Revelation 2:18-29 The Corrupt Church

Revelation 2:20 “I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel to teach and seduce…

Jesus addresses a church that possesses many commendable qualities: love, service, faith, patience, and growing works. Yet, He also sees a serious problem—tolerating a woman or spirit referred to as Jezebel, who teaches and seduces Christ’s followers into sexual immorality and rebellion against God.

The Nature of Seduction

Seduction often has two parts:

  1. The introduction of a new idea to consider.
  2. The enticement through vivid images, fantasies, or mental scenarios that promise pleasure or status.

Jesus identifies Jezebel as a woman, highlighting the power of attraction and influence God has given to women. Men, being vulnerable to this, can be swayed easily. In marriage, a man provides shelter and provision, while the woman contributes beauty and love—gifts designed by God to bless the family.

Honorable women use this influence to honor their husbands and build up their families, not to stir lust in others. Scripture makes it clear that women will be accountable to God for how they use their influence—whether for good or evil.

Biblical Examples of Influence

Eve and the Serpent (Genesis 3:1–6, 12)
Eve was enticed by the serpent’s deception, saw the fruit as desirable, and gave it to Adam, leading to the fall of humanity. Adam, in turn, blamed Eve for his choice.

Jezebel and Elijah (1 Kings 19:1–4)
Jezebel, through threats and intimidation, caused Elijah to flee in fear, demonstrating the destructive potential of ungodly influence.

Seduction in Today’s World

Modern society presents constant temptations through TV, social media, and cultural messaging. These images and ideas, often manipulated by Satan, are powerful—frequently appealing to physical attraction to lure people away from God’s ways. Scripture warns that those who follow these paths will face the same judgment as Jezebel.

Hold Fast Until Christ Comes

Jesus calls His followers to hold fast to truth and righteousness. Great rewards await those who resist moral corruption, keep their hearts pure, and remain faithful.

Practical steps include:

  • Reading God’s Word daily
  • Praying faithfully
  • Attending a spiritually healthy church
  • Guarding your mind against seductive ideas and images

By doing so, you safeguard your LightNside, your marriage, and your spiritual witness, living in the light and joy Christ provides.

Revelation 8-9 Prayers, Trumpets, Judgement

Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 

Revelation 8–9: Thoughts and Insights

There are three main divisions in the Book of Revelation that focus on God’s judgments upon the earth and those who have rejected Him. They are separated by the seals of a scroll, trumpets, and bowls. Even in these times of judgment, there will be powerful revivals. Hundreds of thousands will accept Christ. However, the circumstances will be drastically different from today. We are currently living in the Church Age, when the Holy Spirit is actively holding back the full force of evil and lawlessness. Today, salvation is freely available and relatively easy to embrace. But in the Revelation era, the Church Age will have ended. The rapture will have removed the Church from the earth, leaving behind corrupt leadership and widespread divine judgment. While revivals will occur, they will come at a great cost. Later in Revelation, we see that Christians may not be able to buy food, and many will have to flee, hide, or suffer for their faith. Revelation 6:9–11 shows that most believers who choose Christ during the Tribulation will be martyred.

God collects prayers

Up to this point, God’s judgments (like the four horsemen of Revelation 6) could be seen as natural consequences: war, hatred, economic collapse, and widespread disease — perhaps even events like pandemics. When the seventh seal is opened, an angel stands before the altar, offering incense mixed with the prayers of the saints. This mixture is then cast down to the earth, triggering dramatic, global effects. Continue praying for your family, for your heart, and for revival in our land.

The Trumpet Judgments

These affect the physical earth:

  • Hail and fire mixed with blood fall upon the earth.
  • One-third of the trees are burned up, and all green grass is consumed.
  • A large object crashes into the ocean, killing one-third of sea life and destroying one-third of the ships.
  • Rivers turn bitter, causing many to die.
  • The atmosphere is struck — one-third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened, bringing a supernatural darkness.

Fifth and Sixth Trumpets – Supernatural Judgments

  • A bottomless pit is opened, releasing demonic locust-like creatures to torment those without God’s seal for five months (Revelation 9:7–11).
  • The sixth trumpet unleashes a massive, destructive army described in Revelation 9:17–19.

Though revival is happening in the midst of these judgments, Revelation records that many still refuse to repent. Despite the clear signs and warnings, people harden their hearts rather than turn to Christ — though salvation was still available to them.

“Today is the day of salvation.”

Some people say, “I’ll enjoy life now. If the rapture happens, I’ll repent then.” But the truth is: it will be far more difficult to turn to Christ and stand firm during the Tribulation than it is today. The cost will be immense. While these truths are sobering, remember the heart of God: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

May your LightNside experience the rapture — not the tribulation.

Revelation 2:12-17 The Compromising Church

Revelations 2:14 But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam…

The Two-Edged Sword

The theme of this letter to the church and us is not to allow ourselves to tolerate ungodly activities. We are in a nation that goes to church and sings songs to God, but during the week, we can accept the ideas and standards of a society that is quickly becoming ungodly.

The first few verses set the tone of this letter.  “These things says He who has the two-edged sword.”  Jesus is described by John as one who has a two-edged sword coming out of his mouth.  This is serious.  The words of Jesus are true and powerful.   In Revelation 19:21, at the end of the confrontation with the beast and the false prophet, who were both thrown into the lake of fire, Jesus destroyed all the rest of the evil armies from the world with the sword coming out of His mouth.

What is this double-edged sword?  It is the words of God.  The words that give life and death.  The Bible itself, when read aloud or in your mind, is also a double-edged sword. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Compromised Believers

Compromised Believers need the two-edged sword to cut their acceptance of evil ideas and lifestyles.

Jeremiah 7:18-19 NIV

The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to arouse my anger. [19] But am I the one they are provoking? declares the LORD. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?

Galatians 5:19-21  19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

These verses are a two-edged sword.  You might have felt the cutting of the sword as you read the last verse.

Do you have ears to hear the two-edged sword? Repent and be an overcomer!

Jesus signs off with the two-edged sword again.  Revelations 2:16-17 16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

Please look within your heart and see if there is a compromise.  

Let your Light-N-side hear the two-edged sword coming out of God’s Word and His Spirit? 

Revelation 6&7 Judgement and Salvation

Revelation 6:17  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

The end times or the tribulations will be coming to pass before long.  Just before the tribulations, there will be the rapture of the church. (See the post on the Rapture of the Church.)  While millions of Christians have been raptured, the judgment of those who rejected Christ is beginning.  

Before you read this post, read Revelation 6 and 7.

Can people who miss the Rapture still be saved? Yes, but…

While Revelation describes God’s judgment, there are also significant efforts of God to continue reaching out to people to confess and accept Christ.  There will be strong resistance from the ruling leadership to stop people from accepting Christ.  All Christian Churches are gone, so the effort to accept Christ will require great strength, patience, and suffering.

Chapter Six records the vision John saw of the Lamb of God (Jesus) opening the seven seals of the scroll Jesus received. Each seal represents some judgment from God on the world. 

Four Horsemen and Riders

The vision of the four colored horses and their riders is the first four seals opened. These are not specific men but rather worldly judgments assigned to each horse and rider.

  1st Seal: The White Horse – the rider has a bow, a crown, and the ability to conquer.  This event is probably with the antichrist leader, who will be a man of war like the world has never seen. 

2nd Seal: The Red Horse – the rider is given the ability to take peace from the earth.  People will begin to kill one another all over the world with rage.

3rd Seal The Black Horse – the rider had a pair of scales in his hands —very high prices for needs.  A loaf of bread will cost a day’s wages.

4th Seal The Pale Horse – the rider is called Death and Hades.  Power was given to him (and probably from the effects of the previous horses mentioned) to kill a fourth of the earth with the sword, hunger, and the beasts of the world.

Martyrs and Evangilists

5th Seal: Cry of the Martyrs – From verses 9 to 11, John sees all the souls who had been slain during the tribulation because of their faith in Christ.  They did not believe before the rapture, but after witnessing all that was happening, these people stayed strong but were killed for their faith. 

6th Seal Cosmic Disturbances –  In a great earthquake,  the sun becomes black, and the moon is like blood.  The stars fell to earth, and the sky rolled up like a scroll.  (John was shown what would happen in the future.  It almost seems like a nuclear war.  John is doing his best to describe what he is seeing.)

During the 6th seal, God has 144 sealed Israelites to go throughout the world, calling people to accept Christ before it is too late.  The Day of the Lord is coming, and everyone will stand before God to give an account of their life.

NOTE: some of the seal’s effects will continue for several or all years of tribulation.

Now is the easiest time to be a believer.

Please be ready for the rapture of the church.  Do you follow Christ? Now is the easiest time to be a believer. Find a church that preaches truth and repentance. It would be better to be with Christ in heaven than to suffer on earth. God’s judgment is coming.

Keep your Light-N-Side looking for the trumpet sound calling all Christians to heaven.

Revelation 4-5 Throne room of heaven

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne, the living creatures, and the elders.  In a loud voice, they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

NOTE:  Revelation is not written like Genesis, with the events in order.  Revelation is the visions shown to John, along with some of the structure of the Tribulation. In this blog, we will move between the Tribulation events (Chapters 4-22) and the letters to the churches (Chapters 2-3).

The Heavenly Scene (Three Visions) 

The Great Throne of God

John was taken to heaven in his spirit and saw visions of what would come to pass as the Tribulation begins. A grand celebration is taking place in heaven.  John is trying to describe this heavenly event as something wonderful that is unlike anything on earth.  The scene was beyond anything John had ever witnessed.  He uses the word “like” to help describe the marvelous scene.

Verse 3-5 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.

Also, heavenly creatures around the throne shouted day and night, “Worthy is the Lord to receive glory, honor, and power. You created all things. And by Your will they exist and were created.  There was also great worship of God.

The Scroll 

The earth and all people are born in bondage because of sin in the Garden of Eden.  Sin separated man from God.  Jesus’ work on the cross paid the price to cancel the bondage of sin.  A scene appears in heaven of a search for someone worthy to open this scroll, but no one is found.  Would the world and man be forever bound by sin and death?  Then Jesus appeared “as a lamb who had been slain”.  Jesus took the scroll because He paid the price for sin and death. 

Largest celebration ever

A grand celebration begins as Jesus takes the scroll.  Soon, the earth will be reclaimed, Tribulation will be poured out on the world,  sin will be destroyed, and all will be made Holy again.  This scene could be as big as Jupiter, as the Bible says:

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,  saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

One of my favorite passages is verses 13-14: And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Imagine every creature worshiping God. All the dogs barking, horses whinnying, elephants shouting, whales singing, birds chirping, and underground sounds, along with the angels and heavenly creatures, all worship God on the throne and Christ, the Lamb.

This scene is the inspiration for Handel’s Messiah.  

Revelation 2:1-7 Letter to 1st church (Ephesus)

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Jesus asks John to write a separate letter to seven churches (and us). Each church has a different message. Each letter has a message for us as well.  Also, each letter to the churches has a specific pattern.  Jesus shares something different about Himself. Jesus shares the positive and negative things about the church. One church has no positive, and one church has no negative. Lastly, Jesus gives a potential blessing if the church (us) responds.

About Jesus:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the pastors, and the seven lampstands are the churches.  Jesus has a supernatural presence with the pastors and a presence in the churches.  A healthy church and pastor should be anointed with the presence of Jesus.  This presence brings hope and miracles and draws broken people to the cross for healing and cleansing of the heart.  In today’s environment, there may be many churches without the presence of Jesus.  Maybe the preacher speaks more about psychology and how to be happy.  These churches are void of Jesus’ presence.

About the Church:

Jesus sees all the churches do (and us) and compliments their hard work. They are swamped working for the church, but they are patient, hard-working, and endure suffering.  The church (us) has become so busy that it has forgotten to know Jesus.  Corry Ten Boon says, “If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy.” The church has lost its passion for Christ.  They were too busy.  We can also become so busy in life that we forget to meditate on scripture and connect with Jesus.  WE MUST PROTECT OUR TIME WITH CHRIST. If not, we will slip away from His presence. Consider where you have fallen.  Consider your priorities.  Ask anyone, and they will say they are a Christian, but how much time is spent on devotion, prayer, and the Bible?  REPENT to Christ, return to the passion of God’s presence.

Potential reward or judgment:

Do you hear the message to this church and us? Jesus says, “To those who are victorious and overcome their business to restore their relationship with Christ, Jesus will give you fruit from the tree of life in heaven.  Do you have ears to hear?  Consider this past week or month. How are your efforts to grow close to Christ?  

Lord, we desire to know You more.  Let our Lightnside stay strong with a scheduled time in your presence.

A Study of Revelations

Revelation 1:3  God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

Revelation is the only book that promises a blessing if one reads, listens with one’s heart, and obeys the scripture. God had placed on my heart to share some of the truths of the book of Revelation in this blog. Many people have not heard the powerful messages of hope and judgment we will all experience. Revelation is a difficult book to read.  It has many dark chapters of God’s wrath poured out on those who reject God.  Revelations are also full of revivals of people turning to God.   Put on your spiritual seatbelt and dig into Revelation.

Revelation has five important parts.  1. The glorified Christ is described in chapter one. 2. The Letter to the churches (and to us all.) 3. The beginning of the tribulations. 4. The second coming of Christ and the millennial reign. 5 Final Judgement and a New Heaven and Earth.

The whole world will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Revelation 1:4-7

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.  Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.  And everyone will see him—  even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!

Philippians 2:10-11

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation is all about Jesus—His NEW look!

Rev 1:12-16

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

This is not the same image of Jesus when He was on the cross or after His resurrection and ascension. This description of Jesus is of a powerful Christ with great glory—a booming voice with power and eyes that see everything. He is the Christ of Revelation and the final Judge of mankind.

Jesus appeared to John to tell him to write a letter to the seven churches of Asia (and to us). Jesus also revealed to John the many scenes in heaven and earth during the years of the tribulation. Join me in this study of Revelation as we examine the letters to the churches and read key passages. According to Rev 1:3, you will be blessed if you read, believe, and heed what is written in Revelation.

Next blog: The Rapture of the Church. (This critical event will begin the prophecies of Revelation.)

Lord, bless our LightNSide as we study Revelation.

Love as strong as death

Song of Solomon  8:6-7 For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love,  nor can rivers drown it.

Love eyes

I finished reading the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) in my daily devotions and found the amazing supernatural element God placed in mankind to love.  God not only gave men and women the ability to see each other as no one else can.  In love, we look at our desires and see things no one else sees.  Is your wife or husband the most beautiful or most handsome person in the world? What others may see as a flaw is a unique feature to embrace and love. 

Love is a gift

Love is a gift from God that brings lovers closer and closer.  Even in aging, when the body changes, the love grows. This family of love is what the enemy wants to destroy in our nation.  The confusion of sexuality being taught by extreme evil creates a feeling of hatred, victimization, and loneliness.  Love and passion dissipate through the destruction of the family.  We come against these evil forces and cling to the man-and-wife structure, producing a loving family where each family member feels and strengthens God’s presence.

In our spiritual life. 

We also need the passion of love toward God. We know God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit love us from the beginning.  The Song of Solomon represents the love between a man and woman, the love God has for us, and what we should develop toward them.

Generating Love toward God

Bible reading and prayer every day.  Go to bed with scripture.  Play some worship songs and meditate on the many ways God loves you.  Speak to God and express your desire to know Him more.  Gaze upon His Holiness and Goodness.  Thank Him for mercies in your life from Him.

Qualities of Love

For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave.

Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.  

Many waters cannot quench love,  nor can rivers drown it.

Let this passage of love be a goal for your personal life and your relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.

Let your Lightnside shine bright with increasing love in the natural and supernatural.

Love’s Passion

(Delayed Post – should have posted on Feb.14)

(She)I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. (He) Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women. (She)  Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade,  and his fruit is sweet to my taste.  Song of Solomon 2:2-3 NIV

Happy Valentine’s Day

The Song of Solomon describes the passion between a man and a woman in love and expresses the love between God and humanity. The Bible also describes the relationship between Christians and Christ as a marriage. While it is very strange for me to think of myself as a bride, I think of the Christ who is coming to take me away to a place in heaven that He is preparing for me.

Passion now

I have been married to Dawn for forty-three years this May 1st. I remember the passion I had while dating.  All my thoughts were focused on being with my Dawn.  The goal (and I need to improve) is to keep my passion strong, even during everyday problems, pressures, and aging.

Passion for God

Today is a good day to spend some time being passionate about our God and receiving His passion for us.  In the Song of Solomon,  passion grew as the two lovers desired each other.  Their gaze was not on current problems or duties waiting for them.  They sought to look at each other, wanting to be in each other’s presence. 

Seeing and touching

A hug, a kiss, or a holding of hands brings back passion.  This passion is beautifully described in the chapters of the Song of Solomon—the experience of being loved,  holding, and being held for our earthly and eternal relationships.

I challenge you to take some time to experience the love God has for you today.  Read His thoughts in this chapter.  God wants to be with you and embrace your heart.  Will you also seek God in this passage?  Will you look and see God all around you?  Will you look at His goodness, His creation, and protection?  Enjoy His presence and allow God’s passion to rest in your heart. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Whoever believed in Him would receive PASSION in an eternal love relationship forever! John 3:16 (my version)

As Valentine’s Day approaches, let your LIGHTNSIDE feel and give passion to God and those you love.

(She)I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. (He) Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women. (She)  Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade,  and his fruit is sweet to my taste.  Song of Solomon 2:2-3

The way maker

As the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:9 NIV

We all have problems that keep us up at night. 

Some issues are difficult to figure out and seem very overwhelming.  God is our ‘way maker’.  Are you hungry to be fed the answer?  “God says, ‘Come to me and listen and eat what is good.’  Give ear to me; listen that you may live.” V 2-3

As the heavens are higher than the Earth

How much higher is the universe than what we see on Earth?  It is beyond our scope to understand.  I think of the mighty forces of gravity between planets and galaxies,  the power of the invisible black holes that also play a role in the balance of the universe’s paths. God set them in place, and through His power today, they obey His instructions.

One lightning bolt. A memory from the Holy Spirit.

When I was a teenager, I played basketball in a church league.  I remember driving one night after practice as a storm was coming in.  I drove by a power plant and saw the transformers and other equipment that produced lights for the city and electricity for all the town’s needs.  I began to think how wise man was to create this power.  What a display of our understanding and abilities. Then suddenly, one lightning bolt, just one, mind you, lit up the whole sky and completely drowned out the power station.  Just that one lightning bolt out of many that night revealed to me how much greater is God’s power and understanding than man’s. That vision strengthened my faith in God’s wisdom and power. It established that I am in good hands if I trust the one who controls the lightning bolts. 

So My ways are higher than your ways

God had planned your life before you were born.  He sees your needs and paths.  How many times in your life did you suddenly see a path or door open for you that came from nowhere?  It did not come by accident; God’s ways are higher than yours.  Let us increase our trust in the Lord that He sees us and guides us.

My thoughts vs God’s thoughts

Are you worried about tomorrow?  Are you worried about the hows and ways of a project?  Do you think about failure and disaster?  Rest in God.  Meditate before Him and ask for wisdom without doubting.  Recognize your enemy; the devil is at work to discourage you and cast fear on the plan God called you to do.  Usually, the fear comes in the darkness of the night.  Rebuke the night terrors and remind your heart about God’s wisdom.   

James 1:5-6  

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Trust in the Lord.   Read Isaiah 55. Meditate on each verse.  Take time to worship God.  Take time to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the day. Believe God is leading you.  Expect to see revelations and miracles take place in your path. Look at nature and see God’s power and wisdom at work. Rejoice that God is for you and not against you. Let your heart burst into songs of Joy. Trust in the Lord and rest in His presence.

Let your LightNside seek God’s ways and be filled by God’s wisdom and revelations.

Listen to The Way Maker by Leeland.