Taia Colaitiniyara

To the third church, the Alpha and Omega, Jesus Christ made his address. From the previous post, we have established that the second church era ended at the beginning of Constantine the Great's rule as Emperor of Rome. He ended Christian persecution and legalized the free practice of Christianity in the empire, which later became the state's religion. During the time of John the Apostle, Pergamos was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia Minor, the region in which the seven churches are located. In addition to providing government for the region, the city was a religious center. Beautiful temples were erected in honor of four pagan gods: Zeus, Dionysus, Athena, and Asclepius. Asclepius was the mythological god of healing, and it is interesting to note that the serpent-entwined staff associated with him continues today as a symbol for modern medical arts. The books were of parchment that was first used here; hence, the word 'parchment,' derived from the name of

  The second letter of Jesus was addressed to the messenger of the church at Smyrna. During the time of John, Smyrna was apparently a city of great beauty and impressive architecture that circled Mount Pagus like a “crown”. When walking through the city, one would see the Ephesian gate, a gymnasium (near the harbor), a stadium (west side), a theater (holding 20,000 and located on the northwest mountain slope), temples to Zeus (including a large altar), Cybele (the Mother Goddess, near the harbor), Aphrodite, Dionysius, and the Emperors (probably Tiberius in 26 AD and Domitian before 96 AD), the harbor, a library, and a massive agora with a bema on the west and a basilica on the north. This wealthy city was also known for its exceptionally good wine that could be used for both enjoyment and medicinal purposes. Smyrna was dedicated to the worship of the emperor and the imperial cult. Along with the other cities of Asia Province, Smyrna competed for the honor of building a temple to Tiber

What is the Antichrist? Who is the Antichrist? In the whole Bible, it was John the Apostle alone, in his epistles, that made mention of the actual word, Antichrist . What does God mean by this? The word Antichrist or Antikristos (Greek) speaks for itself, it means - enemy or opponent of Christ, and if anyone is the enemy of Christ, he is the enemy of God. Is it an animal, or angel, or a person? Let's find out! Jesus came to Earth for one reason alone - to preach and demonstrate the truth of the saving gospel. In His own words, He read the prophecy concerning His mission, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19) The whole Bible is centered around the plan of salvation. Let us not be oblivious regardin

The history of the seven churches began at the anointing of Jesus Christ in 27 AD, and it is this church that is His agency for the proclamation and demonstration of the saving gospel. It is this church that will, in the succeeding generations, be His people until the end of time.  Said the apostle Paul, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29) During the time of John, Ephesus was a metropolitan city in the Roman Empire's province of Asia Minor, known today as modern Turkey. It was a city of elites, much like New York or Dubai today, a center for trade, pleasure, and antiquities culture of many cultures especially Greek and Roman. Ephesus  in

The Jewish Pharisees once demanded that Jesus answer them about the coming of the kingdom of God. Jesus' answer to them was a prophecy showing the future state of society and the signs that show that His second coming draws near. I want to point out a significant state of mind that I believe is prevalent these last days - the distractions of the "normal life". I am not saying it is bad to involve yourself in the affairs of daily life, but when these affairs draw too much of your attention, they divert your mind from necessary preparations you should do for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all."  We all have to eat, drink, and people have the right to choose to marry, but during the days of Noah, these activities

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: " (Revelation 1:10-11) Said the apostle, "I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." (Revelation 1:12-16) Who was this? John fell on his face at the sight, but he felt hand touch him and heard an encouraging voice said, "Fear not; I am the first

  In September 24, 2013, someone asked this question in an online bible study forum: The phrase, the Lord's day, found in Revelation chapter one, occurs only once in the New Testament. What grounds do we have to determine what day John was speaking about (the day his readers would have understood him to mean)?  The ways it seems to generally be understood are as follows: Christians generally believe John refers to Sunday, the first day of the week. Christian Sabbath observers such as Seventh Day Baptists and Messianic Christians believe John refers to the Sabbath of the LORD (7th day). The Church of God believes John refers to the day of the LORD, a day of judgment. What concrete textual evidence do we have to indicate what this day is or is not?  I am looking for traceable, logical steps, leading to a logical conclusion. I commend the sincere desire that arises from people who are in search of the Truth in God. Let us, from the Bible, answer the question above. If we examine the t

We have a prophet living on the earth today. This prophet is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has the right to revelation for the entire Church. He holds “the keys of the kingdom,” meaning that he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances (see Matthew 16:19). No person except the chosen prophet and President can receive God’s will for the entire membership of the Church. The Lord said, “There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred” (D&C 132:7). The President of the Church is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators.  (Taken from the official website of  The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints ) Just as the Bible places great importance on the spiritual gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14