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<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">“<b>TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Jim
& Marie Watt</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Tel:
<a href="tel:253-517-9195" target="_blank">253-517-9195</a> - Email:
<a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com" target="_blank">jmbetter@gmail.com</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Web:
<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/" target="_blank">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">August 14, 2012</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
<br></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in">
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</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>WEEK
52 - DEC 24 - REVELATION 2-3 - JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">1.
2:7 (2:1-7) EPHESUS: DESIRABLE, A THROWING. </font> “Who has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that
overcomes, to him will I give to eat of the tree of :life, which is
in the Paradise of :God” (NNT). </b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
let all Your sons and daughters become </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">overcomers</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
Let not </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">selfishness</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
drive out our first love. Death to the </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Hivite</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be Your :Name!</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">2.
2:11 (2:8-11) SMYRNA: MYRRH. </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Who
overcomes shall in no wise be hurt of the second death.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Thank
God for Smyrna, a church with no negatives. Let us not </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">envy</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
those not in the furnace of affliction. We speak crucifixion to the
</span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Jebusite</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
spirit. </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:kingdom come.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">3.
2:17 (2:12-17) PERGAMOS: ELEVATION, ACTUAL MARRIAGE. </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him
that overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden :manna, and I will
give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which
no one knows but he that receives </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">it</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">.”
</span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
deliver us from </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">pride</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
and the religious spirit, O Father. Let not the </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Girgashite</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
prevail. </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
2:26-28 (2:18-29) THYATIRA: PERFUME-BRUISED. </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
who overcomes, and who keeps my :works unto </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the
</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">end,
to him will I give authority over the nations: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">27
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">and he
shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the potter’s vessels are
broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">28
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">and I
will give him the morning :star.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we rid idolatry and fornication from our lives. We </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">reject</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Jezebel</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
spirit, </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">that
moved so strongly with the Amorites.</span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
:daily :bread Give us this day.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
3:5 (3:1-6) SARDIS: THINGS REMAINING. </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Who
overcomes shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no
wise blot his :name out of the book of :life, and I will confess his
:name before my :Father, and before his :angels.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
Father, put in us a fighting spirit on behalf of Your Kingdom. Down
with </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">apathy</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
and </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">passivity</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
Let not the </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Perizzite</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
spirit prevail! </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">
And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
3:12 (3:7-13) PHILADELPHIA: BROTHERLY LOVE. </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Who
overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my :God, and he
shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my
:God, and the name of the city of my :God, the new Jerusalem, which
comes down out of the heaven from my :</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">G</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">od,
and my :new :name.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
discern your devices through division, Satan. Father we reject this
device. We reject the spirit of </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">anger</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
associated with the </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Hittites</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
bring us not into temptation.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
3:21 (3:14-22) LAODICEA: RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE. </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Who
overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me in my :throne, as I
also overcame, and sat down with my :Father in his :throne.”</span></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">We reject the spirit of greed in
the nations. We curse this Canaanite spirit. We release the spirit of
Theocracy. <i><b>But deliver us from the evil one!</b></i></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
</b></span><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span><span style="text-decoration:none">The
Contemplative Movement” has sought to lead its followers into
“intimacy” with God. It has recognized hindrances in both “flesh”
and “spirit” - that keeps one from entering into this high
calling. St. John of the Cross through his “Dark Night of the Soul”
and “Ascent to Mount Carmel” traces 7 of these hindrances of
“Capital Sins”, and links them with the 7 nations of Canaan. </span></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Just
as Israel under Joshua had to drive out these 7 nations before they
could possess that land God had given them - so we must drive out
these 7 spiritual capital sins that likewise are linked with the 7
Canaanite nations.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">2
Corinthians 7:2 says, </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>“Having
therefore these :promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
defilement of </b></span></font><u><font size="3"><b>flesh</b></font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
(dark night of soul) and </b></span></font><u><font size="3"><b>spirit</b></font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
(ascent), perfecting holiness in fear of God.” </b></span></font><span style="text-decoration:none">Paul
by the spirit points out that what John of the Cross noted for a
2-fold cleansing - is indeed correct. We are not perfected, body,
soul or spirit, until our resurrection upon Jesus’ return -
according to the above verse. It is true that all do not interpret
this verse in t</span><span style="text-decoration:none">h</span><span style="text-decoration:none">is
manner - but it does conform with the insights of the past leaders of
the Contemplative Movement.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">In
line with their insights - I have linked the 7 churches of Revelation
with the 7 Canaanite nations, and their respective capital sins.
Although this linkage is not a “Thus says the Lord” - yet for me,
I believe it does justice to 2 Corinthians 7:1.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">I
have selected Greek words for a further study and insight in this
direction:</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">1.
2:1-7. Ephesus - EARTHLY - ePIgei-a </span><span style="text-decoration:none">from
g</span><u>e</u><span style="text-decoration:none">* - 7 (252)
references</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">The
word “selfish” does not appear in the NT. Its closes</span><span style="text-decoration:none">t</span><span style="text-decoration:none">
synonym is e-PIgei-a - earthly. Those who are of earthly origin - all
of us - but have not had a conversion experience and given ourselves
over to the Lordship of Christ through His Spirit - do not have
</span><u>selfishness</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> broken
in our lives - because we yet live in our earthly origins. Like
Ephesus, we can lose our first-love, and slip back into the spirit of
our first origins. If such happens, then like Ephesus we need to
repent, and move back out of the “Hivite” spirit - into our </span><u>first</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
love.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">2.
2:8-11. Smyrna - ENVY - Z</span><u>E</u><span style="text-decoration:none">los
from ZE</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none">* - 17 (71)
references</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">-
ENVY - PHTHOnos* - 9(10) references - stronger of these two for evil</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">It
is possible when we are persecuted like the church of Smyrna, that we
look at those who are not undergoing the suffering we are
experiencing. We can then become like Asaph of Psalm 73, and become
envious of the arrogant and the wicked, who seem to escape the
troubles of the righteous in this present life. It wasn’t till God
showed him the </span><u>end</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
of the wicked - that he recognized his sin of misunderstanding.
Smyrna was temporarily gripped by the spirit of Asaph. Let not this
</span><u>Jebusite</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> spirit
grip us.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">3.
2:12-17 - Pergamos - PRIDE - a-la-zoNEIa from a-laZ</span><u>O</u><span style="text-decoration:none">N*
- 2 (4) references</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">-
PRIDE - tuPHO</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> from
TUph</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none">* - 3 (61)
references - high minded, lifted up with pride</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Of
all the prideful Canaanite nations, the </span><u>Girgashites</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
are foremost. They are mentioned least of all these 7 nations, and it
is difficult to learn their origin. It is easier for the other six.
And - just as we find difficulty to discern what we are dealing with
in the natural - so it is extremely difficult to discern the
“religious spirit”, and its underlying spirit of pride. The
spirit of Pergamos moves in the same direction.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
2:18-29 - Thyat</span><span style="text-decoration:none">i</span><span style="text-decoration:none">ra
- FORNICATION - porNEU</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
from PEra* 57 (not counted) references.</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">I
count this church of Thyat</span><span style="text-decoration:none">i</span><span style="text-decoration:none">ra
- the spirit of </span><u>Jezebel</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
- as the most evil of the 7 churches of Asia. Idolatry and
fornication went hand in hand with Israel and Judah prior to their
captivities. This angered God - for it was such a flagrant ignoring
of His grace and benefits on their behalf. And here in the NT - this
evil flagrantly lifted its head against the Lord. The </span><u>Amorite</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
nation of the OT most flagrantly exhibited this spirit of
fornication.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
3:1-6 - Sardis - PASSIVITY - </span><span style="text-decoration:none">opposite
is VIOLENT - biAz</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
from BIa* - 2 (10) references</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">This
Greek word refers to a </span><u>forceful</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
or violent man. It is exactly opposite to a passive or apathetic
person! This is the way we should seek the Kingdom of God (MAT 11:12;
LUK 16:16). But the Church of Sardis demonstrated none of this
spirit. The</span><span style="text-decoration:none">s</span><span style="text-decoration:none">e
were like the Perizzites of the OT. They were passive and apathetic.
This word does not even appear in the NT. But when we consider the
word “violent” and how Jesus used it to indicate the spirit we
should exhibit in pressing into His Kingdom - then it is possible to
understand this opposite spirit. Lord, deliver us from the spirit of
Sardis - a passive and apathetic spirit!</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
3:7-13 - Philadelphia - ANGER - orG</span><u>E</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
from oREg</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none">* - 36
(54) references</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Anger
and pride - many feel they will never have trouble with these two
sins! But look at David numbering Israel - and Hezekiah showing off
his wealth for examples of the overpowering of pride. And look at
Judas’ </span><u>anger</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> at
the woman anointing Jesus for His burial, and how it led him to
betray Jesus! Be angry, and </span><u>sin not</u><span style="text-decoration:none">.
It is anger that gets out of control from individuals from which we
would never expect such a breach - that shows us the need of being
most careful. The church of brotherly-love? A place where anger can
break forth? Yes - even here care needs to be exercised. The </span><u>Hittite</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
spirit of anger can secretly slip into such a situation. It is often
at the most unexpected spot that Satan captures us. Let us take heed
when we stand in the place of strength - lest we fall. </span></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
2:14-22 - Laodicea - GREED - Demas is a picture of this - in his
love for this present world</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">-
ai-schro-kerD</span><u>E</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> from
KERdos* - 4 (23) references</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">-</span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Elders to be chosen to lead local churches, must </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
have the spirit of being </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">greedy</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
of filthy lucre (See 1 Timothy and Titus). To possess riches is not a
sin. Many in the Bible like Job were rich - but it was </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
for them an idol! This distinction is most important. Demas, a
fellow-worker with Paul - </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">loved</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the riches of this present world more than he loved the Lord and His
Kingdom! How sad! It was his </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">love</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
of riches that was the sin. George Muller considered the earthly life
of Jesus and Paul, and he and John Wesley both decided they would not
make riches down here their goal. The rest of the world sees America
- the United States - as being possessed by this spirit. Of all
nations of the world - they feel we in America need revival more
desperately than any other. See what riches did to Solomon!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Memory
Verse: </span><span style="text-decoration:none">3:7 (3:7-13) - </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
to the angel :of the church in Philadelphia write: These </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">things</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
says the holy </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">one</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">,
the true, that has the </span></font><u><font size="3">key</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
of David, who opens and none shall shut, and who shuts and none
opens.” </span></font></b></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">-
KEY - KLEIS* - 16 (32) references</span></font></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><font size="3">- Only two churches
of the seven received no censure from Jesus: Smyrna and Philadelphia.
And this promise of the </font><font size="3"><u>key</u></font><font size="3">
of David for Philadelphia - is most significant. Some have wondered
if it refers to the promise in Amos concerning the Tabernacle of
David. Others have seen it as referring to Matthew 16 and 18, where
Jesus promised the Key of the Kingdom for binding and loosing. That a
church </font><font size="3">like Philadelphia - </font><font size="3">just
keeping its head above water should receive such a wonderful promise
- is significant indeed! </font><font size="3">Michael Molinos, Fenelon
and Madame Guyon join St. John of the Cross in showing us a key into
intimacy with God. Out of such intimacy flows anything else God
should want to do through such a church!</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in">
</p>
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