Revelations Part III

In Session III, Beth Moore discusses Revelations 2 and 3!  Each of the 7 churches discussed in Revelations receives a commendation, a warning, and a promise to those that overcome. All of the churches were able to read about what the other churches were doing well and doing poorly.

Things that I learned:

• In Revelations, the term overcome in Greek means "nikao". This is NIKE came up with their brand name!

• A lot of people think that God has written "icabod" (no glory) across our nation and he has forsaken us. Well, God has not forsaken his church! 

• When you are down and think that something is too big for you to handle, realize that you are not "under it", it is under you b/c of God's power in you!

• God's covenant with us lasts from advent to advent: creation to 2nd coming

• Jerusalem (Jewish nation)'s hearts were hardened so that we, the Gentiles, could receive salvation. But the Bible clearly says that they are still God's chosen people and will be saved (Luke 21:24, Romans 11:25-32). God will show his people mercy, just as mercy has been shown to us.  -- I have never heard this or read it before!! :)  Good stuff!

• Jewish people that do not believe in Christ as the messiah may be enemies of the gospel, but they are not our enemies because we all have come from Abraham!

• Christ tells the church of Ephesus that they have forsaken their first love.  The word for forsaken in Greek is  "aphiemi". This is also the word used in Matthew 6:12 when it talks about forgiveness.

• "Aphiemi" means to forsake and to forgive.  This can be an active or passive act.  If it is active, you are sending it forth. If it is passive, you are letting something go.  How great that God's forgiveness of us includes him sending forth our sins and letting them go!!  Even when we forsake him, he forgives us!

• Our virtues, or gifts, can be the seeds of our destruction.  What is your gift and how can Satan twist it for his will?

Awesome stuff! I can't wait until this week!