By O.R. Osman
Scripture Text: Revelation 14:6-12.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
"The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
"And the smoke of their torment ascenderth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Who is the author and giver of the Book of Revelation?
Read Revelation 1:1-2, 9-10. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." And "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet."
Note: John was on the Isle of Patmos for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus, having been confined to this Isle to perish. We too, can expect to be persecuted for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 19:10. “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Note: The testimony of Jesus is not the Spirit of God as many have supposed, but it plainly says that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. In John 6:63 Christ says: “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The words of Jesus were spoken by the Holy Spirit; the words of Christ are not the Holy Spirit, and in a sense are spirit and life.
II Timothy 1:8. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”
We may preach and teach the testimonies of Jesus, but remember they are the writings of Jesus and they belong to Jesus. When John learned that the Spirit of prophecy was the testimony of Jesus he was so overjoyed that John fell down to worship the angel when the angel forbade him. Revelation 19:10.
Revelation 22:16. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
Also, read: Revelation 14:6-7. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
Daniel 7:9-10. "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened."
Acts 17:31. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE
Scripture Text: II Timothy 4:1-5.
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
"And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of they ministry."
In writing to the Romans, for what did Paul give thanks?
Read Romans 6:17. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” And Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Read Ephesians 4:8-14. “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
Note: Notice that “gifts” here is plural; these are given through the “gift” (singular) of the Holy Spirit; that is we could not get the gifts before we get the gift (the Holy Spirit Himself- I Corinthians 12:11-13).
"But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
These gifts are designed to build up the Church so strongly that it will not be carried off by every wind of doctrine, cunningly devised to deceive.
Read: I Timothy 1:9-10. "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."
I Timothy 4:6. "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."
I Timothy 4:13-16. "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
Note: I Timothy 4:13 suggests that some degree of training is necessary for the minister’s qualification. If he does not read, his views will be narrow and unbalanced. According to I Timothy 4:14, when hands were laid on Timothy for his ordination the gift of prophecy was conferred on him. Though this was so, he was to qualify himself by reading, so that in preaching the Spirit would bring all things (which he had studied) to his remembrance.
Read: II Timothy 3:10. "But thou has fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience."
II Timothy 3:16. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
II Timothy 4:2. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Read Titus 1:9-10. "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision."
Note: They had the Pharisaical Jews who were imposing unnecessary ceremonial laws on them, while we have the no-lawists who are advocating no law at all. This is from one extreme to another. So we must know the doctrines that are essential by the word of salvation.
Read Titus 2:7. “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.”
FROM SINNER TO SAINT
Scripture Text: Galatians 5:1-16.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
"For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcisioon availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
"This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
"I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
"And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased.
"I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
What message has always been of importance to sinners?
Read: Matthew 3:1-2. "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Mark 1:14. "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God."
II Corinthians 7:9-10. "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
Joel 2:12-13. "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."
I John 1:7-10. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
Psalms 32:1-5. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah."
Numbers 5:6-7. "Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed."
Ezekiel 33:14-16. "Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live."
Matthew 5:23-26. "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the alter, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing."
Numbers 32:23. "But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out."
Ecclesiastes 12:14. "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
Proverbs 28:13. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Isaiah 1:16-20. "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
Romans 12:1-2. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,"
Colossians 3:1-10. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
Acts 2:38. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
and II Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Note: Some think we cannot be perfect, but through Christ all is possible.
Read I Corinthians 6:9-11. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Note: We are cleansed to sin no more; not to sin again.
Read Revelation 14:12. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Note: Saints in Bible time and saints now are similar, the standard is the same.
LAODICEAN PERIOD
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:11-22.
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: 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 cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Who will enter New Jerusalem and wear the new name?
Revelation 3:12. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: 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 cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” And Revelation 3:14. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” And Revelation 3:15. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”
Note: They will be in three states: they will be lukewarm, cold, or hot. Of the three conditions of spiritual life, lukewarmness is a dangerous state to be in. Lukewarmness precedes death.
Revelation 3:16. “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
How may we know those that are lukewarm?
Answer: They have lost their testimony, they have no burden for sinners, they are very critical. They have lost their love for the brethren, they come to Church seldom and come late, and they are usually sick on the Sabbath day. They are hanging on in a lukewarm condition; they will be with those that are spewed out.
Matthew 24:11-13 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Revelation 3:17. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Note: Their riches and increase with goods are the abundance of trust they have, but they don’t know they are blind and naked. Knowing the Ten Commandments and the true baptism is not enough to cover their nakedness. They must keep up to date on the prophetic word.
Revelation 3:18. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
Proverbs 23:23. “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
Proverbs 4:5-7, 13. "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”
Revelation 3:19-22. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Note: The question for individuals to ask now is what class am I in? Are you with the hot or the cold, full of excuses? Have you lost your first love? Or are you on fire for the Lord?
THE RICH RULER
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:16-26.
"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
"He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
"Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
"The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
"When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
How did the man address our Savior and what was he seeking?
Read Matthew 19:16-17. "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Note: This is a plain lesson Jesus wanted the rich man to learn. All good men and masters receive their goodness from the Father, and to Him is due the credit. Eternal life we receive by keeping and being obedient to the Commandments. You cannot receive life by breaking the Commandments. If we love our Savior and heavenly Father we will keep His Commandments.
Exodus 20:6. “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
Read Matthew 19:18-21. "He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Note: This young man was covetous. He loved his wealth and his money more than he did his neighbor, more than he did the heavenly Father. Our Savior would not tell everybody to sell their possessions if they were using it to the glory of God. Anyone that has a love for God stands ready to give themselves and their riches to God.
Matthew 6:21. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Read Matthew 19:22-23. "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Note: This man loved Jesus and desired a home in the kingdom of God, but his riches and possessions had first place in his heart. There was no room for the Lord Jesus Christ. The only and the last chance was for him to get rid of his possessions and distribute to the poor.
Matthew 6:24. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 16:24, 26, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matthew 19:24. “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Note: It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But the Lord is able to reduce it to a string that it may pass through the needle’s eye. This may seem impossible and marvelous, but it is possible with God. The rich man’s love for his possessions can be reduced by God if he will submit himself to God.
Acts 20:35. “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Note: A man’s god is whatever he sets his affection on, and when he is in trouble, he always turns to his god. The Lord has given each and every one of us a part that we should perform and will gladly do so without excuses when the Lord calls and speaks. We will only be glad to assist and to answer the call.
Matthew 16:27. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Matthew 19:29. “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”