Biographies. Good communication is not one-sided. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. Thats how He speaks to us. I am coming soon. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. Bible students can enroll, study and take tests at bcc.hwacollege.org. With pride? Or do you graciously say, Thank you, in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? James 2:23. In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). Some outstanding Bible helps include: Langes Commentary ; Jamieson, Faussett and Brown Commentary ;the Anchor Bible Dictionary ; the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon and Thompsons Topical Chain Reference, to name but a few. Follow Abrahams example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God. How we study the Bible is an indication of how much we are yielding to God and the work He is doing through us. Those who overcome will be blessed and they will receive and enjoy all the promises of God. M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893, I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside. Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. Hello heaven! [The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side taking care of us in life when we cant take care of ourselves. We hope to have the opportunity to fellowship with you soon. How can we benefit from lessons learned? Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God. The Christ, the Author and Answer (3:7b) Once again our risen Lord presents Himself in an aspect of His person and work which is fitting to the needs and problems of the assembly to ever remind us of the sufficiency of His life. The more we study, the more we become familiar with how God guides, delivers and heals His people. This church may picture the modern missionary era of church history. If you are not already enrolled in the On-Line Bible Study, but would like to be, there are openings available. It helps you find all occurrences of a particular word and its different translations. During this year, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. We now study the second last message addressed to Philadelphia, the faithful church (Revelation 3:7-13). The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. Unlike the other letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, correction is not to be found. (From Forerunner Commentary). But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). If you dont get it fixed, youre not going to reach your destination. How about the truth on faith or healing? After the pcgs information services department completed the mammoth task of rolling out a new contact management system, Cedar, in May, programmers, graphic designers and writers continued the online Bible course project in earnest. The website was conceived eight years ago, but underwent two long delays in the process. Hello golden streets, glorified bodies, endless days, and the fresh air of New Jerusalem! For example, the book of Matthew focuses on Christ, the King. The Greatest Questions. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. The Holy One is a common Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 40:25; 43:15). The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. Ezekiel 1:1, NIV, We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. We are currently meeting at the Homewood Suites at 4109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. We must look for and take "the way of escape" God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). Those same words are each used in many other places in the New Testament. Because they consistently knock, Christ reminds them of His pivotal position as second-in-command to the Absolute Deity and that through Him as Steward, they have access to the throne of God. The hardest part of forgiving another person isacting like the offense never occurred. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. Can we explain the details of the gospel, the Kingdom of God, the Millennium and Gods government? Do any of them have problems similar to ours? Consider highlighting these in your Bible and/or linking them together by writing the next reference in your Bible margin. Books of the Bible. The Christians victory is through Christ. He spoke of looking forward to these things. and [looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13-14). With false humility? The moment we resolve to stand strong and walk away is when temptation grows most intense. John Calvin, Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Only then can we ensure that we keep the right attitude when studying the Bible and that we study for the right reasons (as outlined earlier in this article). When we look up all the scriptures where the same words are used we will develop a richer appreciation of what love is all about. Apollos, for example, didnt have any Bible helps, yet he was mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24). He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. Consider the access He grants, saying in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Do the problems and frustrations of this world continually get you down? Pauls letter to the people at Corinth was an exhortation to remain steadfast. Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool [see Revelation 3:18, white garments contrasted] and in the banking industry. Christ praised the believers for four principles that we often lose sight of among the practices and programs of modern church culture. Both the American and British Bible Societies were organized during . Is it Christ? What was His motivation? Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. That is integrity. Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy to think we "have it made" if we were or are part of Philadelphia. Instead of waiting months to receive four lessons and a test in the mail, paying to ship the completed test, and starting the wait all over again, Bible course students can now log in to the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course website and progress through the lessons and tests much more quickly. Focusing on a particular book of the Bible will give us a deeper insight and context for its message. (Part Four). Young's Literal Translation shows this emphasis: "I have known thy works; lo, I have set before thee a dooropened, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name" (emphasis ours). It was founded by the king of Pergamum around 190 B.C. We invite you to attend Sabbath services with us! Moses reminded the Israelites that God was taking them into a land of hills and valleys, of water and streams, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year (Deuteronomy 11:11-12). That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises. To think less of Gods gift would be to devalue it; to think realistically about it allows one to serve humbly. Martin Collins explains that Scripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness. . For more, log onto, 4 Lessons From the Philadelphia Church in Revelation, thefaithfulness of the church in Philadelphia, 4 Steps to Spiritual Awakening From Revelation, Christs Message for the Seven Churches of Revelation and Today, Revelations 7 Promises to Every Believer, Becoming a Cashless SocietyA Financial Sign of the End Times. We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. He has served as Youth Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Camden, NJ and Mount Zion Holmesburg Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, as Interim Pastor of Faith Fellowship Non-Denominational . The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. He wants us to be happy, fulfilled and excited about our future in spite of all the pain and suffering in this present evil world. In Revelation 3:8, the phrase "open door" is being used, not so much as an opportunity, but as a reward. MP4 Video - low quality (170.78 MB) MP3 Audio (29.61 MB) This is the seventh part in the Bible study series: The Churches of Revelation. It was situated on the lower slopes of Tmolus, and is still represented by a town called Allah-shehr (city of God). I attended Herbert W. Armstrong College (HWAC) for three and a half years, and was a writer for the Philadelphia Trumpet. Mark 2:5. Be careful in using paraphrases such as the Living Bible or the Amplified Bible. The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your pathbut only if you read it and heed it. If we neglect Bible study, however, we simply cannot grow sufficiently to be born into His Family. 7. [It] was rebuilt without the financial help of Rome after the disastrous earthquake of a.d. 60. Robert Murray McCheyne, an early 19th-century pastor and preacher in Scotland, created this well-known reading plan. Sometimes the scriptures that relate to a specific subject are not easily found in a concordance because the subject is broader than just one word used in the Bible. A baby in its mothers womb is nourished every single day so it can grow enough to be born. The Great Awakening marked the emergence of Anglo-American . A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. It is said that you truly understand a subject when you can explain it to someone else. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. But what is the biblical view of humility. As Mr. Armstrong often said, those who have their hearts in the Work grow spiritually. The Online Bible Study begins at 7:00 PM. These can be used to get an overview of a particular book, but the commentary provided can sometimes be misguided because the authors do not have the framework of Gods overall plan for man as revealed to His Church. Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. 6. Dwight L. Moody, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Hensley said that the site will also prevent stagnation, which can result in enrollees quitting the course. It has also served the community through its unceasing volunteer efforts, living up to the city's nickname . The Philadelphians have one fine qualitythey are faithful. God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. Services normally begin at 12:30 PM, except on a few select dates. It is available by subscription . And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. This is the era of Revival in the church. Bible study builds up our faith. That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. What the Bible says about You are welcome to join us for worship (10 AM) and a period of Bible study (11:30 AM). Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to usobedience to God's Word (Matthew 4:111; Hebrews 5:8). We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her perfect father, understanding that perfect was not intended to be taken literally. The best way to increase joy in your life is by developing a habit of daily time with God. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. (John 6:68). A really humble manwill not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. We have a much better chance of putting the knowledge we gain in class to practical use if we prayerfully study and review what God teaches us each and every week through His instructorsthe ministry. Baptism is an important step in your spiritual life and it must be done properly - at the right time and in the right way . Moreover, the fruit of this interpretation has been exclusivity, comparing ourselves among ourselves, division, competition, and a pitiful supply of loveworks of the flesh rather than fruit of the Spirit. For the Apostle Paul, doing Gods Work was more important than his own salvation! A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance. A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). Mr. Armstrong said that one purpose for Church services is to instruct us sufficiently so that we can teach others in the World Tomorrow. When the apostle Paul wrote to his young pastoral protg, Timothy, he told him to show integrity in doctrine, to be incorruptible in belief and in actions. (Luke 18:8). But Jonah fled west toward Spain because he feared the Assyrians. The words rightly dividing connote making a straight cut. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. A way to reinforce the teaching we receive is to study the notes thoroughly within 24 hours. Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. It is profound, describing where we approach in spirit when we pray. The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else! If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. Commentaries and other Bible helps can be great reference works. But we need to remember that knowledge not used is really of no value. J. C. Ryle, I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. Our God has given us a most valuable treasure chest filled with priceless treasurethe words of eternal life! The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11). The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham. Today we look at the sixth church: the church in Philadelphia. Revelation 21:1. Living in right standing with God? Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. It will happen. That enables us to trust Him more easily, and our faith builds. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. He alone has the . It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Titus 2:7. The Laodiceans are largely derived from a base that came from the Philadelphians, making them weaker still, due to their lackadaisical inattention to their relationships with God. Pauls topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. Topics, or specific subjects. When you see opportunities to care for creationnature or your own bodydo so as a way of glorifying the Creator. If you need a victory in your life, begin every day by renewing your faith in Christ in whom all our victories are to be realized. Australia and the Philippines, campers participate in athletic activities, Bible studies and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the two to three-week camp. Click a link to view a PDF workbook: Lessons On May 5, 2001, God signaled the beginning of a new phase in this rapidly fading age of man. Read the below Bible verse on faith and then five Bible lessons about faith from the old testament. He healed the mans paralysis. Are we able to disprove those beliefs and prove the truth of the commandments, the Sabbath, holy days, tithing, and grace versus law from the Bible? When language obscures a scripture, you can check a more modern translation, such as the one by James Moffatt, the Revised Standard Version or the Ferrar Fenton translation. No one can shut that open door, though we can certainly ignore it and neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3). God gave him a second chance. Have we studied in detail what the Bible says about prayer, fasting, trials and overcoming? The Revelation of Christ (Revelation 1-5) >Seven Churches >Sixth Message, Philadelphia . The biblical city was located about 28 miles southeast of the city of Sardis. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above .. Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) - Exit & Support Network Exit & Support Network Aiding those spiritually abused by Worldwide Church of God and offshoots Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) Best of the Letters for 2022 Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"they are weak. The town received its name from his nickname, Philadelphus or brother lover. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. 8 I know your deeds. The revival movement permanently affected Protestantism as adherents strove to renew individual piety and religious devotion. Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. A Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles does the same thing for those books. Life is full of hardships and heaviness. In other words, it is Gods urgent desire that He speak to us so we can stay on track in this dying world! 2. Notice what Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10, 13: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. He wasnt discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Through Christ's blood, we have access to the Almighty, the Most High God. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human. How do you view yourself? Hensley said the website represents a huge upgrade for students in the rest of the world, especially. Bible correspondence course students living in Africa, South America and elsewhere have found that receiving and sending lessons and tests through the mail has proven to be not only time consuming but also very unreliable. Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life? | Philadelphia Church of God Bible Correspondence Course Website Launches on 27th PCG Anniversary Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. name of his foundation means "brotherly love.". Revelation 3:7, however, is clear that the key of David belongs, not to the church, but to the One who is holy and true, Jesus Christ. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. Obviously, studying the life of Jesus Christ is the best example. "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. To what things was Paul referring? We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. International readers pay significant postage rates for sending their tests to Edmond for grading. A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. That is why Scripture is of paramount importance. Commentaries are more apt to be off track than other Bible helps because the authors have more room to insert their own thoughts and ideas.