Church Four “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first” (Revelation 2:19). by David Rice Thyatira was a bleak period of church history, from 1157 to 1517. It was not bleak in warm Christian discipleship but bleak with burdens and trials of faith upon the followers of Jesus. This was the period of greatest dominance by the papacy, represented by Jezebel, the wicked queen who […]
Religious A recent Gallup poll showed, for the first time, the majority of Americans are not members of a house of worship. Thirty-five percent of Gen Z students are atheists, agnostic, or have no religious belief. — Religion News Service, 6/3/2021 (Editor’s note: Members of Gen Z are those born between 1997 and 2015. This puts the age group for Gen Z in the range of 6-24 years old in 2021) Increasing numbers of African American mosques are closing, while the overall […]
Governments and Religion “He said unto them, Then render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25, scriptures from Revised Version Improved and Corrected, RVIC). Lawmakers in the French parliament’s lower house overwhelmingly approved a bill that would strengthen government oversight of mosques, schools, and sports clubs to safeguard France from radical Islamists and to promote respect for French values. In addition, the bill would allow temporary closure of any religious group that […]
Church Five, Sardis “Remember herefore how thou hast received and didst hear, and keep it, and repent” (Revelation 3:3. Scriptures from Revised Version Improved and Corrected). By Len Griehs Sardis1 was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Lydia (western provinces of Turkey), conquered by Cyrus in 547 BC. Paganism flourished in Sardis. John the Revelator lamented over many Christians who had returned to former beliefs. Thus verse three, “remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear: and keep it, and […]
Messenger to the Church in Philadelphia (1667-1874) “The way of taking up the cross is an entire resignation of soul … The way is narrow indeed, and the gate very strait … they that can not endure the cross must never have the crown” (William Penn)1 by Richard Doctor A freshly printed “blasphemous book” titled The Sandy Foundation Shaken reached the hands of the Bishop of London. It was a direct attack on the Trinity, asserting, “that the Father, Son, and Spirit, […]