Through the Bible - Hosea 3-4, Revelation 1
Good morning,
The read through the Bible plan above is moving into the book of Revelation. I thought we'd take a few days in the early chapters to take a look at what Christ had to say to the 7 churches referenced in chapters 2 and 3. Before doing that we'll go back to yesterday's reading in Jude.
The introduction to the book in The Message states, " The primary Christian posture is, in Jude's words, "keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ." All the same energetic watchfulness is required. Jude's whistleblowing has prevented many a disaster.
In reading this short book it should be noted that it was written by Jude, the brother of the author of James, and the half brother of Jesus. Earlier, before His death and resurrection, many including His brothers had doubted, didn't follow Jesus.
John 7:5 "For even His brothers did not believe in Him."
Seeing how Jesus lived, died, and rose again they came to realize Jesus for who he was, the Son of God. James would become one of the first martyrs for Christ.
We have read previously of how James asked his readers to "humble yourselves" and to "submit to God" (James 4:7-10).
Now we see Jude exhorting, begging the brethren to hold on to their faith, and fight the fight.
Jude 3-4 Dear friends, I've dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting — begging! — that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish. (from THE MESSAGE)
or from the NKJV
Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. NKJV
As in other times, false teachers had crept in and were teaching a different gospel. John MacArthur writes, "Scripture is complete, sufficient and finished, therefore it is for all time. Nothing is to be added to the body of the inspired Word."
We need to know His Word and hold fast to it. If new teachings come along, we need to hold it up to the Gospel that has been delivered to us in the Bible. If it doesn't hold up to scripture it should exposed for what it is, falsehood, a lie. That is how we are to avoid apostacy or falling away from the truth.
Lord willing, as we'll move into the book of Revelation we'll see some of the warnings given to the churches back then and see how we still need to be careful of not making some of the same mistakes.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Jude 1-12
JUDE
Greeting to the Called
1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Contend for the Faith
3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Old and New Apostates
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said,"The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Jude 20-25
Maintain Your Life with God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Glory to God
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
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