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HIDDEN
LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #45
New Testament Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
“HE
THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL
INHERIT ALL THINGS”””
Revelation 1-3; 12
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(1.) SEVEN CHURCHES - SEVEN
BRANCHED MENORAH:
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John’s message to the seven churches (all located in
today’s Turkey) brings an immediate symbolism of the Menorah, a seven-branched
candelabrum carried by the Israelites through the wilderness of Sinai. The
menorah is also the emblem of the modern State of Israel.
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(2.) "SEVEN,"
SYMBOLIC OF ORDER:
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The message to the seven churches (which could have been
seven "Areas"or seven "Stakes") was to assist their unity
and order. It was to keep them "connected." "The idea of
orderliness is also conveyed by a fascinating use of numbers, especially the
number seven.
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(3.) MORE
"SEVENS:"
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". . . Moses made an impassioned plea to the Jews
to keep the covenant that God had made with them. This is recorded towards the
end of Devarim. He commands the priests to read the Torah publicly every
seven years." "The formal rules of mourning as described below are
observed for seven close relatives: wife (or husband), father, mother,
son, daughter, brother and sister." "Joseph was one such interpreter;
he explained Pharaoh's dreams of the fat and thin cows as symbolizing seven
years of plenty followed by seven years of hunger (Genesis 41)."
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(4.) GREAT DELIVERANCE
FESTIVALS LAST SEVEN DAYS:
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"Two of the festivals, Passover and
Sukkot, have what are known as intermediate days (hol ha-mo'ed, literally,
the weekdays of the festival). Both of these festivals last for seven days
(eight outside Israel) and only the first and the last day (the first two days
and the last two days outside Israel) are full festivals."
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(5.) SEVEN CHURCHES GET
BLESSINGS WITH CONTRASTS:
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As you look at the blessings promised to the seven
churches, you can see the contrasts to those blessings. This may be an
indication of the special concerns each "Area" or "Stake"
needed to concentrate on. Note, as well, that each area had a physical or
cultural "competition" to the Lord’s work. EPHESUS: Choose life or
sin and death. (A city of pagan lusts and bright night life – see Rev. 2:1)
SMYRNA: Live with God or continue suffering. (This city suffered a terrible
earthquake in New Testament times leaving many dead and some alive when thought
to be dead – see Rev. 2:8) PERGAMOS: Follow the Lord’s will or yearn for
earthly honors. (This city had a white stone altar as an earthly honor to Pagan
Gods – see Rev. 2:17) THYATIRA: Receive Eternal life or be addicted to self.
(A city where self-serving (brass) divinities were worshiped; Bacchus - God of
wine, Artemis (Diana) - Goddess of fertility with one hundred breasts – see
Rev. 2:18) SARDIS: Be clothed in white or be enveloped in darkness. (Tradition
of an early bishop dressed in all white – see Rev 3:4) PHILADELPHIA: Take the
Lord’s name or remain nameless. (A city with temples of commerce that may have
overshadowed individual’s names. The "key of the House of David is a name
for the true temple where the work is done for "names" – see Rev.
3:7) LAODICEA: Make a decision to sit with the Lord or be lukewarm. (A city with
hot springs that mixed with the fresh water - hence, lukewarm – see Rev 3:16)
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(6.) CHOICES:
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The Lord
has prepared a way for us to make choices and have those correct choices
confirmed by His spirit. Satan wanted to dictate everyone to follow his plan.
Anything that resembles a choice is in contrast to dictatorship, addiction, and
oppression. "Then said Jesus . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye
my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free." (John 8:32)
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