I know your works and your hard labor and your patience and that you are not able to bear wrong, and you put to the test the ones calling themselves apostles and were not, and you found them liars, and you have patience and bear because of My name and you have not become weary (Revelation 2:2–3).

The letters to the seven assemblies begin with an address to the pastor of the Church of Ephesus. The term “angel” is a transliteration from the Greek, and its definition should be derived from the original language. In Greek, “angel” means “messenger” and can refer to either a spiritual being or a human. In this context, since Christ is addressing the Church, the term is best understood as “messenger.” The messenger of the assembly is the recipient of the information from John, indicating that the pastor is being addressed.

Christ commends the assembly for its diligent labor, patience, and opposition to those who commit wrongdoing. These characteristics illustrate the predominant focus of the Church during the first period on earth following the Apostolic Period, specifically from AD 96 to 170.

This assembly not only remained steadfast in the name of Christ through tireless labor but also exposed individuals falsely claiming to be apostles (Revelation 2:2). According to the Scripture, there are only twelve apostles to the Lamb, all personally chosen by Jesus Christ (John 15:16). Paul was the final apostle to join the original eleven disciples, who became apostles to the Jews, while he was assigned to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 15:8–9). Even during the apostolic era, churches confronted false apostles who claimed greater authority (2 Corinthians 5:11; 12:11). This issue persisted after John’s death, yet the Church continued to expose such individuals as impostors.

Despite its steadfastness against false apostles and wrongdoers, the Church ultimately lost its first love (Revelation 2:4), specifically the love for fellow believers (John 15:12). As a result of failing to heed Christ’s warning, the Church’s lampstand was removed from its place. Consequently, this assembly is the only one no longer active on Earth. The remaining six assemblies persist until the return of Christ, each representing the condition of the Church in its respective historical period.

The king answered Daniel and said, “From truth concerning your God, He is a God of gods, and Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets since you are able to reveal this secret.” (Daniel 2:47).

The task the king gave Daniel could have only been revealed by one who had direct access to a real God. The engravers, astrologers, sorcerers, and even all the other wise men of his kingdom were unable to perform such a task. Because they could not answer the king, he ordered them all killed (Daniel 2:10). However, Daniel gained favor and time to reveal the dream and its meaning to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:16).

That night, the God of heaven revealed both the dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a night vision (Daniel 2:19). When Daniel then declared the dream and its meaning to Nebuchadnezzar, the king fell on his face. He paid homage to Daniel, commanding that an offering and incense be presented to him (Daniel 2:46).

Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel, making him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2:48). At Daniel’s request, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained at the king’s court (Daniel 2:49).

This is Nebuchadnezzar’s first direct encounter with the God of heaven—an encounter he would soon forget because of his own pride and arrogance.

LORD, do not adjudicate me in Your anger, and do not discipline me in Your heat. LORD, have favor on me for I waste away. LORD, heal me because my bones are dismayed (Psalm 6:1 and 2).

In this psalm, King David cries out for favor and kindness from the LORD. He is wasting away, sapped of his strength from external forces. His bones are in intense emotional agitation from fear. David calls out to the LORD, asking how long his soul will be so greatly agitated in fear (Psalm 6:3).

David requests that God preserve his life on account of kindness, expressing distress at the prospect of death (Psalm 6:4 and 5). He becomes exhausted by persistent groaning and grief inflicted by his adversaries (Psalm 6:6 and 7).

He commands all workers of trouble to depart, affirming that the LORD has heard his weeping (Psalm 6:8). The LORD responds to his plea for help and intercession (Psalm 6:9). Ultimately, his enemies will experience shame and profound dismay (Psalm 6:10).

While David cries out for favor and kindness, Christians are recipients of grace and love. The apostle John states in John 1:17, “Because the law was given through Moses, and the grace and the truth came to be through Jesus.”

This highlights the distinction between law and grace. Christians are granted fellowship with God irrespective of merit; by walking in the light, they may partake in the divine nature (2nd Peter 1:3–4; 1st John 1:7).

Within this relationship, Christians receive comfort during tribulation (2nd Corinthians 1:4). Consequently, they can remain patient in adversity, trusting that God orchestrates all circumstances for their benefit as they demonstrate love toward fellow believers (Romans 8:28; 12:12; 1st John 4:20).

Because Christians are not appointed unto any wrath (1st Thessalonians 5:9), God does not judge them punitively for their sins. Instead, God child-trains them so that they learn to walk in righteousness and produce good fruit (Hebrews 12:11; 1st Corinthians 11:32).

Nothing can separate Christians from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not even their sin (Romans 8:35 through 39). Mature love casts out fear of punishment, and the peace of God surpasses the mind, grounded in a better hope (1 John 4:18; Hebrews 7:19).

Earthly things are those that pertain to things on the physical earth. The concept comes from a preposition meaning upon (ἐπί), connected to the word that describes the sphere (γῆ) we abide on, not just the ground.

When Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus concerning the new birth from above that is required for a person to enter the kingdom of God, Nicodemus marvels at Christ’s words (John 3:3). One must be born of water even spirit to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:5). Nicodemus’ only response to this statement was to question how a man could be born again (John 3:4). As the teacher of Israel, he should have understood Jesus’ words (John 3:9). Since Nicodemus did not believe the earthly things Jesus testified to him, why would he believe heavenly things (John 3:12).

There are heavenly bodies, and there are earthly bodies; all flesh is not the same (1 Corinthians 15:39–40). In the resurrection, there will be Old Testament saints who shine as the sun, moon, and stars (1 Corinthians 15:41–42). Our bodies are sown in corruption because of Adam’s sin, but raised in incorruption because of Christ’s obedience (1 Corinthians 15:43). Thus, in the resurrection, our bodies will no longer relate to the soul, but to the spirit; no longer to earthly things, but heavenly things (1 Corinthians 15:44).

We have an earthly tent, which is our body. It relates to earthly things. However, we know that when our earthly body is destroyed, we have a heavenly home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1). We groan in our earthly body to be clothed with our heavenly one, for we will not be found naked (2 Corinthians 5:2–3). Since God has prepared this for us, and has given us the Spirit as a guarantee, we are to walk through faith, not through sight, always being confident in the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:5–8).

Those who walk as enemies of the cross mind earthly things (Philippians 3:19). Their god is their belly and the glory is their shame. They take the earthly things and impose them on heaven, claiming we have mansions in the sky (John 14:2). They turn the grace of God into licentiousness and godliness into gain (Jude 4; 1 Timothy 6:5).

Note: In John 14:2, Jesus states there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house. The word “Mansion” in the KJV does not refer to a large house filled with all the earthly desires a person can have. IT is derived from the Latin word “mansio,” meaning “to remain, or dwell”. The KJV did not mistranslate the word; our modern English re-interprets the word to mean something completely different than the original meaning.

There is wisdom from above, which is peaceable and yields righteousness; then there is an earthly wisdom. The earthly wisdom is out from zeal and self-seeking. It focuses on feelings and is demonic in nature (James 3:15). Where this type of wisdom is present, confusion and every fallow thing is found (James 3:16). In contrast, the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, and produces righteousness (James 3:17–18).

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And the archangel Michael, when contending with the Devil, disputing concerning the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce a judgment of blasphemy, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you.”

Unlike the men who have crept into the Church who turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny the only master, Jesus Christ, the spirit beings do not pronounce judgments against those who are higher in rank than they are (Jude 4).

The Slander, Lucifer the fallen Cherub, belongs to a class of spirit beings that was created higher than the angels. Michael, who is the highest-ranking angel, even with such authority, would not voice a judgment of blasphemy against Satan.

Because Moses disobeyed God while leading Israel in the wilderness, he was not permitted to enter the promised land (Deuteronomy 32:51–52). God permitted Moses to see the land, but not enter it (Deuteronomy 32:49). After seeing the land and proclaiming a blessing upon all the tribes of Israel, Moses died in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy 34:4–5). He was buried in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor, an area overlooking the Jordan Valley near the eastern ascent towards Mount Nebo. No one knows where his grave is located, because the Lord would not permit Israel to make an idol of him (Deuteronomy 34:6). Satan, on the other hand, sought to use Moses’ body for his own nefarious reasons. Although Michael stood against Lucifer, he did so not on his own authority, nor did he pass judgment against Satan. It was by God’s authority that Satan was not permitted to use the body of Moses.

In contrast to the manner in which angels respect authority, the men who secretly creep into churches, turning the grace of God into a license to sin, speak against those in positions of authority. Through their dreams, they claim the right to reject established positions of authority and speak falsely about those with high-ranking statuses (Jude 8). If anyone teaches contrary to the healthy words of our Lord Jesus, and the teaching of godliness, this one is proud, knowing nothing, obsessed with investigations and reasoning over words. They are the ones who use words and phrases that hold no real meaning or relevance to the believer’s piety. They modify the meaning of words to obfuscate authorities, the gospel, and other truths. e.g., implying repentance means turning from sin rather than its actual meaning of “a change of mind.” From such we are to withdraw (1 Timothy 6:4). These are among those who claim gain is godliness, also known as the prosperity gospel, while merchandising the saints (1 Timothy 6:5). Because we are in the last days of the Church on earth, many assemblies are full of these types of men and women. Women claiming to be pastors, rejecting the authority of Scripture. Men proclaiming tithing as a means of godliness. Worship services that are akin to worldly concerts to manipulate the emotions of those who attend rather than speak the truth. These are truly perilous times in which finding the truth has become a rare commodity (2 Timothy 3:1–5).

Since we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also step (Galatians 5:25).

When we generally govern our lives by the Spirit, the desires from the flesh will never work themselves out to produce fruit (Galatians 5:16). This is because in Christ we are free from slavery to our sin nature (Romans 6:6). A life governed by the desires from the Holy Spirit is not maintained by adherence to law (Galatians 5:18). It is a life of freedom to live out righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:17). Therefore our walk is not governed by law, but the liberty we have in Christ. As we step by the Spirit, we fall in rank and file, taking each action in our life in a manner that relates to our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The concept of stepping in contrast to simply walking is displayed by those who lived by the law. In Jerusalem, the elders of the assembly called upon Paul to show that he stepped by the law. He was to take four men who were under a Nazarite vow and pay for their sacrifices so they could be released from the vow. In doing this, he would show them that the reports concerning him teaching the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake the Mosaic Law and walk according to their customs were not true (Acts 21:23–24). With this same zeal and careful adherence, the Christian is to step by the Spirit, not by the law. When we generally govern our lives by the Spirit, the desires from the flesh will never work themselves out to produce fruit (Galatians 5:16). This is because in Christ we are free from slavery to our sin nature (Romans 6:6). A life governed by the desires from the Holy Spirit is not maintained by adherence to law (Galatians 5:18). It is a life of freedom to live out righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:17). Therefore our walk in not governed by law, but the liberty we have in Christ. As we step by the Spirit, we fall in rank and file, taking each action in our life in a manner that relates to our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

This type of conduct is seen by those who lived by the law. In Jerusalem, the elders of the assembly called upon Paul to show that he stepped by the law. He was to take four men who were under a Nazarite vow and pay for their sacrifices so they could be released from the vow. In doing this, he would show them that the reports concerning him teaching the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake the Mosaic Law and walk according to their customs were not true (Acts 21:23–24). With this same zeal and careful adherence, the Christian is to step by the Spirit, not by the law.

Those who follow the steps of Abraham’s faith take God at His word. Abraham was not circumcised when righteousness was reckoned to him. Thus, his righteousness was not based on works but on faith (Romans 4:12). In the same way today, we need to step in the same manner. Salvation is by taking God at His word. This means we cannot impose works on salvation, and must have a promise. False gospels such as “confess Jesus as Lord”, “repent of your sins”, “believe that Jesus is God” are all built upon altering the message to impose works. This comes from mistranslations and the changing of word meanings to justify work-based salvation, and thus they do not follow Abraham’s steps of faith. Salvation is by faith through grace (Ephesians 2:8). This means it is based upon a promise, for faith without a promise is nothing more than presumption (Hebrews 11:1). And, salvation is a benefit without consideration of merit. Therefore, we do not give to get; we take God at His Word. Salvation is based upon our belief that Christ died on behalf of our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

Therefore, it is logical that the one who walks by the Spirit also takes each step by the Spirit. The one who steps by the Spirit is careful to work out the fruit from the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, faith, goodness, kindness, objectivity of mind, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). This can only be done when the grace believer is filled up by the Holy Spirit where he lacks (Ephesians 5:18). Being filled with the Spirit starts with framing the mind on things above (Colossians 3:1–3), which will result in seeking out the desires from the Holy Spirit, so that we are falling in line with who we are in Christ, and thus taking each step in a manner that relates to our position and possessions in Christ.

And the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD from the heavens. And He overthrew those cities and all the plains and all the inhabitants of the cities and what grew on the land (Genesis 19:24–25).

This is one of the first direct statements of a God who exists in three persons. The LORD on the earth, who had shared a meal with Abraham and informed him of the coming destruction, called down sulfur and fire upon Sodom, Gomorrah, and the entire plain from the LORD in heaven.

Lot, with his wife and daughters, was safely in the city of Zoar before the destruction came upon the plains (Genesis 19:23). However, Lot’s wife chose to direct her desires back to Sodom. Her looking back was not simply an act of looking at what was happening behind her. The Hebrew word indicates looking with consideration. She desired to go back to Sodom; thus, the LORD included her in the judgment, turning her to salt (Genesis 19:26). Tradition and children’s storybooks have Lot’s wife turned to salt because she looked back at the city of Sodom while it was being destroyed. This is nothing more than myth and contrary to the account given in Scripture. She turned her heart back to Sodom, not her eyes.

God remembered Abraham when He destroyed the cities of the plain, for He sent the only righteous man found in all the cities of the plain out from their midst before he overthrew them (Genesis 19:29).

And it was said that, “Whoever divorces his wife, he is to give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except concerning a word of fornication, makes her to commit adultery. And whoever happens to marry one who is released commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32).

Divorce, which is derived from the concept of standing away from, is not the way God designed the relationship between a husband and wife. That which God has joined, no one is to separate (Matthew 19:5). When Adam saw Eve, he understood this fact. She is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined as one flesh to his wife (Genesis 2:23–24).

Divorce was permitted under the law only because of the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts (Matthew 19:6). Jesus’ statement concerning divorce was difficult for his disciples to understand. Their response to this news was disbelief, saying it would be better for a man not to marry (Matthew 19:10). Although not all must marry, those who can accept God’s word are to receive it (Matthew 19:11).

Since adultery is a work of the flesh, among Christians it is not to be named (Galatians 5:19). If a husband and wife separate, they are to remain unmarried or be reconciled (1 Corinthians 7:11). The only exception to this is if the man or woman who is an unbeliever determines to leave the relationship. In that case, the believer may remarry (1 Corinthians 7:12–16). However, they should only marry other believers in the same manner as when a spouse has passed on (1 Corinthians 7:39). Therefore, an abusive husband is certainly grounds for separation, even to the point of legal separation. But this situation is not to be used as an excuse to remarry. The believer is to remain unmarried until the offending spouse passes away. Only then is the one remaining free to marry another. This is a hard statement, but true to Scripture. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Marriage is not to be taken lightly. It is a covenant that ought not to be broken! And it is shameful when believers partake in such practices.

In the Millennial Kingdom, Christ will not permit divorce. We of the Church live by a higher standard, for we have all things pertaining to life and godliness in Christ. Thus, except in the case of fornication or an unbeliever departing, those who separate are to remain unmarried.