", John W. Ritenbaugh Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? Far from suggesting that the Philadelphians are going to heaven, the chapter reiterates the fact of their access to the One in heaven. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. It has everything to do with whats at the center of our affections. In periods of modern droughts, aerial photographs document the receding water levels in reservoirs around the stateshorelines growing wider and drier as water levels fall. The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. 1 Corinthians 15:58. Thats just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool [see Revelation 3:18, white garments contrasted] and in the banking industry. With false humility? 138. Practice studying the Bible each day, and you will enrich your life now and forever! The conventional interpretation among those who have come out of the Worldwide Church of God is that Christ has given the Philadelphians an open door to preach the gospel, an idea that is not without merit. Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! The door Christ opens to the Philadelphian, the door no man can shut, may well be the door to the Kingdom itself! After Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Worldwide Church of God, died at age of 93 (January 16, 1986), Gerald Flurry (born April 12, 1935 and a minister in WCG since 1973, 1 was one of those that disagreed with the new changes that Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. began instigating. Question: "I was baptized at age 11 by a minister of a large denomination, but I didn't understand the true meaning of repentance until I began studying my Bible and hearing your broadcasts. Many Bibles have a concordance at the back. Unlike the other letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, correction is not to be found. It also shows the root word from which the Hebrew or Greek word was derived. As a result of searching the Scriptures, the brethren in Thessalonica believed what they were taught (Acts 17:11-12). Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) - Exit & Support Network Exit & Support Network Aiding those spiritually abused by Worldwide Church of God and offshoots Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) Best of the Letters for 2022 Knowing something about the historical city of Laodicea enhances our understanding of the language Christ chose to correct it. Reviews on Bible Study in Roxborough, Philadelphia, PA 19128 - Citylight Church, Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, Lancaster Bible College - Capitol Seminary & Graduate School, House Of Faith Ministries PA, First Haitian Church Of God In Philadelphia Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. slope of Mt. God commissioned Jonah to go east to Assyria, to the capital of Nineveh and deliver a message of judgment. If He says something will happen, so be it. Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. The magazines name illustrates that the material within is intended for royalty! Only God has the words that shed light on the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people.". Even if they get their lessons in the mail, we hope they will take tests online to be scored immediately so they can get on with the course.. Still another name of the city was Decapolis, because it was considered as one of the ten cities of the plain. [The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side taking care of us in life when we cant take care of ourselves. Sep. 17, 2020 How God Educates Gerald Flurry Aug. 19, 2022 John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf. It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. Prayer and a holy life are one. Good communication is not one-sided. Keep in mind that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and meditate on these promises when you need a spiritual boost! Apollos, for example, didnt have any Bible helps, yet he was mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24). God may have given him only two talents, but He knows that if he is faithful with a small amount of power, in the Kingdom he will faithfully administer all of the responsibility and effectiveness that God bestows upon him. He spoke of looking forward to these things. and [looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13-14). Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. We hope to have the opportunity to fellowship with you soon. For the Apostle Paul, doing Gods Work was more important than his own salvation! There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. It was the youngest of the seven cities whose churches are addressed in these letters. Thats the view given by most English dictionariesa deemphasis on ones own importance. A way to reinforce the teaching we receive is to study the notes thoroughly within 24 hours. Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. They loved Jesus, and Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:11). 89 The revival movement permanently affected Protestantism as adherents strove to renew individual piety and religious devotion. After the student passes a test, he or she receives the next four lessons. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. But this metaphor has no connection at all to Christ's quotation of Isaiah 22:22. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. Our God has given us a most valuable treasure chest filled with priceless treasurethe words of eternal life! 1 Corinthians 15:57. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). The town received its name from his nickname, Philadelphus or brother lover. Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. We are currently meeting at the Homewood Suites at 4109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy Start today! I attended Herbert W. Armstrong College (HWAC) for three and a half years, and was a writer for the Philadelphia Trumpet. Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. This rosy evaluation is suspect from the standpoint that we also think it is the church . How often? Bible study is one of those assignments! Obviously, studying the life of Jesus Christ is the best example. W. A. Criswell, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. We serve the same God who said: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. What is this open door? There is no cost or obligationever. The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. Transcript of the news story that aired in November 2008 on Fox 25. If we pray regularly but dont study very often, its the same thingwere doing all of the talking. Bible | Philadelphia Church of God Just How 'New' Is New Year's? Although Christ addressed Revelation 3:7-13 to the church in Philadelphia as a body, His encouragement applies to every believer, then and now. The religions of the world teach that the law is done away. But compared to the online course, even that method was a very inefficient process, Hensley said. The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). Goodbye hardship and heaviness. He is also true in the sense that he is faithful and trustworthy. (Part 5). That in turn enables the Church to have more of an impact in doing Gods Work! You dont have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. John had a profound understanding of Jesus Christ. Temptation. Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. As our lives center on God, giving priority to hearing His voice and reading His Word, we become bolder in sharing our faith. The best way to increase joy in your life is by developing a habit of daily time with God. Philadelphia means brotherly love. In Romans 12:3 Paul exhorts the believers not to think of themselves pridefully but rather to think of themselves soberlythat is, realistically or accurately. But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. Pauls topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. In January 1990 Gerald Flurry and John Amos broke away from the Worldwide Church of God and began a new church called "The Philadelphia Church of God." They have pointed out many of the drastic changes Worldwide is going through, and claims to want to return to the faith of Herbert Armstrong, whom they look upon as "Elijah." Christ opens the door to the Kingdom because of the Philadelphian's faithfulness, just as He promises to keep him from the hour of trial because of his perseverance (Revelation 3:10). J. C. Ryle, I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. Our natural thoughts and actions are not Gods thoughts and actions (Isaiah 55:8-9). Are you letting Him speak to you? Young's Literal Translation shows this emphasis: "I have known thy works; lo, I have set before thee a dooropened, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name" (emphasis ours). Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. . What about marriage or the doctrine of the Old and New Covenants? If you dont get it fixed, youre not going to reach your destination. Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. Bible study is like one of the four tires of a car that youre driving down the road to the Kingdom of God. The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. We should neither overestimate the gift of Gods grace or underestimate it. (Luke 18:8). Behind the city are volcanic cliffs which the locals call 'inkwells.' 2. But Jonah fled west toward Spain because he feared the Assyrians. Many schools today are educating students in how to livethe wrong way! Please browse around our website for various information about our church. That makes it easier to talk to Him. How do you view yourself? For example, Paul lists nine qualities related to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. You need all four tires operating in conjunction with one another to make any headway. The Church of Philadelphia. Instead of waiting months to receive four lessons and a test in the mail, paying to ship the completed test, and starting the wait all over again, Bible course students can now log in to the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course website and progress through the lessons and tests much more quickly. The words of the Bible are Gods thoughts in print (2 Timothy 3:16). The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. Francis Schaeffer, And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. None of us is above God's discipline if we engage in sin. Christ sets before the Philadelphian an "open door" because he has only a little capacity for mighty works, and yet he still keeps God's Word and does not deny God's name by the way he lives his life. The pcg won the copyright to the correspondence courses predecessor, the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, in 2003. If you are not already enrolled in the On-Line Bible Study, but would like to be, there are openings available. A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance.