TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM (continued)

Situated 40 miles to the southeast, Thyatira was a much smaller city than Pergamum, with a smaller church. It was situated in an area noted for its abundant crops and the manufacture of purple dye.

THE CHURCH IN THYRATIRA

This church was making progress.

19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. (Revelation 2:19)

However, as with many churches today, it contained at least two groups of theologically different people. Part of the church, perhaps the majority, were apostate;

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:20-23)

while a remnant were faithful to the 'Word' of the letters Paul and others distributed and the travelling true teachers' teachings.

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. (Revelation 2:24-5)

There are two views about the person of Jezebel here. One is that there was a lady of that name in the local church there while the second, and more likely view is that the statement is allegorical, referring to the traits of the first Jezebel, the weak King Abab's wife. It doesn't really matter though, for the message Jesus is bringing.

Personally, I feel a little sorry for Jezebel! For it seems today, everyone we disagree with in the church, whether male or female, is readily called Jezebel! I know I am exaggerating (a little!) but her name has become synonymous with dissent in the church, particularly those who don't agree with the leadership!

Before I get into more trouble, I will quote what is said of her in Easton's Bible Dictionary:

JEZEBEL — chaste, the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Zidonians, and the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel (1 Kings 16:31). This was the “first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with a heathen princess; and the alliance was in this case of a peculiarly disastrous kind. Jezebel has stamped her name on history as the representative of all that is designing, crafty, malicious, revengeful, and cruel. She is the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. Guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man, passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship, she spared no pains to maintain idolatry around her in all its splendour. Four hundred and fifty prophets ministered under her care to Baal, besides four hundred prophets of the groves [R.V., ‘prophets of the Asherah’], which ate at her table (1 Kings 18:19). The idolatry, too, was of the most debased and sensual kind.” Her conduct was in many respects very disastrous to the kingdom both of Israel and Judah (21:1–29). At length she came to an untimely end. As Jehu rode into the gates of Jezreel, she looked out at the window of the palace, and said, “Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?” He looked up and called to her chamberlains, who instantly threw her from the window, so that she was dashed in pieces on the street, and his horses trod her under their feet. She was immediately consumed by the dogs of the street (2 Kings 9:7–37), according to the word of Elijah the Tishbite (1 Kings 21:19).

Her name afterwards came to be used as the synonym for a wicked woman (Rev. 2:20).

It may be noted that she is said to have been the grand-aunt of Dido, the founder of Carthage.1.

1. Easton, M. G., M. A. D. D., Easton’s Bible Dictionary, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1996.

Ironically for someone whose name means 'chaste', she epitomises evil influence within the church, as we can see in the Thyratiran church.

In this instance she, or people within the church, were promoting immorality, idolatry, and non-Biblical theology.

Then, and today, false unbiblical teachings were promoting the ways and values of a selfish, manipulative, fallen world, within the church.

The message to the church in Thyratira, and to us today, is to be so careful that the church and our lives are based upon godly values, not those of the society within which we live.

There are aspects of theology over which we will disagree. That does not make you or me a Jezebel. However, there are also foundational Biblical principles of discipleship. Throughout history, as seems to be the case in this church, the true ways of God as modeled and taught by Jesus, and personally revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, are lived by a remnant only.

May each one of us be careful to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, seeking daily to become more like Him.

As Christians, we are to be seen to be different to the people of the world.

(To be continued next week.)

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FROM THE WORD

TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA

"“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:18-29)

AHAB BECOMES KING OF ISRAEL
"In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him. In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun." (1 Kings 16:29-33)

JEZEBEL KILLED

"Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master?” He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot. Jehu went in and ate and drank. “Take care of that cursed woman,” he said, “and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. They went back and told Jehu, who said, “This is the word of the LORD that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel.’”" (2 Kings 9:30-37)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE
935. "I will obey You", is the ultimate form of worship.

936. The path of obedience takes a different route to that of our natural understanding.

937. To do what we don't understand, because God said it, is the ultimate test of obedience.

938. It may be easier to die as a martyr, than to die to one's self!

939. As I die, so God grows in me. There is only room for one of us!

940. In God, submission is a sign of success, not one of failure.

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CRANWELL'S CARTOON

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” (Joshua 6:1-5)








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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

NEXT WEEK BEYOND THE VEIL – WALKING IN THE WAY: OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE

Living our life today while preparing for His return.

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*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today

As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day.

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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

*** "Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others." ***

688. NUNS AND BASEBALL
Sitting behind a couple of nuns at a baseball game (with their habits partially blocking the view ), three men decided to badger the nuns in an effort to get them to move. In a very loud voice, the first guy said, "I think I'm going to move to Utah, there are only 100 nuns living there." The second guy spoke up and said, "I want to go to Montana, there are only 50 nuns living there. "The third guy said, "I want to go to Idaho, there are only 25 nuns living there." One of the nuns turned around, looked at the men, and in a very sweet calm voice said, "Why don't you go to Hell...... there aren't any Nuns living there."

687. TREASURES IN HEAVEN
This PENTECOSTAL rich person was very faithful about going to church.

His time came about, and he passed on to heaven. Met at the Pearly Gate by St. Peter, he was made to wait. The inquiring mind wanted to know, "Why must I wait, I was faithful about going to church. I was an important person on earth."

St. Peter said, "We are readying your residence."

Off in the distance as far as the eye could see was fabulous mansion after fabulous mansion. St. Peter finally led the person in and started walking past all the beautiful homes, each one more beautiful that the last. Turning a corner, St. Peter said, "This one is yours."

The newcomer asked, "But this is a dilapidated shack. Why do I get this?"

St. Peter replied, "Although you did get rich, this was the best we could do with the money YOU bequeathed us."

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What percentage of a watermelon is water?

ANSWER: A watermelon is 92 percent water. Strawberries are
approximately 99% water! (Both mouth-watering treats!)


THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who invented Khaki military uniforms?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

576. WAKE UP WITH AN APPLE
Apples are more efficient than caffeine in keeping people awake in the mornings! (There goes that excuse!)

577. THE BIONE FACTS
You are born with 300 bones, but when you get to be an adult, you only have 206! One quarter of all these are in your feet. Your thighbone is stronger than concrete! (Bone up on it all!)

578. ARE YOU HUNGRY?
The starfish is one of the few animals that can turn its stomach inside out! (Fortunately!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

ENAMORED

Answer at the end of A David Musing

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA

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BIBLE QUESTION - JUDGES (You be the judge!)

18) Whose army was Jephthah fighting against?

A - the Ammonites
B - the Amalekites
C - the Midianites
D - the Moabites

Source: www.biblequizzes.com

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

!!!!!!! When God is at work, suffering setbacks, hardships may still occur.

!!!!!! Samson's story teaches us that it is never too late to start over.

!!!!! Believe that God has a solution, a provision, or a gift to match your difficulty.

!!!! Ask, "What would Jesus do?"

!!! God always answers our prayers, changes circumstances or supplies power to overcome.

!! Do not worry about tomorrow, sufficient for today is its own trouble.

! God in His mercy delivered His people over & over again.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS

48. POLICE QUOTES
"The handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch out after you wear them awhile."

"If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."

"So, you don't know how fast you were going. I guess that means I can write anything I want on the ticket, huh?"

"Yes sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I am the shift supervisor?"

"Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

"The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or dog?"

"Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven."

"Life's tough, it's tougher if you're stupid."

"No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we want."

"Just how big were those two beers?

"In God we trust, all others are suspects."

49. EIGHT GIFTS THAT COST NOTHING
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a
life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.

More extensive explanations at .....

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BIBLE TRIVIA

CROWN OF THORNS

Most experts believe the 'crown of thorns' was made from a straggly shrub commonly called the Jerusalem thorn. It grows abundantly around Jerusalem and its twigs are flexible enough to be woven.

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

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MORE ON COLOURS AND METALS

BLUE:.....Heavenly - Holy Spirit.....Num. 15:38

GOLD:.....Divine Nature.....Rev. 3:18

GREEN:.....Life Everlasting.....I John 5:12

IREDESCENT:.....Overcoming.....Rev. 21:11-19

ORANGE:.....Praise.....I Chr. 23:13

PINK:.....Right Relationships.....Rom. 3:25 & Rev. 19:8

PURPLE:.....Royalty - Kingship.....John 19:2 & Jude 8:26

RED:.....Blood Atonement.....Mat. 27:28 & 15:1-18

VIOLET:.....Invisible - Supernatural.....Eph. 2:7 & Ex. 35:6

YELLOW:.....Shekinah Glory.....Eph. 2:7 & Ex. 35:6

WHITE:.....Purity.....Dan. 12:1O

BLACK:.....Sin - Death.....Jer. 8:21 & Lam. 4:8-5, 1O

SILVER:.....Redemption.....Mat. 27:3-9

GOLD:.....Divine Nature.....Rev. 3:18

BRASS:.....Judgement.....Num. 21:9

WOOD:.....The Root Humanity.....Is. 11:10-11 & Jer. 23:5

COPPER:.....(Same as Brass)
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF…….THE 3 GARDENS OF GOD

Having spent much of my life involved in the gardening industry, as a grower, wholesaler of flowers, bulbs and plants and finally as a mail order seller of the same, this revelation has reached into my 'gardeners' heart!

Gardens and nature have a special place in God's heart too. This is not surprising, for He was their creator! Nor is it surprising then, that He should choose garden settings for key events in His interaction with man to take place.

Let's see what they are.

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WAXING LYRICAL

This poem was 2 years in the writing! The inspiration came, half was written, then I got busy on other things! In the last day or two I have had some spare time, so thought to finish it. (Actually I have had more spare time during the two years but never quite got 'a round tuit'!) I hope the result is worth waiting for!

MR BUMBLE

The other day I met with a bumble bee,
The two of us together, just him and me.
I asked, "How are you, my high flying friend,”
As our way down the road, we did gently wend.

“A ‘box of buzzes’ " said Mr Bumble, rumbling along,
In the prime of life - yes, a bee so buzzingly strong.
“I'm on the way to the garden down the road,
Plentiful pollen there, will get me a load.”

“For I’m a worker bee you see,
One of many, in our big family,
We have a purpose for which to live,
Honey aplenty, to our hive, to give.”

“Your life is a fulfilled one then,
A privilege not given many men.”
“I guess it is, in following family tradition,
Feeding the hungry hive’s a real mission.”

“I learned what to do from my brother,
The Queen you know, is our mother,
It was Jimmy who taught me how to fly,
Led by example, encouraged me to try.”

“But soon flight, I did learn to master,
With practice, went faster and faster.
Till now I’m known as the ‘brmm-brmm bee,’
Always winning the race to the cherry tree.”

(Continued next week)

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A DAVID MUSING

My wife, Kathy, has a 'significant' birthday this week, at which time she catches up to me in age!

At this time, it is right, on my, and your, behalf, to thank her for making Walking With Jesus Ministries, including PGIM, possible over these past 9 years or so.

Without her financial support through thick and thin, working as a Theatre Nurse at our local hospital, I would not have been able to record the teachings and produce the ezines. For reality is, we all need to eat (perhaps a little less!) and meet the other expenses of day to day life.

If you also appreciate what she has done and the sacrifices she has made for this ministry, and would like to send her an email, her address is kathy@wwj.org.nz

Thank you so much, Doll.

Photo is of Kathy at her Nursing Degree graduation, last year.

Until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DEMEANOR

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': The Ammonites (Judges 11:32)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz

Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz