FROM RFWO PULPIT [SUNDAY MARCH 21, 2021] – Features only Sundays. Rapture Consciousness[394] When What You Claim Does Not Matter Will Matter. Our Foundational Scriptures (FS) are taken from Revelation 2:18-29(AMP), "And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, Who has eyes that flash like a flame of fire, and Whose feet glow like bright and burnished and white-hot bronze: [Dan. 10:6.]. [19]I know your record and what you are doing, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your recent works are more numerous and greater than your first ones. [20]But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and who is teaching and leading astray my servants and beguiling them into practicing sexual vice and eating food sacrificed to idols. [I Kings 16:31; II Kings 9:22, 30.] [21]I gave her time to repent, but she has no desire to repent of her immorality [symbolic of idolatry] and refuses to do so. [22]Take note: I will throw her on a bed [of anguish], and those who commit adultery with her [her paramours] I will bring down to pressing distress and severe affliction, unless they turn away their minds from conduct [such as] hers and repent of their doings.[23]And I will strike her children (her proper followers) dead [thoroughly exterminating them]. And all the assemblies (churches) shall recognize and understand that I am He Who searches minds (the thoughts, feelings, and purposes) and the [inmost] hearts, and I will give to each of you [the reward for what you have done] as your work deserves. [Ps. 62:12; Jer. 17:10.]. [24]But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they say–I tell you that I do not lay upon you any other [fresh] burden: [25]Only hold fast to what you have until I come. [26]And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations.[27]And he shall rule them with a sceptre (rod) of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, and [his power over them shall be] like that which I Myself have received from My Father; [Ps. 2:8, 9.]. [28]And I will give him the Morning Star.[29]He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches)." Beloved, the *spirit of it does not matter,* is deployed from the *hellish pit,* to derail lousy persons. It makes people not willing to completely submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It makes people that are doing contrary things attempt using Holy Scriptures, even when quoted out of context, to explain what they are doing. Are you still standing? Beloved, let me remind them of what some Holy Scriptures say: " *Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.[21]Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent and shrewd in their own sight!* "(Isaiah 5:20-21, AMP). I hope I have not simply described you in this paragraph? Are you still standing? Beloved, our FS describes the assessment by our Lord Jesus, of the Church at Thyatira. Every letter to the churches in Asia begins with a description of Christ that is especially relevant for that Church. To this Church, Jesus was introduced as the *Son of God.*(Verse 18 of our FS). Yes, He is called the Son of God rather than the *Son of man*. This is the only occurrence in the Book of Revelation where'''' that phrase, *Son of God,* occurs. Are you still standing? Beloved, why this particular Church? Why was He not called the Son of man in this letter like He was in the others and everywhere'''' else in the Book of Revelation? The phrase, Son of God, *emphasizes His deity*. He is God. Because He is God, He has the right to judge and this Church needed judgment. This Church did not need comfort by Christ. They needed His judgment. So, He was coming not as a High Priest but as a divine Judge. Are you still standing? Beloved, Thyatira is the smallest of the seven cities, but it was the one which received the longest letter. This Church was doing many things well, but they were being led astray by someone that introduced false doctrine. Evidently a woman claiming to be a prophetess had been influencing some in this Church to join the local trade guilds without which a tradesman could not work in Thyatira. This meant participation in the guild feasts that included immoral acts and the worship of idols. Are you still standing? Beloved, sometimes the pressure of “fitting in” into the world is overwhelming, but we are to stand firm in our faith, trusting God to provide and to take care of us. We are also to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word and not tolerate those who disregard and distort it. The *spirit of it does not matter* should not be tolerated. Are you still standing? Beloved, Thyatira was a prosperous trading center. It boasted of numerous trade deals, which are like our labour union----s today. Each field had its own patron deity, its feasts, its seasonal festivities which included sexual revelry. This was much more harmful than going to other social parties where'''' immorality and drinking of alcohol of varied grades are tolerated. There was idolatry going on. It was a hard place for Christians. Are you still standing? Beloved, according to Acts, Lydia, one of Philippi’s most notable convert, came from Thyatira. She was a seller of purple fabrics and we find out that actually they were not purple, they were just called purple. They were really red fabrics. Thyatira was known for this “purple” fabric. She had evidently gone to the city of Philippi to do some business. While she was there, Paul was there and he preached the gospel. She came to Christ and was baptized and came back to Thyatira. By the time Revelation was written, this prosperous city had a prosperous Church. Are you still standing? Beloved, in that Church, there were those who not only believed in false teaching, but they were acting it. They were acting it out in *a manner of it does not matter.* They were living on it. The rest of the Church tolerated it. Apparently, there were not just a few people in that Church that engaged in these activities. It had begun to take a lot of root. A strategy of Satan is to destroy a Church that is doing well with the *spirit of it does not matter.* By this strategy, Satan tries to destroy a Church by corrupting it with evil. That was his strategy here at Thyatira. Are you still standing? Beloved, so, the lesson for us to learn, I believe, from this Church is that: If we do not deal with sin immediately, it will take over. If we tolerate it, if we do not root up the foundation, it will eventually destroy what once was a beautiful garden. The Church was doing well before, Jezebel, the false prophetess showed. So, deal with sin when it springs up. Do not put it aside because if you do it will get out of control. *Do not say it does not matter,* else you might miss Rapture. Thyatira was a Living Church. Are you still standing? Beloved, Rapture is real and it is described in I Thessalonians 4:16-18. When the trumpet of God sounds, preparation for Rapture would have ended. Only those that qualify by meeting God's standard will be transformed in a moment for the upward transport while confusion will galvanize those not ready. My mission is to remind you of the need to prepare to meet your God (Amos 4:12) for I would want you to be on that *Jesus Rapture Spacecraft.* So be ye ready. Are you still standing? Congratulations as I see the Most High granting you exceptional favour, peace and goodwill and uncommon miracles and settling all that concerns you, to enable you take giant strides in all your endeavours in the Month of March 2021, in Jesus most favourable name, Amen. Apostle (Professor) Samuel A.A. Zelibe [Vision Runner]. email = [email protected]

By Admin Apostle (Professor)Samuel A.A Zelibe