Endure to the End

Revelation 2–3. “To Him That Overcometh”

1. The Lord’s counsel to each of the seven branches of the Church in Asia follows a pattern:
•  
• He told the members of the branch what they were doing that pleased Him.
• He told them in what ways they needed to repent.
• He told them of the blessings that would come if they were faithful.
• Fill in the chart below with information you find in Revelation 2–3:

City	What They Did That Pleased the Lord	How They Needed to Repent	Promised Blessings
Ephesus (2:1-7)	The recognized false apostles and cast them out	Swiftly, they had forgotten first, works.	They will eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of God
Smyrna (2:8-11)	They heard the words of the spirit.	Some needed to repent of blasphemy, saying they were jews when they were not.	They shall not suffer the second death. Death shall offer them the crown of life.
Pergamos (2:12-17)	For holding to his name and keeping the faith.	They needed to repent that followed other doctrines which were not God’s.	Eat of the hidden manna and learn of things that no man had learned before.
Thyatira (2:18-29)	Works of charity, service, and faith	The people were following a women named Jezebell who was leading them unto fornication.	Power over the nations.
Sardis (3:1-6)	Of the few that had not defiled their garments and lived a pure life.	They needed to repent of their unclean ways and strengthen that which remained.	Their names will not be blotted out of the book of life and they shall be clothed in white.
Philadelphia (3:7-13)	Kept his word and not denied his name	Of lying saying they were who they were not.	They will receive the name of the city of God, which is Jerusalem.
Laodicea (3:14-22)	God loved them and so he chastened them	They were neither hot nor cold. Neither good nor evil. They needed to do good works.	To him that overcome will be invited to sit with God.

2. Write a paragraph about what counsel given to the seven branches of the Church in Asia applies to you today. Which of the promises the Lord gave to the seven Churches most inspires you to seek eternal life? 

He is pleased with a few of them and he has confidence that all can overcome but none of them are perfect. He wants them to improve because they are all struggling and some he doesn’t even have anything nice to say about. He does provide positive feedback first though which really is cool considering their sins. I found it very interesting that he didn’t care for those who were neither hot nor cold, they didn’t even have the guts to do evil and they did no good in return.

3. How does Doctrine and Covenants 14:7, 63:20 give meaning to the phrase "to him that overcometh?

Those that overcome and endure to the end will have eternal life.  You don’t just have to succeed in this life, you have to keep succeeding and you have to keep facing trials. It’s like a long bike race where there is a new stage to complete everyday. The person in the lead may be doing well at the moment but it’s a long race and it’s very unpredictable. Even if we stay consistent and continue to lead our own personal races we will still face challenges that have to be overcome. Overcoming a mountain on one day will give us the confidence to tackle the next one but we still have to tackle it just like we did the last. lds.org/scriptures

Recognizing False Teachers

False Teachings

Throughout this blog I have been presenting you with a selection of biblical teachings. When you go to church you are presented with even more teaching. You get out into the world and someone says, no that’s all wrong. How do you know who is right? This can be especially difficult when comparing two different teachers of the same faith who are teaching contradictive information. 2 Peter has given us some things to watch for in false teachers.

• ·      They deny the Lord
• ·      Evil speaking of those who speak and seek truth
• ·      Covetous spirit, They shall make merchandise out of or use their followers.
• ·      Powered by lust
• ·      Evil speaking of things they do not understand (They slander things they don’t fully know)
• ·      They do not obey God’s commandments
• ·      Speak and practice vanity

False teachers lack humility, they seek to lead you down their path in order to use you to accomplish their pursuit of worldly things. They deny the power of God and do not follow his teachings.

Often people do not know what they are teaching is false. It is up to each individual person to choose the way of Christ and never go back. Returning to the evils of the world after you know Christ is a terrible thing. It would be better that you had not learned of righteousness than to know it and then turn from it. It is not different than a dog having something unhealthy in his stomach. It would be better that he keep it in there not knowing it is harmful than for him to throw it up and then eat it again knowing full well what it is.

2 Peter chapter 2 can be found at lds.org/scriptures in the New Testament.

Hebrews 13: Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. 

• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?

We should remember them that are in bonds and do our best to free them from for as they are in bonds we are also. We should always give service even unto strangers for those who have served strangers have unknowingly been serving angels.

• How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage is honorable and is ordained of God.

• What warnings are given about covetousness?

We should avoid covetousness at all costs. We should be satisfied with what we have, and we will never be left or forsaken. We should never leave or forsake others in search of something more. To covet is a sin.

• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?

Jesus Christ, His teachings, his mercy, and his power.

• How are we sanctified?

Christ allowed his own blood to be spilled and died in order to take upon him our sins. Through him we are sanctified that we might return to our father in heaven.

• How do we respond to those who rule over us?

We should follow them that have rule over us who have spoken the word of God, and their faith follow. We should obey them, they will watch over and protect us.

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

For us, or for the children of God. 

Why is life not fair?

Why is life not fair? People often say, “Life isn’t fair. Why do I have to have so many trials? I’m tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments.”

Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

When facing trials and adversity it is very important to remember the bigger picture. This life is not meant to be easy, in fact we were sent here that we might have the opportunity to face trials. Trials give us a chance to grow. They give us a chance to learn, to broaden our understanding.

This world presents the unique experience of practicing faith. In heaven we know what is and what isn’t, we have seen God and all his wonders. Here we must act with faith, we must follow Christ without a perfect knowledge, we are given the chance to follow and believe on him without even being 100% sure that he exists. With faith we may feel quite certain that he lives, but in reality we have never seen him and therefore we make a choice to believe. This is much harder.

When we face trials, as was the purpose of our coming here we get a chance to prove to God our faith. Things may be difficult but the more we are tried and the more we persevere the greater our glory in heaven. Just as the scripture says we can be found in praises, honor and glory in the appearance of Christ. When life seems too hard or unfair just remember that we are being given the opportunity to grow and experience increase in heaven, what wouldn’t be fair is if God had just let us remain in our simple unglorified state in the pre-mortal existence. This life is short but its reward extends through eternity.

To read the scriptures referenced please go to lds.org/sciptures