The Church at Philadelphia: The Brotherly Loving, AND Faithful Church This was not the Philadelphia that is in America. It was the perfect church, the one that God was pleased with. The Lord says only one negative thing about the church at Philadelphia. That they had the synagogue of Satan with false Christians gathering in it. But, here is a picture of Gods kind of church. Wait for it! He says, Youre small and youre weak. Defining Church Just what is a church? Strong’s Greek Dictionary, #1577. ekklesia, a calling out. (1b) Ekklesia, from ek, out of, and klesis, a calling … So the church is those whom God has CALLED OUT to be His called out ones, hence, Jesus said, So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last [sorry, don’t have time to explain this unique statement of our Lord]: for many be called, but few chosen. I will take the time to explain this second statement, however. Notice that the called and the chosen cannot be the same group, as one is many and the other is few. God has given us a general statement as to whom He has called and whom He has not called. We already know the number of those called is many. Now we will see the two general classifications of those called: The Called and the Not Called For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many [some, but not many] wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things [many translations do not insert the word things in these verses] of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And the base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought [nothing] things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Cor. 1:26-29). So we see that God calls MOSTLY those who are: weak, base, despised, nothings! Are we to believe that God is going to build a SPIRITUAL ARMY of Sons and Daughters by which He will conquer and SAVE THE WORLD? Hard to believe, isn’t it? I think we can all agree that there is a great deal of work to be done with and to these nothings of the world whom God is calling to such a formidable, once-in-an-eternity task! But of the many called, we are told, few are chosen (Matt. 20:16). Why is that? God has intended it to be such. We are given the parable of the sower of seed (Look out for my paper titled Which Church Are You In (The Parable of the Sower) where much of the seed fell by the side of the tilled soil, and the birds ate it; some had no depth and withered in the sun; still more fell among thorns and were choked, but some fell upon good soil and produced much fruit. Many seed are sown, but few seed produce good fruit. Seed we see everywhere in the Church; fruit of God’s Spirit is more rare. These few have the added designation of: These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful (Rev. 17:14). These are the very elect who cannot be deceived any longer by the Great Whore, Mystery Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots, and the Abominations of the earth. One more important verse regarding our calling that I will cite out of the Concordant Literal New Testament because I believe they translate the Greek aorist tense properly, whereas the King James uses the past tense: Now we are aware that GOD [it is unfortunate that the King James leaves out God even though it is in the manuscripts. Most translations do put God in this opening phrase. Things don’t just ‘work’ together without GOD doing the ‘working’] is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are [being] called according to the purpose that, whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls [not ‘called’ as all are NOT YET called, it is the aorist tense] also, and whom He calls, these He justifies, also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also (Rom. 8:28-30). Now, pay attention: All which God foreknew, He then designates beforehand (He hand-picks them, if you will). And therefore, since He has already designated them beforehand, when they are born in whatever generation God designates; He then calls them. Now it is true that God calls MANY OTHERS whom He has NOT designated to be conformed to the image of His Son AT THE TIME that each generation appears in history. There are many more called in each generation than are actually, chosen to be conformed to the image of His Son at that time. All that are not chosen will be in the second resurrection/white throne judgment/lake of fire. These will go the broad way into destruction from which they will await judgment at the great white throne. But, those which God foreknows and designates beforehand, He definitely does call, but these designated ones GO ON to be JUSTIFIED AND GLORIFIED. They are not just the called, but the called AND CHOSEN which will go on to glorification in service with Christ, as the manifested Sons and Daughters of God, in the Kingdom of God, to bring the rest of heaven and earth to SALVATION! When Jesus says that, MANY will say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord … Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity (Matt. 7:22-23), He is not speaking of a minority but a majority. The many NEVER means the minority! We will see it conclusively proved from God’s Word that the majority in the Church today are going the broad way, and not the straight and narrow way. And I am not just preaching to the choir when I say that only a FEW will be in the first resurrection and rule and reign with Christ, I am speaking to all the church and to myself as well. I know these aren’t the soft words that tickle people’s ears, but what I am telling you is a hard saying of the Scripture that is absolutely true. Jesus Christ Himself said that THE MANY must DEPART from Me. Jesus doesn’t know the many, in a spiritual relationship, because they are too carnal to be spiritual. Are You Called and Chosen or Just Called? Let me first state that there is an order in the process of being called to Sonship. First you are called, and then you are chosen from among the called. And we have already learned that the chosen are also the few. Quite frankly, not unlike a casting call. Many are called to come to the casting rehearsal, but only a relative few will be chosen for the actual performance. Which are you? I will not be your personal judge; however, as we progress in this series, you will be confronted with dozens of Scriptures by which you can JUDGE YOURSELF by the aid of God’s Spirit. A Few Definitions Synagogue [Greek: sunagoge] means an assemblage of people, a gathering place for the Jews Church [Greek: ekklesia] means a calling out. Called [Greek: kletos] means invited. The word called is found over six hundred times in Scripture, but the word kletos appears only about a dozen times in Scriptures and always refers to those whom God has invited. Chosen [Greek: eklektos] means select, chosen out; by implication favorite. Translated chosen sixteen times and elect seven times. Can we not easily see the progression in how God uses these words? God first GATHERS all His people—there was a synagogue in every city. He then CALLS OUT a people (a church) from that huge gathering, and many others from among the Gentiles. He then INVITES many of the called out ones (from the Church) to be His True Followers. But in the end only those whom God SELECTS OUT of the INVITED, of the CALLED OUT, from the GATHERING of the whole ASSEMBLY will be in the First Resurrection to reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God. And thus we start with a huge number and end up with but a FEW! For MANY are called [‘invited’ from the ‘called out’ church], but FEW are chosen to reign with Christ as Judges, Priests, Lords, and Kings. (Matt. 22:14). And these Judges, Priests, Lords, and Kings are also Saviours sent by God and Christ to SAVE THE REST OF THE WORLD. (Obadiah 1:21). But Ricardo, are you telling us that if we should be chosen from among the invited ones in the called out church, that we are no longer a member of the Church? I was hoping some one would ask that question. For most of Church history, clergymen have been trying to materialize away things that are spiritual. And then in their spiritual ignorance, they accuse God’s servants of spiritualizing away things that are supposedly literal and physical. Never mind the fact that it is impossible to spiritualize away material things. Material things pass away on their own, whereas spiritual things never pass away. It was not a strong church. It was not a great, big magnificent place. He said, Youve continued to grow in spite of all the opposition. It was a tree that had faced a lot of pressure from the elements. It was not strong, but it was growing. It was persevering and increasing at a steady pace. It was under attack from all the false churches and the cults in the area. They were all out to destroy this church. You can read in Revelation about all the different false religions and cults that were out to get the church at Philadelphia. They were putting it down. They were criticizing it and speaking against the leaders. Do you know a church like that? You say, I want to have a successful church that the Lord would consider the ultimate church. That is what it will probably look like. You will look like a church that has a lot of opposition. You will look like a church that has a lot of people preaching against you, writing books against you and opposing you. They will want nothing to do with you. They will be trying to find weaknesses and faults in you to put you down in order to expose you and humiliate you. But the Lord says, Im going to vindicate you. The Lord was going to cause all the big names to come and bow down at their feet and acknowledge that they had the truth. You hang in there and be faithful. You are producing the fruit. I dont care if you are not big. I dont care if you are not strong. I dont care if you are not so wonderful. The church the Lord is looking for is a church that perseveres and continues to bear fruit. The Lord encourages the church at Philadelphia to press on and to hold onto what they have, that no man would steal it from them. He says, Hang on. Persevere, and Ill give you the crown of life. What will happen to the type of church that perseveres and continures to increase in the Lord? ... [if you do over come] will I [Jesus] make a pillar [a position of great spiritual responsibility] in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out ... (3:12a). That’s CHRIST, And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In Whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD (Eph. 2:20-21). Christ is our Temple for we live in Him as HIS BODY, and we are the temple of God’s Holy Spirit that lives and dwells IN US, and Christ IS that Spirit—abide in Me, and I in you. And … he shall go no more out That’s CHRIST. We are IN Christ, we are the Body of Christ, Christ is our temple, our house, where we dwell IN Christ. We abide and dwell in Christ and Christ abides and dwells and lives HIS LIFE in us, so that we will go no more out, till at the consummations of all the ages, God may be ALL in All (1 Cor. 15:28). And I will write upon him the NAME OF MY GOD, and the NAME OF THE CITY of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him MY NEW NAME. (3:12b). That’s CHRIST! These are honors and rewards bestowed upon us by Christ. The 144,000 (12 x 12, complete foundational Kingdom of God’s government for the new world) are given the Father’s name in their foreheads (Rev. 14:1 & 22:4). Not a tattoo on the forehead skin, but inside their foreheads, in their hearts and minds. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aarons [Gods priests] forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. (Exodus 28:36-38). And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:1-4). And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb [Christ] stood on the mount Zion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Fathers name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1). And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. (Revelation 22:3-4). This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD. And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures. And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel ... It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there [Jehovah-Shammah, The Saviour IS THERE]. (Ezekiel 48:29-31 & 35). And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. (Isaiah 62:2). And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4). New Jerusalem is the heavenly Jerusalem spoken of in Heb. 12:22-23, where the general assembly and church of the firstborn [Christ and His anointed body of believers], which are written in heaven is found. It is from New Jerusalem and heavenly Mt. Zion that the government of Christ will proceed in bringing Salvation to the Earth and the Universe (Isaiah 2:2). I will write upon him My new name. This is the same new name that we discussed in the Church of Pergamos. A new name written, which no man knows except he that receives it. [That’s CHRIST, Who] …had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself … and His name is called The Word of God (Rev. 19:12-13). That’s CHRIST, Jesus is The Word of God (John 1:1). The world often treats God’s saints as if they were heretics. Only those who possess the Name of Jesus Christ truly know what the name is and all that it represents. Not all who speak of the Name, have the name written within them. Men’s lips are often far, far from their heart. I already covered how that name is representative of THE PERSON WHO BEARS IT. To believe in THE NAME of Jesus Christ is to believe ALL THAT JESUS IS! And the reason we have a new name is because all whom are IN Christ are NEW creatures [new creations]: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW (2 Cor. 5:17). We not only have a new name, but we become and ARE A NEW NAME as well. Thanks for the connection! What are you wrestling with? What can I pray about for you? My name is Ricardo Butler and I have a passion for helping and equipping emerging young Kingdom Leaders from ages 18 to 30 to be Five Fold Ministry Leaders and to understand how to greatly increase the church’s impact in its work for the Kingdom of God so that their churches, ministries, or businesses result in tangible fruit in God’s Garden! If you or another leader you know is hitting the wall on how to successfully fulfill your leadership responsibility within the government of God with the measure of the grace that God has given you, Subscribe to my Newsletters to learn how I can help you @ ricardoequips/newsletter/ & LIKE my NEW page @ https://facebook/ApostleRicardoButler as I am transitioning my personal profiles to this one. #MobilizingTheRoyalPriesthood #RicardoEquips #FiveFoldMinistry #ChurchLeadership #ServantLeadership #KingdomLeadership #ApostolicLeadership Love you and Christ bless! Ricardo Reason Butler SERVANT, Apostolic Founder & CEO of ... - Ricardo Equips Artistic Leaders (R.E.A.L.), LLC @ ricardoequips/aboutricardo P.S. If you have any questions, or if I can help you in any way, feel free to write me at ricardo@ricardoequips
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:44:36 +0000
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