SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM PARTNERS:
Januaryq 12, 2024
The Straight Testimony to the Laodiceans Series
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.” Rev. 3:19.
Following the Isa. 28: 9-13 study method and truth-vetting principle, I am providing herewith just a couple of verses to contextually cross-reference
the words “rebuke”, “chasten” and “repent” with—-in order to better realize and comprehend their vital nature in the Laodicean testimony of the True Witness so that we may receive the message’s divine intent humbly and gratefully, and thereby be “sanctified by the truth; Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The life-time work of sanctification is to make us FIT for heaven and to live with the angels that never fell.
REBUKE: See Titus 1:10-14. Verse 13 says:
“This Witness is true. Wherefore REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, that they may be SOUND IN THE FAITH.”
Then Titus 2:11-15 (a vital passage to explain what grace is designed to accomplish). Verse 15 says:
“These things speak, and exhort, and REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY. Let no man DESPISE you [for saying these things].”
NOTE: Timothy was the youngest of the apostles as John the beloved as the youngest of the first Twelve disciples.
CHASTEN: See Heb. 12: 5-11. Verses 7 & 8 says:
“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with SONS; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all [who are true sons] are partakers, then ye are BASTARDS, and NOT sons.”
REPENT: See Christ’s very words, verily His testimony itself in Luke 13: 1-5. Verse 5 says:
“I tell you, Nay: but, except [unless] ye REPENT, ye shall ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.” Verse 5 repeats the same warning of Christ.
See 2 Cor. 7:9-11. Here Paul uses very emphatic language to illustrate the true spiritual nature of GODLY SORROW THAT WORKETH REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION” in verse 11. The popular and counterfeit repentance is one that “needs repentance of” itself for it is “the sorrow of the world that worketh death” (not salvation).
We often sorrow for our sins because of its humiliating and painful consequences. But genuine sorrow is for the SIN we commit “for it crucifies Jesus afresh” -and not for its consequence, which may be temporary and temporal. But the “wages” of unrepented sin is the “second death” which is not covered by Christ’s blood.
Remember: “Repent ye therefore and BE CONVERTED, that YOUR SINS [not your name] MAY BE BLOTTED OUT when the times of refreshing [in the latter rain] shall come from the PRESENCE of the Lord.” Acts 3:19.
To be continued, God willing. Bless all. See you tomorrow with a mind and heart prepared for the holy Sabbath’s blessings of the Lord of the Sabbath. NMF