ArmchairAdventists

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Where Satan Dwells [By M.L] Revelation 2:12-13 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13. I know where you live—where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’" Historically, Pergamum, like Smyrna, was known for its imperial cult, where the emperor was worshipped. In addition to this religious atmosphere, Pergamum was also a crucial center for the Roman conquest of Asia and Greece. The city remained loyal to Rome even when things appeared bleak for the empire. Thus, Pergamum served as a seat of power for imperial Rome, and through Rome, Satan wielded considerable influence. Pergamum felt this power and authority from Satan very close at hand, and the church felt this influence as well. Constantly under Satan’s authority, they were often ...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Smyrna as a Lampstand [By M.L] Revelation 2:8–11 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’" Revelation 1:20 (ESV) "As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." Satan has alwa...

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you (Deuteronomy 4:2). [Written by Zice] The veneration of icons (or images) is an important facet of religious life and worship for both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. Before their depictions in art and sculpture of Jesus, Mary, angels, and saints, many offer kisses and prayers, burn incense, and prostrate themselves. Protestants observe all this and identify it as idolatry, in clear violation of the second commandment: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything . . . you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.”¹ Conversely, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, regarding the icons as holy, view the Protestants as obstinate heretics on account of their complete rejection of icon veneration. But both Catholics and Orthodox, dissonant in other matters of faith, agree that Christian icons and their vener...

We have already touched on some aspects of Christology in discussing Cyril's doctrine of God: that Christ is the Creator of all, uncreated, and partaking of the nature and essence of the Father. We ought to explore this more:  “Believe also in the Son of God, One and Only, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who was begotten God of God, begotten Life of Life, begotten Light of Light, Who is in all things like to Him that begot, Who received not His being in time, but was before all ages eternally and incomprehensibly begotten of the Father: The Wisdom and the Power of God, and His Righteousness personally subsisting: Who sits on the right hand of the Father before all ages. For the throne at God's right hand He received not, as some have thought, because of His patient endurance, being crowned as it were by God after His Passion; but throughout His being — a being by eternal generation — He holds His royal dignity, and shares the Father's seat, being God and Wisdom and Power, as has bee...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Crown of Life [By M.L] Revelation 2:8, 10–11 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life... 10. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’" There were people in Smyrna who were facing death. The first death would come to them in a painful manner, through intense persecution. However, these believers were promised that they would not experience the second death. They would receive a resurrection when Jesus returns. But to achieve this, they had to conquer. There was a crown of life to be won. Paul speaks about this crown (wreath): 1 Corinthians 9:2...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Smyrna’s Poverty [By M.L] Revelation 2:9 (ESV) "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." Poverty is something we rarely experience in the West today. We are wealthy and lack nothing. Christians face little open persecution, and prosperity benefits us greatly. Wealth itself isn’t necessarily bad. It can be used for good purposes, and God’s original creation was never meant to experience lack. However, sin has turned what could have been a blessing into a curse. In the life of Jesus, a rich man once approached Him. Here’s what happened: Matthew 19:16–26 (ESV) "And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ 17. And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ 18. He said to him, ‘Whic...