Satan’s synagogue

“Write this to the angel of the church in Philadelphia:
These are the words of the one who is holy and true, who has the key of David. Whatever he opens, no one will shut; and whatever he shuts, no one opens. I know your works. Look! I have set in front of you an open door that no one can shut. You have so little power, and yet you have kept my word and haven’t denied my name. Because of this I will make the people from Satan’s synagogue (who say they are Jews and really aren’t, but are lying)—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and realize that I have loved you. Because you kept my command to endure, I will keep you safe through the time of testing that is about to come over the whole world, to test those who live on earth. I’m coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your crown. As for those who emerge victorious, I will make them pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my own new name. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelation 3:7-13, CEB)

Satan’s synagogue…

People who profess to follow God but fall short of doing what God has called them to do.

People who say they follow Jesus but do not love as Jesus commanded, but rather use their religion to hate those not like them.

People who claim to be Christian and yet do not accept others ot love them because their lifestyles do not fit the mold they hold to be Christian.

These people will be judged by God for not doing what they were commanded, even though they think they are doing God’s will.

Do you belong to Satan’s synagogue?

hear God when?

So, as the Holy Spirit says, Today, if you hear his voice, don’t have stubborn hearts as they did in the rebellion, on the day when they tested me in the desert. That is where your ancestors challenged and tested me, though they had seen my work for forty years. So I was angry with them. I said, “Their hearts always go off course, and they don’t know my ways.” Because of my anger I swore: “They will never enter my rest!” Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that none of you have an evil, unfaithful heart that abandons the living God. Instead, encourage each other every day, as long as it’s called “today,” so that none of you become insensitive to God because of sin’s deception. We are partners with Christ, but only if we hold on to the confidence we had in the beginning until the end. When it says, Today, if you hear his voice, don’t have stubborn hearts as they did in the rebellion. Who was it who rebelled when they heard his voice? Wasn’t it all of those who were brought out of Egypt by Moses? And with whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with the ones who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And against whom did he swear that they would never enter his rest, if not against the ones who were disobedient? We see that they couldn’t enter because of their lack of faith. Therefore, since the promise that we can enter into rest is still open, let’s be careful so that none of you will appear to miss it. We also had the good news preached to us, just as the Israelites did. However, the message they heard didn’t help them because they weren’t united in faith with the ones who listened to it. We who have faith are entering the rest. As God said, And because of my anger I swore: “They will never enter into my rest!” And yet God’s works were completed at the foundation of the world. Then somewhere he said this about the seventh day of creation: God rested on the seventh day from all his works. But again, in the passage above, God said, They will never enter my rest! Therefore, it’s left open for some to enter it, and the ones who had the good news preached to them before didn’t enter because of disobedience. Just as it says in the passage above, God designates a certain day as “today,” when he says through David much later, Today, if you hear his voice, don’t have stubborn hearts. If Joshua gave the Israelites rest, God wouldn’t have spoken about another day later on. So you see that a sabbath rest is left open for God’s people. The one who entered God’s rest also rested from his works, just as God rested from his own. Therefore, let’s make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience (Hebrews 3:7— 4:11, CEB)

When did we hear God?

What day is today? It seems the author here is trying to say that at any time when you hear the word of God, you need to listen. Today, if you hear Their voice, do not have stubborn hearts.

“Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that none of you have an evil, unfaithful heart that abandons the living God.” Our hearts can lead us from following God. Listen for God, and when you hear Their voice, listen. Follow where They lead.

Whenever you hear God.

who is she?

Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. A woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and couldn’t stand up straight. When he saw her, Jesus called her to him and said, “Woman, you are set free from your sickness.” He placed his hands on her and she straightened up at once and praised God. The synagogue leader, incensed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded, “There are six days during which work is permitted. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord replied, “Hypocrites! Don’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from its stall and lead it out to get a drink? Then isn’t it necessary that this woman, a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for eighteen long years, be set free from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he said these things, all his opponents were put to shame, but all those in the crowd rejoiced at all the extraordinary things he was doing. (Luke 13:10-17, CEB)

A woman was there. She does not have a name. She had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. When He (being Jesus) saw her, he called her over and told her she was set free from her sickness. Not healed, but set free.

How did he know she was bent over for eighteen years? Did he talk to her before? The lesson states that He was teaching, and when He saw her, He called her over. He did not ask her how long she had been ill or bound. He just knew. He saw her. All of her. She was bent over, and when He said that, He touched her, and she stood up straight, praising God. Perhaps she praised God with Psalm 103:1-8:

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and do not forget all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord works vindication
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
    His acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Jesus saw her and knew who she was and how long she had been in bondage. So He told those who questioned this healing on a Sabbath, “You will untie your ox or donkey and take them to water, an animal, but you will not heal this daughter of Abraham?” She is not property, or an animal, she is not something to be fixed, she is a part of the People of Israel, a Daughter of Abraham. She deserves to be healed and allowed to be a part. This is the only time Daughter of Abraham is used in Luke. Later, Jesus will call Zacchaeus a “son of Abraham” in Luke 19:9. A woman and a tax collector. Who do we see as in, and who does Jesus see as in?

Remember, the Sabbath is a gift of rest, not a limitation on helping humanity.

which is better?

One Sabbath, as Jesus was going through the wheat fields, his disciples were picking the heads of wheat, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the Sabbath law?” Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read what David and his companions did when they were hungry? He broke the Law by going into God’s house and eating the bread of the presence, which only the priests can eat. He also gave some of the bread to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Human One is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Luke 6:1-5, CEB)

Is it better for a man to grind the grain to eat it on the Sabbath, thus doing work on the Sabbath, or for the man to go hungry?

Now one day will really not make a difference if the man does not eat, but how many days has he already gone without eating?

Is it better to keep the law or for people to be fed?

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and Sabbath is rest for all. The Sabbath is a reminder that even God rested, but it is not to be kept if others are hungry or dying. We need to take care of basic human needs first. Sabbath will always come, but life may need a boost.

So, which is better?

Keeping the law, or feeding the hungry?
Keeping the law, or saving a life?

what would you do?

Paul and Silas journeyed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, then came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was Paul’s custom, he entered the synagogue and for three Sabbaths interacted with them on the basis of the scriptures. Through his interpretation of the scriptures, he demonstrated that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. He declared, “This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.” Some were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, including a larger number of Greek God-worshippers and quite a few prominent women. But the Jews became jealous and brought along some thugs who were hanging out in the marketplace. They formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They attacked Jason’s house, intending to bring Paul and Silas before the people. When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city officials. They were shouting, “These people who have been disturbing the peace throughout the empire have also come here. What is more, Jason has welcomed them into his home. Every one of them does what is contrary to Caesar’s decrees by naming someone else as king: Jesus.” This provoked the crowd and the city officials even more. After Jason and the others posted bail, they released them. (Acts 17:1-9, CEB)

If you were Jason, what would you do?

Accused of disturbing the peace, and welcoming those who disturb the peace into your home? Being said that, you stand in contrast to Caesar’s decrees and follow Jesus as king.

Would you be convicted of following Jesus?

Would there be enough evidence to show that you heard what Jesus said and you do it?

What do you do to convict yourself of following Jesus?

Discipline.

Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up. In your struggle against sin, you haven’t resisted yet to the point of shedding blood, and you have forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons and daughters: My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline or give up when you are corrected by him, because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves, and he punishes every son or daughter whom he accepts. Bear hardship for the sake of discipline. God is treating you like sons and daughters! What child isn’t disciplined by his or her father? But if you don’t experience discipline, which happens to all children, then you are illegitimate and not real sons and daughters. What’s more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live? Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness. No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees! Make straight paths for your feet so that if any part is lame, it will be healed rather than injured more seriously. Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone—and holiness as well, because no one will see the Lord without it. Make sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up that might cause trouble and pollute many people. Make sure that no one becomes sexually immoral or ungodly like Esau. He sold his inheritance as the oldest son for one meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he couldn’t find a way to change his heart and life, though he looked for it with tears. (Hebrews 12:3-17, CEB)

God disciplines us for our betterment. Discipline does not sound like fun to me. I never liked disciplining my children. They even tell a story about us sending them to their rooms for something they had done, and then calling them out one by one to get tickets for Chuck E. Cheese, and then taking them to eat and play games. Maybe we were not the best disciplinarians.

But that is how I see or think about God’s discipline. Not what we think of as discipline, but something that helps us grow and love God more.

So do not think of God’s discipline as harsh, but loving care that helps you understand Their love for you all the more.

house

When Jesus entered the temple, he threw out those who were selling things there. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a hideout for crooks.” Jesus was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests, the legal experts, and the foremost leaders among the people were seeking to kill him. However, they couldn’t find a way to do it because all the people were enthralled with what they heard. (Luke 19:45-48, CEB)

My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a hideout for crooks who were exchanging Roman money for Temple money and charging a huge exchange rate. Robbing those who could not afford a sacrifice of what little they had.

Who do we cheat to worship God?

How do we make His house a hideout for thieves?

What can we do to help society actually live in love and show mercy to all?

How can you make His house better?

history

“The tent of testimony was with our ancestors in the wilderness. Moses built it just as he had been instructed by the one who spoke to him and according to the pattern he had seen. In time, when they had received the tent, our ancestors carried it with them when, under Joshua’s leadership, they took possession of the land from the nations whom God expelled. This tent remained in the land until the time of David. God approved of David, who asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who actually built a house for God. However, the Most High doesn’t live in houses built by human hands. As the prophet says, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. ‘What kind of house will you build for me,’ says the Lord, ‘or where is my resting place? Didn’t I make all these things with my own hand?’ “You stubborn people! In your thoughts and hearing, you are like those who have had no part in God’s covenant! You continuously set yourself against the Holy Spirit, just like your ancestors did. Was there a single prophet your ancestors didn’t harass? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the righteous one, and you’ve betrayed and murdered him! You received the Law given by angels, but you haven’t kept it.” (Acts 7:44-53, CEB)

This is part of the history Stephen gave as his testimony.

This is all stuff that those who asked for it should have known, but maybe forgot or did not want to remember.

What do we want to not remember about our past? Even the bad things led us to where we are. Not that we want to do them over, but they had a hand in making us who we are today.

We should focus on being who God made us to be and not what we can do to make God happy or a place to dwell. We should focus on our relationship and know that our history is merely part of His story, and that will make the mercy and love known in the world.

Live in love and share with the world.

confess Jesus

Dear friends, don’t believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see if they are from God because many false prophets have gone into the world. This is how you know if a spirit comes from God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come as a human is from God, and every spirit that doesn’t confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and is now already in the world. You are from God, little children, and you have defeated these people because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world. So they speak from the world’s point of view and the world listens to them. We are from God. The person who knows God listens to us. Whoever is not from God doesn’t listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1-6, CEB)

If a person confesses Jesus has come, they are from God. If a person denies Jesus has come, they are not of God.

So if I say Jesus has come, and someone with a theology I do not get says Jesus has come, we are both from God, and we both have a valid understanding of God? So who determines whose theology is correct?

Well, maybe both of them are in one way or another. Remember that truth is true from your point of view, as Ob1 said. We need to focus on God and our growth and helping everyone see and understand they are loved as they are. This is our calling.

To deepen our faith and understanding and love others so that they might know they are loved by God.

Confess Jesus. Deepen your faith. Love all.

peace?

“I came to cast fire upon the earth. How I wish that it was already ablaze! I have a baptism I must experience. How I am distressed until it’s completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, I have come instead to bring division. From now on, a household of five will be divided—three against two and two against three. Father will square off against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud forming in the west, you immediately say, ‘It’s going to rain.’ And indeed it does. And when a south wind blows, you say, ‘A heat wave is coming.’ And it does. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret conditions on earth and in the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:49-56, CEB)

Jesus, according to what He says here, did not come to bring peace, but fire and division.

He came to put family member against family member. I take this to mean that people who follow Jesus will be at odds with those who think following God means something different and do not see their family member as actually following Jesus.

I had a conversation with a friend who wanted to talk about my understanding of LGBTQIA+2S people in the bible, because their family still thought that was a sin and needed to be dealt with. This is what Jesus means, to me, family member against family member. And here there is no peace, as my friend is part of the LGBTQIA+2S community. They are loved by their family, but there is still tension.

Oh, for Jesus to reign fire and bring the kingdom, but we do not all see face to face yet. We do not all get it.