminent, exalted in influence and honour to set the mind on, to seek, high things (as honours and riches), to be aspiring

G5424 - phrēn
1. the midriff or diaphragm, the parts about the heart.
2. the mind; the faculty of perceiving and judging:

 

And to use the Liberty University as an example, Jonathan Falwell has arrived at the American dream and done well. Jerry Falwell Jr arrived at the American dream and became an embarrassment.

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. - Genesis 4:7

And if Jonathan Falwell continues in the good way he will continue to do well. In which I also, wish he and his family well.

 

The church quoted does not belong to an individual but some church organization. And the clergy of that church organization probably quite poor.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." - Revelation 1:11

Only Christ Jesus knows the full geography and times. I believe that Jesus wanted the last word on that which would befall us in time and this was the best way to put it. The geographical churches is in what is known as proconsular Asia is 99% Muslim.I don't believe the word spoken was intended for a Muslim country but is for the church which would evolve in time.