Abigail and Dolley is a record of the ponderings and interests of a Modern Woman. From faith, to hobbies, to political and social commentary; I share with you whatever is brewing around in my brain at the time. Thanks for reading!
Whenever I stumble upon a Christian writer, I try to determine early on what they believe, this is prudent. Here at Abigail and Dolley we believe in the inerrancy of the Scripture (Protestant), that the word of God is inspired and infallible, that all Scripture is useful in the teaching and reproofing of the people. We don't pick and choose which Scriptures we like, we take the Word as it was given to us. We are pretribulation Rapture dispensationalist and believe in a literal Second Coming and Millennial Reign. We believe in crucifixion of the flesh and reject the tenants of the Word of Faith heresy. We believe the age of Grace is rapidly coming to an end at that the Church will be called home to meet the Lord soon, from there a 7 year Tribulation will descend upon the World. Maranantha.
One of the first rules you learn in negotiation is to find common ground with the other party. Find areas where you agree and discuss your mutual objectives. Then move the discussion to areas where the other party does not have a strongly held opinion and build on those areas. You lose the person when you move into areas where they have firm opinions opposite from yours. They shut down and stop hearing you. In secular day to day negotiations and even political negotiations this is a good and solid way to do business, but it does not belong in the church. There is no negotiations at the foot of the cross.
All Must Come to the Cross
You can not negotiate someone to faith and the saving power of Jesus Christ. Real conversion requires repentance, real repentance only comes from conviction of your sins. Thus, from a rules of negotiation stand point, only the Holy Spirit's influence can change the heart of a sinner comfortable in his own sin.
That is largely why the wide gate, seeker friendly churches have exploded in a spectacular bang of nothing. This final church spoken of in Revelation 3 is the Laodicean, "Entertain Me" church which wears the face of Christianity but fails miserably in actual disciples created. There is no conviction of sin, no repentance of sin, and no place for the changed heart and the changed man.
Turn away from those false churches, confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, and come to authentic live saving faith in Christ.
We read about the last days faithful church in Revelation 3:7-13, I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Unlike the Laodiceans, who are rich and powerful, this pitiful church is barely hanging on. Everybody hates them and nobody hates them more than the Laodiceans. The Philadelphia church is everything to be despised, they believe in the whole bible, they preach sin, they tell people they are going to hell if they aren't saved, they live their godly little pious lives and the Laodiceans hate them for it. If you don't believe me, listen to this Laodicean currently spreading this filth in my home town (the silly voice is dubbed so he is not able to sway you with his cunning words and style, but the words are verbatim):
Even my Christian friends will post rubbish like this, the most recent example was something that I saw on a facebook feed this morning about bar stools in church. The Holy Spirit inside of me had a tantrum over it. I want you to watch it, not from a "Yeah, God is love stand point" but from a perspective of this man is tearing down the faithful church, This man offers no hope or salvation for the sinner. This man wants to make the guy who is comfortable in a bar comfortable in his church. Something is wrong with that! There are plenty of bars, I've been to my share, I want to go to a house of God to worship, I want to be convicted of my sins, I want to change and move from glory to glory - I want off the bar stool! This "preacher's" half version of Jesus (only the love half) will never convict the man, it will never tell the man that it wasn't the people's judgement he felt, it was the Holy Spirit of God convicting him but the Laodiceans will never convict, except the church of Philadelphia, who are honestly the only people they don't want in their churches.
Makes a difference putting those hearing aids doesn't it? Did you hear, the pastor wanted the sinner to feel joy and happiness in his sin. The world has enough bar stools, we need some nice, hard, sturdy, upright church pews. Derek Webb's classic song, Nobody Loves Me, is a perfect illustration for the beat up, powerless, and much maligned Church of Philadelphia. It is of note that this church, well this church is the only one that Jesus did not rebuke. Even so, Come Lord Jesus.
Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score: 10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score: 8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score: 7 out of 10
Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score: 8 out of 10
Signs in the Heavens - Day 5 - Rapture Index Score: 9 out of 10
Commotions - Day 6 - Rapture Index Score: 7 out of 10
Scoffers - Day 7 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 1
Vexed Souls - Day 8 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Greed -Day 9 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Famine - Day 10 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Itching Ears- Day 11 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Rushing to and fro - Day 12 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Blind Eyes and Hard Hearts - Day 13 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Brutal Men - Day 14 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Wars and Rumors of Wars - Day 15 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Boasters - Day 16 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Messianic Jews - Day 17 - Rapture Index Score: 7 of 10
Demonic Activity - Day 18 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Lawlessness - Day 19 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Hedging Your Bets - Day 20 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
You Make Me Want to Vomit - Day 21 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Earthquakes- Day 22 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Nobody Loves Philadelphia - Day 23 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Revelation 3:16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth!
The Laodicean church... ugghh. I have written a couple of articles on this last church, they make me sneer but the Lord holds a much stronger opinion of them, he says they make him want to vomit. Think about that for a second, what do you feel like right before you throw up? Is it a nice feeling? Is that a feeling you want to inspire in your future husband on your wedding eve?
A bridegroom who is ready to puke at his bride might have some serious second thoughts about the relationship, do you feel safe and secure in your covenant with Him? If you don't, I have to tell you, that is a "you" problem, not a Jesus problem and you better get right with the Lord, because he is coming back soon. Now there are those who have come out of works based teachings (i.e. Catholics) that will never quite "feel" saved and must constantly be reassured... I'm not talking about you... (For the record I fall firmly in the camp of "once saved always saved" but this isn't a blog about that.)
Each individual knows in their heart whether they have made a true exchange with the Lord, what I am asking you to do is examine your own heart and your relationship with Him. If you have doubts, pray - ask Him to make himself real, ask Him to touch you, ask Him again to save you. Confess your sins, stop sinning, and you will find favor with the Lord. Best of all, He won't want to puke when He looks at you.
Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score: 10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score: 8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score: 7 out of 10
Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score: 8 out of 10
Signs in the Heavens - Day 5 - Rapture Index Score: 9 out of 10
Commotions - Day 6 - Rapture Index Score: 7 out of 10
Scoffers - Day 7 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 1
Vexed Souls - Day 8 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Greed -Day 9 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Famine - Day 10 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Itching Ears- Day 11 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Rushing to and fro - Day 12 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Blind Eyes and Hard Hearts - Day 13 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Brutal Men - Day 14 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Wars and Rumors of Wars - Day 15 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Boasters - Day 16 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Messianic Jews - Day 17 - Rapture Index Score: 7 of 10
Demonic Activity - Day 18 - Rapture Index Score: 8 of 10
Lawlessness - Day 19 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
Hedging Your Bets - Day 20 - Rapture Index Score: 9 of 10
You Make Me Want to Vomit - Day 21 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Who is the Laodicean Church? The last church mentioned in the Revelation role call of the churches Chapters 2 and 3. This will be the last great church born of the Church age and corresponds directly with the Emergent or Community Church. The Bible says they are neither hot nor cold and the Lord is disgusted with them and spits them out of his mouth. They say they have everything, that they are rich but the Lord says they are naked and wretched. (See past work on Modern Laodicea).
What is the Great Deception? This is the lie that the Lord sends to people who have heard the Gospel and hardened their hearts against it prior to the Rapture. The Bible says that because they have refused to believe the truth, God sends them a deception and they will believe the lies of the Anti-Christ. (See past work The Great Deception and Days of Awe)
The Rapture will be the biggest world wide miracle the Planet has seen since the Flood. How then might the Anti-Christ fool those left behind? What could he possibly put forward that would cover why the Christians and the children are all gone?
Mega Church designed for Unbelievers
He's had thousands of years to work this out, don't forget he is the father of lies, and has deceived the whole world. I put forth that he also will take/abduct non-believers in conjunction with the Rapture. Think about it for a second, you are a member of a church. You faithfully attend, you tithe, you pack lunches for the poor but you and your church are still here. Your unbelieving co-worker, who you've tried to get to come to church with you, is missing also. Then the broadcasts start where we see all sorts of "missing" men and women on "space ships" or "new lands" assuring us that they are okay and so thankful to have been chosen.
The first Sunday after the disappearances you head to church and the pastor says, "There has been no Rapture! Look we are still here. You've seen the news clips, the people have been removed to a safe place by our new friends who have come to save us."
In the coming days, the church leaders that are left will join together and proclaim their unity. The one world church will be formed and these, that have been left behind, will be as sheep to the slaughter.
Attending a church does not make you believer. These new churches are designed to appeal to the unbeliever, the gospel they preach is watered down and false, and there are millions of people who think they are Christians but are not. They want the bread without the blood.
In the days after the Rapture, the Lord will appear at the door and knock. Instead opening the door, falling on their knees, and repenting, they will respond with the classic Jilted “Bride” song, “I will survive.” *
*Note, when I was praying about this blog, it was late at night and I was walking in my quiet neighborhood. Out of no where I heard the Lord whisper in my spirit, "They have always wanted the bread without the blood." (John 6:26 and John 6:51-52) I stopped in my tracks, it is so true. As I walked on my heart hurt for those lost in dead churches and out of no where and I mean no where, a haunting line of "I will survive" boomed through the air and I felt him again whisper in my spirit, "This is the song they will sing to me."
In general, the gathering/emergent/community/seeker friendly is identified as the last church, Laodicea. Historically, they are the last to develop, having come to prominence and existence largely in the last 30 years. Who were the Laodiceans and what does the Bible have to say about them?
Church Cafe
The text of Revelation 3:15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! Note, this is a busy church. They have tons of events, social hour, coffee time, life groups ect - but they are lukewarm.
Revelation 3:16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Jesus rejects the lukewarm, these people think they are saved but they are deceived. This may refer to the water supply available in Laodicea and two nearby cities, Hierapolis and Colossae. Hierapolis was the site of hot, spa-like waters, used for medicinal purposes. Nearby Colossae was known for its cold and pure drinking water. (source) If only the message was as hot as the designer coffee.
Revelation 3:17-18 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. Clothing in the bible, is righteousness and only given to believers through coming to the cross in faith.
Mega Screen
Revelation 3;19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
The community church is Laodicean with a form of godliness devoid of power. Speaking in general terms and from a congregant that wandered around in this pathetic scene for a decade searching for a church that would feed me, this is what I observed:
The hipster pastor downloads his sermon series.
The music is thumping but it is inward focused and reads like a 1st grade primer.
The special effects show is entertaining with trapeze acts and fairy dust coming from the stadium rafters. There are life groups (dysfunctional group counseling sessions), sports ministry (where coaches cheat and parents scream from the sidelines), and manly men's groups called Bible Study in a Bar.
There is Gay Sunday where everyone wears rainbows and talk about how the Jesus they love celebrates homosexuality.
They pour their money into the offering plates and the hipster pastor and his wife live in $6 million houses but claim not to take a salary from the "church".
There are 40ft screens for audio video presentations, a cafe, book store, but no cross.
The worst offender in the group is that there is no meat preached, ever. New Christians are never fed anything approaching solid food. If they do actually get saved, they remain perpetual babies in the faith, carnal, and easy prey for wolves.
Mature believers that wander into this mix can't quite put their finger on the deep dissatisfaction they feel. Everything is so nice and new! The people are friendly, the musicians are good, then why are they so empty? They convince themselves that it's just them, after all, this is the 5th church they have tried in as many years.
It's Vacation Bible School for Adults, every Sunday. They should pass out crayons with their sermon notes and connect cards, at least then people would know what they were getting into. On second thought, I got more meat in my 5 year old Vacation Bible School Class so maybe that isn't such a witty observation.
Jesus says, "I stand at the door and knock", He wants in Community Church but fair warning, to paraphrase CS Lewis, He is Good but He is not Tame.
(Disclaimer - this is a commentary, written from a broad stroke perspective, there are of course exceptions to these rules and many churches that are structured like this doing God's work.)
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