The Seven Churches (Part 5): Sardis

The Seven Churches (Part 5): Sardis

Sardis was the fifth church addressed by the Lord at the beginning of the book of Revelation. There is no other mention of this church or the city elsewhere in the New Testament. Like the previous church (Thyatira), nothing is said about them experiencing persecution. However, this may have been because they were not living up to their reputation as a faithful church.

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:1-6).

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The Seven Churches (Part 4): Thyatira

The Seven Churches (Part 4): Thyatira

The fourth church the Lord addressed at the beginning of the book of Revelation was in Thyatira. This is the only mention of this church in the New Testament. However, there was a notable convert in Philippi who was from the city of Thyatira. This church was not facing persecution as many others were, yet the Lord warned them not to tolerate the sin that had crept in among them.

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 2:18-29).

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Renewed Day by Day

Sunrise

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Many see the start of a new year as a time of renewal – an opportunity to change the direction of their lives, to improve themselves in some way, and so on. The basic idea of this is good. However, as with all things, we need to think about it Biblically.

There are a few passages in the New Testament that talk about being renewed. When it is mentioned in the Bible, it is not tied to a certain day on the calendar. It is also not about just anything that might be new in our lives (new job, diet, exercise routine, etc.). Instead, the renewal discussed in the New Testament is always about improving our spiritual lives.

In this article, we will consider what the New Testament says about renewal – when it happens, what it means, and what the result of it is in our lives.Continue Reading

The Seven Churches (Part 3): Pergamum

The Seven Churches (Part 3): Pergamum

The church in Pergamum, or Pergamos (KJV, NKJV), was the third church addressed by the Lord at the beginning of the book of Revelation. Like the church discussed in the previous lesson (Smyrna), this church and city are mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament. Also like Smyrna, the church in Pergamum experienced persecution. One of their number had even been killed as a result. Yet the Lord warned them not to compromise the truth, even in the face of persecution.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it’” (Revelation 2:12-17).

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Free PDF: Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Chronological Bible Reading Plan

As Paul explained to Timothy, the Scriptures have been given to us by God and they equip us to do those works that are pleasing to Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, it is essential that we know what has been revealed in the word of God so that we can carry out His will. One of the ways we gain knowledge of God’s word is through reading. When we “read [we] can understand  (Ephesians 3:4). Therefore, we are to “give attention to…reading” (1 Timothy 4:13).

When it comes to reading the Bible, it is vital that we make it a habit. In order to help establish this as a regular practice, many people follow some Bible reading plan. Our chronological Bible reading plan is broken up into four quarters (13 weeks each) and goes through the Bible chronologically. There are a couple of advantages to this plan:Continue Reading

The Seven Churches (Part 2): Smyrna

The Seven Churches (Part 2): Smyrna

The second church addressed by the Lord in the book of Revelation was the church in Smyrna. Neither the church nor the city are mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. Yet the Lord’s letter to them provides a message of hope because the tribulations they were experiencing at that moment would not last long.

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death’” (Revelation 2:8-11).

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Top 5 on Plain Bible Teaching in 2023

Plain Bible Teaching Top 5 in 2023

This year is nearly over, which means it’s time for the annual “Top 5” post on Plain Bible Teaching. I enjoy going back to see what content has been viewed more than the rest. Not only is this interesting, but it also gives me an idea of what materials have been most helpful to others. If you missed these when they were posted, they’re definitely ones you should check out. They’re divided up into the top 5 articles (new and old), Facebook posts, podcasts, videos, and YouTube Shorts.Continue Reading