By John Thiel mp3

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

The meditation for this hour continues in the Seven Church Series studies. This is number two, the Doctrines of that One Church. That one church that we studied last week. We launched out with the understanding that the seven church periods are a description of God’s one church; these are not seven churches. They are a description of one church represented by the all-encompassing meaning of number seven. It’s a completion, the word, the number seven is a complete symbolic presentation of a complete church, one church and we have realised from the words of Jesus.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 ¹⁸ Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,  “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and, of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

This language of Jesus leaves you with a clear understanding that He is talking about His one church that will exist throughout all time to the very end. We had that in our bulletin last week and I just want to read it a very clear summation of what we have seen there.

The church is God’s fortress which He holds in a revolted world. AA 11.2

He describes how we must be loyal to that church.

From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others took up the work. God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven. He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people. AA 11.2

This is that one church.

Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. AA 11.3

He has sustained His church for centuries.

Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He predicted. AA 11.3

That is what our study of the seven churches is there to explore.

He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declarations what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law is linked with His throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph over all opposition. AA 11.3

You recall that the church of God is written in the words of Apostle Paul to Timothy. It is the pillar and ground of the Truth and that will not fail, it will triumph over all opposition.

During ages of spiritual darkness the church of God has been as a city set on a hill. From age to age, through successive generations, the pure doctrines of heaven have been unfolding within its borders. Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard. It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts. AA 12.1

This is His church that is not to be misunderstood as a church that is a particular organisation that we see today. We’ve seen that in the quotes we read in the previous study – 1. Gods One Church.  It is not the various denominations, it is the people of God who are obeying and willing to be submissive to God and His counsel and His teachings. That’s how the church was launched out. The Apostolic church continued through the ages, to the coming of Jesus. These pure doctrines are unfolded in this church and that’s what Jesus said in Matthew 28. This church is to teach everybody to observe whatsoever He has commanded them to teach and He would be with them through the very end.

It is very important to understand that His church, His true church, is presenting the pure teachings of Jesus Christ. His church is preaching pure doctrines as Jesus said in John 16. These doctrines that they teach are to be revealed to them by the Holy Spirit.

As He was with them there, it is a little bit like being in a bible seminary or in any training school. You sort of down fully comprehend everything that is being communicated to you. In fact, you cannot get all at once you have got to be patiently led through the training and Jesus said it to them there.

John 16:12-14 ¹² I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

Are you picking up what Jesus is saying to the disciples?

After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, they will be guided into all truth. Then whatever Jesus had taught them before, they will be going forward to proclaim the pure doctrines initiated by Jesus and enlarged by the Holy Spirit. So indeed, we had the Pentecost, and at Pentecost, the disciples went forward under the direction of the Holy Spirit, showing the people all the truth that Jesus had taught them.

As the impact of outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles had been felt by what they were preaching.

Acts 2:41⁴¹ Then they that gladly received His word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

That was an influx of members into that church and notice as they joined themselves to the church to the disciples.

What did they do?

Acts 2:42⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. The church on earth was illuminated by the Holy Spirit. The pure doctrines were being communicated to the people. In Deuteronomy 32:1-2, where the Holy Spirit is speaking and he said, “My doctrine shall fall as the rain.” It is the doctrine that came upon the Christian church by the training of Jesus and by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The pure doctrine that the church is to proclaim was initiated and it went forth, the Apostle’s doctrine.

Apostle Paul expresses in reference to this:

We read what Apostle Paul talks about in this doctrine.

Galatians 1: 8-9 ⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

What the apostles preach, what they taught, the doctrines they communicated, they were pure and unadulterated. Nobody who would come with any change of these doctrines was blessed, they were cursed.

This church is to exist all the way through history with the pure doctrines of the apostles.

1 Timothy 1:2-4 ² Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. ³ As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ⁴ Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Apostle Paul made a strong thrust on the importance of no other doctrine is to be taught than that which the apostles taught. That was our scripture reading and there is a beautiful connecting point there. Jesus sent them out, He said to them, “All powers given unto me, go ye therefore and teach all nations.”, it’s me that has given you the teaching.

Here, we see a very valuable connection of the Gospel of the doctrine and Jesus.

Hebrews 13:7⁷ Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:

He is specifically speaking about the apostles whom God has sent forth as people who were to rule over the church, ruled by the pure doctrine. So, remember them who have spoken unto you the word of God.

Hebrews 13:7-9 ⁷ Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. ⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. ⁹ Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

Jesus is the word of God, the pure truth, which they went forth to proclaim. It is so vivid here that doctrine has no change because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‘I am with you right through the end’.

Can you see how this all gel together?

When we look at God’s church, we are looking as if we were reading there to the faithful people of God that were subject to those who ruled over them which were the apostles.

This is what we need to go back to; to stand in faithful defense of the pure doctrines that the disciples went forth to proclaim. Scan with me the words of Jesus regarding His take on the doctrines that the church was sent out to proclaim and how in these seven churches he keeps on pointing back to standing on the pure doctrines that he had launched the church out with.

The church of Ephesus, this is Jesus speaking to His church.

Revelation 2:1 ¹ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

‘I know Thy works’ Did you hear that? Did you see that? Jesus is speaking to the early Christian church and He says ‘I know your works, thy labour, thy patience and how thou cannot bear them which are evil. Thou has tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and has found them liars.’ Apostle John talks about them and says they were with us but they were not of us that’s why they left us again because only those who stood on the pure Apostolic doctrine were the ones whom Jesus is saying that is His church and notice that He says “I know your works”. An interesting expression of Jesus, works. What is that? Works are inseparable from pure doctrine. The apostle is speaking to Titus:

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. ⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; ¹⁰Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Did you notice something here? The doctrine that they were preaching is to be adorned. Adorned? Adorned with what? That you should show yourself a pattern of good works. In doctrine showing uncorruptness, doctrine and works according to these words here are linked together like hand in glove that’s why Jesus said “I know your works”. As we let Jesus continue theme of works and doctrine.

Revelation 2:4 ⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

‘I know your works and the doctrine you preach are inseparable and in the midst of that I have something against you. That you have lost your first love.’

Has that got something to do with doctrine?

It is when Satan appears as an angel of light that he takes souls in his snare. Many Scriptures will be misapplied by these teachers so that they will be used as a robe of righteousness to cover dangerous theories. As the people of Ephesus lost their first love, they increased in a knowledge of scientific theories originated by the father of lies. The Saviour warns us all to repentance so that we may stand right with God.” AUCR October 1, 1906, par.1

Notice here losing their first love they became distracted in reference to the pure doctrines. They increased their knowledge of scientific theories originated by the father of Lies. So, already in the early Christian church, there were certain individuals that were manifesting a deviation from that which was taught as the pure doctrines. And in their works, they demonstrated it by lack of love. But here Jesus is saying ‘I’ve got this against you, you’ve lost your first love. It has to do with your love of the pure truth because you’re being affected here.’ We continue as Jesus touched the core problem of the pure doctrines in the church that were being undermined. This is a very valuable little statement that Jesus is making and it’s important for us to understand what He means. This is the church of Pergamos.

Revelation 2:14-16 ¹⁴But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,

Balaam, a teaching, because Balaam was a prophet in the Old Testament and you remember the Elijah I shared with you. How he was affecting God’s people with the teachings of idolatry.

Revelation 2:14-15 ¹⁴ Who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.¹⁵ So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Jesus is very fastidious about His pure doctrine in His church and He says to this church in the period of Pergamos. You’ve got there people who are twisting the doctrines that I have sent you out to proclaim, you are sacrificing to idols, you are bringing idolatry into the church. But, you have them there that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. What is this doctrine that began in the early Christian church in those early periods? He is particular about His doctrines. Remember, ‘I know your works’.

Doctrine of the Nicolaitans—The doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect; that by “believing” we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned (The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1912, reprinted from The Signs of the Times, February 25, 1897). 7BC 957.6

What is the doctrine of Nicolaitanes? ‘That you believe in Jesus and don’t worry about your works.’ Works for some people is a dirty word but Jesus is saying “I know your Works and I know that this Doctrine is penetrating so that you’re not worried about your works anymore.” Because this is the doctrine of Nicolaitanes. Let us enlarge that a little further.

But the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of none effect; that by “believing” we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned. To the church of Ephesus He says, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  BEcho February 8, 1897, par.6

He calls upon them. Sister White sort of connects the doctrine of Nicolaitans that was infiltrating even the Ephesus church and He says,

Remember then from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” BEcho February 8, 1897, par.6

Those who are teaching this doctrine today have much to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-sufficient: that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner’s credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfills the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that He has saved them. ‘I am saved,’ they will repeat over and over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah?—No; for the garments of Christ’s righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity. Such teaching is a gross deception, and Christ becomes to these persons a stumbling block as He did to the Jews. BEcho February 8, 1897, par.7

Here you can see a terrible infiltration of the doctrines of Nicolaitans that took place already in the time of the early experience of Christian church. It came there and the Ephesus church was resisting it and by the time we get to Pergamos, it started to infiltrate more. You get it don’t you? We are living today under a terrible influence of the right we believe. It’s not work that you have to concentrate on, just believe. Let us read and see Jesus speaking again, speaking of this alteration of doctrine that we are surrounded with. This is the church of Thyatira.

Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

This is the church that calls herself a prophetes. She is teaching alterations of the pure doctrines of the Christian church. He talks about what He will do with her except they repent:

Revelation 2: 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. ²⁴But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

See how Jesus is constantly trying to safeguard the doctrine throughout the history of the church. The church of Laodicea. It was mentioned before that losing the first love that we saw in Ephesus, there is something here.

Revelation 3:15 ¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Now you see something very interesting. Having lost the first love you get a bit cold and you only lukewarm in your love. Notice what He says what will happen and I really want you to understand that if you’re going to be part of God’s church, how you need to guard here.

Revelation 3:17 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:

There is something deeply meditate here and I’d like to deal with this very carefully. Let Jesus, the Savior, clarify to you what He is trying to communicate. I am reading in reference to this that you are lukewarm and because you are lukewarm, you don’t know the doctrine is to affect your work.

When this church is weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, it is found wanting, having left its first love. The True Witness declares, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles. 1SM 370.2

This is the Ephesus church notwithstanding the church is found wanting.

What is the fatal deficiency?—“Thou hast left thy first love.” Is not this our case? Our doctrines may be correct; we may hate false doctrine, and may not receive those who are not true to principle; we may labor with untiring energy; but even this is not sufficient. What is our motive? Why are we called upon to repent?—“Thou hast left thy first love.” 1SM 370.2

You are lukewarm, you lost your first love. This concern of Jesus regarding the doctrine and its associations with works with motives, this is all that He is addressing. That the original doctrine of church must not be lost sight of. So, here we are in the last period of the Christian church subject to influence casting a shadow on an original Christianity on its doctrines and its standards that what we are subjected to in these last times.  The doctrine has continually been undermined and we’ve seen Jesus is warning about it. ‘Oh Jesus loves you, everything’s fine, don’t concentrate on works.’ This has been bombarded on our minds but notice what he says; ‘I know thy works and I have something against you.’

What is the Gospel held and proclaimed by the true Christian church at the very beginning? Anybody who doesn’t stand by the true gospel let them be cursed. What is the pure doctrine in reality? We want to examine some scriptures that make abundantly clear to us that the church must be aware of what this pure doctrine is all in reality.

Romans 10:8 ⁸But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

God’s word is to be in the heart.

Romans 10:9 ⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

What does that mean?

Romans 10:10-13¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ¹²For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

We can be saved by calling upon the lord Jesus Christ; but did you notice what apostle Paul just interwove that in our reception of Jesus, ‘whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed because within the heart, men believe unto righteousness.’

What is righteousness?

Right doing. Apostle says ‘yes you believe in Jesus but your faith in Jesus your confession of Him, your belief at heart from Him is unto righteousness’. He enlarges this righteousness that has to do with faith.

1 John 5:1 ¹Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him.

How can we identify we are in the true gospel or not?

But this, we know that we are loved as the children of God. When we love God and keep His commandments; That’s how we know, that’s the gospel, that’s the true doctrine. “For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.” There we have it.

1 John 5:4 ⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The doctrine is one of the gospels in which we overcome the world that does to us.

1 John 5:5 ⁵Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

You see people want to make salvation so cheap that you just believe that Jesus is the son of God and forget the rest. The Apostles taught the pure doctrine works by obeying/doing God’s commandments; that’s part of the gospel and if anybody teaches anything different from them let him be accursed. Let us see how beautiful the early Christian church taught the pure gospel and the pure doctrine. This is a beautiful connection of a relationship with Jesus by which through the gospel keep His law, this was their doctrine.  Apostle Paul was talking about feeling condemned.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This is their doctrine of pure gospel that was held by the early Christian church and wasn’t this what Jesus taught them when they were listening to Jesus as He was confronted by all different Pharisees? There was the rich young ruler that said to Him what must I do to have eternal life? The modern Christian church will say believe in Jesus, that’s how you have eternal life, that’s how it was expressed by Apostle Paul to the jailer. But he knew what he meant. Today people don’t know what Apostle Paul meant as I just showed you. The early Christian church knew what it means to believe in Jesus. It means the heart that was prepared to follow the righteousness of the law. But how did Jesus teach this?

Rich Young Ruler

Matthew 19:16-17 ¹⁶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ¹⁷And 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.

‘I know your works, this is the gospel. Can you see? This is the doctrine, keep the commandments.’

Matthew 19:18 ¹⁸He saith unto him, Which?

Now, when these evangelicals say to you know there’s many other laws besides the Ten Commandments but that’s what they have said. They are trying to diminish the importance of the Ten Commandments, that’s what they do.

Matthew 19:18-19 ¹⁸Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, ¹⁹ Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

What Jesus Is Pointing To?

The Ten Commandments and if you want to have eternal life, what did He tell him? If you want to have eternal life, keep the commandments. Isn’t that what the Early Christian church was teaching that was in their doctrine. Where are we today? Evidently to believe in Jesus has to do with your works. Works of righteousness. You know what I came to understand over a period of time with all this argument of works, they turn to Martin Luther and they say, he put away works which he was trying to gain salvation by. What were the works by which he was trying to gain salvation?

As a Catholic beating himself, climbing upstairs on his knees, doing all those things to punish the body that was the works that he was doing to try and appease himself to God. That is the works that we throw out the door, but the works of keeping God’s law is the doctrine of the early Christian church that we are to keep those laws as Jesus said. To believe in Jesus means that we will be brought through our faith in Jesus to keep those commandments correctly, the doctrine of early Christian church.

1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

There you can see it, if the people don’t keep the commandments they are not of God. That’s the doctrine of the Early Christian church because they are taught by Jesus. If it talks about works, Jesus is talking about works in His church.

Understanding Of Early Christian Church

We want to understand what they meant in their doctrine.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We are to obey those who have the rule over us. We are to understand what they meant; we are not relying on any new doctrine. It is the doctrine that has been held all through the ages as the pure doctrine, the pure messages that came from the early Apostolic church. To leave the world and to not associate its practices with all the desires and flesh everything to do with temptation of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life etc. We want to understand what they meant.

What Did the Apostles Mean?

2 Corinthians 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The apostles are presenting the true understanding of the doctrine. They preached that you are to leave the world out of your life. You are not to engage in yoking together and that had so many different facets to it not just marriage we are not into marrying those who are not on the same page of doctrine as we are. These are the things they should understand well these days.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

This almost sounds like a message for the last days where it says come out of Babylon my people. It’s not a new doctrine, it’s a doctrine of the original church.

2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We see abundantly from Scripture what the apostle’s doctrine was. You can see how today it is very much needed in the churches that don’t even know what pure doctrines of church really are. Remember we are looking at the doctrines that deal with works and the works that they are upholding, come out of the world, don’t touch, don’t participate in their engagements, in their pleasure seeking, or whatever they are doing, they are not of God, they are following the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of the life. Don’t join with them, they are not part of that, that was the early Christian church. We are called upon to stay on that platform.

1 Timothy 2: 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. ⁹ In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ¹⁰ But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

They are arguing that they are turning against the pure doctrines of the early Christian church which God said this is my church right through to the end. How has your mind been affected to understand what they meant? Have we been affected just in our lukewarm condition? Have we been affected to play along the edges? The very thing that I have been sharing from the Elijah messages, is that we are following both. If we’re really going to follow Jesus, do we understand the original beliefs of the original church in practice? D=Do we?

It is a good illustration when it says here that the women are to wear modest apparel. What is the standard of modesty in your mind? What is their standard of modesty in your mind? As we pick up from the reformers, the Puritans, in the time of the Thyatira period, they came out of that period and stood on very very high moral standards of modesty.

Did you know that American beaches segregated into men and women beaches and the women wore bathing suits that covered their body? That was the modesty that was in the mind of original Christianity. Then as you have a name that you live in the period of Sardus, you have a name that you live but you’re dead. What did they gradually do? Bringing the men and women swimming together and bathing suits became less and less modest. We, today, have been surrounded by so much modesty that we don’t even understand what modesty is anymore. The original belief of modesty has been lost out of my mind.

We have become so conditioned that to show an ankle is something that people “oh don’t show your ankles’ but know that’s what the original pioneers of original church. They would cover themselves in a way that the unbeliever would make fun of them oh don’t cover your ankles that sort of jargon. The Seventh Day Adventist church of certain belief but it’s all changed today. The original principles; I know of your works, you already lost your first love.

What Was the Message to Laodicea?

You are so lukewarm, you have become so conditioned to false doctrine and false practice, you don’t even know how to adorn the pure doctrines anymore. You don’t know that you’re wretched, miserable, poor, blin, and naked. Not just spiritual nakedness because your external nakedness shows your spiritual nakedness, that’s what is in the Spirit of God, in the spirit of Prophecy. We have lost as a people in this modern time. We have lost the original doctrines and we need to wake up what are the pure doctrines that I as a servant of God am standing in this pulpit to let you know that to us today, belongs this strong appeal that we should earnestly contend for the faith that has been once delivered to the saints and people who have been so influenced in all the works of what our surrounding influences. They are saying to us who stand on the original doctrines, you’re extreme, you’re being fastidious about little things. Well then the Prophets and the Apostles of old are extreme. As a servant of God today, you want to obey them if you don’t want to obey me. As we go through these seven churches we examine ourselves to see where the pure church is all the way through.

May God bless us to understand what the spirit says to the church.

Amen.