[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ background_image=”https:\/\/wewillrepent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/flag-Bible.jpg” background_position=”top_center” custom_margin=”-150px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” animation_intensity_slide=”2%”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Why Is The Day of Repentance Necessary?” button_one_text=”Why Participate” button_one_url=”\/why-take-part\/” button_two_text=”Spread the Word” button_two_url=”\/spread-the-word\/” background_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.6)” content_max_width=”700px” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.4.9″ title_font=”Roboto|300||on|||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”40px” title_line_height=”1.4em” content_font=”||||||||” content_font_size=”17px” content_line_height=”1.9em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”20px” subhead_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.3)” background_enable_image=”off” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”14px” button_one_text_color=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color=”#000000″ button_one_bg_color_gradient_start=”#d883f8″ button_one_bg_color_gradient_end=”#352DBE” button_one_bg_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” button_one_border_width=”10px” button_one_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_one_border_radius=”100px” button_one_letter_spacing=”5px” button_one_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” button_one_icon=”%%20%%” custom_button_two=”on” button_two_text_size=”14px” button_two_text_color=”#000000″ button_two_bg_color=”#ffffff” button_two_border_width=”10px” button_two_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_two_border_radius=”100px” button_two_letter_spacing=”3px” button_two_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” button_two_icon=”%%20%%” button_two_custom_margin=”||||false|false” button_two_custom_margin_tablet=”” button_two_custom_margin_phone=”|||-5px|false|false” button_two_custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”150px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”7vw||7vw||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”250px||250px||true” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” title_font_size_tablet=”40px” title_font_size_phone=”28px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_one_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_two_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”3px” button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”3px” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_one_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_two_text_color__hover=”#000000″ button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”5px” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”3px” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Contact Info” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”22px||38px|||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”100%” max_width=”1454px”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wewillrepent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Canva-A-Christian-in-Prayer-1.jpg” title_text=”A Christian in Prayer” align=”right” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”80%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.8″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”14px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|15px||15px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n 1. America has become a prodigal nation and we are now reaping the fruits of our increasing rebellion against the Creator of the Universe. We are a debtor nation, rioting and insurrection are escalating, and our leaders are incapable of responding because they have chosen secular humanism to guide them instead of the moral compass provided by GOD\u2019S Word.<\/p>\n We are following the same pattern decline and rebellion that took place in ancient Israel.<\/p>\n “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”<\/strong><\/em>Judges 17:6<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 2. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian will be granted entrance into heaven. It\u2019s one thing for a human being to call themselves a Christian, but it is GOD that can see and judge the heart.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n According to the Word of GOD, many Christians who are part of Church Organizations on earth love the present world we live in and are not interested in seeking and obeying the Will of GOD.<\/p>\n Furthermore, there are many churches that have members within their ranks that are part of secret societies that teach a satanic counterfeit Gospel.<\/span><\/p>\n The LORD makes it clear in His description of Churches in the Book of Revelation, that there are myriads of self-professing \u201cChristians\u201d who do not meet His requirements. \u201cBut wait, you cry out, I thought that the faith in Jesus was all that was required for salvation and eternal life?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”3px||9px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”90%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wewillrepent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Canva-A-Christian-in-Prayer-1.jpg” title_text=”A Christian in Prayer” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.8″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.8″ text_font_size=”13px” header_font_size=”23px”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n 1. America has become a prodigal nation and we are now reaping the fruits of our increasing rebellion against the Creator of the Universe. We are a debtor nation, rioting and insurrection are escalating, and our leaders are incapable of responding because they have chosen secular humanism to guide them instead of the moral compass provided by GOD\u2019S Word.<\/p>\n We are following the same pattern decline and rebellion that took place in ancient Israel.<\/p>\n “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”<\/strong><\/em>Judges 17:6<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 2. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian will be granted entrance into heaven. It\u2019s one thing for a human being to call themselves a Christian, but it is GOD that can see and judge the heart.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n According to the Word of GOD, many Christians who are part of Church Organizations on earth love the present world we live in and are not interested in seeking and obeying the Will of GOD.<\/p>\n Furthermore, there are many churches that have members within their ranks that are part of secret societies that teach a satanic counterfeit Gospel.<\/span><\/p>\n The LORD makes it clear in His description of Churches in the Book of Revelation, that there are myriads of self-professing \u201cChristians\u201d who do not meet His requirements. \u201cBut wait, you cry out, I thought that the faith in Jesus was all that was required for salvation and eternal life?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ background_image=”https:\/\/wewillrepent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/prayer-group.jpg” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”5vw||5vw||true|false”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”100%” max_width=”1350px” custom_padding=”6px||5px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.8″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.3em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|15px||15px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|false”]<\/p>\n When John the Baptist, a Jewish prophet was preparing Israel for their Messiah, he preached a message of repentance:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea\u00a0and saying, \u201cRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.\u201d <\/i><\/b>This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cA voice of one calling in the wilderness, p<\/i><\/b>repare the way for the Lord,\u00a0<\/i><\/b>make straight paths for Him.”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n John wore a garment of camel\u2019s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.\u00a0 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.\u00a0 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.<\/strong><\/p>\n But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, \u201cYou brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from <\/i><\/b>the coming wrath<\/i><\/b>?\u00a0 Produce fruit, then, <\/i><\/b>in keeping with repentance<\/i><\/b>.\u00a0 And do not presume to say to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham as our father.\u2019 For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.\u00a0 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n I baptize you with water\u00a0for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and <\/i><\/b>to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.\u201d\u00a0Matthew 3:1-12<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n What are the obvious truths GOD reveals in this passage?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1. Repentance is required to enter the Kingdom of GOD<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom must admit that they are a sinner and confess their sins to GOD<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom of GOD must be willing for their old nature to \u201cdie\u201d \u2013 that is the symbolic significance to Baptism.\u00a0 When you are baptized, AFTER REPENTING, you are publicly demonstrating that you have laid down your old life and have been resurrected by GOD as a Disciple.<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Every tree (person) that does not produce \u201cGood Fruit\u201d (Fruit that comes from a life centered on the LORD and the Gospel), will be burned up.\u00a0 (There are only two Kingdoms you can choose: The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, and the latter is destined for the Lake of Fire)<\/span><\/p>\n 5. The \u201creligious authorities\u201d rejected GOD\u2019S rule and sought to do things their own way.<\/span> This is exactly what is happening today: some Mainline denominations have fallen away from the WORD of GOD and are pursuing a humanistic pantheism in an attempt to bring together a \u201cone world religion\u201d.\u00a0 This \u201cfalling away\u201d will pave the way for the emergence of the anti-christ:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n “Now, brethren,\u00a0concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ\u00a0and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,\u00a0not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of\u00a0Christ had come.\u00a0Let no one deceive you by any means; for\u00a0that Day will not come\u00a0<\/i><\/b>unless the falling away comes first<\/i><\/b>, and\u00a0the man of\u00a0sin is revealed,\u00a0the son of perdition”\u00a0 \u00a02 Thessalonians 2:1-3<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n WHAT IS EXACTLY IS REPENTANCE?<\/span><\/p>\n Repentance:\u00a0 deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.<\/p>\n In the Bible, the word repentance is most often derived from the Greek Word \u201cmetanoia\u201d, which means \u201cto change one\u2019s mind\u201d. \u00a0 This change of mind means that we willfully change our minds about sin;\u00a0 we choose to reject it and abhor it.\u00a0 <\/span> This explains why the LORD says in 2 Corinthians 5:17:<\/span><\/p>\n “Therefore, if anyone\u00a0is\u00a0in Christ,\u00a0he is\u00a0a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n One only has to look at the life of the early disciples to see examples of men and women who left \u201ctheir old lives\u201d to follow Jesus.\u00a0 They did not have one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom of GOD.<\/span><\/p>\n The vast majority of the early members of God\u2019s church were completely committed to Him, and their lives demonstrated that Jesus was the most important one in their life.\u00a0All the disciples were martyred except for John who was exiled to the isle of Patmos where he penned the Book of Revelation.<\/span><\/p>\n However, in the modern world, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between many Christians and \u201cnon-believers\u201d<\/span>.\u00a0 For the vast majority of those who would claim to be Christians, their entertainment, their interests, the things they buy, their priorities of time and money, are all very much like the people \u201cin the world\u201d around them.<\/span><\/p>\n If we are to be honest with ourselves, this is not in keeping with the Will of GOD:<\/span><\/p>\n “Do not love the world or the things in the world.\u00a0If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.\u00a0For all that\u00a0is\u00a0in the world\u2014the lust of the flesh,\u00a0the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life\u2014is not of the Father but is of the world.\u00a0And\u00a0the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.\u00a0He who says, \u201cI know Him,\u201d and does not keep His commandments, is a\u00a0liar, and the truth is not in him.\u00a0But\u00a0whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God\u00a0is perfected\u00a0in him. By this we know that we are in Him.\u00a0He who says he abides in Him\u00a0ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n “But you\u00a0<\/i><\/b>are<\/i><\/b>\u00a0a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..”\u00a0 1<\/i><\/b>st<\/i><\/b> Peter 2:9<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n In other words, in GOD\u2019S eyes, there is a TRUE church comprised of those that have genuinely repented, placed their faith in Jesus as LORD, and their lives are full of fruit that demonstrate their conversion.<\/span><\/p>\n Also, in HIS eyes, are a vast number of people who give intellectual assent to His Existence,\u00a0 and even take part in \u201creligious traditions\u201d, but haven\u2019t actually entered the Kingdom of GOD:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone who says to Me,\u00a0\u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who\u00a0does the will of My Father in heaven.\u00a0Many will say to Me in that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, have we\u00a0not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?\u2019\u00a0And\u00a0then I will declare to them, \u2018I never knew you;\u00a0depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!\u2019<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cTherefore\u00a0whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:\u00a0and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ background_image=”https:\/\/wewillrepent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/prayer-group.jpg” background_position=”center_left” custom_padding=”13px||8px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”96%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.8″ text_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false”]<\/p>\n When John the Baptist, a Jewish prophet was preparing Israel for their Messiah, he preached a message of repentance:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea\u00a0and saying, \u201cRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.\u201d <\/i><\/b>This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:<\/p>\n \u201cA voice of one calling in the wilderness, p<\/i><\/b>repare the way for the Lord,\u00a0<\/i><\/b>make straight paths for Him.”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n John wore a garment of camel\u2019s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.\u00a0 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.\u00a0 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.<\/strong><\/p>\n But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, \u201cYou brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from <\/i><\/b>the coming wrath<\/i><\/b>?\u00a0 Produce fruit, then, <\/i><\/b>in keeping with repentance<\/i><\/b>.\u00a0 And do not presume to say to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham as our father.\u2019 For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.\u00a0 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n I baptize you with water\u00a0for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and <\/i><\/b>to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.\u201d\u00a0Matthew 3:1-12<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n What are the obvious truths GOD reveals in this passage?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1. Repentance is required to enter the Kingdom of GOD<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom must admit that they are a sinner and confess their sins to GOD<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom of GOD must be willing for their old nature to \u201cdie\u201d \u2013 that is the symbolic significance to Baptism.\u00a0 When you are baptized, AFTER REPENTING, you are publicly demonstrating that you have laid down your old life and have been resurrected by GOD as a Disciple.<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Every tree (person) that does not produce \u201cGood Fruit\u201d (Fruit that comes from a life centered on the LORD and the Gospel), will be burned up.\u00a0 (There are only two Kingdoms you can choose: The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, and the latter is destined for the Lake of Fire)<\/span><\/p>\n 5. The \u201creligious authorities\u201d rejected GOD\u2019S rule and sought to do things their own way.<\/span> This is exactly what is happening today: Mainline denominations have fallen away from the WORD of GOD and are pursuing a humanistic pantheism in an attempt to bring together a \u201cone world religion\u201d.\u00a0 This \u201cfalling away\u201d will pave the way for the emergence of the anti-christ:<\/span><\/p>\n Now, brethren,\u00a0concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ\u00a0and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,\u00a0not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of\u00a0Christ had come.\u00a0Let no one deceive you by any means; for\u00a0that Day will not come\u00a0<\/i><\/b>unless the falling away comes first<\/i><\/b>, and\u00a0the man of\u00a0sin is revealed,\u00a0the son of perdition \u00a0 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n WHAT IS EXACTLY IS REPENTANCE?<\/span><\/p>\n Repentance:\u00a0 deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.<\/p>\n In the Bible, the word repentance is most often derived from the Greek Word \u201cmetanoia\u201d, which means \u201cto change one\u2019s mind\u201d. \u00a0 This change of mind means that we willfully change our minds about sin;\u00a0 we choose to reject it and abhor it.\u00a0 <\/span> This explains why the LORD says in 2 Corinthians 5:17:<\/span><\/p>\n “Therefore, if anyone\u00a0is\u00a0in Christ,\u00a0he is\u00a0a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n One only has to look at the life of the early disciples to see examples of men and women who left \u201ctheir old lives\u201d to follow Jesus.\u00a0 They did not have one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom of GOD.<\/span><\/p>\n The vast majority of the early members of God\u2019s church were completely committed to Him, and their lives demonstrated that Jesus was the most important one in their life.\u00a0All the disciples were martyred except for John who was exiled to the isle of Patmos where he penned the Book of Revelation.<\/span><\/p>\n However, in the modern world, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a Christians and \u201cnon-believers\u201d.\u00a0 For the vast majority of those who would claim to be Christians, their entertainment, their interests, the things they buy, their priorities of time and money, are all very much like the people \u201cin the world\u201d around them.<\/span><\/p>\n If we are to be honest with ourselves, this is not in keeping with the Will of GOD:<\/span><\/p>\n “Do not love the world or the things in the world.\u00a0If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.\u00a0For all that\u00a0is\u00a0in the world\u2014the lust of the flesh,\u00a0the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life\u2014is not of the Father but is of the world.\u00a0And\u00a0the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.\u00a0He who says, \u201cI know Him,\u201d and does not keep His commandments, is a\u00a0liar, and the truth is not in him.\u00a0But\u00a0whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God\u00a0is perfected\u00a0in him. By this we know that we are in Him.\u00a0He who says he abides in Him\u00a0ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n “But you\u00a0<\/i><\/b>are<\/i><\/b>\u00a0a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..”\u00a0 1<\/i><\/b>st<\/i><\/b> Peter 2:9<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n In other words, in GOD\u2019S eyes, there is a TRUE church comprised of those that have genuinely repented, placed their faith in Jesus as LORD, and their lives are full of fruit that demonstrate their conversion.<\/span><\/p>\n Also, in HIS eyes, are a vast number of people who give intellectual assent to His Existence,\u00a0 and even take part in \u201creligious traditions\u201d, but haven\u2019t actually entered the Kingdom of GOD:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone who says to Me,\u00a0\u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who\u00a0does the will of My Father in heaven.\u00a0Many will say to Me in that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, have we\u00a0not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?\u2019\u00a0And\u00a0then I will declare to them, \u2018I never knew you;\u00a0depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!\u2019<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cTherefore\u00a0whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:\u00a0and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”9px||42px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”100%” max_width=”1350px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.9″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”18px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||20px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|15px||15px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”4px||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The LORD corrects and warns those who claim to be Christians in His address to the seven churches in the 2<\/span>nd<\/sup>\u00a0and 3<\/span>rd<\/sup>\u00a0chapters of \u00a0Book of Revelation.\u00a0<\/span>These seven churches have characteristics of those churches that existed over the last two thousand years, as well as those that are in existence today.<\/p>\n It is critical that you understand that YOU AND I are included in HIS commendations and\/or HIS corrections and warnings:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTo the angel of the church of Ephesus write,\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: \u201cI know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name\u2019s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place\u2014unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n INSIGHT:\u00a0<\/span>How many of us started our walk on fire for the LORD, but have allowed the cares or pleasures of this world, or the deceitfulness of wealth to eclipse our love and commitment to our FIRST LOVE<\/em>?<\/p>\n “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n INSIGHT: The Church in Smyrna was commended for undergoing tribulation and testing. The modern church has stressed prosperity and happiness instead of accepting the persecution that comes with discipleship.<\/em><\/p>\n “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”<\/strong> 2 Timothy 3:12<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, \u2018These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: \u201cI know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan\u2019s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n INSIGHT: Sexual immorality in thought and deed is rampant in the church today and GOD\u2019S command to us to repent could not be clearer.<\/em><\/p>\n To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:<\/p>\n “These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze. I know your deeds\u2014your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance\u2014and your latter deeds are greater than your first. But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: I will place no further burden upon you. Nevertheless, hold fast to what you have until I come. And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery \u2014just as I have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”<\/strong><\/p>\n INSIGHT: The Lord specifically corrected this church for \u201ctolerating\u201d false teaching in the church, especially related to sexual immorality and idolatry. Today, we are witnessing mainline denominations completely embrace acceptance of every kind of immorality in the name of \u201ctolerance\u201d. In fact, many Churches have openly embraced and promoted \u201calternative lifestyles\u201d which are in direct opposition to the Word of GOD.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cTo the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you. But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.<\/strong><\/em> INSIGHT: Churches are closing and dying spiritually all around us. This is symptomatic of the great \u201cfalling away\u201d prophesied in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3<\/strong>. The Lord gives specific commands and warnings which we must heed:<\/em> Keep the truth of His Word (The Bible) and repent.<\/em><\/p>\n If the church does not wake up, He will come like thief (This is a reference to the \u201ccatching away of true believers\u201d in the rapture)<\/em><\/p>\n Many in the church have garments that are \u201csoiled\u201d which refers to sin and worldliness<\/em> Being an overcomer means that our \u201cwalk\u201d or life with Jesus on earth is filled with righteousness and not sin and He will not \u201cblot out\u201d an overcomers\u2019 name from the book of life \u2013 the clear warning is that the Lord can blot out our name if He chooses.<\/em><\/p>\n “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write 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), and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n INSIGHT: The Lord specifically promises to keep those who persevere from the \u201chour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world\u201d. This is an obvious exhortation to AVOID the approaching tribulation by overcoming the temptations of this satanic world we live in.<\/em><\/p>\n “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of God\u2019s creation. I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm\u2014neither hot nor cold\u2014I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! You say, \u2018I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.\u2019 But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n INSIGHT: The Church at Laodicea is most representative of many \u201cChristian\u201d churches today: they are \u201clukewarm\u201d spiritually, wealthy, and have an attitude that they are \u201cfine, just the way we are\u201d. Typical of today\u2019s church is a belief that the\u00a0<\/em>Bible is just an ancient book of symbolism\u00a0that is not meant to be taken literally.<\/em><\/p>\n Notice what the Lord says he is going to do with this church \u2013 VOMIT THEM OUT.<\/em><\/p>\n However, in the midst of this warning He gives them an astounding invitation: Repent and open the door for Him to come into their lives, overcome, and then \u201csit with Him on the Throne\u201d!<\/em><\/p>\n Any honest Believer must accept the frightening implications of GOD\u2019S warnings to the Christians who share the characteristics of these churches:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Christians must examine themselves and repent of the sin in their lives in light of standards in God\u2019s Word, not those of the Church they attend.<\/em><\/p>\n The way to escape the horrors of the Tribulation is to be an Overcomer who is obedient to the LORD in this present world.<\/em> IMPORTANT NOTE:<\/strong> This doesn\u2019t mean that we get to heaven because of our \u201cGood Works\u201d. The BIBLE implies that the LORD will snatch away Overcomers who are living for HIM before the tribulation. Rev 3:10<\/strong><\/p>\n Although not specifically stated, the evidence suggests that the Tribulation will be a \u201ctest\u201d for those remaining people that claim to be Christian: they will have to decide between accepting the Mark of the Beast in order to buy and sell, or persecution and ultimately death in order to prove that they are OVERCOMERS.<\/p>\n NEVER ACCEPT THE MARK, EVEN IF IT MEANS YOUR DEATH AND THE DEATH OF YOUR CHILDREN AND FAMILY!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/how-to-prepare\/” button_text=”HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE DAY OF REPENTANCE” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_width=”10px” button_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_border_radius=”100px” button_letter_spacing=”5px” button_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” button_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_letter_spacing_hover=”3px” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_letter_spacing__hover=”5px” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px||4px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.8″ width=”100%” max_width=”1234px” custom_margin=”||||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”|15px||15px|false|false”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wewillrepent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/kneel.jpg” title_text=”kneel” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.8″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.9″ header_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”18px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||20px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The LORD corrects and warns those who claim to be Christians in His address to the seven churches in the 2<\/span>nd<\/sup>\u00a0and 3<\/span>rd<\/sup>\u00a0chapters of \u00a0Book of Revelation.\u00a0<\/span>These seven churches have characteristics of those churches that existed over the last two thousand years, as well as those that are in existence today.<\/p>\nAnd here-in lies the reason that many have led fruitless lives outside the will of GOD; your salvation was not initiated from a foundation of REPENTANCE.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
REPENTANCE IS OUR ONLY HOPE \u2013 IT IS REQUIRED BY GOD<\/span><\/h1>\n
And here-in lies the reason that many have led fruitless lives outside the will of GOD; your salvation was not initiated from a foundation of REPENTANCE.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?<\/h1>\n
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<\/span>We also change our mind about our hope of salvation;\u00a0 we no longer trust in our good works to save us; rather we trust that our faith in Jesus\u2019 sacrificial death and resurrection is what will gain us entrance to heaven as our eternal home.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h1>\n
Are You a Disciple or just a \u201cChurch Member\u201d?<\/h1>\n
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WHAT IS REPENTANCE?<\/h1>\n
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<\/span>We also change our mind about our hope of salvation;\u00a0 we no longer trust in our good works to save us; rather we trust that our faith in Jesus\u2019 sacrificial death and resurrection is what will gain us entrance to heaven as our eternal home.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h1>\n
Are You a Disciple or just a \u201cChurch Member\u201d?<\/h1>\n
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THE WARNINGS TO THE CHURCHES<\/h1>\n
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Wake up and strengthen what remains<\/em><\/p>\n
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The Blood of the Lamb is what makes us righteous. Our righteous living, obedience and good works are PROOF<\/strong> that we have been \u201cBorn Again\u201d by the Spirit of GOD<\/p>\nTHE WARNINGS TO THE CHURCHES<\/h1>\n