Revelation 2
I picked up a book the other day at the library, called 'The Jerusalem Countdown.' It's written by John Hagee, who is a senior pastor at Cornerstone Church, in San Antonio Texas. I haven't read very much yet because I've been pretty busy. (Mostly baking) ;) But page one and two really perked my interest. I'll write it below.
'It is nearly impossible to pick up an nationally syndicated newspaper today or watch any national morning news broadcast without hearing about the escalating unrest and impending conflict in the Middle East. Many of these news stories deal with conflict between Israel and Iran and the looming threat of Iran's development of nuclear weapons. This book is being written in the spring and summer of 2005. It's very likely that before this book is published early in 2006, America and the nations of the world will be staggering beneath the realization that Iran, a rogue Islamic terrorist state, has officially joined the nuclear club. Many view Iran's developing nuclear capabilities as a threat to the world's security as well as to the fragile strategic balance in the Middle East. Despite Iran's protest that its nuclear development program is only for the purpose of civilian power generation, its persistent attempts to acquire nuclear weapons tell a different story. In addition, is evil leaders have publicly declared that they will use violence - any kind and any degree of violence possible - to reach Islam's highest goal: a successful holy war (a jihad) against the United States, the big Satan, and Israel, the small Satan. To reach that goal, Iran continues to seek the support of terrorist organizations in Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine - including the support of Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network of terror. So what does all this mean to you? To me? To Israel? To America? With this book I hope to make you aware of just how important this escalating conflict is to the world. The rise of terrorism in our world and the emerging crisis in the Middle East between Israel and Iran are part of a much bigger picture - that of God's plan for the future of Israel and the entire world. We are going to discover we are facing a countdown in the Middle East - the Jerusalem Countdown, a battle such as the world has never seen or will ever see again. It is a countdown that will usher in the end of the world.'
~ John Hagee
Sorry, kind of long. The reason I wrote that down for you to read it, is because it relates to Revelation, and the plan for Israel, and pretty much, the world. We'll find out soon what I'm talking about in one of the chapters.
Revelation 2
' "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My names sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left our first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."' 'And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death and I will give you eternal life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by a second death." '
So, I'm only writing half of the chapter, because I've got some stuff I've got to do. I'll finish it tomorrow. ;)
Review: To the church in Ephesus, man, they got slammed. Hearing that you have 'forgotten their first love' must be the hardest thing to hear in your life. What it means, is, your first love is t o God, and serving Him. They've forgotten that, and strayed from the path. Little, by little.
To the church in Smyrna, He tells them not to fear the things which are coming. (If you have read the book of Revelation, then you know what I'm talking about. If not, then you'll have to either look it up yourself, or you can wait till we get there.) ;P I highlighted my favorite part of this chapter. 'Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death and I will give you eternal life.'
Isn't that pretty? :D I love the part that says, 'Be faithful until death and I will give you eternal life.'
It gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we do, if we believe in Jesus, and accept the fact that we are sinners and need Jesus to come into our life as our Lord and Savior, we will be given the gift of eternal life.
'It is nearly impossible to pick up an nationally syndicated newspaper today or watch any national morning news broadcast without hearing about the escalating unrest and impending conflict in the Middle East. Many of these news stories deal with conflict between Israel and Iran and the looming threat of Iran's development of nuclear weapons. This book is being written in the spring and summer of 2005. It's very likely that before this book is published early in 2006, America and the nations of the world will be staggering beneath the realization that Iran, a rogue Islamic terrorist state, has officially joined the nuclear club. Many view Iran's developing nuclear capabilities as a threat to the world's security as well as to the fragile strategic balance in the Middle East. Despite Iran's protest that its nuclear development program is only for the purpose of civilian power generation, its persistent attempts to acquire nuclear weapons tell a different story. In addition, is evil leaders have publicly declared that they will use violence - any kind and any degree of violence possible - to reach Islam's highest goal: a successful holy war (a jihad) against the United States, the big Satan, and Israel, the small Satan. To reach that goal, Iran continues to seek the support of terrorist organizations in Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine - including the support of Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network of terror. So what does all this mean to you? To me? To Israel? To America? With this book I hope to make you aware of just how important this escalating conflict is to the world. The rise of terrorism in our world and the emerging crisis in the Middle East between Israel and Iran are part of a much bigger picture - that of God's plan for the future of Israel and the entire world. We are going to discover we are facing a countdown in the Middle East - the Jerusalem Countdown, a battle such as the world has never seen or will ever see again. It is a countdown that will usher in the end of the world.'
~ John Hagee
Sorry, kind of long. The reason I wrote that down for you to read it, is because it relates to Revelation, and the plan for Israel, and pretty much, the world. We'll find out soon what I'm talking about in one of the chapters.
Revelation 2
' "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My names sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left our first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."' 'And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death and I will give you eternal life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by a second death." '
So, I'm only writing half of the chapter, because I've got some stuff I've got to do. I'll finish it tomorrow. ;)
Review: To the church in Ephesus, man, they got slammed. Hearing that you have 'forgotten their first love' must be the hardest thing to hear in your life. What it means, is, your first love is t o God, and serving Him. They've forgotten that, and strayed from the path. Little, by little.
To the church in Smyrna, He tells them not to fear the things which are coming. (If you have read the book of Revelation, then you know what I'm talking about. If not, then you'll have to either look it up yourself, or you can wait till we get there.) ;P I highlighted my favorite part of this chapter. 'Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death and I will give you eternal life.'
Isn't that pretty? :D I love the part that says, 'Be faithful until death and I will give you eternal life.'
It gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we do, if we believe in Jesus, and accept the fact that we are sinners and need Jesus to come into our life as our Lord and Savior, we will be given the gift of eternal life.
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