Eric W. King ~ TSW, "The Shepherds Way": Lazy Laodiceans refuse to Study God’s Word.

Lazy Laodiceans refuse to

Study God’s Word.

By Eric William King

We read about the Seven Churches in “The Book of Revelation” [ch2 through ch3]. These churches cover the period of time that the Christian church is to travel from its beginning to its end (the Rapture). All Christians should understand these revelations…Jesus wrote them for His church [Romans 15:4].

It is extremely important to understand the Truth about church history. The Antiochene Christian Church existed long before the two major and first powerful denominations which are the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. We find the true teachings along with the earliest struggles of the church between the apostolic period (first 100 years of the church) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). We here at TSW (The Shepherds Way) teach the history of the first 451 years of the Christian Church making us true “non-denominationalists”.

Here at “The Shepherds Way” & “Nugget of Truth” we teach proper church history and the precious counsel that Jesus gives us in His messages to “the seven churches”. In the Book of Revelation Jesus Christ gives counsel to “the seven churches”. These churches represent God’s true Church throughout time and the difficulties that it would experience. All the counsel given to these churches is applicable for us today but particularly the last church, the seventh - the Laodicean church. This depicts the state of the Christian Church right before the rapture of the Church.

The Condition of Today’s Church

The Laodicean church has become complacent and it has even accepted false doctrine and psychology in place of God’s Holy Word. The fallen [sleeping] Laodicean church feels that “it has need of nothing”. The “sleeping” Christian has refused to accept the Straight Testimony of God’s Word. In its place he or she reads trash ‘spiritual’ books which claim to be Christian and the fallen church also listens to trash preachers who themselves have fallen asleep.

As we approach the appearance of the Final Antichrist the “spiritual whirlwind” will increase [please study our; “Whirlwind Prophecy”]. Every church will be shaken, and in fact all churches are currently in the beginning process of being greatly shaken. What does this mean? It means that the True Christians will leave the fallen churches, they will “flee Babylon”. There will be a major “exodus” from fallen “spiritual Egypt” [1^st Corinthians 5:9-13; 2^nd Corinthians 6:14-18].

Sadly, those true Christians who will be left will number a small class. The introduction of extreme error into all the denominations will also speed up the exodus. False doctrine, false theories, and spiritual error will continue to enter the church as God continues to sift His true Church. True Christians will take their stand with Jesus Christ and connect to the True Church and True Doctrine – the Straight Testimony.

Will you heed the counsel?

True Christians will study the Truth which is God’s Word, and when false teachers and preachers try to introduce errors into the church, the wise shall AWAKE and run away from the Antichrist spirit. More and more false prophets will arise, give fake Bible studies and deceive many. God is allowing all of this to happen according to His Word. [Isaiah 44:26; Isaiah 55:11]

God is “sifting” His people. Only those willing to accept correction [Proverbs 18:15] and humble themselves in the sight of God will survive and escape the spiritual onslaught. The purpose of this final ‘shout out’ to God’s elect is to get them to truly study God’s word and learn the Truth. God is arousing His people. Are you listening?

“Look in the scroll of the LORD and read….” [Isaiah 34:16]

Jesus says to the Laodiceans; “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:20]

This is the only picture of Jesus being “outside” of the church and asking to come back in. Are you attending a church which has kicked out His true teachings?

What kind of “knocks” is Christ giving? Drastic weather changes, economic troubles, sickness, etc. May we repent and turn to our LORD. Jesus is asking; “Can ya hear me now?”

Study for Yourself!

Sadly, many ministers are afraid of the Truth, the Straight Testimony. Many have told their congregations not to investigate the Truth. They may say things like; “Don’t study with that individual or you will become lost.”

Whenever some new understanding is presented (new in the sense that they simply have never really deeply studied the subject) they are informed to “stand back” and “do not accept that because nobody has ever told us that before so it must not be true.”

God’s own Word tells us to “search the Scriptures”, “study to show thyself approved”, “test the spirits”….”and prove all things by the Word of God [Sola Scriptura]”. So if you have read this I encourage you to stay strong in the Word of God and don’t be afraid of the Truth.

Sound Antiochene Rules

It is extremely important to follow proper interpretation rules. We follow the Seven Ancient Antiochene Rules of Interpretation which could be outlined as follows:

1-Pray (Always ask God to show you what He would have you know before study)

2-Consider the Context (This means understanding the near & far context, context controls the meaning of the text)

3-Understand Words (This means the language you are using and the Greek & Hebrew words)

4-Understanding Grammar (Understanding similes, metaphors, allegories and figures of speech – hyperboles)

5-Grasping the Authors Intention (Do not read your personal meaning into the text, let the authors meaning stand)

6-Studying the Background (Understanding the contemporary political, language, art, scientific understandings and other things going on during the time the letter was written.)

7-Interprepting Scripture with Scripture (Letting the Bible interpret itself…so to speak. Understanding typology.)

Proper Christian living comes through proper Christian study. It is the goal of the true Christian to develop the “Mind of Christ”. The true Christian has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Spiritual Implant. This special helper begins to lead, guide, direct and protect the Christian student into Christian Maturity.

Our attitude toward the Scriptures (the Christian Bible) governs our conceptions and conclusions. We hold to Sola Scriptura (the Bible Alone). Our teachings do not allow for additions or subtractions from God’s word. All of our biblical doctrine must be found in Scripture and taught from Scripture. Having stated that, we also recognize the importance of understanding other things such as the Seven Rules of Biblical Interpretation which help substantiate additional facts.

Our most important evidence is transformed human lives. Those who have studied here and become regenerated children of God are the bright lights of this planet. True Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life. True Christianity is a healthy relationship with God, Divine Intelligence.

I hope that these thoughts help you gain a deeper respect of God, His Word and the importance of properly understanding it all. May God continue to richly bless you with proper doctrine and proper living.

Always in the presence of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Eric William King (August 12^th 2021)

(Note: Some of this information was taken from some of Eric’s previous articles including from 2019)