How did you do on DAY 1? Lots of reading, for sure. Are you ready for today? (Before we go any farther, stop and pray. Ask the LORD to open your eyes to His Ways and remember to stay humble before him._
DAY 2 | Ephesus and Smyrna | PDF available for download here
We are going to Revelation chapter 2 and looking at the churches at Ephesus and Smyrna.
At Ephesus, Jesus said he had something against them -- they had left their first love. The Scriptures are not addressing the carnal love of couples but rather the love of God in regard to one's own salvation. I found this poignant sermon first preached back in September 1858 by Charles H. Spurgeon. AMAZING!
CLICK HERE to get your PDF copy of Spurgeon's sermon needed for today's End Times BOOT CAMP lesson.
- According to Revelation 2: 5 -- what will happen if the church does not repent?
- In Revelation 2:7 -- what is the reward for overcoming?
- After reading Spurgeon's sermon, write 3 examples of how you were when you first met Jesus and asked him to be the Lord of your life.
- Honestly answer, have you left your first love? If so, repent. Choose to heed the words of your blessed Redeemer. You'll be glad you did!!
Psalm 51 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Now let's read about Smyrna. Go to Revelation 2:8.
This church is the persecuted church in a very real and tangible way.
- Did the Lord Jesus have ought against this church?
- What was his instruction to them?
- PERSECUTION
- SUFFER
- PATIENCE
- FAITHFUL
- What is the reward of those who are faithful unto death?
- Read Matthew 10
Remember it's DAY 2 of this End Times BOOT CAMP. Boot camp is meant to push you beyond what you think is possible, strengthen you and tolerate no excuses or whining. We must push forward -- it is for Jesus and eternity.
Philippians 3:12-21 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Meet you back here tomorrow for DAY 3 :)
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