The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Revelation 2:8-11, “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The first and
the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy
by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’”

The Church at Ephesus (our previous study) could easily be called “A Cooling Church,” inasmuch as over time she allowed herself to be influenced by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. The LORD challenged the Church at Ephesus to “…remember from where you have fallen, and repent…” (2:5).

The Church at Smyrna could well be designated “the Crushed Church,” for the LORD said, “I know your tribulation and your poverty…” The pressures of extreme poverty had been brought upon this church through external circumstances; yet, the LORD encouraged the church saying, “but you are rich…Do not fear what you are about to suffer…”

Although different, it may well be that the LORD’s Church has never suffered what it is suffering today! So much of the world has invaded the Church that some believers have simply surrendered to those invading powers. Assuming that to be so, we must remain faithful. We must hear and believe the encouragement He gives to us through the Smynan Church. Faithfulness produces a Crown of Life! And that Crown of Life supersedes all others!

As born-again believers in our LORD Jesus Christ, we must never surrender to the Adversary Satan! Every church is comprised of people that we hope and trust are born-again. Unfortunately, some (perhaps most) may be spiritually weak or even spiritually lost. It’s the spiritually born-again people that perceive the church’s weakening condition and often elect to abandon her altogether. This particular message cries out for the spiritually observant NOT to abandon the Church. Remember the parting words of the Savior:

“…the first and the last, who was dead…has come to life…” (v. 8).

We must encourage the weak by being stronger ourselves. Attend the Church! Be
faithful to the LORD! Pastors and teachers may be weaker than you would like.
Pray for them! Encourage them! Don’t allow them to suffer weakness! Stand with
them, as the LORD stands with you. There is guaranteed Victory at the end of the
road.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Revelation 2:1-7, “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place– unless you repent.
6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’””

Having been founded by the Apostle Paul, while on his Third Missionary Journey, the church had been faithfully served throughout the years by Apollos, Aquilla, Priscilla, Tychicus, and Timothy, as well as by Paul. Not many churches can boast of having had such a cadre of eminent leadership

Say what you will, however, geography and culture often adversely affect the Church. Ephesus was, at the time, the most important city in Asia Minor; yet, it was significantly affected and altered by the overt presence of politics, economics, and evil religion.

Politically, Ephesus was important because the Roman Governor ruled from that city.
Economically, Ephesus was important because it was on the Via Ignatia from Rome.
Religiously, Ephesus was the home of the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world. Diana’s temple so overflowed with opulent treasures that it served as the Bank of Asia. One can hardly fail to note this trilogy of Ephesus’ importance without also seeing the focus of the coming Antichrist on Politics, Religion, and Economics!

Churches today do not exist in a vacuum. Members often hold varying political and economic positions; and where they emerge and mingle within the church, the church’s spiritual position weakens within the community. Satan loves that! It takes the focus off of
the LORD Jesus and forces light on lesser matters.

Which is worse: a church that proclaims false doctrine, or a church that believes in the Christ of Scripture, but fails to adequately proclaim Him? –or a church that fails to emphasize missions? –or a church that is satisfied to be a mission?

The next major biblical event to occur is the Rapture, the snatching away of all true believers to meet the LORD Jesus! How many church members would be left behind?
How many of your family would be left behind? or your close friends? Do you think there
is plenty of time? There isn’t! Get ready now!

“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power
and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up
and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:27-28).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Revelation 1:19, “”Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.”

As a young child, I remember being told that our church didn’t get into the Book of Revelation because it contained some things hard to understand. Our family was a solid Christian family. Our church, however, was small and not-at-all wealthy, which translates into often having pastors, who were devoid of formal training in the Scriptures, and preached “topical,” rather than “expository,” sermons –sometimes repeatedly.

Stranger still is the fact that Rose Marie, the girl who later became my wife, gave me my first introduction into the Book of Revelation. At that time, we were simply students in Bible College. It’s a long story, but I have since learned more and will endeavor to share some accurate summations of this wonderful Book!

The basic Outline of the Revelation divides into three sections:

1.The “Things Which Have Been” (1:1-20).
The Apostle John is a political prisoner on the Isle of Patmos. He
identifies the LORD Jesus Christ as the central Person of the Revelation.
2.The “Things Which Are” (2:1-3:22).
John identifies the “seven churches.” Each is a real church, with a real problem, but also represents a specific time period in early Christian history.
3.The “Things Which Shall Be Hereafter” (4:1-22:21).
(1)Two specific, future events will occur in Heaven (4:1-5:14).
A.First, the Church will be Raptured (taken up) from Earth into Heaven
(4:1-11).
B.Second, Christ will then receive the “Title Deed” to the Earth (5:1-14).
(2)Several additional, vital events will then occur on Earth (6:1-18:24).
This is the era of The Great Tribulation!

For those of you who are born-again Christians, this should come to you more easily. For those of you who are contemplating salvation in Christ alone, you will understand the Revelation better when you have the Holy Spirit as your Teacher. The Holy Spirit takes up residency within you when you trust Jesus as your LORD and Savior and invite Him into your life.

I pray for you daily! Please pray for me, as well. None of us can have too much prayer.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Although he didn’t know it, what Jude describes in these two verses above, solved my dilemma this very morning! Another serious situation crowded my mind; yet, after some mental wrestling, I resigned my wishes in favor of this tiny book of Jude.

Jude was one of the half-brothers of our LORD Jesus Christ. And it is his certain assurance that he is being preserved for the LORD’s own purpose. Those of us who know the LORD in salvation are likewise endeavoring to “keep the faith” –stand by His Word– even as we are kept by His love and power! Those who reject His love, reject (by default) His protection and preservation. Jude cites several instances of apostasy and assures us that they are “reserved unto judgment.”

Further, the forsaking of faith in the LORD Jesus Christ leads to the deterioration of human character, demonstrated in numerous immoralities (vv. 8-19). Apostasy always commences small (corrupt thoughts, impatience, boastfulness, mocking spirit), but self-graduates into false religion and open repudiation of revealed truth! Is it any wonder why Jude cries out for all to “keep the faith”?

The LORD is able to secure even the weakest of believers. The human side of the equation is yieldedness and trust; the Divine side is the rescue and security of the believer. Where do you fit in this Divine Equation? Are you committed by faith to the LORD Jesus Christ? If not, why not?
He gave His life on the Cross providing forgiveness for your sins; then He proved the value of His death by arising from the dead on the third day thereafter. Who else in all of human history ever did that? We all seek out and pattern after someone. It just makes sense to follow the One who knows where He’s going! Yield yourself to Jesus Christ! He loves you and will conquer your sins and death, too! You are in my prayers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

3 John 1:1-15, “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;
6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;
14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”

It’s a sure thing: wherever you find a warm, wholesome, trusted, Christian friend, you will also find an equally determined miscreant scoundrel, who is single-mindedly resolved to do you harm. I have experienced this in my lifetime; and this was precisely what John encountered when he had previously written to this church. Gaius was the warm, hospitable Christian friend to John. Diotrephes was the arrogant, self-appointed autocrat, who controlled every communication that arrived or departed from the church. He single-handedly ejected people from the church!

Christians in the earlly churches engaged largely in itinerant, evangelistic ministries. There were other believers who viewed their calling to provide hospitality for the itinerants along the way. John, it would appear, was one of the itinerants; and he writes to commend those who had shown him hospitality. I have been more than once the grateful recipient of such hospitality. Those are folks you never forget.

Diotrephes, however, viewed himself as the “authority” over the church. He was a “controller,” to say the least. An arrogant man, he single-handedly rejected the apostle’s letters of encouragement.

The Apostle John wrote primarily of love and prayer and joy (vv.1-4). Simultaneously, he exhorts the Church to rejoice with him as they all continued to seek the lost and lead them to faith in Jesus (vv. 5-8). The original letter from John was “mysteriously lost” (v 9). But John was no pussy-foot! He verbally excoriated Diotrephes for his opposition to the church’s ministry (vv10-11).

The conclusion of the letter was commendatory (v 12). Possibly…hopefully, this Demetrius is the same Demetrius we know from Acts 19:24. They, too, like the Diotrephes, can be saved. For now, we can only focus on our own churches’ needs. May we ourselves be a Demetrius, never a Diotrephes!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom