“The Meaning of Angels in Revelation 2 and 3″ by Dr. Robert Dean

http://www.pre-trib.org/articl.....on-2-and-3

Bob

I literally cried w/ joy upon reading your story–because it conveys the same substance of what God had done to me –> it’s the story of God in us –> it is His Faithfulness.

I’m from the Philippines, and not only literal idols surrounding but all possible sort of idols you could imagine even inside the professing mainstream ‘born-again’ and the mainstream christians. It’s like hopelessness all around. It’s religion all around.

to contemplate everything in the deepest possible theological, cultural, political perspective, it’s the same all over the world. And the ‘wisdom’ cries and shouts because of the gospel-famine all over the w/World/s. So many movements & shiftings are happening across the globe every minute due to the differences of all sorts. This problem, is a problem of the gospel. The Gospel is Jesus Christ himself. He is the perfect example of being God-centered; they are One.

Every single fiber of personal, corporate, political, denominational, etc –> ALL problems under the sun roots from the total absence, famine, scarcity, usury of Jesus Christ; instead having GOD as the Greatest treasure in all the universe/s; the rests are just consolation; unfortunately most of the time, consolation prizes becomes idols; these idols are the differences & variables i’m speaking about. Surprisingly, these variables looks good; such as doctrines in worship, calvinism, faith, repentance, goodworks, grace and the rests; THEY ARE DANGEROUS to become an IDOL and can CONTAMINATE THE SOUL, NOT UNLESS WE ARE ALL CONSUMED BY HIM ALONE; all this means are not end; as God is the end of all this precious means.

Brother, we thank God for He overcame our rebellion; Oh what a great Salvation. Oh what a great Hope! What a great God we have!

God is indeed most glorified in Us while we are most satisfied in Him. He is the greatest Hope that this world has been longing and looking for!

in Christ Jesus,
Don
email: benchlopez@webmo.org
url: http://www.webmo.org
blog: benchlopez.webmo.org / gospel.webmo.org

http://www.gracechurchministry.org

If you’re ever in the CT area, pay us a visit!

Christ only, always,
Nathan

In time though the Spirit mercifully opened mine blinded eyes to see grace in a way I never perceived before. And not only was grace revealed, but also more of myself and my true Adamic nature which, apart from Christ, is as black as the darkest night. Where today, as never before, I can from my heart of hearts truly echo Paul’s words in testifying that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.

In terms of classification, I do not consider myself as a “Calvinist” (I Cor 1:12 ), yet I most assuredly hold tooth and nail to the doctrines of grace. I can see no other way as per what the Scriptures reveal from Genesis through Revelation about man’s absolute and total hatred of God. For the carnal mind is at enmity against God; that is, it is at war against God as it employs all of its weapons and fallen wisdom to exalt itself above the stars of heaven and to sit as a king on the throne of God. Not unlink what we see manifest in a little child who throws a temper tantrum in order to get what he/she wants. Sure, as we grow older we hopefully do not throw temper tantrums, but this in no way negates the reality that the rebellion is still there. Rebellion that has not become less sinful, but rather more exceedingly sinful as it has been honed and perfected as the flesh learns more crafty and subtle ways to get what it wants.

I will also add that I too by God’s grace been divorced from Dispensationalism. A “world view” that I now believe is a doctrine of devils as it splits God’s word, his people, Christ’s return, and his redemptive plan into two distinct camps. Rather, I believe the historical position of prophetic interpretation that has been held by scores throughout history with the key being that the papacy is anti-Christ (see William Mencarow on Sermon Audio for great messages on this). In writing this I will testify that I still have myriad questions, but I rest better at night having left behind “Left Behind.”

My hope is that you will continue your journey as the Reformation accomplished much but it did not go all the way in purging out the leaven of Romanism. Even today there is much Romanism creeping back into in the church. Romanism that is not shrinking but rather growing where much of the ground gained in the Reformation through blood and tears, is being surrendered without a fight as the church in many circles is looking more and more like a daughter of Rome. For those of the Reformed faith can shout “Sola Scriptura” from their pulpit, but this is meaningless if they continue to hold to the un-Biblical and Romanist traditions of men. Case in point includes the regulative principle of worship which covers what is the proper Biblical, New Covenant way to worship God per his will and not our inventions. Rome’s liturgical calendar and her “holy” days being a perfect case in point.

Finally, someone mentioned in one of your posts Steve Atkerson at ntrf.org. I have never met him but have corresponded with him and read his book Ekklesia which I highly recommend.

Blessings to you -
bro Michael

Blessings in Christ,

Bob Hayton