God says;
“Seven Times” Laodicea
This article is written on
celebrating the completion of our 8th year of ministry here at “The
Shepherds Way & Nugget of Truth”. We hope to continue coming to you and
thank you for your support.
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In
ch.5 of 2nd Kings we find the story of “The Healing of Naaman”. Who
was Naaman? He was a Syrian commander of Benhadad the 2nd, King of
Syria. We find the story of him in 2nd Kings 5:1-18. A young
Israelite maid of Naaman tells Naaman’s wife that she should send Naaman to the
prophet Elisha to heal him of his leprosy.
The King of Syria then allowed Naaman to go to the prophet
Elisha for a healing. Naaman got together $20,000 dollars’ worth of silver and
$60,000 worth of gold to give as a gift to the prophet. He brought this and a
letter to the king of Israel. The king of Israel received the gift and a letter
and said; “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can kill and
give life? He is only trying to get and excuse to invade us.” (2nd
Kings 5:7)
This foreshadows how many ministers react today when people
who seem impossibly hurt are sent to them. Especially those today who want
better Biblical answers to the issues of today. People are struggling with all
kinds of addictions. What church is answering the question of UFO’s and
extraterrestrials? What about all of the current moral issues? Why so many
denominations that disagree? Isn’t there supposed to be only one true Christianity
and one true Jesus Christ? People today have “spiritual leprosy”. For many
Bible teachers today, these issues seem almost impossible to answer.
When Elisha the prophet of God heard about this, he sent a
message to the frustrated king; “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and
he will learn that there is a true prophet of God here in Israel.” (2nd
Kings 5:8) A true servant of the Lord doesn’t turn a person away who truly wants help. Most of today’s Christian churches are in the Laodicean condition
and have stopped studying the word of God. They have no answers for those who
need the Truth.
So, when Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house, Elisha sent out a
messenger to him to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be
healed of every trace of his leprosy! But Naaman was angry a stalked away. (2nd
Kings 5:10-11) Naaman became angry due to the fact that Elisha the prophet
himself did not come out to address him as an important Syrian commander but
instead sent his messenger. Naaman’s pride was hurt. Naaman thought he must be
healed personally by Elisha, not understanding that it is God who does the
instructing and healing.
Naaman responds to the servant of Elisha: “Look, I thought
he [Elisha] would at least come out and talk with me. I expected him to wave
his hand over the leprosy and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and heal
me! Aren’t the Abana River and Pharpar River in Damascus better than all the
rivers of Israel put together? If it’s rivers I need, I’ll wash at home and get
rid of my leprosy.” So, he went away in rage. (2nd Kings 5:11-12)
We notice here that God through the prophet Elisha gave very
specific instructions for Naaman’s healing to occur. He was to go down into the
Jordan river and dip himself seven times in the water. The Jordan river was not
a very clean river, it had parts that were full of mud. The water was not very
clear in most areas and it was long and very winding. Naaman states the
fact that the Damascus rivers were much more beautiful in appearance and the
water was very clear and clean. This instruction made no sense to Naaman.
And what about this “washing seven times”? Today there are
Christians who do not want to listen to the specific instructions of God.
Instead, they wish to do things their way and most of the time “their way” is
lazy and sloppy. Today God has asked His true people to study His word and
understand the “seven dispensations” and the “seven church epochs” but instead
many Christians say things like; “I don’t have the time to study God’s word
like that.” Or, “That’s too complicated…I want the easy way.” Thus, the
Christian church today remains in the Laodicean condition.
Yet we are informed; “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined
in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6) Will you do
things God’s way?
Eventually Naaman heeds the word of the prophet Elisha and
goes down to the Jordan river and receives his healing. (2nd Kings
5:13-15) “And his flesh became as a little child’s and he was healed.” (2nd
Kings 5:14) So today, those Christians who truly heed the counsel to the
seventh church, that of Laodicea, are receiving the spiritual healing that they
need in these last-days. They become truly “begotten of God”.
The prophet Elisha refused to take any of the gifts that he
was offered for this healing. Today, the John Class gives freely that which God
has revealed and made known. “Freely we have been given, freely we give.” May
God richly bless you today and please continue to study with us here at “The
Shepherds Way & Nugget of Truth”.
AACG (October 10th 2025)
Will the Church Accept the Seventh Message?
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