Message to Laodicea

Andrey Karpekin

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding, for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed." Proverbs 3:13-18.

This book is compiled from the materials of the "School of Agape Love".

Andrey Karpekin. 2025. Distribution of this book is allowed without the author's consent.

If I decide to obtain higher education in Germany, simply choosing an educational institution and enrolling will not be enough. There are specific rules governing the admission process.

I have two secondary professional education certificates, but this is insufficient for admission to any university. I would need to additionally complete a couple of classes in a gymnasium or technical school before my documents would be considered.

If I decide to become a pastor or preacher in this country, despite my years of church membership, I would not be appointed to this ministry or entrusted with a pulpit. This right is granted only to those who have graduated from a German seminary, having studied or retrained there for at least two years.

I understand that such measures are necessary to maintain the purity of church teaching. And overstepping these rules is quite difficult. However, education does not guarantee the dedication of a minister. And if someone sees this only as a good job, I feel sorry for them.

The Lord sent a special message to His end-time church, which can be found in Revelation 3:14-22. The message to Laodicea is quite consistent, and it cannot be accepted from the middle or the end. Each subsequent verse flows from the previous one. I cannot receive the blessing of verse 21 if I have not received the blessing of verse 18. No one will come to my door and knock or call if I have skipped all the previous counsels and reproofs.

In the message to Laodicea, a detailed plan for the overcomer is outlined. My friends and I have been studying this message thoroughly for over 7 years, and we understand that its depth has not yet been fully revealed to us. We realized that this epistle consistently describes a program for preparing a special group of people who, by all their character qualities, are suitable for the mysterious number 144,000.

In the lessons of the Agape Love School, the meaning of all the symbols in this message has been sufficiently revealed to us, yet this is still not enough to be an overcomer. Fire awaits us ahead, through which we still have to pass. We are partially already experiencing various trials that prepare us for the main exam. And such a time will come someday.

My heart burns with a desire to share the importance of the meaning of this message, and I have to constantly repeat the same things to many people to somehow interest them in the work of preparation.

Previously, I waited for the Latter Rain to be poured out, which would miraculously prepare me for sealing. And the only thing I wanted was to receive baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is a very important event, but God has a preparation plan for it that I cannot bypass or jump over.

If a groom offers his bride an engagement and time together before the wedding to get to know each other better, but the bride simply ignores him, deciding to meet only at the wedding itself, what should the groom do? Most likely, he would lose interest in the one who shows no interest in him.

If I do not understand the importance of the overcomer's plan, the Lord will do everything possible to present and explain it to me. But if I am not interested in what He advises me to do and accept, it reminds me very much of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Studying the message to Laodicea, one involuntarily comes to the conclusion that this message must cause sifting among God's people. I do not want to engage in dividing the church into the chosen and the lost. But the Bible teaches that this will happen regardless of me. God and His Spirit cannot be neglected forever.

Looking at what is happening in the world, I understand that God is also doing something and expecting something from His people, offering us a way out of our lukewarm state. Many biblical truths are good in themselves, but now it is important to understand the truth for the present time, about what I need to do now. I want to understand the difference between the wise and foolish virgins from the parable in Matthew 25:1-12.

I am interested in everything that will help me better understand God's plan for me at this time because I do not want to lose salvation through my ignorance. And the Lord reveals to those who seek and pray everything they need to know.

In the book "Early Writings" by Ellen White, there is a chapter called "Sifting" that I strongly recommend everyone to read. 170 years ago, the Lord predicted through this messenger what we should pay attention to and what will cause sifting. I will quote from this chapter:

"I asked about the meaning of the sifting I saw, and it was shown to me that this action would be caused by a reliable testimony, inspired by the counsel given to the Laodicean church by the Faithful and True Witness. It will touch the hearts of those who accept it and encourage them to raise the banner of truth high and proclaim it firmly. Not everyone will proclaim this reliable testimony. Some will rise against it, and this will be the cause of sifting among God's people.

I saw that the testimony of the true Witness is not given even half the significance it deserves. The sacred testimony, on which the fate of the Church depends, is not appreciated as it should be, and sometimes it is even completely ignored. This testimony should cause deep repentance; all who truly accept it will submit to it and be purified." – {EW 270.3}

Previously, I read this book many times and did not see what I have shared here. But, studying the message to Laodicea, I came to the same conclusion independently, and then read about it.

And I have questions for you, friend: "Do you understand the importance of the Message to Laodicea for you? Do you believe that this message is addressed to you? Do you have a desire to study, understand, and accept everything that the Faithful and True Witness offers?" Answer this to yourself and follow your answer.

Even now, reading this message briefly, although I understand the meaning of what is written, it is still covered with a mystery that I am trying to comprehend. And this is after seven years of study and reflection! What will those who open it for the first time understand? But there is good news: Seek and you will find, ask and it will be given to you. God is more interested in our salvation and is the first to seek out each one. He will not leave anyone who chooses Him and tries with all their might to understand what is covered in mystery.

The message to Laodicea contains a message about accepting God's agape love as gold refined by fire. And keeping the commandment of love for one another is also God's plan for the end times. We have such simple words from the Heavenly Merchant, yet they are full of such deep meaning!

Agape love is not some product being pushed on me, but an Eternal blessing, a happy spirit, joy at all times, friendliness, and constant delight from God's presence in my heart. It is many friends whom you love. It is happiness from morning to evening. It is endless gratitude to God that He is now yours forever and for what He gives you eternally.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Eph. 5:15-18; Rev. 3:14-22; Matt. 25:1-12; Luke 11:9-10; Dan. 12:10; Isa. 60:1-3; Rom. 12:1-3; Phil. 1:6; Amos 3:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the importance of the message to Laodicea, and what is it about?

4. If God offers me personal relationships, is it worth accepting and understanding what is expected of me and how to develop it?

5. Do you have friends with whom you could start studying the message to Laodicea?

6. What do you think will happen to those who never pay attention to the message of the Faithful Witness?

7. If the message to Laodicea is unclear to me, is it worth studying? If yes, then for what purpose?

8. What overcomers are discussed in this message? What or whom should they overcome?

9. What does Jesus offer us in this message?

10. Why does the Lord sell, rather than give away, His goods?

Bill decided to take a walk through the city. It had been a long time since he had allowed himself such a luxury. Leaving his Rolls-Royce at one of his villas, Bill changed into a sports suit and confidently headed to the neighborhood of his childhood, hoping to meet some of his school friends. Many years had passed since the last school bell, and during this time Bill had managed to establish a business with billion-dollar profits and set up numerous subsidiary enterprises across the country.

Passing by a supermarket, Bill noticed a man rummaging through a trash bin, taking various items and placing them in his basket. In this homeless man, our billionaire recognized his classmate Tim and approached to greet him. They hugged. Tim broke into a smile and decided to treat his old friend, inviting him home. Bill agreed, trying to understand what this would look like. They went to the city's outskirts near a garbage dump, and upon reaching the trash pile, Tim left his cart and invited Bill to follow him. They carefully moved from heap to heap and finally arrived at a strange structure made of furniture boards and cardboard, wrapped in plastic. Inside this house was quite spacious, with old kitchen furniture and many shelves cluttered with various things. Tim invited Bill to sit at the table and began his life story.

It turned out that after college, Tim had started a family, but ten years later his wife divorced him, taking all the property, leaving him on the street with debts and unpaid loans. These new problems and worries broke Tim, and he went wherever his eyes would lead him, met local homeless people, and found peace in their company.

Over time, Tim became the "king of the dump," using his professional knowledge to organize the life of all the homeless living at the city's landfill. He studied the schedule of incoming garbage trucks and what assortment they brought at different times. He found buyers for colored metals and valuable items in exchange for necessary medications and alcohol. He knew when expired products were delivered and skillfully distributed them among the dump's inhabitants.

Bill listened to his classmate's enthusiastic stories and then asked, "Wouldn't you like to have a company with an annual turnover of several million?" To which he received a reply that his friend was already very rich, had become wealthy, and needed nothing. Tim began showing his "treasures," pulling out various devices and appliances from boxes, opening cabinets and boasting about how much clothing he had for any weather. Although the house had no electricity, the homemade stove could burn combustible garbage for cooking and heating.

Life on the dump was arranged with maximum convenience. Drinking water was brought by metal scrap buyers, and containers for collecting rainwater were invented for showering and dishwashing.

Tim opened his food storage and began generously treating his friend with various expired delicacies, telling him that many dump inhabitants suffered from overeating and obesity.

Bill looked warily at the offered treats and asked Tim if he would like to have dinner with him in Bill's restaurant every evening. To this, the man just laughed, declaring that he had an excellent kitchen that no restaurant could compare with.

Bill cautiously said, "Tim, you don't even know how unhappy and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked you are. I advise you to contact me, and I will help you enter high society and reach knowledge peaks you never even dreamed of. In exchange for your junk, I will give you true wealth and better clothing, and you will become very wise in business. My teachers will reveal to you the secret of money, and you will gain access to true treasures and incredible resources. I will pay all your past debts and give you enough funds to start your own business and prosper in it. We will enter into eternal trade relations where we will mutually enrich each other."

Tim looked at his friend with regret, sadly smiling: "Bill, do you even understand who I am? I am the king of the dump!!! All the homeless in this city are under my command! If I need something, I don't even have to leave home, and everything will be brought to me, they will carry me in their arms and serve all my needs! And you offer me some fairy tales that I should spend my precious time on? Life is too short to enter into trade with you and spend the most valuable thing I have. And my clothes, though dirty, connect me with the past and warm my soul with memories of past battles. And if you, Bill, become very bad in your business, the doors of my house are always open to you. I'll give you the best spot on the dump and help you build your house."

Bill replied, "Tim, if you accept my advice, everything will change for you. You'll become a winner in all tenders, and I'll give you a place at the business forum next to me, and you'll receive the same power as I have, becoming my partner. Tim, you can't even imagine who I am and what heights you could reach in our trade relations. You can only find garbage on your dump, but I advise you to buy true wealth from me, which is valued both on your dump and in the world where I live. The new clothing you'll acquire from me will speak of your special status, and everyone will recognize that you are my friend, that you are in a special relationship with me. Your eyes now see no further than your dump, but believe me, you'll become sighted and able to distinguish garbage from true gold. You'll remember your current life with horror, and you'll be ashamed of what you were. And I personally will come to visit you every evening to have dinner with you in your new beautiful home and discuss further steps in our joint trade."

Tim listened carefully, trying to understand how credible Bill's offer looked. He looked at the walls of his house, his comfortable furniture, his "treasures" accumulated over many years, which he already had in abundance, and could not imagine how to part with all this for some abstract dream that his friend presented as reality. Bill spoke so convincingly, even if he didn't look like a billionaire. What if he deceives and takes all the dump's riches without giving what was promised? Tim had no desire to start everything from scratch. Where was the guarantee that it would be better? How to understand that what was offered was truly valuable?

A struggle was happening in Tim's heart. He understood that if he agreed to a relationship with Bill, big changes would begin in his life. Looking through the plastic window at the boundless expanses of his dump, Tim thought with deep melancholy about having to leave all this forever for something not quite understood? Who would show him the future? So he could only believe and hope that Bill was not deceiving him. Bill's speech did not seem suspicious. Exchanging the dump for something else?! Tim's mind could not comprehend this. He decided to think about it.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Matt. 25:29; Rev. 3:14-22; Prov. 23:23; Matt. 25:1-13; Eph. 5:4-18; Isa. 1:2-31; 55:1-2; 60:1-5; 1 Cor. 13:1-3; Hos. 4:6 in light of this chapter.

2. What thought described in the lesson did you like the most?

3. Did you guess who this lesson is about?

4. Do you think Jesus has enough resources to cover all your debts and enrich you?

5. What is being offered to us to buy in the message to Laodicea: things or relationships? Explain your answer.

6. What do you think will happen to those who reject the counsel of the Faithful Witness and do not buy anything from Him?

7. Does the Lord have any other message for the people of the last time that, by observing it, one could ignore the message of the Faithful Witness?

8. Why is so little being said in our time about what is vitally important?

9. Do you think your life will change if you follow the advice of the Faithful Witness?

10. Will someone be an overcomer who does not accept the message of the Faithful Witness?

11. Is it worth changing your visible achievements for abstract promises and advice?

Before His ascension, Jesus said a very interesting and important word to His disciples. Let's read Matthew 28:18: "...All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."

The work that Jesus accomplished on Earth was of great significance for Heaven as well. In the light of Calvary, God's true love was revealed to the entire Universe. If before Christ's sacrifice some heavenly beings might have had questions and doubts about God's character, methods of His governance, and Satan's claims to supreme power, after Jesus' death, the correct answer was found for all these questions, and all doubts and misunderstandings were dispelled.

Calvary clearly showed the visible and invisible worlds that God is love. On the cross, absolute divine mercy towards sinful and fallen people and absolute divine justice concerning lawlessness were manifested. A great Sacrifice was offered, which established the significance of all conditional sacrifices made in faith before Calvary and revealed the path of salvation for all who would accept Christ after Calvary. A new door of salvation was opened for all humanity, a door named Jesus Christ. Sin and its adherents were sentenced to death.

But, by God's providence, people were still given time so that all who wished would have the opportunity to hear the message of salvation, the message of a better life and of God's loving character. Not all prophecies pointing to the final time's struggle and the beginning of judgment had been fulfilled yet. The enemy of humanity received special power to destroy and tempt all living on earth, without having complete authority over God's children.

God predicted all periods of Christianity's development, gave special revelations through the apostle John, and established times and seasons within His authority.

And now, in our time, all seasons have been fulfilled, all signs point to the imminent culmination of final historical events. And something vitally important must happen on our Earth.

Jesus possesses special authority to act at this time, producing something very important in our world and in our souls. Light has already been fully poured out on every inhabitant of Earth. Knowledge and discoveries in all areas of human life have exceeded human capabilities, sin has completely revealed its disgusting essence, Satan's deceptions have become overwhelmingly strong and sophisticated. The whole world lies in evil, and the Lord has not yet come. Jesus desires to have a special people who will fully reveal to the world the genuine character of God and His beauty. How is this possible? The Lord has a plan.

The parable of the ten virgins tells what and how this will happen. It helps understand how important it is to prepare for upcoming events. And Christ's address to Laodicea points God's people to what will be necessary to understand, accept, and do in this last time. This is not my plan, but God's plan, and God longs to implement it in my and your life.

I have the following opportunities for implementing this plan:

1. I ponder, begin to explore and discover the meaning of God's symbols and follow the instructions given to me. I begin to receive everything that God wishes to entrust and sell me.

2. I ponder and begin to explore the given question, but allow current cares to absorb my attention and postpone the implementation of God's plans to an indefinite future. However, I firmly believe that this issue needs to be devoted time to, and after studying it, implement it in my life. But for now, there are more important matters.

3. I heard, believed, rejoiced, but did not attach special significance to this message, therefore did not dedicate time to it. And I do not intend to engage with it in the near future.

4. I consider these messages to be one of many information streams, and they will not change anything in my life, so it is not worth delving into them at all.

In our school of love, we have decided to follow the first path. We strive to understand what God offers us, delve into the essence of symbols and prophecies, accept God's plan, buy heavenly true values, and wait for further fulfillment of God's blessings and promises in our lives. Time is very short. And world events are loudly calling us from all sides to understand that the end is very near and it is time to wake up.

And Jesus very calmly and tenderly teaches us His love. He has neither haste nor delay in this matter. He is preparing a people, desiring to present them pure and spotless before the entire Universe and show the visible and invisible worlds what the power of Love can do with those who seek, find, and accept it.

God will not abolish His prophecies and will not change His plans to reach uninterested people. But at a certain time, everything will be fulfilled. God's love will find trembling and seeking hearts and establish itself in them forever to form a special people for the final events.

Everything happening in my consciousness now has eternal consequences for me. It is precisely at the present time that each of us chooses the very path to follow. God pointed to the narrow path and did everything on His side so that everyone could walk and develop along it. The Lord will not change His plans but will seek and attract those through whom He can implement them. And this plan leads me to complete acceptance of the love of the One who embodies it. All symbols and calls point to this.

The power of love is boundless. It is larger, stronger, and wiser than everything; it is available to all but given to the chosen. It is acquired by those who seek it, who understand it, and who desire to have it.

It is amazing how, on one hand, God's plans are simple and accessible, and on the other, full of mysteries and depths that cannot be penetrated through superficial study.

We await the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But what will He change in an indifferent heart of someone who heard calls but did not respond to them? I think nothing special will happen in such a soul. When the seed is sown, then the rain only nurtures and fills it with strength so that fruit appears, but it does not change the composition and nature of the seed. Of course, if I did not manage to acquire good seed, I can still buy it if I know where, but there might not be time left to grow it.

Love cannot be learned in an instant. It is a process with its own duration and laws. Its beginning is laid in this world, and in Eternity, the learning will continue, but I must enter this process now, learning the foundations and laws of God's love. In this case, this gift will become mine and bear much fruit. And the early rain of the Holy Spirit will strengthen this seed, grow it, and prepare it for harvest.

God loves us. And He will not leave any seeking soul in ignorance. He gave His plan not to tease us and hide it in an inaccessible place, but to reveal and implement it in me and in you.

Christ has enough authority to establish God's will in my life and accomplish everything He has planned. With my "yes" and further desire, I allow my will and God's will to merge into unity of purpose. Then God's plan begins its implementation in my life. And having begun this good work in me, God will continue it until the day of His glorious Coming.

Christ's love will become my life, God's character will transform my heart, my will shall rest on God's principles. Unity of thoughts and feelings with Christ will bind us with eternal bonds of love.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Amos 3:7; Hosea 4:6; Deuteronomy 29:29; Revelation 22:18-19; Daniel 12:4 in light of this chapter.

2. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

3. Do you have a desire to explore God's plan outlined in the address to Laodicea?

4. Do you have time for classes in this school?

5. Are you interested in studying the lessons and comparing them with your life?

6. Is God's plan for your future being revealed in this school? Do you see God's Hand in our lessons?

7. Do you understand what kind of love will be given to you in the process of learning?

This lesson is very important for understanding. Please delve into it, and if possible, read it several times until you understand its significance.

In the message to Laodicea, our Lord addresses His church, describing the true state of His children in this period. After Laodicea, there is no one else. Jesus calls my state by its name. He asserts that I am lukewarm and that I have no idea what I look like in His eyes. Revelation 3:17: "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." So it is. But merely recognizing this truth does not solve the problem of my lukewarm state. What is this? I am rich, yet Jesus says I am poor. And He is not mistaken.

The Spirit of God draws me to what happened at Calvary, and in the light of these events, I see myself as a great sinner in need of a Savior. I have an immense debt. I repent and receive forgiveness. My debt is paid, I am free. The Lord, in the richness of His mercy and love for me, paid my guilt and brought me out of sin's slavery. I truly became free.

Let's try to illustrate this. For example, throughout my life, I took out loans to pay for this world's services. And to pay off interest and partially return old debts, I took new loans at higher interest rates. If initially we were talking about a small million, then with each year the sum doubled and eventually exceeded a billion. If, having a good job, I could somehow return a million during my lifetime, then a debt of a billion is out of the question. Then I learn that there is a very wealthy person ready to pay off my credit. I meet him, and he, out of his love, pays all my debts, setting the condition that I also forgive all my debtors. I agree. From the bank, I receive a notification that my debt is paid, that I owe nothing, and my account balance is 0. What joy!!! I am free!!! I am forgiven!!! My debt is settled! Now I can live freely. In my joy, I invite guests, go to the store to buy festive food, and at the checkout, I learn that I have no funds to pay for the purchase. My zero balance is not enough to pay. I call the bank and ask for a loan of a thousand. They happily agree. I can work off a thousand. The bill is paid. The celebration happened. The guests left, and I went to tell everyone about my new friend who paid such a huge loan for me.

Life goes on, and new purchases and services need to be paid for. I work like an ox at two jobs, and it's not enough to get rich. I'm used to living in debt and spending money as I see fit, taking everything from life. I decide to turn to my friend for help again, and he assures me that he will cover all my debts and that he has enough resources to help me. This calms me, and I continue to live, no longer thinking about expenses. My lamp always burned, though I saw that the oil in it was only enough for a short time. I always had to borrow to repair the lamp. However, this did not bother me, because having such a rich friend, I had nothing to worry about. I became wiser than others. My life was filled with many useful knowledge, I gained various experiences, and having such an abundance of blessings, I looked very rich compared to other people. Any new purchase did not embarrass me. I knew the one who would pay all my debts, and therefore boldly went forward, telling everyone about my rich friend who is very generous to all poor people. But looking at my property, I no longer considered myself poor. A luxurious house, a new car, a shield of faith, boots of readiness. All these things delighted my heart, and from early morning until evening, I praised and thanked my friend for everything.

Sometimes I thought about how I would repair my lamp if my friend stopped paying for me and the bank refused to give credit. I would not be able to buy or sell then, my lamp would go out, and my entire house would plunge into darkness. I thought more seriously. I became scared. I remembered other people who left life believing in my friend, never becoming rich, but also having no debts. All their accounts were paid, and debts settled. But I am worried about the impending crisis. I understand that things will never be the same as before, and the future holds uncertainty. Especially since my friend sent a warning to have oil for the lamp and a reserve of oil for the crisis time. And this cannot be obtained on credit. My friend offered to buy some valuables from him to become rich and have personal funds, no longer living in debt. But unfortunately, I simply have no time to understand and figure out what he wants to sell and how I could pay. And my friend ambiguously lets me know that there are serious flaws in my thinking and that I need to change something in my life. And he has taken to coming to my house and knocking on the door, not understanding that I am busy and cannot always let him in. However, sometimes I open the door, we have dinner, and he tells me how to become truly rich. How he has tired me with his teachings and advice! Though some of them are not entirely bad. But I cannot kick him out. What if he gets offended, and I have such a development perspective, so much more to do, and someone must pay for it. One thing is depressing: although I am rich, the largest number in my bank account is zero.

I go to my friends. They are sweetly sleeping in their wealth. But many of their lamps do not go out, and it seems they have reserves of oil for the crisis. I think it would not hurt me to take a nap too. And again, a knock at the bedroom door. And again, advice to buy something to become richer, to dress and gain sight. No one has ever insulted me like this! But maybe I should really try? I seek advisors. Some say nothing terrible is happening, others urge me to heed my friend's advice. But the price for these goods is very high. Why not just give them as a gift? But somewhere in my heart, I understand that this message is very important to me. My friend says that I am very lukewarm and that I need to get out of such a state.

My friends tell me about gold that enriched them and how wonderful it is to be truly rich. I thought that this is indeed simpler. No need to live in debt. Always having something to pay for any service. And this wealth comes from the same friend who pays my debts. But the prospect of true treasure and clean clothing involves many trials. The world and the environment in which I live simply will not understand me. They already laugh at me, and in this case, they will completely hate me. But my friend assures me that he will be nearby and support me, that I will have oil. I need to think carefully. But I will definitely decide something.

The world attracts with its goods and services, but it has become foreign to me. And now I am not of this world. The crisis is approaching, it is inevitable. There is hope that I will die before this sorrowful time and will not have to worry too much. But what if I don't die? Oh, who would show me the future. Then I would know what to do. So I can only believe, relying on my friend's words and promises.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read this lesson again in light of Revelation 3:14-22.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What state are you in?

4. Do you consider yourself part of Laodicea? How do you understand this symbol?

5. Is Jesus' address directed to me, to my address?

6. What is true wealth?

7. What should I do about it?

I heard a story about a store being broken into in one of the American cities. When the police arrived, they decided to determine what was missing, what had been stolen. But to everyone's surprise, it was found that all items were in place. When the trading day came, customers approached the sellers with amazement, wondering why expensive goods were being sold at low prices and, conversely, what was cheap had become very expensive. During the investigation, it was discovered that the robbers had replaced all price tags, making the cheapest items many times more expensive, and the most valuable ones reduced to minimal cost.

This illustration vividly shows how everything in our world is turned upside down. Sin has been glorified and placed on a pedestal of honor, while true values have been reduced to the level of indecency, and people mock those who seek to obtain them.

What is valuable in this world? What currency is in circulation?

1. Look at what I have.

2. Look at what I can do.

3. Look at what I know.

4. Look at who I am.

5. Look where I've been.

6. Look how strong I am.

And all of this is elevated to a coveted life goal, which is worth striving for and holding onto, so that upon reaching it, one receives applause and ovations from the world. All of humanity is chasing the acquisition of such values. In the process, people sacrifice their health, time, personal needs, and even their lives. This mode of action can be briefly characterized as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Possessing these mentioned values is highly honorable.

If I loudly declare that I am a dollar millionaire who wants to share the secrets of my achievements, I will interest some people. But if I say I'm a billionaire, then the whole world will pay attention to me, and many will be very eager to learn how I achieved such success and what its secret is.

What is a billion? For example, if I have the opportunity to set aside $1,000 each month. To accumulate a billion, I would need a million months, or 83,333 years. With a million, it's a bit simpler. If I can set aside a million each year, I would need only a thousand years to accumulate a billion. Can you imagine this picture? All of this is a race after wind.

Around 2002, a Toto-Lotto in Germany accumulated a main jackpot of 32,000,000 Euros. In a week, 42 million lottery tickets were sold at 12 € each. All media talked about nothing else. And I fell under the influence of this deception, discussing with my work colleagues how we would spend the winnings. Of course, everyone became very generous in their dreams and generously gifted me apartments and cars. I even tried to imagine this sum in my pocket. And I immediately saw that I lost peace and tranquility, trying to preserve and spend money I didn't have. But I wasn't even going to buy a ticket because I consider it a satanic deception and do not participate in such games. However, God's peace left me. And it took me a long time before I could remove this infection from my mind, just to stop thinking about it. God's peace became mine again. And I calmly worked, earning my bread with my own hands.

But the world hasn't stopped in its race after wind. It has a goal and meaning to which it wants to lead every person.

What is valuable in the eyes of Heaven, and what currency circulates among holy beings now and throughout Eternity?

1. Look how I love you!

2. Look how much I know about God, How Loving, Wise, True, Merciful, and Just He is, and this is not even the limit.

3. What can I do for your happiness?

These Heavenly values are already in demand. But the world has reduced them to the level of passions and base lusts. However, God has a plan to restore His true values at the end of time and show the visible and invisible worlds what is truly vital and what blessing it brings, giving everything meaning and life. And God confidently implements His plan in the souls of those whose hearts are open and thirst for the acceptance of love, friendship, and happiness.

Jesus calls my achievements, my wealth, and knowledge poverty, destitution, and nakedness. What I consider great is, in His eyes, garbage and dirty clothes. And Christ offers something truly valuable, pure, and white. I think I see and know everything, but He calls me blind, offering to buy His vision and knowledge.

He desires that I be zealous in acquiring heavenly values and, through the gift of repentance, be able to change my thinking.

What does Jesus advise the Laodiceans to buy? Why does He give advice? Usually, He commands or offers, but in this case, He advises buying.

Advice is a recommendation or guidance about what might be right and useful from my point of view. It does not deprive a person of freedom of choice or the ability to decide to go their own way. What love and respect from God! He offers me vitally important values without which I cannot stand in the last time. He gives me the opportunity to independently choose what I consider necessary for myself. And this advice is so modestly offered that it is simply lost as something insignificant and unimportant among hundreds of laws and prescriptions in the Bible. When I hear the word Laodicea, I associate it with a lukewarm state. And I agree that Jesus is right, meanwhile hoping that I am still somewhat hot. And it's completely incomprehensible what He advises there. Even biblical values in my consciousness have gained their significance and priority due to my corruption and damaged mind. But the Lord will not leave anyone in ignorance about the true values of the last time. He draws people's eyes to what will help and enrich them.

What does a man offer his beloved when he gives her a small ring in a box? The ring or something more? I think that in this gift, he presents all of himself, his time, his freedom and love, his property and power. And having made this proposal, the man watches closely, tracking the reaction to his gift. He is very attentive to the behavior and response of his chosen one. In this special moment, the most important decisions are made, and after them begins either a process of separation or preparation for a wedding celebration.

Jesus loves me very much, and by advising me to buy various goods from Him, He offers not some heavenly assortment for my choice, but Himself. Although these goods have different names, essentially they are one whole. They are in one package that cannot be divided. And in this package is the heart of Jesus, which He desires to entrust to everyone who wants to receive it.

But how modestly He presents it. Quietly advising, clothing Himself in symbols, and mentioning it nowhere else. Such an offer is like a small key to a big city, which is conditionally handed to the winner for eternal possession to reign in it.

So, Jesus gives advice, offering a profitable deal. And what should I do with this? He awaits my decision and is very carefully observing how I will relate to it, what I will imagine, whether I will hear this advice, and what I will ultimately decide.

And what is important to Him is not what I say, but how I will act next.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read John 17:2,3; 1 John 5:11,12; Galatians 5:6; Job 23:10; Malachi 3:2-4; Isaiah 1:25; Matthew 22:11; Galatians 3:27; Matthew 6:22; James 1:23-25, and consider these verses in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What prevents Laodicea from accepting God's message?

4. Why are the symbols "gold refined by fire, white clothing, eye salve" named as such?

5. What is your response to Jesus' advice?

6. How can I pay for this purchase?

Trade is an exchange of goods or their acquisition at a specified or negotiated cost. This sphere of activity is an intermediate link between the producer and the end consumer. Trade is carried out by exchanging goods of equal value – barter, or exchanging goods for an established monetary equivalent – purchase.

The Faithful and True Witness advises me to buy certain goods from Him. First, He convinces me that everything valuable and correct in my eyes is actually a problem that disgusts Him. Moreover, I am unable to solve this problem myself.

And the Lord not only defines my values but also offers what has true significance in His eyes. Even if I buy what Jesus offers without fully understanding it, it would be better than understanding my true state and deciding to remain in it. The warning that I will be spewed out of Christ's mouth will one day be fulfilled. The Lord will do exactly what He says. His word has always fulfilled everything for which it was spoken. And this is important to consider.

Despite being merely advised to make a purchase, this does not mean there will be no consequences if I acquire nothing. We are not offered trinkets to collect dust, but something very valuable for our salvation. Without this, we cannot be justified by God.

And here I am, interested in the offer, deciding to listen to the advice. I approach the counter, and what do I see?

When I heard the names of the goods, I thought there would be a small ingot of pure gold, a white robe, and a tube of ointment on the counter. But what I saw enchanted and surprised me.

Instead of an ingot, before my eyes was an endless ocean of pure gold with its infinite riches and possibilities. And instead of a small white robe, I saw incomparably bright garments of light from Heavenly holiness, emanating from the Throne of Grace. These garments shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow, blinding my gaze with amazing purity and whiteness. Not a single dark spot was on them. Jesus Himself was dressed in such clothing. And it reflected all the beauty of His character and holiness.

The eye salve was like a pure river, ready to pour out life-giving streams of a strong rain onto my consciousness, to wash my eyes with its transparent waters, restore my damaged mind, and lift me above the vanity of this world, giving me the opportunity to see all these works from the height of God's providence.

I stand at the counter, enchanted by the goods of Heaven. And my tongue is unable to pronounce anything. But I dare to ask: "How much does this cost? What price have You set, Lord, for this item?"

He looks into my eyes and makes me understand that Heavenly Valuables can only be acquired with the most valuable thing in my heart. I begin to "rummage through my pockets," pulling out the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes, and my worldly pride. Oh, how ashamed I am to show this! Where can I hide my eyes from shame. I feel I might die in the presence of a pure God. But He joyfully declares: "This is exactly what I would very much like to receive from you! And also, your soiled clothing will be a very good addition to your values. And if you give Me all your time as well, I think the deal can be made."

I thought I would set my own prices and grab something from the counter and run away. I did not expect such a blow. Right to the heart. He wants to make me completely poor, naked, and defenseless, so shamelessly stripping me. However, the Heavenly goods were quite attractive. I asked: "Can I keep something of my own, at least a little, as a memory?" Jesus looked at me with sadness, and I understood everything. I stand and decide. Before me are two paths: the world or Heaven. And I need to determine my choice.

The Lord in this offer and advice addresses my will, appealing to its reason and heart, making it clear that He desires to become its husband. In case of refusal, it will be the wife of another husband, who is closer to the flesh.

I am in despair. My choice determines everything. Any delay or doubt will sound like a "no". Will this advice be repeated for me?

I understand that my connection with the world will be severed forever, although its temptations will continue to attack me. I realize that Heaven will meet all my needs.

I choose Jesus and give Him everything He wishes to receive.

A joyful smile appears on His face. He is so happy that he cannot even hide it. Jesus says that if I remain faithful to Him while living in this world, He will share His throne with me. I don't quite understand what this means, but I think it is something good since He offers it so joyfully.

Undressing in the presence of the entire world and Heaven was very painful for me. I burned with shame. Everyone saw my nakedness. But the choice is made, and I must go through this. My pride, my lust, my time – all of this became Christ's property. My dirty clothes adorned His collection, which He plans to burn.

Now I belong to Jesus. My will is in His power. I sold everything to buy what was advised to me. How beautiful this turned out to be! I didn't even expect such a life.

The world furiously attacked me with its temptations, but I pay it for its services with heavenly values. My carnal self lies on its back under the weight of my daily choice in favor of Heaven. My old "I" tries to raise its disgusting head. But I give it no chance.

Jesus became even closer to me. I understand that these new goods remain very unusual for me, and I need to learn how to use them. But teaching me brings joy to my Lord. He assures me that everything I have acquired is my property, and I always have access to it. But since I am used to living differently, I still need time to get used to the new values and learn to use them for God's glory.

The trade is over. The deal is made. My thoughts are full of delight. I enter my home, close the door, sit on the sofa, and ponder. What happened? Where am I? What to do next? Does this not seem like a dream? My eyes see everything as before, the reality is the same, everyday concerns have not changed at all. But inside, I have become different. A heavenly fire is lit within me, which does not give me the right to be silent. I pray for wisdom to speak, and it comes. I begin to testify, and in response, I hear mockery and insults. I did not expect such opposition. But I cannot and do not want to go back. I ask for strength from above to love, and it comes.

Walking through life, I get very tired from constant struggle, but the Lord strengthens me and gives me strength.

How joyful! I bought Heaven, I acquired Christ. What awaits me next? And the Lord points me to Calvary and makes me understand that I still have to look at the world from its peak, from the height of the cross. How interesting! And no longer scary. However, understanding that this is a great reward for the chosen, I continue to prepare for moving, trying to leave everything in this world.

Jesus gently hugs me. How pleasant to experience these moments of happiness in His loving embrace! But He lets me go, assures me of His tender attitude, saying that He is with me all the days until the end of the age.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Tell me what was revealed to you in this chapter? What revelations did you have?

2. How relevant is this advice about buying Heavenly goods for me?

3. How can I pay for this purchase, and how does this understanding apply to my life?

4. Is my direct participation in this transaction important, or is this a task for pastors?

5. What do I acquire as a result of this purchase?

6. Is there anything in common in this chapter with the verse Matthew 25:9?

7. What biblical verses came to your mind while studying this lesson?

Reading the parable of the ten virgins, we see the advice of the wise virgins who knew where to acquire oil for their lamps and collectively told their foolish companions that they should finally buy it. But from the further narrative, we see that it was already too late.

The foolish girls knew where they needed to go, but they were not in a hurry, postponing this activity for the future. And by some strange coincidence, all the virgins fell asleep. What is this sleep? Apparently, something not quite right happened, and moreover, to everyone. Even the wise virgins fell into this state. But the wise turned out to be more far-sighted and made a reserve for themselves, which soon came in handy. The opportunity to buy oil was available to everyone, but some neglected it, considering it not so important and necessary. The call sounded constantly, and this told the virgins that it would always be so, that there was no need to hurry, that there was still time. However, the parable shows that not everyone managed to do this. A very sad story.

I'll be honest, I never associated myself with the foolish virgins, even when I was like them. And now I don't really like their company. But wisdom is determined not by how I evaluate my position, but by the presence of oil in my lamp and the amount of this substance I have in reserve.

I know where they sell oil. I know what it is. I understand who advises me to buy it and what varieties of this oil exist. I have repeatedly heard the Seller knocking on the closed doors of my heart. And I always thought that there was no need to hurry, that this was not the most important thing. After all, there are so many interesting and necessary things, so many different teachings, ministries, experiences with God, revelations, blessings. I am in the true church and clearly understand this, and even pride myself on it, considering other people deceived. It sounded something like: "Sorry, Lord, I have so much to do for You that I simply have no time for You." To which He sadly replied that He perfectly understands me and has always been interested in when He could come. I clearly remember His sad eyes, His sad smile. And the time will come when I will definitely understand that I missed something valuable in my life.

And life continues. From all sides, wonderful advice comes about how to improve service, how to buy oil, how to get to know the Seller better, how not to fall asleep, how... And all this pours out on me in such abundance that I don't know what to do. And the Seller Himself constantly comes and knocks. I sometimes let Him into the hallway of my house, and He always hints that He would not mind eating with me. I'll be direct – His oil is wonderful. I sometimes buy a little to keep my lamp from going out, but I consider stocking up incorrect. And this little bit costs nothing. I receive oil by His mercy as a gift. But a stock of oil is very expensive. I have to pay a very high price for it, giving away all the treasures of my heart stored in the dark rooms of the house of my soul, where the Seller always wants to look. And I know that not everything is in order there, but I postpone the deal for later.

I know where the sellers are. I know where the store is. I don't quite understand what goods are being offered to me, but I have learned the names and the course of the transaction by heart. The world in which I work is so beautiful. It has so many prospects, so many teachings about the Seller, so many opportunities for service, that sometimes I don't understand why oil for the lamp is needed at all when everything is already clear and understandable. Any definition can be found on Wikipedia, any Bible verse can be read in different translations and in all languages. There are countless sermons on YouTube on any topic. And all this is like gas stations for me. And I won't say that I'm sleeping. I have no time to sleep. There's not even enough time for sleep.

And the wise sisters tell about how they communicate with the Seller, about what they bought from Him. They talk about how He constantly comes to them for dinner, and they dine together. I understand that they are very closely acquainted, and this acquaintance is reflected in their characters. But the sisters' stories are enough for me to get to know the Seller better. I am informed about His characteristics in all details, and there is nothing hidden from me. Although the Seller Himself knows me and my address, I would not say that He knows me closely. There is simply no time to open up to Him. Because if you give Him a little finger, He will take the whole hand, and with it, all of you. And I understand that He wants to own all my property, giving His goods in return. But I'll deal with this exchange later; now it is necessary to do something important, something special. I still have so much time to go and buy. And these wise virgins have enough oil in reserve, and they will always be able to share it if a need arises. We often spend time together, we share experiences. Only these smart ones constantly talk about gold refined in fire, boast about their new white clothes and eye cream, as if there are no other topics of conversation. Sometimes it even starts to annoy. They consult the Seller on any issue, as if they cannot decide anything themselves. These virgins have only one thing on their mind: gold, clothing, ointment. And it's hard to argue with them because you understand that you lack what they are talking about. The Seller calls these wise virgins regular customers and gives them good discounts. It seems that He knows them all very well, and so closely that they seem like one family. But I also find it interesting with them. They sincerely love me and constantly talk about it. I think there is something special in this oil. Yes, I will definitely buy it, but a little later. And I will probably get to know the Seller better, I have heard so much good about Him.

And for now, I'll go to sleep, it seems everyone has already fallen asleep. Time is needed for rest too. Sweet is the sleep of the laborer. Good night, dear friends.

How I love silence. I immerse myself in the world of dreams.

What is this cry? What is this noise? The Bridegroom is coming? Why so late? Oh yes, He said He would come like a thief in the night. Finally. Now we'll adjust our lamps and go to meet Him. So, there's little oil, or rather, none at all. "Friends, please share some oil with me!!!"

"How can we not run out ourselves? You should have thought about me!"

"Okay, I'll run and quickly buy some. Tell the Bridegroom to wait for us!"

To make it in time. Well, as always, so many things to do. Why didn't I buy the oil earlier? There was an opportunity. Well, okay, we'll break through, we've solved worse things. Especially since the Bridegroom is our own Person, kind and patient, He'll wait, where will He go without us, after all, we bear His name, serve Him, and belong to Him.

So, the shop is closed. No Seller. I'll try to beg something from the loaders. Triple the price? Daylight robbery!!! Well, okay, nothing to do, I need to make it to the celebration, or they won't let me in without a lamp and wedding clothes. How beautiful this oil is, and why didn't I take it earlier? Now I wouldn't be running like a madman.

Everything, I have a supply, running to meet the bridegroom.

Here, I see the beginning of the celebration. How interesting it is! I'm sorry for this world that it did not believe in this event. But it has come. How beautiful! I have joy, and the world has horror.

So, the doors are closing! "Stop!!! Wait!!!"

I don't understand why they closed. Open up!!! It's me! Don't you know me? Lord, it's me!!!

How terrible! I did not expect such a turn of events. What to do? It's already too late. How so?

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read this chapter and in light of this chapter read Zechariah 1:3-4; Matthew 7:22-23; Acts 19:2; Jeremiah 25:4.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Who are the virgins? In which group of virgins am I? What should I do with this?

4. Do I understand the importance of preparing right now?

5. What awaits me if I do not have time to prepare?

6. What does oil in the lamp mean? And why can't those who have it give it to me?

The second and third chapters of the Revelation tell us what awaits God's people at a specific time in history. If you look at the map where these cities are located, you can see that they are positioned one after another. You cannot get, for example, from the first to the fourth by bypassing the second and third. And so on. The characteristics of such a location indicate the sequence of periods replacing each other. Laodicea is at the very end, and after it, there is no other city in the prophecy. Therefore, it is worth carefully examining this message, for it has its own characteristics concerning the last time in which we live. This message is addressed personally to me and to all of God's people to point out the moments that need to be correctly understood.

From all previous addresses of Christ to His disciples in different periods of history, we can take examples and characteristics of that era and apply them to ourselves, improving our understanding of God's love and the Creator's care towards His children. But the message to Laodicea contains information that was not in other addresses. And this is important to consider.

Salvation of believers in Jesus has always been in His power, and only He decides who and how will be saved by God's mercy. But as lawlessness multiplied, grace also abounded. God's people in each era of their development received more and more light, and accordingly, God's expectations and requirements grew along with it. What was sufficient for salvation before may be too little today. If God has explained a truth to me that my predecessors were not familiar with, He will ask me to observe it, but not them, because it was not yet revealed to them. My ancestors will be judged by the light they had. However, ignorance will not serve as an excuse for many people who had the opportunity to know a special truth but consciously did not study it, considering it unnecessary, unimportant, or uninteresting to themselves.

If earlier, in the times of the apostles, faith in Jesus alone was enough to be saved, and believers received a special power of the Holy Spirit as a pledge, who led them, performed miracles and signs through their hands, and taught them everything that was revealed to them at that time, today the Same Spirit directs us and explains what He has revealed to us in our days. He teaches believers to fulfill truths for the last time, gained through His revelations and God's messengers.

When a person first comes to Jesus, he is like a child who knows and can do nothing yet. It is wrong to expect from him what has not yet been revealed to him, what he has not yet learned. But even being a sinner, by God's grace, such a person is declared righteous. This righteousness is imputed to him conditionally, by faith in Jesus. When a God's person begins to grow, then he learns the truth, and conscious obedience is already expected from him according to the received light. And now the believer is conditionally endowed with God's righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ. Why conditionally? For the reason that he is free in his choice and can always change it. But while a person believes in Jesus and is obedient to the revealed light, this contributes to his salvation by God's grace.

Laodicea has a special message that has power and authority specifically in our time, and God expects my interest in this truth. Only in this case will He be able to reveal it to me.

In all other periods, the Lord declared that He was coming soon. He addressed five churches with similar words. But in the message to Laodicea, the Lord declares that He is already standing at the door. Obviously, He has already come, and He has something very important that He wishes to share with me. And He expects responsive actions to this event. We are not discussing the Second Coming of Jesus to the whole world. The message teaches us that the Lord has come to His people to specially prepare believers for the Second Coming and the events preceding it. And all previous instructions will be insufficient to endure the coming trials. Ignorance of the current advice will not be my justification and protection on the day of judgment.

If Jesus gives me something, He is deeply interested in my taking and accepting it. If I take such a step of faith, at that moment all God's commandments, precepts, and promises come into force, and I am declared a law-keeper. I am entrusted with everything that is promised and provided for me in such a case. By faith in Jesus, subject to obedience to the received light, I become the possessor of all those qualities and blessings listed by the Lord in the message to Laodicea. In case of my disagreement or ignorant refusal of this message, Jesus will spew me out of His mouth, as He warned. God's love will manifest in special mercy to the obedient and in justice to the negligent. Whether I want it or not, I am faced with a choice – to accept the message and allow God to act in my life, or to reject it and close my heart to Christ forever.

The fact that Jesus unobtrusively offers, gently advises, quietly knocks, and calmly calls does not mean that His message can be neglected and other blessings received to overcome temptations and resist Satan's power. It is in Christ's humility that great power for victory is laid. He gives an example of behavior and proclamation of His message. It will be loud but very humble. Jesus will leave the right of choice to everyone.

Imagine such a picture. A man gives his beloved a small box with a ring, offering her to become his wife. The bride understands that behind the ring lies the prospect of a shared life as a wife with all the resulting rights and responsibilities. But she is not ready to give an immediate answer and thinks, weighing all the pros and cons. And the groom says the following: "If you refuse me, I will kill you. Or make others kill you. So decide, darling. I think my offer is very tempting." How does such an approach look? This is exactly how I sometimes try to present Jesus to the world in the message to Laodicea. But in reality, this offer sounds like: "This world is very dangerous, and you risk perishing in it, but I offer you my hand and heart. If you say 'yes' to me, I will do everything to protect you and shelter you from temptations, not allowing death to touch you. But you must choose this yourself; I respect your decision." And the Lord waits for a response.

The message to Laodicea contains many proposals described in symbolic language. It is necessary to understand them to comprehend the meaning of the images and decide what application they have in my life and the life of my church. The Lord reveals to those who seek everything they need to know, and leaves symbols and parables to those who are used to superficially evaluating God's truth, having no interest in it.

I do not claim the exclusivity of our research, but I offer to study what the Lord has already revealed to His people, what He desires to give so that we can worthily, fully armed, meet the coming events. Now the whole world is talking about something that must happen, but people are more expecting economic and political upheavals. But we are waiting for the Second Coming of the One who is Love, who stands at the door and knocks, who offers to buy Heavenly values and become our Husband.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

2. What relationship does the Laodicea message have to the last time?

3. Is this message an expression of God's love for His people of the last time?

4. Are you ready to further study the message to Laodicea for personal understanding of its depth?

5. How can understanding this message help me in the coming trials?

6. Where in the message to Laodicea is Agape Love spoken of?

7. Please read these verses in light of this chapter: Revelation 1:3; Psalm 91:6-7; Proverbs 1:20-33; 12:1; Revelation 22:18-21.

In the address to six churches in the Book of Revelation, Jesus expresses His approval and praise, and also points out what needs to be corrected. In His message to His church of the last time, He finds nothing worthy of His approval. At the same time, the Lord clearly reveals the church's problems and provides a solution, advising specific ways to correct the situation.

It is amazing that with such an abundance of light, knowledge, education, economic and technical development, we have not become better spiritually. On the contrary, we have lost the foundation that is pleasing to God. Of course, this situation is created by the overall picture of the spiritual decline of Christ's church. But if we speak of individual children of God, Jesus has always had people who followed the truth and lived correctly in the received light. However, despite such a miserable state of Laodicea, the Faithful Witness declares His love for it. He says that He rebukes and punishes those whom He loves. Moreover, as a reward for obedience, Jesus gives His people promises that have never been heard before. To help believers come out of their lukewarm state, the Lord has personally come. He offers communion with Himself without intermediaries, so that everyone who responds can learn to live according to the truth. Christ's love for His people is so overwhelming that He is ready to serve His chosen vessels day and night, leading them out of their pitiful state.

But Laodicea's problem is pride and spiritual blindness, which do not allow God to fully manifest His power in His children. And by advising them to reconsider their attitude toward truth, God opens new opportunities for spiritual growth and development, offering Himself as a Teacher, a Friend, a Mentor. And He no longer promises to come soon. He has already come and is standing.

How precious we are to Jesus! With what tenderness He expresses concern about our true state! What an amazing decision He made for our salvation! What blessings of Heaven Jesus has prepared for us!

By offering us gold refined by fire, the Lord desires to see us as possessors of this Heavenly treasure. How many kilograms does His gold weigh? I think all the money in the world would not be enough to acquire it. But a thirsting soul receives this treasure in unlimited quantity. Heavenly gold is the most valuable wealth of Heaven. It is the very currency that circulates among all heavenly beings. And now, finally, it becomes the possession of sinners who have believed but stopped in their development.

The love and faith of God's children have always had the approval of the Most High. They continuously testified to the close relationships between the saved and the Lord. In all ages, this gift was strengthened and developed. But in the last time, because of the multiplication of lawlessness, love has grown cold in many. It has not disappeared, not lost its name, but ceased to be a driving force, becoming cold and calculating. And in its place came fear, duty, and guilt. Guided by such motives, I try to serve and please God. When something works out for me, I begin to consider myself rich and advanced spiritually, and in my eyes, my righteousness simply overflows. And if I am surrounded by equally advanced friends, then together we are a force. We have certain achievements that we can boast about. For His name's sake and out of love for us, God blesses our efforts to earn salvation, giving us protection and results in some of our endeavors. But with what sadness He watches us. Having an ocean of God's love, I am content with crackers in a beautiful wrapper.

But to accept God's blessing, I need faith that they exist, that they are mine, and that I will receive them.

Jesus asks His disciples: Luke 18:8: "...However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" It is this faith that He offers us to buy from Him. Faith and love that will truly make us rich. Through them, God's character will be revealed and restored in my heart. The Lord will teach me to apply these soul properties in my life, and I will come under the special influence of the Holy Spirit, who will reveal to me the entire depth and beauty of God's plan of salvation for my time.

God's Agape love is now my possession, and among the elements and temptations of this world, I become truly rich, having unlimited access to heavenly treasures. And to comprehend this love, I need this very love and the One who will teach me how to use it.

But Jesus' plan is not only to endow me with Heavenly blessings but also to teach me how to manage them.

The exchange does not happen immediately. There is much in me that I have deeply hidden, and the Lord begins the process of my purification. It can be quick or may drag on. Everything depends on me, on my desire to grow and on my faith. Revealing my dirty and weak spots, the Lord asks me what I will do with them. He has already asked me to be zealous and repent, but always waits for my decision. Absolute love and complete respect for my freedom. How pleasant! And if I choose sin and deeds of the flesh, I develop in that direction.

Grace has an interesting property. It is like the law of the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If I am faithful to God's principles, I can taste the fruits of blessings, and no one prevents me. I have unlimited access to the tree of life, but no one guards the other tree. But if I taste the fruits of the forbidden tree, I immediately deprive myself of the fruits of the tree of life. A guard appears near it, closing access to its fruits.

But Jesus loves me so much that He paid with His life for my sins, opening access to the life-giving source. The Lord is ready to forgive and quench the thirst of everyone who now thirsts and seeks. Let the thirsty come and drink.

With what compassion Jesus calls me by name, saying that I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. He does not leave me like this but offers me a Heavenly solution to my problems. And this is the most accurate and best solution.

He is ready to give me everything most valuable and precious that Heaven possesses, the most correct, the most good. And receiving this gift, I will not be disappointed because something bad and imperfect was given to me, and the best was saved for later. The beautiful love that I am comprehending now, in combat conditions, will be just as wonderful for all Eternity. I am learning in Christ's school to love those who do not deserve it, those who hate me, those who want to kill me. In Eternity, there will be no such people, and my earthly experience will remain with me to testify to the entire Universe about the depth of God's love and exalt Jesus in this gift. And the friendship with Jesus that was begun here by faith in the invisible, in the most complex circumstances, will be taken to Heaven to develop further in conditions of open love and open opportunities.

And now I am learning acceptance, trust, knowing the power of love, discovering its depth and beauty, experiencing its victories. Jesus Himself guides and corrects me.

I do not know how love was given to God's children in the Middle Ages, but I see the power it possesses in me in our time. I understand that this is only the beginning of great discoveries and works of love that have put an end to sin in my life and mercilessly destroy it, showing a more excellent way.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

2. Is Christ's address in the message to Laodicea directed to the entire church or to me personally?

3. What will happen if I do not study this message and show no interest in it?

4. Why does Jesus call me wretched when everything is going well for me?

5. Why does the Lord punish those He loves? Is this fair?

6. What do God's punishments look like?

7. Please read Revelation 3:19; Psalm 140:5; Proverbs 3:12,13:24; 1 John 4:17; Galatians 5:6 in light of this chapter.

Imagine such a situation. I send you a letter stating that if you have back pain and you contact me, I can provide you with a therapeutic or preventive massage. Do I need to prove anything to you?

Suppose I give you an advertisement that if you order a vegetarian lunch from me, it will be at your home within 30 minutes. How would you act? I think you would make a note of these services and use them if necessary.

You would believe that I am capable of doing what I can do and selling you what I offer.

Our dear Lord addresses us with a similar statement, wanting to draw our attention to what He has.

Moreover, He asserts that we do not know ourselves, and everything we say about ourselves is a lie. Personally, the Savior told me that I am poor and miserable, and very wretched, and also blind and naked. I never considered myself like this. I thought this was about you, friends. But Jesus looked into my heart and said that I am exactly like this. I'll be direct, I had no idea about this. It all turned out to be true. Besides, I was called lukewarm. The most difficult thing for me was to admit that this is indeed so. But to admit means to agree to somehow get out of such a state, to decide something. The problem with Laodicea is that it hears rebuke, partially agrees with it, but does nothing. It does not follow any of Jesus' advice. And He dreams about this. Simply recognizing that you are wretched and lukewarm is not what the Lord expects. He wants me to become rich, clothed, wise, seeing, hospitable, faithful, pure, and communicative with Him. He wants me to learn to possess His gifts. He longs to fill my life with what will enrich me in every way. And the Savior offers me exactly what He has in infinite abundance.

The essence of the message is that I not only receive information about its meaning but also understand what each symbol and word means, how all this relates to me, how to acquire it, and how to use these treasures after buying them.

Our world often holds promotions and sales where very expensive things are offered with a significant discount. Sellers have already made a turnover and received their profit, and they need to clear warehouses to fill them with new goods, so they reduce prices on everything. And happy people run to buy these things. I think we have all gone through something similar. It's good to buy what you dreamed of and saved for, but if you give money only because the item is cheap, and then this thing just collects dust, you realize that something is not right. You have been deceived.

But imagine a situation. You are offered to become the owner of a pearl the size of a tennis ball, and the price is everything you have. No matter how expensive your property is, the price of the offered pearl is infinitely hundreds of times more than what you can give. There are no analogues to such a treasure in the world. What might I think? Perhaps I will decide that I am either being teased or the seller is mentally challenged because he gives such a treasure for my junk. But he does not look stupid. Meanwhile, the seller claims that I am very poor. He asks for everything I possess and hold dear. He makes it clear that such a price suits him and that He offers me much more. And He is indeed determined to sell it to me. And I give consent, I give everything. I say "yes". As a result, the exchange occurs, the sale takes place. I become the owner of the pearl.

And here I stand with this treasure, look at it and rejoice. But what to do with it next, I do not know. I want to eat, I'm cold, night is approaching, I have nowhere to sleep. What to do? I am left alone with the pearl. I have special protection from the seller, which will not allow anyone to rob me. The value of this pearl is estimated at a thousand trillion dollars, but no one has enough money to buy it from me. And I own it. And I need to somehow live with this further. I enter a hotel and ask for a room, they name the price, and I show them what I possess. They are surprised that such a rich person has visited them and offer me all their services for free, happy that I have chosen them. I ponder and move on. My new treasure opens doors to places I never dreamed of. Powerful people of the world, noble people, representatives of government and business are ready to receive me, and any society wants to see me in their midst. Of course, there are evil and envious people among them, but I do not pay attention to them. I notice that I have a huge influence on people's minds, and, in this connection, I begin to realize my entire responsibility. I learn to speak wise and useful things. The rumor about my treasure goes before me, and many people want me to visit them and let them admire my pearl. They are happy that such a rich person as I have visited them.

I settle in a spacious house where I begin to receive people and conduct seminars on how to become truly rich.

And one day I hear a knock and a gentle voice. It's the pearl seller. I open the door and let him in. I invite him to dinner, and we begin to communicate. He tells me about the huge influence of my treasure, its features, how to properly use this wealth, and much more. I watch him and learn. How kind he is, how delicate and polite, he does not ask unnecessary questions, does not impose anything, gently bypasses sharp corners and rejoices in everything, praising me and guiding me for all occasions of life. How good it is with him! Much of what he tells me, I already understood, but communicating with the seller, I was able to systematize all processes and consciously act, using my wealth, knowing its power and possibilities. And wherever I turn to him, everywhere I become in demand, needed, and desired. Possessing this treasure has made my soul pure from petty things, it has enlightened my consciousness. I have become rich in my thoughts and feelings. Now I am able to communicate with dignity with kings. My past surprised many, but it has gone into oblivion, and I live in the present, happily looking to the future. Meeting poor people, I both comfort and delight them. I tell them about the seller and direct everyone to him, assuring that he will accept and enrich everyone who comes to him, that he does not drive anyone away. His treasures will be enough for everyone. But he has one condition for each person – he exchanges his wealth for all your property, for everything that is valuable to you. He does not haggle and evaluates your condition himself, offering to give in return everything he has.

I see that many have gone for this deal, but having become owners of the treasure, they have hidden with it in their new homes and enjoyed their new wealth alone. And when the seller came to visit them, they were even afraid to let him into the house and communicated with him through the intercom. And then strange things happened to them: their new wealth became worthless and began to deteriorate, causing ridicule and disgust. They did not know what to do with the new treasure, and they did not want to learn how to use it.

And I realized that the seller is not just trying to make us rich, but he also has a plan to teach us how to use this treasure. I will learn.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

2. What is more important: understanding the message to Laodicea, accepting it, living in it, or using its advantages?

3. Why is it important to know how to use the purchased treasure?

4. What does the Lord expect from those who have given Him consent to the "trade deal"?

5. How do you imagine the learning process in owning Heavenly goods?

6. In what way do the goods presented by Jesus make me rich, seeing, and clothed?

7. Please read Matthew 13:45-46; Luke 12:21,32; James 5:1-6 in light of this chapter.

In the Book of Revelation, we are shown a picture of the final events of our world. Chapter 18 tells us that a great judgment will be executed over sin and those who produce it. In the history of Earth, there has never been a time when a certain group of people could have influence over the entire earth and impose their standards on the whole world, increasing their treasures at the expense of other countries and allowing anyone who wants to become rich. This deceptive influence is called Babylon.

In light of this chapter and our studied topic, I would like to draw attention to the verse from Revelation 18:23: "And the light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, and by your sorcery all the nations were deceived." Do you see the familiar words we mentioned earlier? Let's recall the parable of the ten virgins. We encounter many symbols from that narrative here as well.

The word "sorcery" in the original sounds like "φαρμακείᾳ". I think there is no need to even know Greek because this word is very easily read in Russian and translates as witchcraft, magic, deception.

The word pharmacology is familiar to us as the science of medicinal substances. And in the light of the Bible, it deceives all people living in the world. Pharmacology implies influencing the human mind through medication and chemical means. We also read, "...for all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 18:2 and 14:8).

We live in an age of great deceptions. The enemy of the soul has built an entire industry of entertainment and temptations, and through these means of mass hypnosis, he spreads his influence. And none of us has escaped this deception. Christ calls such a state "and they all fell asleep", yet there is a good verse that sounds like "but I am coming to wake him up". We declare that "if he has fallen asleep, he will recover", but Jesus says, "he has died". Then we hear Christ's command: "Lazarus, come out!", and in Revelation 18:4 we read: "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.'" Come out of the mortal sleep! In another place, this call sounds like: "Behold, the bridegroom is coming!"

Laodicea represents a church in which Jesus finds nothing good, but it is precisely this church that He has come to awaken. And not just awaken, but to endow it with imperishable wealth. Mortal sleep is not a very promising state. In sleep, you can only see what is shown to you, and it is impossible to control the situation around you. Therefore, Christ has come to give that very oil for the lamp of the soul. Then this fire will warm me to a hot state.

What an amazing time! The fullness of light, broad spiritual possibilities, and great magical deception that has caught everyone. How to live with this so as not to die? I do not know, but the Lord has an answer. The most interesting thing is that He advises me to wake up and fill my lamp with oil, which is His product.

Gold refined by fire, white clothing, and eye salve are what will serve my salvation in this difficult time.

God Himself desires to abide in me to resist all deceptions and the fullness of magic. I cannot do this myself. The supply of oil I have is only capable of keeping me from debt, but I require true wealth with which I can repair my lamp and pay for all the world's services, supporting those who are very tired.

The world in which we are now collectively sleeping is very dangerous, but Jesus has come to awaken us, to awaken us before it becomes too late. The Lord desires to awaken us for battle. Satan's rage knows no bounds. We are a "bone in his throat" that prevents him from implementing his insidious plans. And the presence of love between us makes all his efforts futile. Satan cannot defeat love, for it is God's quality, but he does everything to cool this love, to make it lukewarm, allowing a mixture of the cold of lawlessness and hot truths. The enemy of the soul is ready to support any good deed if it contains carnal roots or originates from an unregenerate heart. But when an action is based on love arising from righteous motives, then the enemy has no chance of victory. He pours out all his fury through those who are under his power.

A great battle is ongoing. And it is approaching its conclusion. Without Christ, it is impossible to win. Without His goods, I am doomed to a tragic defeat and absolute loss in the final battle. Such a time has never existed in our history, but we are living in it.

Our entire life and way of living are tied to money. We have become dependent on its presence. And the wine of Babylon has created such conditions that I live in this value system and spend all my best time earning means for sustenance and life support, so that I consider property and wealth as my achievement and my fortress. But Jesus has come to pull me out of this mousetrap before I completely die in it.

How much effort and time must be devoted to Jesus to save even one deceived soul? My entire life. And He desires to save everyone. People are sleeping and do not want to wake up. And Jesus is waking me, knocking on the door of my heart, and His voice is heard. And if anyone hears this voice and opens, He will enter with His supper, and we will sit and partake of the bread of life.

How interesting it is to sit with Christ at the same table, look into His eyes, listen to His voice, feel His love, and understand that something very important and vital is happening in these relationships. I am changing in heart, my soul cleaves to Jesus. My spirit merges with the Spirit of my Savior, and we go with Him together over the waters of the ocean of love, so that, having passed this path, we can together immerse ourselves in the deep waters of God's grace and know from within that God is love.

Abiding in love, I am in safety that has a name – God. His robe of righteousness, like infinite waters of agape, covers me from all sides, and any temptation for the soul is rejected with disgust. The rain of the Holy Spirit washes me from within, making me capable of recognizing temptations and seeing a way out of them. God teaches me to help other sleeping friends, to wake them, directing them to Jesus. Together with the Savior, we move toward the goal of our earthly journey called Eternity. It will soon come universally for all good and righteous people. This time will come, but in God's plans, there are some events that must still occur. His people must completely overcome sin. And only Christ's love in me will give wisdom and strength to emerge victorious. And to the overcomer will be granted everything best that God can imagine. And we will possess this throughout Eternity. And the Lord Himself will be our God.

And we will already personally, with our own eyes, see what it means: "God is Love".

But for now, we must gather strength and oil to prepare for the trials that are approaching. And Jesus Himself leads us to this battle, to win the final victory and enter the feast where He will shut the door behind Him.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What new was revealed to you in this chapter?

2. Why is it so important to understand the state I am in?

3. Are you interested in studying this topic?

4. Do you see a way out for yourself personally?

5. Do you have fear about the upcoming events?

6. Why did Jesus personally decide to solve the problem of Laodicea?

7. Please read Daniel 12:1-3; Revelation 16:13-16; Revelation 13:14-15 in light of this chapter.

Gold as a metal has always, throughout all ages, attracted people's eyes and captivated their consciousness with its beauty and value. It is a rather rare fossil resource that has historically been elevated to the rank of a precious metal. Gold in many cases has become a unit of measurement for the value of state currency or other monetary assets. Even in our time, the word "gold" is associated with something expensive and beautiful.

Gold jewelry and architectural fragments covered in gold always cause aesthetic pleasure due to the special appearance and luster of this metal.

Gold is also considered the most malleable material, easy to process and melt. It possesses anti-corrosive properties.

When we hear expressions like "golden hands", "golden head", "golden person", "golden heart", we understand that the talk is no longer about the metal, but about valuable human qualities and abilities, about a person's special attractiveness in the eyes of society or individual people.

And now Jesus offers us another type of gold that has special value in the eyes of Heaven and makes everyone who acquires it truly rich and precious.

"Refined by fire" means that it has special purity. It is free from all possible impurities, has undergone processing at high temperatures, and contains nothing but gold. During remelting, gold expels all foreign impurities, which are easily recognized and differ greatly from the precious metal.

Fire symbolizes the trials that every child of God goes through to cleanse themselves of various harmful habits and shortcomings, to see their true essence and hidden properties of the soul that can manifest under certain circumstances and conditions. Fiery trials help reveal the essence of a person's soul, showing the sinful that still contains their heart and strengthening what is correct, which they have been taught by God. No son or daughter of God will escape the fiery trials provided by God.

"Gold refined by fire" means that it has already passed through the purification and remelting process in fiery trials and is now offered to me in such a form as to become my own property, making me a rich person in Jesus' eyes.

What does this gold mean in the Lord's eyes?

Heavenly gold is that which has eternal value. It is what was precious in Heaven's eyes always, is precious now, and will be in demand throughout Eternity. Nothing material fits the definition of this symbol. But for God, our relationships with Him and with each other are important. Only these we can take with us to the eternal world. And the value of these relationships is determined by the presence of love.

God is Love. And God's love represents the highest significance for us, for only by having it inside myself can I truly love my neighbor and relate correctly to God.

Job 22:25: "And the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver."

Love is not just a principle or feeling, but God Himself, who is Love within me. It is easy to say, but difficult to imagine, and even harder to explain.

None of us has seen God, and without seeing Him, we can comprehend and understand Him only by faith.

Galatians 5:6: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value, but faith working through love."

Faith and love are two inseparable sisters who live for each other, and together with their brother, God's Word, they constitute the fullness called Agape. It is impossible to tear out something one from this union and be content with it. Then you get a disabled person on the crutches of personal judgments and delusions.

The fire that refines gold is the trials through which love and faith pass, in which all correct foundations are established. Fire melts everything, destroying the secondary and separating the valuable from the empty. We read in 1 Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." 1 Peter 1:7: "So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

When I mold items from clay, they are so soft and pliable in my hands. I will make a vase. I'll put it down, look at it from the side, and then decide to turn it into a jug, attaching handles and changing shapes. And if something doesn't please me, I can crumple my work and redo it. But when I have created a masterpiece of my creativity, then I decide to preserve it in this form and put it in the sun, which dries my little masterpiece from all sides and strengthens its structure. But if I wish, I can mix everything with water and remake it. When the item has dried, I heat the oven and send it into the fire, leaving it there for the prescribed time. After the fiery trial, I check for cracks. Now I have a strong vessel, ready for daily use.

Heavenly gold has been tested in Jesus' life, revealing all foreign impurities of lies that tried to bring something into God's love, interpreting it in their own way. Christ's death showed the entire world and the entire Universe the purity of Agape love, its value and enduring influence. In love, there is no evil. It has nothing to do with sin. It proved to everyone who God is and how strong and unshakable His Love is for His creation. If anyone doubted God's character when He was accused of dictatorship and selfishness, attributing something alien to Him, then Christ's life and death put an end to all these attacks, and God's Agape Love appeared to the whole world in all its purity and magnificence.

And now the Owner of this love wants to sell it to me, granting faith and knowledge of how to use it all. And this means that, mixed with my nature, gold will lead me through the fire of trials to cleanse my soul and mind to Heavenly holiness, making me suitable for Eternity and for the final battle with the forces of evil in this world.

This process makes me truly rich in Heaven's eyes and carries all accompanying blessings for life on this Earth. I receive unlimited access to the arsenals of God's love and can take as much as necessary to victory over every kind of fleshly lust and to pay for various services at any time. I can adorn myself, my life, and my dwelling with this gold, receiving only God's approval and blessing.

But most of all, it will be needed for the last time in the battle of Armageddon, where I will have to meet the storm and win the final victory in love, truth, and obedience to God's will and law.

Jesus is waiting for me to decide. I'm going to buy the Heavenly goods.

The Seller smiles and hands me a certificate of ownership of this treasure, placing a special mark of His approval on my forehead, and warns that He will come to me for dinner and tell me how to use it now. It turns out this is an entire science. And it must be comprehended. But the main thing is that it is no longer somewhere in prophecy, but in my heart and consciousness.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What did you understand from this chapter?

2. How did you previously understand the symbol of gold refined by fire?

3. Why did the Lord define love and faith specifically for the church of the last time?

4. What does "buying gold" mean in real life? What does it signify?

5. How do love and faith enrich me?

6. Why do I look poor in God's eyes, even though I live in obedience to the truth, without these heavenly goods?

7. Please read Daniel 12:10; Isaiah 1:25; Job 23:10; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2-3 in light of this chapter.

Clothing has always been a person's business card. Whatever we might think or imagine about this question, our first impression is created by our appearance and facial expression. Sometimes you can determine a person's occupation by their clothes. A person's clothing silently tells us a lot.

Among the Heavenly goods Jesus offers us is white clothing that covers my shameful nakedness. And I understand that this clothing is not literal but symbolizes something very important in the spiritual world, something that Heaven desires to see on me. Everything else is simply unacceptable. I cannot imagine how I would stand before the Holy God in an undressed state. How could I claim any privileges then?

At many formal events, there is a dress code that all attendees must comply with. Any deviation from this protocol is a gross violation of etiquette and an expression of disrespect to the event organizers. You might simply be denied entry or asked to leave the gathering. But while the world sometimes has exceptions, or fashion can change clothing styles, Heaven has a specific standard for everyone.

The Bible describes God clothed in white garments (Daniel 7:9). Further, you can read about Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain, where He was clothed in white clothing, as light (Matthew 17:2), which was white as snow (Mark 9:3). The angels present at Christ's resurrection and ascension were also dressed in white garments (John 20:12, Acts 1:10).

In the message to Sardis, the Lord says (Revelation 3:4) that there are several people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Him in white, for they are worthy. And further, He gives the assurance that the overcomer will be clothed in white garments (verse 5).

After this, we read in the message to Laodicea that Jesus advises us to buy this white clothing. Then John describes a great multitude in white garments standing before the throne (Revelation 7:9). And one of the elders explains who these people are and why they are in white garments (Revelation 7:14): "...these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

What does the symbol of "white clothing" mean in the address to Laodicea? It is something that has nothing to do with literal things but represents a special divine garment of a person's character. We read the explanation in Revelation 19:7-8: "...for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."

We first encounter the expression of righteousness in Genesis 15:6: "And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

And in the Mosaic law, we find such a definition in Deuteronomy 6:25: "And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he commanded us."

But the prophet Isaiah declares that, ultimately, all our righteousness is like a polluted garment (Isaiah 64:6).

After Christ's death and resurrection, everything became clear, and the apostle Paul provides an explanation of righteousness in his epistles. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:30: "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." And further in Philippians 3:8-9: "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

And this very "righteousness by faith", which is "Christ's Righteousness" and which Jesus Himself calls white clothing, He offers to buy in exchange for my righteousness, which in His eyes represents me as naked, and in the prophet Isaiah's eyes – as soiled.

What significance does this transaction have for me? It implies that in Heaven's eyes, I become righteous through Christ's merits, by faith in Him, and His righteousness is imputed to me, which moreover becomes part of my character and represents a new way of thinking of a righteous person and a new heart, changed by God Himself according to my desire and faith in Jesus.

Righteousness has always been imputed by faith, but in the last time, the Lord combined it with His Agape love through the Holy Spirit, so that in these gifts He can fully act in my heart and mind and accomplish His plans for this perishing world through me.

Because of lawlessness, I lost understanding of righteousness by faith and decided to seek it in the law and in my good deeds, but God cannot accept such obedience, for any of my sins cancels out all my good deeds and condemns me to death. Only by faith in Jesus, through His shed blood and sacrifice for me, can I have justification. And this is exactly how the Lord wants to see me, offering His goods.

Righteousness by faith is imputed to me upon my turning to Jesus as my Savior, and then it is bestowed upon me as I spiritually grow in faith and knowledge of the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

White clothing is not something new; it is a necessary quality of soul for the people of the last time. I need not only to have it but also understand what it is and what advantage it gives me. If God Himself wants to see me in this clothing, I should not interfere.

Such a garment is not given to me over my unclean clothing but is given in exchange for my indecently dirty things. It is painful. My entire soul, my understanding of holiness, all my ambitions and achievements are invested in this garment. And I must remove and give it to Christ? Yes, this is exactly what the Lord desires from me. And I should also wash myself. And the best cleansing agent is Christ's Blood.

Humanly, I do not very much want to do this, but my new heart desires precisely this. It draws me to Jesus.

White clothing, together with gold, makes me belong in Heaven's eyes. And I am left only to anoint my eyes to understand and see this.

I stock up on all this Heavenly blessing for the future battle and for current struggles, and already boldly look forward, knowing who I am, believing that I am special in God's eyes because I am in Him, and He is in me. And Christ Himself comes every day into the house of my heart to teach me how to correctly represent His power in this world, how to preserve everything I have acquired by faith in Him, and how to multiply God's blessings and talents for His glory.

And I learn. I dress in Christ, clothe myself in His love, and go into the world in which I still live, to be tested and established in love.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

2. What is Christ's righteousness, and how do you see it in your life?

3. Why does Jesus specifically advise Laodicea to buy white clothing?

4. What is the relationship between white clothing and agape love? Why do they come in one package?

5. What is the "shame of your nakedness"? How can I understand if I have it?

6. How can I determine if I have white clothing?

7. Please read Genesis 3:10; Matthew 22:10-14; Zechariah 3:1-5; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 5:8 in light of this chapter.

What do I imagine when I hear the expression "eye salve"? It most likely reminds me of some medical remedy in a tube, bottle, or jar that can be applied to the skin around the eyes or to the eyeballs themselves.

What does the eye salve from the Book of Revelation symbolize, which Christ advises me to buy and anoint my eyes with?

We read Revelation 3:18: "...and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." Jesus offers me something from the Heavenly treasury to anoint my eyes, after which I will begin to see what I did not see before. Before this, the Lord declares that I am blind. And He means not physical, but spiritual blindness. The Savior assures me that His salve will heal me of this ailment. Once, Jesus healed a blind man by making a salve from a mixture of saliva and earth. And after anointing the blind man's eyes, Christ commanded him to wash. After this, the man came seeing.

What blinds a person? We read Ecclesiastes 2:13-14: "I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness: The wise have eyes in their head, while the fool walks in the darkness..."

Spiritual blindness means sin, which blinds and makes a person foolish. When the serpent tempted our ancestors, he declared that their eyes would open, and they would become like gods. In reality, when Adam and Eve's eyes opened after the fall, they saw themselves naked.

The problem of the Laodicean is that with all the abundance of light and knowledge, he chooses darkness, which makes him foolish and blind. How else can I be characterized when, having the fullness of truth, abundance of revelations, purity of teaching, depth of Word knowledge, I turn to the world and, falling under its influence, try to mix hot truth with the cold of spiritual Babylon?! Only a foolish and blind person is capable of such a thing. And Jesus calls me such, offering a way out of the situation. Acknowledging my blindness will not make me sighted. I need Divine anointing with the clay that He offers me. And the Lord advises me to treat my eyes. My eyes are a symbol of reason, which either chooses wisdom and light or foolishness and darkness. Proverbs 17:24: "Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth."

Eye salve is Heavenly wisdom given to me for a clear understanding of what is happening to me, where I am, whose I am, who I am, and what the way out of the current situation is.

The Lord advises not just to buy the salve but also to treat my eyes with it. The word "anointing" itself has a very deep meaning in the spiritual world. It means dedicating an anointed person to a service determined by God, to a special vision and understanding of what is happening. And wisdom declares itself in Proverbs 8:22-23: "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was even a earth."

Wisdom possesses a special Divine anointing that makes wise those who accept it.

I had previously understood the symbol of eye salve as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit but could not decide why I receive this gift in such a special way. But it is precisely through the influence of the Holy Spirit that I saw my sins, repented, learned to fulfill the requirements of the law, cleaved to Jesus, realizing my true position. It is the Holy Spirit who is now guiding the writing of these words and then revealing their true meaning to those reading them. And without the influence and blessing of the Holy Spirit, all wisdom will become madness, lead to pride and vanity, and cast the soul into destruction and darkness.

When Jesus advises me to anoint my eyes with salve to see, He expects the Holy Spirit to transform my mind. This will happen when I give my consent to this action and begin to do something in this direction. Divine wisdom opens my spiritual eyes so that I can see and understand what I did not know before.

I realize what it means to have gold refined by fire, what it means to have white clothing. I understand the advantages these gifts give me. Wisdom, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, teaches me to love, strengthens my faith, reveals to me the depth of knowing God and the power of His authority in me and through me.

Heavenly anointing clothes me with Heavenly authority, which is my special distinctive mark for the spiritual world. The enemy of the soul also sees this anointing and in fury attacks me with all his temptations. He wants to cast me into Laodicean darkness, not hindering me from studying the truth but trying to keep my eyes closed so that I remain blind. And if it were not for God's protection, what would become of all of us?

Eye salve has healing properties for the human mind. It was damaged while under the influence of the world and fleshly nature, but God's Spirit makes the believer perceptive and helps him notice all previously hidden small details in the plan of his salvation.

God's Spirit uses a person to reveal to others the beauty of the plan of salvation, the beauty of God's character, the purity of God's holiness, the power of God's love and wisdom. The Lord is interested in having His faithful children sighted. Through such believers, He can pour His light into the lives of other people sitting in darkness.

Where can a blind person lead other blind people? Into the pit of sin and delusions. Laodicea is a city of blind, naked, poor, miserable, and wretched children of God who, having so many spiritual advantages compared to their predecessors, prefer to remain in the darkness from which they observe those trying to escape into the light. The greatest achievement of a Laodicean is that he agrees with the characteristics given to him by the Faithful and True Witness. He does not argue that he is naked; he does not mind being called blind and poor. But what can a sleeping person do for himself?

However, Jesus does not leave His people in such a state. He sends a message to Laodicea. The Lord comes to each son and daughter of God and knocks. He offers His goods and sends His messengers to those who are blind so that they can turn their gaze to Him.

The Lord knows what a storm of trials is approaching and what sorrow will soon overtake the whole world. And who will be able to stand? One must have the correct answer to this question to be among those who will endure the trials.

Once, our planet was sentenced to destruction by flood waters. All people were warned, but only a few were saved who heeded God's advice and entered the ark. The doors of grace were open to everyone; everyone heard the call to salvation, but those whose eyes were anointed with eye salve received deliverance. These people had faith in the fulfillment of God's prophecies about the flood, and their wisdom helped them make the right decisions at the right time. It saved them from death.

But as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the Coming of the Son of Man. They were eating, drinking, marrying, being given in marriage, and were not thinking...

Not thinking!!! What are Laodiceans thinking about now? How to become richer and survive in this world of sin. But the wise among them took oil in their vessels.

All of Heaven is now watching the world sleeping in sin. Vanity has engulfed everyone. Sin stands on a pedestal, and the kings of the earth make people worship and serve it. And the Lord offers a means to live. And who will hear this voice?

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What new did you learn from this chapter?

2. How do you understand the expression "eye salve"?

3. Why is it so important to have this salve in the last time?

4. Why did Jesus call the sleeping virgins wise and foolish?

5. What does "anoint your eyes" mean to me?

6. Please read Isaiah 61:1; Ezekiel 16:8-9; John 9:5-7; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20; Proverbs 8:1-21 in light of this chapter.

Imagine such a picture. The president of your country promised you that he would personally visit you to get to know you, communicate with you, learn about your problems and needs, eat together with you, and stay overnight to continue communication the next day. And this should happen soon. At first, such a promise would bring you great excitement. What would you start doing? I think any hostess would take care of a big treat and keep her house clean and tidy. I would do the same. I would also make a list of questions and needs that could be resolved and fulfilled thanks to the president.

Time passes, and he is still not here. I am busy with my affairs and waiting for the visit. And suddenly I hear a knock at the door and a voice calling my name. Strange. Presidents do not come like this. Who am I that he would be my guest? And somehow he knocks so modestly; presidents do not knock like this. And if it is him, what does he want from me? Maybe I should open the door? And what will I show? I am simply not ready for this meeting. A mountain of unwashed dishes, dirty floors, no food, I am unshaven. And what will I tell the president? Perhaps this is not even him. Out of so many millions of citizens, the president chose to visit me? This simply cannot be. Definitely. Cannot be. I just don't believe it's him. Who knows who might be walking around! I would definitely recognize the president immediately. What should I do? In any case, my apartment is the territory of the country where not even the president can enter without my permission. And if it is him, and I let him in, no one will believe me that this is possible. Where has it been heard that a president would visit his citizens? I'd rather read about him on the Internet. This is definitely not him. But even if it is him, what does he want? And such a quiet knock. But the voice sounds familiar. Well, for example, it's the president. Good, I'll open the door for him, let him in, and what will change? No, I have no desire to communicate with anyone. How everything has annoyed me!

The knocking has stopped. No voice is heard. Finally, he left. Maybe it all seemed to me? And what changed in my life? Nothing. I am still the same, all things are in their places, life goes on as usual. No problems. Life is arranged, and all issues can be resolved without the president. He has more important things to do. Good that I did not open. I know what to do next and how to live. Money is enough for everything, clothes are sufficient, food is plentiful, and I am happy. And I need nothing. Thank you to the country's leadership for arranging everything so well. The main thing is that there is no war, and we'll survive the rest. I heard from my neighbor that the president also came to him, and they communicated. True, the neighbor became somewhat strange, as if not of this world. Probably got proud.

The saddest thing in this whole story is that this is the reality of our time. This situation looks approximately the same in Heaven's eyes. I imagine the surprise of heavenly beings when they rejoice in the prospects of many changes in the lives of God's children, but in reality, nothing special happens.

Sometimes I wonder what would change in the church's life if the Spirit of God were taken from us? Would we notice it? Would we run in panic and search for what was lost? Would this loss be a shock to us? And who is the Spirit of God? And what does He do in our midst? How to understand if it is He or not? Seems like the same prayers, the same deeds, work, stores, meetings with friends, church services. What changed? So many good deeds have accumulated. And there is catastrophically little time for everything, including even sleep. And my business and my work seem to have nothing to do with God. What would change in the lives of my near and far ones? They did not want to listen about God, and they still do not listen. Only they have all become overly irritable, aggressive.

And what will actually change in your life, friend? Please answer this question honestly.

Unfortunately, our world is so comfortably arranged in all spheres of life that everything can work independently without special external intervention. And the most terrible thing is that it creates an impression as if God does not exist. And if people even say that God exists, it is in the form of a joke, gloating over someone's misfortune or accident, considering it a just karma. How to help these people understand that they cannot live like this? God's name has become so insignificant that it is now written with a lowercase letter and inserted into conversation for word linking or to enhance swearing. Medicine, science, technology, discoveries, inventions – all this has moved forward in its development. But the Bible has not changed at all, and God is still the Same. He has not even changed clothes in all these thousands of years. And it has become normal to believe that faith in God is something for grandmothers who have nothing else to do.

But the Lord is faithful to His word. He accomplishes what He has planned, managing the destinies of individual people and entire nations. His plans will be fulfilled regardless of whether I believe in this or not.

Interestingly, in all this bustle, Jesus comes personally to me and to each of you. He stands at the door of my heart and knocks. He desires to give me something that I do not have. And what shall I answer? I decided to say: "Come in, Lord!" It is difficult for me to understand what should happen, but I see that very close, trusting relationships have appeared between us. I have access to Jesus at any time and can consult with Him. When trials come, I do not get lost in guesswork or panic but turn to Him for advice and help. And it comes. Not always in the form of deliverance, but in the strength to correctly solve and endure any difficulty. God's peace has become a barometer of my well-being. If I lose it, I begin to look for the reason and find it. God's Spirit has become so much mine that I cannot imagine life without Him. He does not create amazing things to amaze others, but He amazes me with His miracles in my life and my character. If I say that all transformations occurred by my will and strength, I am sure I would offend God, who works so wonderfully in me. Not I, but Christ in me produces desires and actions according to His good pleasure. I am afraid to imagine that He would leave me. I would understand this immediately. And then what? Everything would collapse in one second. What to live for? For what? Where to go? But Jesus promised that He would not leave me, and no one would snatch me from His hand.

And without love, I am nothing. And I understand this clearly. If everything is taken from me except love, I will be the richest person on earth. I know how beautiful love is and what power resides in it. This power has transformed my life, and now it is changing the lives of those who believe in it and accept it. Through love, Jesus can best convey to me the essence and meaning of His teaching and reveal the beauty of His character. Sometimes I think how great it would be if God loved me as I love my loved ones. However, I know that He loves me even more than I love anyone. From this, my heart becomes so joyful.

Glory to God!!!

I would rather ask Jesus to enter my house once more, even if He already lives there. I will do this for myself to know for sure that Christ is within. I believe that Jesus heard and answered and is acting. He is an interesting Friend. And the closer I get to know Him, the more I fall in love with Him. If anything is necessary for a person in this world, then personal knowledge of Jesus is the most important and interesting occupation in the world. "Come in, Jesus!"

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What did you understand from this chapter?

2. Do you see the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?

3. How do you understand the expression: "Let Jesus into my heart"? How does this happen in life?

4. To whom does Jesus address, standing at the door and knocking, in Revelation 3:20?

5. Do I have the Holy Spirit in me? How is this manifested?

6. What should I do for God's power to act in me through love?

7. Please read John 10:27-29; Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 26:20; Acts 16:14-15; Deuteronomy 31:8; 1 Chronicles 28:9 in light of this chapter.

Studying the third chapter of the Book of Revelation, I come to understand that Jesus stands at the door of my heart and knocks, wanting me to open to Him. Reading these lines of Scripture, I realize that I must open the door to the Savior. I invite Jesus into my heart. I ask Him to enter my life. I pray that He would enter this door and believe that it has happened. And this becomes a reality in my life because the Lord desires to answer such prayers. He waits for them. I rejoice. The Lord is in my home, we have dinner together, we communicate, we look into each other's eyes.

And I decide that I have achieved something special and go peacefully to sleep in my bed, leaving my dear Guest alone at the dinner table. The main thing is that He is already in my house, that I have opened the door to Him.

I rejoice in this event. I share what happened with all my friends, but few understand me. And I invite Jesus for breakfast every morning, then throughout the day we do various things together, and in the evening we sit down for dinner again, discussing all the events I have experienced. I am delighted with this new life!

But then strange things begin to happen. After a few days, Jesus approaches a closed door to a secret room that I cannot let anyone into. This room is called "my phone". Christ stands near it and begins to knock, saying: "May I enter this room?" I shrink. I become very frightened. I realize that now all my secret deeds, all my correspondence, and all viewing histories will be revealed. I try to distract Christ's attention from this idea and say in response: "Let's go to the prayer room, the door is always open for You there," to which He replies: "I need to enter the closed room and see what is happening there." I break into a cold sweat. I suddenly realize that many of my gadgets will not please my Friend. And He knocks and calls. What should I do? But I am taught to be cunning and decide to open. I let Christ in and begin to show Him various Bible versions, the Spirit of Prophecy program, Sabbath school lessons. I offer to sing Hymns of Hope together. But it seems that He is not very interested in these applications. He does not even pay attention to them.

Jesus stands near the door of my social page and begins to knock on it, saying: "May I enter this room?" I lose the ability to speak. "Lord, look at my prayer diary. What wonderful experiences and answers are there." But He asks me to show Him my photo albums and social media correspondence. Why exactly here? This is my personal space, my spiritual world! And He stands and knocks. But I again show my cunning, and, opening the door, give Him a look at how I answer assignments in the Agape Love School. But He strives to go where none of my friends have been before. I am so ashamed. Jesus' presence fills the room with light, I see how dirty it is, lower my eyes and burn with shame. And He, smiling, asks: "Can I tidy up here?" I give consent, and He quickly vacuums everything and moves on directly to the photo album. This is already too much! My soul sinks to my feet, I understand what is about to happen. He stands at the door and knocks, saying: "May I enter here too?" I open this door and begin to show Him photographs of nature, flowers, sky, but He again looks where everything is closed from prying eyes. It seems that the earth has fallen from under me, and Jesus, smiling, asks my permission to tidy up there. I lower my eyes and give consent, but now I myself begin to clean. Then enlightenment comes, and I myself run ahead of Christ with a mop, trying to sweep out all the dirty corners that are revealed in the light of the Savior's presence. And He, with a vacuum cleaner, cleans them after me and makes them absolutely beautiful. I am no longer afraid of anything. Jesus does not scold me for my mistakes and past sins, but gently offers to help me get rid of them. I give consent.

Christ asks me if I would like to permanently delete my favorite gadgets. It is very painful for me to hear this, but I decide to give consent.

And Jesus goes further to the most secret part of my house. He approaches the YouTube channel door, stands before it and begins to knock. I lose the ability to speak. Not this! And again I hear the familiar question. I give consent. I had time to delete the viewing history and even clicked on a few videos with useful content. But suddenly I see that my entire history is preserved, and in His light, it appears in fiery letters testifying against me. He carefully examines what I watch, what I like, how much time I spend on this activity, what influence it has on me. I fall to my knees and ask to be forgiven. I am so ashamed that I betrayed His holy trust, nourishing my mind at the table of our enemy. And Jesus, sadly, says that we can delete these things from the phone's memory, but they will forever remain in my memory, and the enemy of the soul will constantly resurrect them in my consciousness, trying to distort and damage my mind. These films and videos have made their influence and opened the mind to the knowledge of sin, they have dulled my perception, and now evil can easily enter me without asking, destroying my life and my happiness. But Jesus assures me that His grace will be sufficient to fight this dirt if I remain in constant connection with Him. I am touched in my heart and ask to cleanse me and fill my consciousness with love. He responds with consent. And I see that in love there is a power to think about the pure and right. Love begins to create something very important, new, beautiful, and wonderful in my life.

I immerse myself in its pure waters and forget about all my sinful past. My dear Friend immerses himself with me, and we swim. He does not remind me of my past mistakes. And I see that, having reached the deepest point of the boundless sea, He takes out my sins and throws them into the water, tying them to stones of His faithfulness to promises. I am ashamed and joyful. I understand that I am clean.

I return to my house. How pleasant it is to live in purity. I walk through the cleaned rooms and call Jesus into them, and He joyfully laughs in response and asks me not to relax. And suddenly I realize that not all rooms in my house are open to the Lord. I feel very bad about this thought, I tense up, and He gently asks: "Will you let Me into these abodes too?" How shameful. Tears well up in my eyes. Why am I so dirty? But I am no longer afraid. I know how Christ loves me, and this helps me give consent. I nod my head and lose peace from the impending shame. But I understand that I must go through this fire as well. I look at Jesus and calm down. He will not harm me. With Him, I can do anything.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What did you understand from this chapter?

2. Is it enough to just let Christ into your life and then relax?

3. Should I wait for Jesus' questions or better to offer to clean up my heart myself?

4. Are there "closed rooms" in your life that you do not want to let anyone into, not even Jesus?

5. What should I do if Jesus is knocking and I do not want to open?

6. Can I knock on the closed doors of my friends?

7. Please read Hebrews 3:14-15; Matthew 9:13; Romans 2:3-6; Micah 7:18-19; Isaiah 1:16-18 in light of this chapter.

Jesus is in my home. How joyful it is to have such a Guest. Thanks to His presence, changes have occurred in all my rooms. Everything that had any relation to evil was removed, and the rooms shone with cleanliness. I walked around admiring the new order. And I asked my Friend to enter wherever He thought necessary and do whatever He wanted, so that He would feel at home.

Dinner time was approaching, and I came to the kitchen to prepare a big treat. My heart was jubilant, knowing that the Lord Himself was now sitting in my house, waiting for what I would prepare. How skillfully my hands worked, sorting through products and creating culinary masterpieces. I wanted not only to feed but also to surprise my dear Friend with the prepared treat. I immersed myself completely in the work.

During the process, I heard a familiar knock on the refrigerator, and the question sounded: "May I take a look inside?" This time I had no fear or shame, but indignation filled my consciousness. However, out of respect for the Guest, I gave consent. Jesus opened the door and began quietly examining the contents, carefully reading the composition of semi-finished products and other foods. I watched Him out of the corner of my eye. A real storm began in my thoughts. I wanted to say that one should not pry where they are not invited, but remembering my shame from previous checks of my abodes, I decided to remain silent. When the Lord took and demonstratively threw a couple of beautiful packages into the trash can, I was outraged but tried to calmly ask: "What are You doing, Jesus?" He smiled and let me know that he would answer later. Closing the refrigerator, He went to the living room.

And now dinner is ready, the table is set, we sit across from each other and begin to eat. I decided to surprise my Guest with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food and solemnly asked for a blessing on the meal we were about to enjoy. But I was surprised that after the prayer, Jesus did not say the usual "Amen", however, He sat down to eat with me. Friendly communication began. And when I put on my plate what my eyes chose, I heard a quiet knock on the table and the question: "What's in your plate?" This is too much!!! I simply exploded with indignation. All my anger poured out, and I expressed what was overflowing in me. He listened silently and smiled modestly. When my vocabulary was exhausted, I wondered why Jesus asked me this question? I decided to answer and began to list the names of the products in my plate. I did not understand why He was so interested in what I was eating. Was it not enough that cleanliness reigned in my rooms? Naming the products, I watched Jesus, trying to understand what He wanted to convey to me. I asked the question that worried me: "Lord, why didn't You say 'Amen' at the end of the prayer?" To which He calmly replied that He could not bless what is not illuminated by the Word of God as suitable for food. I felt uneasy. I began to quickly recall what is written in the Bible about nutrition, and the Lord suggested that I pay attention to the book of Leviticus, chapter 11. Here I could not help but quickly open the text of Acts 10:15: "Then the voice spoke to him again: What God has made clean, do not call impure." The Lord waited for this answer and was not surprised at all but said that Peter himself explained the meaning of this vision, saying afterward in Acts 10:28: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean." This verse appeared in a new light in my consciousness. I looked at the Bible, then looked at the table, and suddenly it dawned on me that what lay before me was prohibited by God to be eaten, and I wanted to feed Jesus with it. How embarrassing. I nervously began to remove from the table everything that the Word of God calls unclean. I asked Jesus: "But the New Testament has made everything clean, and the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit!" To which He calmly replied that God does not change, and what He once defined as unclean and an abomination for food will remain so forever. I began to understand something and ponder.

But dinner continues. I ate what remained on the table, and then we moved on to tea. Our conversation went as I considered necessary. I had many questions, and I received answers. And here I cut myself a large piece of cake and was just about to eat it when I heard a quiet knock on the table and the question: "What's in your plate?" This time, I felt bad from the premonition that something was wrong again. I did not argue, although it was very unpleasant to understand that my Guest was examining the contents of my plate. Let Him look in His own. But I asked: "Lord, what is wrong this time?" And He asked in response: "Do you want to be healthy?" What a familiar question, I had already heard it. What did He mean? I nod my head.

And He points to a book on my shelf about the basics of healthy nutrition and makes it clear that everything is written there, and if I follow all these rules, success awaits me.

I immediately remembered those who tried to teach me these basics, their attitude toward me, their exclusivity and dislike for people living differently. And I shuddered at the thought that I should become the same. The Lord smiled and said: "My grace is sufficient for you. When you approach these issues with love, then you will see the entire beauty of the Food Reform. As a reward, you will gain health and a clear mind. Moderation in everything will become your way of thinking, and you will look at life joyfully. Disease will be removed from you. Happiness will fill your heart, and you will be able to give it to others."

To my objection that there is a lot of similar information on the internet now, and one does not know what to believe, He said: "First study this message in its pure form, and then you will be able to distinguish the pure from the impure even in the internet networks."

I thought. Could it really be so important and interconnected? I understood that just as a hand is connected to the body, the Food Reform is very important to me. For if my mind is not overloaded with abundance and variety of food, receiving everything necessary, it will excellently cope with spiritual tasks, evaluating everything in the right light.

I look at my plate and think about how ignorant I am in this matter. But I decide to study what the Lord advises.

I ask to be given love so that it would be the driving motive in studying God's message, and I receive assurance that love is now mine, and the Lord will teach me to perceive and give everything in its light. How interesting and joyful!

In the spirit of love, I began to see much more, and understanding how important it is to eat correctly became a light in my house. I confidently opened my refrigerator and was horrified by what it was filled with. Now I understood Jesus when He examined its contents and studied the composition of products. He wants to gift me the happiness of health, and it is so pleasant to understand this. How good that Jesus sent me this light. Now I began to understand that many diseases come as a consequence of my ignorance, and I decided to change my habits.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What did you understand from this chapter?

2. What does Jesus see in my plate?

3. Why did God make a division between clean and unclean?

4. Do I need a food reform? If yes, then for what?

5. Will I be saved through knives and forks? Do I need righteousness through nutrition?

6. Do I glorify God by what I eat?

7. Please read Isaiah 66:15-17; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 1 Samuel 15:22; Luke 21:34 in light of this chapter.

Jesus is in my home!!! He is everywhere with me. I handed Him the keys to all my doors and asked Him to watch over the order in our house of happiness and love. But He politely returned the keys to me, making it clear that the closed doors of my soul can only be opened by me. He respects my choice and gives me freedom in making independent decisions.

I understood that the Lord perfectly knows which of my rooms He needs to enter. And if I do not want to let Him somewhere, He sadly steps back, remaining the same loving Friend. But I also noticed that if I say no to Jesus in response to His knock on one of my closed doors, He stops knocking on other closed doors. I know how to fix this, but I do not always want to. In my house, there is a basement called "worldly pride". In this place, I love to bring people from the street, my neighbors, strangers, sometimes friends, but if Jesus wants to go down there, I find a thousand excuses to distract His attention.

I noticed that every time I am about to go somewhere and put on appropriate clothing, the Lord stands at the door of my closet and knocks, asking: "May I take a look in your wardrobe?"

I do not like it when my friends start rummaging through my underwear, but I cannot refuse Jesus. He carefully examines my wardrobe and divides the clothes into two categories, leaving them in the closet. On the right hang decent things, and in another place are all the rest.

I have a question: "Lord, what difference does it make what I wear? The main thing is that I believe in You and love You?" But at the same time, I understand that I am showing hypocrisy. I wait for an answer.

The Lord makes me understand that clothing is a business card for many people, by which they determine my belonging to the world or another society. And I am a priest of the living God and must always remember this when I go out among people. This means that clothing should be clean, not torn, decent, modest, corresponding to my gender and the time in which I live. It should not advertise this world.

On some items, Jesus put the stamp "love of the world", but I cannot understand why He did this, because I paid crazy money for them, and they correspond to the latest fashion trends. I simply do not want to accept my Friend's tastes because then I will feel like a "white crow".

But Jesus does not change His preferences, and His expectations correspond to high standards. And when I agree with Him and accept the clothing reform, He asks me what I will do with the items He rejected. Of course, I will leave them, let them lie, they might come in handy sometime. But Jesus makes it clear that they can become a net for me. I do not understand such an approach and want to better understand this issue. I invite Christ to a conversation and present my counterarguments. He calmly listens to me and explains that in my life, nutrition and clothing are simple tests of loyalty, by which the invisible world can easily determine the state of my heart. However, woe to me if I make this a criterion of my salvation and a measure for evaluating the spirituality of my neighbors.

I realize that I do not fully understand what was said, but Jesus convinces me that first changes occur in the heart, and then in external manifestations. A person must understand God's requirements and expectations with their mind and live in obedience.

When I go to a store to buy clothes, Jesus very much wants to be nearby, waiting for my invitation. The Savior desires that I let Him into all spheres of my life so that He has the opportunity to help me in everything.

When I choose clothes for myself, I do not simply ask to be given something I could wear. I pass by hangers and counters, paying attention to things that I like. I go with them to the fitting room. I look at myself in the mirror. I make sure the size matches. I look to see if the item suits my color. Does it correspond to other clothing items? I imagine how I look from the side, if there is a resemblance to my favorite movie actor. I think about whether my friends will admire me. Then I decide to buy this item. Already at home, I put it on and go out among people. My clothes did not accidentally end up on me; I chose them.

The enemy of the soul presents the world with fashion novelties and suggests to people how sexy these items are. He convinces people that everyone will desire them. Then he takes these things and brings them to God's children, assuring them that they are decent and comfortable. And when the heat comes, Satan convinces me that I should lighten my clothing so that air can freely blow over all parts of the body, and that it does not matter how it looks from the outside. And those who will express their dissatisfaction with my appearance can be boldly declared fanatics or Pharisees who understand nothing about life. I am not naked, just lightly dressed.

The enemy of the soul has created an even more sophisticated culture of naked bodies and made it so important and necessary for all people that if I refuse it, I begin to be considered crazy and put on a blacklist of strange people. Beaches and pools have become a familiar place where the view of my naked body is considered quite decent because the body needs sunbathing. And I even ask Jesus to be with me and bless me with rest and an even tan. And my dear sisters have such graceful body parts that it is very pleasant for the eyes to examine them. And the fact that they are slightly covered with rags does not prevent me from seeing what beautiful forms the Lord has given them. My thoughts are pure. I rest and disconnect from the whole world to simply lie in the sun, read the Bible, and think about nothing.

And then I hear a knock at the door of my heart and the question: "What are you doing here?" "I am sunbathing, Lord! Lie down next to me, I have time to communicate with You!" And in response, I hear: "Do you not know that you are wretched and naked!" What strange words. "I am not naked, I have swimming trunks on, do not record me among nudists, I have not sunk so low."

And then I thought. Since the Lord characterizes me in this way, then it must be so. But I cannot throw the culture of recreation out of my head; I grew up in it, I do not know what can replace such pastime. My whole life loses meaning if I do not go on vacation to the sea or lake. That is the whole point. I save all year for a vacation and spend these funds on my pleasures for two weeks, and then post my photos on social networks to delight friends with the views of nature that my eyes have contemplated. And if I remove this from life, I can fall into depression.

But the Lord says: "You are naked, and I advise you to buy white clothing from Me so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen."

What should I do? Again, I received a "blow to the head". I so want to be in Eternity, but at the same time, I want to sunbathe on the beach. How can I combine these? The "balcony country" does not suit me at all. Why is my dear Jesus so picky? He probably does not understand my need for rest. But I will try to listen. How boring.

Lord, help me understand You! I am used to living differently, and Your requirements are foreign to me!

I enter the sanctuary. I come to myself. I need a new heart. Right now. Here. I will not let You go until You bless me! Save me, Lord, from myself!

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What did you understand from this chapter?

2. Is it important to God how I dress?

3. What constitutes indecent clothing? Where is the measure of decency?

4. What does decent clothing look like?

5. What should I do if people come to our gathering in immodest clothing?

6. Please read Exodus 20:26; Isaiah 47:2-3; Deuteronomy 22:5; Leviticus 21:10; Matthew 6:25 in light of this chapter.

If I try to stop any car on the street, I can say with certainty that music will be playing in almost all automobiles. It will be different in meaning and volume, but it will be there. Such listening to music and radio programs has become an artificial filler of consciousness for many people, without which most can no longer imagine their existence in this world.

God, for His part, desires to fill my mind with His melody of love, so that it sounds in my heart like beautiful music on the strings of my soul, filling all the space of my perception and spreading its fragrance to the surrounding world.

A battle between good and evil is taking place for the human mind, and the epicenter of this battle is located between my right and left ear.

God has made my salvation so simple and easy that if I just show my interest and begin searching in this direction, I will find what will bring peace to my soul.

Wherever I am on Earth, and whichever path I choose, I will always come to the world ocean washing the continents. Similarly, God's love surrounds us from all sides, and whatever direction of life I choose, I will always eventually meet it. Only it is unknown on which side of the barricades I will find myself at that moment?

Love is a combination of mercy and justice. By choosing God's plan of salvation, I find myself under His mercy; by choosing another life path, I will meet God's justice and taste the fruits of what I have sown throughout my life.

The Lord calls, knocks, seeks, and waits for those who will hear and open.

I learned from the pastor that Christ wants to enter the house of my heart. And I prepared for this meeting. I did a wet cleaning in the rooms, bought delicacies for dinner, hid all indecent things in secret places, swept extra garbage under the carpet. I selected romantic music for the background of our communication and sat waiting for my dear Friend. To pass the waiting time, I turned on the TV, chose my favorite channel, and while watching the development of events in a talk show, began to think about the beautiful Eternity awaiting me in the near future. Minutes, hours, days, weeks passed, but my Friend did not come. Strange.

During this time, I understood that television imposes its programs on me, and on the internet, I can choose what I want to see and hear. Very quickly, I learned to find my favorite films and songs, and my life simply did not have enough time for all this. I even started taking time from sleep. And if I turned on computer games, I completely lost the reality of time and was busy with them from morning to morning.

I wonder, if Jesus came to me during these activities, how would He evaluate this? Somewhere in my soul, I understand that something is not right with me, but I will wait until the Lord shows me this Himself.

It's strange that He has not come for so long. But I can read about Him.

I read, delve in, discover many things for myself, begin to see amazing things. I try to pray. It works. And here I decided to ask Him in prayer why He still has not come to my house, although I am ready for this visit. In a dream, the Lord answered me: "I knocked, but you did not hear. I called you by name, but your television was louder." I woke up in a cold sweat. What should I do? Jesus is never wrong. But how to live in silence? I decided to replace all my songs and films with Christian ones. I began collecting everything from the internet that is filmed and sung about Christ. I listen, watch, wait for Jesus, but He still does not come. I found Christian computer games, and now I play and learn the truth. Something begins to settle in my head.

But Jesus still has not come to me.

What else can I do good so that He considers it an honor to come to my house. I need to surprise Him. I know! I'll take money and gifts to an orphanage. This will surely attract Heaven's attention to me. I did it. Again, silence.

Most likely, I misunderstood something.

But the message about the desired visit of Christ does not give me peace. I want to understand the reason, what I am doing wrong. Maybe something is within me.

I decide to personally ask Christ why He did not come to visit me.

I begin to pray. I ask for the gift of repentance and understanding. The Lord again gives me a revelation in a dream: "I knocked, but you did not hear."

I am completely confused. I decided not to watch or play anything. I sit and wait. I hear a quiet knock. I do not pay attention – God does not knock like this. The knock repeats. I'll see who is there. I approach the door and hear a quiet voice calling me by name. I open the door, and Jesus is there. I invite Him into the house and immediately to the table. I begin to tell Him about everything I have seen and listened to these days. But the Lord sadly stated that all this time, while I was busy with myself, He was knocking and calling to enter. I am beyond surprise. How so? And He explained that while my mind receives food from another source, God can do nothing for me. The Lord will not share His place with the world. But I am not going into the world, just sitting at home and observing what is happening. Is this bad? And Jesus makes me understand that my mind is like a vessel. Whatever is put into it, that is what will lie there. And nothing else will fit into a full jug. My vessel is filled with everything indiscriminately.

I decide to cleanse my heart from the dirt of this world. I find training on this topic. I learn. I make incredible efforts. I will prove to everyone that I can also do something for my purity.

But I notice strange things. I try to forget everything I once watched and listened to, and it constantly resurfaces in my memory and beckons to me. I think about the good, but evil scenes from favorite films are remembered every time I need to make the right decision, and I get lost in guesses about what is truly right. After all, my favorite actors so realistically presented a solution to all problems by a short path that I sometimes do not dare to choose God's path because it is so difficult and narrow, and there are so many dangers and pitfalls on it. But I so want to be in Eternity. They say that heavenly music constantly sounds there.

Oh, music! This is a separate world. I simply cannot live without it. Life loses its beauty. Music so captivates me with its notes and captures my consciousness, immersing me in a world of sensual pleasures and memories. I am so used to living like this. And there are those who say that not all music is useful. They understand nothing. However, I am curious what Christ likes. How to understand His taste? I'll ask Him about this.

Again, I see a dream with only two completely different sources of music. One is pure, melodic, which attracts to reflections about Heaven, sings about God's love for people, and the second contains everything indiscriminately and even includes elements of Divine harmony to attract inexperienced minds and capture them in its nets. Who will save me from this web? I have so confused my mind that I can no longer do anything myself.

I call Jesus for help. I promise not to watch or listen to anything unclean, remove all this garbage from my house. I cry from powerlessness. I understand that I can no longer change anything in myself, but I believe in the One who Is Love and can do more than I imagine. I give my will into His hands and begin to learn new melodies of love. An unknown world opens up to me.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Was something new revealed to you in this chapter?

2. What prevents Jesus from coming into my life?

3. Why does the Lord respect my choice and not impose His blessings?

4. Does music affect my spiritual health? How to distinguish bad music from good?

5. Does Jesus knock on every heart?

6. Does Jesus enter everyone who expects Him in the house of their heart?

7. Please read Revelation 3:20; Luke 23:8-9; Ecclesiastes 2:8,11; Philippians 4:8 in light of this chapter.

The Word of God contains many of God's promises. These can be divided into conditional and unconditional promises.

Unconditional promises will be fulfilled at the time established by God. They do not depend on my faith in them, my behavior, or my being born again. Their implementation depends only on the dates and terms set by God. Such promises include the beginning of the judgment time, Christ's Second Coming, the thousand-year kingdom, the pouring out of seven last plagues, judgment over the wicked, and the final destruction of sin.

Conditional promises of God are designed to accomplish something if I or we fulfill the conditions outlined in the promise itself. For example, we read in Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."

God's care for me is constant and unconditional. My heart beats independently of my behavior, and my body knows what to do without consulting me. The air on Earth continues to contain an even combination of gases necessary for my life.

But everything related to my salvation from the power of sin depends on my choice and the decision of my will. God does not distribute salvation blessings simply, but waits until I see them, understand them, and desire to accept them. Some gifts I must earnestly ask of Christ. And something I will never receive, even if I pray for it. This happens when God sees that such a gift would harm my soul.

In the message to Laodicea, the Lord promises the overcomers to give Him His throne. Previously, I thought this promise belonged to me by right simply because I was born again in the Laodicean period. I could not even imagine anything else.

Reading 1 John 5:4-5: "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?", I understood that I was a victor. But when I began to study the message to Laodicea more deeply, I realized that my faith was not enough to be an overcomer in the last time. I need to understand and fulfill the conditions described and proposed by Christ in this address. And I cannot bypass this and claim the title of an overcomer using old weapons. The Lord will not bless me with His gifts against my will or in response to my ignorance and unwillingness to spend time understanding this message. Either I study, accept, and fulfill everything He offers and become an overcomer, or I decide that I can overcome everything without His weapons and conditions, and as a result, lose the battle, losing all promised blessings.

What does "overcomer" mean?

This word must be correctly understood. If I am only on the defensive, successfully repelling enemy attacks, I will never become a victor; I will simply be a defender of my soul on my territory. But an overcomer is one who goes on the offensive, risks his life, captures the enemy and takes him captive, conquering new areas. And after victory continues to control the situation, establishing his power in the captured territories.

If I do not have the necessary weapons for victory, I may win a couple of battles but ultimately lose the war. For the enemy of the soul is a very skilled warrior, and his army has modern weaponry that surpasses my understanding.

The Lord knows whom we are fighting, and therefore has anticipated all the details of this great battle in advance. He guarantees victory to everyone who accepts His full armor offered to Laodicea.

Asking me to open the door, Jesus assures me that He will enter and dine with me, and I with Him.

An interesting strategy. We have dinner, having a friendly conversation, and during this time, great victories occur in my heart. My mind is cleansed, my heart is reforged, my spirit is resurrected, my house is cleaned, and my will clings to my dear Friend.

And our friendship does not end there. The more time we spend together, the more interesting our conversations become. And at some point, my Lord leads me to an open door, spreading it even wider for me, inviting me to enter. I look at His actions with surprise. Once Jesus opened the door for Philadelphia, but it was cluttered with the trash of vanity and indifference and was lost from view. But the Lord again assures me that He is the door for His sheep and invites me to enter.

Before me open amazing possibilities of infinite love. Boundless ocean, endless light, joy and peace. I ask: "Why such mercy to me, a sinner?" and see my door open to Jesus. And I begin to understand something. Our relationship has gone so far, and I have cleaved so closely to Jesus, that the Lord decided to initiate me into the depths of His love, revealing the beauty and power of His character. How interesting! I could not even imagine this. Christ Himself introduces me to the world of His soul, and I see such pure love that I am amazed at its perfection. Although this door was always open to everyone, only the chosen could enter it—those who opened their doors.

I look up and see the Heavenly windows, which are also open to pour out blessings on the obedient and faithful children of God.

And I understand that with such a Friend, it is impossible to lose. He is truly the Victor. I saw how many evil people tried to beat the ocean of love, and it sagged under their blows, subsequently crashing down on them from above, absorbing the victims of sin in its waters, offering them a chance to start a new, pure life. But many fled in fear, afraid of the crystal-clear expanses. I saw how streams of water poured through the heavenly windows, carrying away the wicked and filling the houses of the righteous with joy. How harmoniously everything was arranged. What great victories love achieves!

Why is this beauty of love hidden from our eyes, and only a few can see it? But this is the essence of the great battle—that a person must decide on whose side he will wage war. Love respects my freedom.

By buying from Christ what is offered to me, I acquire all of Heaven in this. By letting the Lord into my house and opening my doors to Him, I show the entire invisible world who is the Master of my life and to whom my soul belongs. We enter into a marriage relationship with Christ, and He has no secrets from me. He completely opens Himself to me. But poor me! How can I embrace and accept all this beauty and power with my limited mind? Only God can reveal and convey all this to me.

I enter the open door and want to stay there. But the Lord gently tells me that it is not yet time, not all souls have been taken from the enemy, and the banner of Love has not yet been established on all territories. There is still work to be done and a final victory to be won. I agree and clothe myself in love. My mind immerses itself in its life-giving waters and absorbs its power and authority.

I can do all things in the Lord who strengthens me!

I clothe myself in love. What an interesting weapon! I need to master its power and possibilities. This is an entire science that I still have to comprehend.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Did you hear something new for yourself in this chapter?

2. What does an "open door" mean in my house and in Jesus?

3. How can I become a victor?

4. Why only the victor receives the reward, not everyone who participated in the spiritual war?

5. What does spiritual war look like in real life?

6. Who is the loser or defeated in this war? Why is it better not to be one?

7. Please read Ephesians 6:10-13; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Revelation 3:7-8; 21:7; John 10:7-10 in light of this chapter.

Who is an overcomer? And whom does Heaven consider a victor? This word is repeated many times by Jesus as a characteristic of those people who will receive a specific reward for their achievements in war.

I always considered myself a victor simply because I believe in Christ. After all, in 1 John 5:4-5 it is written: "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" And it was enough for me that the Bible calls me such. I automatically considered all the promises given to overcomers as mine, without even thinking about what and whom I was overcoming. But the Lord drew my attention to this concept when I actually began to win some victories in my heart by the power of Jesus.

If I bear the Lord's name but allow the carnal man to lead me into temptation and manifest his influence through me, then calling myself a victor in the light of the Bible becomes very difficult for me. Resolving conflicts or problems through the flesh can be very quick and effective. For example, if a relative bothers me with his nitpicking and insults, by sharply responding to him, shouting at him, threatening physical retaliation, grabbing him by the collar, or even hitting him, I would probably instantly resolve the conflict. And it would not repeat. The relative would lose all desire to bother me with his claims, and perhaps he would begin to respect me. But if I begin to endure his attacks and respond with love, not allowing myself even an evil thought about him, his nitpicking may grow into constant mockery and abuse towards me. And they may last for years without any prospect of improvement.

Which path would you choose? Of course, I have exaggerated, but unfortunately, there are very strange people who well understand the language of rudeness and can calmly live under tyranny and dictatorship, going about their usual business and not encroaching on anyone's power. But if they are shown tenderness and love, they turn into monsters who will not calm down until I am alive and love them. A paradox. But this is often what happens to those who are not open to the influence of the Holy Spirit. The enemy of the human soul knows how to use such people and through them spoil the lives of God's children. It often happens that a similarly carnal person, seeing injustice towards a loving Christian, stands up and threatens physical retaliation to those who are ready to cause harm to God's children. In this case, everything calms down. I have often heard such experiences from army stories of my friends.

And yet, all these examples are not the rule regarding a loving heart. There are life situations we may encounter, and then we need to know what to do.

If a mother punishes her child and beats him with a belt for disobedience, is this good or bad? It is difficult to say unequivocally. There is a big difference between a 3-year-old and a 33-year-old. But it is also very important to understand with what spirit the punishment is carried out and how wise the approach was.

Who, then, is an overcomer in the light of the Bible? An overcomer is one who has a victor's mind and overcomes every temptation, every enticement, every pride coming from outside and inside, guided by love and obedience to the truth. Only one who knows the Word of God, who studies God's law and has submitted to its requirements can be an overcomer. An overcomer sees the danger of violating the Lord's principles and does everything within his power to remain faithful to them. If he lacks wisdom and strength, he asks for them from above and receives them. An overcomer is one who has known Christ, met Him personally, given Him his life, and is in constant communion with God, continuing to study His will, knowing Jesus' character more deeply, asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit, and living in love for God and people.

An overcomer is a conscious state of mind understanding what war he is participating in, on whose side he is, what rules exist in this war, what laws operate in it, who his opponent is, what strategy Satan has, how to resist the forces of spiritual wickedness in high places, how to tread on serpents and scorpions while not exposing his soul to mortal danger.

An overcomer has a victor's mind. He cannot imagine defeat, though he allows the possibility of falling. But if he falls, he immediately begins to seek a way to rise and move forward to new victories. In his thoughts and feelings, such a person has completely merged with Jesus. He does not understand how it is possible to lose.

In essence, Christ is the true Victor. And I am only entering into His merits and following Him, in His footsteps, growing from glory to glory.

Without Him, I can do nothing, for my enemy is stronger than me and will quickly overcome me. But Jesus Himself, together with His Angels, wages war and teaches me to be a victor. Without my participation and consent, He will not fight for my soul and endow me with His successes. I must want this and ask for it. All living on Earth use common divine protection. It is called love and care for creation. Many people wage war unconsciously and overcome something by God's mercy. But for the enemy of the soul, they do not pose a danger, and he does not greatly disturb them. But when a person consciously takes Christ's side and becomes God's warrior, then Satan pours out all his fury, trying to find a way to separate him from Jesus. The enemy understands that such people will save themselves, and then will boldly invade his territory and attract deceived neighbors to Jesus, convincing them to accept Christ as their personal Savior. And they will have absolute success in this because Jesus Himself will fight for them and go where the saved can do their work for God's glory.

And what does a victor's victory look like? It rests on faithfulness to God, on understanding His will, and on constant connection with Him through prayer. My victory begins every morning from the moment when in prayer I give my life into God's hands and ask for His blessing and guidance for the new day. I ask Him for love, protection, and wisdom to endure all trials. When temptation comes, then my mind, trained by habit to determine temptations, recognizes it. And I must decide what to do. I choose love, obedience, faithfulness, modesty, purity, tenderness depending on the situation. God immediately responds to my choice of His weapon and stands on my side, granting His influence. Sometimes the Lord allows me to make a decision and conduct a battle myself so that I see my weak points and learn complete trust in God's power.

From the outside, my victory sometimes looks like a modest smile, lowered eyes, apologies for causing inconvenience, confession of love, assurance of friendship, showing help, prayer support, kind and gentle words of approval, friendly attitude despite undeserved insults, leaving disputes, avoiding disagreements, and much more depending on the situation. I cannot imagine acting according to the flesh when there are so many opportunities for love and goodness to defeat Satan's evil designs. And God establishes me in this victory.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What new did you learn for yourself from this chapter?

2. What does an overcomer overcome?

3. Can one be an overcomer while being a simple church member?

4. Why is it important to be an overcomer in the last time?

5. Do you know people among your close ones whom you would call overcomers?

6. Do you wish to be an overcomer? Do you consider yourself to be one?

7. Please read Romans 12:21; 2 Peter 2:19; Revelation 21:7; 2 Corinthians 11:19-20; Hebrews 11:32-34 in light of this chapter.

God's people of the last time will have a special status and special divine guidance in the battle against the forces of sin. The enemy of the soul has centuries of experience in deceiving people and successfully applies his knowledge to tempt and destroy souls. It is simply impossible to resist such temptations by one's own strength.

At the same time, our generation of God's children possesses the fullness of light and knowledge of truth, which was gathered over the years at the cost of blood, sleepless nights, and constant prayers, to appear before us in all its depth without any deficiency. This truth grants to all who seek and thirst that which the soul needs and the heart demands. The Lord Himself has come to personally teach each of us knowledge that, like a hidden treasure, lies in the earth, to become the possession of all who will seek it.

After Laodicea, there are no believers whom the Lord would decide to endow with even more generous special gifts of Heaven. We are the last generation.

World events agitate people's consciousness, and many think about how to preserve their wealth, how to survive in these crisis situations, how to arrange life to be comfortable for themselves, and only a few begin to wonder what God wants to tell them?

The overcoming Laodicean is one who has accepted God's plan for the final battle and has very deep and personal relationships with Christ.

Let us examine the characteristics of the victor from Laodicea, first paying attention to the end of this message. It speaks of a person who has ears and hears what the Spirit says to the churches. He carefully listens to all the blessings of previous generations. Such a Laodicean is also tuned to distinguish God's quiet voice among the diverse noise of this world and thousands of other voices. He knows how the Spirit speaks, and being a member of God's family, he recognizes his brothers and sisters by the Spirit among a thousand other people. God unites such God's children into one team, binding them with bonds of love and friendship. These believers will endure any trial and strengthen their pure relationships forever. The hearing ear is given by God. Proverbs 20:12.

The Laodicean who overcomes receives a special divine blessing. He is given the right to sit on Christ's throne, just as Christ sat on the Father's throne. It is now very difficult to understand what this means in the Heavenly understanding, but I think it speaks of a special status that will elevate a person in God's eyes before the entire Universe.

About Satan, it is written that he dreamed and planned to obtain this throne. Isaiah 14:13-14: "You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'"

The enemy of humanity wanted to become like God in power and strength, but not in love and character.

But the Laodicean does not yearn for what was Satan's cherished dream but receives it as a reward for his desire to become like the Most High in love and character. This is possible for the believer because Christ Himself desires to make him such. Jesus strives to fill the lives of the saved with light and special gifts of His love, to reveal the entire depth of this divine quality in my heart that is accessible to human perception.

I do not understand the meaning of the throne, but I understand what love is. Interestingly, he who seeks power does not receive it and loses everything, while he who thirsts for love obtains from God both love and power and everything else he did not expect. Even knowing about such a great reward, I do not understand what it represents and do not seek to receive it. My greatest happiness is Christ, life with Him throughout Eternity, the opportunity to see His face, to follow Him wherever He may go. And if He sits on the throne and asks me to sit next to Him, I will joyfully do so, just to be near. And without Jesus, I do not need even the most exalted throne.

And in the upcoming battle, in the approaching storm, I am more interested not in the reward but in how to prepare for these events so as not to fall and not lose God's Hand. It is important for me to remain faithful until death.

And I was taught this by spending much time with Jesus, inviting Him to dinner and discussing all plans and perspectives, having communion with Him in the purity of heart in which I allowed Him to establish order. I have become accustomed to dining with Him, and He with me.

The overcoming Laodicean is one who heard the quiet voice of Jesus, heard the knock at the door of his heart and opened to the Lord all spheres of his life, allowing God's love to restore order in his soul, giving the opportunity for Jesus' blood to wash thoughts and feelings from all impurity and vice so that they become absolutely pure. This knock at the door was desired and expected, for zeal for God's gifts and the gift of repentance tuned my perception to hear and heed. And all this happened thanks to the assurance of God's love and the punishment that Jesus, by His mercy, produced in my life. A fierce struggle was waged with my old self, which did not want to surrender and accept God's judgments and reproofs, but the Lord conquered, for without Him I could do nothing. I simply chose life with Him and opened my heart to the truth, however difficult it might be for me.

And without God's wisdom, symbolized by the eye salve, I probably would not have seen anything, but I bought this light and allowed its rays to enlighten my mind, and God granted understanding of what to do, how and where to go. I began to see the beauty of God's character and gaze at it with the open eyes of my soul. And this became possible thanks to Christ's merits and His righteousness, which was first imputed to me by faith in His merits, and then became bestowed righteousness within me by faith working through love.

I see the advantage of the white clothing of God's light. When Jesus stripped me of all the dirt of my ambitions, He clothed me in the purity of God's love and faith. And this became possible through the acquisition of Heavenly wealth in the symbol of pure gold tested by the fire of Eternal love. I immersed myself in this boundless ocean of God's character to become part of His nature. I allowed myself to be reforged so that all the impurities of my nature, all my harmful habits, would be burned out by Heavenly fire and expelled from my life, so that the pure gold of God's character would shine. I began to learn to be rich in true treasure, and now I can pay with God's love to all my enemies, friends, and neighbors.

But I cannot imagine where I would have found all this if the True and Faithful Witness had not pointed me to these Heavenly goods and given His advice to acquire them.

But if I had not learned about my true lukewarm state and who I really am, I think my mind would have continued to sleep and be content with the achievements that, in my view, clothed, enriched, and made me happy. What else did I need? The light shines, the Spirit is poured out, work goes on, deeds are accomplished. But then came the Amen, the beginning of God's creation, and began to destroy all my foundations. And I saw that He was nauseated by my true state and my pride in my achievements and successes in spiritual growth.

It is frightening to imagine if I had stopped at any of these stages of development and not moved forward. I do not even want to describe the entire horror of such a state. But I also do not wish to attribute to myself anything beyond what I have received, so as not to become a hypocrite.

Look, Lord, am I not on a dangerous path...

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

2. Who is the overcoming Laodicean? Describe the characteristics of the victor?

3. How do you understand what it means to sit on the throne?

4. What motivates you to eternal life: the reward or being with Christ?

5. Why is it important to learn to hear God's voice?

6. What causes prevent you from becoming a victor? (if any)

7. Please read 1 Samuel 3:7-10; Isaiah 50:4,5; Revelation 19:10; John 16:13; Psalm 45:11; Revelation 3:21; 21:7; Luke 10:20; Daniel 7:22; Matthew 5:8; Ephesians 4:15,21 in light of this chapter.

There are many sciences, religions, teachings, and disciplines in the world, each of which provides knowledge. We are studying the science of agape love, comprehensively examining what it is and how it works in life.

Some people like it, some look at it with a smirk, and some find it disgusting and irritating. This will always be the case, and there's nothing to be surprised about.

If we realistically consider what we are actually studying in our school, and if we compare it in terms of depth and complexity, then perhaps the teaching of agape love is the most complex science of all that can be grasped in this world. And to understand and fully perceive it, one needs to have the mind of Christ and the mentoring ministry of the Holy Spirit. With the mind alone, it will be impossible to understand and remember what is revealed to us. We need to engage our whole heart, all our thoughts and feelings in this.

But in this chapter, let's look at what love gives us, what advantages we have, what we lose and what we gain. Let's talk about a person who believes in Christ, for those who have chosen this world will be lost forever because they do not believe in Jesus.

First, let's look at life without agape love. I think we've all lived in this state at some point, and some are still in such a state and feel very comfortable.

What happens to those who do not have love? All people look roughly the same, and my facial expression will reflect my mood. I also breathe, need food, drink, warmth, and clothing. My enthusiasm and creative abilities help me perform various work and carry out ministry. My mind is able to assimilate biblical truths and helps me develop to a certain level. I acquire the knowledge necessary for ministry in the church, and I can improve my qualifications through training in a higher educational institution, where I learn even more detailed science about salvation and other useful disciplines. But there is no subject about love, friendship, and happiness. I won't be taught this in any school.

I see short-term manifestations of love under certain circumstances, and this is enough for me to be like everyone else. And my whole church is at the level of development that I have achieved.

But Christ, in the message to Laodicea, offers heavenly goods and personal relationships that are not given to the whole church. They can only be obtained personally. And one of the prophetic goods is faith and love, which Jesus wishes to sell me in the very last time. Therefore, what was possible earlier will no longer pass in God's foresight.

The events of the last days are developing very rapidly before my eyes, and I understand that the struggle for my soul will be very unusual, and I need something that will protect me at this time and keep my lamp burning when I hear the midnight cry that the Bridegroom is coming.

If I do not have love, then at some point in my life and the trials that have befallen me, I will understand that I am a sounding brass, which creates a lot of sound but has no value, and that there is no use to me from all my knowledge and skills, and all my sacrifices and my whole life are nothing, and everything I am taught has no meaning. For some reason, all this does not work during a crisis. Although outwardly I continue to hold up well, but inside me there is a storm, darkness, and fear. What will happen to me? Will I get through this storm? I notice that all my experiences and knowledge are not enough to overcome my inner darkness, and I need something supernatural that will carry me through this.

Without love, I risk losing my salvation, for my feelings do not know how to accurately recognize sin, let alone fight it. I will wage war with my spiritual intellect, asking God to win this battle. But my house remains unoccupied after another victory, and the evil spirit can calmly return there. Where there is no love, anything can take root, and I become even worse.

Without love, I will never be able to know the depth of God's love. For love attracts the similar and reveals it in its light. And God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God. And how to know the Creator without the Creator in the heart? It's like knowing everything about Him from books, but not knowing Him personally. And deep knowledge of God is very important.

Without love, in various trials, I will most likely act according to the flesh, although I will not notice it myself, because I am a believer. The spirit of self-confidence can blind me, and I will confidently walk in darkness, knowing where everything is in a familiar room. But any unfamiliar terrain will disconcert me. I don't understand how much I need love for the last battle, but I'm so used to living without it that I may never need it again. I'm used to doing everything without the Holy Spirit, and I think I have enough knowledge to overcome everything. I believe in God's power that He will protect me in the last time, and my faith is able to move mountains, and love has nothing to do with it, let weak sisters who have nothing to do acquire it, and we will break through. Not for the first time. But something is not going as always. There's victory in the eyes, but emptiness inside. It shouldn't be like this.

You can continue this list yourself.

What will happen to me if I accept agape love, if I grasp this science, if I, having embarked on this path, do not leave it, even if it will be very difficult, or there will be very little time? I think it's worth considering.

Love is the personal presence of Christ in my life, in my heart, in my communion with Him. It's a whole ocean of possibilities and prospects for the future. These are new tests of my faith, and constant victories in the spirit of love and truth. This is rapid spiritual growth in an individual order, which gives new knowledge, but does not exalt my heart above others. It opens many doors to serve others.

Love enlightens my eyes, and I can see even in the dark, understanding where I'm going and what I'll face, how to avoid it, or how to win. Love brings constant true happiness into my life, and although the trials of my love sometimes depress me and lead to a revision and rethinking of many earthly and spiritual values, they are still quite easy to endure, and when everything is resolved and everything is left behind, then I understand that I have risen even higher, not in my own eyes, but in the knowledge of God.

The deeds of the flesh do not attract my heart, this voice is disgusting to me, and I remember with disgust the bitter experiences of my past life. Love fills my whole being with meaning. Every deed and every act acquire a special meaning in the spirit of love, for they have the most correct motive, although they may not be very big and significant in the eyes of others.

I understand where I'm going, I know that God is in me, I'm waiting for something new, and it happens. I'm preparing for Eternity and have a firm assurance of my salvation, for without Christ I can do nothing, but I always see Him before me.

With love, I become a coveted target for Satan, but the Lord is my protection, and He leads me to Golgotha, so that from its height I can also see the whole conquered world for which He died, with His eyes, and love it with His heart.

And at the end of the path, I notice a blazing fire, into which the Lord invites me, and He stands in this fire and waits to go through this trial together with me.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Do you see the difference between those who have love and those who don't?

2. To grasp the science of love, what is necessary to have, and what steps should be taken?

3. What advantages does a believing person who has love in their heart have?

4. What does the Lord want to sell to you personally in this last time?

5. Why is it so important that the spiritual house of a believing person be occupied by Love?

6. What is needed for Love to gain victory in your heart?

7. Is it worth seeking and allocating time to learn the science of agape love?

8. Do you consider that our school is the only one in the world where we grasp this science? What other methods does God have to reveal all these truths to thirsty and seeking souls?

9. Please read Psalm 91:14-15, Daniel 3:24-25, Psalm 23:4, 83:6-8; Isaiah 26:3-4; Joshua 1:7, Isaiah 63:9; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Hebrews 10:36, 12:2-3, 12-13 in light of this chapter.

Our world, like heavy waters, presses our submarine from all sides and seeks any opportunity to penetrate inside. Even the smallest hole in the hull of the vessel is enough for it to sink us. And everyone feels this pressure. No matter how well we live here, as long as Satan exists, and as long as his army has influence in this world, I cannot be in absolute safety. In the Lord, I find protection and peace, in Him is the strength of my soul, but He leads me through fire and allows Satan to test me for strength. And this is God's plan for our preparation for Eternal life. The enemy of the soul pushes us out of this world into Eternity. With his attacks, he makes us more experienced and stronger and teaches us to rely completely on Jesus. And the more terrible the storm, the closer I become to God. The enemy hates us, and he understands his powerlessness in this war, and yet continues to pursue us, wanting us to at least die in Christ, just to stop our influence. But our deeds follow us even after death.

Satan knows that in open confrontation he has no chance of winning, and now he very skillfully masks his plans. He comes as an angel of light and a smiling lucky one. And through such deceptions, he gains many followers. The great empire of Satan, which has engulfed the whole world, has appeared in our time in all its splendor. Its name is Babylon. And we live in it. We build our life under the influence of this city.

We read in Revelation 18:23: "... and by your sorcery all the nations were deceived."

In the original, the word "sorcery" is written as φαρμακείᾳ. This term is now used in medicine as pharmacology - the effect on the human body through medication. And the enemy of the soul, together with his subjects, is now busy enchanting the world to control it and carry out his plans. And this spirit reigns in the air. Until the Second Coming, we will be subject to such pressure from outside.

But God has a plan. He did not give Satan absolute power. He established His Kingdom of Love called Agape. And it successfully resists the onslaught of the enemy, confidently defeating the forces of darkness. God Himself is the Head of this Kingdom. It's a piece of Heaven in our world. The Lord knows the power of the influence of evil and the pressure it exerts on a person, so He does not expect my human victories from me, but He Himself wages war in me and wins.

The love that Jesus advises us to acquire is strong enough to overcome all obstacles. It is not subject to the power of enchantment and rejects everything unclean. Love is pure, like sunlight, like dewdrops, it created man for itself, and knows what a person needs for happiness, for a full life.

Laodicea is presented to us as the last period of history. There is nothing after it. And it's worth straining all your thoughts to understand what God offers me at this time.

Friends, it is vital to understand what the Lord says when addressing Laodicea. If I don't accept this, then I won't be able to possess it and won't crave and ask for it. And God offers Himself, He came for this personally, and is waiting. The Holy Spirit reveals this truth very clearly. And if I don't hear His voice, and reject His help and victory, then who should I go to? Satan already has a solution ready. To him? No way! But if I reject God, or if I remain indifferent, then I cannot live on my own. Another force will take possession of me, and I will dine with it, and it with me, and we will have fun and be well, and ahead of us awaits a beautiful death without any hope. Is this what I should live for? Is this what the Lord wants to give me?

The history of Christianity teaches us how good the Lord is, and how gently and carefully He led His people, sending them truth and prophets in His time. But the light of a hundred years ago is not enough today. I might miss important details. The pioneers of Christianity gave us many discoveries and laid a solid foundation, but our growth did not end there. Now we have come to the finish line, and what do we have? Disputes, enmity, disagreements, indifference, heresies, and more. Is this what God plans to take into Eternity? Is this what He will put His seal on? Is this what the Holy Spirit is working for, to cover lawlessness with God's righteousness?

We have studied the law, learned it, memorized it, we talk about it to people, but have we dissolved it in God's love of our relationships so that it becomes edible?

We are not to blame for being born and living at this time. And God does not judge us for living in Babylon, but He offers a solution and asks: "Come out of her, my people!" But where should I go? To Sodom? To Gomorrah? Where is this place? Where should I direct my steps?

Jesus gives the answer. He is that door, and what He offers in the message to Laodicea will become my protection and weapon in the last time. And what does He advise me to acquire? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Better than These Treasures for the soul, God has nothing. This is the Most valuable thing He has left at the end. All of Heaven is emptied to become ours. And if the Lord Himself is already standing at the door and knocking, who after Him can be better? And what am I doing? I justify myself by saying that I can't crawl to the door and open it. Or maybe I don't want to? Maybe I'm deceiving myself? Well, there's no strength!!! There is strength, but not for what is needed.

I think a person looks very stupid when, having so much light, he chooses darkness, having so much delicious food, he prefers crackers, having Christ, he goes to Satan.

And what can the Holy Spirit do for those who reject all His calls, convictions, advice, and requests? What can God give to people who turn their backs on Him? How else can He convince me of His love if I reject it?

What's wrong with asking for and receiving love? Changes will begin. My old views and stereotypes will collapse. I will have to forgive everyone, review everything, delete a lot. All my sins will be mercilessly exposed and presented in the most disgusting form. My carnal thoughts and feelings will begin to leave me, and I will never be able to use them again. I will see how beautiful and wise God is and how much He respects my freedom. I will have new friends who will respond to my love in the same way. Happiness will tease my heart and deprive me of sadness and anxiety. All of life will turn into a battlefield where I will be an absolute winner in God's strength. God's peace will become my barometer. And this is just the beginning of those heavenly adventures that will fill my life with light and peace. And think for yourself, is it worth acquiring all this in exchange for vanity and vainglory, which feed pride and carnal pleasures?

How else can God convince me that Salvation in Christ is better than this whole sinking world. If He Himself came and offers Himself, then maybe it's better to accept this gift after all?

The end of everything is rapidly approaching. God is acting. His army of angels is in full combat readiness. Love is open and available to all. Whoever thirsts - come and drink. The doors of grace are still open. Jesus asks to be Friends, and along with Himself will bring both the Father and His Spirit. There has never been such a time. All of Heaven is in tension waiting for what I will choose. And I turn on social networks and watch the stories of friends?

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. What interesting things were revealed to you in this chapter?

2. What is God's plan of preparation for Eternity?

3. What strategy and power does Satan have in this last time?

4. Will God send a New prophet with an explanation of a new way of salvation or with a new message to the church?

5. What is the strength and peculiarity of the love that God advises Laodicea to acquire in this last time?

6. What happens to me when I receive love?

7. Should I study the symbols of the message to Laodicea?

8. Please read Revelation 3:18-22, Daniel 7:13-14, Hebrews 9:14, Romans 5:2-5, Revelation 18:4-5, James 2:3-6, 1 John 2:15, Revelation 12:17, 14:8, Isaiah 44:3, 45:8, 47:10-11, John 16:11, Revelation 21:6 in light of this chapter.

A crisis is approaching, which is called the crisis of the last times. This will be a special period that for some will become a time to faint from fear, for others - to defile themselves even more, for some it will be the end of all plans and a complete collapse, for some - waiting for interesting events, and for others - the end of earthly sufferings and waiting for the Second Coming.

Absolutely everyone who understands that everything happening in the world is purposefully leading us to a global catastrophe already believes in this event called the "World Crisis". Nature responds to people's careless attitude towards its protection with cataclysms and natural disasters. The world of money has tied itself to the dollar, which is simply worthless, but is artificially supported by all countries as something valuable, and it is printed non-stop around the clock to pay for all kinds of services and buy with it the freedom of states and people hungry for enrichment.

Weapons are produced in the world that can destroy the entire planet several times, and someday this military machine will come into action.

Diseases, epidemics, and viruses have adapted to the situation and no longer respond to medications, taking millions of lives to the grave.

Civilized Humanity is satiated with an abundance of diverse information and is losing the taste and meaning of life.

And everyone understands that the world will not last long like this. And what will happen, no one knows.

But the most interesting thing is that God, through His messengers, also predicts the onset of the last crisis, which no one will escape, and many people will perish in this troubled time and only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be saved. A collision with this time is inevitable. And only those who now choose God as their Lord and obedience to God's law as their life principle will receive protection. The crisis will reveal everyone who has built their house of faith on a solid foundation of strong materials.

When a house is being built, engineers calculate all possible loads on the structure of the building and make prescriptions for builders so that they understand what material to choose and how firmly to connect the parts of the structure with each other so that everything will stand and withstand the load from outside in any natural disaster.

God is also preparing His people for the upcoming events of the last time. He offers something special to all His thinking and thirsty children that will protect them during the crisis. And in all His gifts, He offers Himself, wanting to have special personal relationships with His children and teach them to love each other with real love, which they don't have. He commanded that all his disciples have agape love among themselves and believe in the power of God's promises so that they ask to fulfill them in the personal life of each.

God wants His people in the last time to have agape love, and Jesus advises buying special values from Him that will make us rich, clothe us, and open our eyes. To tell Him that this is uninteresting or that there is no time for this is equivalent to spiritual suicide. After all, if God advises something, then it's worth listening to first, and then doing it. However, He does not give His gifts just like that to everyone. He agrees only to an equivalent exchange. This indicates that I will not automatically receive God's values as an appendage to my salvation. I must give something for them. And if I have no interest in this, then the Lord will cast me out of His mouth, or more precisely - vomit me out. Consequently, my whole holy life will be so disgusting to Him that He will not want to have anything to do with me, and then He will declare to me that He did not know me. Such words will indeed be terrible to hear and experience.

My salvation is determined for me by God, and He is the Author of my deliverance from the power of sin and death. Jesus becomes my personal Teacher and Mentor. And He is more interested in saving me than I am. For this, He has everything necessary, but without my consent, God will not do anything, except that He will wait until I understand this and show interest. God loves me and wants me to live, and live eternally, live with Him in my heart. And He dreams about me, that when I learn the beauty of His character, I will love Him with all my soul and wish to know more about Him, and tell the whole world about Him. With what trepidation the Father waits for the opportunity to open His arms and take me in His arms, carry me, boast about me and give me all the riches of Heaven so that I already possess them in this life. How simple everything is, how accessible, how close, and how interesting it is!

Do I thirst for these relationships? Do I want to have such a Friend? Do I need His valuable goods?

At some point, I was engaged in trade, studied the sales market, interests, and needs of buyers. And I noticed that if people don't need something, then you can't sell it to them for any money, but if you present it to them as something good and useful and advertise it, then they take your goods and willingly pay for them. And when a person really needs something, he comes to you himself and asks you to bring him the goods and sell them to him. Sometimes a person is ready to pay even more than it costs.

Our love for each other and our conversations about it are the best advertisement for God's goods, which He advises to buy from Him. And if I have a thirst to have these treasures of Heaven, then I will be ready to pay any price for their acquisition. And if I'm not interested in it, then I don't need it even for free. I won't even want to spend my time to understand what these Heavenly values mean, and why I need them, because I am rich without them, have become wealthy and have need of nothing. Or do you think that my life with God has been in vain, and I haven't learned anything? Aren't you looking at me too biasedly? Do you think I suffered in vain for the Name of Jesus and learned nothing in these trials?

A peach tree grows in my garden. When it was small, I was happy with one, then two peaches a year. And then for several years in a row, the tree brought such an abundant harvest that even branches broke from the weight of the fruits. But lately, the peach has stopped bearing fruit and, despite my care, only gives foliage. I'm very sorry, but I cut it down, and instead of it I will plant a new tree. I remembered how delicious the peaches were before, but the plant occupied space, was sick and infected other trees. The decision to liquidate was made and executed.

Friends, I'm afraid to talk about this, but I have a feeling that many of God's children will be cast out of His mouth because of their ignorance and unwillingness to accept God's blessings and buy what He advises.

And what should such people do during the crisis? They will simply fall and not get up. They will be lost forever. You could be among them! My value is determined not by who I was in the past, but by who I am now, and who I will be in the perspective of development, what fruit I have today. The love that I receive and give now is the best testimony of my life with God. My holiness today speaks better than any words, my thoughts and feelings of this day give me the right to life. And my experience of past years supports me in my today's choice and helps me avoid many mistakes.

Please, friends, don't pass by the Merchant from the message to Laodicea.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. What useful things did you glean from this chapter?

2. What is a crisis? Do you believe in its coming?

3. How to prepare for the time of crisis?

4. Will I be under special God's protection in the last time? What does it depend on?

5. Who do I need to be and what do I need to have during the test of my faith?

6. What should I do if now I have no interest in the Laodicean God's plan, but I want to be a winner during the tribulation?

7. I love God, and will He really cast me out just because I was engaged in other ministry, not having time to learn the message to Laodicea?

8. Will all my Christian experience be taken into account if at the end of time I will not have fruit?

9. Please read Ezekiel 18:20; Daniel 12:1; Psalm 9:9-10, 138:23-24; Jeremiah 15:11; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Mark 11:13-14,20; Luke 13:6-9; John 15:1-2 in light of this chapter.

There are things that belong to me by right and are available at any time, always. These are air, water, sunlight, and warmth. I don't have to beg for them. They are mine by the fact of creation and support my life activity.

There are things that I choose for myself according to my taste. These are nutrition, clothing, place of residence, place of work. There are exceptions in this row because I can be given something I don't want, so against my will, you have not what you want. After all, sometimes there's simply nowhere to go.

Some benefits I can possess, and I may not have them, for example, a life partner, children, a vehicle, things for a comfortable life, excess finances, means of communication. I have the opportunity to choose and regulate my attitude towards them.

All of the above fills my physical life. I get used to it and arrange my comfort.

But I am not only a physical being, I have a soul and spirit that need spiritual nourishment and saturation. They are not satisfied with the presence of things and comfort, they need spiritual bread that satisfies spiritual needs. Some people fill such a need with poison for the body - coffee, black tea, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, pornography, and other things that defile the mind and soul. And in this way, a person kills himself. Some seek solace in music, entertainment, tourism, travel, philosophy, hobbies, religion, and find what satisfies them.

Not every religion is beneficial to a person, but it still contains elements of truth and goodness, comfort, and fulfillment of spiritual needs.

The soul seeks God, it cannot live without Him. It was created for communion with the Creator, and until the soul finds God's way, it will yearn, rush about, be sick. It needs God, real, genuine.

And God gives the opportunity to know Him. He reveals Himself to everyone who finds Him. The Creator fills the life of such a person with meaning. But even in this knowledge, there are things that belong to me by right and are added automatically, but there are others that are not available to me just like that. They need to be asked for and can only be possessed under certain conditions. And there are such gifts that need to be begged for with all one's human nature, having a real thirst for knowing and receiving them. There are talents that God gives at His discretion for service in the church. There are also such benefits that a believer can acquire only by convincing God that they are really necessary, and that without them this person does not intend to live further.

Not everything is so easily given to the believer, although there are no restrictions in God's goodness.

Love is something familiar to any person, and everyone has experienced its influence on themselves at some point, but at the same time, no one has it enough to give constantly or live in it without encountering resistance.

Agape love is probably what God most wants to give to His people, but they least want to have or receive it.

When I embark on the path of life with God, then I am given God's protection, God's blessing for every day, God's protection from evil, gifts for ministry are handed over, revelations and wisdom for knowing the truth are sent, a lot is given and free of charge, because God loves me very much. But there are blessings that I must ask for. These are special gifts, special revelations, special miracles in my life and the lives of my neighbors, this is unique wisdom and strength. And God rewards me with this only through prayer and through His love for me.

But God's biggest dream is to give Himself and a close relationship with Himself. And the Lord clothed this dream in agape. He offers it in the form of symbols. Never in the history of Christianity has God been so close and accessible as in our days, in the period of Laodicea. He knows that without Him no one will stand, but at the same time, He modestly awaits thirsty souls who are genuinely interested in Him and in a special relationship with His Son Jesus. God is waiting for those who strive for communion, and on whom He can pour out His Spirit. God is alive, and He wants to be friends with me, to have a deep relationship with me, but this also requires my participation. And it's not just about an invitation, but about my sincere interest in the Lord.

Jesus comes to everyone and responds to any invitation. And then, after communicating, He gets up and leaves. Christ does this not because He wants to leave me, but because He does not like to be where He is not needed. And for Him to stay, it is necessary to convince Him of this. Perhaps this sounds funny, but God understands us very well. He respects our freedom. He is not offended when He sees that He is not needed, but waits for the next invitation to enter and communicate again. And then once again He gets up and leaves, and does it reluctantly. But there's no other way.

Agape is what reveals to me the beauty of God's character and attaches me to the Lord so much that I cannot live without Him. I need Him always, and not as a Guest, but as a Friend, as the Lord, as One who has become part of my life, as my Spouse. These are special relationships, but they are also conditional. And they depend on my daily choice. But love glues us together so much that I simply cannot imagine life without it. And it draws me to special relationships with others. And sometimes I fall in love so much with those who are near, whom I see, that I'm afraid if I have lost God in this, if I have come to love Him even less. But He dispels my fears and convinces me that it is not I, but He in me who loves my friends and teaches the right relationships with them and towards them. And I rejoice and thank. But I cannot be intrusive even towards those I love. I get up and leave, very much wanting to stay, but I respect the freedom and choice of my friends. Although humanly, I always make it clear that I am available and not so far from them.

But I am human. I can be busy, I can be only with my wife and not go anywhere. And I hope for understanding. But God is always available, He is never so busy that He cannot be with me. Although sometimes He needs to be convinced that I need His special love, that I want to have it, but in this too is His will for me. The most valuable things He does not give just like that, but sends them with joy to people who seek, who ask, who thirst. God gives them in great abundance.

I began to ask for love just to not perish in vanity and survive, and He gave it to me to always win and win any battle. I thought that with this gift I could only endure others, but I began to admire and admire them. I thought I would be inconspicuous, but the Lord puts me on top of a mountain to be a light. He sends me to Nineveh, and I run to Tarshish, then He sends a storm and swallows me into darkness. I repent and go where I should be.

Miracles of grace are happening all around, and I get used to them and no longer know another life.

How interesting and beautiful it is to live in love, to have it and to have access to an unlimited arsenal of this God's power. I am friends with the One who is above all. And this is the best thing one can wish for everyone.

To love is to live with meaning. It is connecting to a Heavenly source of energy that begins to act when I press the "Start" button.

Dear friend, fill your life with meaning too. Jesus is alive, and He is near to adorn your existence with something beautiful and joyful. And He loves you very much and respects your choice. Jesus is waiting, has been waiting for a very long time.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Luke 11:9; Hebrews 4:15-16; Luke 10:2-3; John 16:24,26-27; James 4:2-3; Jeremiah 29:12-13; 2 Chronicles 7:14; John 7:37-38; Luke 26:16; 2 Chronicles 15:15; Romans 12:11 in light of this chapter.

2. Why does the human soul need God?

3. What does life with God give you?

4. What gift has the Lord prepared for you?

5. What does the Lord expect from you?

6. Name the advantages of those who are friends with God?

7. Why doesn't God want to share His love in us with anyone?

We are all waiting for a glorious event with which we associate many of our hopes, and which will change everything in our lives, giving us much more than we can imagine. This is the Second Coming of Christ. Whether I believe in it or not, whether I am waiting for this event or not, whether I am making plans for this time or living for myself, it will happen regardless of how I relate to it or prepare for it. Christ will come on the clouds of heaven with all His angels, and it will truly be an impressive sight. And His Coming does not depend on my faith or my expectations. It is unconditional, and it will happen on the day that Jesus decides by His authority.

However, it's interesting that the Lord has long promised to come. To each generation, He addressed with the phrase: "Behold, I am coming soon," and now, in our time, He says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." What does this mean? This can only mean one thing - He has already come.

Please do not confuse these two events. Now Christ has come for the elect, to do something special for them and give them something, to help them change something in their lives and prepare them for something, and at the Second Coming, He will come for everyone to put an end to everything earthly and sinful and give those who are waiting and sinning what they deserve. To some - the right to life, to others - the right to death.

There will be a glorious resurrection from the dead, the transformation of human nature into immortality, there will be the ascension of all the righteous to Heaven into God's presence, and there will be the complete destruction of those who will receive the right to death. The earth will finally gain rest from man and will rest in this state for a thousand years.

But the message for our time is that Christ has already come. Whether I believe it or not, He is here, at the door, and He is knocking and asking to open. He is waiting for me to respond to this call. And this voice is audible. But Jesus' call also makes it clear that there will be those who, hearing, will not open and will not let in or, having let in once, will ask Him to leave. The word "if" indicates that someone will leave Christ standing outside the door of their heart forever and will not pay attention to the call to open and let in.

Has a friend ever come to visit you whom you didn't open the door to, knowing it was him? Not very pleasant memories. Either he was intrusive, or I was not ready for his visit, or the family situation did not allow me to let him in. And the friend didn't stand until I let him in, he didn't break into my door, but quietly left. And perhaps he visited me another time, and I received him. Earthly friends come and then leave, but Jesus wants to come to stay. And this is a huge difference. I understand what He wants. And I even sometimes ask Him to enter, but it happens that I then ask Him to leave my house so that I can be alone. And just in case, I close the door behind Jesus for Him, but not for temptations.

The enemy of the soul does not ask my permission for his visit, he breaks into the doors and windows of the soul, he bursts into life without asking and occupies free living space, putting his banner there, offering his friendship. He is not interested in my desires, but still he considers my choice. Satan tries to convince me that the voice behind the door is not so important, that I can still wait, that I am not ready for such a Guest yet. And the only thing that can drive the prince of darkness out of my life is the presence of Christ. And the enemy of the soul knows this and is afraid. I'm not afraid to live with such a dangerous guest who teaches me sin. He is my relative in the flesh, and Christ offers only spiritual values, which my flesh resists.

But somewhere in my soul, I dream of some changes in myself, I even read about it in the Bible. And I have already accepted a lot and believed in a lot. I open the window, lean out and ask Jesus to help me solve my problems, and He gladly helps me. He waits for me to open the door. And I go into the room and start singing psalms to the glory of God. And my demon friends sing along with me. Although sometimes they don't like my singing, and they tremble, fearing that under the influence of these words I will open the door for Christ, but I calm them with my desire to think and make a decision, putting it all off until tomorrow. And Jesus stands and knocks. And He sends me His friends to tell their experiences of life with Him, to show how good it will be for me if Christ settles with me. And I have so many important things, so many missionary projects, so much needs to be done before I die. I listen to them and rejoice that someday in old age I will still take this step, let the Lord in and dine with Him, and He will bless me and pour out His Spirit on me. And I will guide the youth on the true path, and everyone will listen to me and be touched. And I will point them to Jesus and teach them obedience. How interesting all this is!

In the parable of the ten virgins, there is a story that five of them were foolish. I never classified myself in this class, and I always felt sorry for them. I thought it was about pagans who were not interested in the wedding feast. Now I understand that this parable is about me, and that my vessel should be filled with oil. But I don't understand what it is. I know the answer, but how should it look in my life? Where is that Heavenly criterion by which I will be weighed? Will I be found light? What determines my weight?

In one of the museums in Switzerland, there are precise scales that they like to demonstrate to tourists. They put identical pieces of paper on both scales and the scales show equal weight. Then they take one piece of paper and put a signature on it and put it back. And the scale with the signature confidently pulls the scale down, showing that it is heavier than emptiness.

Will there be an inscription on my character that will give weight and significance to all my deeds?

I didn't think before about why Jesus came and stands at the door at this particular time, why He didn't come earlier? But this was His plan, not mine.

It is in our days that Christ decided to send me something unique that was not given to other people before me. And here He Himself has come and stands. He offers Himself for a special relationship with Him. He teaches me in a way that He has never taught anyone before. Why suddenly now? Simply because there is no time left. The door of grace is about to close. And then it will be too late to learn something. And now there are so many temptations, and they have become so accustomed to the church that they have become the norm of life among God's people. But it shouldn't be like this. God will not share His throne with sinners. And for this reason, Christ Himself decided to take the struggle of the last days into His own hands, for He understands that without His presence I will not stand. And Jesus never loses, so it's not me, but He in me and through me leads the fight and wins. This is His plan for the last time. And He stands at the door not for me to decide whether I need it or not, but to enter and teach me to fight and win. He gave me freedom of choice, but not for perdition. He suffers seeing my spiritual dying, and He does not rejoice in such an attitude towards Himself. Jesus does not leave offended if I delayed with the decision, but stands and knocks, knocks loudly and shouts. And He only leaves from those who have already forever decided not to open to Him and have confirmed this decision.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Revelation 3:20-21; 3:8,11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; 3:3; Revelation 17:14; 13:13-17; Matthew 24:21-25; Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 5:27; 12:1; Revelation 15:8; Isaiah 60:1-2 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What caused God's decision to send Christ into the world in this way before the end of Earth's history?

4. What advantage does the personal presence of Christ in my house give?

5. Where exactly does Jesus want to enter?

6. Why did the Lord limit His actions in the message to Laodicea to my choice?

7. If Jesus has entered my house, does this mean that He will now live in it forever, or is His stay conditioned by something?

8. Do you think your door is open for Christ?

9. What will happen to those who do not hear the voice of the Guest or do not open the door to Him?

10. Why did the Lord choose this particular plan?

There is a very interesting prophecy of Jesus about the Church of the last times, which I very often reread, knew by heart, studied many times, and didn't even notice that it existed. I didn't think about what it was saying.

It's also interesting that the Lord delivers His message specifically to those who will live at the very end of the last times, that is, to us. And this revelation was like a flash of bright light for me, thanks to which I saw what I didn't see and didn't know.

I was also very surprised that this message carries a rebuke to me because there is something in my life that shouldn't be there. And the Lord's words apply not only personally to me but to all of us, to God's children.

I suggest not speaking in riddles, but to learn about what we don't know yet. We read Revelation 3:17: "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."

Well said, right about our generation. And what did you learn? What did you hear? A familiar verse, often read by everyone.

Now attention! Let's read again, but for now only what needs to be seen:

"But you do not realize that you are wretched!!!"

To understand what misery is, and why we are so pitiful, it's necessary to know what happiness is, and what it is not.

I'll jump a little ahead.

Friends, studying the science of happiness, I realized that we simply don't know that it's a mystery, like the science of love. We hear words about happiness, but how it looks in life, one can only guess or see in movies. Although in life, we are all happy, and we don't even doubt it. And the Faithful Witness very clearly says that I am wretched, and I don't even know it, because I invented my own happiness and hid in it, considering myself in some sense possessing such a state.

If I don't understand what it means to be happy, and how this mechanism works, then sometimes I will experience it as something spontaneous, temporary, and unpredictable. And every time I will wait for influence from outside to enjoy life a little.

But if I know how Jesus thinks about what happiness is, and how to have it and live with it, then it will become manageable and constant, not fading in difficult moments of life, turning on at the first request. And, of course, a happy person is able to teach other people happiness very quickly if he himself understands what it is.

What words does the Sermon on the Mount begin with? With the teaching about happiness that people have lost. And it ends with a parable about two builders who decided to build this very happiness, only on different foundations. The first thing that came out of Jesus was His desire to see us all happy. He simply deeply grieves, seeing how we, having so many blessings, suffer in the shackles of our stereotypes, wish each other emptiness and run after the wind, trying to catch dust and make it our possession. And happiness is very close. It is accessible. It is at the distance of my decision and understanding.

But one decision is not enough.

For example, if I wish to become rich or very rich, it will be an interesting and even very interesting decision. And then what? I need knowledge, I need experience, I need money to fulfill my dream. And the path to such a goal lies through many trials, disappointments, losses. And if I finally solve this problem, I understand that I'm still only on the way. Remembering the paths I've traveled, I realize that not everything is so simple, but it's not difficult when you go in this direction. But it's impossible to become rich with a poor man's mind. All the millions that will come to me will not stay in my hands, but like water, will pass through my fingers and disappear in the sand of unnecessary expenses.

The same thing happens with happiness. Only one who has the mind of a happy person can be happy. And for this, knowledge, experience, and courage are necessary. Being happy is a challenge to the whole world, which offers a surrogate and a fake, which has trampled all the principles of happiness into the mud, replacing it with temporary, shaky, sensual, but very pompous and attractive pleasure and enjoyment.

From all sides on the advertisement of happiness, we see smiling faces, beautiful objects, wonderful landscapes for relaxation. And the soul dreams of having this, but you have to work hard to achieve all this. And we plow like oxen just to taste a piece of this cherished happiness. And life passes, and there's nothing to remember. And my whole life path is like a squirrel wheel, in which there is a lot of movement, but little sense.

And the Lord, looking at me, with love and hope, says that I am wretched and accordingly pitiful, and poor, and blind, and naked. And I show him the Bible, where all the strong thoughts are highlighted in red, my deeds that speak for themselves, my faith, and my nose held high. And He invites me to visit His store to acquire what will make me truly happy and rich.

I really want you, after reading this lesson, to understand who you really are in God's eyes, and what is necessary to become what He wants to see us.

Being happy is like the life of an athlete who trained to participate in the Olympic games, achieved victory, and stands on the podium, rejoicing in the path traveled. And he constantly fights with new rivals who dream of becoming better and taking his place.

Only in the Heavenly struggle, happy people do not deprive others of happiness, but do everything possible so that their neighbors reach the same height as they do. But the spirits of evil in the heavenly places hate truly happy people and constantly fight with them, wanting to throw them off the winners' pedestal and plunge all their joys of victory into the mud.

It's impossible to become a champion at the Olympics without intense training. And there are the same principles of applying effort to achieve victory in a happy life. There's no way to do without struggle and patience. But we have an excellent Trainer. He prepares Heavenly champions of happiness, love, and friendship, and those who have chosen His school will never regret it.

And to start building your house of happiness, it's important to understand what happiness is not. Then we won't use poor-quality material for construction. It's worth destroying the old and rotten structure that cracks and periodically collapses. It's necessary to draw up a plan and approve it in the Heavenly executive committee, to understand what you want, and most importantly - to get up and go, to start the path of a happy life, regardless of obstacles, wars, diseases, catastrophes, crises, hunger, sufferings that occur around.

Happiness is not always a wide smile and cloudless sky, it's rather God's peace and complete satisfaction with the inner harmony of my spirit in conjunction with eternal values.

And the advantage of agape happiness is that I can take it to Heaven. It will be mine forever there too, to please me, Jesus, my neighbors, and thanks to it, I will always be able to come up with new plans to conquer new territories where happiness exists, but my happiness is not there.

It's difficult for me to agree with Jesus' statement, but, comprehending the science of a happy life, I understand that He is right and knows what He's talking about. And I'm so grateful that He, having begun a good work in me, brings it to perfection in all fullness, adding His grace to my efforts. And so we always go together.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Revelation 3:14-18,21; 16:15; 22:7; Zephaniah 2:3; 3:17; Isaiah 61:3-6; Luke 5:36-38; Romans 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 in light of this chapter.

2. What new things did you learn from this chapter?

3. Does Jesus' statement that you don't know something about yourself apply to you?

4. Does Christ's very statement about my true wretched state give hope that He has a solution to this problem?

5. Do you believe that the Lord wants to see us happy and does everything for this?

6. Are you set for a happy life? Are you afraid to change the usual state of mind to a happy one?

7. What laws of happiness are you already familiar with from the lessons of this book?

8. Is happiness something collective or personal, or both?

9. After studying the lessons of this book, do you believe that you have a chance for a happy life?

10. Is happiness a gift from God or my decision?

11. Are you set to build happiness?

The house of happiness must be strong. I think none of you would want to live in a building that looks attractive but is not designed for bad weather and will not protect you from disaster, but will collapse on you and crush everyone inside. When it comes to an ordinary building, people show wisdom here and are ready to invest any means, just so that everything is reliable. But for some reason, they show surprising negligence regarding their soul, thinking that they can build anyhow or something, or not create anything at all. But it's worth paying attention to this as well.

Jesus began His ministry with the Sermon on the Mount. From the first words, He revealed the laws of happiness, explained the details of a blessed life, and ended His narrative with the construction of a house of happiness. Perhaps in previous centuries, it was not so important to pay attention to the quality of the walls, the main thing was that the house was built on the Rock. But in recent times, God wants to draw our attention to what and on what we are building, how and from what. And His goal is not just to teach us happiness, but to show the whole visible and invisible world what role love and the laws of bliss play even in critical times, and how they protect the soul that belongs to Christ.

The Lord Himself chose the means and tools for conducting the last battle between good and evil. The last victory will not be won by the blood of the saints and their death in torment for the faith, which Satan would so much like. This will happen with the help of those means that the Lord advises us to acquire in His message to Laodicea.

And in this message, He assures us that He Himself will come to sanctify our house with His personal presence and have communion with us in a cozy atmosphere.

The Lord convinces me of His love, calls for repentance, gently knocks and calls, wanting me to open. And He offers me gold, purified by fire, which, when melted, looks very much like golden oil, reflecting Heavenly light with bright iridescence. And if we take into account that the walls of my house are strong but hollow, I understand that this gold should be poured inside the walls so that all their elements are filled with golden material, which, when solidified, will give them special strength. And this is such an important process that Jesus came personally to control it. And how gently He asks to enter my house! How unobtrusive, but purposeful! Will I open?

I understand that if I ignore this voice of Christ, I will have problems. But I am very confused that the goods offered to me need to be bought. After all, in exchange for them, the Lord expects to receive what makes me wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. He wants to take all my time to teach me how to own these goods, and I value my time very much and strive to spend it on anything but studying what is offered to me. Besides, I'm very used to an unhappy life, and I don't want to change anything in it.

But the Lord doesn't leave me alone and tells me a story about 10 girls, five of whom were wise, and the others were like me. I began to observe the behavior of the wise ones. They began to stock up on oil from the Laodicean shop and spent a lot of time on it. And I watched and didn't understand why such a waste of means? Everything seems to be going as usual, and why do they need such strong houses to store this oil? And the knock and voice at my door constantly called me to join the wise girls. And I know that they are doing something interesting, and I see from Whom they are buying oil for themselves, but I don't have time to join them, because I need to serve and do deeds, and they are constantly studying something and rejoicing in some new discoveries and revelations. They constantly call me to join them. But I decide to wait.

And in general, I'm very tired of my load. I should rest. And the wise ones don't mind sleeping. I know that the Lord will warn me about events if they are approaching, so there's no need to worry about the future. If something happens, I know where I can buy everything necessary, and my unwise girlfriends support me in my understanding. I look, and the wise ones have already dozed off, and we are also getting sleepy, and as a result, we all fell asleep.

The Lord will not leave us, because He promised that He would be with us until the end of the age. Moreover, He has already come, and stands at the door, but wants to enter, however, only after my purchase.

Oh, this gold, this white garment, this eye salve! How long can they be offered? I even constantly dream about all this.

And how nice it is to sleep! They say that during sleep, the brain is rebooted, and it can work further with new strength.

Oh, I'll rest! And if something dangerous, then the Lord will warn me in advance. He loves to warn.

But here the midnight cry wakes us up. How dark! And the Bridegroom is coming. Where is my lamp? Everything is in place. But somehow it doesn't light up. Yes, there's no way without oil. And without a lamp, they won't let you into the wedding feast. And the wise girls can't give me anything, but advise me to go to the sellers and buy from them. But the Seller has gone! And what to do? I didn't expect such a turn. And the wise ones were really wise, and we laughed at them and twirled our finger at our temple. And they are already at the celebration. Well, I bought something, and my lamp seems to be burning, I need to hurry to make it. But the doors leading to the celebration closed. Wait!!! Me too!!! Wait!!! We want too!!! Oh, Jesus, it's us, please open! We're already here. Don't you know us? Stop mocking, you called me by name for so many years and held my right hand, and now you say you don't know? And didn't we prophesy in Your name? and didn't we cast out demons in Your name? and didn't we do many wonders in Your name?

Why don't You know us? We need to depart from You? We do lawlessness? Where did You get that from? Well, open, I'm asking you, Lord!!!

How terrible it is to be behind the door! And I heard this voice and these warnings for so many years. I saw how the wise ones prepared, and I knew that they had something valuable, but I was ignorant, expecting that the Lord would again gently convict me and offer something else, not expecting anything from me. After all, I'm used to getting everything just like that and for free. And He didn't warn me, but simply moved away from me when I finally fell asleep. And I so believed that the time of grace would never end, and I can improve my financial condition during this time and build large warehouses for my goods. Oh, how much I have of everything, and how rich I have become! And who will all this go to? And now I am wretched, and everyone around me is wretched. And suddenly we realized that we had lost something very important and valuable that would never become ours again. And it was so close! So accessible!

And my house couldn't withstand the pressure of the waters, which are the passions of the wicked, and it collapsed. And with it, all my plans collapsed. What did I live for? What did I believe for? Why didn't I take interest in the main thing and didn't listen to those who talked so much about love and happiness in Jesus?

You can still watch them on YouTube, read their books. But it's no longer possible to become like they became. And I didn't imagine that everything would end so quickly. How dark! How painful! Oh, if I could bring it all back, I would devote all my time to searching!

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 3:14-22; and especially Revelation 3:18; Matthew 7:21-27; Habakkuk 2:9-14; Psalm 127:1-2; Jeremiah 29:5-7; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17; 4:1-5; 1 Peter 4:10 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Did you notice that after the narrative about how bad it will be for those who use the Lord's name in vain, Jesus advises building a house? Matthew 7:21-27

4. To which category of the 10 virgins do you currently relate yourself?

5. Is it worth knowing in our last times what the oil for the lamp represents?

6. Did you notice the common parallels from the parable of the ten virgins and the message to Laodicea? What exactly is common in this?

7. Why doesn't Jesus send any messages to the ten virgins?

8. Who do the ten virgins symbolize, and what time is being referred to there?

9. Is it worth building your house of happiness in the last time?

10. What relationship does agape love have to the parable of the ten virgins?

11. Are you not afraid to be left outside the door when the Bridegroom comes?

12. When will the favorable time come for building the house of your happiness?

13. How important is it now to understand what happiness is, how to build it, and what it consists of?

14. What should I do if I understand that everything I have built so far is wrong and dangerous, although it partially has eternal materials?

15. Should I start building happiness if I'm about to retire soon, and I don't have much time left to live in this world, and I have no heirs?

What has been on everyone's lips lately? I think it's Covid-19.

Coronavirus. What is it? God's judgments? A consequence of unsanitary conditions? Biological weapon? Political games? We can only guess, but no one will tell us the whole truth now. But the disease exists, and everyone is talking about it. Covid came into our lives as something unexpected, scary, and significant.

At first, no one paid attention to it, but all media from morning to evening transmit information about Covid, aggravating the situation. Governments of different countries close borders and put people in quarantine. And no one is outraged, only fear of an unknown disease. People are dying, and no one wants to be next.

I'm not a specialist in medicine, and I'm far from politics, but I'll share the revelations and observations I had these days.

The first and most important thing I noticed is that different big things cannot coexist simultaneously in my heart. When I have close and constant communion with Jesus, He becomes so significant and gives such peace in my heart that all other problems against this background become extremely small and insignificant. But when I start looking at what's happening in the world and make it big and significant, Jesus becomes tiny and distant. Different thoughts and questions come, to which there are no answers. Everything becomes gloomy and secret. What to do? Where to look for a way out? And you want to figure it out on your own and find an answer.

And there is an answer! Only in God is there peace. Jesus has long been saying to everyone the words we read in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

It is the Lord who gives peace to the soul. But there is one condition that sounds - "come". And those who come are calmed.

In our days, Psalm 91:3-6 is very relevant: "Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday." It's as if it's written about our time.

But there is a key to understanding that this promise is conditional and applies only to those about whom it is said: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name." Verse 14. And this is not said about everyone, but only about those who already have knowledge of God and love Him.

Having an understanding that God loves us all and saves us is a good direction of thought. But knowing God personally as a Father who loves me and as a Savior from the power of sin is a completely different matter. The Most High gave the most precious thing He has - His Son, and He is waiting for me to believe in Him and accept this gift. God wants to see my interest in this Gift and thirst for knowing and receiving the Son.

And I take God's promises for myself in reserve for the time of disaster and keep them, like crutches, just in case. A trial comes, and I'm not ready.

I also noticed that, if we compare, this new virus is very similar to sin. The same effect, but more rapid. The virus, once in the body, affects the lungs, destroys immunity and kills its victim. And it's very contagious. Sin does the same thing. Getting into the heart, it affects the mind, destroys the will, and ruins the soul. And it's also extremely contagious.

It's easier to fight the virus because its influence is short-lived and causes vivid symptoms. But what to do with sin? It's not always easy to identify. You can suffer from it all your life and die in deep old age, without understanding that you are a sinner who never found the Savior. And why? After all, I don't do harm to people.

If everything is clear with sin, then there is still one very important problem of our time that needs to be solved while there is an opportunity. This is the lukewarm state of the Laodicean. Here many questions and objections arise. And the essence of God's answer is that all lukewarm children of God will be left without oil in their lamps and risk perishing during the crisis and tribulation. And Jesus will say about them that He does not know them.

Protection from the virus will bring temporary refuge from the disease, and protection from sin will bring life with God. Knowing the Most High will give me life in abundance and with special meaning.

Jesus does not leave me in ignorance about my true state and says that I don't even know how wretched, and poor, and blind, and naked I am in His eyes. And He shows a way out of this situation, offering to make a deal with Him.

All the goods that He advises me to buy are invisible to the eye, so I can pass by and not notice them, not appreciating the Heavenly treasure that is offered to me.

Love and faith have the power and authority to enrich me and make my heart hot. A loving heart will never be lukewarm. It will never grow cold if a person wears the white robe of Christ's righteousness, covering nakedness and imperfection.

Oh, if we, with the same passion with which we now talk about the coronavirus, reasoned and thought about how to get this gold, clothing, and eye salve so as not to be lukewarm, then all of Heaven would be set in motion.

If I were now convinced that Jesus is still standing at the door of my heart, and let Him into all areas of my life, how much benefit I would derive! How I would please God with my interest in the Son, in friendship and communion with Him.

Getting out of a lukewarm state is not so difficult, but for those who don't understand how and why, it's impossible. The truth of our time is that I will not become hot by accident or for company. I must clearly understand that I am lukewarm, admit it, and then buy what the Faithful and True Witness offers me, Who does not want to stand outside and talk about Himself, but wants to become part of me and be in me.

What should I do with this?

A loving heart constantly abides in the fire of trials. It cannot cool down while the struggle is going on, but because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. My hot deeds combined with the absence of love make me consistently lukewarm.

One who is cold in everything has more chances of realizing their need for the Savior and His goods. But even understanding this does not endow me with God's qualities. It is necessary to get up and go, take and buy, acquire, put on, anoint, and open. No one will do this for me.

Perhaps the will is paralyzed. Probably, someone should be brought to Jesus, and He comes to someone Himself, but the person himself must accept God's offer of healing. And if at Christ's command: "Rise and walk" the will does not react and does not give a command to the body, then what can God do for this soul? Just sympathize with it and leave it to be sick further. To great regret, very many lukewarm children of God will remain in this state forever and, according to Jesus' word, will be spewed out of His mouth.

When Jesus offers Himself and all His love, then, I think, it's not worth ignoring this offer. One should accept and buy exactly what He advises. But if I have no need and thirst, then I will not be able to appreciate what God offers me, and having bought it, I will not use it. And without such an antidote in my heart, I will perish.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Psalm 29:3; 91:1-16; 107:19-20; Revelation 3:14-22; Ephesians 5:14; Ezekiel 36:23-27; 37:5-10; Isaiah 13:12; Matthew 24:12-13; Isaiah 43:11-12; 52:10-12; 55:1; Exodus 15:26; Luke 12:29-32; John 5:8; Matthew 12:15; 14:14; 15:30; Isaiah 6:10; 53:5 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Is the example of big and small things in your heart clear to you?

4. What size is Jesus in your life?

5. Are you set for happiness in the coming days of impending trials?

6. Why is it necessary to prepare for the crisis of the last time now, and not wait for the moment when it begins?

7. Do you remember what is offered in the message to Laodicea? And what is expected from me in return?

8. Why is the oil for the lamp not given to all believers in a row, but only the wise receive it?

9. Do you understand what oil means in your life and in your case? Are you sure you are receiving it?

10. Have you paid attention to the message to Laodicea, especially verse 18? Are these symbols clear to you?

11. Why did Jesus tell the parable of the houses on the Rock and sand?

12. How does gold refined by fire enrich me?

13. Will the Lord teach those who buy Heavenly goods from Him to own them and gain victories?

14. How to prepare for the coming trials to withstand them?

15. How do you imagine the last time?

Studying the Bible prophecies about the last times, one can very clearly understand that each person must take a direct part in their salvation. God will deliver and protect His people, but people themselves must also do something. God's main expectation from me is that I think in these days and understand that very little time is left. And, reflecting on this, I need to answer very important questions: "Do I have oil in my lamp? Can I shine?" For this, it's important for me to understand what oil is.

We have studied these questions before, and we already have an idea about these symbols. But how deeply did we understand them?

You can simply define a word, but that's not all. Who among you rereads the Bible and looks into your heart with a desire to understand whether you have this oil in yourself, and how it manifests? It's good to know the theory, but it's important to make it your life. I understand the following. If there is oil in my lamp, then I still need to be able to use it. Collecting God's blessings for the museum of my knowledge is not a very good occupation in recent times.

The parable of the ten virgins teaches that wisdom in relationship with God is welcomed, and it will be the decisive factor in the final events.

In Daniel 12:10 we read: "Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."

The wisdom of the last time consists in having a close, personal relationship with Jesus, delving into oneself and the teaching, accepting all the Lord's advice and making all God's recommendations part of one's life.

In Revelation 3:18, we are given the most important advice. And it is intended specifically for our time. This advice is so significant that one can boldly state the following. I risk losing salvation if I don't accept what Jesus advises me to buy.

According to the parable of the ten virgins, oil is sold somewhere. And the foolish virgins knew where, and went to buy. But they had a problem. The seller had already left, and then from behind closed doors told them that he did not know them. I think this is a very serious warning. And right now is the gracious time to buy oil.

But another big problem is that the enemy of the soul is also trading. He very successfully offers everything possible that enchants my mind. By his sorcery, Satan leads me astray. We read about this in Revelation 18.

About Satan it is written in Ezekiel 28:16: "By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God..."

Trade is a mutual relationship aimed at buying, selling or exchanging goods. Negotiation can also be called trade, during which we come to a common agreement on the upcoming transaction and discuss the terms of its implementation.

Currently, the enemy of the soul is conducting extensive trade with us, offering us everything possible, just to distract our attention from Eternal values, from goods for Laodicea. Satan is ready to give all his riches, just so that we do not buy what Christ advises us to buy.

It's sad that I, knowing where oil is sold, choose another seller for myself and start bargaining with him, thinking that I will always have time to go to the Laodicean store. Christ calls such people foolish.

Read into the future of Babylon from Revelation 18:23-24: "The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."

What did you understand from this verse? Light, lamp, voice of the bridegroom. What familiar words from the parable of the ten virgins! But Satan's charms have led everyone astray. The word "sorcery" in this verse sounds like this: Revelation 18:23: φαρμακείᾳ (pharmakeia). In the original, it means medicine, poison, sorcery. The name Pharmacology came from the root of this word. And in recent times, we hear how people engaged in this science offer us strange things for our safety and healing. Coincidence? Rather, the fulfillment of prophecies. I think that all this is part of the great Babylon.

And Jesus offers us gold refined by fire, white garments, and eye salve. So simple, so unobtrusive. Everything is so symbolic.

And if you look at the mentioned goods through the eyes of a modern person, you can see Jesus, who extends a small box with an engagement ring. What is this? I think any girl will very quickly understand the meaning of such a symbol. But God's people are somehow not very far-sighted in this matter. I went into the store, looked at what was offered to me. Took a couple of pictures for memory against the background of Heavenly goods and went out. And if I'm more savvy, I can also study the ingredients of what I'm advised to purchase. The seller doesn't impose anything on me, but very modestly offers. And waits.

Being wise and thoughtful, I decide to buy Heavenly treasures and happily carry them to my home. And the Seller is right there, already knocking, offering to spend time personally with Him at my table and dinner.

Imagine a girl who, seeing an engagement ring in a box, grabbed it and ran away in joy, forgetting about the groom, and then doesn't open the door of her house to him, thinking that he will take this ring back, and she will be left with nothing. This is exactly how I behave towards Christ. And it happens that, seeing His offer and understanding what it's about, I turn my back on Him or politely say that I will think about it and will definitely give an answer, and even sometime come again. And if it happens that I come, I see His happy smile again, and once again Jesus offers Himself in the symbols of His goods.

And what will I decide at this moment? Where is my wisdom?

The fact is that Christ decided not to unite His life with a foolish wife, and He will not enter into a close relationship with the unwise, although, out of His love, the Lord gives the blessing of His agape to all who desire. But if I'm more interested in blessings than the Blesser, then I will receive according to my need exactly what I choose. If I give my beloved a ring, and she sees in it a piece of gold that can be sold for 50 Euros and get rich, then what else can I do for this girl? I will have to say goodbye to her in my heart, so that I never offer her anything again. Never.

But fortunately, our Lord is more patient and condescending. He is ready to hear a hundred refusals in order to get consent and make a deal on the hundred and first time. And then He will knock on my door for several years to finally enter in my old age. Yes, He is Like That. But time is not like that.

Remember, friends, that what was before and what there was always enough time for, can quickly change today. The doors of grace, which were wide open for different periods of growth, can unexpectedly close forever in our days. Are you thinking about this? Are you not afraid to find yourself outside the doors?

How do you understand, friend, what is being offered to you now? Will you really leave again? Or maybe you'll buy?

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Luke 18:7-8; Matthew 22:4-5; 25:1-13; John 2:16; Isaiah 55:1-2; Revelation 3:18; 18:1-24; Daniel 12:3,10 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the importance of what Jesus advises those living in the Laodicean period?

4. Do you think the end of all our earthly plans will come soon?

5. Will Jesus warn me in advance about the closing of the time of grace so that I have time to acquire what He offers?

6. What fate will befall the unwise children of God?

7. Who are the foolish virgins?

8. Are you a wise person? How did you determine this?

9. After reading this lesson, did you have a desire to clarify with God whether you are on a dangerous path?

10. Why did the Lord hide His blessings in symbols?

11. Do you understand what Jesus advises you to buy?

12. Do you understand that if you don't buy anything, you risk losing everything?

13. Will the Lord invent a new plan of salvation for the foolish virgins?

14. Do you understand the importance of what's happening?

15. What are you doing, understanding the importance of everything?

The end of the last time differs from the past in that it is now that the Lord intends to implement all His plans in our lives and produce colossal changes in our hearts. Our faith will be comprehensively tested, and all prophecies about the last days will be fulfilled before our eyes.

The enemy of the soul is strengthening his positions to deliver a decisive blow and not stop until the final victory. He will act in all directions, and few will withstand the influence of his sorcery. Satan's task now is to distract God's children from the truth for the present time, to prevent them from understanding the meaning of the symbols of oil for the lamp, so that the message to Laodicea remains in the shadows. Satan is happy to load us with anything, just to keep us in ignorance for as long as possible.

Jesus addresses His people seriously enough and, not mincing words, speaks of His disgust with our lukewarm state. And I listen to this address and agree that I am lukewarm. I am honest in this admission. I sincerely believe that this is so, and even call myself so. But in Revelation 3:18-20, I am given a way out of my lukewarm state, the Lord offers Himself, assures me of His love and personally comes to me to teach me those truths that will help me overcome all trials and withstand all temptations. And this power is available. It works. It is given to all who desire, the wise and the thinking. The enemy of the soul cannot resist God's plans. He is not able to prevent God from carrying out His intentions. The devil knows the power of the Most High and trembles before Him. But the enemy of the soul is allowed to tempt and produce his enchantment even among the elect, without depriving them of life. This is what Satan is busy with. Lack of interest and spiritual indifference to the truth for the present time have become the norm of life for God's children. The spiritual growth of new church members becomes rapid from getting to know God and first love. It turns into discipleship, moving into the stage of success, and stops there. And God invites to go further, but already personally to each, to overcome all inclinations to sin and rise to spiritual perfection in love, passing through the dark night of the soul, through the journey inside oneself, through the journey outward, so that everyone can reach the knowledge of the depth of God's agape love and make it their own, part of themselves. Those who manage to penetrate into the very essence of God's heart and feed from God's hands, receiving the Bread of life every morning, understand that they have known God, and He lives in them. And this realization brings inexplicable happiness to life. Life in God becomes amazingly beautiful, and revelations of God's love become commonplace.

A loving heart can see everything. It can understand the spirit of those with whom it has communion, in order to serve these people to the best of its ability. But even at this stage of faith, a loving soul is capable of falling under the influence of the temptations of the evil one and falling into extremes. And this can be a special zeal for God and His law.

For example, seeing the advantage and power of love and understanding how it works, and what colossal potential it has, I can take on the prerogative of God and become a spiritual judge or accuser of brothers. Seeing their lukewarm state, I begin to boldly reproach them in this, giving them no chance. And Biblical prophecies and convictions affirm my words and make them like driven nails. As a result, the lukewarm soul becomes desperate. Laodicea has no strength to get out of its lukewarm state on its own, and any firm statement about sin plunges the tired soul into the darkness of hopelessness. And in such a position, a person simply gets lost. He can either become completely disillusioned with everything and move away from faith or become embittered against the whole world, standing in opposition.

But the loving heart has gone through all these stages of faith, and it knows how difficult it is to make decisions about moving upward and how difficult it is to go through the fire of purification. And love begins very carefully, with tenderness to show the way out, sharing its personal experience and not hiding its mistakes.

Endowing the soul with salvation is the authority of Christ, and only He decides which of us will be saved, and who will be deprived of this right forever. I sometimes cannot even be sure of myself, knowing how sinful and extremely corrupt I am. And only faith in God's mercy and the presence of God's love helps me to stay in the heart of the Most High.

Tenderness should be learned. Reverence does not come into my life by itself. These properties of the soul are acquired through many mistakes and falls. I have been a judge of my neighbors many times, and God calls me to serve them. If I rebuke someone, it is worth doing it with love for these people, feeling their readiness and offering them a solution. And there is a solution. But not everyone will want to get out of the lukewarm state. Laodicea gives false confidence in wealth and abundance of everything. It satiates the soul, dressing it in clothes of imaginary righteousness. And not everyone will dare to leave such a cozy place. But I don't know the true motives of a person and the peculiarities of his perception of information and its processing, so I can start to fit everyone to my standards. And having a spiritual advantage in love and seeing others as on the palm of my hand, I am able to lose sight of Christ and try to save and bring my neighbors out of the lukewarm state with my own strength, tying these souls to myself. And as a result, I burn out, and Jesus stands nearby and grieves about me. But He allows me to fall into extremes, and then opens my eyes, because otherwise I will not understand how bad and destructive it is.

God, saving certain people, does not make mistakes in His decision. I think I will be very surprised when I see in Eternity those on whom I put a cross and did not want to give them my attention and did not even pray for them. And when I do not find among the saved people who were for me an example of faith and courage, then I will be even more surprised at how such people could perish. But nothing unclean will enter God's Kingdom, and the blood of Christ will not wash away beloved sins, and I don't know much. Everything is open to God. And when in the light of Eternity, God's purity and holiness, I look at my "holy" earthly life, I will be surprised at how I inherited salvation with all this burden. And only God's love and mercy will be the answer to my surprise.

But as long as a person is alive, there is hope that he can change something. And it is necessary to talk about God's plans for us. It is worth warning those who are mistaken and rebuking those who have fallen away, but not judging them, but giving hope and showing the way out.

Now there are many accusers and fighters for justice, and they have something to tell sinners. But who teaches people love, who thinks about the happiness of the sinner? Who will leave everything to serve the hopelessly sick?

Love gives answers to all these questions in itself. It calmly carries out its mission in my life and in the lives of others. It is the final product of Heavenly trade with Laodicea, and it cannot be faked or confused with anything. It is sent to me to guide my motives and feelings, to form the right thinking in me and make the way of thinking righteous. Love has no substitute. It either exists or it doesn't. And Jesus Himself dwells in this love. And He knows who has it. Jesus does not make mistakes.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Revelation 3:18-20; Romans 12:9-18; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Peter 2:1-5; Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Peter 1:22-23; Psalm 96:10-13; Proverbs 21:3; Ecclesiastes 3:16-17; Isaiah 1:16-19; 1 Corinthians 6:1-12 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are you familiar with the state of heart when you see your superiority over others and begin to judge them?

4. Is judgment always something bad and wrong?

5. What can and should be judged? 1 Corinthians 6:3

6. Why does the Lord Himself decide who will be saved and who will perish?

7. If you were given the power to save people for Eternal life, who would you save, and what criterion would you be guided by?

8. Why does my fair condemnation often cause resentment towards me from my neighbors? After all, I'm right!

9. Do you feel right? Do you have clothes with an inscription about it?

10. How does my righteousness differ from God's?

11. Why can my judgment of my neighbor become an unacceptable extreme?

12. What role does love play in fair and deserved condemnation?

13. Does love judge someone, or does it love and forgive everyone?

14. Are there sins that even God cannot forgive?

15. Do you think your spiritual state causes joy and approval of Christ?

When someone says "John 3:16," the prophecy about Christ's mission and God's love immediately comes to mind. This verse has become the motto of many Christians. But does the combination of numbers 3 and 18 bring you joy? Do you immerse yourself in the depth of revelations when you hear these numbers? Does your head spin with happiness when you see this mathematical combination?

This is exactly what this lesson is called, for it is meant to be forever etched in your consciousness and change your life for the better and unusual.

The Lord addresses you, saying, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3. Do you believe that God will fulfill this promise? But it is conditional. And the condition is written in the first word: "Call." Do you understand what this means? This can be roughly compared to an electrical fire in your house, when the fire has cut off all paths to the exit, and very quickly engulfs the entire room, approaching you. And you call the fire department to tell them something. What will you ask them for? About your children? About a good job? About blessing for life? I think that all this, although important, becomes secondary in this situation compared to what is happening around you. When you understand that your life is in mortal danger, then everything changes in your mind. And it's very difficult to predict a person's behavior in such a situation. I think that during a fire, the least you want to do is sleep, eat, and look for entertainment. Only one thing matters: saving life. And the first thing firefighters do is save those who are trapped in the flames. My appeal to the fire department is in tune with the word: "Call." This is a command and advice, and an offer from the One who understands very well what is happening in my spiritual life, but without my call for help cannot do anything.

Are we living in dangerous times? Yes. Does this danger have a spiritual basis that threatens the death of my soul? Yes, and the further we go, the more likely it is that the end of everything will soon come.

The enemy of the soul understands that he has little time left, and therefore he acts very actively, setting his traps everywhere. What is happening in the world now is like fitting us all with shackles, which is done in an attempt to understand which of them will suit better. Under the motto of "benefits for society," we are deprived of the small freedoms we had. Before our eyes, the image of the beast is being prepared to make it our mark. And what are those who have been given great light thinking about?

The state of God's people in the last time is very clearly described in the message to Laodicea. And the Lord Himself calls my spirituality a very lukewarm state, which makes Him nauseous. And if Jesus says so, then this is the truth. There is nothing good in me for which I can be praised, but I am given a way out, a solution, and hope. Verse 3:18 very clearly tells what I need to do to be saved.

This is a Heavenly fire service that is ready to save me from myself. They are waiting for my call. And since my fire is invisible to the naked eye, the help will also be invisible to curious passers-by.

And if we take the situation of the last time and start looking for a way out, if we understand what God offers me in the form of my Salvation plan, then the verse from Revelation 3:18 explains everything and solves all tasks and problems.

Friends, if you have not yet understood what this verse means for God's people living in the last time, then stop, cease all your affairs and ask yourself the question: "What does God want to tell me through this Revelation from above?" And it is very important to understand the meaning of those symbols in which something very important for salvation is hidden.

If I say that before the Second Coming of Christ, it is extremely necessary to have a supply of oil in your lamp, then I think you will all agree with this, remembering the parable of the ten virgins. But what does this oil mean? And where are the sellers? And why is this oil sold? And how much does it cost? It's difficult to answer without knowing God's plan. Usually, they say it's the Holy Spirit. But if you think about it, the answer, although correct, is incomplete and very vague. Sometimes it serves as a common cover for my ignorance in this matter. And how to determine if I have enough Holy Spirit for my lamp to burn? And what does the fire in this lamp mean? And such simple questions open to me the abyss of my ignorance. And the answer needs to be known, and it is necessary to understand that this is the correct answer, and that the foundation is in God's Word.

The oil for the lamp is God's product, which only God sells. And the only place where it is very clearly said about this trade is in Revelation 3:18. Jesus advises to buy something very valuable in the eyes of Heaven.

Previously, I fleetingly ran through this verse, knowing that it exists, not even imagining that it offers me all of Heaven, the entire Heavenly Family in all Its fullness and all accompanying blessings. And these goods change my life if I start to study and acquire them. But I can't just take and buy them, become their owner without paying with what God values. The foolish virgins knew where the oil was sold, but they did not invest their time in this purchase to open the depth and make this product their own, learning to use it. Not wanting to invest their time in acquiring oil, they fell asleep, missing a precious opportunity. And in a hurry, you can only acquire a fake.

And now the Lord very seriously offers us to call to Him and bring our time and our stained clothes as payment for Heavenly goods. God calls to exchange this for a school program of learning to own the acquired goods.

The Lord wants me to stop at the sign 3:18 and not go further until I load into the baggage of knowledge what is put up for sale. I have to decipher the meaning of all these symbols. And this is possible. I have to learn to freely own this, as I own my native language. And this is possible. I need to make sure that I receive what is put up for sale. I call, and I am shown. I seek and find.

But the Lord assures me that He Himself will personally come to me, call, knock and enter when I open my door. Then He will dine with me. And this ordinary dinner will grow into a wedding feast. Verse 19:9 convinces me of this. And the foolish virgins will not be admitted to the wedding celebration, and they will be told that they are not known.

It is very important to understand that God's knowledge of me depends on the amount of time spent with Him when I tried to understand His plan for my Salvation.

If the Lord Himself gives me a way out of the lukewarm state, advising to buy what is necessary, and at the same time comes personally to spend time with me, teaching me how to live in new purchases, then it would be extreme ignorance to ignore this advice and choose other paths for myself.

Reason returned to the foolish virgins when they realized that their lamps were going out. They knew where the oil was sold, but constantly postponed these preparations.

Friends, I strongly advise you to stop right now at verse 3:18 and not go anywhere further until you are convinced that what God offers has become yours, and you understand what it is, and live with it in your heart.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Revelation 3:18-22; Matthew 25:1-12; 7:21-23; 22:11-14; Romans 13:10-14; Revelation 16:15-16; 19:7-9 in light of this chapter.

2. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

3. How do you understand God's promise from Jeremiah 33:3?

4. Do you understand the meaning of the symbols in Revelation 3:18?

5. What is "oil for the lamp"? How can I determine if I have it in my lamp?

6. Why do you need to have this oil?

7. What was the mistake of the foolish virgins?

8. What is God's plan for our time in light of Revelation 3:18?

9. Why does Jesus sell His goods, and how can I pay for them?

10. What prevented the foolish virgins from participating in the Wedding Feast?

11. Do you spend enough time studying God's plan of Salvation concerning you directly?

12. What can we call those who, knowing where oil is sold, are not in a hurry to acquire it or show indifference to this issue?

13. Why is it so important to have oil and fire in the lamp?

14. Did the virgins' lamps continue to burn during their sleep?

15. To which group of virgins do you attribute yourself? Why did you decide so?

Let's look at the parable of the last times, spoken in Matthew 25:1-12. It was told by Jesus in the context of the narrative about prophetic events at the end of the world and about the destruction of Jerusalem. The Lord combined two descriptions, making it clear that there would be similarities between them. At the end of history, what happened at the beginning of Christianity will be repeated. In the parable of the 10 virgins, the idea of watchfulness and the presence of oil in the lamp is vividly expressed. But it's worth understanding what the oil for the lamp is, and what it cannot be. Since oil is a symbol of something, it cannot be an ordinary substance that is poured into the burner. It's also important to figure out whether oil is something or someone. If it's someone, how can it be bought or stocked up? Many questions arise that are difficult to answer. Usually, they say it's a symbol of the Holy Spirit. As far as I know, the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and manifests His power in many visible qualities of character in the spiritual and mental sphere. It's difficult for me to imagine how one can stock up on Him. It is written that "The Spirit breathes where it wishes." If we talk about human behavior, it is expressed in the fruit of the Spirit or in the deeds of the flesh.

If oil is Jesus, then even more questions arise. How can I fill the lamp with Him? And how to set Him aside in reserve? And what does this mean?

And about God the Father, I won't even speak. And at the same time, we read that God is in us, and Jesus is in us, and we are in Him, and the Spirit of God is in us. And I understand that we are talking about my consciousness and heart, which are united into one whole with my Savior, and the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to me, and me to Him.

But if I try to explain all this through human logic, I will confuse myself and confuse others.

The Faithful Witness offers to buy goods in which I see God with the eyes of faith. But God is not for sale. And acquiring what is offered, I remain human. But why should I pay for this?

We see that throughout the history of Christianity, God gives everything for free, but at the very end, He changes the program of action and starts selling. And asks for a lot. That is my essence, that I don't always appreciate what I get for free, but I usually buy what is important to me and what I need.

And how can I figure all this out?

Here's an excerpt from "Testimonies for the Church":

"The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire is faith and love. It enriches the heart, for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depositary of all graces. He says: 'Buy of Me.'" (4T, p.88)

Buying is only the first step. You also need to learn how to use it and win.

Let me give you an example. I bought the best welding machine that can do everything. I dream of becoming a welder. And, bringing my purchase home, I began to understand the device of this instrument. It turns out there are so many programs and settings that I don't understand. I started looking for information on YouTube and realized that welding is a whole science with its own laws and secrets, which you can't learn at once. I need advice from experienced specialists, and this takes time. And I have no time. I thought that just having the coolest welding machine would make me a specialist in welding, but I was mistaken in my self-confidence. And to take welding courses, I need to enroll in school, study for the allotted time and pass exams. As a result, the new device lies in a dusty corner as a witness to my ignorance.

Understanding what oil for the lamp is, I decide to buy it. I buy it. It's mine, and what's next? And then what happened is what I see in the parable: the wise girls began to study and stock up on this oil, spend their time and money on a deeper knowledge of this science, and the unwise virgins acquired something and calmed down on this. And it's sad that none of the foolish girls had a new saving message.

Although they knew where the filling station was, they thought they would always have time to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience. However, they were mistaken. And these were not people from the world, but God's children who were preparing to become the bride of Christ and enter the wedding feast with Him.

The importance of the message to Laodicea and the parable of the 10 virgins is colossal! And those who began to delve into these narratives and draw treasures of revelations from them felt the influence of the teaching power of the Holy Spirit on themselves.

I don't set myself the task of conveying the meaning and proving to you the essence of these descriptions, but I really want to convince you that they are not just written in the Bible. They are extremely important and necessary for us right now, while it's not too late to change something.

I have experience explaining these messages to different people. And I noticed that those who have ears immediately pay attention to God's message, and the Holy Spirit begins to personally reveal to them what they need to know. But there are also those who immediately forget what it's about, or have no interest in it. God forbids me to annoy such people. And how I want to convince the skeptic and prove to him that being happy and loving is a huge advantage given by God. However, it's impossible to force someone to become like that.

Do you hear many calls and sermons about oil for your lamp? Is no one really interested in what you have in stock? Why isn't this topic dug so deeply to grasp its meaning and importance? After all, if I don't have what God offers, I won't derive any benefit from everything else. And this means that I will not endure the trials of the last days, and the mark of the beast will become mine, if not in mind, then in deed. Aren't you scared of such a turn of events, friends? Maybe it's worth thinking about what God advises? Maybe we should allocate time to learn how to use His gifts? Moreover, the Teacher Himself is standing at the door and knocking.

The value of the offered goods is also determined by the fact that they improve the quality of life, give hope for a better fate, open Heavenly perspectives and show a beautiful future that awaits the winners. These acquisitions lift me above the cares of this world. And how can those who have no weapons or don't know how to use them win? Such a person will lose and won't rise anywhere. And if I decide that I, like a hedgehog, can protect myself with my prickles, then this is not a victory, but a game of hide-and-seek inside myself, but I need to learn to fly. For a hedgehog to fly, wings of faith are needed. And someone is waiting for a kick. Both will fly. But with what result? And what do you choose?

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Revelation 3:18; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Peter 1:6-8; Galatians 5:6; 6:6; Psalm 12:6; 66:10; 119:127; John 15:5-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Colossians 3:3,12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What warning from God in the parable of the ten virgins did you hear?

4. How do you understand what oil is?

5. Explain how oil is related to goods from the Laodicean store?

6. Why are we offered to buy these goods, and not just take them?

7. What do the symbols of oil and lamp mean to you?

8. Did you notice that oil is sold, and Laodicean goods are also sold? Is there any similarity in this?

9. What is the value of the offered goods?

10. How to win, whom to win, and why do you need to win?

11. Do you have an interest in a deeper study of the narratives about the last time?

12. Is everything clear to you in the parable of the ten virgins?

13. Do you know the correct answer to what oil for the lamp is, and what it is not?

14. Do you have any questions on the topic being studied?

15. Is it really important to know what oil is?

When I was in middle school, we had math textbooks with various problems. Each year these problems became more complex, and they had to be solved without aids. During a test, I could only use my own knowledge. But it was also interesting that in each textbook, on the very last pages, there was a section with correct answers. I could always compare what I got after my calculations with what was at the end of the textbook. I also understood that if I decided not to calculate anything on my own, but simply take the ready answer and write it in without providing the teacher with a scheme of my analysis of the task, he would not accept such a solution and would give me a failing grade. Therefore, I had to rack my brains over each new equation, and it took a lot of my personal time, which I could have spent walking and spending time with street friends. And my parents wouldn't let me go out until I did all my homework correctly, which I always really disliked.

Now I don't worry about spending some time solving these problems and not being able to go for a walk. I don't think about the mistakes I made, getting bad grades. All this formed in me the ability to study, persistence, patience, and diligence, which came in very handy later. And when I believed in Christ, then the peculiarities of my ability to learn and know became a special blessing for me.

If I receive a task from the Lord, I understand that it should be solved independently, without using other people's hints as a ready answer. Although, if I initially know the final result and see the goal I should reach, it's easier for me to navigate in the search for truth and choose the right direction.

Studying the science of love in our School, we have come to the conclusion that the message to Laodicea and the parable of the ten virgins directly concern our topic, and these messages teach and reveal to us that love is something very important. You need to have it. It's worth searching for independently, filling your life with this gift.

But at the end of our textbook is the correct answer. Let's read it. In the book "Christ's Object Lessons," at the very end it is written: "The oil for the lamps symbolizes the Holy Spirit" (p. 406). And then there are references to Scripture and a short explanation. People who have read this book have understood the correct answer, and confidently give it out when I ask: "And what is the oil for my lamp?" I answered like that myself.

And do you know who is the most ardent defender of the theory of evolution in our time? Those who superficially encountered this teaching and believed in what was presented to them. And for them, even the lack of evidence and the fact that this theory has remained a theory for 175 years is not evidence of the doubtfulness of evolutionary assumptions, which can be accepted as truth only on faith. But if you ask a professor of evolution to present evidence, he will say that not everything is as simple and correct as it is presented to the world. There are many missing links that would connect the logical chain of scientific research.

And we study the most faithful Word of God, where we see consistency and harmonious transition and mutual support of one truth with another. Although in the science of God, a lot must be accepted on faith, but this is also the key to subsequent discoveries.

Studying the science of love, we know the correct answer that "God is Love," but this does not calm me down and encourages me to find the right solution to this complex problem, devoting all my free time to it and thinking about it day and night.

Knowing that the oil for the lamp is the Holy Spirit, I cannot simply take this answer and stop until I independently dig down to it. My Heavenly Teacher can give me a failing grade if I start peeking at the suggested answers and taking them without examining ways to solve important problems on my own. And I hear correct answers to any questions around me. But will those answering be able to show me their research and read to me from the Bible consistent proofs of their statements? This is where it will be discovered that the oil was bought for temporary lamp repair, and there were no deep reserves of knowledge and experience.

The enemy of the soul will definitely come to each of us with a request to show him valid proofs of our hope and Biblical confirmations of our teaching. And this will happen in the presence of many people who will listen to us very carefully and try to understand the logical sequence of our truths and my faith. And I will have to give an account. And just a ready template answer will not satisfy anyone. Thinking people will immediately understand that they are dealing with an amateur, and will go to look for another.

Let's also, friends, knowing the correct answer, still try to independently understand in more detail the solution to this question.

If you just read the lessons and don't devote your time to doing homework, you will know the correct answers, but you won't be able to prove them independently and show the Teacher the path of your research and diligent reflection. After all, the main role in the story with oil was played not by the presence of oil, but by its reserve, what the wise virgins managed to accumulate. During the preparation, the lamps were burning for everyone, but at the moment of the most solemn event, they went out for those who had no reserve.

Has it happened to you that you couldn't explain your hope because you simply didn't know what to say, or didn't remember where it was written about? After all, it's important not just to answer, but to understand the meaning of the question and hear the true need of the person.

The Holy Spirit is a very mysterious and enigmatic Person of the Godhead. He is independent of our opinion about Him, and at the same time He warns us not to become His blasphemers. When He clearly reveals something to us, we have no excuse that we didn't understand something. And regarding the very end of history, we are given assurance that a special power of the Holy Spirit will be sent to those believers who will seek and thirst for it. How this will look in reality, I don't know, but I understand that everything will not be as it is now. And that knowledge, and diligence in the desire to get to the truth and receive the deep treasures of God's revelations, will play an important role during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The study of the science of love will set aside its store of knowledge in my mind and leave an indelible mark on my life experience and in the lives of those on whom the power of love was tested.

Oil for the lamp is available to everyone. It is not hidden behind incomprehensible symbols. The same Holy Spirit is interested in me clearly, in detail, understanding what to do, what these symbols mean, where it is acquired and what it is paid with. And it is He who teaches me this, using my interest, available means and those to whom something has already been revealed more than to me.

Having the correct answer is not always the correct answer for God. He will definitely ask me to show my consistent calculations for this problem. And such a situation will very quickly reveal to everyone my laziness, carelessness and cunning, and although the answer will be correct, it will not be complete.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read John 14:26; Proverbs 16:16; Psalm 90:12; Daniel 12:3-4,10; Psalm 39:30; 49:3; 51:6; 107:1-14; Proverbs 1:1-9; 2:1-9; 3:13; 4:7; 9:9 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Is it good to solve problems knowing the correct answer?

4. What can you come to in solving problems if you don't know the correct answer?

5. What sources of spiritual information can be trusted?

6. Should the peculiarities of the life of a person who thinks differently from you be taken into account?

7. How do you understand the expression "oil reserve"? What is it?

8. How and where is our oil accumulated?

9. What awaits a person who does not know and does not study the Bible, but is preparing for the Second Coming? What would you advise him?

10. What role does the Holy Spirit play in my preparation for the last events?

11. Will our salvation and training be collective or individual?

12. Do I need to be a member of some denomination to prepare for the last events and have confidence in the right path? Or is it better to be alone?

13. What about those who understand that they are in a church where correct answers are rejected and their own are offered?

14. Is it important to correctly understand the message to Laodicea and follow what is offered in it?

15. Why does God have no more rebuking messages for Laodicea and for the foolish virgins?

In the parable of the ten virgins, it's worth paying attention to the fact that the lamps that all participants in the events had are called their own. It's not about simple lamps that can be passed to another person, but specifically about what belongs strictly to me.

And what is "my lamp" in the Biblical understanding? Does the Word of God give an answer to this question?

Here's the first thing we see. A lamp is a vessel in the form of a lamp or candlestick, into which oil is poured, which, when ignited, gives light in dark times or in a dark place. The Sun and Moon are also called lamps. But the Moon doesn't have its own light, it can only reflect it. But all these symbols also have a spiritual meaning.

God and His Word are also called Lamps. And when I become God's by the fact of adoption or birth, then God's "Word becomes a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Psalm 119:105, and "The Lord is my light" Psalm 27:1.

"For the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light" Revelation 21:23.

We read Proverbs 20:27: "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart." In this verse, we see that my lamp is God's device inside my consciousness for correct orientation in everyday concerns and spiritual matters. And this device has a direct connection with the Most High.

In Matthew 6:22 we read: "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light."

Knowing the correct answer that oil is the Holy Spirit, which somehow fills a person, let's consider the Biblical definition of a lamp. God produces something new and special for me in me. This is called a new heart and mind, which begin to reflect God's glory and be a light to this world.

Darkness is the natural state of space in which there is no light source. Where the light goes out, darkness comes, which is called night. The same applies to my soul.

The parable of the ten virgins describes the culmination of events - midnight, when it was completely dark around, and the only source of light could only be my lamp. But it began to go out. And where can you go in the dark? To the first obstacle or the first pit. It's difficult to navigate in pitch darkness. And in this state, the foolish virgins went to the sellers and bought something, but it was too late. And they didn't acquire what the Bridegroom wanted to see.

My lamp has a vessel in which I can collect small reserves of oil. The source of God's light is limitless, and at any time I am able to receive everything necessary to reflect and store this light in my life. But there will come a period of trial when I will have to turn only to my own reserves and shine only with what will be in my vessel. No one will give me theirs, and I won't be able to share anything of mine with others. But something sad can also happen. We read Psalm 31:12: "I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel." My vessel may turn out to be empty. How could the Holy Spirit allow such a thing?

Let's now translate into our language what we've learned. In John 3:34 we read: "For God does not give the Spirit by measure."

My life with God forms my character in accordance with the light I receive. This knowledge becomes mine and helps me navigate without making mistakes or wrong steps. The Holy Spirit forms my character in the likeness of God's. This work of the Spirit is called bearing fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love..." Galatians 5:22.

My experience, my knowledge, my character, my relationship with Jesus, and many other things that I acquired in God's family - all this fills my vessel, forms my lamp, and makes me the person who is led by God's Spirit. I am God's, and this is my choice.

Love is the passport of a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom, with which he can freely move through all God's possessions and dedicate himself to any service.

What has become part of me and my character, I cannot pass on to others. I cannot fill your vessel with my experience or my attachments. I can love you, I can tell you about the power and depth of love, I can treat you with love, but it's impossible for me to make it yours with all my desire. My experience, my obedience to God are not transferred to other people. My feelings and thoughts remain with me. But during a favorable time, I can form my habits and my thoughts according to the pattern that the Lord gives me.

My relationship with Jesus will remain ours and will not be passed on to you, even if you ask for it very much. My breath nourishes my lungs, and my bread satisfies my stomach.

My lamp is my life with God, my mistakes and victories, my influence and attitude towards you. My vessel for oil is my mind, which stores an understanding of God's promises and the experience of victories of God's love in my life. The Holy Spirit teaches me to apply my knowledge and discoveries in practice so that I can be established in love and in difficult times turn to it, continuing to shine to this world, even when I will be left by everyone for testing.

My choice to love will support me in difficult times in the spirit of this love and show me the way to solve any problem.

Love is that light in me that Jesus will accept when He comes for His bride. He will see His fire in the darkness of this world, which He once lit in me, and with joy will take me into His arms, never to give to anyone else. And we will forever rejoice each other with our love and our light to other people.

To be unwise means to look at all the abundance of God's blessings offered to you, which you can have in any sphere of your life, and leave with nothing, thinking that someday you will definitely come to acquire all this.

Once in our city there was a fair where every resident could sell what they didn't need. My ten-year-old daughter and I attended this event. One woman was selling a book, a children's encyclopedia, which gave explanations to many subjects in an accessible language with pictures. I asked my daughter if she wanted this book, knowing her interest in such things. She said she would think about it, and we went on. After a short time, Daniela declared that she really wanted to have this book and we returned for the purchase. But, to our great regret, our book was sold. My daughter cried, and nothing else interested her. And I couldn't help in any way. We had to go home and spend the rest of the day in bitter tears. But if earthly losses are forgotten, what will happen to those who realize that they have lost the right to Eternal life? Now God's goods lie in abundance and with their brilliance and light gladden the hearts of all buyers and passers-by. But they will soon be sold to all who wish and the doors of the Heavenly store will be closed. Midnight will come. And the oil that was offered without restrictions to everyone in a row will become inaccessible to anyone, and for a short time one will have to be content with reserves. What will turn out to be in my heart? And if this vessel is broken by my unbelief, you can't fill it with anything. Everything will be lost irretrievably. Is this what the Lord wants? And He has a plan: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Zechariah 4:2-6; Luke 11:34-36; Matthew 25:1-12; 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 18:28; 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19; Proverbs 6:23; 13:9; 20:20,27; 24:19-20; 31:18; John 5:35; Revelation 21:23 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How do you understand the expression "my lamp"? What does this mean in your life? Can it have several meanings?

4. What relation does love have to your lamp?

5. What should be the character and will of a person in the last time?

6. Do you think the parable of the ten virgins is written for our time, or is it the past century, or is it only relevant in the distant future?

7. Do you see a connection between this parable and the message to Laodicea?

8. How can I determine if my lamp is burning, and if I have enough oil?

9. Is it important to understand the meaning of symbols from the parable of the ten virgins and the message to Laodicea?

10. Why did the Lord divide the ten virgins into only two groups?

11. Are you interested in studying these lessons?

12. Do you have personal revelations on this topic?

13. How to understand that our research is not leading us astray?

14. Or could it be that what we are studying is not so important, and we only need to do deeds and have our faith in our soul?

15. Have you tried telling others about your revelations received in this school?

A man invented a flashlight that worked on solar batteries. And when it was light, this device joyfully glowed, illuminating all the space around it. Something similar happens with many of God's children. During favorable times, they are ready to work and bear witness to all nations, telling the world through any available means the message of salvation and the love of the Redeemer. But we know that the day will not last long, and night will come. It is approaching. It will cover all nations. Then all the lamps that were fed by the sun's rays will go out and disappear into the darkness. Everyone will fall asleep for a short time because work is tiring. But some will fall asleep having a supply of batteries, while others will expect that the Sun will somehow charge their lamps, and they will again become a light to this world.

I think that additional light from lamps during the daytime doesn't bring much benefit, except perhaps for car headlights, which attract attention and warn of an approaching vehicle.

Now we possess an abundance of truth and knowledge. Therefore, the light of our lamps seems very strange and even foolish to many. While the Sun shines, our presence in the world seems absurd. But this is the period when I can prepare for the night and without much effort stock up on everything necessary, which will be very useful in dark times.

In summer, it's very difficult to distinguish evergreen plants from seasonal ones. But autumn comes, and then winter, and the difference between them becomes obvious.

Having a lamp is good, having a supply of oil is excellent, but you also need fire that will make this presence useful. I think that if some wise virgin, having everything necessary, doesn't take care to have a fire burning in the lamp, her supplies will not be of use. Darkness will swallow her, and she will turn out to be foolish.

I remember a case when at one of the spiritual gatherings, many candles were prepared to decorate the room with their glow. And when it came time to light these lamps, it turned out that none of those present had matches or lighters. And we were glad that there were no smokers among us, but the candles couldn't light up because of this. This problem was solved from outside. But imagine that sometime the time will come, and darkness will cover the nations, and I will understand how good it is to have a lamp, a supply of oil, and fire. Then everyone will see the difference and pay attention to me. This light will greatly irritate some, and it will bring a lot of joy to others.

Fire in Biblical symbols represents either the visible presence of God or a reminder of Him. The burning bush in the desert, the Pillar of Fire in the Israelite camp, Fire from heaven, and other supernatural manifestations testify to the Most High, Who has not left us, but with tender care accomplishes our salvation.

The light in the lamps of the ten virgins is not a random fire, but the presence of God Himself in the lives of these people. And the darker the night, the brighter the lamps will burn. "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever" Daniel 12:3.

During the abundance of light that we are now experiencing, it's worth remembering that night will also come. It will come. And night is dangerous because the forces of evil will come into action and under the cover of darkness will begin to do their destructive work. And the prophecy from Isaiah 60:2 will be fulfilled: "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." Who will be the light in this dark time? The Lord Himself.

By buying oil, I acquire the love of God the Father, the grace and righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. And this is all that the Faithful and True Witness offers us in the message to Laodicea.

In 2 Samuel 22:29 it is written: "For You are my lamp, O Lord; The Lord shall enlighten my darkness."

We also read in Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?"

The Bible teaches us that darkness will come, night is approaching, collision is inevitable. Humanly, I really don't want to enter this time, but with my mind I understand that this will be an extremely severe trial by fire. And if I am thrown into a foreign fire, then in my lamp there will be God's fire, Which will become my protection and comfort.

It's good to understand the meaning of all these prophecies and symbols, but one should also prepare, prepare diligently.

When I go to a new site to work with my hands, I always first think about the work process and collect the necessary tools and materials so that upon arrival I can immediately start working. Or, when I'm going on a long journey, I think about what might come in handy. I pack suitcases, taking the most necessary things, but for some reason my wife always ends up with 3 times more necessary things than I do. But we prepare in advance, and this helps to make the trip without much worry about forgetting something. This approach embodies everyday wisdom and foresight.

Now the Lord warns all of us that it's necessary to have vessels for dark times and oil in them. It's worth taking care these days to have lamps and to have them burning. While it's light and everything is accessible, you can make purchases and collect Heavenly treasures for yourself without much effort. But this preparation requires my time and calls me to an equivalent exchange. I can't get ready carelessly and at the same time not forget to give and buy everything. This is a very meaningful process that requires my special concentration of attention. And God notes my interest and applies His power to my needs. Although my salvation is God's Work, it's worth remembering that without my effort and desire, no one will save me against my will.

Love is the best and correct light in my lamp. And although the time of tribulation has not yet come, someone's life has already plunged into darkness, and many souls are sitting in prison, dreaming that someone would lead them out of there. Love has lit my heart, and it is capable of lighting other souls to warm the frozen and heat the lukewarm.

Do you want problems in your life? Start begging for love and give it to your neighbors. And you will see how many enemies you have. But these are pleasant problems. These are the concerns of a winner who doesn't know what to do with those he has conquered and won. And you have to love everyone and ask for even more love so as not to surrender your positions to the enemy.

And when in the last time the angels release the winds of human passions, and the Spirit of God will no longer restrain anyone, then God's love will be that very necessary oil in me that will support the fire in my lamp and grant me another victory among the universal gloom and darkness. If the Lord is with me, whom shall I fear?

In 2 Corinthians 6:2 we read: "For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Will there ever be another better time for preparation? Decide for yourself, but don't put it off until tomorrow. It may never come.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Exodus 13:21; Numbers 6:24-26; Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; 2 Kings 8:19; Psalm 27:1; 142:7; Proverbs 29:13; Ecclesiastes 4:13-14; Isaiah 42:6-7; 60:1-3,19-20; 61:1; Micah 7:8; Matthew 25:34-46; Acts 13:47; Revelation 18:23; 22:5; Hebrews 12:28-29 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Is the meaning of light in the lamp clear to you?

4. Is it important to have fire in the lamp in addition to oil and the lamp itself?

5. How do you understand the presence of fire in your life? How should this manifest?

6. Can it be that you accumulate oil in your vessel, but will not be able to use it and will not understand its purpose?

7. Is it important in the last time to have a combination of prayer, knowledge, and practical experience?

8. Is the presence of fire in your lamp the main factor? Or is something else needed?

9. What should my lamp illuminate, and what does this look like in life?

10. Is being a light to the world an assignment for the time of darkness and tribulation, or is it also valid in our days of light?

11. What does an extinguished lamp mean?

12. How can you light what has gone out or has not been burning?

13. Is prison a jail, or something else? Who is now in this place?

14. Do our lessons help you understand something very important?

15. How do you understand the verse from 1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin"?

Love is light. It's a lamp in a dark room. It's a fire in one's bosom. It's a city standing on top of a mountain. Love cannot be hidden. It shines for everyone. Light shining in the dark hours is visible from afar. It attracts the attention of various insects that gladly fly to this source. If in cold weather, when everything around is covered with ice and snow, I see the light of a burning fire, I also want to approach it and warm up. But I understand that this is all temporary. However, the fire in the home fireplace attracts me with its long-term warmth and comfort, which can be associated with a delicious dinner, a calm home atmosphere, and a soft bed for guests. And if there is such a fire in my house, then I have a long-term perspective of not freezing in the darkness of winter and inviting other people to my comfort, offering them what I enjoy myself.

I often observed the following picture.

I lift a paving stone, and underneath it live various bugs. And at the sight of light, they begin to panic and scatter in different directions, seeking a dark shelter. And they do it so quickly that after a short time, no one remains in the open space. A similar situation occurs every time I lift another tile under which there is life. Not once have I met bugs that would rejoice at unexpected light and call all neighbors to it.

Our world lies in spiritual darkness. And people are used to this state. They have learned to navigate in the dark, developed different behavioral strategies and forms of life, invented all kinds of teachings and religions, arranged their dwellings, and built many shelters in case of light. People are born in darkness, live in darkness, and die in darkness. And when light comes, everyone sees it, but not everyone goes to it, not everyone accepts it.

And light has a peculiarity - to shine. It cannot be darkness.

Love is the sun of righteousness, the truth about God's character and God's attitude towards people.

The world has found a substitute and created a semblance of this love - pink hearts. They can be found everywhere, they can be had in one's life, they can be experienced, and many songs, smart books, and scientific studies can be written about them. But they will remain pink hearts, making this world pink and decorating life with a pink color.

The peculiarity of God's light is that it has all spectra of the color gamut in itself and in the totality of these shades creates a complete picture and presents the true state of things when it illuminates them. Love illuminates everything around itself, but most of all it cares about the purity of the one through whom it is reflected into this world.

When I accept love, its first task is to cleanse my heart and every corner of my mind from all impurity, making me suitable for transmitting true light.

The first thing I encounter from the world is fear of light, desire to hide, striving to neutralize my source. At best, the world shows persistent indifference or malicious silence, at worst - aggression.

Only a few go to the light, and very few accept it. But for the sake of these few, love tirelessly works day and night, wanting to save everyone. And it finds these people.

Love sees very well all who thirst for it. It does not leave these souls in darkness but brings them to the source of light and teaches them independent life in the light.

Love sows seeds and builds new roads. It lifts old paving stones and observes the same picture day after day. But it continues to work, seeking those who will accept it, who will fill their vessel with it to fix their lamp.

And if for someone love is darkness, then what is darkness?

But the thicker the darkness, the brighter the stars shine, and the better any source of light is visible.

The fire in the lamp is my good deeds, my love for people, my readiness to serve, my prayer life with God, my knowledge of Biblical truths embodied in life. Everywhere I appear, I am recognized. Even when I'm silent, the light of my lamp shines to this world, and it cannot be hidden. We are special people, a special nation.

The world has a huge deficit of unconditional love, lack of embraces, kind words, selfless friendship. And all this is given to us in abundance so that we can be light.

But it's always worth remembering that I am not light and not fire, but only a channel through which the Lord can transmit this to the world or reflect His radiance. The moon, although called a night luminary, has no source of its own. At the same time, it reflects sunlight very well, and in Eternity, it will shine seven times brighter. And our Eternity has already begun, so there's no need to be afraid of being brighter lights.

Darkness cannot overcome light. It simply disappears.

Walking in the light is safer because you can see where you're going, noticing everything. When you light a match, it also gives light and warmth, albeit for a short time. Its glow is like pink hearts, which are very beautiful, which give momentary pleasure and end, burning forever.

The light of a lighter can be more prolonged, but it is also limited by the volume of the lighter, and it is not able to warm someone and bring comfort and warmth to a cold room. It's like a big pink heart that, like a soap bubble, looks very important, but at any moment can burst and cease to exist.

God's light is like the sun. It always shines, regardless of the weather in my region. It can be obscured by clouds, one can hide from it, but it will never go out. The sun has the power to illuminate and warm everything that falls under its rays. I am not the sun, but I can successfully reflect it when I allow it to shine on me. During the day, being in its rays, I am visible to everyone, and at night I can shine only using the reserves of this light. And the thicker the darkness, the more visible my light. The Lord in me will become an inexhaustible Source of fire, combining His oil and my lamp into a source of light transmission to this dark world.

My love will not end even when the passions of the world are set free, when the elements of sin begin to destroy unfortunate souls, when God's judgments are poured out on the Earth, and the whole world is perishing in darkness. And my lamp will not stop burning, burning brightly, that's what a lamp is for, to shine.

Now the lamp offers prospects and opportunities, and then it will only show what people could have had but did not want. What a pity! But love respects human choice and with sadness leaves those who rejected it forever, although it does not stop shining, but already without any hope for the world, with special significance for the owners of burning lamps.

What will I decide to change in my life now, understanding all these truths? Having the opportunity to buy oil, to light a fire, will I take advantage of this advantage today? Why put it off until tomorrow? Why leave with nothing? If I leave Christ once without buying anything, then it will become easier to repeat this, and then such behavior will become a habit, and I will decide that all these lessons are not for me. I will somehow save myself. My lighter will be enough to shine. God probably has another plan in store for me.

So do you want to meet Jesus? Maybe it's worth accepting now what He advises me? Shall we try?

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read John 1:1-10; Genesis 1:5; Deuteronomy 28:29; Psalm 139:11-12; Proverbs 4:19; Amos 5:18-20; Micah 3:6; Luke 11:34-36; John 12:35-36; Ephesians 5:6-9; 1 John 2:8-11 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Is the expression "pink heart" clear to you? What is it in light of this chapter?

4. Can matches be used to heat a room so that it's always warm? Can conditional love melt someone's heart so that it warms up and ignites?

5. What is the difference between the power of the Sun and the warmth of a lighter? Do you see the difference?

6. Do you understand the power of agape love that the Lord gives to His children?

7. Why can't I be Love, but at the same time can successfully reflect it?

8. Is God interested in me being His reflection to this world and reflecting His love and purity of character?

9. What will happen to me if I prefer to postpone God's offers and advice for later?

10. Should my lamp always burn, or should it be lit only when necessary?

11. Do you think a person who has a lamp can identify and recognize those who have the same lamps?

12. Are the symbols we are studying clear to you?

13. Tell me, how do you understand the symbols of the lamp, oil, and light in your life?

14. Does the near Coming of Christ make you happy?

15. Are you interested in continuing our research?

One of the most mysterious numbers described in the Bible is the number 144,000. We encounter it several times in the book of Revelation. It denotes a unique group of people who received God's seal, who were entrusted with a special God's message of three angels, and who, having overcome the beast and his image, sing a song of victory.

Studying the symbols from the parable of the ten virgins, we came to the conclusion that the wise virgins are believers who will be alive to meet Jesus with burning lamps and oil reserves. And it's not hard to guess that they are the ones included in the number 144,000.

In Revelation 7:2-4 we read: "Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.' And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed."

These were wise virgins who bought oil and made reserves in their vessels. Their lamps did not go out, and they knew how and to whom to shine. These virgins knew the voice of the Bridegroom and were waiting for Him. God specially marked their faithfulness and devotion to Him. From the prophecy, we see that these are the people on whose consciousness God's seal was placed.

Then we read the history of the struggle of God's people, which leads us to the final events, where the whole world is divided into two groups: those who accept the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name, and those who receive God's seal and come under the protection of the Most High.

In Revelation 14:1 we read: "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads."

The seal or name on the foreheads is a symbol of a heart dedicated and belonging to God. This is the consciousness of a person who has consciously dedicated himself to serving Christ, accepted all His commandments, allowed the Creator to inscribe His law in his heart and thoughts; who said "Yes" to Jesus to His proposal to become His bride.

I would like to note that the sealed people stand on the mountain with the Lamb. We find a similar description in Mark. Please compare these verses. We read Mark 3:13-14: "And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach."

The Lord chose whom He Himself desired to be with Him. I cannot choose myself into the number of 144,000 and I cannot put God's seal on myself. But I can do everything that God advises, and wait for what He will offer me next. And He offers His hand and heart. 3:18 is His engagement ring for me. Will I accept His offer? And will I have communion with Him further? Everything is in my hands.

Jesus chooses all wise virgins from all nations and leads them up the mountain, dedicating them to a special mission.

Then follows a description of the character of this group of God's people. I think they are filled with love for each other, very happy and friendly. They have gone through God's school of love and sing a song of victory that no one could sing except the 144,000 redeemed from the earth.

And further we read that these people are given a special message for the world, which they knew and carried all their lives, but at the very end it will sound with special power.

Then some events are described in which God's children will be victorious and will sing the song of victors. In Revelation 15:2 we read: "And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: 'Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.'"

I would like to especially note that the number 144,000 does not change to a smaller one. Those who receive God's seal also gain unique protection for the last time. And although they will be sentenced to death by the world and given to perdition, not one of these people will perish after sealing. If earlier the blood of holy martyrs was seed and good watering for a great harvest, then in the last time each person will make a final choice and accept what he has chosen. The sowing will end, the harvest will ripen and be gathered, the seed will no longer be sown.

There will be nothing to grow and water. And for Satan, it would be a great pleasure to deprive God's children of life, but he will not receive this power, and none of those sealed by God will perish.

The Lord gives this hope to faithful children. Although it will be a very small group of believers scattered throughout the world and in exile from all places, for Heaven it is an army of victors who learned love from God and entrusted their lives to Him so much that they would agree to die sooner than sin, and would rather go to death than accept the mark or image of the beast. And the world will declare death to these people, but will not be able to carry out its sentence.

The very description of the group of 144,000 redeemed and the mention of this number indicates that it will remain whole, that no one will perish and will not be lost, no one will fall away due to unbelief. God's Seal and His Name on the foreheads of these people will give them special authority and power that all the forces of evil and the sinful world will not be able to resist. Nothing will be able to shake the faith of these redeemed children of God. They are victors, and they will continue to overcome the enemy, because they have already embarked on this path and have already tasted the taste of love's victory.

At present, we are at war, in which we learn to win. And if now we can fall or surrender a position, it is only to then stand firmly and overcome the enemy. And the essence of this victory comes down to a simple answer of my will to Satan's attacks: "I believe, I love, I am happy, I am God's."

There will be great tribulation, and it will affect everyone, but having love, friendliness and happiness in your lamp, you can very easily endure all these trials and be a light in dark times.

Do you want to be among the 144,000? I cannot enroll myself in this group, but if I do everything that God commands and advises me to fulfill, and at the same time have a genuine interest in holy things and a passionate attraction to Jesus, then I think I will have every chance to become the bride of Christ and be with those whom He decides to choose in this mysterious group. And if the Lord wishes to calm me down so that I do not participate in the last events, then may God's will be done in everything.

The worst thing that can happen is to be ignorant, rejecting God's advice and ignoring His invitations and calls. Salvation is near, and why reject it? It's wonderful to desire salvation, but it's necessary to accomplish it in stubbornness, fear and trembling. And the Lord will lend His hand and help to go through this path, and will teach many victories, as He Himself will go ahead and overthrow my enemies.

Love is strong in any battle, and it knows no defeats. It has overcome sin, and will become my victory during tribulation and trials. Soon everything will begin, to quickly end with the victory of love.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Revelation 7:1-10; 14:1-5; 15:1-4; Ezekiel 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:9-15; Philippians 2:12; Matthew 5:48; 7:24-27; 25:1-12; Revelation 3:18 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the number 144,000 as a literal number of people or as a symbolic name for a group?

4. Will God have any other group of believing people that is specially described in the Bible?

5. Do you see a connection between the 144,000 and the wise virgins?

6. Do you think the 144,000 are among those who bought goods in the Laodicean store?

7. Do you want to belong to this mysterious group?

8. Do you understand that just before the Second Coming it is very important to be absolutely pure?

9. What relation does love have to the 144 thousand?

10. Is what we are studying clear to you?

11. Why can't a person determine themselves to be in the number 144,000?

12. Is it worth paying attention to understanding these symbols from the book of Revelation?

13. What will happen to those who believe that the book of Revelation is closed and should not be investigated?

14. Is what we study in our School important in preparing for the Second Coming?

15. Do you think Jesus will come soon, or will it be an event of the next century?

When I first read about the group of people called the 144,000, I had the impression that they were warriors on parade. They were all solemnly dressed, cleanly shaven, with serious faces, marching in even squares. These were people with nerves of steel, purposeful, who almost from birth knew their destiny and firmly went towards this calling. And this image existed in my head for a very long time until I began to investigate this question more deeply. And this group existed in my imagination somehow separately from the whole world and was very distant and incomprehensible to me. At times, when I studied the book of Revelation, I understood that the 144,000 were God's people of the last time, but the created image prevented me from delving deeper into the essence of this number.

I always understood that 144,000 is a symbolic name for a group of people, because its components are also symbolic, and the number 12 itself means completeness. A thousand in the light of the Bible is a unit of measurement that rounds up a multitude of something to this number and does not always mean exactly one thousand units. Any biblical number exceeding this value is usually rounded to this ending and is counted in tens and hundreds. And Chiliarchs in the biblical narrative are the highest ruling class after the king or leader.

The events of recent days prompted me to consider this mysterious number in more detail, and in the light of training in our school, we have closely approached the inner content of this group. Studying the spirituality of people, prophetic recommendations and God's actions before the Second Coming, we finally got to the 144,000. And now we can safely say that these are wise virgins with burning lamps. These are wise builders who build on the Rock from Eternal materials. These are the sheep of God's flock. These are the inhabitants of the Laodicean period who came out of the lukewarm state, acquiring Heavenly goods from the Faithful Witness, and who opened the doors to Jesus for personal relationships. These are the people who will receive God's seal on their foreheads. These are those who will experience the outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit. These are the believers who tenderly love each other and keep all God's commandments. These are those who will stand at the Second Coming of Christ and will joyfully meet their Lord among the living righteous. These are the people with whom the Eternal Covenant will be made for all endless Eternity. These are the living representatives of God and His authority in our time.

The number 144,000 will include different age categories of believing people. These will be representatives of different nations, men and women, who responded to God's call to repentance and change in their lives and approached the issue of their salvation very seriously. This group will not include curious people who superficially were interested in the depth of God's revelations, but did not allocate time for a deeper study of the truth and dedication of themselves to service.

Although I cannot choose myself into this group, I am able to show genuine interest and devote my time to studying important truths and personal knowledge of my Savior. There is a clear boundary between filling the mind with information of useful content and a conscious choice of what is not only beneficial for my soul, but also transforms me spiritually, opening new perspectives for growth and improvement. I grow in Christ. I have a personal relationship with my Heavenly Friend. My ear is tuned to hearing God's voice speaking to me through the Bible, through the testimonies of God-inspired people, through personal revelations.

God's Spirit actively works for my salvation, for my growth in godliness, for my complete cleansing, and it is He who performs all the great transformations in me that I choose for myself. The Lord is the Initiator of my salvation and my Spiritual Mentor in the learning process. I can comprehend all kinds of sciences and truths with my mind, but if they are not revealed to me by the Holy Spirit and are not inscribed in my heart and in my thoughts, then these will be simple knowledge that will replenish my erudition, but will not bring any benefit.

Once, when we were gathering in a home church to study the Bible, a brother came to us who had previously been a member of our denomination, but, having tied his life to an unbelieving woman, left the ranks of the church. When we began to communicate with this person, he claimed to know this and that to all our reflections. And as a result, we realized that his knowledge exceeded ours, but we are in the church, and we are learning, and he left our midst, and lives on his own.

The church of the last time can be compared to Noah's ark. It is slowly being built, subject to various criticisms and attacks, but it is based on biblical truth, God's construction plan and God's purpose: to save all who will believe and respond.

God advises taking certain steps and acquiring something very important in this last time. And who will be to blame if I ignore His offer? Myself.

The 144,000 are us, those who study in Christ's school, wanting to see great and inaccessible things that we did not know before. Although we have not yet entered this number, but with our interest in truth and desire for growth in Jesus, we show Heaven that we are God's children and are ready to learn everything He will reveal. There are mistakes, there are misunderstandings. But Christ's army has a wise Commander who does not lose and prepares winners. The 144,000 are God's children who thirsted for the power of the Holy Spirit, prayed for it and received Him at the time determined by God. We are not able to produce cardinal changes in ourselves and become perfect without this Power from Above. We will still be learning for 100 years and understanding how far we are from perfection. But the Holy Spirit will very quickly translate all our knowledge into the reality of life, which He is already doing with many now, and then all our messages will acquire special power and will sound very convincingly throughout the world.

One should not separate oneself from this group and consider oneself unworthy. In our days, this number is formed from those who are set for change and thirst for greater knowledge of Christ.

Agape love plays an important role in my transformation. It prepares a place for God's seal in my consciousness so that I can joyfully accept what my soul craves. And sealing will make this love so perfect that no forces of evil will be able to shake us, although all the redeemed will have to go through the fire of trials. This is God's Church, which will withstand any onslaught and will not change its convictions under any temptations.

If all these God's people were gathered in one place, it would be a great multitude, but until the very Second Coming they will be scattered all over the world, will be in exile and hated by people, and at the very end they will be sentenced to death, but God will intervene and end this sad story, coming personally for His beloved ones.

If I say "yes" to the Lord for all His offers and live according to this choice, then He will bring me into His joy and in a special way mark my desire to be with Him, to belong to Him, to love and be His chosen vessel. He will reveal His secrets to us at the right time and tell us the timing. And He will come for us.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 6:17; 12:11; 14:1-5; 19:10; Daniel 12:1-4,9-10; Job 34:2-3; 37:23-24; Proverbs 1:5-7; Matthew 25:4; Ephesians 5:15-17 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you have any additions to the description of the group of 144,000? Please share.

4. Do you see yourself in this number?

5. Do these prophecies about the 144,000 have any relation to our time?

6. Why is it so important to have love and faith in the last time?

7. What relation does the Holy Spirit have to all these people who entered the number 144,000?

8. Why will the Lord Himself be engaged in choosing people for the number 144,000?

9. If I have a desire to be among the 144,000, but I do nothing to understand who these people are and what qualities they possess, how great is the probability that I will enter this number?

10. Will God invite everyone indiscriminately to Himself to replenish the ranks of the saved?

11. Can one earn a place in the group of 144,000 by good deeds?

12. Is it important to know and understand what will happen in the last time, and how to prepare for these events?

13. Why did the Lord prepare fire for those whom He Himself chose and gave special status? 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:6-8.

14. Are you afraid?

15. Do you want to be perfect in love? How do you think, will such people attract God's attention when recruiting the group of 144,000?

In the parable of the ten virgins, it is said: "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept" Matthew 25:5.

The wise and the foolish allowed drowsiness to put them into a stupor, and all fell into some strange sleep. They did not have beds prepared for this, and they were not dressed in nightgowns. They were waiting for the Bridegroom's arrival. But the Bridegroom was delayed. Have you ever heard of a bridegroom being late for a wedding? This is something unusual. The bridegroom always comes on time. The bride can allow herself a delay. She needs to be perfectly prepared. But we are being described an incorrect scenario of events. And if this scenario is connected with God's actions, one even wants to hurry Him with His Coming. How long can one look at this sin and endure this lawlessness?

But God knows what He's doing. And if we superimpose the story of this parable on the narrative about the 144,000, it turns out that these are those who prepared for the meeting with Jesus, but for some unforeseen circumstances, dozed off and fell asleep. Why did they do this? What kind of sleep is this?

Drowsiness is a borderline state of mind between wakefulness and sleep, when a person can still partially perceive the surrounding world, but the body's urge to sleep persistently makes itself known and puts the person's will into a state of stupor. On the eve of this state, yawning appears, then a partial decrease in consciousness activity, relaxation of the body, slowing down of vital organs.

Sleep is a cyclical physiological state of a person when their brain completely turns off consciousness and moves to restore body functions, reboot energy sources, refresh the processes of the body's work. Night is the usual time for sleep.

But the ten virgins were not going to sleep. They came to the celebration.

I remember a case when I was returning home from military service, and my plane was supposed to fly early in the morning. And since I didn't have an alarm clock, I had to stay awake all night and walk around the airport so as not to oversleep registration and boarding. But when I sat on the plane, my body immediately disconnected from the world, and I woke up already in my hometown. When important events are waiting for us, we have no time for sleep.

But I think this strange sleep is part of God's plans. And it even seems to me that this is exactly what is happening to us now. Although we are in our right mind and understand everything that is happening around, although we are in watchfulness and prayer, we have all dozed off and fallen asleep from the perspective of God's view of our time.

I'll try to explain this phenomenon. Now the whole world is experiencing an unusual state called a "pandemic". The authorities of all countries are doing everything possible to somehow preserve the life and health of their citizens. We are given daily reports on what is happening around in all media. But all people have a lot of questions that no one can or wants to answer. Some strange laws and restrictions are being introduced everywhere. People are very easily and quickly deprived of freedom of movement and behavior, and logically many resolutions cannot be explained in any way.

But as law-abiding citizens, we are obliged to observe the laws and rules of the country where we live. And no one can really explain the essence of what is happening, and God does not give any comments or prophecies about this. How to live further? What to do? How to act correctly? Will we survive in all this chaos? And in response: "Only believe."

Does Satan use this situation to carry out his plans? Is the enemy of the soul now confused by what is happening? Maybe this is his plan, which is now successfully promoted by dishonest people? It's difficult to give a clear answer, but one has to guess and believe that it will get better, and everything will pass, and we will again return to our usual affairs when everything is over.

And this ignorance and lack of understanding of what is happening puts us into some strange stupor. We cannot do anything because we do not have clear divine revelations about these events, but we can, guessing about something, express our assumptions and opinions. And, as I understand it, this puts many to sleep. In the end, we will all fall fast asleep, so that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.

And the forces of darkness at this time are trying on shackles to the world and us, deciding which of them will suit best so as not to cause general unrest and make wearing them a desired goal for everyone.

But God is not inactive either. We are actively offered oil for the lamp. God wants us to shift our gaze from what is collapsing before our eyes to what will stand unshakable and endure any trials. It is written that the dragon will receive special power in the last time to destroy and impose his rules and his way of thinking on all living, forcing everyone to accept the mark of the beast. And we will very soon meet this reality and understand that the Bible was not mistaken, accurately describing these events.

The Lord offers His protection and strength for this time. He Himself comes to each son and daughter of God to personally prepare us for the last time. He does not reveal Satan's plans in detail to us, although He knows them thoroughly, but offers the best means for victory - Himself and the power of His love. And to those who accept this weapon, the power of the Holy Spirit will also be given, where God Himself in us will win victories. This preparation requires time, strength, and my full dedication. And instead of trying to understand and unravel the plans of the evil one, I think it's better to delve into God's plans, better to take and study everything that is offered to us.

It so happened that we are all tied to the economy of our world and depend on the means by which we must pay for our existence and residence in our countries. Someone partially managed to break out of this dependence and settle in rural areas on self-sufficiency, but many have to work a lot to somehow survive, and all free time is spent on this. And someone wants to earn more to secure themselves. And the main thing necessary for salvation remains unclaimed, and God remains unknown. Laodicean goods are gathering dust waiting for buyers, and few are interested in them.

But my readiness to meet the Bridegroom is conditioned not by knowledge of Satan's plans, but by studying God's plans and decisive actions in accordance with God's will. I comprehend this science, experience the joy of spiritual growth, understand the closeness of the Second Coming. But the Lord is not in a hurry. And for some reason, I'm getting sleepy. I resist with all my might, but the body is tired of constant struggle, and the abundance of information has overflowed my stomach, the brain no longer perceives anything. I want to rest a little. But I don't give up, I fight, read, pray, learn, and have learned so much. But in fact, I'm asleep. And the Lord restores the work of all my organs, renews my strength, so that, awakening me at the right time, to give me His Spirit for a complete and final victory over the temptations of this world, affirming God's principles in my mind forever.

And how useful will be that golden oil, which is now offered in such abundance to everyone who desires and seeks. Trials and fire are ahead, which need to be passed through. But I'm ready and know that this flame will not scorch me.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 25:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Genesis 2:21; 15:12; Job 33:14-17; Psalm 78:65-66; 132:3-5; Proverbs 3:21-26; Isaiah 29:5-16; Jeremiah 31:25-26; Zechariah 4:1-6,11-14; Ephesians 5:11-21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you think the parable of the ten virgins talks about ordinary sleep, or is it a consequence of something, or is it sleep from the Lord?

4. Is it possible to be vigilant during the sleep described in Matthew 25:5?

5. How do you imagine the meaning of the sleepy state of wise virgins in the last time?

6. Is it in God's plans to come to our Earth at the darkest time in history?

7. Will everyone fall asleep? And what does this mean?

8. Do you think the enemy of the soul will sleep when the wise fall into drowsiness?

9. Why is it so important to make preparations for the last events right now?

10. What to do to avoid the fatal consequences of one's ignorance of Christ's advice?

11. What about those who do not understand the meaning of the symbols from Matthew 25:1-12 and Revelation 3:18-20?

12. Will oil for the lamp be given by chance to those who are just good people?

13. What was the difference between wise virgins and foolish ones? Explain this comparison with examples from our life.

14. Is the sleep referred to in the parable bad?

15. Can wise virgins also be called wise builders? If so, what did they build and on what?

Wherever God's work begins, where revival and awakening occur, the evil one also comes to make his amendments to what is happening and bring temptations. He cannot prevent God from fulfilling what the Lord has planned, but the enemy of the soul tries to distract our attention to secondary things or offer us another path that looks like the true one.

For 6,000 years, Satan has learned to skillfully deceive all living on Earth. He has in his arsenal all kinds of temptations and counterfeits suitable for any character and interest. The enemy of the soul carefully studies each of us, knows all our weaknesses and inclinations, our tastes and hobbies.

Knowing Satan's cunning and the power of his seductions, Jesus often warned His disciples not to be tempted. And when Christ was asked about the last events and the destruction of Jerusalem, He began by expressing His concern: "Take heed that no one deceives you" Matthew 24:4. Jesus began to list some events that would happen in the future and at the end of time, constantly saying that temptations would also be very great and strong. The enemy of the soul will deceive all the living and will even spread his charms to the elect and, if possible, deceive them too. Matthew 24:24.

The most terrible thing that God's children will experience is that "because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" Matthew 24:12.

When everything is burning in my life, things are going, work is boiling, but the heart has grown cold, then there is a mixture of hot and cold, and something warm is obtained. And I take this warm liquid and call it oil for the lamp, and even try to teach others that everything is fine with me, showing off the hot side of my life. And if someone tries to see the full picture of my path, then I close my heart, not letting anyone in, explaining that it's private territory, and I simply don't have time for all of you. But it is you who will be able to very quickly identify this problem of mine and correct it.

If I limit myself to communicating with spiritual and seeking people and fill my life with bad communities, my morals will quickly become corrupted. And the internet will become my spiritual mentor, which will offer me the most exquisite dishes for my carnal man.

Oil for the lamp is what I fill my mind with, and then I go out into the world with this and share the light of my reserves. From a conversation on a free topic, one can very quickly identify what a person has filled their lamp with. Our character very successfully conveys everything that I feed my soul with.

And during the day, when the Sun is shining, it's very difficult to figure out what kind of fire is shining in my heart. In bright rays, it can be difficult to notice the dim flicker of my fire. And if my lamp is smoking or has gone out completely, others may not notice this either, because everyone is busy with themselves and thinks that I will deal with my problems on my own. But at best, there will be people who will offer a prayer for me, and I will again be left alone with myself. And there are so many of us "self-sufficients", and looking at this great multitude of deceived people and comparing myself with other believers, I calm down, understanding that the Lord will not allow us all to perish in this state. He will definitely offer a way out. And I'm partially right. And I hear the Lord's advice to come to Him and buy something very valuable from Him. But I'm so used to not paying attention to such calls, so I think that the Lord will offer me something special, and it will be supernatural. Then I will immediately turn and change. That's why I simply don't react to calm calls and ignore them. I know for sure that the Lord will not allow me to perish in ignorance, and will perform a miracle for me, because He loves me. I'm waiting for a miracle, and so as not to go out completely, I look for good deeds for myself, through which I can get approval from those of my faith and even rebuke those who are constantly studying something and trying to understand something in prophecies.

I get used to training my mind thanks to the fact that there are people who have researched all important issues, created their channels and blogs, and share their most important discoveries with me, and I give them likes and write comments for this. And sometimes I even dare to support with my finances people who especially appealed to my heart. And the light of their lamps supports me, pointing me to the true path. And we are moving somewhere together.

And what is Jesus busy with all this time? I think that someone will definitely tell me about this too, and I even know those who only talk about Him. And it's always so interesting to listen to this!

I heard that love is also part of the oil, and there are even people who devote a lot of time in their lives to making sure that they have this agape? I don't quite understand why it's necessary to study this so carefully, because you can find those who have achieved this, and quickly learn the ready results.

And I also heard that the Lord commanded to light lamps from His fire, which He Himself sent to the altar, and that we should not bring strange fire into the Sanctuary. I think this doesn't concern our time, because we have an abundance of matches and lighters. And there's no need to shine on every corner to everyone in a row, because this only causes problems and complaints. But one should show one's belonging to God's people and one's love, and for this there are special T-shirts with pink hearts and badges with symbols of our faith. I'll buy them.

Now, in our time, there are many combustible oils and materials that can perfectly fuel one's lamp. Although it is written that it should be a special oil, I believe that the main thing is not the details, but the result. If the Lord needs fire, we'll do it. No problem.

I observe foolish brethren. They fill their vessels with strange things, are in constant motion and search for better revelations, trying to independently study new truths about Laodicean goods. There are so few of them, and they are so unhappy, poor, naked, blind, that I don't even want to spend my time on friendship with them. They only have love, friendship and happiness on their minds, as if there is no other world and no politics around them. They are so sick in the head, but at the same time they are still trying to teach us a healthy lifestyle. Why don't they want to live normally, but are always looking for problems for themselves, trying to love everyone? Where will such love lead? They will simply be sucked dry and spat out. One needs to love for something and set clear boundaries so that everyone knows their place and their territory of habitation. If I could, I would teach many how to survive in different communities while maintaining good morals.

What kind of oil, friends, are you gathering into your vessels? Now is the time of harvest, the time of gathering the harvest and the time of light and abundance of everything. We are offered a variety of different oils, and they can all burn. What will I choose? How do I not get confused? And is it so important what my vessel will be filled with? As long as it burns! Is it so important to have gold of Heavenly origin, because there are so many more accessible metals in the world that are no different from the true one?

I think it's worth understanding what is from God and what is from the world, and learning to clearly separate them.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read 1 Corinthians 2:15-16; 6:9-10; 10:1-12; 15:33-34; Revelation 3:15-16; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 1 John 1:6-9; Matthew 7:13-23; 24:4-5,10-13,24,38-39,42-44; John 5:39-40; Galatians 6:7-10; James 1:16-22 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are we given salvation by the fact of church membership?

4. If my church's teaching contradicts God's law, but we love God and sing about it to Him, do we have chances for special God's favor for us?

5. If I consider myself special and better than others, can this be a criterion for my justification and salvation?

6. What should I do to have confidence in my salvation?

7. What oil for the lamp might turn out to be wrong?

8. If I sincerely believe a lie, will this be my advantage when I am sealed?

9. Where is that "red line" beyond which it's better not to go? And how to determine this border?

10. How to understand if love has not grown cold in me?

11. What should I do if I understand that I have no love?

12. Is being saved very difficult?

13. How can I determine that I am ready for dark times, and my lamp has the right oil?

14. What to do if I understand that I am a sinner and have no chance of receiving God's seal, but at the same time I want to live forever?

15. Is it worth paying attention to Jesus' advice from Revelation 3:18?

In the Gospel of Luke 14:16-24, there is a parable about a Man who made a great supper and invited many. And in the Gospel of Matthew 22:1-14, we read a similar parable about a King who arranged a wedding feast for His Son. Both these parables are told differently, but about the same thing, and end with the words: "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Studying the message to Laodicea and the parable of the ten virgins, I decided to combine all these prophecies and allegories into one picture.

From the history of God's people, we know that the predictions about the last time were partially fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem, when Roman troops under the command of Titus besieged the city, took it, and completely destroyed it. In our days, all prophecies about the end of time will find their repeated fulfillment in all details before our eyes.

The Lord sends His servants to invite the called to His celebration. God has a Salvation plan for the last time, which He wishes to reveal to His people. And in addressing Laodicea, the Faithful Witness reveals this plan. He speaks about the sad state of God's children, not rejecting anyone, but inviting everyone to Him. And an amazing event happens: "And they all with one accord began to make excuses" and "were not willing to come." A strange attitude towards God's invitation. When I read these parables and apply them to the spiritual elite of Christ's time, then, knowing their end, I condemn these religious leaders, considering them foolish. They had such a great advantage of meeting the Savior Himself and receiving special blessings and consciously refused it. But when I apply these parables to our time, I see that something similar is happening. Those who, by their spiritual calling, should be the first to respond to this call and fill their vessel with oil, inviting others to do so, for some reason unanimously refuse, as if conspiring among themselves. And such a refusal does not sound in a specific word: "No," but very politely an explanation is given that there is no time to study all this. It seems that people simply do not hear either you or Jesus. Therefore, the Lord specifies that he who has ears, let him hear. To all the sad characteristics of the Laodiceans, deafness is also added. They do not hear Jesus, although He very clearly and loudly advises something, speaks and even knocks. Asking to enter my house, He comes with His feast and great supper. He has something to treat me with and talk to me about. And this is such an important event that the Lord promises to seat everyone who hears and responds on His throne. An amazing offer that speaks of the special authority of the chosen ones and the special attitude of God towards those who respond.

I think that wise girls are those people who heard Christ and prepared for the coming events, buying everything that was offered to them.

But God has a message for the rest of the world. For those who love Him but have no light, who are lost in their problems. And the Lord instructs the wise girls to go again along "all the roads and hedges" and invite all the "poor, maimed, lame, and blind," convincing them to come so that His house would be filled. And this will be a special message of Heavenly origin, which in the power of three angels and the Holy Spirit will be proclaimed once again throughout the Earth. And when the house is filled, there will still be room. Then the Lord will offer His servants to go again and already in the power of only the third angel to make a special call for those who are still in the fallen church: "...Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."

The Lord is good and very longsuffering. He gathers His people for a very long time into one special group that will participate in His final celebration. These people will be alive to meet the One who will come to our planet for the Second time.

The Lord in His parables specifies that His mercy and longsuffering will be replaced by a fair manifestation of a special side of His love: anger and punishment of those whom He initially chose and invited to His celebration. This punishment is partially described in Ezekiel 9:1-11 and in Revelation 16:1-21 as God's judgments and the last plagues.

If these images are presented like this: "Come to Me for a feast, or I will kill you," then one can distort Christ's character and present God in a false light.

But the Lord addresses as follows: "I have decided to put an end to the history of sin, and I will soon come to destroy all evil and all who have clung to it with all their heart. And so that you do not perish in this number, I offer you My Salvation plan, My mercy and protection for this time, and My personal presence in your life. If you accept my offer, devote your time to studying this plan, if you cling to Me with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, then I will preserve you during My judgments, and nothing will harm you!"

What more can God do for those He loves and has chosen for salvation? What other message should He devise for this world? How much longer will this sinful world mock God's love and longsuffering? If the Lord prolongs these days, then no flesh will be saved. The temptations of the last time are very strong, and they will deceive many, and even many of the called.

But having called everyone to His feast and seeing those who filled God's house, the King will go to carefully examine all those present. All the chosen ones managed to buy white clothes for this celebration, and their shame was covered. Heavenly gold enriched them, and eye salve made them seeing, and they joyfully look at their Lord, patiently waiting for what He will do next. What we were unable to do, the Holy Spirit accomplished. He convinced many to come, and they responded, and filled the house. But it is impossible to hide anything from the Lord, and He saw among those reclining one who, bypassing God's plan, did not want to acquire a wedding garment and decided to come to the feast with his own righteousness. "The king said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless."

What will those be able to say to the Lord to whom He stretched out His pierced hands from morning till evening, begged to come, sending His servants, convincing in truth, giving the Holy Spirit, and they refused, justifying themselves by lack of time and interest? What can love do in the heart of one who firmly closed his doors and invents his own ways of salvation? Who will be to blame for the fact that I reject God's clothes and put on my own? I will be declared wicked. I will be thrown into darkness, and the doors of God's grace will be closed to me forever. And this will happen to everyone who now finds justification and excuse for their ignorance and indifference. And how much longer will the Lord call us to His feast?

Now the good news is sounding. The Lord invites us to buy from Him everything with which we can come to His celebration. In these goods, He offers Himself with all the ensuing consequences. He strongly desires to participate with me in this joyful event. What will I decide? Will I hear? Will I go to consult with the world and look for justification in my busyness? It's up to me to decide. I choose Jesus, and guided by His advice, I go shopping. And there's already a queue of 143,999 people who were also waiting for my decision.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 17:14; Psalm 105:6; Isaiah 10:21-22; Luke 14:16-24; Matthew 22:1-14; 20:16; 24:22,31; Ezekiel 9:1-11; Luke 18:7; Romans 8:31-34; 9:27-28; 11:5,7-8; Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 7:13-14 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are you sad from understanding the meaning of the proposed parables?

4. Why does the Lord not give any chances to those who reject His invitation?

5. How long does God's invitation to His feast at His table last? And how long will it still sound?

6. Why does the Lord turn away from those who reject His invitation, and does not come up with a more interesting advertising campaign to convince the called people to come to Him?

7. How does this call sound in real life, and how not to confuse it with false calls?

8. Does the Holy Spirit participate in convincing people to respond to God's invitation?

9. Is 144,000 a lot or a little? How large will the faithful remnant be?

10. What to do to be among the chosen and faithful?

11. How can I understand in what status I am now in God's eyes? Am I not the one who rejected His invitation?

12. How does God's invitation sound personally for me? What is this message? How not to confuse it with bad news?

13. Is the invitation to study at the Agape Love School part of God's plan for the last time?

14. Why can't the Lord leave the door of His grace open until the very Second Coming of Christ and save those who did not have time to repent during the Coming?

15. In which group of people would you like to be? What are you doing to get there?

Has this happened to you? You're talking to your friend on the phone and joyfully telling them something, and then suddenly you realize that there's no connection, and you're talking to no one? You call your friend back, and you're told: "The subscriber is turned off or out of the coverage area." You hang up, wondering at what point you were cut off. I think each of us has experienced something like this. And then it turned out that the connection was lost, or the battery ran out, or the money ran out, or someone called your friend, or something else. The connection is restored, and you continue communicating. But it also happens that by your behavior you caused pain to your friend or insulted them, and they simply stopped communicating with you, doesn't answer calls and messages, and doesn't call themselves. What happens to you then? How do you feel? I think you'll immediately understand that something is wrong and start looking for a solution to this problem. Proving your rightness is not the best way out. And the dearer and closer the friend, the more noticeable their absence becomes.

In communication with people, you can very quickly determine whether there is warmth and friendship between us, how close and dear we are, whether we have spiritual closeness? In each of us, there is an invisible mood barometer that very accurately captures the spirit of relationships.

Now let's transfer all these concepts to spiritual life and make Christ our Friend. He is also alive and wants to have communication and a close relationship with me. Since He is currently in the Heavenly Sanctuary and is performing ministry there for me, on Earth Jesus has His Representative - the Holy Spirit, through Whom He connects with me and participates in all my plans and prayers.

And the Holy Spirit Himself is not against friendship with me through my faith in Jesus. He is not against communicating with my spirit called mind, intuition, and conscience. And thanks to this mediating ministry of Two Persons of the Godhead, I have a personal relationship with the Heavenly Father, Who loves me unconditionally and educates me for His Kingdom, endowing me with a new heart and inscribing His law in my thoughts. And all these relationships are possible thanks to my faith in Jesus. Having embarked on such a path of hope, I comprehend many Biblical mysteries by faith and become admitted to communion with my Creator. But even in these relationships, there is an element of faith, which is very interestingly built into my heart. It suggests the right path where feelings and reason see and experience nothing.

I get so used to living by faith that sometimes I don't even think about whether I was accepted, heard, understood by God. I just believe, and that's it. But the Holy Spirit, in some special way, gives me assurance that I am accepted, the prayer is answered, and peace and joy in the Lord reign in my soul. I think you all understand what we're talking about, how it happens inside.

As a church, we have different projects and all kinds of ministries in which the Holy Spirit also participates and grants us success, His blessing, and protection. And we as God's people go by faith, looking to Christ. We are united by one teaching in one spirit. And even if we speak different languages, our faith and principles of life are the same.

And what will happen if the Holy Spirit leaves us? I think that the life of the church will not change or stop. We will also gather, pray and sing songs, plan various projects, go into the world and witness, as we did before. Perhaps someone will declare their feelings that there is some emptiness, but they will be convinced that one should rely on faith, not feelings, and move on. How to determine whether we have power from above or are going our own way?

And what about personal life? How will I be able to determine the presence of One Who has never been visible, but always acted through my thoughts and feelings? I think that in a personal relationship, the absence of God will be noticed very quickly if He was present before, although many issues will also be resolved as usual and by faith.

In communion and friendship with God, there are certain conditions and criteria, observing which, I am born again, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and begin to grow. And as I grow, God teaches me new truths, sends me new light, and waits for my acceptance and obedience to lead me further. With all this, I remain free in my choice and decide how fast to go and how fast to grow.

The experience of my relationship with Jesus is determined by my experience and skill, where my spiritual ear and heart have learned to hear His quiet voice, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life is recognized by the presence of His fruit. And by these signs, having a special closeness, one can understand whether I possess Christ. But I live in human flesh, which hears other voices too and sometimes confuses them or doesn't pay attention to quiet calls. And faith continues to go and comprehend the invisible.

I also know that God has a good heart that respects my choice. And when I prefer evil or don't pay attention to new light, going persistently my own way, the Lord can leave me, first for a short time, depriving me of joy and peace, and then, if I persist in my choice, forever. I will be left with faith, but I will believe in lies. Another spirit will take Christ's place, and it will not be against me continuing to bear the holy Name, attributing Christianity to everything, to be a zealous defender of my knowledge and traditions, imitating habitual service and uttering familiar prayers. My sermons will remain the same and may even inspire someone. But God will not be with me, and my room of communion with Him will be empty. My knowledge of the Deity will not stop, but He will no longer be interested in me, quietly calling and knocking on my heart. How many times has He called me and drawn my attention to the final prophecies for the last time, how many times has He opened the narrow path to me and invited me to walk on it! But I didn't want to change anything and go alone. I was waiting for a fun company and constantly postponed my answer, and then stopped responding to these calls, hoping for a miracle of transformation that will occur when the Latter Rain is poured out.

I continue to dial the familiar number and communicate with emptiness, believing that I am heard, trying to see answers in my life. Nothing particularly changed, although feelings trouble the heart, but I think this comes to everyone with age. The main thing is that I believe and go to the right church.

I don't want to continue this sad story, especially when everything is not like that, when love moves thoughts and points to new goals. God's advice is considered and accepted for life. Although feelings don't always understand what's happening, they weigh the action of the received light before and after and fill the heart with joy and thanksgiving to God. A room in which love reigns and guides will never be empty. There will never come a time when love will say that it has ended, and I need to solve my problems myself further. Love gives me the right to wear white clothes and opens my eyes to many things. I have eye salve, which was given to me when buying gold, and my ears are open to hear the voice of the Spirit, and I love.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read 1 Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 54:7-8; Genesis 6:3-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Hebrews 10:25-29; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; John 12:35-37; Matthew 12:26-32; 23:38; Luke 11:21-26; Revelation 2:4-5; 3:3; Nahum 1:2-7; Habakkuk 2:4; Matthew 7:13-20; 28:18-20; Revelation 3:20 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How do you understand the expression "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit"?

4. Why does the Lord, who spoke so much about not leaving us, leave those who do not respond to His calls?

5. What happens to those who abuse God's longsuffering?

6. What does God-forsakenness mean in the last time?

7. Is it possible to pray, read the Bible, do God's work, and at the same time be spiritually dead? What could be the reason?

8. Are there any other messages giving hope for those who have rejected the message to Laodicea?

9. If I wholeheartedly believe in such a God Who sees my sincerity and desire to be in paradise and closes His eyes to my sinful behavior because He loves me so much, do I have a chance to get to Heaven?

10. How long does God endure human resistance?

11. How to determine that boundary when God leaves the sinner forever?

12. How can the presence of love in my mind help me stand? How is it different from other gifts of the Holy Spirit?

13. Do you want to be established in love? How do you understand this? Ephesians 3:17

14. Do you believe that as long as you have communion and friendship with Christ, He will never leave you, even if you make a mistake and fall?

15. How does a mistake differ from rebellion or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Once upon a time, I lived in a fifth-floor apartment. In the entryway, there was an elevator around which a staircase was built. The elevator would only take people up, and you had to walk down the stairs yourself. As a child, I couldn't simply walk. I would run up the stairs, skipping every other step. Sometimes I would run over three steps, and sometimes I would test my strength by jumping over entire flights of stairs.

Currently, the habit of skipping steps remains with me, but there's no longer a constant need to do so, except when going up or in a hurry.

If someone were to look at me from the side, they might assume that I respect the work of janitors and preserve the stair covering by using only 50 percent of it.

But sometimes I tell myself: "Stop jumping! You're not a child anymore!"

God gave us His law and His commandments, and He very much wants us to become acquainted with them, to hear about them. The Lord desires that I personally read what He has commanded, memorize it, understand the spirit of the Law, and then allow God to implant it in my heart and write it in my thoughts.

The entire law is holy and was given to the world as a unified moral code of proper relationships between people and God, as well as between one person and another. This measure of righteousness has not changed over the years, and God's requirements remain unshakable since the day they were proclaimed. But there are those who jump over these holy statutes, considering something outdated or unnecessary in our time. Some even try to set records by attempting to jump over the entire law without getting hurt. As a result, a habit is formed that shapes character.

If you were to ask people which commandments they know, they would typically name only two: "Do not kill and do not steal". But there are 10 of them. And how many other rules, guidelines, and decrees does the Bible contain? A great many. And God wants us not to jump in studying the Bible, but to consistently delve into ourselves and the teaching.

Someone said that for people, the law is not written if it is written, not read if it is read, not understood if understood, and if understood, not understood correctly. When I speak about God's commandments, many of you will agree that they must be observed and that one cannot jump, violating the harmony of life, as this is sin, and a sinning soul will die.

But when the conversation turns to prophecies for the last time, for some reason, those willing to study, understand, and consistently follow them become very few. However, games of jumping begin and become a habit. And I notice myself among these would-be athletes. But this is not how one should live. By jumping over something in the Bible, I become a superficial listener and reader and might miss something important.

Any prophecy contains depth of revelations, and God wants me not to jump over incomprehensible verses, but to pray for their understanding and interpretation. I agree that not all prophecies will be revealed to us, and many of them have already been fulfilled in the past, simply testifying that God will fulfill everything He has planned. Such a position of faith helps me understand that much will also be accomplished in our days.

Do you think the message to Laodicea is an important prophecy for the end times? Those who have studied previous lessons will say yes. In these verses lies the most important truth for the last days, teaching what needs to be understood and undertaken to stand firm.

Stop jumping through verses, skipping what is not immediately revealed. It is worth pondering every word of this message, deciphering all these symbols, understanding the meaning, and living as the True and Faithful Witness advises. Stop jumping through words, considering something unnecessary and optional! Everything in this message is important!

Let's consider an example. When the Sanctuary did not exist, was it important to make sacrifices in it? No, because it wasn't there. When the time came, and God gave this law, and when this place was consecrated, all previous decrees about sacrifice lost their force. Sacrifices were to be made in a specific place. Subsequently, the temple was built, and the service moved to this place, and everything previous lost significance.

When Jesus came and offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin, the temple service lost its meaning, as all rituals and Laws about sacrifices pointed to Christ and were fulfilled in Him. With His blood, Jesus entered the true Heavenly Sanctuary and became the true High Priest of Heavenly service. Until a certain time, He interceded in the first section of the Sanctuary, where everyone was accepted, but when the time of Sanctuary cleansing came, our Heavenly Advocate left the Holy Place and moved to the Most Holy Place, where He continues His intercessory service. And all service performed before this transition lost its force, although it remains written in the Bible.

Currently, a Heavenly court is in session, examining the cases of all people involved in Christianity to determine those who have become worthy of Eternal life and allowed themselves to be prepared for moving to Heaven. The cases of all dead righteous people will be reviewed, and a verdict will be rendered. After this, the court will move to the living, and their lives will be examined, thoughts and feelings weighed, and those found faithful will be sealed.

Jesus will not eternally remain in the Most Holy Place. Soon He will complete this phase of service and leave this place to reward each according to their deeds, ending the history of Earth and sin with His Second Coming.

When the judgment of living righteous people begins, then all previous rules will transition to the final phase of service, and prophecies about the last time and preparation for these events will become very relevant. Many children of God will be surprised that everything is not going as they imagined and expected, and many of them will be stumbled and will not accept the new conditions of Christ's service. They will reject the convictions of the Holy Spirit that contradict their understanding of this time.

Oil for the lamp will become the most valuable product, and its filling — the most important teaching. The enemy of the soul will offer a counterfeit, but the Spirit of God will reveal all the wicked plans and give His light. Knowledge and understanding of Biblical prophecies and symbols about the last time will help us orient ourselves and stand firm in this sifting. God will not leave anyone uninformed who consistently goes through all stages of growth and knowledge of truth. But a lack of knowledge will become fatal for many believers.

In Revelation 3:18, the Lord advises us to buy the most important things that will reveal a new path and plan for the last time. Do not jump over this verse and incomprehensible symbols. If you miss something from these goods, you will lose everything, and with it the power to stand in the coming trials. Stop jumping, friends! Stop and know what God offers us, and then allow yourself to be known by opening the door to the One who stands and knocks.

All Biblical sciences are good, but knowledge of prophecies about the last time is important and relevant now like nothing else. When the High Priest announces the sealing of those He has cleansed and chosen, then everything else will lose its power, and no one will be able to change anything. Where do you want to be at that time, friend? Will you continue to jump? Everything is being offered to you.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read 1 Timothy 4:16; Mark 7:6-13; 2 Timothy 3:7; James 1:22-25; 1 Samuel 8:7; 15:23; Matthew 26:41; Hosea 4:6; 8:3; Proverbs 2:1-12; 15:8; 28:9; Psalm 24:9; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Amos 3:7; Ephesians 3:16-21; Jude 1:24-25 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Read 2 Peter 1:5-7. What can you skip to reach the top step?

4. Did you notice what is at the very top of "Peter's ladder"?

5. Do you think the parable of the ten virgins is a ladder leading to warning and knowledge of truth for the present time? If so, what can you confidently skip?

6. Are all the symbols from the message to Laodicea clear to you? Can you define each of them from memory?

7. Do you know the message to Laodicea by heart? Or at least verse 18? Have you noticed the importance of this message?

8. Is it important to know what the oil for the lamp is, and where it can be bought today?

9. Do you think it's necessary to make an effort not to miss anything that is very important to know and understand at the end of time?

10. What lack of knowledge does the prophet Hosea 4:6 speak about? How can I understand if I have this knowledge?

11. Will the Lord draw careless and superficial people who want to be saved but do not wish to accept God's plan of Salvation into Eternity?

12. Is it important to understand what Jesus is currently doing in Heaven, and what will happen when He finishes His service in the Heavenly Sanctuary?

13. Do you understand the importance of gradual growth and transition from one stage of faith to another?

14. Will there be an announcement somewhere for all who wish to join the number of 144,000?

15. Do you think this school is preparing us for something important and interesting?

If you were to ask me to tell you about the meaning of my faith, how church services are conducted, how my Christianity opposes the world, what I do as a representative of God's people, you would hear a story that might make you think or discourage you. If you are studying only the Bible and the lessons of this book, having relationships only with our students, you will feel the atmosphere of Heaven, a spirit of friendliness, a special presence of God in our communication with each other. The truth for the last time will be revealed to you in the clarity and simplicity of Holy Scripture. But we are scattered all over the world, and we don't even have the opportunity to gather together in person, and are simply members of a local church.

I believed in Christ in the summer of 1993, made a covenant with Him through water baptism, and found my church a little later, accepting re-baptism, thereby testifying that I agree with the doctrine of the denomination to which the Lord led me.

My self-education supported me, and my faith grew and was strengthened through my personal relationship with Jesus. In prophetic and spiritual books, I read about what the church is in God's eyes and how dear it is to the Most High. I always rejoiced that I am among a people who have a teaching based on the Bible and do not believe in delusions.

If you ask me about the real meaning of public service, based on my observations, I will tell you something that might surprise someone.

On Saturday morning, I go to church for worship as commanded, and I already know what the order of this meeting will be. We gather together, sing spiritual hymns, conduct a Sabbath school lesson, listen to a sermon, and disperse until the next Sabbath. And so every week. At best, I might be invited to lunch after the service, or if I have the opportunity, I invite someone to my place. And all the rest of the time between these events, I can fill with whatever I consider right and necessary. And for many, many years, nothing changes in the usual course of events. The pandemic introduced some innovations to the order of worship, but changed nothing, only fewer people began attending meetings.

Year after year, I habitually do the same thing and do not know how it should be. I cannot imagine how it should be in the reality of our days. But about myself, I can say that such an order does not satisfy me, if one were to live by it alone. I constantly seek spiritual food for myself so as not to die of hunger, and I do not rely on someone feeding me in church. My Christianity is concentrated not on Saturday worship, but on a personal relationship with Christ, on constantly clinging to Him with my cares, needs, requests, and problems. Sometimes I thank Him for the abundance of everything or delight His heart with my new ideas. Many times I tried to implement my spiritual discoveries in my church, but realized that they simply do not understand me. They treat me very warily, and I have to personally seek out those with whom I can share the fire that warms the heart and gives meaning to life.

I am part of a prophetic people and do not separate myself from them, because the Lord chose the church to complete the history of this world and gave enough light to prepare us for this mission. But, unfortunately, I know only the theory, and in practice I see only what I described above. But this does not disturb me. I have found living water and am ready to share it with all who desire.

I am very inspired by camp meetings where one can meet living missionaries who have a personal relationship with Jesus and are very close to me in spirit. At such meetings, amazing encounters with unique people occur, and God's Spirit especially visits such events, inspiring us to new types of service.

Sometimes I think about what will happen if our local church is closed. Will neighbors notice, and will the city's residents regret that we are no longer here? The reality is that no one will even pay attention to it. I say this, but I so want to change something.

The most precious and valuable thing in any of God's churches is people, our friendship, love, and communion in the right spirit. A union of like-minded people has powerful influence and gives God the opportunity to manifest His power to achieve set goals. But if such relationships do not exist, we become self-centered and seek what will help us independently swim against the current. Some manage this, while others drown in the temptations of this world and leave God forever, harboring a bitter resentment in their hearts towards their brethren.

If I try to open a closed door every time, hoping it will suddenly swing open, and repeat this year after year, you would consider me a strange person. But when for many years we try through service to do something that does not work, it looks like missionary work that bears no result but keeps us in shape. We pray, ask for blessings, go into the world, inviting people to us, rejoice at even one new face, and then realize that nothing has opened again, but plan the next attempt, hoping for a magical "What if..."

In this story, I am not scolding anyone, not looking for someone to blame, do not want to prove anything, but simply sharing what exists and what I live in. When I listen to news about thousands converting and coming to God in Africa, my heart trembles with joy for the missionaries working there. But here, it is very difficult to find even one person, and then you have to keep them. The fact that I have a personal relationship with God supports me and makes me alive, but I do not know how to teach newcomers. They came not to me, but to the church. They need friends, a spiritual family, communication, just interest in themselves, and in response, only formalism. What is the problem? I do not have the wisdom to solve these tasks for the entire church, although I perfectly know what to do personally.

At a certain period of my Christianity, I realized that I have knowledge of truth and faith, but do not have love, and this threw me into despair. I simply realized that I could not continue living like this. The spiritual emptiness of formalism constantly discouraged me, and only theological disputes brought some variety to my everyday life. I began to ask the Lord for the gift of love, and He answered and gave me this seed. Oh, how pleasant it is to have it, to nurture it in my life and share this knowledge and gift with others. My life became colorful, interesting, alive. I constantly invent projects for myself, and they work. Love brings an amazing meaning to everything. Any of my deeds with a motive of love delights my heart and inspires new projects.

Although the world around me has not changed, my attitude towards life and people has become different. I cannot do many things and do not know much, but I joyfully do what I can. I like to give and share spiritual blessings of love, and I do it very gently, so as not to violate someone else's freedom, and to remain free myself.

I understand that in the last time, some special upheavals must occur to awaken my entire people. And I am waiting for this.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 13:24-30; Luke 18:7-8; Philippians 2:12-16; 1 Timothy 4:16; 1 Peter 1:13-23; Luke 23:55-56; Luke 4:16; Acts 16:3; 17:2-3; Exodus 31:13; Isaiah 66:23; Mark 2:27; Hebrews 5:11-14; Ezekiel 9:4; James 1:21-25; 1 John 2:15-17; Revelation 3:15-16; Hebrews 10:25 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you think my experience of life in the church is an exception to the rule, or do you also observe and experience something similar?

4. Does God know what is happening now in His church? Is the reason for spiritual formalism known to Him?

5. Is it important to have personal self-education in spiritual growth, or should one find a correct and living church and entrust their upbringing to its leadership?

6. Is it worth dedicating one's life to identifying and pulling out tares to help the Lord achieve spiritual purity in the church?

7. Do you understand what spiritual formalism is? Do you know from your experience the influence of this spirit?

8. Is it worth fighting for one's salvation if no one around wants to engage in this?

9. What can help in personal self-education? Do you have ideas for personal spiritual growth?

10. Won't my personal piety look like an attempt to stand out among the quiet and calm flow of circumstances in church life?

11. Is it worth organizing a new church if the spiritual condition of the congregation depresses me?

12. Can the Lord revive His people? What can I do for this?

13. Have you tried offering materials from this book in your communities for spiritual development?

14. Do our lessons help you comprehend something great and inaccessible that you did not know before?

15. Are you concerned about what is happening in the spiritual world of your community?

The Chief Designer gave me a plan for building a personal aircraft that would, at a specific time, carry me to the Heavenly country across the ocean. According to my faith, I was gifted a Green Card giving me the right to relocate and obtain citizenship of this state. I received a clear instruction for assembling the aircraft, which detailed the history of previous builders, the changing of aircraft parts, and provided wise advice and recommendations for installing important nodes and assemblies. I have a sketch of the exterior, a description of how this flying machine should look and what color it should be painted. I make a covenant with the Chief Designer and begin my work.

During assembly, I experience many falls and disappointments in myself. I see what a failure I am in this entrusted process, but I am given a Spiritual Mentor who constantly comforts me and teaches me not to give up, but to move forward. I work and learn. My friends in faith are engaged in the same work, and we often gather together to discuss some assembly questions, share the experience of new discoveries, and support each other. In this communion, we become spiritually related, and some even create families, but each continues to build their own aircraft.

Unfortunately, there are always those who look at the surrounding world and try to bring some advice into our life and work. We sometimes marvel at the similarity of parts and accept them, but then realize that this is all a forgery of the true plan and refuse such cooperation. And worldly friends leave our ranks, leaving their unassembled aircraft as sad monuments to themselves.

Many of our friends leave life before the planned flight, and their bodies rest in the earth until the time when the Chief Designer sends His beloved Son to take all those who were faithful builders to the Heavenly country and make them full citizens of the Heavenly Homeland.

But some are destined to make this flight themselves, and special requirements are placed on such people. They are given detailed instructions for assembly and refueling of the aircraft. And this issue of flight became so responsible and important that the Son Himself decided to participate as a Flight Instructor, and for this purpose He personally comes to each builder's home, knocks on the door, offering His services, and enters to those who recognize and accept Him. He carefully explains what oil should be used to fill the aircraft's vessel so that no fuel shortage occurs during the flight, and no one perishes in the darkness. And in the process of this communication, we become close friends, eat together and discuss future affairs. I learn details of upcoming trials, and my Teacher gives me driving lessons, through which I get to know my Heavenly Friend better, begin to understand the aircraft's structure more deeply, delve into the art of managing this complex mechanism, and become a very happy pilot.

My Heavenly Friend informed me that the flight to the Heavenly country is scheduled for the near future, and 144,000 pilots have been assigned to the squadron, who are now busy assembling their aircraft all over the world. And during the flight, each pilot will be able to overcome obstacles by faith, and the Heavenly Instructor will maintain radio contact with each of them, reminding them of the rules from the Aircraft Operation Manual.

How joyful it is to listen to these instructions! My heart burns, my hands work, my mouth praises and thanks my Designer. I study the oil composition, learn where it is sold, pay with my time, my soiled clothes, and myself. I fill the aircraft's vessel and wait, reflecting on the peculiarities of driving and the complexities of the flight. I understand that without proper oil reserves, my aircraft will not reach its destination.

Beside me are careless friends who have built everything but for some reason postpone refueling, believing they will always have time. I try to convince them that it's better to do it now, or the refueling station will close, and it will be too late. Some listen, while others accuse me of fanaticism and pharisaism. I ask that everyone verify that their aircraft is assembled correctly, refueled with the right oil, and their pilots have passed the Agape Driving School with the Teacher Himself. Some agreed, while others began to make excuses that they bought a field and want to look at it, some have a wedding, and some simply have no time. I understand everything well.

We live in a business world with its own requirements and standards to be a successful entrepreneur, but if I was warned from above that this world is doomed, it's worth moving to a place where everything is stable. I managed to combine aircraft construction with worldly affairs, which made me very tired, sank into numbness, and made me want to sleep. My careless brothers are already snoring, while I struggle and try to pretend that I'm awake. But while we were all sleeping together, the enemy of the soul came and caused significant damage to those who worked superficially, so that they had no fuel reserves left. We did not anticipate such a scenario.

Early one morning on a specific day, a loud voice awakened all of us, and we were given a takeoff command. The unwise friends began to ask us for oil, but we could no longer give them anything, as we had jointly gone to the runway and were taking off to the Sky one by one. Dark clouds with some colorful ulcers were approaching us, but we raised our gazes in faith, and no harm was done to us. The flight was prolonged and dangerous, but knowledge of the Instructor's rules and promises supported us in the air, and nothing could approach us, though thousands and tens of thousands of ignorant people fell and disappeared into darkness on the right and left. We moved forward by faith through clouds and hurricanes, relying only on the aircraft's instruments and the knowledge received. Earthly authorities sentenced us to death as traitors of the Homeland and sent all their forces in pursuit, but could not overcome the protection from above, though in their rage they desired our death.

I firmly held the steering wheel and understood only one thing. Everything I managed to learn and remember from the operation manual would help me now. By faith, I relied on the fact that if everything was done and built correctly, we would reach our cherished goal. It was a very sorrowful time, but we passed through and survived all trials worthily. The aircraft withstood all loads, and no one had a single breakdown on the way. And before the finish, we saw the glorious procession of the Second Visit of our Teacher to Earth. He gently landed us on His airfield, and then showed us the power of His word, commanding all deceased friends to leave their graves and rise to Him.

What a wonderful meeting took place in the air! What a joy of victory resounded through the Heavens! Here is life in abundance!!! Here is our Teacher!!! Our gazes meet, and we rejoice like children.

How good that we left behind all the small, earthly things to receive everything big and Heavenly. Then we only believed and weakly imagined this celebration, but now our eyes see what was promised to us. And now we know that things will be even more interesting ahead.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 5:6; 20:14-16; 25:1-13; Revelation 3:18-20; 22:18-19; Luke 13:24-30; 14:16-24 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the principle that any parable does not reveal the full picture but tries to highlight important details to pay attention to?

4. Are you actually going to build a real plane, or will our preparation be of a spiritual nature?

5. Why is it so important in preparing for the last events to be faithful in one thing, not forget about another, and pay due attention to a third?

6. What is more important: building the plane, refueling it, or learning to control it?

7. Why are we not invited to one common airliner but advised to have a personal preparation experience?

8. Did you notice that the address in the Laodicea message is directed at me, not a group of people?

9. Is it important to heed God's advice?

10. Is there anything in common between the Laodicea message and the parables of the ten virgins and the wedding feast?

11. Why are not all interested in studying the symbols of the address to Laodicea?

12. Does Jesus have other important messages about the last time for those who do not want to study the message to Laodicea?

13. What will happen to those who ignore the message to Laodicea but are active missionaries and Bible readers?

14. Are you glad that the Agape Love School is in your life? Is studying in it a special blessing for you?

15. How do you see the fulfillment of Bible prophecies about the end of time in our days?

Every morning, each of us is given the same amount of time. Salvation is offered equally to all. Without exception, every person can become a son or daughter of God. Christ's blood, shed for our sins, is capable of cleansing every soul, no matter how low a person has fallen. But what do we see? Unbelief and indifference reign around us. The world rushes toward some beautiful future that gets closer and closer but never arrives. Time is spent on everything imaginable, while the most valuable and important remains unnoticed.

Biblical prophecies teach us that at the end of Earth's history, times of tribulation and hardship will come, such as no one has ever experienced before. I cannot imagine how this will actually occur, but I understand that we should prepare for such events now.

What is tribulation? It is experiencing suffering, depression, fear, guilt, grief, pain, loss of loved ones, despair, and more. And my life becomes very dark. Now let's gather all of this together, multiply it several times, and place it on one person. It will result in something resembling a very deep depression. This is approximately what awaits this world at the end of time. Such a spirit will touch each of us. We will all, in one way or another, pass through this time. But it is worth understanding that all these events that will torment our souls have a spiritual foundation.

Perhaps tribulation will be partially exacerbated by some physical illnesses, but overall, it will touch everyone.

What can be contrasted with such a spirit? Love, happiness, friendship, joy, faith, peace, thanksgiving, and other pleasures. All of this brings light and peace, gives hope.

A question arises: "What of the above factors can be learned?" I think all sorrowful feelings come by themselves if not resisted. Darkness is the natural state of a soul where the source of light is absent. And light does not arise by itself. It must originate from something.

Spiritual and mental light does not appear without reason out of nowhere but can be reflected from the True Source of light and warm the soul. God is my Light. He gives each person His blessing so that we might taste how good He is and appreciate this advantage of life. But the Lord desires to give greater light, and He very much wants me to be a light to the world. But this requires my consent and time that I will spend near Jesus, and like a flashlight, receive a charge from Him for the coming day to shine brightly for my neighbors.

In the Letter to Laodicea, I am declared my true condition with which I will enter the time of tribulation, but at the same time, I am offered what I can use to withstand all darkness and worthily endure all trials. But this offer contains a condition. I must buy what Jesus advises me. I am also called to be zealous in acquiring this merchandise and repent of my previous way of life. Then the Teacher Himself comes to me to instruct me in everything with which I will enter the great tribulation, so that in our friendly communion we might know each other more closely.

Any learning requires time, which many simply do not have. But interestingly, everyone has time for things that are prioritized, but not enough time for less important and necessary matters.

I have noticed in my life that with all my business busyness, time is quickly found for people who want to build something and pay large amounts of money. I am ready to interrupt any conversation and cancel important meetings to get this client. But I cannot find time for a close friend, even if I am dying of boredom, explaining it by saying that I am very busy.

But if a friend might understand, what am I to do with Jesus, who advises me to invest my time in what I can use during the time of tribulation? I answer Him through His servants: "Oh, this is so much! This is so long! This will take my entire life, and I cannot pay you for it! I simply have no time for my salvation. Invent something else, something easier, that will save me by itself!" Satisfied with such an answer, I continue to do important things, believing that the Lord heard me and will certainly invent something, since He loves me and does not want to lose me. How thankful I am to the Lord that He gave me so much work and interesting things, and I am ready to engage in them from morning to evening, earning a lot of money. And with these means, I can support any of God's work and receive universal respect and recognition for my charity.

Are you familiar with such a scenario, friends? In what role are you in this story?

The message to Laodicea is the very last message before the time of tribulation. It invites us to the wedding feast. And when these doors close behind all who have responded, then, in fact, no one will have time to be saved or to correct anything. When my Heavenly Friend says that He will come soon, I can wait for Him while also doing ordinary things. But when He has come and stands at my door, it is very foolish to tell Him that I have no time for Him and His teaching. And according to God's prophecies, there will be many such foolish people.

God offers all of Himself in the form of goods for Laodicea. He desires that I see, understand, and recognize this. This purchase will take all my best time, my entire subsequent life. He simply will not accept anything less as payment. God gives us various things and benefits for earthly life, but most of all desires to teach us to become rich in eternal values that will not disappear during the great tribulation but will delight us with their inner wealth, power, and purity. No forgery will withstand the fiery trial, but pure gold will become even purer and brighter. And this time is rapidly approaching. It is already touching us with its hot breath and will cover the whole world like a funeral shroud. And no one will escape it.

Moreover, the time of tribulation will be interesting because the Lord Himself will pour out His purifying judgments and destroy everything that was created and produced over many centuries. But joyful, loving, and happy friends He promises to keep in these trials because they found time for Him and dedicated their lives to learning to love one another and hear God's voice.

Do you have time, friends, to buy what the Faithful Witness advises in the Message to the people of the last time? We are offered Heavenly love and faith, true happiness on a solid Foundation, an Eternal School of Agape Love, and joy in the Holy Spirit. And we are given to each other to realize these blessings in our happiness and mutual development, in the ability to love at all times. And the time of tribulation will bring together all of God's loving children so closely that they will not want to lose this happy spirit of joyful relationships throughout Eternity.

It is very good, necessary, joyful, and interesting to enter the time of tribulation with love, friendship, and happiness. I think this will be the best time for those who love each other. And Jesus will be so close that everything else will simply fade from His presence in the heart. Did those who entered the wedding feast cry about being saved? I think they were very happy because they found time for it.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Daniel 12:1-3; Proverbs 15:13; Revelation 3:18-20; 1 Chronicles 12:32; Psalm 89:12; Revelation 10:5-6; 1 Kings 3:9-14; Matthew 25:3-5; Ephesians 5:14-21; Jeremiah 8:20; Proverbs 8:5; 9:4-6; Jeremiah 4:19-23; Psalms 9:10,22; 21:12; 31:10; 36:39; 49:15; 90:14-16; 93:19; 119:1 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Does my current choice of life path affect the quality of my life and my salvation?

4. Do you think love and joy can resist tribulation and depression?

5. Will the skill of love and happiness help remain so during tribulation and darkness?

6. Do you think a joyful spirit brings special blessings to life?

7. Is it worth understanding what the time of tribulation is and how to endure it, or should it just come unexpectedly?

8. What should I do now, knowing that difficult times are approaching?

9. Should I stock up on grains and canned goods for the time of tribulation? Or what would you advise?

10. Is God interested in me preparing for the last events right now?

11. Is it important to understand what awaits us in the future and what we should prepare for?

12. Do you think the lessons of this book teach something that might be very useful in the near future?

13. Will the presence of love, happiness, and friendship help endure the time of tribulation in the right spirit?

14. How do you think God wants to see us: dying from fear in anticipation of disasters or happy from love while waiting for Jesus?

15. Have you experienced something that gives you peace and confidence about the upcoming events?

The most fascinating event that Heaven experiences is observing how God's people pass through fiery trials, tests of endurance and faithfulness, examinations of their attitude toward abundance and idleness. The entire Universe is very interested to discover what each of us will decide to do with the light sent to us. The heavenly beings are not indifferent to the character that people will possess who become part of the Heavenly family.

When I was 12 years old, during summer vacation, I was staying at my grandmother's in the village. My cousin and I would go to the local collective farm and look for work. Sometimes they would give us horses, and we would ride to haymaking to collect grass. And once they sent us to the elevator to monitor and service the sifting machine. I was very interested in watching how freshly collected grain was poured into a large pit from the machine, and it was fed into a special device with two sieves. When this mechanism was turned on, vibration would begin, and the incoming grain would go through sifting, reach a certain level, and move further according to the result obtained.

The first sieve would let all the grain pass through, only holding back large debris, which would roll off the sieve into a special opening. The second sieve would hold back good grain but had small holes through which dust, small debris, and all tiny seeds would pour down. Our task was to collect all the waste in buckets and load them onto a tractor trailer.

Clean grain was placed in a large cistern, where it would await its further fate. And for us, it was a great joy to jump into this container, burrow into the grains, and enjoy the unusual aroma of the fresh harvest.

Sifting is the process of purifying my character that all of God's people must necessarily go through. I think it is the most sad and solemn event that the Heavenly host experiences, watching God's children. The Lord pours out His light, which for some is the Bread of life, and for others a stumbling block. The Lord sends the fire of trials, which tempers soft characters and burns harmful impurities. This process of purification and hardening occurs constantly until the purified gold of a faithful character begins to reflect the image of its Creator.

God allows certain world elements and temptations that I am capable of enduring to crash into my life, and sometimes He Himself creates difficulties for me to teach me something and establish me in something.

Not everyone withstands these trials of faith. Some, like a mighty oak, endure all the onslaught of external storms but perish from small beetles of gossip, disputes, and grievances that quickly corrode the soul from within.

Some believe in God's mighty power in the lives of other people, rejoice in others' victories, but cannot entrust their own life to the Most High.

Some are very good at navigating darkness and know intuitively what is pure and what is not, but absolutely do not understand what to do with the abundance of light that comes into their life. And such a person rejects it.

We all have different exams and trials. We all have common light but see it from our own perspective. God takes into account our age, strength, intellect, existing knowledge, experience, developmental characteristics, and accordingly allows us to experience what will strengthen and teach us.

The enemy of the soul also has his sieve and very much wants to gather a worthless harvest into his granaries. He is ready to deceive, tempt, bewitch, and disappoint every person, just to obtain their soul. The bonds of darkness and spiritual death are very strong, and only a few manage to break them with God's help. But the Lord does not cease to invade the kingdom of darkness. He constantly sends us into the enemy's camp to snatch out the next soul.

Whether I want it or not, my life with Christ is full of trials, and my soul constantly passes through another sieve, which is tuned to God's standards and separates everything unclean.

Going through sifting is the most unpleasant process in the life of every child of God. Sometimes I become a tube that God's foot steps on, and such dirt comes out of me that I am horrified by the awareness of my inner content.

I shudder at what is happening and ask for God's mercy and strength to cleanse myself from this sin's filth, and the Lord washes me and does not allow this impurity to defile my soul again. But someone, like a dog, returns to their vomit or goes to wallow in the mud, not understanding what is happening.

Everything happening in the world now is also a kind of test that either affirms us in faith or leads us away from God. Each of my decisions can be a step toward growth or a descent carrying me to destruction.

Not all bad trials bring me evil, and not all good trials carry blessings for me. For some, abundance can be an occasion for charity, but for others, a temptation to satiety and idleness. But God desires to purify and test every believer before He forever places us in His crown as a shining diamond, so that we might continuously shine like stars. As long as we live, we will constantly experience the world's resistance, just as a living fish always swims against the current.

Not every fall or mistake of mine indicates that I am lost to Heaven. Such things are allowed in the process of growth or learning. And not every victory or success of mine testifies to my strength and faithfulness. In Christ's School, there is no final victory. The war will continue until the Second Coming or my last breath. Only one of these events will give a final assessment of my life.

The saddest category of people are not those whom the wind of trials returns to the world, but those of God's children who, seeing their sin, begin to justify it and teach others to do the same. People who call darkness light and do not want to change anything in their lives thereby blaspheme the Holy Spirit and incorrectly represent the pure God to those around them.

God's sieve is impartial, but it has many tender and merciful meshes through which all weak and infirm children pass. With what love and care our Good Shepherd leads into trials those who can do nothing without Him. He carries us in His arms so that the flame does not scorch and water does not drown. And everything proud and arrogant He humbles in the same sieve, passing through the meshes of justice and punishment, but not depriving them of love and care.

At the end of this path, the Lord desires to see His uniformity, His love and character in our diversity.

We also experience the pain of losing loved ones with whom we grew up, won victories, and learned to believe. These people live in our hearts, and losing them in another trial, it is impossible to believe that they are gone forever. And we continue to fight for them and convince them that they need to get up and move forward. But not always are we willing to be heard, and we understand that something is lost forever, never to rise again. This pain cannot be conveyed in words, but the heart knows it and weeps together with the loving God.

At the end of time, the most severe test of faith awaits us, and only those who have clothed themselves in Christ and established themselves in love will stand, so it is worth having this and learning it.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Luke 22:31-32; John 15:17-23; James 1:2-4,12; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 4:12-16; Daniel 3:11,17-18,23-26; 11:33-35; 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:1-2; Isaiah 1:25; 10:20-23; 46:3-4; Jeremiah 33:8; Ezekiel 36:25; Romans 9:27-28; Romans 11:2-6; Revelation 14:12-13; John 12:35-36; 16:2-4 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How do you understand sifting? What is it? What does sifting look like in your life?

4. Do you think you have already gone through the sifting process?

5. Are all of your brothers continuing to participate in all spiritual projects and attend all meetings?

6. Do you know those who had faith and then went into the world? What might be the reason?

7. Why does God sift His people? After all, we are already few in this world.

8. Are you familiar with the saying: "Count your chickens in the fall"? Is there similarity with sifting?

9. Are you not afraid of the prospect of the most severe trials that await us ahead?

10. Why must gold be tested by fire?

11. Does the enemy of the soul know how firm I am in truth and where my weak points are?

12. Do you think these insights help prepare for the coming trials?

13. Should I engage in sifting and decide who is worthy of salvation and who will perish?

14. What should I do if I see that I did not stand in the trial and my faith is fading?

15. Should one be afraid of sifting? What is necessary to do if we are scared?

In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus divided His people into two categories. Although this story does not reveal the entire picture of the future as a whole, it still contains some hints and warnings that are worth paying attention to. And if we delve deeper into the essence of what was said, very important truths are revealed that we must seriously contemplate.

The Lord divided these virgins into two groups and gave them names: wise and foolish. To avoid confusing us, Jesus assigned an equal number of people to both groups. We can only guess what the percentage ratio between them will be in the last time. But let us allow our Heavenly Friend to resolve this question Himself.

The wise girls differed only in that they had prepared oil, while the foolish were not in a hurry to do so.

Foolish is one who lacks common sense, discernment, foresight of danger, the one whom the Bible sometimes calls stupid.

But it is worth remembering that the foolish virgins were part of God's people, and it would be wrong to call them completely stupid. They had the fear of the Lord, they knew the truth, they knew where oil was sold and what needed to be given to buy it, but for some reason, they did not do it.

Jesus omitted details of preparation for the wedding celebration, but from the context of the parable, it is evident that the truth for the present time was not a secret for the foolish virgins. They heard it, studied it, understood it, but did not change anything in accordance with it. For some reason, they believed they would always have time to do what they were called to do. These virgins even managed to obtain a small amount of the oil that was so necessary for a trial.

Christ used the image of a wedding to make us clearly understand that a person's faith and knowledge will help them only if they are combined with obedience and doing what is proposed.

The foolish virgins probably represent a class of spectators and listeners who missed nothing, who were fully informed. But the information of the last time was so abundant that the foolish virgins simply had no time for practical steps, so they did not do what their Heavenly Commander advised them to do without delay. They simply did not have the wisdom to act correctly.

I do not think the foolish virgins were flagrant violators of God's Law. They kept all of God's commandments and were faithful to them. They knew the truth and grew in it. But they did nothing to prepare and endure trials for the last time, although they knew what was expected of them. The virgins knew what the oil for the lamp was, where it was sold, how much it cost, and what needed to be done to acquire it. When they were sent to the sellers, they went to them. We are not told whether they bought anything, and if so, whether the oil was genuine, whether there was enough of it. But one thing is clear. They were late. It was too late to correct anything. When my plane, on which I was supposed to fly, takes off from the ground, I understand that something has happened that I cannot change. But it is worth considering the fact that these virgins were late for Eternity, being born from above, having the fullness of light, written in the Book of Life, but neglecting the final preparations. And they remained forever with their choice. Nothing but foolishness can describe this! To be at the heart of Eternity, know everything necessary, dream of deliverance, imagine oneself among the saved, rejoice in the new light, and then lose it all through frivolity!

Perhaps no more terrifying picture could be imagined. Having the opportunity and right to all of Heaven, losing Eternity and becoming easy prey for Satan. That will indeed be great tribulation. But the saddest thing in this story is that Christ says to these foolish virgins that He does not know them. How can this be?! They were in the right church, in the right place, knew all the truth, but missed some details.

The answer can be found with the sellers, in the place where the foolish virgins went when they realized their lamps were going out. The only place that best corresponds to this criterion is Revelation 3:18, where the Lord advises me to buy some goods from Him. Specifically to buy, not just take.

And my wisdom, which the Faithful Witness desires to see, consists of immediately making this transaction, paying what is expected of me, being diligent in acquiring and using what is purchased, repenting of my previous lukewarm state of mind, and opening the door to the One who has come to enter.

Being wise in my own eyes is very correct in my understanding, but it is important that this wisdom corresponds to God's criteria. Everyone can hear the knock and voice of Christ, but few will open to Him. Pay attention to the sequence. In the message to Laodicea, first, there is a rebuke of my sins, which are called by name. Then an exit is offered. I must buy what will solve my problems. After that, there is a call to be diligent in acquiring the proposed goods and in repentance about my past life. Then the Lord Himself desires to have a personal close relationship with me so that I give Him the opportunity to know and understand me. And as a consequence of obedience to all these truths, the highest reward in Eternity is promised, which is now very difficult to evaluate. And after this message, there is nothing left for those who decide to be forgetful listeners. But he who has an ear hears what the Spirit says to the churches. Do you hear what the Spirit is saying to you?

It is easy to determine which group of virgins I belong to. If I listen and read with interest what the Faithful Witness advises me, but do not come to Him with the request: "Sell me what You advise me to buy!" and do not convince myself that the purchase and sale transaction has taken place, then I risk becoming foolish.

Understand, friends, that in this offer, there are far more blessings of Heaven for the last time than can be imagined!!! If I do not understand this, and having realized it, am not zealous to acquire and learn to own it, then No One will come to my door to know me. If I reject God's advice with an offer to buy His goods, in which He has essentially invested Himself, what else does He have to talk to me about? About how unhappy, miserable, and also stupid I will be during the time of tribulation? Is this what the Lord desires? Does He advise me to buy trash since I am so careless about it? How else can I be convinced that the wisdom of the wise virgins lies precisely in acquiring God's goods?

The most valuable thing with which I can pay for this purchase is my time. God also expects all of me and all my sins, but if, in giving this, I do not give my time and simply declare: "Take what you want," the transaction will not take place. In buying God's goods, I must dedicate the rest of my life to ensuring that what is bought becomes mine and I know how to use it. Oil is not given to replenish reserves but so that in dark times it can flow into the lamp and burn in it, and for this, deep knowledge of God and an open heart are needed to let the Lord know me.

And the Lord will gladly invest all my time in Himself and His love.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Proverbs 23:23; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 3:18-20; James 1:21-25; Ephesians 5:14-18; Romans 13:10-14; Isaiah 5:21; 29:11-16; Psalm 48:21; Proverbs 1:5-7; 3:5-8; 8:1-19; 14:16; 28:26; Ecclesiastes 8:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19-21; Jeremiah 5:21-24 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What differences do you see between the wise and foolish virgins?

4. Why did the foolish virgins not have oil in reserve?

5. Did the foolish virgins know where to acquire oil for the lamp?

6. How can one determine which group of virgins I belong to?

7. Are you prepared to begin buying goods from the Faithful Witness and continue this trade until the Second Coming?

8. Is it worth starting something you will not continue?

9. Why did Jesus tell the parable of the ten virgins?

10. Do you think the parable of the ten virgins carries something very important for our time?

11. Is there a semantic connection in the proposed biblical verses for study?

12. Does this School teach you foolishness?

13. What decision have you made after studying this lesson?

14. Why does the Lord not find mere listeners and spectators satisfactory?

15. Will Jesus come to dinner with those who do not wish to spend their time acquiring goods for Laodicea?

If we were to look at what Satan is currently doing, we would see that he is actively preparing the mark and image of the beast to offer us. He is preparing the entire world for the upcoming event and, through possible means, instilling godlessness, love of sin, and carelessness in all people.

The Creator of our Earth desires to save everyone who wishes and accepts the conditions of salvation. God calls all people to repentance and draws attention to the futility of earthly plans compared to Eternal values. And who will hear this voice?

The intensity of spiritual confrontation is increasing, and soon we await the culmination of the last events.

What awaits the world ahead? What will happen to us? What should we prepare for? What is happening? All these and other questions sound clear, and it is worth knowing the correct answer. People want to hear the truth, but will they accept it and grasp the offered salvation? But if we do not tell the world what the Lord reveals to us, people will go seeking answers elsewhere, and the enemy of the soul will certainly explain what is happening in his own way and convince them of peace and safety.

It is sad to understand that the spirit of numbness is also acting among God's people. This was predicted to us as a fact we will have to deal with.

Our society is built so that money is needed everywhere, and everything must be paid for. Many live in abundance. Some earn money through hard labor, some toil from morning to night to survive, while others are tired of it all and are drowning in debt. And the enemy of the soul draws for me beautiful landscapes of a well-fed and secure life, wanting to convince me that my safety lies in my large estate. Thus, he pushes me to spend my time acquiring wealth. From the example of successful people, I see that with ingenuity, knowledge, and abilities, one can quickly become rich, but it is worth remembering that my earthly wealth will not open the doors of the Heavenly Kingdom for me, but will add many unnecessary cares and problems, although it may solve current issues and satisfy immediate needs.

The enemy of the soul has built a very interesting system of spirituality, materialism, and information, in which he has mixed truth with lies, good with evil, and now offers me to settle in this Babylon and not think about anything Heavenly.

Regarding the last time, it is said that people will not think about their salvation, just as it was in the days of Noah. And such an influence numbs me, as everything seems so natural, vital, and ordinary.

We have been given prophecies about the last time through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, where it is very clearly indicated what will happen and how these events will unfold. But we have not been given detailed information about the details of this time. In the prophecies, there is not a single word about the internet and means of communication, about various types of weapons and technological progress, about scientific achievements and amazing discoveries. But we see all this, understanding that this is not the limit. And people's lives have not become more righteous.

Satan is a very talented commander. He has better studied all the prophecies and understood that he will be given some power to complete his destructive work over those who will be deceived by him. And he does not plan to miss this opportunity. He is a skilled strategist who carefully studies God's plans and invents forgeries and traps along the way. And who can withstand satanic seductions?

I think that many of God's children, studying prophecies about the last time, have drawn a picture of how it should be and are waiting for exactly such a development of events corresponding to their understanding. But the problem is that Satan is a wise opponent who has carefully studied all our plans and listened to all our lessons and sermons, and he is not so stupid as to go with his army to where he is expected and prepared for an attack. He will invent a forgery and send some warriors of his army to create the appearance of conformity to prophecies, while directing all his main forces and seductions to where he is least expected. And Satan will strike with certainty.

Unlike us, the enemy does not sleep but prepares for an attack.

Does God know Satan's plans? Yes, He does. Does the Most High have His own war strategy? Yes, He does. Is this plan outlined in the Bible or other works? Yes, but not revealed in all details.

In the message to Laodicea, we see that the Lord advises buying without giving detailed explanations. But for those willing to know this plan, the Holy Spirit begins to reveal the meaning of symbols and prophecies.

God's revelations for the last preparation for battle are unique in that they are accepted at the level of my thoughts and feelings and are written into my heart, becoming personally understandable to me. And in the light of these revelations from above, I understand what awaits me and what I should prepare for. God warns me about the enemy's traps, and sometimes even allows me to fall to learn something. And I learn, learn from Christ Himself.

The enemy of the soul cannot read my thoughts or know what God has revealed to me, and he goes crazy from such a war strategy. Satan and his demons know that God is great in His Power, and no one can oppose Him, so the forces of evil tremble before the impending defeat. And the enemy of the soul understands that the victors will be those who accept the fullness of God's Agape Love and through this merge with God, overcoming everything. He cannot prevent the implementation of God's plan but will try to seduce, if possible, even the elect.

Sleep is one of the enemy's reliable means to convince God's children not to hurry toward their salvation, not to show zeal in knowing special truths, and not to spend their time on relationships with God. One only needs to feel tired or burnt out and go for a well-deserved rest. There is no need to constantly row against the current; one should find a quiet harbor and rest pleasantly with thoughts: "I have much good for many years. Eat, soul, drink, be merry!"

One should not underestimate Satan's power. His seductions are very skillful and intoxicate consciousness. You live thinking everything is good, not understanding that you are under the influence of charms. But this power of the enemy successfully operates in his territory, where many of us sometimes enter. Despite Satan's strength, one should not exalt him and devote all one's time to him. He exists, is cunning and strong, but God is stronger and wiser. Therefore, it is better to think of the heavenly, sitting at God's feet.

It is better to play in a sandbox and build sand cakes while in God's hands than to be an engineer or general in Satan's army.

God is preparing His people for a special war. His weapons are my faith, God's Agape love, Jesus' character, and wisdom to discern good and evil. And the Faithful Witness offers to buy all this for me. Then He asks me to be diligent in constantly acquiring these soul properties and repent of previous sins. And to establish me in love and faith, to seal His character in my thoughts and feelings, the Lord Himself comes to the door of my heart to convey all His plans through personal revelations.

I am given prophecies that will certainly be fulfilled, but not as I imagine them. The details of this time and what I should do, the Lord reveals at a personal level to all His people. And this time is called: now! Have you heard?

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 24:37-39; 25:5; Proverbs 10:5,28; Ephesians 5:14-18; Proverbs 23:31-35; Revelation 14:8; 18:2,23; 1 Peter 5:8; Psalm 16:8-9; Matthew 12:28; Hebrews 10:26-29; Luke 8:18; Hebrews 3:15; Revelation 3:18-20 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you have a firm understanding of the final events?

4. Do you think Satan will act as we expect?

5. Do you understand the necessity of special preparation for the last time?

6. Is it clear to you exactly how to prepare for the time of tribulation?

7. Will Satan act in accordance with my expectations, or does he have his own plans?

8. What should I do to stand firm until the Second Coming?

9. What do you understand by the expression "enemy's territory" where one should not enter?

10. Why is a sleeping person less dangerous to the opponent than a watchful one?

11. Are there breaks for lunch or a well-deserved vacation in the wicked one's plans?

12. Studying in our School, did you learn something new and useful that will help you better prepare for the final events?

13. Will my friendship and personal relationships with Christ help me stand during trials?

14. Do you have plans for continuous purchase of what the Faithful Witness advises in the message to Laodicea?

15. Do I need love in the final battles with the forces of darkness and evil? If yes, then for what?

In every person's life, there comes a moment when, learning about this world, they begin to understand its structure and patterns. In spiritual matters, we also encounter many mysteries that we cannot understand at first, but then revelation comes from above, and we begin to see the depths of God's knowledge and marvel at the simplicity and wisdom of what has been revealed. And then all my discoveries become part of me and carefully arranged on the shelves of my memory, so that at the right time the Holy Spirit can remind me of everything He has previously told me.

I am learning to love, and this science is connected with many revelations that are not sent just once to be fully understood, but require time, certain circumstances, repetition, experience, reminder, and inspiration. Then they illuminate my mind with new force and show an even greater depth in their simplicity. And the simpler God's revelations of love are, the deeper they seem, and the more interesting it is to deal with them.

For example, the words "I love you" do not contain anything new. They are as old as our world. They are worn out to the limit, but how pleasant it is to hear them again and again. And I think that even Eternity will not be enough to be satiated with this phrase and say that I know it, and I do not need to be constantly told about it.

I heard a story where a wife, five years after the wedding, asked her husband if he loved her. To which he replied that he did love her. And she asked why he doesn't say it. The husband said that before the wedding, he had already informed her, and if anything changed, he would certainly let her know. Funny? Stupid? But I know people who have never heard these words of love in their families, although they themselves are ready to talk about it constantly.

The peculiarity of love is that while giving itself, it does not seek its own and does not beg for similar responses, but love very much likes to hear such words addressed to itself. It will never tire of talking about its love and listening to the same confessions in return. Love is not ashamed of itself, manifested through the heart of another person. It thirsts for these words of love, although it does not force them to be spoken. It rejoices in sincere confessions, though it does not seek them. Even when asking, "Do you love me?", it does not expect a simple "yes", but desires to see the depth of a heart that sincerely confesses its pure feelings, clothing its thoughts in words to share what fills the mind. And love hears the voice of love. It will not mistake it for anything else.

In the last time, God's people will have special knowledge and receive special revelations from above. A certain wisdom is needed to ensure that I have this knowledge and that the received knowledge is sufficient. It is necessary to clearly understand that all the light from above is given to me so that I am prepared for the upcoming trials and can meet and endure them worthily.

God will take care to convey through His channels to each person what will need to be known. Here the most sad separation will occur.

When God sends light to His children, there are always those who will respond: "I already know this." But an even worse response might sound like this: "We know this." Thus, we make other people accomplices who can involuntarily support such a position. What does such an approach to accepting light contain? It is a polite statement of its rejection. And it is practically impossible to sow a seed where there is open resistance.

And the Lord quietly says that "you do not know how miserable, and pitiful, and poor, and blind, and naked you are." (Revelation 3:17)

And if we recall God's request from Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to Me — and I will answer you, show you great and inaccessible things that you do not know," it becomes completely clear that it is better to listen to familiar truths once again than to miss something very important. And if I do not cry out in search of the great and inaccessible, but am sure that I already know everything, then nothing will be revealed to me.

Children differ from adults in that they love to listen to what is already familiar to them, saying: "Tell me again." Adults prefer to interrupt any conversation with the words: "I know this." To whom is it easier to convey the truth?

Do not think that new light will contain something unique, consisting of new words. These will be very familiar truths that will appear differently in the power of the Holy Spirit. God's light is given to illuminate familiar things from different sides.

Will it benefit a person if they learn the message to Laodicea by heart but do not understand the meaning of what was said?

When a new commandment was given to the disciples: "Love one another," it was not something new to them, but a repetition of familiar words. I think that during three and a half years they had often heard such advice but did not pay attention to it. Similarly, at a certain time, God begins to reveal new truths to each of us in a different light. But this is not done against my will. The sufficiency of knowledge will be given only to those who thirst, who seek, who knock, who open at the knock, hearing God's voice.

If I consider myself wiser, richer, higher than others, it will be very difficult for me to hear God's call to my heart. Pride and self-sufficiency will never look in Heaven's eyes like a special status of the soul that needs to be carefully preserved. These are the rusty locks that keep the heart in ignorance. Nothing will be given to such people, and even what they have will be taken away.

God's message to the people of the last time will be very simple, familiar, and modest. No one will say to us: "Buy oil for the lamp from Me." But the Lord politely makes an offer: "I counsel you to buy from Me..." When God advises something, it is best to listen and do what is being discussed. Even if I know all mysteries and can decipher the meanings of all symbols, but do not have what is offered to me, what benefit will I have from this knowledge?

We have already passed many lessons talking about the Message to Laodicea. But I want to assure us that we do not yet fully know what it is about. There is a feeling that something very important is hidden in it, which will be discovered only by those truly thirsting and seeking. We have found that in this counsel, God offers Himself in all His beauty and power, but how to obtain Him is not yet fully revealed to us. But we can say with certainty that this message contains the most solemn message for the last time, a message about what we all must definitely buy and what is important to be able to own.

We are digging something great and inaccessible that we do not yet know. I do not know what we will come to, but when God reveals this depth to us, we will be surprised by its simplicity and the new possibilities in knowing Christ that we did not know.

When the Lord Himself tells me that He loves me, and, guided by this love, desires to reveal the meaning of what was said, then I do not plan to declare that I already know something. I am ready to listen to these words of love for all Eternity and think that they will never tire me with their monotony.

The Lord offers me to buy this gold, and then again and again endlessly continue this transaction while I breathe, because this is the breath of Eternal life.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read 1 Corinthians 15:34; John 3:8; 13:7,34-35; 15:15; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Job 38:3-4,17-18,33; Hosea 4:6; Ecclesiastes 8:16-17; 9:1; 11:5-6; 1 John 2:20-21; 3:23; Titus 1:15-16; Revelation 3:17-20; Psalm 138:4; Proverbs 27:1; 30:5-6; Jeremiah 33:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What do you hear in the expression "I already know this"?

4. At what age does a person start knowing everything?

5. Do you agree with the statement that we still do not know much?

6. Will I benefit from all my knowledge if I do not have love?

7. Can something be learned perfectly if only studied superficially?

8. Do we need special knowledge in the last time?

9. What lack of knowledge does God speak about through Hosea 4:6?

10. Does the message to Laodicea give you any important knowledge?

11. Do you think it is important to understand what is offered to me in Revelation 3:18 and acquire it?

12. Are you receiving any important knowledge while studying in this School?

13. What useful things have you learned from the lessons of this book?

14. Do you already know everything, or is there something that must still be learned? How can you ask to be shown the great and inaccessible if you do not even know that it exists?

15. Do you plan to learn something from God eternally?

Each of us has bought or sold something at some point. Some try to transition to complete self-sufficiency to avoid depending on the world and engaging in any trade. Such a lifestyle is possible, but only in rural areas where the land will feed those who work on it. Being a city dweller, I am tied to grocery stores, and I must always have the means to buy food and other household items. And I will have to conduct such trade until the end of my earthly years. And this approach does not frighten me.

From Biblical prophecies, I know that in the last time, the enemy of the soul will use earthly authorities to prohibit all those with God's seal from buying and selling. Such laws will condemn many of God's children to certain starvation.

But God, for His part, warned us that famines, pestilences, and earthquakes will in places take thousands of lives, and God's judgments will destroy everything earthly, mercilessly pouring out on Earth in the form of seven last plagues. But at the same time, the Bible teaches that bread and water will not fail God's people.

God had sufficient resources to feed millions of people who came out of Egyptian slavery and do this for forty years.

The prospect of having to buy or grow food on my plot for my entire life does not frighten me. I understand that this is extremely necessary for my health and the prolongation of earthly life. But what am I to do with God, who advises me to buy something from Him?

When I understand that someone wants to sell me something, I begin to cautiously inquire about what is being offered. I look into Revelation 3:18 and see an assortment of only three goods. I begin to think about what these are, why I need them, whether it is worth giving the set payment? I am accustomed to living without such things, and here I am required to give all of myself to acquire all of God's.

Those among us who are bolder decide on such a purchase, and we see their joyful excited faces and hear stories about the great and inaccessible treasure they have found. Deciding to become a participant in this trade, I understand that I am being offered the greatest Heavenly blessing imaginable. I make the purchase and joyfully run away. My heart sings. I found gold that enriched me, acquired white clothing that covered the shame of my nakedness, and the eye salve made me wise and seeing. And I ran away in joy into the world to tell others what I have. The world is full of its own cares, and, trying to survive in it, I lose all the Laodicean qualities of life. I understand that I again need these treasures. But I already bought them once! Why do I need to keep coming to the Heavenly shop and paying such a high price? Why can't they sell me everything once and for all, like a house, so that after buying it, I could use it for the rest of my life and not worry about having such goods?

But, studying the message to Laodicea, I come to a clear conclusion that the offered goods cannot be bought once and then used for life. I am offered Heavenly food, air, and warmth. They give me strength for a short time, and then I begin to need them again. And I clearly understand that Jesus wants to make me alive, happy, but at the same time dependent on Himself. He sells me vitally important treasures of Heaven, which have the peculiarity of satisfying my body and mind and ending before the next purchase.

I gathered the courage to come and look into this store and understand a little what is being offered to me. And I consider my slight interest in this as a great favor to God. But it turns out that they want to put me on eternal trade and give me no chance to abstain from buying!

My problem is that I am blind and do not see my true lukewarm, half-dead state. And the unseeing will never appreciate Eternal values that are comprehended by the eyes of faith and Heavenly wisdom. If I do not understand what the goods for Laodicea represent and why I need them so much, I will have no interest in acquiring them. And if I consider myself rich, having become rich, and needing nothing, then all of Heaven with its treasures will seem insignificant to me compared to the benefits I possess.

The Faithful Witness very clearly declares to me my true condition and advises using the exit that is relevant for the last time. But the Lord also provided that I would not be able to retain this Heavenly water of life in my leaky vessels of the soul, and therefore offers me Eternal trade. Jesus expects that I will come daily to His shop with goods and then immerse myself completely in these transactions, drawing other friends into such relationships.

Offering Himself and all of Heaven, the Lord desires to give this eternally so that we constantly depend on Him and know Him. And throughout all Eternity, there will never be a moment when I will say: "Enough, I already have and know everything." But there will always be a need for a new breath of the air of life, for knowing the beauty of God's character, for developing the best qualities of my soul, and for all this, I will need to pay with all my Eternal time and give myself completely, immersing myself headlong into the heart of God.

God-knowledge is an Eternal science that gives Eternal life, and the fruits of the tree of life will make this knowledge amazingly tasty and joyful.

But the world in which God seeks us is very attractive with its projects. It desires to have all our resources under its control, attaching our hearts to the earthly. The Lord offers Himself and makes it clear that He is not a one-time Product but an Object of Eternal trade. Do you hear this, reader? Do you understand what Heaven expects and offers?

Simply entering to buy something or try it, and then running away forever — this is not what God needs. You are necessary to Him forever, and Heavenly trade will continue eternally, and it must begin right now on this Earth to have its continuation in God's Kingdom.

The Lord accepts us in our ignorance and forgives us for not knowing about the Laodicean goods. However, what is He to do with those who entered, tasted, bought, and left forever, considering themselves now very rich and knowledgeable?

Are you not tired of breathing, eating the bread of life, and dwelling in the warmth of God's love? Do you think this world will warm and feed us better? Are you scared by the constancy of God's trade? What do I lose in this?

My earthly losses are better evaluated not in the light of earthly acquisitions but in comparison with the magnitude of Heavenly treasures. Delving into the meaning and composition of Laodicean goods, I discover a cosmos of endless perspectives and discoveries, understanding that God desires to offer something very important and significant. But how modestly He advises to buy it. Such a small verse 3:18, and what depth and fullness of infinite discoveries and revelations are in it!

My understanding of the value of the offered goods will encourage me to constantly come to this store to continuously fill my vessels with Heavenly oil. And now it will not be the Lord who will beg me, but I myself will desire it.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read John 17:3; Philippians 1:6; 4:4; Isaiah 66:22-23; Daniel 12:3; Revelation 3:18; John 5:39; 6:40,47,54; 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:15; Exodus 25:30; 29:38-43; Romans 2:6-8; 6:22-23; 12:11-12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; Proverbs 15:15; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 7:24-25; Jude 1:21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are there indications in the Bible that advise us to do something constantly and always?

4. Does the word "Eternity" tell you that we will eternally be doing something good there?

5. Is it important to understand what the Faithful Witness offers, advising us to buy Heavenly goods?

6. If I buy from Jesus what He advises Laodicea, will I have what I acquire?

7. Are you glad that trading with Jesus is an Eternal enterprise that will never end?

8. Are you tuning in to the fact that you will have to eternally breathe, taste the fruits of the tree of life, eternally abide in God's love and learn at His feet? Are you not scared by such constancy?

9. Will it be pleasant for God to see you always walking in white clothing, eternally rich with Heavenly gold and constantly seeing even in the darkest time of history?

10. Is oil for the lamp a one-time filling of the vessel or constant gathering of God's revelations and experiences for spiritual growth?

11. Are you not annoyed by the constancy of learning in this School? Have you learned something new and useful in it?

12. Loving your neighbor — is this something constant, or is it enough to say it once and that's it?

13. Can one continuously receive something special from God by rarely addressing Him about it?

14. Are you willing to be an eternal buyer in God's store?

15. Why does God sell and not simply give away His goods?

Wealth has become a goal and meaning of life for some people. The golden crown of this world has blinded the minds of many, and in the pursuit of obtaining it, a person is ready to invest all their time in learning, understanding money laws, work, business meetings, and relationships. They do not mind traveling to the edge of the world if they know that this trip will bring them profit in the future. As a result, enterprising people understand that more is earned not by those who can do something with their hands and earn their bread, but by those who can organize their business so that others work for them and bring profit with their skills. The thirst for acquiring easy wealth, like leprosy, infects the entire society. The Babylonian trading system's possibility allows talented and nimble people to earn big money by attracting external financial and physical resources.

Network marketing has become one of the popular business structures allowing passive income through the power of persuasion and other people's activity. The essence of this marketing is as follows. You, as an independent seller, receive a percentage of the sold product and offer your buyers the opportunity to become independent sellers of the same product and receive their percentage of turnover, while you also get a percentage from the trade of those you've drawn into this network. And all your distributors profit from sales of sellers they find. For successful business development, it is necessary to have a quality product for implementation in society and a well-oiled tongue for convincing and attracting new clients.

In my life, I have often encountered such entrepreneurs, and, to my surprise, they were my friends, acquaintances, and even fellow believers. They tried to convince me to buy smart vacuum cleaners, super pots, plastic dishes, magical vitamins for all diseases, nutritional supplements, household and hygiene items, and many other beautiful and necessary things. And such advertising from the lips of close people sounds quite convincing. But I was always embarrassed that my budget did not allow me to buy such "valuable" things, and in relationships, I saw more of a desire to profit from me than a reasonable recommendation of useful products. And studying alternatives, I understood that these proposed goods could be bought much cheaper from other manufacturers.

I also noticed that the minds of such traders are damaged, and while preaching to others, they begin to believe that the proposed things are the best in the world. These people are ready to use them for the rest of their lives. I do not dispute their point of view, but I have my own opinion that suits me.

When trade or a desire to earn something at my expense is brought into our friendly relations, it becomes a good test of my friendliness. And to preserve the relationship, I politely refuse, citing various reasons. And I myself cannot trade in such a way, and if I cannot avoid the fact of buying and selling, I try to sell the item at its cost price or cheaper, or give it away, so as not to destroy the relationship and not damage my reputation. My friends are dearer to me than all the money in this world, but I am not a rich friend ready to support everyone who wants it.

How does God look at such marketing? To say that this trade is a curse for God's children would be incorrect. I am given reason and wisdom to delve into the essence of things and reflect on the principles that guide me in such enterprises. To a certain extent, everything can be honest and pure. But it is also worth knowing Biblical principles to not cross over to "trading pigs" or fall into the power of greed.

Large incomes do not necessarily mean that I will become rich. A wealthy person is not one who earns a lot, but one who knows how to save and set aside even from little, or wisely invest the received funds for further multiplication.

But one should always remember the simple truth that at the end of life, I will have to give an account for everything that was entrusted to me, for everything that was in my power, for the advantages I had and how I used them.

The Lord offers me His network called "Agape". He desires to attract me to His business so that by acquiring this soul property, I allow the Holy Spirit to change my consciousness, and then draw my neighbors into God's nets, helping them get tangled in them forever. The Lord encourages me to conduct sensible trade with my neighbors. And interestingly, my personal profit from each new person is recorded in my Heavenly account and, in the form of happiness, thanksgiving prayers, joy, and peace, enriches me, bringing constant passive income with abundant Divine blessings.

God does not tire of inventing new goods for my successful trade and enriching my distributors in our marketing. He constantly delights us with new revelations and blessings. And by passing all God's light through my hands and heart, I acquire the experience of Heavenly trade and can convince other people to enter our business and share with others that same unknown "Agape", which reveals itself to me ever brighter and wider and becomes so understandable that it is impossible to keep it in my heart.

It seems to me that we all have a trading gift, but our goods are different. And the problem is not that I am a trader, but what I spread and in which network I am located.

God has His network marketing, which works on Heavenly principles. The enemy of the soul always tries to counterfeit the Heavenly and present it under his trademark. He fell from Heaven due to the vastness of his trade and now desires to draw into his nets, if possible, even the elect.

The entire Babylon system is based on earthly trade. The world of money has begun to control the will and interests of those living on the planet. And people of money have imagined themselves gods of this world and decided to use the power of earthly treasures to advance Satan's plans. We are predicted that God's children will be forbidden to buy and sell, and the money system will declare a boycott and war to destroy us, but God has never left His children and will not do so in the last time. He desires that all His children ultimately triumph over the world of money and through this glorify their Lord before the face of the entire Universe. God has sufficient strength, means, and wisdom to bring His plans to an end and show that God's nets are the best, strongest, and most reliable. And God's marketing is the most thoughtful, robust, and very profitable. And Heavenly gold is the most valuable, pure, and solid currency for all Eternity.

I think each of us should now weigh all our business and ensure that it does not make me too light for God's scales. If only I would not have to pay with my right to salvation and lose Eternity for earthly profit.

For many of us now, the word "Love" sounds like something ordinary and boring. Yet it is precisely love that will play a crucial role in my salvation.

Love is a Heavenly product for earthly trade, and it brings colossal profit and incredible income to all who want to have it.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Psalm 118:36,110; 1 Timothy 6:5-12; Acts 5:4; Hebrews 13:5; Luke 16:10-15; Proverbs 1:17-19; 12:12; 15:27; Isaiah 56:11-12; 57:15-18; Mark 1:17-18; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Ezekiel 28:5,16; John 2:13-16; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Revelation 13:16-17; 18:21; Deuteronomy 7:25; Hosea 11:3-4 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Does the verse from Mark 1:18 provide an example of how one can and should leave nets?

4. Are you familiar with network marketing? If yes, what can you tell about it?

5. How do you feel when a friend tries to sell you some unnecessary item, proving that you cannot live without it?

6. What should be done if I have fallen under the influence of cunning sellers and spent all my funds on their goods, and then came to my senses?

7. Why does God desire to catch me in His nets of love?

8. How do God's love nets differ from worldly ones?

9. Do you understand what profit love-agape brings you?

10. What to do if I love and cannot live otherwise?

11. Has this School taught you Heavenly trade?

12. What do you plan to do with the profit from your love? Is there anything better than it? Song of Solomon 8:7.

13. Why does God desire that we love one another?

14. Do you understand that a person who loves you tries to catch you in this net forever and keep you in this state for all Eternity? Does this perspective not frighten you?

15. Do social networks belong to those that should be left if there is no opportunity to set God's nets?

Studying the message to Laodicea, we saw that the Faithful Witness advises us to buy very valuable goods from Him. The Lord uses familiar expressions from the trading system, making it clear that until you pay, you won't receive. The most I was capable of was reading what He offers me to buy, without delving into the meaning and principles. But now, studying this message more deeply, I understood the importance of such transactions and the colossal value of the proposed assortment. And this is not just one of the recommendations, but the most vital guidance that can decide my eternal fate.

While I was unaware and passed by the Laodicean shop, nothing was expected of me. I simply grew in the rays of God's glory and gave the Holy Spirit power to change my character into the image and likeness of Christ.

In spiritual growth, there are stages of faith and steps of maturation. I can stop, I can go back, I can review my values or consider myself knowing everything. And at a certain moment of my growth, the Lord leads me to His store in Revelation 3:18 and very insistently advises me to buy what is displayed for sale. My mind suddenly lights up. I begin to understand that something very great and inaccessible that I did not know before is being revealed. Something new and extremely important penetrates my heart. I buy the eye salve, anoint my eyes, and begin to see what is being offered. But this is not all.

The Heavenly Merchant desires that I draw other blind people who consider themselves sighted and very rich into this trade. But at the same time, I should not abandon my own trading agreements. It would be very stupid to gain the whole world for Christ while harming my own soul.

I recall a conversation with a sister who consciously left the world, wrote a statement to the church council about her exclusion, but boasted to me that before this act, she managed to bring all her children to Christ and lead them to water baptism. Considering her maternal duty fulfilled, she left the ranks of her fellow believers and began to live for her pleasure. We are still friends and communicate, and I have hope that she will come to her senses and change something in her view of life, but for now she considers herself free and acts as she thinks right.

But God has children who have not gone into the world but, remaining in the church, have broken with Him and lost Christ. Knowledge of the law helps them stay in shape and observe the letter. They diligently live in the light of all revealed reforms. A little earlier, the Lord rebuked such people in Revelation 3:1-2: "...I know your works; you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works perfect before My God." But our Lord is unique in that He can resurrect the lost and revive the dead.

Jesus invites all who wish to His store, and He does not mind if the lame, crippled, and sick come. The Lord rejoices when we bring our paralyzed friends on stretchers, wanting Him to heal them. Jesus is very pleased to deal with those who want to save their neighbors, but more than anything, He wants to save me so that, preaching to others, I do not prove unworthy.

The plan of Heavenly Laodicean trade includes involving all one's neighbors and spiritual friends in this business. Simply bringing them to Revelation 3:18 and telling them to buy what is offered is not enough. Heavenly marketing has its own laws, its own order, its own expectations, and rewards.

Any merchant, examining your business, can quickly determine your weak and strong points and predict how long you will continue in your endeavor. God's work is also a business that depends significantly on the human factor. One entrepreneur dedicated to God can allow the Lord to bring about colossal changes in society's consciousness. Take the example of Joseph, Moses, John the Baptist, Martin Luther, and other reformers of their time. And we are no exception.

God has many levers of influence through which He can attract attention to His message and convince people to accept His plans, but He desires to use me to conduct His advertising campaign, open new "fishing spots", sow seeds, harvest, attract other friends to the Heavenly business.

I do not want to belittle anything or anyone in my or your eyes, but the deeper I delve into the message to Laodicea, the more I understand the special importance of its acceptance at the very end of time. I clearly see that what is offered in Revelation 3:18-20 will play a key role in the final events of Earth's history. I would like to think differently and seek an alternative elsewhere, but it is no longer possible to forget what has been so clearly and thoroughly revealed.

The war of the last time will have an informational character, where a special way of thinking will be imposed on us by threats and persuasion. And it will be possible to resist this seduction only by having the fullness of God's love and faith, living in the transformation of character into Christ's likeness and having Heavenly wisdom from the Holy Spirit. And I can buy all this in the Laodicean store by making a payment determined by God. I do not know how God will end history through me, but if I accept His plan and respond to His advice, He will come to me and teach me everything He considers necessary to reveal.

God is gathering a team of active buyers of His goods. When I hear the expression "gold, refined by fire", then humanly I do not even think about what it is and how much there is, but when an endless ocean of this gold opens before me, which I cannot comprehend not only with a glance but even with imagination, then I understand that nothing will withstand such power. And the name of this ocean is "faith and love", which I must buy. And I am not sold a small bucket, but the entire fullness of this abyss, and I cannot buy a little and be satisfied. I am doomed to eternal trade until this infinite space becomes mine forever and I transition into God's eternal property. Having such revelations, I cannot pass by. I must do something, otherwise everything I have will be taken away from me.

Further, as a diligent buyer, I acquire White clothing. All the shame of my nakedness is covered. But this is not some robe, but the fullness of God's light, enveloping and permeating me from the inside and outside, which reveals everything unclean in me and removes it with my permission.

Acquiring eye salve, a cosmos of boundless possibilities opens before me, and in this product, I receive all the Heavenly wisdom necessary for victory in the final events. But the Lord calls me to be diligent, zealous, and active in this trade, to repent of my ignorance, assuring me of His love and gently punishing me for my mistakes. Then He stands at the door of my heart and knocks, wanting to enter and teach me how to use all this. How interesting!

The Lord desires that I, having understood the meaning of these symbols of Heavenly goods, involve all my neighbors in this trade, and if they refuse, to go out on the roads and hedges, inviting everyone who wishes to come to the wedding feast.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read 1 Timothy 4:11-16; 6:19; Revelation 3:18-20; Isaiah 50:4; 55:1-3; 60:22; 1 John 5:11-13; Exodus 15:18; Hosea 4:6; Psalm 138:23-24; Proverbs 10:25; Isaiah 57:15; 60:19; Daniel 12:3-4; Jude 1:21; Jeremiah 31:3; John 6:54; Galatians 6:8 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand what you are being offered to buy in the message to Laodicea?

4. Do you believe that something great and inaccessible that you do not know is hidden in the symbols of Heavenly goods?

5. Are you pleased with the prospect of the upcoming trade?

6. What should be done if I understand with my imagination what Jesus offers in Revelation 3:18, but with my eyes see only this world?

7. In the lesson, the Laodicea goods are presented as infinite realities. Is this really so? Do you have a different understanding or interpretation?

8. What should I do if I see nothing in Revelation 3:18 and do not understand what you are talking about here?

9. Do these lessons mislead you or contain revelations about something very important?

10. What will happen to those who do not pay attention to Revelation 3:18 and continue to live as they are used to?

11. Is there anything in common between the message to Laodicea and the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13?

12. Is there any other message for the last days after the message to Laodicea?

13. Are you not tired of exploring Revelation 3:18 so extensively?

14. Is it worth paying attention to what the Faithful Witness advises us to buy?

15. What awaits those who neglect God's counsels?

When speaking about large modes of transportation like airplanes, trains, and ships, you can notice the following. To get inside these constructions, you must enter a small door that you will be directed to. And when you need to fly to a specific city, upon entering the departure terminal, you do not board just any airliner but look for the exact one you need. What difference does it make? After all, all planes look the same, and boarding gates are very similar to each other. However, you begin to think, look at the boarding pass, compare the numbers on the ticket with the gate numbers, read which city's boarding has begun, listen to announcements, and if you get lost, you start looking for airport staff and ask for their help, which you receive. Why so much worry? It's just a plane. So what if it flies without you? You'll fly on another - it's not fatal. And if you fly to the wrong place, what difference does it make? At least you'll see the world and have something to remember and tell about.

I think you are now trying to understand if the person writing this is in their right mind. I want to assure you that everything is perfectly fine with me.

Let's take this example and apply it to the spiritual realm.

Jesus has prepared a large plane that can accommodate the entire world to fly to Eternity. In this Heavenly airliner, there is a small door that can only be entered by bending down. To get on the plane, you must buy tickets in advance, study flight rules, come personally to the airport, sit in the waiting area meeting other passengers, and pass through customs and passport control. Depending on the approaching departure date, some flight rules are reformed, which are worth studying and applying to one's life.

In the terminal where you await boarding, there are many exits, and they all look very similar to each other. Periodically, managers from other airlines appear, conducting advertising programs and inviting passengers to their planes, promising that with them you will definitely get where you need to go, while with others you might get lost. Many flight numbers have Biblical names. Representatives of these airlines bustle between passengers, wanting to attract each one to their flight. Some, to get more passengers, remove flight rules, and at the customs and passport control point, create a green corridor so that the path leading to the plane is as wide and comfortable as possible. And many follow it.

At the airport, there are also boarding exits where only special people from secret societies or special services are allowed. Their planes periodically take their passengers into the unknown, and many airport visitors look with envy at these chosen lucky ones who have privileges and cover all their affairs with darkness and mystery.

The airport's life resembles a large beehive, where each airline representative knows their job and confidently advertises their flight. Many passengers often change their planes, following the calls of advertising agents. What difference does it make what to fly on, as long as it's comfortable?! Sometimes rumors circulate that many planes crash en route and everyone dies, which though alarming to some people, the general excitement distracts thoughts from reflection. Everyone thinks they will be lucky because the pilot of the chosen plane is very beautiful and smiles widely, promising a pleasant flight and soft landing. And since all planes will somehow arrive in the Heavenly country, there's no difference in what to fly on.

There is no queue for Jesus' flight, and those who decide to enter His airliner must be checked and tested for integrity, passing through the narrow path of trial. Some passengers are brought on stretchers, some come on crutches, and some crawl to the gangway in a last hope, and the Lord accepts everyone, excluding no one.

God's servants tenderly care for all who have entered Christ's liner and daily offer bread and water of life, assuring that departure is rapidly approaching. Some passengers lose patience and leave for other planes, while some make forays into the airport to invite new passengers to God's airliner.

After 2,300 evenings and mornings, Jesus changed the boarding exit and explained why He did so, to test the faith of those called and purify the ranks of the chosen.

But the previously familiar exit was not left closed. The enemy of the soul immediately took it over and made it the main entrance to his flights, trying to make this boarding exit as wide as possible.

And Jesus decided that just before departure, He would give a special counsel to all His passengers so that, hearing Him, they would give everything expected of them to acquire what is offered. The Lord gave this new boarding exit the name of Revelation 3:18 and abundantly prepared what He advised to buy from Himself. Many passengers looked at this strange exit and did not understand why such an expense was needed and, without thinking, continued searching for the familiar door. The thought that the narrow path had become even narrower as the day of departure approached simply did not fit in many heads. They did not even want to think that the new boarding exit would be so special. Although they were warned about the coming sifting, they could not believe that it had already begun.

Some passengers who had already passed customs and passport control began arguing while waiting for departure about how harmful or necessary acupuncture was, who was behind it, and whose sign it was. And these disputes reached such a pitch that the Lord was forced to remove this group from the plane so they would not infect reasonable passengers with their spirit. The reasonable ones took oil in their vessels, which they bought on the advice of the Faithful Witness, and waited for the time when it might be useful.

An emergency was announced at the airport, and everything possible was done so that those who did not want to think about Jesus' advice would find an alternative on other flights very similar to God's.

The Lord looked sadly at those approaching the boarding exit to His plane, listened to testimonies of people who had entered into trade relations with the Faithful Witness but did not think about what was happening, immediately forgot about the offer and went to do their usual business, immersing themselves in familiar bustle and internet expanses. Some of the called, not knowing what to do, tried Babylon's wine and fell asleep from pleasure.

And the Lord patiently waited for all who would reflect on His offer and buy His goods. He had invested His entire soul and creative thought in them, making buyers understand that they were acquiring all of Heaven and Those who are in it.

The time came, and boarding on God's plane was completed, and the doors were shut. The enemy of the soul realized that he had finally lost power over those who had entered God's airliner and in a last rage unleashed his entire Armageddon on God's plane. But nothing could extinguish the burning lamps, and the wise passengers quietly prayed, waiting for takeoff, relying not on their own righteousness but on the pilot's skill. And the only thing they did well was love each other.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Daniel 12:10; John 10:1,6-11; Exodus 19:4; Revelation 3:18-20; 14:8; 18:2-4,21-23; Matthew 25:3-4; 23:37; Deuteronomy 32:11-12; 2 Samuel 22:11-12; John 6:37,44,56; 10:16; 15:6; 17:21; Psalm 90:1-4 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What main idea did you extract for yourself from this chapter?

4. What symbols in this chapter point to Jesus?

5. Do you understand the importance of God's counsel to Laodicea?

6. Should I think about my salvation, or is it God's care, and let Him save me?

7. Is there a difference in which denomination I belong to in the last time?

8. What does this lesson propose to think about?

9. Does every joyful and emotional excitement in a worship service indicate that it is God's gathering?

10. By what criteria can I determine that I am on the right plane?

11. What should I do if I realize I am not in God's church, but I do not know where the true church is?

12. Why is it so important in the last time not to mistake the door and board the correct airliner?

13. What role does the Agape Love School play in this chapter? What symbol represents it?

14. What will happen to those who heeded Jesus' advice and did everything as He advised?

15. How does one thinking about their salvation differ from one thinking about everything?

My mind represents the greatest interest for Heavenly forces. To be reasonable means to have the ability to analyze, direct one's thoughts, make balanced decisions, control the lower forces of the soul, compare facts and possibilities with one's capabilities, and do all this in the light of the Bible and revelations from above. It is important to note that the presence of God's light and life in obedience to this light is the determining factor of my salvation.

A good person, no matter how good and correct he may be, no matter how good all his deeds may be, will be lost for Eternity if God is absent from his mind.

In the message of Romans 1:28, we read: "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done..."

God desires that I have Him in my mind in the very first place. So that, despite all my deeds and duties, heavenly values are always a priority in all my plans. It is not difficult to determine this. How do I start a new day? How much time do I spend in communion with my Savior? Can I quickly switch from everyday cares to the Heavenly wavelength? Does it draw me to greater knowledge of God?

All these characteristics do not come in one day, but my spiritual thirst can set the tone and direction for all my thoughts about the heavenly.

Once I understood that television, worldly radio, newspapers, and magazines bring emptiness and vanity into my life and pose a danger to my spiritual person. I decided to exclude this from my life, and I succeeded. There is a television in my house, but it stands and works where I do not go to watch it. I find it difficult to communicate with loved ones in the presence of a working television. It is a very strong competitor in attracting attention. It distracts thoughts from important issues. When someone else speaks and flickers in your house besides you, that someone attracts attention and destroys concentration on important things. Current TV shows and films are created by professionals in all fields of science and technology, and bright images on a moving screen mesmerize with their transitions and diversity. While in nature everything harmoniously transitions from one thing to another, on the screen all information is presented in a compressed and concentrated format.

A turned-on worldly radio affects my subconscious and fills the silence of my soul, diverting the flow of thoughts from reflections on the Heavenly. And familiar songs can sometimes stick so strongly in consciousness that they can play in my mind for hours or even days, and even when silence is all around, I hum these melodies while doing various things.

Worldly books, newspapers, and magazines activate my imagination and draw in consciousness the images that the author of the read work wants to present to me.

All these things very strongly influence my mind and fill it. And in our days, I have such services of the world in my smart phone and can access them at any time, in any place where there is internet.

What is left for God? Even if I dedicate the best time to prayer and Bible reading, and then open my mind to worldly information flows, my consciousness becomes defiled and becomes incapable of perceiving and analyzing the spiritual. If the vessel of my soul is filled with all kinds of garbage, there is simply no room left for tender and correct things.

And God desires to be in my mind, and He claims this place by the fact of our agreement to belong to each other.

I am amazed by God's respect for my freedom and choice of will. The Lord does not violate the boundaries I have established in our relationship and limits His power and influence by my decisions. There are many things that the Lord will not do without me.

Take, for example, the lessons of this book. I often hear in your answers gratitude to God and understanding that the Author of these works is God Himself. And I agree with this, however, a person writes these lessons. And if I find another occupation, no one will replace me or do what I do.

The lesson is written and published. It carries information for a person who must listen to or read it himself. God will not forcibly impose this. Your education in the Agape Love School directly depends only on your choice.

I have noticed something. If I replace holy things with ordinary ones, and time for God with other matters, questions are not resolved faster, and I do not have more free time to communicate with Jesus. If I have lost this time in this day, I have lost it forever.

Spiritual things begin to benefit me not when I find a free minute for them, but when I allocate time to their knowledge, when I completely stop to immerse myself in a world where God is present and teaches. And then throughout the rest of the day, I mentally turn to previously studied truths to analyze all my actions and incoming thoughts in their light.

God in my mind is a combination of spiritual knowledge, personal communion with the Creator, control of everything entering my mind, and accomplishing various deeds in the light of God's laws and rules.

When I solve complex problems during construction, although I am not thinking about the Bible and concentrating on other laws, it is God in my mind who helps me accomplish the tasks in the best way and find the right answers to all pressing questions. I can attribute this wisdom to myself, but it is not mine. It is a gift from above. And the closer I am in my relationship with God, the faster I navigate in solving current issues. I often noticed that when I do not know the answer and have no idea what to do, but in my thoughts I plead with Jesus for help, then amazing ideas come that offer the best solution, and I present such an answer from God as my own. And this is an inheritance from the Lord, who lives in my mind not only to receive worship but to participate in all my small deeds and cares.

It is not so difficult to maintain communication with one's Heavenly Friend if these relationships exist and we have made a covenant. But one must always remember that the enemy of the soul also desires to intrude into our relationship and destroy it by distracting my gaze, switching it to temporary, empty, worldly things.

I understand the following. To have God in mind, it is necessary on my part to apply effort and allocate time for this. God is easy to seek, God is easy to find. Understanding God's unconditional love helps me calmly enter into a relationship with Him and communicate without fear.

In the counsel to Laodicea, Jesus offers my mind to acquire God, to be diligent in this acquisition, to repent of a lukewarm state, and to open my heart to deeper and closer relationships with Him. If I do not accept this advice, no one will come knocking or calling. God respects my choice.

If I offer my beloved chosen one my hand and heart in exchange for her hand and heart, and she refuses me, I will not insist on changing the decision. It is her right. I respect her choice, although it could have been different.

The message to Laodicea invites me to receive God in my mind to learn and establish myself in love and withstand the coming trials that are approaching. What will I answer?

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Ephesians 3:16-19; John 15:5-13; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 2:10-15; Colossians 2:1-8; 3:14-15; Romans 1:28-32; 3:10-18; Psalm 13:2; Daniel 1:8,17-20; Matthew 22:37-40; Revelation 3:18; Galatians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 John 5:20-21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand what it means to have God in mind?

4. What do you think the wise virgins from Matthew 25:1-13 had in their minds?

5. How can I determine if I have God in my mind?

6. Should I determine who has God in mind and who does not? (John 21:21-22)

7. Why are not all good people in the world good in the eyes of Heaven? (Proverbs 23:7)

8. Do you understand what the Heavenly Merchant offers and advises in the message to Laodicea?

9. To which group of people in the last time will those who have God in mind belong?

10. What does having God in mind mean to you?

11. Would you like to have God in your mind? What needs to be done for this?

12. Does the meaning of the verse from Luke 19:26 apply to the theme of this chapter? If so, what is it about?

13. Is there any advantage for those who have the mind of Christ over those who do not?

14. What should I do if I see that God is not in my mind?

15. Do these lessons help you invite God into your life?

In His address to His churches, Jesus speaks about His imminent coming.

Revelation 2:5: "...I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

Revelation 2:16: "Repent; otherwise, I will come to you soon and fight against them with the sword of My mouth."

Revelation 2:25: "Only hold fast what you have until I come."

Revelation 3:3: "...If you will not watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you."

Revelation 3:11: "Behold, I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may take your crown."

Christ assures us that He will come. And we know that this event will be magnificent and grand. It is called the "Second Coming of Christ".

But God has a plan that must be accomplished before this great event. In Revelation 3:20, we read: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

From this verse, one can understand that Jesus has already come, and all His previous promises about this have been fulfilled in this unusual manifestation of Himself to His people.

"Behold, I stand" means that He is already here, nearby, has come and desires to enter.

In this statement of Christ, there is something very important that everyone should understand. If this verse is taken out of context, this address applies to all Christians of all ages. And through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, something similar was possible. But in the light of the last time, this address should be considered in the context of the message to Laodicea.

We read that the statement about the Lord's visit is written immediately after rebuke of a lukewarm state, advice to buy Heavenly goods, and a call to be diligent and repent. This means that those who listened to the previous messages, studied them, and accepted them into their lives will receive a special visit. But the door before which Jesus stands is opened only by me, and only my ears should hear His voice.

If I stand up, go to the door of my apartment, open it, and say that those standing outside should come in, no one will enter because no one is there. But if I hear a knock at the door and a voice from outside, I understand that guests have arrived, and by the voice, I even guess who has come.

It should be understood that the knock and voice of Christ are heard by everyone before whose door He decides to stop. But I think that people who have not bought anything from the offered goods risk never hearing this knock at the door. The door can be kept always open and even written on to let the Lord enter, but there is a chance that this will not happen.

Do not confuse this with conversion from the world and liberation from the power of sin. Here the Lord goes ahead and saves a lost soul. He accepts into His arms all who wish. But when I am ready for closer relationships and receive a special invitation to enter into them but ignore these counsels, I thereby make it clear that I do not yet want to develop anything, that I do not need it. And why should anyone come?

If a man gives his beloved an engagement ring and proposes that she become his wife, and receives a refusal or sees indifference in the bride's behavior, he will not violate her freedom and will most likely stop bothering her with his visits. If the proposal to create a family was superficial or in the form of a subtle hint, it might not have been understood. But when it sounds very clearly and distinctly, any refusal is a clear "no".

For many years, I drove past a store and did not even know what they were selling. But one day I decided to go in and see what was offered. I thoroughly examined all the goods, thinking about how much I needed them. The sellers watched me and did not interfere with my investigation. But when I thanked them for my visit and left empty-handed, they completely lost interest in me and did not even try to find out my phone number to make me a special discount offer. I left forever but already knowing what they sell. What if it might come in handy?

We were warned that having oil for the lamp would be vitally important before the final events. We were shown where it is sold. But no one is forcing it on us. And if I do not want to buy something, the Seller does not run after me, lowering the price.

For whom did Jesus come? And what does He want? I know that all God's prophecies have a deep meaning and carry special blessings for those to whom they are spoken, who believe in them and accept them. If Jesus considered it necessary to do something specifically for me, offering something important and valuable, and then personally knocks at my door, it is important to thoroughly study this offer and make a decision.

God knows in advance what is necessary in the dark time of history and how I can survive the coming events. He has prepared an exit and offers what will help me stand and win. And the victor is given the assurance that he will sit on the throne next to Christ. But how can one win without a weapon or without knowing how to use it, and without understanding what kind of battle awaits?

If someone comes at me with swords and spears, I will look for protection and weapons against such an attack. A shield and sword will help me withstand. If someone decides to use chemical weapons, a shield will not help; in this case, a gas mask is needed. And against a nuclear attack, even a gas mask is defenseless; an underground shelter and an antimissile system are necessary. But all this is powerless against the information war between my right and left ear.

By advising me to buy His goods, Jesus does not leave me in ignorance about their contents. He begins to reveal both their composition and their significance for the final battle. My interest and positive response give Him reason to personally come to me and initiate me into the details of His goods.

When I once bought a new car, before taking it, they very detailed explained the functions of each button and deciphered the readings of all icons on the control panel, gave me a book with operating instructions, checked my driving license, and then handed me the keys. The car had a warranty, and at any time I could seek free help on any issues.

The Faithful Witness comes to those who acquire what is offered to establish His buyers in the fact that they have chosen a very valuable product. He desires to teach them how to live with it and fight.

The plan of the message to Laodicea is not fully revealed to us. But the very fact of our interest in this topic gives God the opportunity to initiate us into the depths of the prophecies under consideration.

We stand before the most important purchase that can exist. No previous period of history was offered such wealth of God's grace as to us. And the clearer I understand the meaning of Heavenly goods, the more comprehensible the essence of the final battle becomes.

To go to war with love and faith and be a victor. This suggests that the final battle will have a spiritual character, in which my human self will not withstand, but the Divine will stand and win.

When people looked at the cross and the crucified Savior, they saw the collapse of all their plans and complete defeat. But this was the most certain victory over the forces of evil.

Jesus considers the final events and battles so important and cruel that He decides to come Himself. Why has He come? What will I answer?

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Revelation 3:18-20; Luke 18:8; Daniel 12:10; Song of Solomon 2:8-10; Isaiah 3:13; 26:20-21; 46:10; James 5:9; Revelation 14:1; Psalm 23:7-10; Proverbs 8:32-36; Ezekiel 33:31-32; Micah 7:4; Malachi 1:10; Matthew 24:33; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; John 10:2-5; 16:16 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How do you understand the expression: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."?

4. Why did the Lord decide to come to the Laodicean people personally?

5. Does the verse from Revelation 3:20 warn that God has a very important plan for us?

6. What do you think Jesus came for?

7. Does the Lord expect any movements and decisions from me, advising me to buy something from Him?

8. Have you noticed the sequence from verse 18 to 20?

9. Will the one who listens to the Lord's advice, is zealous, and opens his door be a victor?

10. What does it mean to keep the door closed?

11. Should one open one's door when no one is knocking?

12. Who will enter me if I keep my door always and for everyone open?

13. If the Lord Himself has decided to come to me personally, is it worth paying attention to this?

14. Will God pour out His Spirit on those who have accepted Jesus' advice and opened the door to Him?

15. If I do not understand the symbols of the message to Laodicea, should I study them? Is this really so important for Salvation?

The Book of Daniel is unique in that it describes real events of the time when Daniel lived, as well as narrates what was to happen afterward and at the very end of earthly history. Some prophecies found their fulfillment during the author's lifetime, but at the end, Daniel writes that the words of his book will be sealed until the last time. This means that those reading these prophecies will not understand their meaning until the Lord removes the seal.

The last time began after Christ's ascension to Heaven, where He began His service in the Heavenly Temple. And when the Apostle John wrote the prophetic book of Revelation, many symbols of Daniel's book became understandable to the readers' consciousness, and God's children studying the written predictions saw how these books are intertwined. But the final understanding of all prophecies will occur at the very end of the last time, that is, in our days.

I would like to draw attention in this chapter to two important verses that very clearly point to the goods of the Laodicean store. We read in Daniel 11:35: "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." It is commonly believed that the Laodicean period began in 1844 when the prophecy of 2,300 evenings and mornings was finally fulfilled. The word "Laodicea" itself translates to "people of judgment". There is a special Divine providence in this coincidence.

In verse 35, I would like to highlight 3 words: wise, purification, and whitening. It is important to compare them with the verse from Revelation 3:18. The wise are those who bought the eye salve. The purified are those who acquired gold refined through fire. The whitened are those who bought white clothing.

"Some will suffer." This phrase indicates that during this period, there will be oppression and persecution, during which some will have to suffer, lose something, or even die. From historical examples, we see that some state, atheistic, and religious regimes continue to contribute to these oppressions to this day. And at the end of the final events, the entire world will rise against us but will not be able to overcome, because Jesus Himself will lead this war and win, and with Him, we will emerge victorious.

We read the verse from Daniel 12:10: "Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." Here is a direct reference to Revelation 3:18, indicating that many will already be tested, and the wise will understand. And if we add the parable of the five wise virgins from Matthew 25:1-13, a very interesting picture emerges. If the Lord repeats something in a prophecy twice or more times, it means that special attention should be paid to what is described, because it will certainly be fulfilled. Genesis 41:32 says, "The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter is determined by God and God will do it soon."

The Lord predicted thousands of years ago what we are experiencing now and made clear the importance of what the Faithful Witness will advise us.

In Revelation 3:14, we read: "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation." The Lord characterizes Himself as the One who gives the most infallible and precise testimony. He very clearly defines my true position, praises nothing, and provides the only way out of my lukewarm state. Daniel predicts that many will be cleansed and clothed in white garments but also says that the wicked will not understand.

The conclusion suggests itself. If I have no interest in Jesus' advice or do not understand what is being discussed, I may be in a group with not a very good name. But if I decide to change something in this matter and begin to ask, seek, study, and delve in, then the Lord will begin to sell me the offered goods. He does not intend to enrich anyone by force.

Once, the Lord gave the Most Valuable thing He had — His beloved Son, and the world killed this Man. The world will do the same to all followers of Christ if God removes His protection. But the Lord came not to destroy but to save the world, and He succeeds.

In Daniel 12:1, we read that "at that time Michael, the great prince, will arise," and a time of trouble is described. All this suggests that in the very last time, the Lord will personally accomplish something very significant. And Christ's statement that He is already standing testifies to my being in that period of time when all this is being fulfilled.

But Daniel's prophecies may remain simple letters, hidden from understanding, if I do not have time and desire to figure them out. And then I will definitely not enter the number of the wise.

What will happen to those who buy nothing according to the advice of the True Amen? I think they will not be refined, cleansed, and whitened as the prophet Daniel predicts. God will not throw simple stones into the fire; there is no point in that. They will not change and will not become purer.

Gold refined by fire, which symbolizes faith, hope, and love, enriches anyone who buys it. It becomes part of a person's soul, refining that soul according to God's requirements and expectations, without violating the Christian's freedom of choice. It is very simple to be rich in love, having an boundless potential and resource of Heavenly love. And when this molten Heavenly metal passes through my heart, it refines me, burning out and removing harmful and impure impurities. God's Agape has made its way into my heart so that now, passing through it, it can naturally pour out on all neighbors, expecting only that I become a constant buyer of its endless possibilities.

Even if the dirtiest person is dressed in clean white clothes, they will look very elegant. But the Lord does not cover our dirt; He cleanses it, washing it away with His Blood upon our repentance. And on a pure heart and mind, He puts on a solemn "white linen" to present us before the entire Universe.

White clothing is the character of my Savior, which through constant buying and exchange has become mine and has become so firmly established in my life that it no longer resembles a fabric that can be constantly removed and put on. It is now God's light, visible to all people like a burning lamp in a dark world.

Eye salve makes the unwise wise and the wicked righteous. But it must be bought to see and understand what it represents. And with open eyes, one can evaluate the cost of all the most important goods for Laodicea.

How Daniel and John desired to be in our time to experience all these blessings, to be cleansed and whitened, and to be refined in trials, but they were only given to see and describe it. We can buy and eat all this and make it our possession for this life and all Eternity.

How many of God's children dreamed of entering our time to be cleansed and whitened, and we live in this and can do this from morning to evening, having bought from the Heavenly Merchant. And how delicious it all is, and how my life is enriched by these goods. What else can one wish for? Only not to stop in this purchase and to be thankful for everything.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 13:12; John 3:16; Daniel 7:22,26; 8:14; 11:32-36; 12:10; Ephesians 5:14-17; Hosea 4:6; Revelation 13:5-7; 19:8; 22:17-20; Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 118:18; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1-3; Romans 13:10-13 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are you glad that ancient prophets wrote about our time, predicting that many will be cleansed and whitened?

4. Do you believe that our purchase of Heavenly goods is God's plan for us?

5. Has the time come when it is worth understanding what Jesus offers to the Laodiceans?

6. What will those who buy nothing from the Heavenly Merchant be called?

7. Do you wish to be enriched by Heavenly gold?

8. What does a person rich in Heavenly gold look like? How is their wealth manifested?

9. What should those do who do not understand a single word of the Faithful Witness's address but very much want to be saved, seeking other paths?

10. Are you glad that we are already living before the Second Coming and will be participants in great Divine works?

11. Will those who bought Heavenly goods have an advantage over those who did not do so but knew where they were sold?

12. What is the difference between the wise and the foolish, since they have the same faith and the same church?

13. Are you not afraid of the prospect of having to learn to know love for all Eternity?

14. Do you have oil in your vessels? If yes, where did you get it?

Studying God's character in the light of love, one can very quickly create in one's mind an image of infinite mercy without justice. There are even those who believe that the Lord only loves to forgive and bless, and if a person does not want to repent, then protection is removed from them, and then this soul falls under the power of dark forces that begin to torment it with all kinds of fears and misfortunes and can even deprive it of life.

When a person living in sin and openly declaring that God created them this way and accepts and loves them in this state distorts God's character, those listening begin to imagine the Christian God in an incorrect light.

Against the background of such a distorted representation, it is very easy to propose another deity, lacking love but possessing a sense of justice and punishing sinners with merciless judgments. And some people even decide to become the punishing sword of their gods to destroy the wicked.

But our God is Love, is Agape. And this is a combination of mercy and justice.

In the message to Laodicea, not a single praise is expressed, nor are there any warnings, but only a short "repent" sounds. The Lord knows what temptations we will face and how skillfully the enemy of the soul will seduce us, therefore the Faithful Witness assures us of His tender and just love, and the most effective help is offered to us, and a great reward to the obedient.

It is worth noting that the Book of Revelation contains information about political events of all Christian eras and also tells about what forces will rule the world at the end of history and how God will punish the wicked. The most formidable and solemn warnings are described in Revelation 14:9-11 as the message of the third angel. And another warning is placed at the very end of this book. In Revelation 22:18-19, we read: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll."

Both these warnings directly relate to us and very clearly indicate what will happen to those who, in ignorance or consciously, abuse God's mercy. Such people will have to personally experience the other side of love — justice, which sounds like something very solemn but contains God's wrath, fury, plagues that cause torment and anxiety. One does not want to speak about this side of love, but it exists. And love is a combination of perfections into which we are invited to be clothed. (Colossians 3:4) The verse from Revelation 3:18 contains advice that gives an exit from a lukewarm state. It is worth studying, deciphering, and applying to oneself.

One should not attribute to this narrative what is not in it. Such an approach threatens that those reading incorrect explanations will accept this message in a distorted form or turn away from it. As a result, judgments in the form of plagues will be a just punishment for those who are mistaken and for those who lead others into this temptation. But it is also not worth ignoring this advice, as this threatens to have my name removed from the Book of Life.

In the symbols of Heavenly goods, we are offered all of Heaven and that power of love and wisdom that can become mine if I buy it and am diligent in this action. And my decision to be a constant buyer and have close communion with the Seller has far-reaching consequences that extend into Eternity.

But to obtain this right, I must fulfill all conditions, learn all assignments, go through all trials, and successfully pass the exams.

In my life, I have completed some educational institutions and received various rights for many types of activities. What was common in all of this was passing exams that determined the depth of my knowledge. I was not aware of what questions would be asked, so I had to learn everything, and it was precisely the combination of everything that helped me successfully answer and complete practical work. The acquired knowledge now helps me live qualitatively and plan my life activities because I make decisions based on the lessons learned and studied from those distant days.

Upbringing and education are what we instill in our children so that they can worthily use the assimilated culture and knowledge throughout their lives. They do not take exams from us, but life tests the invested education, and experience establishes it in the heart.

The Lord also educates us for His purposes so that we can live worthily according to Eternal laws even here. He does not want us to get sick through our foolishness or receive the right to death through our ignorance. But God respects our choice.

At the very beginning of the Book of Revelation, a blessing is given for those reading it and all who listen. There is also a small word "keeping" that should be given special attention. (Revelation 1:3) Those keeping are those who study the truth, comprehend the depths, and, having known this, live according to the knowledge received.

The counsel to Laodicea opens the door to obtaining the most important knowledge for the last time, which makes the learner a victor in the final and decisive exam.

Once, I wanted to obtain the right to drive a car. I studied traffic rules, driving features, and signs. At the exam, I had a couple of minor mistakes, but I passed. To this day, the knowledge gained preserves my life and my cars from catastrophe.

The Lord offers us knowledge of Himself and in Revelation 3:18 advises buying this knowledge. He is ready to come in the role of a Teacher to guide us and consolidate all the theory of truth in practice, periodically sending us to the battlefield. He needs not just survivors in this war, but victors, those who know how to attack, destroy, surround, and capture.

The Faithful Witness's counsel does not offer a replacement of old with new but opens the door to a deeper understanding of ancient truths laid out on the pages of the Bible. Jesus desires to give me genuine knowledge in comprehending Himself.

And why do I need this? Ahead of us awaits a special war using unusual means. A powerful army of the enemy of the soul is arrayed against me: journalists, doctors, teachers, scientists, ministers, bankers, deputies, lawyers, presidents, relatives, and neighbors. They will set traps for me and surround me from all sides, offering to switch to their side since they are the majority. Their weapons will be flattery, lies, threats, scientific discoveries, common good, a beautiful future, comfort, satiety, trade, money. They will use all this to lead me to surrender my firm Biblical positions and worship the beast. But knowledge of the truth and goods from Laodicea will help me resist these people and emerge victorious from this war.

And now the preparation for a battle that seems to have already begun is in full swing. It is worth remembering the warnings that await unwise and careless warriors of Christ. Peaceful time is already past; spiritual sleep does not grant me advantages. But God's love in my mind will be my help and support during this time. Nothing will withstand against it.

The victor will inherit Heaven and receive everything.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Proverbs 30:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 11:26-28; 12:32; 30:19-29; Psalm 26:1-3; 18:8-11; 84:11-12; Matthew 24:9-13; Revelation 1:3; 3:18-21; 6:9-10; 14:9-12,19-20; 16:1; 20:13-15; 22:17-20; Psalm 44:7-8; Joshua 24:15 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Can you combine mercy and justice in one person? What does this look like?

4. Why are we given such severe warnings? Wouldn't it be simpler to forgive and forget everything?

5. Do you think the Lord will fulfill His promise of punishment?

6. How does punishment for God's children differ from punishment for the wicked? (Proverbs 19:18-19)

7. What distinguishes human anger from God's anger?

8. Is it possible that God's judgments will be virtual, relating only to the spiritual world?

9. To which group do you think God will assign those who reject the counsels to Laodicea?

10. Have you already decided to make purchases in the Laodicean store? If not, what is the reason?

11. What will be the first of the Heavenly goods that you will buy?

12. Can one buy only white clothing and leave everything else unattended?

13. Is something important being revealed to you in these lessons?

14. How do you imagine the war of the last time?

15. Who are your enemies? And why do you consider them enemies?

It is said about us that we are the light of the world. And as believing people, we understand that this light must have the right Source, and the purpose of shining is to make people sitting in darkness glorify God for this light. I accept such a position and begin to know the True Light to become His reflection. Touching the Eternal God, I discover new sources of life and light granted by Him. And my life, like the Moon, reflects the abundance of revelations pouring into it. Neighbors look at me and recognize Jesus in my behavior, and I rejoice at such an outcome and try to be absolutely pure so that God's light can freely reflect from the surface of my character.

The closer we get to the end of Earth's history, the more insistently the Lord advises me to buy oil for the lamp from Him and make a reserve of this oil in the vessels of my experience and knowledge. I do not understand such a necessity, but I listen to the instruction of the Faithful Witness and buy everything offered.

How amazingly beautiful it is to receive such a Heavenly treasure in exchange for my time and sins, to lower my hands into the endless ocean of God's love and, scooping it with my palms, watch how it, passing through my fingers of faith, pours into the hearts of neighbors by the Holy Spirit! What a captivating sight! Thanks to me, other people also become partakers of Heavenly treasures and can taste them from my hands, filling their hearts with pleasant experiences. This is truly an enormous value that makes not only me rich but also those to whom I give it.

Eye salve opens my mind and spiritual vision so that I can penetrate the depths of the ocean of God's love and evaluate the boundless deposits of new blessings that await the inquisitive seeker of the hidden, wanting to evaluate not only the total area of God's ocean but also its volume. Amazingly, this love is infinite not only in the breadth of its revelations but also in the depth of its knowledge. Diving into the golden ocean, I wish to reach the bottom and understand where the foundation is into which all this is poured, but every time I am convinced that God's love has no limits that, having reached, I could say that I have finally found those boundaries of Eternity by which I can evaluate its volume.

Engaging in the knowledge of gold refined by fire, I become the owner of a beautiful white garment that, like Divine light, begins to cover my nakedness, and all my shame disappears in the rays of God's glory, and my character is transformed under the influence of this light.

Dedicating my time to acquiring such purchases and showing diligent zeal in constancy, I allow the Faithful Witness to come into the house of my heart and spend time with me so that I can learn at His feet the art of using Heavenly goods.

The Lord reveals the future to me and shows that in the last time, all reserves of Heavenly oil will be very useful to me. But for this to happen, my human spirit must become like a wick.

Until now, I understood this truth as follows. We are all matches in God's box, and He periodically lights us so that we shine in the darkness and prepare the way for Him. It was sufficient for me that, like the Moon, I could reflect His light, and to become a match and shine myself was a special honor. But my Heavenly friend explains to me that the problem with a match is that it shines by itself. It quickly ignites, and in its light, many things become visible, but its inner potential is limited. It is not suitable for a lamp. It is independent of Heavenly goods, and although it is not cold by itself, it cannot be called hot either. It is capable of giving warmth to neighbors, but only for a short time, and in the end, it will burn itself and burn God's fingers. And even if it is poured with oil in a fading state, it will not be able to maintain this fire, for it has burned out from the inside, although it can periodically flare up when touching the Source of light.

But a wick is good because it does not have a very high opinion of itself. It understands that it is only a conductor of Heavenly oil, which flows through it from the vessel into the lamp and is transformed into fire. And it causes no harm. The Lord can regulate this light by pulling part of the wick out of the oil for brighter shining or hiding the entire wick in gold so that only a small flame flickers on its surface.

Pondering this science of a luminous life, I understand that I am nobody, and by myself, without a supply of oil and a lamp, I am of no value, but rather resemble an unwise match that, having a limited inner potential, considers it sufficient to shine without going out during tribulation. A wick without oil can also burn, but not for long, producing much soot and flickering. And what should I do to be like this? The Lord answers that I should become zealous and diligent in buying His goods and repent of my self-confidence and ignorance. He assures me of His love and makes me understand that His punishment in case of my carelessness will not be long in coming. He knows how to bring out of sleep and numbness and rebuke those He loves.

But why punish me when I am learning? But in the process of this learning, I sometimes return to old rails and behave as if I am rich, have become rich, and need nothing. My sinful memory manages to appropriate even Heavenly treasures, trying to convince me that my love for people is genuine, not like those novices who have crowded at the store door and dare not enter. And here I receive a good blow to my soft spot and remember that I am also human, and I take my place in God's lamp, burning with shame from my arrogance but no longer burning out from pride.

The fire that purifies gold also purifies me. I am completely soaked in this fuel oil, and I feel the warmth of my lamp. The only thing that very much worries me is the presence of oil in the vessel from which there is a constant supply of Heavenly product to the burning zone.

Passing through the wick of my conscience, this oil cleanses it, saturating every thread of my consciousness with its wonderful aroma of love, wisdom, and light.

I look at the unwise matches, at how they sleep soundly, not understanding that their resource is limited, and I try to awaken them, pointing to the Heavenly Merchant who joyfully accepts new buyers and is ready to share the boundless resources of God's love with everyone. And He asks me whether, when He comes, He will find faith in those for whom He paid a very high price? The Lord registers all new buyers, writing down their addresses, and then comes and stands at their doors, wishing to continue relationships not only in the store but also in home conditions and improve skills in using the purchases made by His regular customers.

To His regular customers, our Heavenly Merchant decides to offer entry into eternal trade relations, where in exchange for all of me and all my time, I can have unlimited access to Him and everything He possesses. He promises that He will share His throne with me and allow me to sit next to Him, and no one will ever drive me out of the ocean of love, and I will be able to share it eternally with other wicks.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read John 4:13-14; Proverbs 13:9; 20:27; 24:29; 31:18; Philippians 4:13; Luke 11:33-36; 18:7-8; John 1:6-9; 15:4-6; Matthew 5:14-16; 25:3; 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 17:29; 83:7-8; 26:1-4; 118:105; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 16:15; Ephesians 1:17-21; 3:16-21; Hebrews 1:3; 9:14; Psalm 44:9-10; Revelation 3:18-21; Isaiah 60:1-5; Daniel 12:3; Hosea 6:3,6; Zechariah 4:2,6,12,14 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Does the language of parables help you understand spiritual values?

4. Who did you see yourself as in this chapter?

5. How do you understand the expression: "You are the light of the world"?

6. Is there a difference in what light is in me and who is its source?

7. Why is the presence of oil so important in the last time?

8. What does oil for the lamp symbolize? Why is it sold? (Matthew 25:9-10)

9. Ask your brothers and sisters from the church where one can buy oil for the lamp, then share their answer.

10. Why is it so important to be a conductor of God's light, taking oil supplies from Him?

11. Did you understand what it means to be a "match"? How does this look in your life?

12. Will anything change in my life if I only decide who to be and live correctly but do nothing to achieve it?

13. Do these lessons help change something in your thinking? If yes, in what direction?

14. Why is it important to have the mindset of a righteous person? And what is this?

15. Do you believe that Christ stands at your door, knocking and calling? After what actions of yours will He come to have dinner with you?

To all who buy Heavenly goods from the Faithful Witness and are zealous in studying them, opening their doors to the Lord, Jesus promises His throne. In Revelation 3:21, we read: "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne." This promise speaks of a reward for the victor. And every reader of these lines involuntarily imagines themselves as such a person. But the Lord provides an explanation: "Just as I was victorious." But how did Christ win? Whom did He defeat? What does this have to do with me?

Understanding the answers to these questions is just as important as understanding the meaning of Heavenly goods. If I do not know how the Lord was victorious, I will invent my own war and victory and believe in it so much that when I encounter reality, I will be very surprised at how different it is from my imagination. We cannot describe with mathematical precision all the details of the upcoming battle and its sequence, but we are able to see some main principles that will give the right direction to our thoughts.

All these answers are contained in the life and death of Jesus Christ. He went through this struggle and defeated the enemy. And in all subsequent confrontations, He declares Himself the Victor, giving us hope that the outcome of the war is already predetermined.

The culmination of Christ's victory occurred with His dying cry: "It is finished!" This word is very deep in its content. The essence of Jesus' struggle was a confident confrontation of good and righteousness to evil and sin, where Satan and his army were allowed to use any methods and tactics to achieve their victory.

The enemy of the soul's goal was to incline Christ to sin or divert His gaze from the Father, so that He would rely on human efforts. The temptations and pressure that fell upon the Savior were as great as He was more perfect than us.

We cannot comprehend all of Jesus' experiences, but we can imagine what Satan felt when the King of kings entered the arena of universal struggle as a helpless infant, born and developing according to all human laws. The fallen angel's mind could not contain such a sacrifice and such humiliation. His selfish mind did not understand such a battle tactic, so it brought Satan and his entire army into horror of an inevitable catastrophe.

The plan of salvation was truly grandiose. Even holy angels could not understand all the twists and turns of this war. God became human! How could this happen? What kind of God is this who allows Himself to be so humiliated?

Jesus grew, being a perfect human Child, experiencing all stages of development and formation that all people go through. From the inside, with a human mind, He experienced everything we encounter and knows personally what influence the surrounding world has on us.

God the Father surrounded the Infant Christ with His care, using people responsive to the Holy Spirit's influence. Child Jesus was taught by God-fearing parents to fear and love God and be obedient to all His laws and commandments, and the Holy Spirit wrote these life rules in the open heart of the young Man, establishing Him in truth.

From childhood, Jesus was taught to overcome all temptations by the word of God, and always guided by these principles, remembering the studied passages of Scripture.

Christ's victory was not in some final statement or decision, but in constantly choosing good in opposition to evil throughout His life in a human body. Step by step, He won small victories in this universal confrontation of Satan against God and sin against good. Day by day, He struck the enemy in the head, bringing another victory to the Universe's treasury. Satan's fury knew no bounds. He understood that he was losing his power and his subjects and would never again be able to return those who had clung to Christ.

The peculiarity of the spiritual war was that Jesus could fall, and He was taking a great risk living in a sinful world among wicked people. One careless word or wrong decision, or doubt, or a small concession to the enemy would have made the Son of Man a sinner, and He would no longer have been able to become our Savior but would have died for His own sins. The enemy of the soul knew this and therefore did not weaken in his attacks, wanting to use all his experience of seduction in his attacks on Christ. But Jesus overcame every temptation, being tested in everything. He never knew sin within Himself but resisted it with the power of the Holy Spirit, which is also available to us. His victory was complete and perfect.

The hour of the final test by death came, which the Lord could have avoided if He had wanted. But He decided to drink this cup instead of me, to give me the right to life. The Majesty of Heaven kneels before the Father, asking that this cup pass by, not to drink it. Jesus asked for another way of saving people, but God had no other plan, and the Savior knew this and, in humility, entered the final battle, on the outcome of which the fate of all of us depended. Eternal death breathed in Jesus' face, and He voluntarily entered its embrace. The Lord could have left everything and gone to Heaven, leaving this earth to Satan, but He chose death to tear this sting from the enemy's hands and give us life. Christ's decision was final, and He entered where no one had returned before.

All the enemy's fury descended upon Christ's body and soul. Finally, Satan received power over Jesus' flesh and could show the entire Universe what he would have done with God and all the heavenly beings if he had been allowed to remain in Heaven and have power.

The devil was sure that Christ's flesh would not withstand the cruelty that would be shown to Him and that He would refuse to save His tormentors, surrendering them and the entire Earth to Satan's power. But Love decided to save the sinner from the torments of eternal death, sacrificing His Eternal life. Besides bodily torment, God's Son experienced separation from the Father and drank the cup of God's wrath. We cannot understand these sufferings, and it is better not to experience them. Unrepentant sinners will have to drink this cup themselves. But God's children will receive the victor's crown and receive the power of victory from the One who went this path and triumphed over all evil.

Looking at Christ, reflecting on Him, believing in Him, communing with Him, spending time with Him, I acquire the character of a Victor and can resist all evil as He did. I am simply walking the Victor's path already laid out for me. God strengthens every decision of mine to be with Him and keep faith in His law. The enemy's goal is to divert my gaze from Christ and direct my thoughts to the earthly and impure, offering sin in a beautiful package. What will I choose? To whom will I be obedient?

But I am not left alone in this war. Jesus advises me to buy what I will pass through the final battle and win a true victory. And anticipating my victor's joy, the Lord promises to give me what He promised to no one else. This will not be just my victory, but the final triumph of God in me over universal evil, and through my behavior and faithfulness in the last battle, God will be glorified for all remaining centuries. For some reason, this is how the Lord desires to end the history of this world, and He has already won, but He waits for me to give me this victory, leading me through the valley of death.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; Exodus 32:18; Romans 12:21; Hebrews 11:32-40; 12:1-4; 2 Peter 2:18-22; Proverbs 21:31; Matthew 12:17-21; 1 John 2:12-17; 4:15-19; Revelation 12:10-11; 15:2; 17:12-14; 21:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Who is a victor in God's eyes?

4. Why does God give rewards and promise Heaven's blessings only to victors?

5. If I do not understand who a victor is in the light of the Bible, what danger will I be in?

6. How can I become one who wins victories?

7. Can someone who has fallen but got up and continued fighting on Christ's side be called a victor? Is there a difference between such people and those who fell and stopped fighting?

8. Who and what should we defeat?

9. Should I wait for the last battle to win in it, and for now, it is enough to be at peace with everyone?

10. Will those victors who will meet Christ alive be able to avoid the test of death? (Psalm 22:4)

11. In what place are victories and falls accomplished? (Genesis 6:5)

12. Who do you plan to be? And what are you doing for this?

13. Is a weapon for victors sold in Revelation 3:18? Will it be possible to stand in the last battle without what Jesus advises to buy?

14. Is this School preparing candidates for victory, or are we just considering possibilities? (Luke 12:42-44)

15. Are you a victor in the light of the Bible? If not, why do you think so, and can something be changed?

When studying the previous lesson, one might get the impression that it's better not to dig into anything related to the past. But let's look at this action from the perspective of wisdom. Every person learns something, and in this process, they make some mistakes. A wise parent or teacher tries to analyze the cause of these slip-ups and draw a conclusion. The situation is examined, what and how was done, what was good, and what was bad. How it would have been better to act, and what should not have been done.

When approached correctly, with love, without shouting and anger, the learner compares their entire path and draws conclusions. Such a learning method helps most of the information to be remembered in the right order, and next time, errors are either excluded or quickly recognized.

A mistake teaches, and sometimes it is very painful. And blessed am I if I understand this and am not afraid of such trials.

But one should not confuse mathematical problems with life experience. If I made a mistake in a calculation, I can correct it, but if I derailed my own or someone else's life, it is a tragedy.

Christ's School allows me to make mistakes, and while I am learning, I can stumble and misunderstand something. But God's goal is to bring me to complete perfection, firmness of spirit, and faithfulness to Biblical principles.

In the spiritual world, there will always be people who have achieved something and learned to do their work perfectly, without errors. But growth has not ended. If a person stops and does not plan to go further through the fire of trials, not even imagining that there is something else unknown, they may close themselves off from further growth and rejoice in what they have.

We are rapidly approaching the finale of Earth's history. An interesting confrontation awaits us, and very soon we will need all the knowledge we have received in this Agape Love School. Right now, it is not entirely clear what to do with this, although the quality of life is getting better and the prospects of knowing God's love are encouraging. Here is good news! Love is eternal and never ceases. And it will never be fully studied to the point where I would say: "That's it, I've reached perfection."

One auto mechanic decided to repair his car and for this, he put on a T-shirt with the words written on both sides: "I don't tolerate anyone's advice." This person made it very clear that he knows everything and should not be taught. How many similar inscriptions can be found in the hearts of your brothers and sisters? How many fences have been built in our relationships? But the Lord chose us so that we might teach one another.

My daughter studied to be a secretary for three years, and when I decided to open my construction firm, she helped me keep the accounts and explained how to do it better, patiently correcting my mistakes and ensuring everything was correct. I was not embarrassed that I was older and had more life experience than she did. I listened carefully and learned, and now I can do everything independently, although she does it better.

When I listen to your answers to lesson questions or discussions of past classes, I learn together with you. And sometimes, through you, friends, the Lord gives revelation for the next lessons. I would not be surprised if someone among you becomes so attached to Jesus that they stand ahead of all of us and share revelations from above, helping us better understand the lurking dangers.

My heart is tuned to learning and exploring the depths of God's love. And when there is much of it, it is so joyful to share! This is a pearl and a sanctuary from God's hands, which He desires to gift to this world through us. But Jesus also advises not to throw this treasure to those who openly devalue it.

The Faithful Witness advises me to buy from Him the best that Heaven has. This is advice. How many times have I read it and not understood what it was about. And my mind was closed to understanding this truth. But something happened. When I was conducting a seminar about love, happiness, and friendship, I needed to give a Sabbath sermon, and I wanted it to be a relevant topic. I prayed about this, and my gaze fell on the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-13. I pondered why oil for the lamp is sold? And where can it be bought? After all, the virgins knew this place. And the Lord showed me the Laodicean store. A new world opened to me, which I am now sharing with you. And the more we study this topic, the more we are established in it. We began seeking love and happiness and ended up uncovering underground Heavenly treasures necessary in the last time. And if we understand what the message to Laodicea is in light of the final events, I think this is the left hand of the three angels' message. The right hand, as we know, is the health reform, which opens people's hearts to a deeper understanding of the Bible and God's will.

Paul writes how to conduct our war. In 2 Corinthians 6:6-7, we read: "in purity, understanding, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, in truthful speech, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness in the right and left hand." Do you see the Laodicean goods in this list?

God desires both of my hands to be involved in this war, and my mind to be protected from the enemy's attacks. Will I heed His advice?

The most valuable treasure for the last time has been revealed to us. All of Heaven is carefully watching those who are obtaining these goods and mastering them. Only those who buy them and make them part of themselves can appreciate their value.

Simply knowing what gold, white clothing, eye salve, and oil for the lamp symbolize is not enough. I will only give a definition but not become their owner. The unwise virgins were precisely those who knew much but bought nothing at the favorable time. And we will have to face such a category of people who do not value God's counsels and do not try to understand their essence. And these will not be people from the street, but my dear brothers and sisters from my church.

How will the Lord interest us? After all, a time will come when this door will be closed forever for everyone, and only the chosen will enter. With what pain Jesus will deliver His final verdict from Revelation 22:11: "Let the unrighteous still do unrighteousness; let the filthy still be filthy; let the righteous still do righteousness, and the holy still be holy"!

Our trade with Jesus will not end even when the doors are shut. What is the point of stopping something that teaches and forms our character? If I have entered into such a relationship, it is already forever. The Lord will never say that I have bought everything, and He has nothing more for me. He will continue throughout Eternity to advise me to acquire yet some characteristics of character to reflect God's glory. And I will give Him all of myself and sit at His feet and watch as He tastes me and tells other heavenly beings how delicious I am.

My ability to learn and seek new and useful things in God's word and in relationships with Jesus opens colossal opportunities for spiritual growth, and the knowledge gained can become a great blessing for you, friends.

One of Jesus' names is Counselor. Isaiah 9:6. And this title is very relevant in our days. He advises and waits for those who will respond, to bless them with Heavenly abundance.

Do you like such advice?!

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Proverbs 27:9; Matthew 5:48; Luke 6:48; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 3:18; Romans 6:13; 10:3; 12:1-2; 1 John 3:11; Zephaniah 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Psalm 1:1; 72:24; 118:24; Proverbs 1:5-9; 11:14; 15:22 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How do you feel about those who advise you on useful things, wanting to improve your life?

4. Do you enjoy studying the message to Laodicea?

5. How did you understand the Faithful Witness's advice before coming to this Agape Love School?

6. Has something important been revealed to you about the message to Laodicea through the lessons of this book?

7. How do you understand whether the Faithful Witness's advice is vital for God's children in the last time?

8. What should I do if I do not understand what is being discussed in the message to Laodicea and consider it not very important?

9. There is so much useful information in the Bible - is it worth singling out any message as something very important?

10. Why does Jesus only give advice in the message to Laodicea, while in other cases He teaches, commands, and orders?

11. Do you think the knowledge you receive in our lessons will be useful to you?

12. What changed in your life when you understood the meaning of the Faithful Witness's advice?

13. Do you enjoy learning in the Agape Love School? How long do you plan to do this?

14. Can you say about yourself that you have agape love?

15. What advantage does love give in the last time?

For 6,000 years, Satan has been studying our world and doing everything possible to penetrate all spheres of human life and establish his control, place his people, introduce his rules, and, unfortunately, he is very successful at this. This entire system is called spiritual Babylon, which gives its wine to all nations.

Satan has one goal — to steal from Christ everyone possible, in order to kill and destroy them. But Christ, though a very good Shepherd, is also very strong and does not give up His sheep easily, but keeps and protects them. And where victory cannot be achieved by force, the enemy of the soul begins to apply cunning and false beliefs.

If any of us tries to logically understand Satan and evaluate him by human standards and laws, one will imagine anything, and this will not be quite the correct image.

Trying to combine Biblical prophecies with current events, I have to think out loud, sharing revelations and my understanding. I know that I do not have enough information to make any specific statements that would become indisputable evidence, and the skepticism and sarcasm of many neighbors cast all my discoveries in an unfavorable light. And this lesson is presented to you as an illustration to unite what is happening in the world into one picture.

Let's imagine two Biblical models of confrontation that will definitely manifest in the final battle. In this case, God's model will undoubtedly win. On his side, the enemy of the soul presents Babylon, which is the image of the beast with all its structures, influence, and means, while on God's side, the Three Angels' Message is represented, which carries God's seal and exposes the entire Babylonian system, passes a death sentence on it, and destroys it.

Although Satan initially knows the outcome of this war and understands that he will not win, he tirelessly prepares his army to tear even the elect from Christ's hands, if possible. The essence of the confrontation boils down to the fact that Jesus gives Eternal Life to all who believe in Him and desire Salvation, while Satan wants all his subjects to die spiritually and suffer in anticipation of the final Judgment. He would not mind even killing God the Father and the Holy Spirit, but this is impossible. The enemy was given the opportunity to meet personally with the Son of God, and Satan pursued Him for 33 years and finally killed Him. Such is the nature of the devil. He has no attachments to anyone. He is an egoist of the highest degree, but he does not fight against God alone, but attracts into his army everyone he can seduce.

Jesus' prophecies speak of diseases and climate catastrophes at the end of time, which will be caused by the consequence of people's sins as God's judgments (Matthew 24:7-8). The enemy of the soul will also lend a hand to aggravate the situation of those living on earth.

The health reform is the right hand of the Three Angels' Message. And this hand very successfully destroys all the wicked one's plans, granting people light, happiness, knowledge of spiritual and physical health laws. It deals crushing blows to Babylonian bastions and tears many deceived people from the walls of this city to teach them not to be sick, pointing to the Great Physician — Jesus, Who heals every infirmity. For Christ, there are no incurable diseases, only incurable people. And through healing the body of a sick person, this hand opens their heart to God and His message. And the message declares the entire Babylonian system fallen and calls to leave it and cling to God.

And to somehow oppose Jesus, the enemy of the soul invented an alternative right hand of Babylon, which is originally called "pharmakeia" and misleads all nations (Revelation 18:23).

Satan knows that the counterfeit of truth always looks attractive and seduces many. And when Satan's subjects head key posts and positions, it is not difficult for the enemy of the soul to use this science in his interests.

I think that in the last time, medical achievements and discoveries, falling into the hands of wicked people and rulers, will contribute to the implementation of the wicked one's cunning plans.

Pharmakeia will offer the world its alternative to health, frightening people with terrible diseases outside Babylon's walls. It ruthlessly destroys the foundations of the Health Reform, offering its values. And many of Christ's warriors will find themselves in a very difficult situation, deciding which position is better to take to avoid being limited in their freedom.

Babylon's right hand offers an alternative to the Health Reform, carrying elements of good and care for people. The enemy does not mind if Babylon's services are paid and drain a person of all resources in exchange for a short hope of being healthy.

To counteract the message to Laodicea, Babylon has a left hand that diverts the Earth's inhabitants' gaze from the Heavenly Sanctuary, offering through its media anything, any paths of salvation, just to neutralize the influence of Jesus' counsel or make this message inconspicuous. Babylon provides its food, if only a person would not engage in trade with Jesus.

Babylon's hands also have state support, as they are in the service of the King of Babylon. They can be read about in Daniel 3:2. Although the hands are not the mark of the beast, they constitute part of its body and successfully work, preparing people's consciousness to accept the true seal and image of the prince of this world, so that subsequently these subjects can act in his spirit.

The enemy of the soul will also use modern discoveries in information transmission, bioengineering, and micro-technology in his interests, wanting to take control of many areas of society's life in order to subsequently have an account of those who possess the beast's name number and those who are in God's service. But no matter how strong and powerful Babylon tries to look, God surpasses this satanic system billions of times, although He wins a confident victory with the modest advantage of His power manifested in the human character. The Health Reform cleanses my mind, making it capable of understanding and evaluating the message to Laodicea. And the Faithful Witness's counsels cleanse my heart and soul, making me capable of carrying the three angels' message to this world.

Love knows no defeat. It is the most robust foundation of the Universe and all its laws. And one must be an absolute madman to declare war on love and still expect victory. But, unfortunately, earthlings have chosen exactly this approach — to fight against God.

We are used to thinking about war, imagining tanks, rockets, planes, fleet, and hordes of cutthroats. And when love and God's children clothed in white garments of light and shining with Heavenly wisdom are placed in opposition to all this, it is difficult for us to call them victors. But in their hands is the most powerful weapon of truth, against which no one will stand and which no one can overcome.

And the enemy does not surrender and tries to inspire his servants to a quick and easy victory, preparing his mark for them and trying on the chains of shackles for careless people. And he still has success, and his seductions are very convincing and strong. But woe to me if I begin to follow the beast and study Babylon's traditions and schemes, dedicating all my time to these discoveries. I risk losing Christ from view and becoming easy prey for the enemy.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Jeremiah 51:9; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 6:4-7; Genesis 11:9; Revelation 14:8; 18:1-20; John 5:39; 10:10,27-30; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; Matthew 8:16; 12:15; 24:6-8; Luke 22:31-32; Mark 4:15; Job 1:6-22; 2:1-10; Proverbs 21:31; 1 John 5:4; Revelation 13:3-4 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are the message and messengers the same thing?

4. Is the word "hands" clear? Do you understand which hands are being discussed?

5. Do you think if God offers something good and necessary to the world, Satan will offer his counterfeit to attract attention to himself?

6. Is it worth watching the beast, observing how he successfully acts and seduces the whole world? What danger might this represent?

7. Do you think it is logical that the entire world with all its resources, finances, and power will lose in a battle against a handful of poor and miserable God's children? Can this happen?

8. On whose side do you plan to fight, and against whom will you wage war?

9. What and whom do you intend to defeat?

10. Should my desires coincide with my behavior, deeds, and attitude?

11. What relation does love have to the three angels' message? Is it sounded in the third message?

12. If I only look to Christ and do not know what the beast is doing, can I avoid the laid traps?

13. Is it possible that, without studying world events but being in communion with God, I somehow know what is happening in society?

14. Will the Lord save those who only think about love and do not watch the beast, do not delve into Babylon's affairs, and do not know what dangers await careless people?

There is an interesting phrase from Pushkin's poem that the world has caught and offers as its response to evaluating what is happening: "What is our life? A game!" And there is a grain of truth in this.

And Shakespeare once wrote: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." The question arises: "So who are the audience?"

With your permission, I will describe my view on the theme of this chapter.

Born into this world, I did not think about the meaning of life but simply lived as the situation and my environment required.

From an early age, I began to understand that every society has its behavioral rules, and I must adapt to this regulations. Somewhere these rules are written down, somewhere they are conditional and established by those with greater authority, and somewhere I must invent a role for myself to fit into the overall atmosphere and be accepted or attract attention.

Such an approach to life is inherent in every person, but everyone plays their role in their own way.

Soviet society formed a special type of thinking in us, and although this system collapsed, our mentality did not disappear. A new regime was replaced by another ideology that offered its game with greater possibilities.

The Lord used the resulting vacuum during the destruction of communism's bastions and gave the post-Soviet space the Gospel. I fell under this stream of light and accepted with all my heart what Heaven offered. I studied a new scenario for a better life with Jesus and decided to act exactly as God proposes. All my life values were revised, and I replaced what did not correspond to Heavenly criteria. I became an actor in a new production called "Eternal Life". I ask you not to be frightened by such a comparison and title. The theme is quite serious.

An actor is a kind of performer who plays the life of a character according to a scenario he has chosen. And to make this role look real, the actor needs to immerse himself in a new image, make it part of himself, pass through his heart all necessary statements, including appropriate facial expressions and gestures. And all this influences the artist's behavior. He immerses himself in the proposed image and becomes the one he plays. The law of gazing comes into effect: I am transformed into what I look at. The actor's words, even if feigned, form a certain character and manner of behavior, and the viewer picks up the seen type and no longer wants to see this artist in another role.

When God offers me something new, at first it seems like a change of scenery. I am not used to living like this, but I understand with my mind that it is better and more useful. And I dare to take such a step, and sometimes even yearn for it. And if my previous path's direction was in a certain direction, the new life with God led me in a completely opposite direction, contrary to the usual course of life, and the Lord began to give me the strength and means for this.

My new role began to harmonize amazingly with the desires of my new heart. It seemed as if it was no longer I who lived, but Christ lived in me. My new role transformed my mind and changed my character so much that I became what I initially tried to play, and now I am no longer an actor but a representative of that Heavenly type who lives by Heaven's laws and does not plan to change anything, but is tuned only to improve and fulfill.

At a certain moment in my opera, the Lord transferred me to a new stage of developing my skill and offered me an amazing scenario called "Love". I myself understood that I lacked this character trait to correctly play the main role, and when I realized this and began to understand that without love, I am nothing, and my entire life is an empty sound, and I have no benefit from my transformations, then my prayers to the Main Director became different. And the Lord began to teach me a new art of love, which I initially had to play unnaturally to understand how it works through my habitual thoughts and feelings. And surprisingly — the play began to work out. I immediately noticed the difference between love and its absence and decided to always love and take this new soul property into any company to play a genuine person.

I have so immersed myself in the role of a loving person that it is no longer clear who is playing whom. Either I am playing love, no longer distinguishing where I am and where it is, or it is playing in me, sometimes inserting my human characteristics into my behavior so that I can somehow live in this world, since I have a part of earthly origin.

Love is observant. It perfectly sees who plays what role in church and in life. It is impossible to deceive. Although it believes in everything, it can compare what it sees and hears with reality. It weighs everything on its scales, passing through its filters.

Playing love is not a dangerous theater that presents me as a hypocrite in God's eyes. I cannot play this role without the power of the Holy Spirit, who first transforms my heart, making it new, fleshly, and then writes God's thoughts and laws of love into it, which I initially play as something unusual and new, and then as my own.

God does not give His love as a mask for a hypocrite. He hands it over as a new face that reflects the state of the heart. Although for me it is a game, it is a game that makes me what God desires to see me as.

We are all people of mood. Sometimes I do not know whom I will meet on another morning in my house. Everything depends on the mood of this miracle that lives with me under one roof. I am accustomed to the fact that seasons and various climatic seasons are also inherent in people of a certain mindset, so I am no longer surprised by anything. Although I often hear in response: "Take me as I am," but I cannot always predict what this miracle will be today or after my honest recognition when I decide to do something.

Now about you. If I can call myself an actor and honestly say that I am a player in the theater of life, I have no right to call you the same. It is not in my competence. You decide for yourselves who you are and what you play. You are all real and unpredictable to me. The world can turn you however it wants, but love will make you a stable and firm person if you allow it.

In the message to Laodicea, I am offered a new role of a person rich in love and faith, a new outfit that makes me dressed, and new thinking that opens my eyes. I am not sure how well all this will fit me and whether I will cope. But the Lord knows my size and takes into account my characteristics, handing me new purchases. He believes in me and offers me to practice in the new role of a hot person, offers to be zealous in this performance. But interestingly, by entering a new role, I play myself and see how such a scenario corresponds to the Heavenly standard. And love is no longer a game of beautiful words but the image of my thoughts and expression of my sincere feelings. Although I am a poor person with a perishable nature, having joined the Heavenly trade, I no longer wish to live by other rules. I simply cannot play the world anymore, trying to look like my own in it. I choose love. It somehow feels more familiar and simpler. Although not everyone understands me, this language is familiar to angels. This is the language of God.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read 1 Timothy 1:5-7; Hebrews 19:32-35; 12:1-2; Matthew 25:20-21; Psalm 118:73; Job 20:5; 27:8; Galatians 2:29; Ephesians 1:9-19; Colossians 1:26-28; James 4:8-10; Matthew 23:15; 23:28; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6,18; 4:1-4; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Psalm 21:18; Luke 12:1; 23:48; Proverbs 1:20-33; 11:9; Judges 21:25 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the difference between hypocrisy and spiritual growth?

4. Does your life resemble a theater game where everyone writes their own rules?

5. Is it worth starting something new and useful sometime? If yes, what does it start with?

6. When you were born for Christ and decided to grow, did everything work out correctly for you?

7. Who is the audience in our theater of life?

8. Are you not embarrassed by comparing spiritual growth to a theater play?

9. Do you understand that this chapter is not about theatrical productions?

10. If a person very often repeats the same action, is it possible that they will get used to it?

11. If I understand that I need to do some things correctly, but I cannot, will my attempt to start doing something be called hypocrisy?

12. When can "Playing Love" become dangerous for the soul?

13. If I decide to love someone but do not know how to do it correctly but try something, and it does not work out, how should this be called?

14. Is it worth learning to love if I do not have it at all?

15. What is love for when we have mobile phones?

In Revelation 3:14 we read: "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.'" The Lord gives Himself a name, calling Himself the Faithful Witness. After this, He evaluates my spiritual condition and calls me blind. It is very difficult for me to accept such an assessment, because I believe that I can see, and I can even prove it. With my own eyes, I have reviewed all the news reports on television, following the events in Babylon, and I simply cannot be mistaken. But the True Witness declares that I am blind, yet gives me a way out, advising me to buy eye salve so that I may see.

And if I am the person who teaches others, or if I play the role of a spiritual mentor and have influence over other people, what will happen if I fall into the pit of delusion? I think all my disciples will fall after me. But interestingly, even after falling into this pit, I will believe that I am on the right path, and find many proofs to convince my followers that things are going quite well.

Spiritual blindness is dangerous because it is not in my eyes, but in my mind and heart. The eyes see what is shown to them, and when they analyze the whole picture, then a signal about this is transmitted to the control center of the mind, where the imprinting of what is happening takes place. And then it becomes difficult to correct anything.

I remember a case when, as a teenager, I saved money for new jeans and went to the market to make a purchase. There I first saw the shell game and, observing the easy winnings, decided to double my capital and buy myself very good jeans. I watched the player's hands extremely carefully and finally placed a bet. In one moment I became very poor and disappointed, I was going home empty-handed, regretting that I had not pointed to the right shell. But later I learned that these masters hide the ball in their fingers, and you will never win, even if you are very attentive.

But if money can be saved, what to do if you start believing a lie, considering it light, and confidently accept delusion, thinking it is truth? For example, if I believe that there will be a secret rapture, and I expect Christ's Coming in this way, and I teach this to other people because I watched a movie about it, where am I in such an understanding of truth? Have you tried waiting for the bus you need where it never runs? A foolish occupation. And who is to blame for this mistake? Only the one who convinced you that you need to wait right here.

The Lord is not against us having a critical mind and being able to compare many facts, guided by our vision, common sense and logical conclusions. We are given the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts in the right and correct direction. However, we have an enemy of the soul who wants to confuse us and present the truth in his own way. And he is very skillful at it. And my first agreement with delusion affirms it in my heart forever.

When calling someone blind, Jesus addressed a certain category of people who had spiritual authority and were mentors of the people. Christ's teaching was understandable to simple people, but it crossed out much of what was offered by the teachers and leaders of that time. We are surprised by the blindness of the scribes and Pharisees, but a similar spirit is alive in our days. And the Faithful Witness calls me such a person.

Christ's assessment is a correct statement in light of what He advises me to buy from Him.

By myself, I can walk in the light that is sufficient for my certain level of knowledge, but when the Lord invites me to rise higher and see great and inaccessible things that I do not know, my refusal will not make me more sighted, and my unwillingness to grow will not add wisdom to me.

And we live in a time when the whole world and all God's children will have to decide and make a final choice in the matter of worship, and a mistake in this choice will be fatal and irreparable.

To be blind and not correct anything means to give the enemy your hand and mind for applying his mark. The only thing that makes me sighted is buying eye salve, which is sold only along with other goods.

Babylon will certainly offer us something that we will have to agree with in order to live peacefully, and this will be presented as a common good. And even if it will infringe on my freedom and require me to go through some necessary procedures, for the sake of universal peace and security, this so-called good will be presented to me as something most important that I must accept. Perhaps at first there will be a rehearsal to establish the boundaries of society's patience and how much it will be possible to deprive people of personal freedom with their consent.

It is worth having a critical mind and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to see the danger and have wisdom in how to behave correctly and where to direct the attention of people who see you as a person transmitting Heavenly bread and having a deep relationship with Christ. Understanding danger is good, but knowing the way out is wise. We need God's wisdom, which is offered in the form of eye salve. The wise virgins are so called because they bought something necessary.

Knowing what the mark of the beast represents will not save me from accepting this sign if I turn out to be blind at the moment of being sealed with God's seal. God will not approve of my blindness with His affirmation. The Pharisees did not become more sighted when they saw what they had done to the predicted Messiah. They continued to persist and perished in their hardening.

The presence of God's love in my life will be the decisive factor at the moment of my trial before sealing. My blindness will testify to my spiritual ignorance and unwillingness to do anything for my salvation. When the Lord gives advice and offers a way out, expecting my positive response, He will not be satisfied with any other answer. He needs only my "yes" and subsequent steps in this choice.

Does the Lord expect wise watchmen with a critical mind to stand on the walls of Zion, who will report not only the approach of danger but also show the way out? If a shepherd transfers the protection and care of the sheep to the sheep themselves, giving the impression that they are in peace and safety, and the wolves should somehow warn about themselves, then what will such a leader be called? A hireling.

God does not give me the right to hang such labels on anyone. He alone has the authority to call us so, and He offers us the commandment to love one another, not blindly and thoughtlessly, but critically towards ourselves and with understanding and a sacrificial spirit towards others.

It is easy to identify danger if you ask God for wisdom and begin to delve into and study what is happening from different angles, not believing anyone, but testing and checking everything. God will not leave in ignorance those who want to understand what is happening and, having understood, will ask for wisdom from above on how to behave.

It is not worth accepting the recommendations and decisions of Babylon, but it is important to rely with all your heart on God's guidance and protection. And in this hope, I will very much need the faith and love that Amen advises to buy. He offers that with which I will stand and gain victory.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Matt. 15:14; 11:5-6; Luke 6:39-40; Ex. 4:11; 23:8; Deut. 16:19; Ps. 146:8; Prov. 1:17-18; 4:23-27; 12:15; 17:24; 21:2; Gen. 3:5-7; 1 Cor. 15:33; Eccl. 2:14; Isa. 42:18-20; 43:8; 56:10-11; Jer. 5:21-25; Rom. 2:20-21; Matt. 13:14-15; 20:30-34; Luke 24:16,31 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How is it possible to have eyes and not see?

4. Are you a sighted person? How can you determine this?

5. Who makes one blind and seeing? 2 Cor. 3:14.

6. What to do if I see that I don't understand something and am also spiritually blind?

7. If I ask Jesus to open my eyes, will He respond positively?

8. What to do if I believe a lie and consider it truth, and don't accept another point of view? After all, I am sincere in my understanding.

9. Is it important to know what to do at the end of time, or is the main thing to believe in God and sing more songs?

10. What is the difference between believing in God and having faith in God? Why are there so many denominations?

11. Is the Faithful Witness interested in my life and my spiritual vision?

12. What do you think, if I earnestly ask Jesus to give me wisdom and light about how to live and what to do in the last times, will He respond to such an attitude?

13. Has our School helped you see something more?

14. Have you seen the value and importance of the message to Laodicea?

15. What role does the Holy Spirit play in my enlightenment?

I often see pictures depicting Adam and his wife before the fall. Artists draw two naked people who, without embarrassment, live a happy life. The Bible says that they were naked and were not ashamed. But it's worth clarifying that they had a special nakedness, covered with the garment of God's righteousness in the form of a soft light enveloping the whole body. This is written in the book "Patriarchs and Prophets". "The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them." – {PP 45.3} After such a description of the first people, it becomes more understandable why they saw their nakedness when they sinned. God did not create blind people. But they were sinless and blind to sin, and the garment of Divine light was the seal of their righteousness.

We have something similar in the spiritual world. The angels that surround us see this special garment, called "the righteousness of Christ", and guard us very carefully. I cannot accurately describe what they actually see in the invisible world, but I think that we all who believe in Jesus are very different from the people of this world. And this difference is given by Christ in images that we understand, having an analogue in the visible world.

The Faithful Witness tells me that I am naked. And then He states that this nakedness is a shame that can only be covered with a special white garment bought in the Laodicean store. We understand that this is not about a white robe, but about the garments of light that Adam and his wife had while they were pure. But because of our sin, our eyes do not see our garment of imputed righteousness, but the eyes of our faith give us some idea that this is so.

Nakedness is a body not covered with clothing. The demonstration of bodily nakedness is called shame and disgrace in the Bible. The Lord can truly say about many of us that we are literally naked when the summer vacation time begins or hot weather comes. If I tied my body with a string or a thread with a rag, considering it beach clothes, or put on something that openly demonstrates intimate parts of the body, then in the light of the Bible, all this looks like shame and nakedness, the demonstration of which is condemned by God.

I cannot make a person's clothing a criterion for their acceptance or rejection, but the Lord personally gave me the light of dress reform so that I could distinguish the holy from the worldly. But no matter how naked and bare I am in this world, all this is very easily and quickly corrected when I realize that I am naked. I immediately dress and become very decent. But although God cares about my appearance, He also expects my inner transformation, spiritual holiness. And here I can no longer put on something myself to cover my shame.

Calling me naked, the Faithful Witness speaks the truth. And for some reason, I think that this is not about me, and I begin to list all my spiritual deeds and advantages. I pray, read, do, reflect, spread, participate, give, and do other good deeds. This is definitely not about me, and I calmly reflect on who can be naked in such a direct testimony? Of course, it's my neighbor on the church chair. He's so strange, doesn't communicate with anyone, doesn't participate in anything, doesn't testify about anything. I think it's definitely about him. It's good that I'm not like that. Unfortunately, I'm describing what I experienced for a very long time, until I suddenly realized that I am the lukewarm person in Jesus' eyes. But I realized this only when I entered the Laodicean store and began to examine the Heavenly goods, trying on what is offered there.

My nakedness, which the True Witness declares, is determined not by my understanding and comparison of myself with Biblical criteria, but by my putting on the white garment He offers. The conclusion is simple. If I bought and put on Christ's white garment, then I am clothed and righteous; if I did not make this purchase, then I am naked. You can consider this differently, citing some passages from Scripture, but it is necessary to take into account that we live in the very last time, and the highest requirements of the last days have come into force. In connection with this, we are given more light. The absence of oil in the lamps of the foolish virgins was not an urgent problem for a very long time, and many of them passed away without waiting for the Bridegroom. But during the loud cry and the approach of the wedding procession, the presence of oil played a decisive role.

God's seal, which will be placed on the foreheads of a special group of people, was not placed until this time of sealing, but when all the deadlines ended, and the Lord decided to finally separate the tares from the wheat, my sealing already determines my Eternal fate.

To be naked is to reject all the advice and suggestions of Jesus about cardinal changes in my life. My nakedness or clothing is determined by accepting the advice from Rev. 3:18. The Lord cares not only about my knowledge and agreement but also that I enter into eternal trade relations with Him and buy everything He offers. And buy everything at once.

To be naked is to choose your own path of salvation and sew your own clothes, using the biblical fabric offered for previous generations.

What was conditional and fulfilled in Christ's life will not be my justification if I decide to observe it. For example, if I build an altar and bring a lamb on it as a burnt offering to the Lord, how will this be accepted by Heaven? We understand that this no longer works.

When the Heavenly High Priest comes out of the Heavenly Sanctuary, then it will cease to be important what I will do in the courtyard of the Temple, but it will be important in what garment I will appear before Him.

Love and Heavenly wisdom, together with the garment of light of righteousness by faith, make me clothed, sighted, and very rich. I cannot choose or remove something from this.

Imagine a warrior who went out to battle with the enemy naked or without weapons and took a karate pose against an armed opponent. It's hard to imagine a greater amusement and entertainment for the enemy. No matter how strong and great this naked person may be in his own eyes, he will never become a winner. No one will give in to him, but for entertainment, they can play with him, gradually making him disabled.

And the Lord will make winners of those who respond to His advice and will be zealous buyers.

My righteousness in the eyes of Heaven is like filthy rags. This is even worse than nakedness. Isa. 64:6. When God enters into a close relationship with me, then He expects fruit in my life. And when conception occurs, no impurity will stain my garment. And my fruit will be holiness, and the end, eternal life. Rom. 6:22.

The question of my spiritual garment is very important. And the best attire is to put on Jesus (Rom. 13:14), the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11), and His love, which is the bond of perfectness. (Col. 3:12-14).

To have the character of Christ is the most beautiful garment in the eyes of Heaven. And this garment is established on me as a result of constant trade relations with the Heavenly Merchant. I get so used to such relationships that without them I feel and see myself naked. I put on love.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Ex. 20:26; Isa. 3:16-17; 47:2-3; 57:8; 61:3; 64:6; Zech. 3:3-4; Rev. 3:17-18; 16:15; 19:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 4:5; 8:35; 13:14; Eph. 6:11; Col. 3:12-14; Ps. 45:13; Jer. 13:26; Ezek. 16:36-37; 23:29; Lev. 10:6; 20:17; Gen. 9:20-23; Micah 1:11 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are you a clothed person?

4. Why does the Lord call me naked? Couldn't a softer expression have been used?

5. What do you understand by your nakedness in Jesus' eyes?

6. What does the Lord experience when He evaluates my condition?

7. Is it important in the last time to be dressed in the right clothes?

8. Is there a difference in what I wear in everyday life?

9. What is the "white garment" from Rev. 3:18? How to acquire it, and how does it look in your understanding?

10. Why does the Lord warn us not to be found naked? Rev. 16:15.

11. Is it possible to buy only white clothes from Christ and not notice other goods? Is this possible?

12. Does the oil for the lamp have anything to do with my nakedness?

13. Do our lessons help you acquire a worthy wardrobe?

14. If someone deliberately undresses me and exposes me in this form for public viewing, will this be considered my sin?

15. Have you ever thought about why Christ took nakedness to the cross? What might this symbolize?

In His address to Laodicea, the Faithful Witness calls me poor. Who? Me? He must have made a mistake. I've been in the right church for 26 years, during this time I've read the Bible several times, my acts of faith clearly testify to my faithfulness, and my knowledge helps me stand firmly on the rails of Biblical teaching. And if you take all the spiritual books that I've read, some even several times, and the higher Heavenly education that I've acquired during my period of spiritual growth, then I'm more like a person rich in Spirit or a Christian who has become rich in knowledge. I completely disagree with such an assessment. This is definitely not me. And since it's not about me, there's no need to delve into the continuation of this rebuke. How good that I'm not like these lukewarm brothers, about whom it is so accurately and briefly said. I should give them this statement to read. No, I'd better rebuke them in the next sermon. By the way, about sermons. They are so hot that people's hearts tremble from what they hear. And is a poor person capable of such? In our world, the poor are looked down upon and not listened to, but I am respected. And there are even those who come from afar to meet with me to hear my advice and change something in their life.

And how beautiful are my prayers! I think all of Heaven falls silent to hear how I address the Almighty. I think that the goods offered by the True and Faithful Witness have long been mine, simply by right of being a son born of the Holy Spirit for Eternal life. Do you really think that the Lord has been raising me all my life only to reject me in the end? Yes, exactly, this rebuke is for those who have just come to the church and don't know as much as I do yet. And I don't mind sharing my spiritual wealth. After all, I have become rich in God. And no one will take this knowledge from me.

My lamp burns merrily at any time. My wealth helps me acquire oil for each day without detriment to my spiritual treasures.

And how pleasant it is to be rich, to have become rich and to have need of nothing. My knowledge also extends to my life in the world. Like Joseph from Egypt, I have gone through the fire and water of trials and learned to earn as much as necessary for a comfortable life in this mortal world, and I even manage to save for the future. The Bible calls those rich in the world wise, apparently, I fall into this category.

And my position in the church speaks for itself. Would they entrust such a responsible post to someone poor in spirit? And being a spiritual leader among one's fellow believers is a special position that cannot be acquired by simple desire. And my modesty speaks for itself. I can talk about it for hours.

In short, I disagree with such an assessment of me and therefore don't even want to delve into the continuation. But I like the reward. I even see myself on the throne next to my Lord. He certainly won't forget about me. It's just that I'm very confused by a small group of my fellow believers. They're digging for something and constantly searching in the Message to Laodicea. It seems that for them, there's nothing else besides this message. They keep mumbling about some kind of love, some oil and righteousness by faith. I have plenty of this oil. I don't have time to give it out left and right. I don't mind sharing my knowledge, and I can always share my experience with everyone. And I think that even in dark times my lamp will show the true path to those who have strayed, and my oil will be enough for everyone who still knows little.

These "treasure hunters" have only one thing on their mind - to learn to love one another. If they came to me, I would read them all the verses about love that the Bible is so full of. They're not looking in the right place. My experience clearly testifies that love is deeds, not theory. And my hands are the hands of love that are used to doing good.

I knew they saw themselves as poor in spirit and are now trying to buy some special wealth to enrich themselves. Well, go ahead. Let's see what you achieve. Don't you understand that everything from the Lord is given for free, and He speaks about buying in the form of a parable. And those who, like me, are busy with work, have every right to be enriched with heavenly goods, and this is added automatically. And buying implies that the Lord, seeing my faith, and how skillfully I move mountains, what human and angelic language I have, what gift of prophecy I possess, know all secrets and can even give all my possessions and, if necessary, my body to be burned, He simply automatically grants me everything that these "gold diggers" are trying to buy.

My years in faith are my wealth, and the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

But my digging friends don't leave me alone and try to direct my gaze to the message to Laodicea itself, and ask me to delve into its essence. They especially like the verse from Rev. 3:18. It seems that this is some kind of special door to endless Heavenly treasures, and the narrow path of the last days passes through this door.

But what I can't help but notice is that these "revelation diggers" are somehow happy and radiant. It's as if they're not studying the Bible, but a book of bliss. And among themselves, they're somehow friendly and cheerful, and only talk about love from morning to night. They'd better be doing deeds. I ask them to show me this love, and they drag me to the store, saying, buy it yourself. And I demonstrate my deeds to them, but they say it's not enough, the heart needs to be transformed. They've found someone to teach.

They've buzzed my ears off with this love. It seems from their words that I don't have it, but I can buy it. But I look at my experience, go through my knowledge and understand that these "buyers" still have a lot to learn from me. But their arguments are very convincing. It's as if the whole Bible is written in the light of love, and they see every action of God precisely in this spirit. And although it sounds beautiful, the law clearly says that its violators will be punished, so love won't save, but obedience and fulfillment of what is written is important.

Still, I decide to peek into the Laodicean store. I knew it. There's nothing special in it, all these goods are more extensively presented on the pages of the Bible and are given for free, so there's no need to concentrate on one verse and make it something special and endow it with some miraculous property. I should do something about these people. They're too active in their trade. I'll use all my authority to somehow neutralize their influence. But I need to be delicate, or I might fall into the category of God's opponents.

And they're ready for this too, and are not at all embarrassed. It's as if I'm wrong, and they know everything. And what should I do with them? I'll have to study their weapon and understand how it works. Oh, how much time is spent on this study! But I'll overcome. Yes, tough nuts I've encountered. I read, reread, delve into it.

And suddenly, like a flash, it illuminated my mind. The Lord told me that I'm blind, poor and naked. I heard this and was horrified. It turns out He's right. And I don't care about anyone else anymore, I just want to save myself. What do You command me to do, Lord?

"Go and learn further, and you will be told what to do!"

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Deut. 8:12-18; Ps. 73:3-18; Ezek. 16:49; Jer. 9:23-24; Mark 10:23; Ps. 34:6-11; 40:17; 62:10; 69:29-33; 70:5; 86:1-5; 109:21-27; Prov. 11:4,28; 13:18; 14:24; 18:23; 22:22-23; 23:4-5; 28:22; 1 Sam. 2:6-8; Isa. 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19; 14:13-14; 16:9; Rev. 2:9; 3:17-18; 13:16; Eccl. 5:10,12; 9:11; James 5:1-3; Song of Sol. 8:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Why doesn't the verse from Matt. 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" fit this lesson?

4. Are you rich?

5. Can a person's spiritual wealth become a trap for the soul?

6. What's the difference between the rich and the poor?

7. Why does the Faithful Witness rebuke me for being rich and wealthy and having need of nothing?

8. Does Christ have something better than my wealth?

9. Is it a sin to be rich?

10. At what point does my spiritual wealth, which is God's blessing, become a curse for me?

11. What should I do if I understand that I'm poor?

12. Has our School enriched you, or have you become poor in it?

13. What does love do to poor people?

14. Is it bad to be rich in love and rejoice in this abundance, and boast about it?

15. Why does the Lord, rebuking me for my wealth, want to enrich me? Where's the logic? What's the difference between my wealth and gold refined by fire?

The Majesty of Heaven calls me wretched, and this is the true assessment of a loving heart. With what pity does the Lord pronounce these words! How much sympathy for me is invested in such a definition!

He who now dwells in unapproachable light, whom holy beings serve, who is surrounded by absolute purity, looks at me and my spiritual ambitions, and gently rebukes me. If I were not given a way out, such an assessment would sound like a sentence, and I would no longer be able to change anything. But I am sent advice with the resulting blessings and explanations.

No matter how well I live in this world, in the eyes of Heaven our Earth is Sodom, and all its values are Babylon. Everything that was given to man has been defiled by sin. And even the best things, falling into the hands of wicked people, become a curse.

But in this world, there are islands of safety - God's churches, where God's law is exalted, where the Holy Spirit reigns, where the grace of the Lord rules. And everyone who comes to Jesus receives spiritual healing. But involvement in the church and repentance of sins imply spiritual growth and constant cleansing of human consciousness in the streams of living water of Divine light. I take a step of faith towards the Heavenly Father, and God accepts me into His embrace, like a prodigal son. He solemnly removes my sinful clothes from me and gives me the garments of light of Christ's righteousness. I don't see this, but I believe that it is so, and that this is a special sign of my distinction in the eyes of Heaven.

My spiritual growth gives me new knowledge through the study of spiritual books and prayer. And my personal experience of life with God records in my memory all the victories that I win, resisting the temptations of this world. I have chosen a life with God and I build it so that everything in it meets His requirements and corresponds to Heavenly standards. But I have not been in Heaven, and I don't know how clean it is there, so my idea of immaculacy differs from the Heavenly one. But the Lord knows all this, because He lived among us and saw this world through our eyes.

No matter how holy and righteous I feel, there will always be something that still needs to be corrected or removed from my life. In my heart there is something that makes me hot, and there is something that I don't develop, and it cools me down. And the mixture of these qualities of my soul is a lukewarm state in God's eyes. I don't know that I'm like this, and I boldly claim a special divine disposition towards me, and Jesus looks at me with pity and says how wretched I am. Although I cannot immediately agree with such a statement, I understand that the Faithful Witness speaks the truth. And He is right, and I am wretched. To all my arguments and justifications, He does not respond by changing His assessment. Jesus feels aversion to my condition, but at the same time assures me of His love.

The Lord allows certain situations and trials to show me my true face and reveal the cause of my lukewarmness. It is important for Him to open and show me my weak points, so that through these revelations He can draw me to Himself and give me complete healing.

Jesus knows that I cannot fix anything and become better on my own. And ahead of us is a special time of great tribulation, which I must go through. And no matter how ready I am, I can't even imagine what it is. I understand this. And the Lord has provided for me goods that can become mine if I acquire them from Him. Jesus offers me the most amazing deal in the history of the Universe. By advising me to enter into a trading relationship with Him, the Lord thus shows me a way out of my lukewarm state. And from a wretched representative of Heaven, I turn into a worthy hot winner. At a time when none of the holy people will be able to buy or sell anything in earthly Babylon, heavenly trade will not stop, and deals with Christ will continue daily. A winner in spiritual warfare cannot overcome the enemy without weapons, without clothes, without sight. And I have to buy all these armors and learn to use them.

The last war will be similar to the events after the birth of Christ, when all the forces of evil were thrown into battle, and the Lord went with chosen disciples to deserted places and shared special revelations with them. Spiritual leaders were perplexed as to what kind of Messiah this was, who did not free their people from Roman slavery, while Jesus meanwhile taught happiness, love and friendliness, giving a clear example in His life. Would you like to sit at His feet and listen to the words of life? I dream about it.

The last time will contain similar experiences, when among the storms of human and satanic passions, the Lord will not cease to come to me, making purchases in His store, for dinner and share with me special revelations of Heavenly love. At first, I didn't understand why I needed all these goods, but by acquiring them and learning to use them, I can no longer imagine my life without these Heavenly treasures. All my wealth went to the Laodicean store so that I could become the owner of Heavenly goods. And these are not soulless things, but living values of Heaven that make me alive forever. Gaining gold, white clothes and eye salve, I am no longer as wretched as I was at the doors of the store. I believe and love. I see. I completely depend on Christ in anticipation of the next batch of goods, which I immediately begin to distribute and use for victory. It is impossible to keep within yourself the wealth that, like a river, rushed into your life to, passing through the heart, pour into the hearts of those around you.

Comparing my life before entering the Laodicean store and after I became a regular customer in it, I see the difference between who I was and who I became. And it is no longer the Lord, but I myself remember the time when such a wretched creature, which was called me and which I was, thought that it was very rich and had need of nothing.

And now with an abundance of love and light, I thirst for Christ and cannot do without Him. And it is no longer He who stands at my door and knocks to enter, but I stand near it and constantly look outside, and call my dear Guest, who has already become the Master in my house. He doesn't even have time to raise his hand to knock, as I intercept it and pull Him to my dinner to hear new revelations of His love. Just realizing that this is how we will communicate for all Eternity fills me with indescribable joy.

All my knowledge and experiences fade in the light of what the Faithful Witness advises me to buy. Although He sees me as wretched, poor and naked, I myself do not understand this and consider myself self-sufficient. This is like a billionaire meeting a beggar who sits surrounded by bags of waste filled with treasures from garbage cans. What does the rich man see? A wretched homeless person who doesn't even understand how miserable and poor, and blind, and naked he is. And what does the poor man see? Some strange man with an unusual expression on his face is watching my treasures. What does he want? Probably envious. I need to be vigilant, lest he steal something. And the rich man wants to have me as a friend, calls me to himself and offers me in exchange for all my junk beautiful clothes, a house and a job. He calls me wretched. What will I answer? Who of us sees, knows and can do more? I can show all the dumps, and he advises me something better.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Isa. 1:2-20; Rom. 7:14-25; Luke 10:33-34; 15:22; Jer. 3:13; 9:23-24; 22:23; Matt. 9:36; 14:14; Job 16:1-2; John 3:30; James 4:7; Ps. 42:1-3; 46:4-5; 63:1; 137:1-4; Rev. 3:17-20; Isa. 29:8 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Why does the Lord call me wretched?

4. Are you really a wretched person?

5. At what moment can I turn from a wretched person into a worthy and happy one?

6. Does the Lord give me a way out of my lukewarm state? If yes, then what?

7. Why does Jesus advise to buy His goods, and not just give them away?

8. Do you think a wretched person has a chance to become different?

9. Can Jesus help me in any way in my wretched state?

10. Is the wretched state my final fate or the stage of life from which I should get out?

11. What will happen to me if I follow the advice of the Faithful Witness and enter into a trading relationship with Him?

12. Is our School a dealer of the Heavenly Merchant?

13. Is Jesus interested in being my constant Guest at the evening meal at my home? What does this mean?

14. Can I become hot by my own strength? If yes, then how?

15. Who did you see yourself as in this chapter? Why do you think so?

If any of us had been to Heaven and seen the purity and holiness that form the foundation of Heavenly life, I think our world would look very dim after that, and all our earthly happiness would seem like a parody. But we don't worry about this at all and seek everything that can make us happy, even if only for a short time. The absence of peace with God makes all those living on Earth extremely miserable, and all kinds of artificial fears and intimidations through the media exacerbate this situation.

The enemy of the soul does everything possible to keep the entire planet in fear and unbelief, offering his solution to problems, and these deceptions are so great and strong that even God's people have fallen under this influence. When the wine of Babylon is brought into God's church and sin is offered as science, then there can be no question of any happiness. It is not in God's plans to multiply happy sinners.

Communicating with different people, I often hear the question about whether I have a vacation and how I spend it. And I gladly share that for the last 15 years I have been resting exclusively at camp meetings and on Saturdays, and the rest of the time I work with my own hands. Not everyone understands me. For some, a trip to the sea is the peak of bliss, and no means are spared for this. I try to explain that my stay where the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurs makes me happy, both at the meeting itself and after it. "And what do you do there?" We attend useful seminars, meet new people, make friends, sing and listen to beautiful songs, pray for each other and for the well-being of our world, and experience many other things that bring holy joy to our lives. Sometimes in such a description of my leisure, I look like a resident of another planet. Few people are interested, asking: "Can I go with you next time?" And few of my loved ones share my company on these trips. But such meetings change a lot in life and switch thinking to the right mode, giving God the opportunity to bless me on all my other paths.

A little earlier, in previous lessons, we studied the laws of happiness. Now we are immersing ourselves in the depth of other Divine revelations, where the Lord gives us to know Him and reveals something great and inaccessible that we did not know. There is good news! Our Heavenly Father has in store among the Heavenly treasures a lot of great and inaccessible things that we will not learn immediately, but by making personal efforts and investing our time. So the discoveries do not end.

With all my visible happiness, the Faithful Witness declares to me that I don't even know how miserable I am. At first, I did not agree with such a statement, but He opened to us the laws and foundations of happiness and showed what should be corrected and changed in life. Giving me light and a way out of this state, Jesus does not convince me that I will become happy, although He hints that I will be rich, clothed, and sighted. The acquisition of Heavenly goods will lead me out of a miserable state, but happiness is not promised to me, although it is tacitly implied that I will experience a similar state of spirit and soul due to union with God. The decision to be happy is in my hands and ultimately depends only on me. Even being in Heaven will not deprive me of the right to sadness and sorrow for lost friends and loved ones.

But the misery of which the True and Faithful Witness speaks has the following pattern. I will never become truly blessed if I do not follow the advice that the Lord gives me further.

The book of Revelation tells of seven blessings that people who study this Scripture and observe what is written in it will receive. The message to Laodicea is also an integral part of the book of Revelation and that very small door through which I enter into a special trading relationship with Christ. And they help me correctly understand and apply all subsequent messages and revelations. If I try to bypass this door or jump over it, I will be able to understand the further narrative with my mind, but my heart risks remaining without fruit and the oil of the Holy Spirit.

It is not I, but God who decides how best to behave in the last time, and what I need to be a winner.

All previous rebukes and instructions given to the six churches will not be able to help me gain victory in the Laodicean period if I reject the advice of the Faithful Witness. The Lord offers me the biggest and most expensive thing He has in Heaven, exchanging it for the most valuable and expensive thing I have. And only such a trade will open to me something very great and inaccessible that I did not know before. Reading these lines, it is impossible to understand what the trade of Laodicea is. It's like trying to explain to young people all the delights of marriage from the inside. They listen with their ears and understand familiar words, but do not imagine what is happening inside the union, and what feelings and experiences this endeavor brings. But by saying to God: "Yes. Yes," they are declared husband and wife and enter into a trading relationship with each other, exchanging themselves and receiving as a reward a deep knowledge of each other at the level of feelings, emotions, and personal revelations. And if sin and selfishness are not brought into these relationships, they will eternally develop and discover unknown depths of the heart treasures of each.

What do you think, is there something in Jesus' heart that He doesn't know about Himself until I make this discovery in our relationship? Don't rush to answer. We are dealing with an amazing God who gets incredible pleasure from close communication with each of us. And surely He has left some surprises for Himself, which I will be able to discover in Him. This is where happiness will be.

The message to Laodicea seems to tell me that I will never understand with my mind the meaning of marriage with the Lamb until I enter into this relationship.

As the life of newlyweds changes after their wedding, so will my life change after I give consent to Christ to enter into a marital union with Him through the images of Laodicean trade relations.

By declaring to me that I am miserable, the Lord makes me understand that without Him I will never understand the essence of true happiness. In my own way, I can be happy, and I even dwell in this state of mind, choosing happiness even in the most critical conditions. But happiness in Jesus differs from happiness outside of Him. As long as I am surrounded by the world, and sin reigns everywhere, I will never be able to understand what the bliss that the Lord has in mind means. No matter how comfortable I may be on the "Titanic", whose fate is already known to me, I will never find in it the bliss that would be full-fledged in all respects. This world is already condemned to destruction, and my days are also numbered. When they bring me to the end of my earthly history, all this knowledge about earthly happiness will turn out to be limited. But Jesus offers me a way out in Himself. And there is no other name under Heaven by which we should be saved and find the fullness of bliss.

Love is an indicator that my heart is with God, that I am in union with Jesus, that my life is in reliable God's hands, and my heart belongs to the One who shed His blood for its acquisition. And I don't just love, but I buy this quality of the soul.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Rev. 1:3; 3:17-18; Matt. 12:30-31; Prov. 1:23-33; 12:15; 19:20; 21:30; Micah 4:12; Deut. 28:1-2,15; Jer. 33:3; Job 3:25-26; 5:16-20; Ps. 22:6; 69:1-2; 88:14-15; Prov. 12:7; 15:15; 17:17; Eccl. 7:14; 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 15:19,58; Ezek. 28:5-8 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are you a miserable person? If yes, why?

4. Do you know that in Jesus' eyes we are miserable?

5. Does the Lord desire to make us happy? Does He have something to accomplish this plan?

6. Why is Rev. 3:18 written? Does the Lord want us to notice it, pay attention to it, and think about the content of what is said?

7. What is the difference between Rev. 3:18 and all other verses in the Bible?

8. What is trading with God? Is it something bad or good?

9. Is it a sin to be happy? If not, then why are we miserable?

10. Are you joyful to immerse yourself in the depths of God's heart and discover new mysteries for yourself?

11. Are you surprised by the greatness of the verse from Rev. 3:18 and how modestly it is offered to me?

12. Why does the Lord so quietly and inconspicuously offer me all of Heaven and all of Himself and modestly wait for my decision and answer, not condemning me for delay or refusal?

13. Has our School done anything for your happiness? Has something great and inaccessible that you didn't know been revealed to you in our lessons? If yes, then share what useful things you have learned?

14. Do you think the Message to Laodicea will produce a sifting among God's people?

15. Is the Lord waiting for my positive response to His advice? Or is it not important to Him how I react?

16. Can the rejection of the Faithful Witness's advice be regarded as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

From a medical and health perspective, sleep is an integral part of human life and is extremely necessary for restoring strength and biochemical processes in the body. The consciousness of a sleeping person disconnects from the reality of the surrounding world, and they plunge into non-existence. At the same time, a person dreams.

The Bible uses the similarity of this state of mind, transferring it to the spiritual sphere of my life for comparison. Regarding health, sleep is good, but not always so when we talk about salvation. Let's consider the spiritual side of this process.

In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus said that everyone fell asleep. This means that we are all sleeping together now. Why were we assessed this way?

However, no one condemns us for sleeping. The prophecy about the last time makes it clear that it's important to have a supply of oil for the lamp.

Let's look at examples of unusual sleep in the Bible. Night, raging waves, disciples in horror, the vessel has sprung a leak, mortal danger has appeared, and Jesus is sleeping soundly on the stern of the fishing boat. His life rests in God's hands, and He knows that nothing will happen to Him until His mission is fulfilled. But when the time came, Jesus was no longer asleep.

Betrayal, night, the Garden of Gethsemane. The Teacher prays and asks three disciples to stay awake with Him. But they fell asleep, and after waking up and Christ's remark, they fell asleep again. But when Christ was seized, then no one slept until His death.

Persecution, prison, Peter is thrown into a dungeon, chained, sentenced to death, but he sleeps calmly among the soldiers until an angel wakes him up.

Night, Paul's sermon until midnight, everyone listens to the experiences of the Holy Spirit's victory. The young man Eutychus falls asleep, falls from the third floor and dies. Then God, through Paul, resurrects this person.

What do these unusual sleeps have in common? All these people felt safe, and their body responded to this state of mind and decided to reboot through sleep.

Peace and safety - this is what the virgins felt, although they all knew perfectly well that their "Titanic" would soon sink. And the problem was not in sleep, but in the fact that some of them did not stock up on oil for the lamps, and upon awakening, they realized their mistake. However, it was too late.

The Lord warns us that in the last time there will be many deadly deceptions, and we should stay awake. The feeling of peace and safety will become fatal and sleep-inducing for many.

From the prophecies, we know that the enemy of the soul is preparing for the last events, and he will do everything possible to seduce, if possible, even the elect. He is preparing earthly kings and existing authorities for the last battle, in which he plans to defeat all of God's children. Our enemy is very insidious, and he understands that a sleeping warrior of Christ is not able to recognize traps and does not pose a danger.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 it is written: "While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."

We are given a warning that there will be an imaginary peace and false security that will put our spirit to sleep. And the parable of the ten virgins tells that this is exactly what will happen. And what do we see? Around us is mortal danger, the enemy of the soul plans to kill us, setting traps for the soul, time is running out, and soon there will be no time left for preparation, while Jesus advises buying Heavenly oil. And we rest, enjoying a peaceful time, relying on the care of our governments for our well-being. We are lulled by the fact that everything is under control, and we should not be afraid of various crises. Babylon is rapidly preparing the mark of the beast to put it on people's hands and consciousness, and we sleep, believing that we should not worry and be distracted by any secondary things.

They shout in my ears that the end is near, and I consider these shouters to be fanatics, radicals, and extremists. And the conspiracy theorists are so annoying with their investigations that I principally don't listen to anything they have found out, which they are trying to share with me. What conspiracy? Peace and safety!!! If there was something dangerous, the Lord would definitely have written it in His prophecies. And what is happening now is a temporary phenomenon that will soon pass, and we will again live calmly. If only there was no war.

It is sad to realize that the wise virgins are also among those who are asleep. Whoever I consider myself to be, and however I prepare, the spirit of drowsiness will come into my life. I don't want this and strongly resist, but I see that my spiritual strength is weakening and needs a reboot while there is peace and safety around. When the war begins, there's no time for sleep. I will take the necessary position and concentrate on victory.

Unfortunately, the wine of Babylon and its magic has put to sleep all living on Earth, except those who help Satan set traps and plan the murder of careless inhabitants.

When I see danger and start trumpeting about it, for some reason people who are set to be watchmen and shepherds, who should support me in this matter, suddenly turn out to be my opponents and ask me to calm down and not "boil water in a glass."

It creates the impression that being awake is a sin, and sleep is the safest state for the soul.

I don't know the full power of Satan's deception and therefore underestimate his abilities. Considering myself saved, I rest on my achievements and stop being vigilant. The enemy cannot separate me from God's love, and therefore he has changed tactics and gone underground, trying not to reveal his insidious plans to anyone. And on all those investigating his strategy, he hangs the label of fanatics and tries to infect with this spirit those who managed to learn something about his pernicious plans.

Love is what the enemy of the soul fears most. This feature of the righteous person's thought makes the mind wise, and the will of the believing person strong in God's principles.

Jesus knows what I will face in the last battle, and therefore advises me to buy what will make me a winner. Although, stocking up on oil, I don't see the need for a lamp in the sunlight, but by faith I understand that soon night will come when no one will be able to buy or sell, and therefore I make the necessary stocks now, while there is still time and opportunity.

My ability to love under any circumstances will be very useful to me during that period when everyone will be expiring from fear in anticipation of disasters falling on the Universe. And I will be waiting for my dear Jesus at this time and will go out to meet Him with the light of His love in me.

Now, during the time of peace and safety, the science of love does not interest many, and during the time of tribulation and war, it will be considered completely useless for the unwise. The cost of Heavenly goods and the whole armor of God can be appreciated in peacetime when no one is persecuting, and there is something to pay with. When nothing threatens me, I can calmly study Heavenly values and buy them. And during the battle, there will be no time for buying, and nowhere to trade.

Who among us doesn't like peace and safety? I love silence, it puts me before a free choice. I choose love, and with it all the problems for its testing.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Matt. 25:5,13; 8:24; 26:39-46; Acts 12:6; 20:9; Prov. 8:34; 10:5; 23:24; Song of Sol. 5:2; Isa. 56:10; Rev. 14:8; Prov. 23:31-35; Eph. 5:14-18; 1 Thess. 5:2-11; Matt. 24:42-43; Mark 13:35-37; 1 Pet. 4:7; Rev. 3:2-3; 16:15 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Is all safety and peace bad? Isa. 32:17; Ps. 127:1-2.

4. What kind of sleep is this chapter talking about?

5. Does a person's behavior and faith differ in peacetime and during a crisis?

6. Are crisis and trials necessary for vigilance?

7. Does the wine of Babylon put us to sleep?

8. What is the difference between the sleep of the wise and the sleep of the foolish virgins?

9. Is our Lord coming soon?

10. When can the state of peace and safety in the soul be very dangerous?

11. What should be done to stay awake?

12. If the parable of the ten virgins says that everyone fell asleep, should I try to stay awake?

13. Does the material in this book instill peace and safety in your heart?

14. What is the difference between false peace and safety and God's peace and safety?

15. Is it bad to feel safe being under the protection of the Most High?

16. What types of false security are you familiar with?

Studying the prophecies about the last times, I clearly see that the wise will become winners and endure all trials. And, of course, I immediately count myself among this group of people, believing that it cannot be otherwise, and I calm down. It turns out that to be wise is simply to give your consent to such a state of mind and after that consider yourself as such. In Proverbs 26:12 I read: "Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them." I ponder.

In the society of cultured people, it is not customary to call unreasonable people stupid, and one should be polite to every person. If I find myself in a society of ignoramuses, my wisdom may give them reason to make me an object of ridicule and mockery. But wisdom from above is not afraid of such trials and does not leave its owner.

If I consider myself wise, then I need to pass a Biblical test and compare my compliance with God's standards. God will surely show me all my weaknesses and strengths.

The Bible teaches that wisdom is given by God. Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." He endows it to those who perform service, work for God's cause and glory, who fear God, showing obedience to all His commands, to those who thirst to be wise and ask God for it.

One of the vivid examples of receiving wisdom from above is King Solomon. He also left us many proverbs about how to distinguish the wise from the fool. In Proverbs 1:7 we read: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Seekers and owners of wisdom love to research all Biblical texts on this topic, compare them with their lives, reflect on their inconsistencies, seek solutions to complex issues in God's guidance. We find an example of the wisest Man in Jesus. And if I want to be like Him and learn from the narratives of His life to apply these same principles of obedience and love to myself, which He possesses, then by this I give God the authority to make me what Christ was. Looking at Christ, I am transformed under the influence of the Holy Spirit into the same Image.

Wisdom also affects the spheres of my life in the world. God wants His children to be reasonable in everyday matters as well. He gives them wisdom and understanding in everything their everyday life is connected with. But at the same time, I myself must show genuine interest in my development and self-improvement.

We will all face the choice of path and decision-making. And my corrupted heart will draw me to follow the majority, but a wise approach will keep me on the right path. In Proverbs 14:15 we read: "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps."

Recent events will put me before a difficult choice that will cost me many worldly benefits and privileges. Times and politics are changing with particular speed. If I believe that all changes are temporary, everything will soon become the same, and it's worth calmly going with the flow, then there is no wisdom in this. The captain of any ship knows that sailing with the current is very dangerous, as it is impossible to control the ship. Therefore, it is necessary to start the engine and create opposition to the water flow in order to guide the ship on course and not let it turn around.

In childhood, we competed by launching boats along a stream, and I watched how they spun around their axis and constantly got stuck on various obstacles and barriers. We had to help from the outside so that they could somehow reach the finish line.

But my life is not a game of streams, and "somehow" will not work. When I hear Babylon's proposal about what I need to do to, for example, improve my health, I'm not in a hurry to agree, but I begin to investigate this issue. In Proverbs 27:12 we read: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."

Wisdom teaches a person to delve into every matter, investigate all questions, understand the depth and foresee the consequences. It is directly related to my will and gives it commands to make the right decisions.

Reading these lessons, you have the wisdom to see something useful in them and extract it for your benefit. Also, wisdom protects your mind from quick agreement with what may not correspond to your understanding, and then critical thinking turns on, and you begin to compare all available knowledge, your experience, Biblical texts and common sense, comparing what you read with everything that will be revealed to you in this study. And God will surely show you in the true light everything that needs to be properly understood.

The question of my personal salvation is very important, and therefore special wisdom is needed to understand if I am on a dangerous path. It will be unwise to entrust my salvation to the power of other people so that they decide for me how to live and act. While I am an infant in Christ, I need teachers and mentors, but as I grow, independence in all matters in the light of God's will is expected of me, and there is special wisdom for me in this.

"It is written" - this is the very first factor that must meet all the requirements and criteria of my decisions. I must have fear of violating God's rules and laws, and this is the beginning of wisdom.

The wise virgins not only studied the truth but also did what was revealed to them. They followed all the advice and did what the Lord called them to do. The unwise knew God's will, but for some reason postponed following it for later. And this "later" turned into "too late."

What could be more foolish: to buy a plane ticket, check in, check your luggage, come to boarding and carelessly oversleep your flight? If in the world such a problem can be solved with additional expenses, then in the matter of salvation this door closes forever, and no one will open it anymore.

The enemy of the soul will make me many offers under the guise of common good and order. But here too, special wisdom is needed to understand and foresee the consequences of my choice. Detailed study of any issue is not a sin. But when someone begins to decide for me how to live and what to do, wanting to become my mind, honor and conscience, then it is worth resisting such people. My humble agreement to the decisions of other people without prayer and research will not testify to wisdom. But when I have already researched everything, weighed and decided, then I am already able to make quick decisions and follow them. The experience of previous trials and errors will protect me.

Love is an endless continuation of the beginning of any wisdom. It will preserve the decision of my will in the right spirit and will not let foolishness guide me. Where love begins, eternal sources of Heavenly blessings open up. Faith in God helps me to see the invisible, and love helps to act correctly and live in what my faith leads me to. And if I lack wisdom in something, love will cover everything and endure everything.

Although wisdom is given by God just like that, for free, but personal efforts must be applied to its development, investing a lot of time and straining the whole mind. And the reward for the wise and loving will be great. They will turn many to God and shine like stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read James 1:5; 3:13-18; Prov. 2:6; 21:30; Eph. 1:16-18; 5:14-18; 1 Cor. 1:23-29; 2:4-8; 3:18-20; Job 12:13; 38:36; Ex. 28:3; 31:3-6; 35:31; 1 Kings 3:7-13; Matt. 25:2; Ps. 90:12; Prov. 3:7,35; 4:7; 8:1-36; 12:15; 13:20; 14:24; 17:16,24; Eccl. 7:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What wisdom does the Lord want to see in us?

4. Why is it so important to be wise at the end of time?

5. What is the difference between the wise and the not so wise?

6. What should I do if I understand that I am stupid? Should I trumpet about it everywhere? Eccl. 10:3

7. If I have a thirst for knowledge of God and His will, will God give me the wisdom to satisfy this need?

8. If I want to know God's plan for myself, but do not have the wisdom to understand it, will the Lord endow me with the gift of wisdom?

9. Are people born wise into our world?

10. Why is it pleasing to the Lord to deal with those who desire to be wise in Him?

11. What is the difference between God's wisdom and the wisdom of this world?

12. Is wisdom from above needed to understand what time we live in and what I should do to be saved?

13. Do you think you have become wiser by studying in this School?

14. What has changed in your life during your study at the Agape Love School?

15. Will the Lord take all the wise to Heaven?

The exodus from Babylon, the exit from death, is the most vital topic that needs to be properly understood. Knowledge of love is the School of Eternal Life.

Prophecies warn us that after the call to leave the fallen city, the Lord will destroy this empire of lies, executing His verdict and pouring out plagues on those who have chosen the right to death.

In our world, there are only two kingdoms: the Heavenly Kingdom led by Jesus and Babylon led by Satan. Until the moment of final sealing, God's children could be in the fallen city without even realizing it. But at the end of time, the Lord wants to have an especially pure people who know His voice, have God's law in their hearts, and love their neighbor. Preparation for this event is already underway.

The angel from Rev. 18:1 has great power from God, and the whole earth will be illuminated by his glory. Some of us joyfully await this time, while for others it will become a death sentence. Although the Angel's call is very good and offers every person, especially believers, to pass from death to life, only a few will accept and hear it. Verse 23 of the same chapter says that all nations were deceived by Babylon's sorcery. And if I already believe in something, it's difficult to convince me otherwise. It's easier to give good advice to a thirsty soul.

In Jesus' prayer for us, the following request is contained: John 17:15: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." The Bible does not teach us to live in isolation from society, but while being in this world, we, like salt, will preserve it from final corruption. However, the time will come, and it is already coming, when even our physical presence in the midst of Babylon will be undesirable and mortally dangerous. We are advised to leave large and small cities because they will be the first to be subjected to God's judgments. At the same time, we should continue to serve those living in them. "Bad company corrupts good character," and it's not worth risking one's salvation for material benefit.

In the description of Babylon from Rev. 18, we see that trade and material well-being lie at the foundation of its deceptions, and such temptation has tied all nations to itself. It distracts everyone's gaze from true knowledge.

Let's take, for example, the lessons of this School. To study them, it is necessary to make a stop in time, to stop earning and thinking about worldly affairs. Not everyone is capable of such a sacrifice, and some do not withstand such a trial. And what will happen when God's call illuminates the whole earth? I think not all of God's children will respond.

The exit from spiritual Babylon differs from the earthly understanding of exit. For example, for me to be gone from the house, I need to leave it. But the exit from Babylon, especially from what sits in my head, implies cleansing of the mind. And this becomes possible if I ask God and allow Him to do so.

Opening my heart to Christ and studying God's will, I give the Holy Spirit the authority to inscribe His law in my thoughts. And such knowledge of God displaces all the garbage from my consciousness. To make a vessel clean, it is not taken out into the sun, but filled with water and the walls are rubbed, freeing them from dirt.

The Gospel of Christ has helped many people become different, but the enemy of the soul has introduced theological disputes into this teaching and divided God's children into many denominations and movements that still do not cease to feud and divide. And those who are stronger and bigger oppress and persecute the weak and smaller. But it should not be so, because we have one Jesus, one faith, and one baptism. And someone, for the sake of the faith of their ancestors, is ready to kill dissenters if allowed.

The Lord knows this feature of modern Christianity, therefore for the last time He sent the Laodicean message, which will squeeze Babylon out of my head and become light and power for me.

Offering unusual goods in Rev. 3:18, the Faithful Witness aims to endow us with special power that will make us winners in the approaching collision.

Being a winner with Babylon in your head will be absolutely impossible. The Lord will not share His throne with wicked people who did not want to leave this world for His sake.

I used to naively believe that my salvation directly depends on my desire to be saved and on my choice, and that knowing this path, I can always step on it, and God will cleanse me and accept me as a prodigal son. But, knowing God, I realized that such an understanding comes from the enemy of the soul and deprives me of the possibility of salvation forever. When God calls a person and illuminates his mind, wanting to save and bring him out from under the influence of Babylonian charms, then He gives the gift of repentance, which convinces my will to take such a step and puts me before a choice. This is like when I am invited to enter a lifeboat from a sinking ship, and I decide whether I should leave the comfortable cabin and respond to the call. In case of refusal, I cannot be sure that I will be called again, but by God's mercy, I still hear this quiet voice, which is no longer so convincing. And since the ship is sinking slowly, I still hope to live comfortably in it, thinking that the lifeboat will not sail away without me. Repentance is God's gift for the time of calling. It is a symbolic offer to enter into a marital relationship with Jesus. The message for Babylon is God's call to let into your mind what will cleanse it.

Recent world events give us abundant food for thought and amaze us with their speed. But knowledge of these events will not save me and will not indicate the way out of Babylon. It will only make me realize that the end of everything is coming. A mouse realizes its fate when it falls into a trap that snaps shut from the outside. The mouse is still alive, but can no longer change anything. The owner of the mousetrap can release the caught victim. But that's not why he set this trap. Hoping for the mercy and kindness of Satan is a very foolish and naive undertaking. Those who have forever closed their doors to God will someday very clearly understand how cruel and merciless their cunning lord of evil under heaven is, whom they chose by believing his temptations.

God's love is able to displace any Babylonian habit from my mind and wash away any dirt. By choosing love, I say "yes" to Jesus, and then the law of marital relations comes into force, and my exit from Babylon begins thanks to the consistent filling of my consciousness with God's truth and light. It costs me time, and the best and most valuable time at that. It costs me leaving sinful habits in exchange for new desires: to do good and to know Christ. It changes all of me, the old and sinful, to God's and pure. Will I make such a sacrifice? This is like when I am told that for a full life I need to constantly eat tasty and healthy food 2-3 times a day. For this, you need to make stops in time and sit at a decorated table. Am I capable of such a great sacrifice?

The advice of the Faithful Witness surprises me with its modesty. The Lord seems to be asking me: "Do you want to be Mine forever and win the war?" And I listen and don't understand what He wants, because I have already been baptized, and faithfully give tithes, and my diet is the most correct and useful. What to answer?

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read John 8:31-32,36; 14:6; 17:7; Rev. 17:12-14; 18:1-4; Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2,10,12-17; Luke 12:32; 17:20-21; Heb. 10:16-17; Matt. 11:12; 12:26-32,43-45; 18:3; 21:43; 23:25-26; Prov. 1:17-18; Isa. 42:1-4; 1 Cor. 4:20; 15:33-34; Rev. 3:18 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How to determine which kingdom is between my right and left ear?

4. Does my environment influence my thoughts?

5. Does what I watch, listen to, and read influence my mind?

6. Do you understand that Babylon should be left as soon as possible?

7. If I don't know where to go out of Babylon, should I leave it?

8. Is God interested in my exit from Babylon?

9. If I choose love and start thinking in this direction, will it help to expel Babylon from my life?

10. Does the parable about the evil spirit from Matt. 12:43-45 fit the theme of this chapter?

11. Is Babylon dangerous? Why should one leave it?

12. If I move to live in a rural area, will this be an exit from Babylon?

13. Does the message to Laodicea help to find the right answer to the call to come out of Babylon?

14. What will happen if I start postponing my exit for later?

15. How long can the Lord wait for my final decision to leave the great city of Babylon?

Studying the prophecies of the book of Revelation, I gain a special divine blessing described in Rev. 1:3: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Also, if I read this aloud or share with others, they too receive a blessing from the written prophecies. It's worth paying special attention to the word "take to heart". It implies that having heard God's message, I will do everything possible on my part that is expected of me and depends on me.

The prophecies of this book tell about many world events and regimes that will sequentially replace each other until the culmination of the great confrontation between good and evil, after which Jesus will put an end to sin and destroy everyone and everything that is declared unclean.

Knowledge of the beautiful future and Christ's final victory over sin and the progenitor of all evil gives me strength and confidence in the victory of God's love in my heart as well.

Chapters 2-3 contain messages to seven churches that are geographically located in the order indicated in the prophecies. It's impossible to get from Ephesus to Philadelphia without passing through Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. The road goes through these cities, which cannot be bypassed.

The Lord makes it clear that the events indicated in the messages to the seven churches will be sequentially fulfilled, and they cannot be avoided. As a result, we come to Laodicea, after which there is nothing. This is the last prophetic period, after which the chronology of messages ends.

I believe that our time is the period of Laodicea, the beginning of which is considered to be 1844. It was in this year that Daniel's longest prophecy about 2300 evenings and mornings, telling about the cleansing of the Sanctuary, was fulfilled.

The message to Laodicea itself is prophetic and contains the advice that must be followed by those who wish to become winners and receive the corresponding reward.

This message to Laodicea will cause a sifting among God's people, and also prepare a special people for special relationships with the Lord.

Although this message from the Faithful Witness is short in itself, it is very deep in content and meaning and teaches what should be.

The message consists of Christ's sequential actions. First, He declares Himself and His faithfulness to the word, then He accuses me of my miserable state. I agree and understand that this is so. But the Lord gives me a way out and advises me to buy what will enrich me, clothe me, and make me wise.

He doesn't demand, order, command, or threaten, but advises. Such an approach gives me complete freedom of choice. And the Lord waits for what I will decide.

He sells me what He offers, making it clear that there will be no gifts here, that I need to give everything that is valuable to me to get what He calls true wealth. I won't be able to bypass this and get the winner's reward.

If I don't become a buyer, then all the following verses are not for me, but for those who observe the prophecies of this book. And I will have to continue living in my miserable lukewarm state, believing that I will be given another light and another path to the reward will be devised.

To people who buy what is offered, Jesus speaks of His love, about punishment, and asks to be zealous in further acquisition of goods. He advises repenting of the lukewarm state. And this is all about me. The Lord doesn't say unnecessary words, but expects my interest in my salvation.

After such statements, it is said that the Lord desires to have personal relationships with everyone who has entered into trade relations with Him. He strives to dine with me, to calmly open to me personally what I would never know elsewhere.

The Lord Jesus is my Friend and Teacher, and if He comes to me, it means He has plans for our joint time. He teaches me to be a winner.

What is my victory? In that I, observing what is written, get to know Christ personally when I open the mysterious door to Him. Any communication with Jesus teaches me something. And the Lord is so pleased with my company as a disciple and friend that He even offers me to be next to Him on His throne for all Eternity. And this message is contained in the message to Laodicea.

But although this message is short, it doesn't open up at once to the one who begins to study it.

The Agape Love School appeared thanks to the message to the Angel of the Laodicean Church. The Lord drew attention to this message and began to reveal the importance of what was written. And recent world events show that the time is near, and we must be ready for the culmination of prophecies.

All the teaching of the Bible brings me to the message to Laodicea, as to what I absolutely need to understand and accept. Can a casual reader of this message become a winner?

To win, you need weapons, uniforms, and the ability to attack. This is all offered to me in the form of advice to buy in Rev. 3:18.

When I go to the store, I take a means of payment with me. I choose what I need or what is offered. I find out the quality, freshness, originality of the offered goods. I'm not threatened that I won't leave without a purchase, but they wait for my decision.

I decide to buy. I pay for the purchase. I bring it home and eat it. I became rich, clothed, and sighted. But the next day I cool down again and once again come to the Heavenly Merchant. I acquire what I already know the taste of, and I'm satiated again. My zeal in acquiring the goods interested the Seller, Who seems to love me. And He personally came to explain to me what I acquired and teach me how to use it. I thought these goods were sold to me for enjoyment, but it turned out that this is an offensive weapon and the fighting spirit of the attacker.

A winner is not one who sits in defense, but one who attacks, captures, and destroys the enemy, who takes possession of trophies.

The One Who has already won in this war teaches a person who will win like Him. Communicating with the True Winner, I receive a militant spirit of love and become part of His army.

The Agape Love School already contains a message of victory in its name. After all, it was Love that conquered the world of evil. Love revealed all of Satan's secret plans, love healed the wounded and resurrected the dead. And this is what is offered to me in the form of gold refined by fire.

A terrible crisis awaits us. The Lord will sift all of us through His sieve. Everything empty and unclean will be removed. All our idols will be destroyed or swept away with us. Only the divine, pure, eternal, and holy will withstand this test.

The message to Laodicea invites everyone personally to enter into trade relations with Jesus and learn from Him. This is His message, and He will not let us go empty-handed. And as payment for goods, the Lord accepts my time, my sins, and myself. I will receive exactly as much as I decide to contribute to the cash register. But for a start, even a little is better than nothing.

Being a winner today is good, but the Lord offers to be zealous in my victory and to be a winner always. If I don't want to learn this in peacetime, I will have to master this science in difficult conditions. I can't bypass the School of Winners. It lies on the path to Eternity in the final events. This is a prophetic School. It is predicted. It will take place, and it will teach.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Rev. 3:14-22; 16:15; 17:14; Isa. 54:17; Deut. 8:2-5; 29:29; Prov. 15:30; 27:5; Song of Sol. 8:2; Amos 3:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Are you interested in understanding the depth of the message to Laodicea?

5. Do you believe that at the end of time the Lord will teach us something very important and reveal something main?

6. What should I do if I want to know everything but don't want to learn?

7. Can I learn something without dedicating my time to it?

8. Do you think the time devoted to studying the laws of love and friendship will be wasted?

9. Will the message to Laodicea become irrelevant during another crisis?

10. What can hinder learning in the Agape Love School?

11. What to do if I understand the importance of the last message, but can't find time to study it?

12. Does God have other messages for the last time, besides the message to Laodicea?

13. Do you find the lessons of this book useful for yourself?

14. Does Heaven observe my interest in God's message?

15. What will the message to Laodicea give me if I start studying it?

The Lord has prepared the most important and best for the very last moment. Knowing that difficult times await us, knowing what trials our faith will undergo, knowing that there is very little time, Jesus comes personally to give me what He did not dare to give earlier.

Jesus offers me His hand and heart, and with it all of Heaven, and even Heavenly authority.

The Lord has put His whole soul into the final message of invitation to a personal relationship. He loves His Church and doesn't hide it. This is His people, whom He led out of Babylonian slavery to be their God.

Leading all of us by His Holy Spirit, Christ affirms in faith every thirsty and seeking person and invites them to rise higher. The Lord's goal is to teach all His sons and daughters to grow in faith and help them know the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. And for the sake of closer relationships, the Faithful Witness personally comes into my life and advises me to buy Himself in the form of valuable goods. All the gifts and talents of Heaven pale in comparison to what Jesus offers His Laodicea. Angels listen in amazement to this message of unconditional love, admiring such a unique offer for the Lord's beloved. The wedding is already planned, and it will take place, but the bride is still thinking and possibly doesn't understand what her Beloved is advising her. And the Beloved modestly offers to acquire what He wants to see in His bride. And He wants to see Himself.

Selling me the gold of love, the Lord refines it to such a stage, cleansing it from various impurities, until His reflection is clearly visible on its surface. No matter how much it hurts me, no matter how much I suffer, but the fiery furnace will not be canceled, and this world will definitely throw me into it, as it did with Daniel's friends.

Advising me to buy white clothes, the Lord gives me His garment of love in this merchandise, offering me to dress in Him. Righteousness and truth cover God's people with Christ's grace, but Jesus wants to personally wrap me in this garment so that through this I can differ from the world and from all those called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Advising to acquire eye salve, the Lord gives me His eyes of faith and love in this merchandise. He wants me to see this world as He sees it. His Heavenly wisdom dreams of becoming my eternal possession and teaching me to use all the talents of Heaven for God's glory, as well as to understand people's needs and the spirit with which I come into contact.

Jesus' heart is languishing with love, and the Lord, seeing my timid attempts to understand His offer, assures me of His attachment and fair attitude towards my lukewarm state. My conscience under the influence of the Holy Spirit punishes me, and I become very ashamed of the consequences of my miserable and unhappy state. After all, I thought I was rich and wealthy, and had need of nothing, and didn't even know how miserable and pitiful, and poor, and blind, and naked I was. If it weren't for Christ's advice, I would have remained languishing in my miserable world of unfulfilled fantasies.

Jesus came and offered me something that no heavenly inhabitant even dreamed of.

"The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice." Song of Solomon 2:8-9.

Seeing my timidity with which I make purchases, the Lord personally comes to me and knocks, looking into the windows of my soul. I hear His voice and understand that it's Him. And He doesn't hide it, and doesn't break into my house, but gently announces: "It's Me," and waits, observing what I will do next.

By buying heavenly goods, I have already gotten to know Christ better, but I didn't even dream of such close relationships as His personal visit. It's hard for me to believe that the King of the Universe Himself has come to me and modestly stands and waits to enter if I open.

I open the door and invite the King of kings into my house. How joyful! My table is set, and we eagerly begin the meal, communicating cheerfully. And this is not a simple dinner, but a deep knowledge of each other. I understand that the Lord Himself was sold to me in the Heavenly goods, and now He has personally come to assure me that this purchase was necessary. He not only wants to sell me something, but also plans to teach me how to use it. Endowing me with the Heavenly power of love and righteousness, filling me with wisdom from above, the Lord wants me to have an understanding of what I have acquired and how it works. Offering Himself, Jesus reveals Himself to me in personal communication.

He cannot reveal Himself to a crowd. We would continue to look at each other and not at Jesus, but this way I look at Him across my table and am transformed.

Christ's offer is so unique and amazing that at first I don't understand what He wants. And Jesus keeps coming and coming. And I involuntarily fall in love with Him and can no longer live and breathe without Him. All my thoughts are about Him, my best time is for Him. I give everything to acquire even more of what He offers. I am now drawn to Him not by His advice, but by my need and thirst. I dream of another meeting with Him, just to be near, to look into His eyes, to listen to His voice. I am ready to admire Him forever and know the depth of His love. Jesus is mine, and I know it. And I am His, and He tells me about it. I didn't even imagine how these purchases in Laodicea would end. And the Lord assures me that He will give me to sit with Him on His throne. I don't quite understand what this means for me, because it's a symbol of supreme power. But I'm very satisfied that I will always be near Him. And we will always be together, and death will no longer separate us.

And all this is hidden in a simple advice to Laodicea. Reflecting on such modesty, I come to the conclusion that love cannot force and demand. It would be strange to hear a love proposal with a threat of death in case of refusal or intimidation by pangs of conscience if I reject the offer. But this is how God's love acts, with respect for the freedom of my choice.

The more often I reread this message of love, the more I delve into the depth of what is offered. This message reveals to me God's plan for me in the last events of world history. And this plan has not changed over the years, but has come into action, approaching the end of time. The Lord offers Himself to each of His Son and daughter, wanting us to hear His voice and pay attention to this message. If I say "no" with my indifference or ignorance, it's also an answer.

Can I force a beloved girl to marry me if I'm not interesting to her, if she has no time for me, if she tells me "no"? I will not insist on my offer, even if I love her very much. I will have to leave her alone. And love doesn't pass. I see how she goes to another and suffers in this union, but I can no longer do anything for her. I have nothing more than myself. Only with this could I please her heart.

And now let's imagine, friends, what Jesus experiences, seeing our refusals, our ignorance and misunderstanding of what He offers us. I will not buy what I don't need. But what will happen to me if this "don't need" refers to Christ, to His advice and call? What else can God give me if I reject His offer? It's hard to imagine. And if I imagine, it becomes scary. But I need to answer something.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: James 1:21-25; Rev. 3:14-22; Jer. 29:11-14; 31:3; 33:3; 1 Chron. 28:9; John 12:32; 17:3; Song of Solomon 1:1-3,14-16; 2:2-10; 3:1-4; 4:1-12; 5:10,16; 6:9-10; 7:10-11; 8:6-7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What Bible verses came to your mind while studying this lesson?

4. Do you think what we have studied corresponds to reality?

5. Is the Laodicean message given to us for simple familiarization, or does it contain a special plan for each person?

6. Do you have a desire to delve even deeper into the study of the symbols of the message to Laodicea?

7. Can someone who quickly reads the message of the Faithful Witness and puts it aside be a winner?

8. Why is this message presented in the form of advice, and Christ's coming to me as a modest waiting?

9. Do you have a desire to pray about acquiring goods from the Heavenly Merchant, and then ask Him to enter your house and dine with you? If yes, what do you expect in response to your prayer?

10. Will the Lord reveal Himself to me in one day? Will I know Him in a couple of meetings?

11. Can my faith help me receive from Jesus what my mind doesn't understand? Does the Lord expect this faith from me?

12. If the Lord advises me to do something, will it be right to do it?

13. Do you know that in previous lessons we studied the message to Laodicea in great detail? And much was revealed to us. Do you have a desire to learn more about this?

14. Has this message attracted your attention? Has it opened up to you as very important for you?

15. What will happen to those who, after reading the message to Laodicea, forget about it and show no further interest in it? Will the Lord offer such people other ways? If yes, which ones?

The enemy of the soul wants to instill in me his view of life. His task includes distorting my worldview and removing Christ from my consciousness. This is what Satan constantly does, using all his wisdom and cunning. The arsenal of the crafty one has enough means, and he does not shy away from anything that would help him in carrying out his plans.

Lies have acquired such a convincing color and have become so popular that they no longer cause concern even among God's children.

Belief in lies leads me to self-deception. If someone tries to deceive me, I can compare their information with my understanding and recognize the trick, but if I start convincing myself of a lie, all my protective barriers rapidly collapse, and evil enters my life unhindered and becomes part of me. And I am sure that everything is under control, that God will definitely protect me if I make a mistake, that my sincerity will be my justification if I believe a lie and start living in it.

"All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death." 1 John 5:17.

If someone rewrote the history of my country and taught me this in school, it's not so terrible, although it forms my thinking according to the information received.

But if someone paraphrased the Bible and interprets the truth to me in their own way, it becomes very dangerous, because the perversion of God's words distorts my understanding of God and His plan of Salvation.

The enemy of the soul has a tactic by which he successfully directs my attention to secondary things, exaggerating them, but at the same time pushing the main thing aside or making it something insignificant.

Let's consider such a situation using the example of the message to Laodicea. The Lord knows what awaits us during the time before the Second Coming. For me to be ready for the upcoming events and be fully armed, Jesus sends me His message, hoping that I will study and observe it. In other places in the Bible, I am given indirect evidence that without oil reserves, without God's seal, without faith in Jesus, without obedience to God's commandments, without a wedding garment, I have no chance of salvation, and I will be recognized as a wicked person whom Jesus does not know.

In peacetime, I served in the army, and sometimes I was given a rifle without bullets. During exercises, it had to be with me everywhere, day and night. It was such a burden that no one liked, especially during sleep, and everyone tried to get rid of this object when going to sleep. And the officers knew this and didn't check us very much. And I was afraid that my rifle might be stolen, so I didn't part with it. But this was in peacetime, and I never understood what I was protecting.

But if we take wartime, everything changes radically. All the knowledge gained comes to life, and the presence of weapons and ammunition makes me a capable warrior, dressed in the uniform of my country. A rifle without bullets, and a cannon without shells means certain death for me in case of an enemy attack. I have nothing to resist the opponent, and I become an easy target for him. And the absence of military clothing misleads my comrades in arms, and they may consider me an enemy and destroy me. And if I don't have knowledge about how to use the arsenal that I was entrusted with and ordered to act with, then I won't be able to benefit my army. It's also worth considering my attitude, which can inspire others, or it can weaken hands and instill panic and fear of the enemy's power.

Such things are taken into account in any army, and commanders quickly identify all shortcomings and all panic-mongers, taking decisive measures to correct the situation.

God repeatedly warns us about the time of trouble, about the last battle, about His Coming and the end of the history of our world. He makes it clear that we will become direct participants in these events, and a collision is inevitable. The fire of trials will be seven times stronger than expected, and our enemies will definitely throw us into it. Whether I want it or not, I will have to face all the difficulties that I will need to overcome in order to come out a winner. And the Lord has already determined me for victory and even announced my reward. Victory in the last battle differs from all other victories won in calmer conditions.

In peacetime, my rifle without bullets instilled fear in the civilian population, and they looked at me with respect as their protector. And I served in a country that was the victor in World War II and was a representative of a mighty army, although I had neither knowledge nor bullets.

Now I am in the army of Christ, Who has already conquered this world, and will gain the final victory over the forces of evil, casting all His opponents into the lake of fire. I am satisfied with belonging to such an organization, and even the absence of bullets in my spiritual rifle does not worry me much. I conduct the usual battles with myself and my habits. I know where the enemy is hiding, and I don't enter his territory. I have a Bible at home in several copies, it is also loaded on my phone in different languages in all possible translations, and I can even listen to it while working. Also, the works of the Spirit of Prophecy are always at hand, and I have the opportunity to quickly find any quote for every life situation, and listen to these works from morning to evening. And if something is unclear to me, then in the search I can find thousands of answers to all questions, and I am presented with hundreds of sermons on the topic I'm interested in. I pray quite long and diligently and know how to ask God for everything necessary for life. I am armed to the teeth, and the enemy of the soul has no chance to overcome me. And this makes me quite spiritually rich and self-confident in my strength, although I understand that Christ is always near and will never leave me.

But then someone comes and starts showing me the familiar message to Laodicea, saying that it offers weapons of victory for the last battle. I studied this message earlier, and I can decipher all the symbols, knowing their definition. I have read a lot about this and have the right answers. I even know people who have memorized this message. But I am told that the message contains a mysterious depth of revelations and the secret of a special relationship with Christ. I listen and understand that maybe there is something to it, but I already have so much light and so much spiritual work that there is simply no time to be distracted by another revelation. And why do I need this oil when it's already light? Who will I surprise with my lamp in the sunlight?

Does the enemy of the soul know what the message to Laodicea represents? Yes, he knows and trembles. He realizes that everyone who enters into trade relations with Christ, understanding what they are buying, falls under the special status of a warrior of Christ and is trained by Jesus Himself in personal relationships. To just distract my attention from this message, the enemy is ready not to interfere with me in other knowledge. In peacetime, Satan constantly bothered me for any reason, interfering in everything, but now he is ready to allow me everything, just to distract my attention from the most important message of preparation.

The enemy's most insidious plan is to convince me that there is no store with oil for the lamp, that no one is selling me anything, and these are just symbols. And for some reason I believe him.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Rev. 3:17; Luke 9:25; 1 John 1:6-10; Gal. 6:3,7-10; 2 Cor. 10:12,18; 13:5; Jer. 9:4-9; 23:16; 37:9; 42:20-22; Ezek. 20:43; 34:2; Rom. 3:10-17; 1 Cor. 3:18; 6:9-12; 15:33-34; John 8:54; James 1:12-17,22-27; Ps. 64:5-9; Prov. 20:2; Eph. 5:15-20 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. What is self-deception? Is it possible in our time?

5. What is the danger of self-deception?

6. Can self-deception be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Mark 3:23-29.

7. What is the danger if I invent my own path for salvation and victory?

8. Should I pay attention to God's advice regarding the last time?

9. Will Jesus mislead me by advising me to do something for my revival?

10. What can happen to me if I reject the advice of the Faithful Witness?

11. Will the enemy of the soul help me choose my own ways for my salvation?

12. What should I do if I understand that I am in self-deception?

13. Will knowledge of God's will for the last time help me avoid the trap of self-deception?

14. Can my sincerity play a cruel joke on me? Should I check every teaching before agreeing with it?

15. Do you understand the importance of the message to Laodicea?

The very last segment of history before the Second Coming of Christ will be the darkest period in the life of our world. The Lord repeatedly predicts this, calling it a time of great tribulation.

The sun will rise and set on schedule, rains will water our planet, but darkness will reign in people's hearts. And this darkness will thicken and absorb everything good, loving, and joyful.

Any crisis can be personal, it can be only mine. For example, if there is a war in the country, then all citizens of the opposing sides suffer from this, and especially those who are in the war zone. If my relative died, then only I and those who were close to the deceased will suffer from this.

However, the last crisis will come from God. The Lord will release all the forces of evil and allow them to carry out everything that God's hand restrained during the favorable time. All countries will enter such a state. We read in Isaiah 60:2: "For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."

The darkness of the soul is something that everyone will have to face. During the night part of the day, we don't do things, but prepare for sleep. But the night of the soul is a time that concerns me personally and affects my spiritual, mental, and physical state.

My gaze is focused on what is before my eyes, and my heart is where my wealth is concentrated. During favorable times, I calmly create comfort for myself and improve my life, comprehending also those spiritual values that the Lord offers me. I can't always determine how firm I am in my trust in God, and then an exam comes into my life. The crisis tests me from different sides and shows me my weak and strong qualities of the soul.

My usual views on life are collapsing, and new opportunities are opening up for gaining valuable experience.

The Lord knows what His people will face at the end of time, and how hot the fire of trials will be. In these events, God will not leave people who belong to Him. The Bible not only reports on what will happen, but also contains information on how to prepare, what to do, and to Whom one should belong.

When I'm sailing on a ship whose course passes through dangerous places, it's extremely foolish to learn how to patch holes in the hull, sitting over ship repair textbooks, when a leak has opened in the hold. And if I run to the scene, I simply won't know what to do. Learning such things happens before they occur. And the exam reveals the depth of my knowledge.

Darkness is approaching. A collision with it is inevitable. It can engulf me, but it is powerless against light. Light is not afraid of darkness and continues to be light even in the darkest time.

Once I was asked to walk through the hall between the chairs. I did it without problems. Then they blindfolded me and, holding my hand, led me along the same route. It was more difficult, but I overcame this test. After that, I was asked to independently follow the same path, listening to commands and warnings. It was even harder for me, but I succeeded. In the end, I was offered to walk there myself, without removing the blindfold. I bumped into every chair, almost fell, and then realized that I didn't even know which direction I was going, and whether I would reach the goal. There were spectators around who laughed at my helplessness and made sarcastic remarks about me.

A similar test awaits every believer. And woe to me if I find myself in darkness without God's hand or not hearing His voice. If now the Lord can leave me in such a state to teach me to always seek and find His hand, then in the last test I will have what I have known and made the main thing.

The Lord knows what I will face, and wants to teach me something important now. I am given advice on what to do. Jesus personally comes to me to convict me and give me a way out of my sad state. I am given a very clear message about what to do. But most of all, I am surprised by the personal presence of Christ in this offer. He Himself comes so that I can acquire Him without intermediaries. This tells me about the importance of what is happening. And if God Himself wants to be in my house and have a close relationship with me personally, then this contains some important secret that I need to unravel.

Let's give an example. I've been fighting for my survival all my life, working two jobs, and barely making ends meet, considering myself advanced. But then a billionaire comes and, observing my "mouse fuss," calls me miserable, pitiful, poor, and naked. But he doesn't leave, he offers a way out. He advises me to enter into trade relations with him and receive from him what will make me rich, clothed, and wise. I am provided with a business school where I can get the knowledge and means necessary for prosperity. I am advised to be diligent in learning and not return to my past life.

I don't understand why such blessings? And he assures me of his love and friendship. I decide to try. I am given a decent amount of funds to invest in profitable projects. I look and rejoice, and don't know what to do with such happiness.

But this billionaire friend doesn't leave me alone. He wants not just to give or sell me something, but to have personal relationships, and he comes exactly when I relax after a working day, want to eat calmly and rest. And then there's a knock and a familiar voice. And I'm tired, doesn't he understand? But on the other hand, this is my friend who came to visit. My selfish heart resists, but my soul is drawn to communication. I decide to open and let in the dear guest. We have a fun time, and I get to know this person better. He convinces me that he will come the next day, and will constantly visit me after work, and even during work he is always in touch. I'm surprised, but I agree, because it's so joyful to be friends with a billionaire.

I tell all my friends about the changes in my life and thinking, I invite them to personally meet my friend, but they don't believe that this can be, and consider their time too valuable to spend on any billionaires. They'll manage somehow on their own. I look with regret at their poverty and can do nothing for them. My friend respects people's choices.

In our friendship, I am promised that if I don't leave the business school, I will always be able to stay in touch with my friend, and he will even introduce me to his circle as his friend and at all business meetings will give me the opportunity to sit next to him.

My friend warned that default is coming soon, and there will be difficult times, but by staying in touch with him, I will be aware of what is happening, and all my investments will bring profit to me and him.

Jesus knows what awaits me in the near future, and offers me what will enrich my life, make me a worthy and wise manager. And He also comes to me every evening and waits for my permission to enter, to get to know me better and share His soul secrets with me. I don't understand such love. What for, Lord? And He shows His wounds and says that He cannot do otherwise. And I understand that He is here, nearby, forever and will not leave me.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Isaiah 60:2-7; Daniel 12:1-3; Matthew 24:21,29; Mark 13:19-20; John 16:33; Jeremiah 15:11; Ezekiel 9:4; 2 Timothy 4:5; Revelation 3:17-22; 7:14, in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What Bible verses came to your mind while studying this lesson?

4. Do you believe that times of tribulation are coming that will test all of us?

5. Do you have any means to withstand during the time of tribulation?

6. Does God have a plan for the time of tribulation?

7. Do you know God's plan for your salvation during the time of trouble?

8. Can another crisis teach you something?

9. What does love have to do with the time of tribulation?

10. Why did Jesus and the prophets warn us that difficult times would come?

11. Are you not afraid that your love might grow cold?

12. Do you think the lessons of the Agape Love School will be useful to you in the future? Is it worth studying them?

13. Is it important to have love in the last time?

14. Do you believe that the time of sealing God's people is rapidly approaching? If yes, will it be calm?

15. Where is your Jesus now?

What feelings does the word "exam" evoke in you when you are about to take one?

My first exam was at the end of 8th grade. Summer, lilacs bloomed, the school year ended, all the children went to camps, and I stayed in the city to pass a strange test of my knowledge. I was prepared for this event for a long time, being told about various experiences, and how inevitable it was. I was calm, but I didn't know a single theorem in geometry. Three days before the exam, I sat down with the textbooks and decided to learn at least something. To my surprise, all this science turned out to be quite understandable and easy when I began to delve into it, and sines and cosines added up very simply between themselves. I saw a pattern between these laws and in 3 days learned all the theorems and proofs by heart. I came to the exam armed with knowledge and answered quite competently. But the teacher couldn't agree that I knew everything, and out of habit gave me a C. Three days after receiving the certificate, I forgot everything.

After that, I passed many different exams many more times, in which my knowledge and experience were tested. I noticed a certain pattern in successfully passing such tests. If I or others were diligent in study and work, then on the exam we knew what to do and how to answer. And those who loved to skip and behave irresponsibly could not pass on the first try or barely scored a passing grade.

I saw how many people experienced nervousness on the day of the test and couldn't find peace, although I tried to explain to them that they would remain alive no matter what.

I think that each of us has experienced similar events in our life and remembers what they felt, and how insignificant and small it all seemed later. Every person goes through such trials. The exam doesn't teach me anything, but shows the examiner the level of my knowledge or the depth of my ignorance.

But one feature is manifested in this event. I prepare in all areas of the studied science, but I answer only a part of it according to the ticket. And chance can solve this problem for or against me. And the examiner can be biased and fail me with difficult questions, or be very kind, or greedy for money. In the end, I pass this milestone and live on as advanced in life.

The Bible teaches us that serious trials and exams await those who believe in God. And their peculiarity is that failure can cost me the right to Eternal life. And this is already serious. The test of my knowledge and skills will be comprehensive, all-round and quite deep. The theory of a lucky ticket or a clever loophole is excluded. I will be entirely weighed on God's scales of His measure of righteousness. Each of my thoughts will be studied. And at the end of the test, I will be led into a fire that will burn out all foreign impurities that I didn't pay attention to.

This sounds somewhat mysterious and incomprehensible, but in my life it will happen naturally. A problem comes that I must deal with. In my arsenal, there are enough means and knowledge that immediately begin to offer themselves to solve my problem. Also, two spirits, God's and unclean, offer me their help. Sometimes I'm given time to think and decide, and sometimes I need to make a choice instantly. My skill and knowledge of the truth have already formed something in my heart, and in some cases I easily take God's position, quickly deciding to go His way. Not all of my trials and exams are final, but they all show something to Heaven and to me.

In the Bible, I read that there will be a final exam, after which the mysterious doors will close forever, and no one will be able to change anything.

The wise virgins entered the wedding feast with burning lamps. Matt. 25:10. The righteous still did righteousness, and the holy still sanctified themselves. Rev. 22:11. Someone will come to Christ with their deeds, and He will say that He doesn't know them and will ask them to depart as those who practice lawlessness. Matt. 7:23.

During my Christian life, I have many times attended the ceremony of water baptism and have also been to funerals. It's joyful to see the birth of a new soul for the Heavenly Kingdom. When a believer goes into the world of non-existence, you don't know how he will be on God's scales, whether mercy will be shown to him at the judgment. However, there is hope to meet him among the saved.

But the descriptions of the events of the last days teach me that I will already be cleansed alive, weighed, and endowed with what the Lord offers me for complete victory. And this will not turn out to be an accident or some special privilege for God's favorite. Either I do what is offered to me and become a winner, or I choose another path and lose forever.

The last struggle is so solemn, and its outcome is so important for the entire Universe, that in Christ's army there can be no random soldiers who got into its ranks through acquaintance or "for beautiful eyes."

All past exams showed me something and revealed something, and the coming trials will also reveal a lot to me. But God has a final exam that will decide everything forever.

Once God conducted such an exam with all living on earth. Only Noah's family and his sons with their wives passed it. And where were the others? Were there really no kind and meek people among those left? Why were those who possibly didn't understand the seriousness of God's warnings treated so harshly? Now God offers us a second Ark - rest in Jesus, but closer to the end He makes some additions and advises to buy goods from Him.

Was the purchase of oil offered to the virgins? Yes. But for some reason the foolish knew this and postponed it. And everything would have been fine, but the Bridegroom came unexpectedly for everyone and didn't wait for the unprepared.

And what should the Merchant from the Laodicean store (Rev. 3:18) do when His goods remain unclaimed? How much longer will He offer them?

When I decided to get married, I arranged an exam for my future wife. I made her a proposal, offering to marry me. I was very interested in how she would pass this test. And you know - she agreed, and then she even took my surname herself.

Jesus is preparing something similar for us. He has conditions that I must fulfill. Why did He decide to test me in this way? There is special divine wisdom in this, which is revealed in the process of agreeing to respond to God's advice.

At first, I don't understand what I've acquired, but as I acquire, I realize that I simply can't live without it anymore. When a bride thinks about the answer, whether to give consent, she doesn't understand what she's choosing. But when she decided to become a wife, she can no longer live without her husband. She is his flesh, and he is her head.

The advice to Laodicea is not just one of many things, but the only thing that will distinguish me from many as a true winner.

Until the close of probation, there are many ways to know the truth and gain unity with God. But before the close of this time, the Lord wants to have a special people who will differ from all others. The name of these people is 144,000. They will carry a special message for the world, after which the end of all evil and ignorance will come, and the time of harvest will come. Does this scare you?

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Gen. 7:7,16; Matt. 24:37-39; Rev. 22:6,10-12,18-19; Dan. 11:33-35; 2 Cor. 8:1-3; James 1:2-5,12-17; 1 Pet. 3:14-15; 4:12-19; Matt. 25:8-12,19; Luke 16:2; Rom. 14:12; Heb. 4:13; 13:17; Hos. 4:6 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Do you think there will come a time when the Lord will send the last test of faith and love, after which no one will be able to change anything? Do you have a Biblical basis for your answer?

5. Why can't the time of grace continue until the very Second Coming of Christ?

6. Why does God need to arrange tests for me? After all, He already knows who I am.

7. How do you imagine your final exam?

8. What role does the Message to Laodicea play in the last time?

9. Does Jesus want to convey something important to us through the address to Laodicea?

10. What role does the advice to Laodicea play in your life?

11. Does the Lord know what awaits us in the future? Does He want to see us as winners?

12. What is the difference between all previous trials and the final exam?

13. Does the parable of the ten virgins from Matt. 25:1-13 have any relation to the message to Laodicea?

14. Does the message to Laodicea have any relation to the final exam?

15. Do you know where those mysterious doors of grace are? Rev. 3:7-8.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, we read about the full armor of God, which we "must put on, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." This is followed by a description of this armor and a narrative about our opponents. Interestingly, the full armor includes some elements of a warrior's clothing: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness, the helmet of salvation. The equipment includes the shield of faith and the spiritual sword of the Word of God, and the fighting spirit includes all prayer and supplication at all times, with perseverance and for all the saints.

What do you imagine when reading this instruction? Life with Christ teaches me to possess and be able to wield all the listed equipment and weapons. Even if this verse were not in the Bible, the arsenal would not be different, and we, being in constant opposition to Satan's spirits, would use all this with some success. The Holy Spirit teaches every son and daughter of God to wage war in this way.

In the book of Revelation, from the second to the third chapters, all periods of the Christian era are described, which ends with a description of the reward for the last victors.

It's worth noting that the final period of the Laodicean church has interesting additions to the full armor of God, and the Faithful Witness offers to buy them from Him.

Decoding the symbols of the offered goods, we determined that gold refined by fire is the faith and love of God the Father or faith working through love. White clothes are the righteousness of Christ or His character manifested in my life and written in my heart. Eye salve is Heavenly wisdom and vision, as well as empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

In these three goods, we see the special presence of all Three Persons of the Godhead.

It's also interesting that all the mentioned qualities of the soul, offered by the True and Faithful Witness, are not something new, but relate to the mandatory properties of the heart for Christians of all past ages. From the history of Christianity, we know that all the listed goods were present in the lives of believers. We read in 2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." This verse shows all the goods offered to Laodicea.

But in the last period of the Christian era, the Lord for some reason strongly advises to buy all this from Him and to be zealous in this. And then He makes it clear that He will personally come and teach me to use His goods and to fight. The Lord's offer is so significant in His eyes that He promises to seat all those who think and respond to His knock and advice next to Him on His throne, calling these believers victors. Many questions arise. Why did Jesus choose exactly this path of victory and such an addition to the full armor of God?

Why does He want to see among the victors people with a happy warlike spirit, filled with love for each other, united in brotherly communion of love, filled with the Holy Spirit? After all, all this was present in Christians of all times!

The answer to these questions lies in the power of Christ - this is His plan of victory, and this is exactly how He wants to clothe His victors. Love for one another is not something new in my life, but unfortunately, it has become some kind of commonplace interjection in the communication of Christians, and looks very superficial, remaining for many just a beautiful word in the form of a pink heart. And therefore, the Lord wants to resurrect this property of the soul in me and sell me real Agape, inscribe it in my heart and thoughts, teach me to live in love.

I noticed that the constant presence of God's agape in my heart also extends to other areas of my life. And even when there's war all around, and we're all busy with this topic, for some reason I think about how to insert God's Agape into our communication and relationships, directing people's gaze to this important commodity for the last time. My knowledge of political intrigues and behind-the-scenes events, world news and recognition of the true culprits of what is happening will help me understand that the time of the Second Coming is very close. But they only make me informed, but do not give me the strength to win and the right to Eternal life.

The peculiarities of the last struggle with the forces of the spirits of evil in the heavenly places consist in resisting them when they attack with love, friendliness and a happy spirit in Christ Jesus. And He advises me to buy this as true knowledge and wisdom.

To buy means to devote one's time to obtaining and assimilating this science and to lay at His feet all one's earthly ideas and stereotypes about love and happiness, as well as one's sinful ambitions as payment for what is offered. The Lord counts on my constancy and zeal in this trade and calls me to it, assuring me of his love and hinting that he will punish me for ignorance in this matter.

I might not pay attention to all these tips, but I'm very confused by the definition of "overcomer." I understand that if I accept and do everything that the Faithful Witness offers, I will become a victor at the end of time. And if I choose another path, I won't be able to overcome anyone, because I won't have weapons, equipment, or knowledge of warfare.

Simply telling your neighbor about your love without understanding its laws and power is not a victory, it's an attempt to appear in full armor without having it. White clothes are not put on over dirty and smelly underwear. The Lord first leads me to the bath for cleansing, and then clothes me in Himself, endowing my will with new and holy properties of the soul. Eye salve makes me seeing and understanding what is happening around, and how in all this one can preserve holiness, revealing God's love to the thirsty. Everything needs to be learned, and therefore the Teacher Himself stands at the door of my heart and wants to enter to give me an example of victory in a relaxed atmosphere and teach me to conquer every thought in obedience to Christ with love.

The Lord wants each of us to turn our attention to this wonderful plan of victory in the war in which Jesus has already prevailed and in which He calls me to become a victor.

It's not enough to just read this plan. If you learn it by heart and underline it with a red pencil, making notes in the margins of the Bible, it's also not enough.

If I offer my hand and heart to my beloved, it's not for her to take my surname and for them to put a marriage mark in my passport. I plan to live with this little person so that we never part, always solving all issues together and winning victories of love in all difficult situations and trials. In the message to Laodicea, Jesus offers me something eternal and beautiful, so that in our relationship it never ceases, but endlessly develops, is affirmed in truth and love for constant victory.

God's plan for the victor is very simple, and His full armor is beautiful in its design. One must be completely blind and foolish to refuse the One who wants to enrich you, clothe you and make you wise. Although I don't fully understand everything, the very fact that Jesus Himself offers all this to me gives me confidence in the vital necessity of His call. I say "yes" to Him and enter into Eternal trade.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 6:4-10; 10:3-6; Luke 11:21-23; Rev. 3:18; 19:14; Song of Sol. 4:7; Isa. 54:5; Phil. 1:6; Rev. 19:7-9,11-16,20-21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. What is the full armor of God?

5. Why does the Lord want to endow us with His weapons and armor? Wouldn't it be easier to fence us off from the world and keep us in this state until the end of our days?

6. Can I, believing in Jesus, avoid war with His opponents? John 15:20.

7. Is it so important to acquire what the Faithful Witness advises me?

8. Can I justify my ignorance in buying goods for Laodicea, referring to the fact that in Africa many believing brothers don't even have a Bible in their native language?

9. What does Heavenly trade with the Faithful Witness give me?

10. Is the reward for the overcomer from Rev. 3:21 somehow connected with the purchase of previously offered goods and Christ's friendly visit to my dinner?

11. What should I do with what I still decided to buy?

12. Is it important to understand what is offered to me in Rev. 3:18?

13. Will I benefit from purchased goods without knowing what to do with them next?

14. Has our School revealed to you the mystery of the message to Laodicea?

15. Does the message to Laodicea have any direct relation to our time? If so, why is it rarely talked about?

My soul is like a weak, leaky jug that cannot hold anything for long, no matter what is poured into it. Although dirt can stick firmly to the walls of the vessel, even it eventually leaks out through various cracks, making room for the next liquids.

My memory is able to store information about everything that has passed through my vessel on its shelves, and then at the right time reproduce in the mind what I saw, heard and felt, filling the jug with it. Unfortunately, I don't forget what I allowed my eyes to see, and my imagination is able to reproduce all the pictures at the most inopportune time. The dirt of this world constantly defiles my vessel, and the water of life helps me to clean the contents and disinfect the walls from harmful impurities.

This is how I have to live in a constant struggle for my purity. And it creates the impression that the great conflict between good and evil consists in me learning to overcome myself and keep my soul from the attacks of my old man, who is not going to die, but always seeks an opportunity to attack me and take possession of my will. And in this fierce battle, I constantly call out to the Lord in prayer to save me from myself. Oh, if only I could forever defeat my fierce enemy called "my own flesh." Then all other victories would come to me very easily!

It turns out that I periodically get dirty, and then I ask for forgiveness, repent, need a renewing power to, after being cleansed, fall again into a dirty puddle or pour another portion of impurities into a clean vessel.

The pure water of life has the ability to dissolve everything it comes into contact with. This is a rather aggressive environment that does not allow anything to remain outside its field of influence that falls into it. But still, God's goal is not to dissolve dirt in water and feed my nature with this composition, but to make my vessel suitable for decent use and always keep it clean for everything pure that falls into it.

Seeing my constant struggle with myself, the Lord has provided for me at the end of time something better that will solve the problem of my constant defilement forever and fill my nature with exceptional power of victory, passing from glory to glory. How is this possible? My carnal mind is not able to come up with such a mechanism and then support it in operation. But the Lord has already provided for all this, and now advises me to acquire what is necessary.

Heavenly gold solves the issue of my purity very well. It is quite weighty and when it gets into my vessel, it is able to squeeze out everything foreign that is in it.

Water can dissolve the contents of my jug, wash its walls, but after that it leaks through small cracks or evaporates from the high temperature of various trials. And if dirt gets into the water, it can squeeze clean water out of the vessel or dissolve in the residual water, making the life force unfit for existence.

Gold does not mix with foreign materials and does not dissolve in them. Buying gold from the Faithful Witness, I fill my weak vessel with it, and this heavy metal quite successfully displaces everything alien and light from my heart. Once in my jug, gold does not leak through cracks, but remains in the vessel forever. I notice that when filling the vessel, there is a small space between the pieces of gold that have fallen into me, into which dirt can penetrate and envelop the precious metal. Although there is significantly less dirt, it manages to squeeze into the golden space and give the pure gold an unclean appearance. This causes mockery from those watching me, and I hear unflattering remarks addressed to me about the foolish idea of filling my vessel with precious metal. I have nothing to say in response, but I hope that the Lord has provided a solution to this issue as well, and at the right time will let me understand how this mechanism works. But the fact that there is significantly less dirt in my vessel is noticed by everyone. And the gold that has fallen into me gives weight and value to all my words and actions. The water of life very quickly washes out all the dirt from the inter-gold space and delights me with its purity and freshness, and I admire the pieces of uncontaminated gold, which I carefully put in my jug. I am guided by golden rules of life in all my decisions.

But I'm worried about one question. What should I fill the empty space between the gold with? Whatever I try to pour in there, the dirt of this world manages to displace it and create the appearance of its superiority. But it shouldn't be like that. After all, nothing unclean will inherit Heaven. Who will deliver me from this body of death? My wise Counselor tells me that although His gold is the purest product, it must undergo remelting in my vessel. I shrink in fear of the upcoming trial, but I understand that I cannot avoid it.

The Lord gently takes my jug and puts it in a fiery furnace. Something incredible is happening. The walls of the vessel heat up from the high temperature, and the contents of the jug begin to evaporate at first, and then melt. The pieces of gold began to quickly merge with each other, turning into a liquid composition, partially filling the microcracks in the walls of the jug. All the dirt could not hold in the depth of the molten mass and floated to the surface, burning from the high temperature. The liquid gold filled everything, leaving not a single crack between itself and the walls of the vessel. On the surface of the molten metal, the image of Jesus began to be reflected, Who was closely watching the remelting process.

I look at all this, languish from heartache and pangs of conscience for allowing my weak vessel to be so mercilessly defiled. But what is happening is happening in me, in my heart. And no matter how much it hurts me, no matter how much I scream in fear, I remain alive and healthy.

My Refiner knows what He's doing, and does His work confidently, anticipating the result obtained. And the result exceeded all my expectations. I look into the jug and can't believe my eyes. There is only gold left in it and nothing but gold. It has become so clean and strong that nothing can stain it or break it from the inside. Dirt doesn't have the slightest chance of getting inside the golden space. And even if something does lie on the golden surface, the water of life washes it away very easily, leaving no traces of the curse.

But the enemy of the soul is good at his inventions and tries to pour the acid of lawlessness into me to dissolve and cool God's love in it. But I close all paths to him and continue to buy heavenly gold, filling my vessel with it. And even if the acid managed to damage the pure gold and make openings in it for another portion of dirt, I know that another remelting will correct this defect, and I will again reflect the image of my Heavenly Refiner.

All my fears, torments, sins are very heavy for me, but love skillfully squeezes them out of my life and fills me with itself. It drives out fear, kills sin and frees the soul from prison, bringing it to God's light.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Zech. 13:9; Prov. 17:3; Dan. 12:10; Mal. 3:3; Rev. 3:18; Job 22:23-25; 23:10; Ps. 66:10; 119:72, 127; Prov. 8:1,10; 16:16; Hag. 2:8; 1 John 4:18; Isa. 61:1; Matt. 25:34-36 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. What does purification by fire mean? 1 Pet. 4:12.

5. Did you see the relationship between gold and agape love? Explain the symbol of gold in light of the lesson.

6. Why does the Lord advise to buy this gold from Him?

7. Is there a difference between my attempts to remove sin from my life or allow love to do it by buying it from the Faithful Witness?

8. Is God interested in the absolute purity of my soul? Will He do anything for this?

9. Why is it so important to have a pure character in the last time?

10. Does Jesus want to see His reflection in me? What does this mean?

11. Does the language of symbols help you understand God's expectations even deeper? If yes, share your revelations?

12. Do you understand the importance of the message to Laodicea in our time?

13. Do you believe that love casts out fear, removes sin, cleanses the heart? If yes, do you allow it to do this in your life?

14. Why did the Lord choose gold as a symbol for His love and faith, and not something else?

15. Are you scared of the fire of trials?

We live in a time of information, which is not just neatly stacked somewhere on library shelves, but hovers in the air in digital form and is ready to materialize at the command of my finger into what I choose.

Technologies for transmitting information through the digital field have literally exploded our world with new discoveries and possibilities. But along with this came temptations into the life of each of us.

The enemy of the soul did not hesitate to take into his arsenal everything that allows influencing the human mind and can be used for seduction.

In the prophetic description of the last days, Jesus repeatedly begs us to watch that no one deceives us. Seduction begins with my consciousness. My will waits for the logical conclusion of the mind and is ready to do what my consciousness is affirmed under the influence of the information that I let into my thinking world.

Don't think that our world is quite safe, and you can choose the best of the good and feed your mind only with this. To learn to distinguish good from evil, it is necessary to know the truth in its pure form, which comes directly from God Himself. It is also important that such Divine knowledge be inscribed by God's hand in my thoughts and in my heart. This happens when I begin to show interest in the spiritual and put aside everything earthly to accept everything Heavenly.

The science of salvation is available to everyone. It can be read, listened to, and even watched in any language. All that's needed is my desire, and opportunities will be provided.

Knowledge of the truth gives me an advantage in distinguishing between good and evil, holy and sinful. The enemy of the soul knows what protects me, and therefore approaches me very cunningly, offering his temptations in the form of light and purity. The enemy's goal is to accustom my mind to receiving information from the source that Satan can use for his own interests.

The progenitor of sin has thousands of years of experience in conducting information wars. The very first battle took place in Heaven, where everything was pure and holy. No one but God understood the influence of lies, and therefore Satan's deceptions were so successful that even those of the angels who chose the side of the Most High could not understand the final plans of the deceiver.

Often in an information war, the one who presents the truth to the world and tells the truth loses. And the lying side can use any means to achieve its victory. A mind damaged by lies becomes vulnerable and susceptible to subsequent lies, and sometimes these damages are so deep that nothing can help anymore. God is able to restore everything that He is allowed and permitted to revive, but the change of mind is directly related to memory and will, and these properties of the soul can quite successfully resist God's power, which wants to save the soul from the power of sin.

Defeat in the information war inflicts irreparable injuries on my mind, and I become one whose thoughts and intentions of the heart are evil all the time.

The temptation in the Garden of Eden carried a hidden lie, and this lie first convinced the wife to violate God's prohibition, and then the wife became Satan's representative and managed to convince the husband to believe her and do what was forbidden. Through Satan's lie, sin entered the world. A lie is what destroys my true understanding of God's truth and gives its own understanding, which destroys my soul.

What the world offers me today has its influence and purpose. The enemy of the soul wants to tie my mind to his chariot and feed it from his table. He is ready to give me everything that the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes, and the pride of life desire.

But God is also not silent. He very successfully builds his bastions of truth and heals the wounds of those who stand under His banner.

God is interested in complete victory, and has made it possible for those who firmly decide to be with Him to the end. He will give strength to resist every temptation and every lie to those people who thirst for the water of life and with all their heart desire to have a living connection with Heaven at all times.

The enemy is very cunning, and he knows how to offer a lie, and in contrast to it a hidden lie, and also a neutral opinion, or an independent solution to the problem, in order to catch me on one of these hooks. And it doesn't matter what I start to believe, the main thing is that I take my eyes off Christ and immerse myself in his information space. If he achieves this, then I can believe in anything and preach what is close to my heart. After all, I do it under his guidance, and he knows how to take on the appearance of an angel of light.

Everything that distracts my gaze from Christ carries a danger to my soul. I can do many things with Jesus and receive a lot of information, but not all news is useful for me. There are those things that I should consciously avoid, not look at and not listen to. There are those enemy territories where I should not enter under any circumstances. The enemy of my soul is very insidious, and has set his mines everywhere. He knows that not everything can kill me, but at least let it maim.

My desire to understand the events taking place can distract me from the main thing. I will never know who is the culprit and the customer of all the evil around me, but in pursuit of facts, I can lose God's hand.

In the message to Laodicea, I am offered to enter into eternal trade relations with Christ in order to acquire everything necessary for victory in the last time. If I think that it's not time yet, and the Lord can wait until I gather myself and decide something, then I risk that I will not have a trade deal, and I will be left without oil, like an unwise virgin.

Jesus draws me into His store and offers me the most expensive and valuable that Heaven can give. For my sake, He clothed His goods in symbols, wanting to reveal the true content to the thirsty and seeking. He is so happy from anticipating my discoveries that He can't wait for the moment when I begin to delve into the essence of what is offered and be amazed. But what can He do for one who, having entered His store, is completely immersed in his smartphone, wanting to understand what is happening in the world or move to a new level of an exciting game? How can God reach the hearts of those who have clung with their minds to the perishing world and do not want to leave the sinking ship?

What can I do for the one whom I have chosen as my wife, to whom I offer my hand and heart, but she doesn't even look at me and thinks about which of her friends she should spend the next night with?

With all His love for me, the Lord will not impose Himself and His goods. The advice to buy does not oblige me to anything, but it also does not give any other alternative.

It's strange that with all the importance of the message to Laodicea, so little is said and thought about it. After all, it is prophetic, and it very clearly indicates what needs to be acquired and possessed. Perhaps someone will accidentally buy what is offered, simply by studying the Bible and knowing God, without being distracted by what is happening around. Accidentally open to Christ. And then accidentally win. It's not worth playing such a lottery, thinking that the Lord will somehow save me. He has a clear plan of victory, which I need to study, understand, in order to act as written. And there is a seal for sealing the holy consciousness.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: John 8:32; 14:6; 17:17; Rev. 3:18; 12:7-12; Isa. 9:15; 59:13-17; Lev. 19:16; Prov. 3:3-4; 11:13; 20:19; Ps. 15:1-5; 19:9; 50:19; 85:10-11; 89:14; 91:4; 101:3-8; 119:142; Jer. 10:10; Luke 3:14; Dan. 11:23-27; John 8:44 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. What is information warfare?

5. Are there victims in this war? If so, who dies and how?

6. How to distinguish lies from truth?

7. For what were the people living before the flood destroyed? Gen. 6:5.

8. Will the state of the world in our days be the same as during the flood?

9. Does God have a plan for the last time to save from temptations and lies?

10. Why was the message to Laodicea given?

11. Have you already fallen in love with the message to the Laodicean church?

12. Do you think the Faithful Witness tells us something very important in Rev. 3:14-22 that is worth paying special attention to?

13. Will Satan leave you alone if you cling to Jesus with all your heart and know the Truth?

14. Are you familiar with examples of information wars, or is this concept something I made up myself?

15. Whose side should be taken in the information war? Can it be that everyone will be telling lies? Dan. 11:27.

At one period in his life, King Solomon decided to travel around his country dressed as a common man. For this, he chose the north of Israel. In those days there was no internet, and many residents of Galilee did not know what their king looked like, so Solomon was unrecognized and could freely communicate with ordinary people, learning the details of their lives.

In the region of the tribe of Issachar, in a small town called Shunem, lived a large family that had a large farm. They had many sheep, which the sons took turns herding. The young men had enough of their own concerns and therefore got used to sending their sister Shulamite as a shepherdess instead of themselves and made this her direct duty. The girl had nowhere to go, and by nature she was agreeable and compliant, so every morning Shulamite led her small flock to the endless fields, and in the evening she came home. Thus, in everyday concerns, the life of ordinary people flowed.

One day, Shulamite met a passerby in the field who, walking around the area, decided to get acquainted with her and learn about the life of the people in this area. The young girl did not know that she was communicating with the king and therefore behaved naturally and at ease. Solomon also decided not to reveal himself, but to behave simply, showing obvious friendliness. Shulamite's simplicity and openness enchanted the king's heart, and her natural cheerfulness and genuine friendliness in response to his attention produced a natural attraction.

Shulamite had a lot of free time, and therefore she gladly communicated with her new friend, revealing to him the beauty of a gentle and obliging spirit, not rushing anywhere and not blaming anyone.

Evening came, and it was time to part. We don't know what these people experienced during separation, but their next meeting was very joyful.

With each day their friendship grew stronger, and their communication was desired and sincere. Sometimes Shulamite forgot about her sheep, thinking only about the one who was all loveliness.

As a result, Solomon was so charmed by the inner beauty of his new acquaintance, the simplicity of communicating with her, her sincere friendliness and attraction to him, that he decided to make her a special surprise.

At some point they parted, and Shulamite did not know if she would meet her friend again. All his affairs were shrouded in mystery, and although he was a very interesting and wise interlocutor, for some reason he did not tell anything about himself and his life.

The separation plunged the young woman into despondency, and each time she went out into the field, she peered intently into the distance, wanting to see her beloved. But he disappeared without a trace. Her inquiries about him baffled the locals, and no one could tell her anything about this mysterious stranger.

Some time passed, and a rumor spread through the city that the king was coming to their area. All the inhabitants stirred, and the city came into motion. Everyone was interested in seeing the head of the country, and most of all it was amazing that he was heading to their small village, bypassing large cities.

Shulamite's brothers decided to leave their sister at home to guard the household while they would greet the king. But curiosity prevailed, and the young girl along with everyone went out to gaze at the approaching procession. Strangely enough, the king's escort was heading straight to her house. Shulamite's heart trembled with anticipation of seeing the one she had heard so much about but never planned to meet. In the experience of this amazing event, she completely forgot about her friend in the field, and all her attention was focused on the approaching procession. The brothers unsuccessfully tried to drive Shulamite away, but to their surprise, she decided to greet her king along with them. The city residents excitedly awaited the approach of the noble visitors, trying to recognize the king among the many dressed-up people and warriors. And here the whole procession comes right up to the house where Shulamite's family lived, and stops at the king's command. He was traveling in a litter made of Lebanese wood, carried by strong warriors.

All the city residents froze in anticipation of the development of events. Shulamite was frightened along with her brothers. No one could understand the purpose of such a coming of the king in all his splendor. But what was most surprising was that the king turned out to be that mysterious friend from the field, whom Shulamite had grown to love so much and had been waiting for all these days.

And here he came for her, as he had promised at their last parting. The girl's father and brothers stand in bewilderment, and the young lady herself does not know how to behave. After all, this is the king, but he is also her dear friend, to whom she has already become so strongly attached. Solomon respectfully addresses the parents of his beloved, asking for her hand. They, in fear and trembling, give their consent, thinking they are seeing a dream, and the king extends his hand to his beloved, and she is no longer able to resist, throws herself into his embrace, to always be near the one whom her soul loved.

Jesus came to me as a Friend, desiring close acquaintance with me. It is difficult for me to see Him as the King of Kings or to imagine the splendor of the Second Coming. But His modesty, friendliness, and love enchant my heart, and I acquire a Friend who comes to me every morning to get to know me better and spend time with me while I herd my sheep. It is so good and joyful with Him, and even when He leaves for His needs, I am aware of His presence and know that at the first appeal He will always respond and help me in my concerns.

Even when I am distracted from our communication to concentrate on solving everyday tasks, with my peripheral vision I am aware of His presence in my life.

And the Lord is so simple in His address to me that I cannot imagine His splendor as the Ruler of the Universe. I think it will be easier for me to see this than to imagine it.

But the Lord is preparing me for our meeting and very clearly lets me understand in what form and with what I should meet Him. His advice on acquiring what is necessary is so simple, clear, and understandable that one must be either very busy or very careless not to pay attention to it. Jesus is preparing me for a meeting with Himself, not making this event an unexpected surprise for me, but step by step describing everything that I need to undertake. And He waits, wanting to see how I will respond.

It is now, in a relaxed atmosphere, in conditions of my free choice, that our close relationships are being formed. The Lord behaves so modestly towards me that I sometimes don't even notice Him and don't pay attention to His advice. I cannot imagine the King of the Universe in this daily visitor. But it is to such a simple Person that I can naturally open up. I don't need His gifts so much as Him Himself. Even if He asked me what I would like to wish for myself, thinking about the answer, I would most of all want Him to be near, and I would look at Him and change under the influence of His words and instructions. All His Heavenly wisdom is hidden in the very simple words of our sincere communication with each other. But it is this sincerity of relationships that ties my heart to Jesus. I cannot imagine life without Him. All my affairs are good when He is near, and I am with Him, and He is in me.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Song of Sol. 1:4-7; 2:15; 4:1-7; 5:10-16; 7:1-8; 5:1-9; 6:1-3; 3:1-3; 7:11-14; 3:7-11; 3:4; 1:1-3,8-16; 2:4-10; 4:9-12; 8:6-7; Jer. 31:3; John 3:16; Rom. 5:5,8-10; Rev. 3:18-21; 1 Cor. 4:21; 1 Pet. 1:6-9 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Do you have the One whom your soul loves? Who is your Beloved?

5. Where is your Jesus now? What is He busy with?

6. Do you know what the Lord has prepared for you?

7. Will the Second Coming of Christ be a celebration, a reward, and a meeting with the One whom you love without seeing for you?

8. Will the Lord come for those whom He loves and who reciprocate Him?

9. Is there any message in the letter to Laodicea that will prepare you for a meeting with the Lord?

10. Do you believe that the Lord has a heart and can fall in love with you as a friend who is open to close relationships?

11. Does the Song of Songs reveal to you the beauty and accessibility of God's love for you?

12. Why was the book Song of Songs written and placed in the canon of the Bible?

13. Is it possible to achieve a close relationship with the One whom you do not see, but in whom you believe and love with all your heart? If so, how is this possible?

14. Will the Lord reciprocate your love for Him? Or does He have more important things to do?

15. Do you often lose Jesus? How do you find Him afterwards?

In His Word, the Lord has prepared many different messages and revelations for us. He wants us, His children, to fill our hearts with this light and share with those around us the good that overflows in us. This is not always easy to do because the enemy of the soul constantly resists and has his own counterarguments. He tries to present our message in a false light.

It is written: "And there was war in heaven..." Rev. 12:7. The word "war" is written in the original as πόλεμος (polemos), which in English means "polemic, dispute, confrontation". And this war has not ended, it continues now.

The enemy of the soul seeks allies through whom he could transmit his messages to the world, reveal his plans, make reports on the work done, impose his values, and seduce the entire Universe.

Unfortunately, Satan has succeeded in his polemic, and still tirelessly sows his evil seed of lies, which successfully grows wherever it is accepted.

When I share some good truth revealed to me by God, then the listener needs to verify it, passing it through the filter of their understanding of the Bible, dissolving it in their faith and, approaching the door of will, letting it into their heart as verified truth, and then deciding what to do with this light further.

But if I can show others what happened, giving my comments on it, people immediately take everything at face value, because their eyes see direct proof of my statements.

The enemy of the soul knows the influence of visible images and through them very successfully presents to people what they need to see and know. And if somewhere there is a military conflict, innocent people are dying, blood is being shed, and my eyes can see all this, then it is not difficult for the enemy of the soul to give his commentary on what is happening and put into my heart to excess what will harm my mind and deprive me of peace.

And something amazing happens.

God gives me His message and calls me to proclaim it and bring it to the perishing world. And Satan offers me to become his messenger and tell others what is happening in the world, what horror surrounds us, how brazenly people with weapons behave, and what bombs and rockets do. What do such messages produce in the listener's heart? Fear, indignation, hatred, horror, thirst for revenge, and many other base properties of the soul.

Is this the message God entrusted me to bring to the world? Has the Gospel lost its power and ability to resist all this evil that I substitute it with military news?

Has the message to Laodicea become irrelevant in connection with current events, and should it be put aside as outdated? What is your message, friends? What do you feed your mind with? What do you feed your neighbors with? How does your Gospel sound?

If I am a simple person who can only discuss what is happening in the world with my wife in the kitchen, then although this will cause harm, it will be only to one person. But if I am God's servant or that messenger to whom God has entrusted a wide audience of listeners whom I can influence, then what will the message that Satan has given me produce in them?

Who is more dangerous, a person with an automatic weapon in their hands who can only kill the body, or one in whose mouth is Satan's weapon, killing innocent souls and seducing a pure mind?

It is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to talk about love for the enemy when this enemy kills, rapes, and robs your neighbors. But has love died because wicked people have received the power to do evil deeds with impunity? Can God give the power of love to those who begin to ask Him for it, being in the most difficult conditions? I read that God's hand has not shortened to save, and on the example of Jesus' behavior, I see an amazing example of manifestation of love in the most unfavorable conditions.

Throughout His life, the Lord never condemned the ruling regime, the crying injustice and cruelty of Roman power. He did not curse His killers, and when He was told about Pilate's atrocities, who mixed Galileans with the blood of their sacrifices, Jesus declared that if the narrators do not repent, they will perish in the same way. Luke 13:1-3.

The Lord condemned those who are Satan's heralds, bringing evil news to their neighbors. He calls each of us to repent in this matter and radically change our source of nourishment.

What I fill my mind with will then be transmitted through me to other people.

What will my little child learn if I begin to initiate him into all the world's iniquities that swarm in the information world?

Let's take an example. I decided to figure out that pornography and fornication are very bad phenomena. I studied this science in the light of the Bible and shared my discoveries with you. You listened to me and concluded that this is a great evil that must be avoided. But I decided to go further. I began to study photos and video materials on this topic. My indignation knew no bounds! What perversions have these wicked people not invented! I decided first to tell you about all the orgies I saw that the godless arrange, and then I chose the brightest scenes so that you could see with your own eyes how disgusting it is to engage in fornication. What do you think, which of the methods of persuasion became more effective? I think you know the answer yourself? And in this case, you will immediately take decisive measures to neutralize my influence and stop my madness.

But when someone announces to me bloody stories about the horrors of ongoing events, calling the enemy by name and showing in color what he experienced, for some reason this does not cause indignation in many, and it is accepted as the norm.

Whose message are you listening to, friends? What do you offer to this world and to those of your faith? Do you enjoy listening to Satan's reports on the work done? Do you have time for this? And wouldn't you like to exchange your precious time for what Jesus advises me to buy from Him in Rev. 3:18?

It will be even more difficult further, and events will be even more terrible for those who have no love.

When will the time come when I understand that without love I am nothing, and that I really need this love?

Who will teach me to love when there is so much pain and suffering around? Where are those messengers who should be firm and unshakable, like a rock, proclaiming God's message?

How should the message from God sound when I have other interests? Why has my brother become my enemy just because he was born and grew up in another country and speaks another language?

What do you think, is Christ interested in what we do, what we say, how we behave towards each other? Does God know whose messages we transmit to the world, and how this affects the consciousness of our neighbors? Will I give an account for every word spoken to my neighbor in a burst of love or indignation? Will I be responsible for the influence towards evil that I exerted on those whom God entrusted to me?

Uncomfortable questions, but it's better to answer them now.

So, choose for yourselves today whose messenger you want to be! And I will tell you about love, happiness, and friendship even when it seems impossible to you. While the Lord gives, this needs to be taken and applied in life. The time has come to love, and agape is worth learning now, because this is God's plan for true victory.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Mark 16:15; Gen. 3:6; Matt. 12:30-37; 24:11-13; Isa. 33:14-19; Lev. 19:16-18; James 3:10-18; Luke 6:44-45; 13:1-5; Prov. 11:13; 19:9; 20:19; Rev. 12:7-12,17; Job 13:4-5,7; Ps. 12:2-8; 54:3-11; Ezek. 13:8-9; John 8:44 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. What benefit does the information flow that you let into your heart bring you?

5. Whose herald are you?

6. What message do you bring to this world? How does your Gospel sound?

7. Is every truth useful for the soul?

8. Does God have something that will bring true peace and tranquility to you and others?

9. Does love die where wars occur and people perish?

10. What happens to the mind of a person who begins to look at bloodshed, reflect on lawlessness and cruelty, and share what they have seen with others?

11. Can a brave and loving person be taught fear and hatred? What needs to be done for this?

12. Should God's children become political experts, or do they have other tasks set by God?

13. Whose Kingdom is within you? Is it worth taking care of the prosperity of this country?

14. How often did Jesus discuss the cruelty of the Roman occupiers and the lawlessness of the ruling elite?

15. Can love give the world and thirsty people something better?

Sin is lawlessness. The very existence of sin and evil cannot be where there is no law and moral rules. Those people who doubt the existence of God, saying: "If God exists, then why has He allowed so much evil?", contradict themselves by answering their own question. Without God, there is no criterion of good and righteousness, and any evil becomes something neutral and natural, just as in the absence of a source of heat and light, absolute cold and utter darkness are the normal state of matter.

Only the moral law established by the Creator can determine what is evil and what is good. Where there is no law, there is no sin. And where there is a law, but no authority monitoring its implementation and punishing violators, the law ceases to be itself and becomes an ordinary recommendation.

Sin destroys God's law in my heart and forms in me the mindset of an ungodly person who has no chance of salvation and heavenly life. But it is precisely this fallen state of mine that causes the Lord to feel immense pity for me, and He begins to offer me a better way, while granting repentance.

Repentance is an internal deep regret for the sin committed, followed by abandoning evil and ungodly thinking, and further resistance to the power of sin with the help of God's grace. Each of my sins is carefully recorded against my name in the Heavenly books. Also recorded there are all the opportunities I had to overcome evil within myself and remove it from my life. Without repentance, it is impossible to leave sin or remove it from heavenly records. And only conscious repentance gives me a chance for change for the better.

Christ's blood was shed for my sins and became the cleansing agent that gave repentance special power for my complete liberation.

God's grace, God's laws and commandments carry a message of repentance. Calling me to something good, the Lord also gives me the strength to do this good. And the call to abandon sin contains a promise of God's help in this matter.

Repentance is God's gift to a perishing soul, without which it is impossible to change anything in a sinful life. The Lord constantly calls humanity to repentance. Christ's mission began with such words. The last message also contains this call. And where there is a call, there is also the power for victory.

But do I want this repentance? Sin, although destructive, having become a part of me, gives me pleasure, brings satisfaction to the lust of my flesh, convinces me of the logic of my conclusions. And with this approach, the voice and call of the Holy Spirit are completely ignored, and I convince myself of my rightness.

Don't think that all information is neutral and harmless. This is the means of the enemy of the soul, which very skillfully convinces me to accept evil plans and make them part of my worldview.

If I try something unfamiliar and don't understand how useful it is, then, seeing its harmfulness, I immediately reject it as unclean and no longer touch it. But if I have tasted the aroma of sin and agreed that it is not so bad, then how can I leave it? Only the Holy Spirit can reveal to me my miserable state. Only God is able to convince me that I am committing a sin that is abhorrent to Heaven and is killing me. And with this conviction comes the gift of repentance. God draws the sinful soul to Jesus and calls for the abandonment of evil ways. Such a call can sound for a very long time, as long as there is at least some chance of salvation. But it will not sound forever. Once the Lord said: "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever..." Gen. 6:3. Even God's good offers can be conditional.

What happens when I reject the gift of repentance? I build a wall between myself and God. The Lord wants to save me, but I plug my ears. He stretches out His hands, but I run away. His voice becomes quieter and quieter, but this doesn't bother me. Who is to blame for my rejection of God's calls? Only myself.

The Lord, granting me the gift of repentance, cleanses my heart through its acceptance, and then sends me to my neighbors with this good news so that they too can receive God's grace. God's Spirit accompanies me in the mission entrusted to me and gives weight to my words. Where there is a call to repentance, there is also the power for victory.

It is very naive to think that I can repent as soon as I want. I know such people who plan to live as they want, and then, when retirement age comes, they might decide to reconsider something in their life. It's good if it happens this way, but God sees it differently.

I also know those who fell into sin, and then rejected all calls. And now it seems they want to change something, but they can't. The heart is silent, and there is no strength for change.

When boarding an airplane, I can enter it. But if its doors have closed and it has started to take off, I can no longer change anything. Nothing!

In the message to Laodicea, the Lord calls me to repent of my lukewarm state, offering to be diligent in acquiring His goods. He doesn't just give me this gift of repentance. This is a call to eternal relationships. The problem with my lukewarm state is that there is a mixture of cold and hot, and the presence of hot convinces me that I am something and very rich. And the cold in my life doesn't bother me somehow, because grace will cover everything, and my good deeds will go to my credit.

To each of us now sounds the call: "Repent!!!" Without this, it is impossible to inherit God's Kingdom. Where there is no repentance, sin reigns.

Repent of the evil you listen to and watch, repent of what you give to others after this, repent that you don't hear God's advice and bypass His store.

I know a young woman who was made an offer to become my friend's wife. She rejected this call and tied her life to the one she wanted, and then realized that she had made a mistake and decided to return to my friend, agreeing to any conditions and offering all of herself. But the friend no longer wanted anything and no longer offered anything. He didn't mind remaining friends, but without further plans for a family. Do you want to hear the same from Christ? Do you really think that the message to Laodicea will sound forever for those who ignore it?

Repentance is God's temporary address to the sinner. God is ready at this very time to make cardinal changes in the heart and inscribe His thoughts and laws in it.

Although "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more", this does not mean that I can neglect this grace. It is given for complete victory, not for "sweeping dirt under the rug" and not for covering my vices.

My rejection of God's disposition may prompt God to allow grief or crisis in my life to save me at least through this. Or, perhaps, He will just quietly leave, never to offer me anything again.

God's Kingdom is the Kingdom of God, and He decides who to give inheritance in it and who should not be there. But with my interest and zeal, I can apply for entry into Heavenly citizenship, pass the test, receive what is promised, and live forever.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Gen. 3:9; Heb. 3:15; Mark 1:14-15; 2:17; 6:12; Acts 2:37-38; 11:18; Rev. 2:5,16; 3:3,19; Matt. 3:8; 9:13; Luke 15:7; 24:47; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:9-11; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 3:9 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. How do you understand repentance? Have you experienced this in your life?

5. Can you produce repentance in yourself?

6. What happens to a person's spiritual growth if they ignore repentance?

7. What should be done so as not to repent later?

8. Do God's commandments contain the power for repentance? If so, for whom?

9. What should a person not repent of?

10. Is there any relationship between repentance and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

11. Will God forgive those sins that a person does not repent of? If so, which ones?

12. Can repentance be general, and not for individual sins?

13. Is repentance so important? Maybe it's more important to love?

14. What happens to those who have repented and no longer wish to sin?

15. What to do if a person lives purely and righteously, and has no need for repentance? Will they be saved?

Time is the most precious resource for many of us, which we all receive equally every morning and spend equally throughout the day, only to gain it again the next morning.

We all live in the present, which immediately becomes the past, and ahead of us lies the future, beckoning us with its prospects of discoveries and changes. The enemy of the soul is busy offering us as many possible activities as he can, just to distract our attention from the main thing. And if we do come into contact with the main thing, the enemy tries to convince us that our time is too precious to spend on what gives Eternal life. But it should be the other way around.

Our age can rightly be called golden. Wealth has become so accessible and desirable that almost any of us can acquire what this world offers. The industry works to provide us with all the benefits, to provide us with them in abundance, to occupy all our time with advertisements and offers, to provide us with work, to convince us to throw away the unnecessary and old, to drive us into debt and deprive us of free time. And it turns out that I work to buy what the world offers me in order to throw it away afterwards and buy something better.

I notice that many convenient things break very quickly, and their repair costs more than buying new ones. I have to periodically update my property, working for this from morning to evening. And housing has become so expensive and inaccessible that, wanting to acquire it, one must enter into debt slavery for many decades and be afraid of losing work, otherwise you'll end up on the street. Big cities have become centers of leisure, high earnings, all kinds of abundance and promising opportunities to improve life and comfort.

I am offered warm, cozy housing with all services and communications. Means of communication and information transfer also never cease to amaze with their fantastic capabilities. I can spend a whole day on the couch, learning everything this world possesses, making great discoveries and observing what is happening on our planet. I am able to communicate with all friends and even become a famous blogger in certain circles.

All these opportunities are increasing daily, and you just need more time to have time to live for your pleasure. And my silver pays for everything.

Against the background of an abundance of worldly goods and prospects, a very strange message sounds. The King of the Universe advises to buy from Him what will bring me victory, what will bring us closer together, what will enrich me and make me decent, wise and pure. And I need to pay for all this. I stop in my "rat race", examine what is offered, marvel at the simplicity of trade relations, admire how beautiful it is, but, learning the price of the goods, I am horrified because I won't be able to survive in the world. Perhaps I pretend that I didn't hear the advice, justifying myself that I have other debt obligations to society, the employer and the bank. And life is given to me to have time to try everything and immerse myself in many pleasures and enjoyments.

But Heaven beckons me with its purity and simplicity. I weigh all the pros and cons and think: "Why isn't all this, offered by the Faithful Witness, free? Why has He suddenly valued so highly what has always been given for free?"

Air, water, sun, rain, warmth are available to me without payment. Salvation and sanctification are given to me for free. Healing and peace come naturally and for free. But here: "Buy from me..." Not just buy for a symbolic price, but give all the best that you have, and pay this price constantly while you live, otherwise the deal will not take place.

Jesus makes me understand that by acquiring heavenly goods, I must pay a high daily price for the right to possess them. I need to be in constant contact with Him so as not to lose anything. I must seek new buyers for His trading shop.

Heaven keeps strict account of all my acquisitions. It closely observes how I use the talents entrusted to me. Although I don't notice anything and have complete freedom to be the manager of God's resources, I still know that I will have to give an account for my actions.

The goods for Laodicea are very beautiful and tempting. But as soon as I think about the fact that I need to give my time to acquire them, which I could successfully spend on earning money, learning different sciences, on many useful and exciting things, I become completely uninterested in buying the offered goods. I already have a minimum of what Jesus advises to buy, and I've even been able to hold something in my hands, appreciating its quality. But, alas, it's very expensive.

In addition to giving my time, I also have to stop in my "squirrel wheel" and devote myself entirely to studying Laodicean goods in order to understand how to own and manage them. And I will also have to give up my favorite sins, which I carefully keep as protection from the humiliation and poverty of this world. And all this will have to be given up to acquire some gold? And the gold is sold to me so that I immediately spend it on my neighbors and even on enemies.

If all this were given for free, I might still think about it. Why not take it? Let it be, maybe it will come in handy? Although storing even free goods will cost me dearly. After all, I will have to take them, bring them at my own expense, occupy valuable space in my house with them, throwing out something necessary and useful, and then make sure that it doesn't go bad. And what if they don't come in handy? And I won't be able to throw them away. They will condemn and punish. After all, the Seller warns that He will punish everyone who is not zealous. No, it's better not to pay attention to the importance of this advice. Then there will be less responsibility. I'll do this. I'll write down the address of the store, memorize all the offered goods, put up signs, write notes in the margins of the Bible about what these symbols mean, and will continue to live peacefully, knowing the world and squeezing maximum enjoyment out of it. And the enemy of the soul doesn't attack, apparently afraid to touch me, because I'm God's.

Yes. Exactly! I'll come in old age, when I've already taken everything from the world and tried everything, and I'll surprise the Heavenly Merchant by the fact that, finally, I'm ready for trade relations. And He will give me the best from under the counter and will be very happy. And there will be great joy in Heaven about me, more than about 99 regular customers who don't need a special invitation. Many heavenly inhabitants will curry favor with me to become my friends, because I have finally become the owner of Heavenly goods.

From the anticipation of this future trade, it becomes so joyful in my soul. How good that I know where this oil for the lamp is sold. And I have enough means to acquire it. I am rich in Jesus, have become rich with His blessings, and have need of nothing. Much good is stored up for me for many years. I think the Lord will worthily appreciate my enterprise, because He gave me the strength to acquire wealth. How glad I am that I'm not like these regular customers, who are somewhat strange and behave somewhat unusually, not like everyone else.

Yes, I'll do that. I'll mark this matter for the future, for old age, so as not to forget. It might come in handy.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Isa. 55:1-3; Matt. 13:44-46; 25:27; Rev. 3:18; Ps. 73:24; Job 15:8; 26:3; Prov. 12:15; 23:23; Eccl. 10:18; Heb. 3:15; 4:13; Luke 12:16-23,31; 14:16-24; Matt. 25:3-5,8-10; Job 33:13; Rom. 14:12; Prov. 1:22-33 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other examples from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Who is this lesson about?

5. Why did the Lord decide to sell what is offered in the Message to Laodicea?

6. Do you understand what payment the Faithful Witness expects for His goods from Rev. 3:18?

7. Are you ready to give your time in exchange for the Heavenly gold offered by Christ?

8. Is it important to have oil in your lamp in the last time? If so, why does this oil need to be bought? Matt. 25:9.

9. Would many people respond to Christ's call to take goods for Laodicea for free? How would such trade be valued then?

10. Do you believe that what is offered in the message to Laodicea (Rev. 3:18) has anything to do with your victory in the last confrontation with the forces of evil?

11. What will happen to me if I know the meaning of all the symbols of victory, but don't buy them in time?

12. Can it be that I came for purchases, but I have nothing to pay with?

13. Will there be any justification for my ignorance in the matter of preparation for the marriage feast of the Lamb?

14. Will God do anything on His part, seeing my desire to enter into eternal trade relations with Him? Luke 15:20.

15. Is Heaven now observing how I relate to the message and advice from the Message to Laodicea?

Following Christ, each of us learns to weigh and analyze all our actions and others' offers. We tend to be distracted by all kinds of things that fill the surrounding world, but often they so take possession of people that many make them the purpose and meaning of their life.

A person who believes in Christ differs from others in that he is not of this world, and it is precisely this image of His followers that is part of God's plans. But it happens that only a few become like this, whom even their fellow believers begin to consider strange or fanatical.

For the last time, the Lord has prepared a very interesting surprise for His people. He put the most valuable things that Heaven possesses into symbols and asks to buy this from Him, paying with the most precious thing that a Christian has. The cost of the goods is very high, and no discount is possible.

I look at the goods offered to me by the Faithful Witness from Rev. 3:18, and I understand that simply giving something and becoming an eternal owner of what is offered will not work. The Lord Himself set the price and will not lower it at all, regardless of my circumstances and requests.

It's interesting to note that in my ignorance, I often pretend that I can't afford such a deal, and that to enter into trade relations, one needs to be very gifted and educated. But the Lord says that it's important to have ears to hear what the Spirit is telling me.

I understand Christ's call and in my justification declare that I have nothing to pay with, and that I am not rich enough to buy things that I am advised to acquire. But in response, I hear a very clear statement that convicts not only me of ignorance, but also all other unreasonable listeners: "You have something to pay with!"

In His wisdom, the Lord has chosen the most precious thing that every follower of Christ possesses, and desires to exchange only this for the most precious thing that Heaven possesses.

Offering all of Himself in the form of symbols, Jesus expects all of me in payment. It's difficult for me to declare that I don't have myself, and I won't be able to pay for the purchase. I exist, and I myself am proof of this. The Lord will not agree to less. This is very similar to marital relations, where the husband wants to receive the whole bride in exchange for all of himself, and he is not going to share her even with the best friends. She either belongs entirely to him, and he to her, or no relationship at all. The price is high, but it's logical.

Christ also makes me understand that my sins are very desirable in the eyes of Heaven, and a high price has already been paid for them, but the deal cannot take place if I don't pay the full price, wanting to keep even a little sin for myself. I am given all of God's agape in exchange, to occupy all the space in my heart instead of all my sins. I'm afraid to say that I have nothing to pay with in this case, because I will immediately be declared a liar. Although I don't show Jesus the contents of my wallet, He knows perfectly well all my values and can list them, stating that I don't even know how much my wealth defiles me. I have nowhere to hide from shame. I lower my eyes, understanding that the Seller is right. In this case too, I have something to pay with.

And here in my justification, I decisively declare that I have no time for this trade, and I convince myself that this is quite a weighty argument to incline Jesus to be merciful to me and lower the sky-high price, considering my circumstances. The Lord sadly makes me understand that He knows perfectly well how much time I am given every morning, and what I spend it on. Here He respects my choice and simply shows me what He is busy with, and what all His time is spent on. I look with the eyes of faith and see a very strange picture. Jesus from morning to evening thinks about me, intercedes for me, plans my salvation, comes up with new trials for me, forgives me, takes care of me, carries me in His arms, watches over me and does everything to make me feel good and joyful with Him. I fall silent because I understand that this is how it is. But in exchange for all His time, all of mine is expected. And I have it too. I can pay with it.

I stand. I think. I can't find anything in my justification. I evaluate the goods. I understand the true significance of what is offered. But for some reason my soul doesn't lie to completely immerse myself in trade. I decide on a cunning move. I'll say that I need to think before giving an answer. But I understand that this will look like a refusal. No. I'd better ignore all of Jesus' advice. There's less demand from a deaf person. Fortunately, the Lord turned out to be quite delicate and didn't focus His attention on my reaction. And I made it clear to Him that now I know the address of the store, and I will definitely come there.

And now I will prepare for this deal and will diligently study the Bible, daily lessons, learn all the right answers to all difficult questions, start doing many good deeds that will simply amaze Heaven, and prove by deeds that I am worthy. Even better - I will open a missionary society and will act not only in my country, but will cover the whole world so that the Gospel is preached to all nations. Perhaps all this will be a worthy payment for Heavenly goods. Yes, that's what we'll do. Although Christ has His own price list, I will offer an equivalent alternative, which will probably surprise all of Heaven. I see how blessing accompanies me in everything. I'm just happy that I'm not like all lazy and wicked servants.

I look at Jesus, and for some reason He became sad, although He's smiling. I don't understand why He so desires a relationship with me when I have so many good deeds for Him. I read, pray, fast, plan to do good, wear His name. Is this not enough? Why expect from me what I don't want to give? Well, I'll come, pay with what He appointed, and then what? Everything will stop, and I will feel under a curse. Why did I even enter this store? I would have lived peacefully and wouldn't have known that something was being offered to me. And here I got into trouble, and now I can't refuse. Who would help me find a solution?

Oh, I see. I'm not the only one like this. It turns out that there are those who, like me, don't dare to make such a sacrifice. Together we'll be more cheerful. We can jointly engage in common work, share experiences, discuss what we've read, pray for each other. I see that there are many like me. Will the Lord really just take us and leave us like this? He didn't come to throw us around. We have faith, and probably love is also present. We are His people, and this is already a guarantee that everything is fine with us. We need to periodically look in the mirror of the law and immediately run to Jesus if we notice any dirt on our face.

Lord, why are you sad? Is our fruit from our labors not enough for you? Is this not enough to pay for Your goods? Do we have something to pay others with?

I look at those who constantly buy something. They seem kind of greedy. They put what they bought in their vessels and buy again. I'll note for myself that they have supplies. I think that in difficult times I can ask them to share oil for the lamp. They certainly won't refuse me. Moreover, I helped many of these buyers, and they owe me. So there's no need to worry.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Eph. 5:15-18; Rev. 3:22; Prov. 13:7; 20:12; 23:23; Isa. 42:18-20; Hos. 12:8; Matt. 25:3-4,8-9; Ps. 50:21; Gen. 4:3-5; Jer. 29:11; Luke 12:16-21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Who is this lesson written about?

5. How does the message to Laodicea look in light of the last time?

6. Do you believe that the message of the Faithful Witness from Rev. 3:14-22 will produce a sifting among God's people?

7. Are you not surprised that every believing person is able to pay for the Heavenly goods advised to Laodicea?

8. Who are the ignorant in light of this chapter? Do you know such people from life?

9. Do you believe that the message to Laodicea opens some mysterious door to a personal relationship with Jesus for me? John 17:3.

10. What do you think will happen to those who buy what the Faithful Witness offers?

11. Why should trade in Laodicea be constant and Eternal? Doesn't this doom me to eternal slavery?

12. Do you think it's important to correctly understand the issues we consider in our lessons?

13. Will knowing the right answers save me? How do they differ from a personal relationship with Jesus?

14. Do you have something to pay for the offered goods? Is the price too high?

15. What will happen to those who acquire the whole world but don't buy what is offered to Laodicea?

In our usage, there is the concept of imputed and imparted righteousness. This is a very important definition of what happens in the life of every believing person when they turn from darkness to light. One concept cannot be separated from the other. They define a process in which stages are sequentially changed, and it is very important to know what happens at the very beginning of the path to God, and what the Lord does in the lives of those who have long been in faith.

This process has a name - Righteousness by Faith.

Something similar is true for love. Despite the fact that there is no such concept as imputed and imparted love in the Bible, the corresponding principles can be traced in the life of a loving person. And when I know what to expect in my time, then I can very easily navigate what is happening.

Righteousness, wisdom, and love come from one Source and are sold in one set in a place called "the Laodicean store". These properties have One author. They have a single spirit and are always present together everywhere. If something is removed from this series, then we get a counterfeit that the enemy of the soul will certainly use for his own interests.

The problem for each of us is that we do not possess any of the above on our own, and sometimes we cannot distinguish the right hand from the left. The assessment of my miserable state simply aggravates my position so much that without God's intervention, I have absolutely no chance of salvation. But most of all, at first, I am frightened by the price that the Lord expects in exchange for what is offered. I understand that no one will sell me anything until I make the first installment by my decision.

But the Lord has an interesting plan that He has already implemented at the very beginning of my conversion. He imputes to me what is not rightfully mine. In fairness, I have only one right - to die for my sins and thereby bear the curse of the law. But the Lord forgives me by His mercy and satisfies the requirements of the law, paying His death as payment for my sins and imputing His righteousness to me. And then He educates me and, as I grow, endows me with His righteousness as a consequence of our relationship and my life with Christ.

Something similar happens with those who decide to love and ask God for it. The thirsty person does not yet know how this Heavenly quality of character works from within and how it can be eternally retained in one's heart. But, wanting to have love and relate to all my people with it, I give God the authority to begin a new chronicle of our relationship with Him called "agape to my neighbor".

This property of the soul is imputed to me. I am not involved in it, but I begin to realize that I love. It is impossible to confuse this with anything. This is something new and great inside me. I try to love, and it works, I take another step and again see success. I plan to treat the enemy this way, and again victory. But with all my success, I do not have knowledge of the laws of love, but only look at how the Lord does it through me. It is difficult for me to plan various strategies, as I do not yet understand how love will behave, and what else it will conquer, and where it will not establish its banner of victory.

Jesus personally comes to my house every evening, stands and knocks, offering new knowledge about His agape, and I, letting Him into a relationship with me, begin to comprehend at the level of personal revelations the laws that drive Eternal love. And the more I comprehend this science of love, the better I understand how it works in me, and how I can give it the power to control me. I also begin to see how I can control it myself. The power of love, its endless resource and potential are revealed to me. I comprehend the boundless ocean of Heavenly origin and use all this to build up the body of Christ, remaining only some small but important member in a large church.

My receiver is tuned to God's wave, and my thoughts and feelings are imbued with love, making me a loving person.

And I no longer love blindly, but understanding what I am doing, how this mechanism of interaction between people works, what role my human will plays, and where God intervenes.

The Lord, seeing my effort and my growth in love, produces in me both the desire and the action according to His good pleasure. He no longer has to impute His love to me, He simply endows me with it, seeing my growth in such thinking. I myself understand that without Him I can do nothing, especially love. But our hearts with Jesus are already so intertwined and imbued with love for each other that I take the liberty of stating that in my love for my neighbor - I love.

We do not undertake to introduce a new concept into our lexicon, such as imputed and imparted love, but all these patterns of love are so similar to imputed and imparted righteousness that it creates the impression that the words were confused there. Such a topic is very simple for personal comparison and research, but it will be quite difficult in theological analysis, especially for those who do not have this love.

Agape love has its own stages of touching, penetrating, and developing with the human mind. This is similar to the growth of a seed, which, having fallen into good soil, must go through certain stages of development before it begins to bear fruit. But God's plans do not include a long wait for the maturation and action of His love in me, but a quick bringing of its fruit and gaining victory. Therefore, at the very beginning of my journey in knowing agape, I need unlimited Heavenly Credit, which will cover all my debts and enrich the Heavenly treasury of my experience of victory in the Lord.

And as I grow and transition from one stage of love to another, I am already so prepared by God to bear fruit that He now does not impute His strength to me in the form of an advance, but endows my fruit with Himself and joyfully harvests as the results of my victories under God's guidance.

I cannot say exactly at what moment the transition from one stage of growth to another begins to act in me, because all this happens at the very depth of God's heart and is covered by the innermost secret of our personal revelations and relationships, where it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

It is impossible to express these relationships humanly, and I do not yet know how to do it in a heavenly way.

I can acquire all Heavenly treasures only from the Faithful Witness, Who advises me to buy them. If I enter into such eternal trade relations, then all the advantages of a regular customer, which other people simply cannot have, will be revealed to me on a personal level. Having entered through this door, I may not understand all the intricacies of trade relations with Jesus, but the fact that they have begun gives me the right to special preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. And I have chances to get into the mysterious group called 144,000. If I do not understand what kind of love I have, imputed or imparted, it is not so important, but if I do not have this love, then I will see that the last time will become the last sorrow in my earthly life for me.

Oh, if we could understand what a treasure of love Jesus offers us! We would stand in a big line and get everything He advises, and become rich, enriching others.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read Eph. 5:32; John 3:12; 1 Tim. 3:16; Gen. 15:6; Phil. 2:5,12-13; 3:8-9; Rom. 5:5,17-19; 9:30-33; Mark 4:26-32; Rev. 3:18-20; 10:7; Isa. 64:6-8; James 1:5-7; 2:23; Prov. 10:12; 15:17; Song of Sol. 2:4; 8:7; Matt. 5:20; 24:12; John 13:34-35; 17:26; 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8; 1 John 4:8-16 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What important thought from this chapter resonated with you?

4. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

5. Is everything clear to you in God's actions and plans?

6. If someone only pays off my debts, will I become richer from this?

7. Did you notice that the gold from Rev. 3:18 enriches? How do you think, how and whom?

8. What happens to the heart when I ask for love and then decide to love?

9. Why does God want to enrich us and offer us this way out before we understand it ourselves?

10. Is there a similarity in the development of righteousness and love in the human heart? How do you understand this?

11. What to do if I don't understand how and what love produces in my life? Should I ask for it?

12. Do you need love? If so, for what?

13. Do you understand the importance of the message to Laodicea?

14. What part does God take in my love for a friend?

15. Do you plan to love and love always? What is needed for this?

In the recent past, I worked as a hired worker in a construction company and worked my way up to the position of site manager. I always enjoyed doing work related to erecting large buildings in open fields. Everything would have been fine if not for a small problem with my salary. It wasn't enough to cover current expenses. I had to live in constant debt, dreaming that someday this would all end, and we would "start living." My daughter knew that her dad never had money, and she was ashamed of this in front of her classmates. Sometimes I had to take out loans to pay off bank debts, and then spend several years paying back with interest what I received monthly for my work.

With such a situation, my friends for some reason perceived me as very rich, since I live and work in western Germany. But at home, I didn't even have my own personal work tools because I needed to buy something first. I would walk into a construction store like it was a museum, calling it the "Exhibition of German Economic Achievements" (VDNKH), examining and studying what I would be interested in working with if it were mine.

At some point in my life, the Lord introduced me to a real estate agent who wanted to renovate his house. I offered my services, and things started moving. Thanks to this person, my financial situation improved slightly, but the debts did not disappear.

Some time passed, and this real estate agent suggested that I open my own company, promising to provide me with work and improve my financial situation.

I was afraid to take this step and prayed a lot. The Lord answered my questions with approval and made it clear that I should go and not be afraid because He would be with me everywhere.

I took a step of faith and became a private entrepreneur. A new world of interesting opportunities opened up to me. All my small dreams of acquiring good tools were fulfilled very quickly, but I also began to lack time for personal life. The entire lifestyle changed, and everything began to revolve around the new company. Although throughout my new work I did not become rich, as there are so many more important needs around, I learned how to honestly earn good money. However, this required certain risks and investments. Knowing something does not necessarily mean living and having it.

The Lord fulfilled all my earthly dreams, which turned out to be not so cherished. But thanks to the new job, I was able to enrich my friends with what the Lord blessed me. I would ask them what they needed, and then realize their dreams to the best of my abilities. Reflecting on the past, I realized that if I had remained working where I was, I would still be fighting debts, dreaming that someday I would buy myself at least one good screwdriver. Now, many of my friends have excellent tools thanks to me, which I could not previously afford.

Becoming part of the Christian world, I did not know who I would grow up to be. My constant concern for the family's welfare limited my time, and I had to grasp many truths on the run and dream that something would change in life. I dreamed of having many spiritual friends whom we would love, but I did not have the time or knowledge to find them. All my attempts to become a friend ended at the first crossroads of opinions, after which we would politely part ways, and I would have to look for new friends, dreaming of someday meeting someone who would appreciate and unconditionally love me. Only in Jesus did I have Such a Friend who was faithful in everything and never left me. I walked through Bible verses about friendship and love like an exhibition of Christian relationship achievements from past centuries and could not imagine how to achieve this in my current situation.

But the Lord was preparing me for great changes and making me understand that there is a better life in Christ, calling me to take a step of faith and enter into a trading relationship with Him, becoming a private entrepreneur in the spiritual world. He promised to provide me with revelations about the great and inaccessible if I would cry out for them. Jesus also made me understand that He would enrich me if I dared to engage in a special kind of trade. I did not understand what this was, but I ventured such a step of faith and begged for agape love, not even understanding how my life would change and what awaited me. A new world of amazing revelations and interesting opportunities became accessible to me. My dreams of friends began to be fulfilled with amazing success, and in this friendship, I discovered new facets of love that I had not previously suspected. My entire lifestyle changed and began to revolve around this new love. I will be honest that during this time, the Lord enriched me with the promised love, and through me began to enrich all my friends. My habit of giving away everything valuable came in handy in distributing God's blessings, and I never learned to keep them secret from friends, sharing them at all times.

The Lord fulfilled all my dreams of loving friends, making me a loving friend as well. Now I no longer dream about them but love them and pray, rejoicing in their words and spirit of love, enriching them with my attitude and friendliness.

Love not only made me rich in love but also enriched through me all those who desire to be enriched by it. All my personal revelations became part of my friends' lives and continue to gift everyone who wants to obtain gold refined by fire.

My friends in love became God's blessing for me, which enriches and brings no sorrows. And for them, I became the same intermediate source of enrichment that loves at all times.

In Heaven, they decided to keep the doors of the love bank open for those who responded to the Faithful Witness's advice and became regular customers. Air, water, love — all of this fills the infinite Universe and becomes my Eternal possession, never ceasing in my life. I breathe, drink, get enriched by the gifts of God's grace, and buy them without gold and silver.

It is hard for me to imagine how I used to live without this trade, constantly in debt, dreaming only of somehow breaking even and not living on credit. But the Lord not only covered all my debts but also gifted me with gold tested by fire. This is truly a treasure that one is not ashamed to boast about.

By telling others about what I love, about what I understand it to be, about how much of it I have, I seem to be boasting about God and what I know and understand about Him within myself. For I understand that the Lord is performing judgment, mercy, and righteousness over me. In love for neighbors and friends, I become rich with special revelations about how this love loves at all times, how beautifully it is to possess it, what happiness it is to love.

What does a loving person lose? They lose the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It seemed that life without these qualities was impossible, but love fills the soul's needs so completely that you cannot imagine why you would need anything else when you can simply love.

And the commandment to love one another no longer seems to me to be from the realm of early Christian history. We love each other, and this gladdens the heart every day. And in this, there is something special, important, and truly valuable that can only be bought with Eternal Love.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read 1 Sam. 2:7; 2 Cor. 6:10; 9:8; Is. 13:12; Ps. 44:14; Rev. 3:17-18; John 13:34-35; Luke 12:16-21, 31-32; Prov. 10:4,22; 17:17; 18:24; Luke 16:9; John 15:12-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-8; Jer. 9:23-24; 33:2-3 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What important thought did you note for yourself in this chapter?

4. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

5. Did you understand what wealth is being discussed in this chapter?

6. Do you think the verse from Prov. 10:22 was written about you? Are you this blessing?

7. What wealth does gold refined by fire enrich me with?

8. What does it mean to "be rich toward God"? Luke 12:21.

9. Why does the Laodicean not know that he is poor, considering himself rich and prosperous?

10. Do you want to be rich in love? What do you need to do for this?

11. Have you experienced the state of soul where gold from the Faithful Witness made you truly rich?

12. What does Heavenly wealth do to the one who begins to acquire and possess it?

13. Does Jesus give us an example of how a person rich in love and God's blessings lives? Can we learn something from His life?

14. What do you think, will the 144 thousand be rich buyers?

15. Do our lessons help you become rich?

Immersing myself in the message to Laodicea from Revelation 3:14-22, I gradually comprehend its depth and importance. When a new facet of this message opens up to me, I experience joy and a desire to share all my newly acquired knowledge about the Book of Revelation. I have long understood that in this address to the people of the last time, every word is important. And the meaning of any statements is vitally necessary to understand.

Every reader needs to realize who Jesus is, who I am, what state I am in, where the way out of this state is, what the proposed goods mean, how long they are to be purchased, why the Lord is coming to me personally, who the victor is, and much more.

I discovered that the message to Laodicea is a small door to very great blessings, and accepting or rejecting this message will play a key role in my further spiritual growth.

The Faithful Witness in His counsel offers me relationships that will not only bring us closer but also change my perception of the people the Lord will send into my life.

When things are offered that can beautify my life, I decide how necessary they are to me, and then, weighing all the pros and cons, I acquire them or forget about them. But things do not change my character. They only help to improve my lifestyle.

In the country where I live, winter and summer sales are held every six months, during which many goods are marked down and sold at very large discounts. This mainly applies to clothing. Understanding that I don't need much, I decided not to pay attention to such events but to buy only what is truly necessary. But such sales promotions form a certain attitude toward things in my mind, and somewhere at a subconscious level, I come to the conclusion that it's better to wait for a discount and then buy several times more for the same money.

And when I hear that the Faithful Witness offers me something to purchase from Him, my consciousness immediately reacts habitually. And I think, "Let it sit, and when there's a discount, then I'll, well, buy something if I consider it necessary."

I'm not even interested in what exactly I'm advised to buy or what these goods mean. But I'm being offered relationships—not something superficial, but the most important, the best, and the eternal.

What do you think about when advised to buy gold, white clothing, and eye salve? If you don't know the spiritual meaning of these symbols, you associate them with something earthly that you can do without. After all, humans lived without this before. But what about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit? I think here anyone would pause to consider that such things cannot be rejected, as this would have sad consequences. Such an offer includes relationships that cannot be lost under any circumstances.

But what if relationships already exist? I'm growing, eating, reading, doing something, knowing the truth, and it sets me free. Isn't this enough, and do I need to acquire something special?

Let me give an example. Being a single person, I'm friends with many single sisters from the church whom I simply love like a brother. But then someone appears in my life whom I can no longer simply love but begin to experience special feelings for and pay special attention to. And there comes a moment when I make her a proposal that does not sound like a command, like a precept or a law. In such cases, respecting the freedom of another person plays an important role. I understand that my words might be misunderstood. Therefore, I decide to gift a symbol without any words: a small box with a gold ring. What is this? A beautiful decoration or a call to very close relationships? I think any woman raised in the Western world will understand the meaning of what is being offered. All that remains is to give consent or refusal.

Consent does not mean an immediate wedding but begins a special trade in relationships where we start discussing many things and depths we had not touched on before. We understand that now we conditionally belong to each other, and interesting discoveries and events await us. But even the conditionally future does not prevent us from immersing ourselves in each other and discussing those details of future relationships that we previously avoided. I open up as much as interest is shown to me. Amazing changes in relationships await us, and our future marriage will not be the end of our friendship but the beginning of new discoveries we did not even suspect.

Refusal of my proposal tells me that no close relationships with me are possible, and I should not even think in that direction. In essence, I offered nothing, just decided to gift a ring. But this symbol meant very much to me. I invested all of myself in it, my entire life, all my property, my interests and attachments, which I would be happy to share or could give up for a short "yes".

Jesus advises me to buy from Him what has great value in His eyes. In the proposed symbols, He Himself is invested, all of Heaven, all Heavenly perspectives. I am even afraid to diminish with my words the meaning expressed by the goods for Laodicea. But I know for sure that these are clearly not soulless things that will gather dust on a shelf in my house after purchase. And if we connect this message with the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-12, it becomes clear that we are talking about the same oil, which symbolizes something that cannot be shared with others.

Can you transfer your relationships with Jesus to others? Will someone else's vessel contain all the depths of my sleepless nights, my joys, tears, and experiences? All this belongs only to me and my Heavenly Friend. Delving into the meaning of Laodicean symbols, I understand that I am being offered Jesus' hand and heart, and reading that the Lord will soon come for His bride, I understand that I can and should be that bride. But in the wedding proposal, there is no place for violence, intimidation, or pressure. And the proposal itself sounds like advice, a wise counsel calling to Eternal trade and equivalent exchange.

Selling Christ Himself implies payment, which is all of me. I don't think any groom would want only half of his bride, with the other half being used by friends or the world. He needs her entirely and forever.

If you imagine something different in the symbols of the Heavenly store, do not hurry to leave. The Lord does not drive anyone away from Himself. And the buyer is given the right to sit on Jesus' throne as a victorious warrior, so it is worth thinking about what victory is being discussed.

Relationships can be different, but they either exist or they do not. My short consent to further trade leads me to the next steps and consequences of my choice. By deciding to heed Jesus' counsel, I gain the right to special relationships with Him. He will reveal everything to me, show me, teach me, and hide nothing that I will need to receive and make my own.

My refusal leaves me in that miserable lukewarm state that will never change, although the forms of my service to God may have development dynamics and diversity.

The Lord does not just wish to sell me something, but He dreams of knowing me.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read John 3:16; 8:32; Isaiah 43:4; 54:5; 55:1-3; 61:10; 62:5; Proverbs 23:23; 1 John 4:16; Ephesians 3:14-19; 5:15-17,31-32; Jeremiah 3:1; 7:13 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What did you like in this chapter?

4. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

5. Do you see a call to relationships in the message to Laodicea?

6. Are the goods to Laodicea similar to ornaments for Christ's bride?

7. What would trading with Jesus be like without relationships and mutual love?

8. Do you understand what the Lord is hinting at in His counsel to buy Heavenly goods from Him?

9. Do you think if I decide to love Jesus and do everything He advises me, will He respond in kind?

10. Can I count on close relationships with God if I bypass His invitation to mutual trade and find other, better paths?

11. Will Jesus sell me something that is uninteresting and unnecessary to me?

12. Why does the Lord not name the price for His goods?

13. Do the lessons of this book reveal the depth of the message to Laodicea? If yes, what have you learned during this time of study? Has something new and important been revealed to you?

14. What do you think, will Jesus want to part with those who enter into Eternal trade with Him?

15. Have you already bought something from the Faithful Witness? Do you want to continue trading?

My name is Lesya, short for Iglesia. I will tell you the story of my romantic love with a Friend named Emmi, from the word Emmanuel.

At the very beginning of our acquaintance, our relationship was quite unusual. My dear Friend would constantly come to me during the cool of the day and tell me how beautiful the world He had given me was. How pleasant it is to remember that time when happiness, joy, and love reigned everywhere!

But one day, someone appeared in my life who began to tell something strange about Emmi and brought much sorrow and experiences into my life. I saw myself naked and wanted to run away and hide from shame, but my dear Friend came out to search for me, asking, "Where are you?" I had to appear before Him as I was. Emmi clothed me in leather garments and gave me some instructions for the future, making it clear that He would pay my debts to the law.

Time passed, I grew and gained experience. The world around me did not become better, and soon came a moment when my Almighty Friend decided to destroy everything with the waters of the flood, leaving only me. It was very scary, but I went through this trial.

Time went on. Emmi called me again, and I believed Him, and it was counted to me as righteousness. He produced a great people from me, to whom He gave His laws and commandments. I appeared before the world in all Heavenly beauty, protected from all sides. I was entrusted to keep this law and reveal Emmi's mercy and justice to the world. But around me were many beautiful guys who attracted me, and I so wanted to have them all as my husbands, which caused Emmi's indignation, and He constantly pulled me out of others' beds.

Soon I fell so deeply into idolatry that my Friend had to send me to be re-educated into slavery, from which He then brought me out, renewing His mercies to me. I learned to worship only Him, rejecting other gods, but even in this faithfulness, I fell into another extreme and isolated myself from the whole world, making myself special and inaccessible.

But a miracle happened! Emmi became one of us, being born into this world. Through His life, He opened to us the mystery of Eternal love, showing the true Heavenly character and the Highest's attitude toward people.

Gathering me into a small group of 12 people, Emmi revealed to me the secrets of His soul and showed the true example of agape, giving me the commandment to love one another.

And then tragedy struck. My dear Friend was killed, and in this death, He established me as His representative in the fallen world, giving me special authority and power to save deceived souls. All the forces of hell and death crashed down on me, but my dear Friend led me through all trials and strengthened my forces, assuring me that soon everything would end, and He would come for me.

Time passed, and I began to fade under the burden of human precepts and traditions and almost merged with the world. But Emmi raised reformers in me, through whom He poured bright light into the darkness of the Middle Ages, continuing to lead me to the intended goal through grief, death, and suffering.

The time came to fulfill the longest prophecy about the beginning of judgment. And during this time, Emmi again gave abundant light through me and renewed the prophetic gift in me, establishing me as the bearer of His truth. I was very small and weak, but Emmi was my strength and held me by my right hand. He gave me various reforms and detailed instructions about what would happen, what to expect, and what to prepare for. And I must transmit all this light to the world. Emmi established His Eternal law in me forever, revealing to the world all the beauty and immutability of His commandments, teaching me to live by them and writing them in my heart with His own hand.

I entered the final period of my stay in this world called Laodicea.

My dear Friend personally addressed me, declaring my miserable state, presenting all my nakedness and worthlessness in its true form. I had to agree with this. But in doing so, He made me a special offer of His hand and heart, advising me to enter into close relationships with Him. Assuring me of His love, He again called me to zealously investigate His counsel and repent of my true condition. He made me understand that He desires to have me as His bride and wants to know me better before the wedding. He was already tired of running after me, pulling me out of another mess, and therefore proposed that I acquire all the treasures of Heaven so that I could be enriched, beautiful clothing so that I could be dressed, and eye salve so that I could see what others cannot see.

I appreciate such attention, but at the same time, the payment for all this is very high, as I would have to leave this beautiful world forever and spend the best time with Him. And Emmi has come and stands at my door, wanting to know me better before the wedding.

A struggle is going on within me. One part of me says that I should get to know each other better by entering into trading relationships, while another part calls me to prepare for the wedding, referring to past experiences, and not waste time on trading but do deeds and save the world.

Emmi offers me a white wedding dress acquired in our personal relationships, but I think my deeds and successful projects will be enough for Him to get to know me better and dress me in a dress of exactly this style.

I ask Him to name me the exact wedding date so that I can come to it and get married. But He somehow says that He does not know me and where I am from. It seems that my deeds do not interest Him at all, but I myself do. He wants to become so close in spiritual communion with every member of my body that I feel somewhat uncomfortable. I have firmly decided that I will come to the wedding and allow Him to marry me, but now let Him not distract me from the important matters that I cannot abandon even for His sake. After all, I am doing them for Him. Let this be a surprise and my deserved righteousness.

When I remember from how many garbage dumps Emmi pulled me out, how many years He has been running after me, how He healed and bandaged my wounds, I somehow do not believe that He will reject me if I do not enter into trading relationships with Him. After all, I am a pure virgin with a lamp. And what He calls me lukewarm is not entirely a fair assessment. I have many hot things that I am simply proud of.

He wants to see love in me? Who can be surprised by love these days? One must show deeds and results, and I have many of them, and He knows this. Think for yourself, will a hungry person be satisfied with my love? No, he needs soup, and I provide that. Moreover, I read a lot and pray, and Emmi knows this too and always answers my prayers.

I do not refuse to be a bride. I'll come to the wedding, get married, and afterward, we can get to know each other from morning to evening. But right now, there is no time. And if some of my members think differently, that is their right; I respect their freedom. Let them go and trade. I'll see what comes of it. I think the main thing now is not entering into trade with Emmi, but faithfulness in observing the law.

What do you think, my dear members? Where are you going, and what will you bring to the marriage feast? There is very little time left; we must manage to do everything and announce to the whole world that it will come to an end, and salvation is only in Emmi.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Isaiah 54:10-15; Genesis 1:27; 3:6-9; 6:5,8,18; 15:6; 17:4-7; Exodus 19:3-6; 32:7-8; Judges 21:25; Jeremiah 2:11-13; 3:1,13; Isaiah 24:5; Ezekiel 16:34-37; 37:26-28; Daniel 8:14; Matthew 1:21-23; 16:18; John 3:16; Ephesians 3:8-12; 5:29-32; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; Revelation 3:14-22; 19:7-9; 21:9 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter? Who is it about?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Who is the constant initiator of creating the Heavenly family?

5. Why did God's people always fall into some extremes or sins?

6. How does God relate to His fallen children?

7. Do you think the address to Laodicea is Christ's last offer of close relationships? If not, what other offers are there in the Bible?

8. Can Christ's bride come to the appointed wedding and become His wife, bypassing the counsel to Laodicea?

9. Who will the body of Christ's bride consist of? How do you understand this?

10. Why does the Lord now want to have close relationships with His bride?

11. Why does Christ's bride constantly run away from her Groom?

12. Did you notice that God always seeks His Church and, finding it, raises it up?

13. What will happen to those who do not follow the counsel from Revelation 3:18? Will they have chances to buy elsewhere?

14. Did this parable help you see your problems in the light of the Bible?

15. Does Jesus provide any way out for His lukewarm bride from her lukewarm state? If yes, what should she do?

When reading the message to Laodicea, it is always important to remember that this is not human wisdom, not fantasies on spiritual topics, but the word of God Himself. Jesus very clearly explained who He is in this message. He addresses me personally quite uncompromisingly. His rebuke sounds very clear and unambiguous. The words He pronounces are quite distinct and understandable to anyone who begins to read and listen to them. Whatever I might find to justify myself, the Word of God convicts me. Behind each word of this message lies a depth of revelation for those who decide to immerse themselves in this message and comprehend the meaning and spirit of what is written.

Whether I want it or not, God's Word will fulfill everything for which it was spoken. Accepting and obeying this Word will be the determining factor that will play a crucial role in my salvation at the very end of history.

Answering the disciples' question about the destruction of Jerusalem, His Coming, and the end of the age, Jesus combined these events in a short narrative, after which He told the parable of the ten virgins, making it clear that at the end of earth's history, it would be necessary to have oil in one's vessels. And it would be sold in a special place. Even then, Christ's followers wondered what this oil was and where that shop was located where it could be bought.

Time passed, and the apostle John received revelations on the island of Patmos, recording them for us. The Lord Himself personally spoke about what was soon to happen.

In the message to Laodicea, the world was presented with that very trading shop where one could acquire everything that would lead God's people out of their lukewarm state and make them victorious.

Many prophecies in this book have already been fulfilled, while others await their time to precisely accomplish what they were given for.

Very little time remains. God's Word accomplishes everything for which it was spoken.

It has always been important to understand and distinguish God's utterances from human speculations. And when it comes to the nuances of my salvation, it is necessary to consider all the details of God's Words, because in them lies a power that no one can resist and which will fulfill everything said precisely.

The Lord declared that He will give the overcomer a seat on His throne. This means that it will be so, and the key to this victory lies in the message to Laodicea itself. Follow all of God's counsels precisely, and you will receive everything to which they will lead you.

We know that a time of trouble awaits us, which is rapidly approaching. What will we enter this period with? The Lord counsels buying victory goods from Him. Interestingly, His Word assures me that by accepting this message and following what is said, I will receive a reward. Accordingly, if I do not understand God's message or neglect this counsel, it will be very difficult to count on randomly winning somehow, using other Biblical narratives.

Let's take the example of warfare. There was a time when cutting and piercing weapons were used for a very long time, constantly modified, and everything depended on the warrior's skill in using them. Then came a time when firearms appeared, and all swords and spears became history, although they did not cease to be weapons.

Now wars are of an entirely different type. Soldiers often do not see the enemy but service high-precision missile systems controlled via satellites and drones.

What weapon awaits us in the future? Whatever it may be, military strategists will always change their plans. And deploying an army armed to the teeth with swords and spears would be very foolish, although once it struck fear and terror into the enemy.

If the Lord Himself offers me His strategy for waging war and achieving final victory, it is worth considering whether to delve into this Laodicean Plan.

Yes, it will take time. It is necessary to examine God's message, decipher all symbols, understand the meaning of each word, accept God's counsel with all my heart, and do everything that the Lord will reveal, following the instructions given to me.

God's Word will precisely fulfill everything for which it was spoken. The enemy of the soul knows this and will not be able to resist it. All of Satan's host is powerless before God's Word and takes it into account. There are spiritual laws clearly outlined in the Bible that operate, fulfilling what is said and protecting the obedient. But God's plans include not only my protection from the enemy's arrows but also my complete victory over all the host of evil spirits in the heavenly places. And this is possible only for God's Word, which will be written in the victor's heart.

Revelation 3:18 is that very heart of the victor which the Lord desires to endow me and you with, friend. It is the heart of God Himself, which He seeks to sell me in exchange for my heart. What will I do with this Word? What interest will I show in His message?

Jesus assured us that not all virgins in Matthew 25:1-12 acted wisely. Somehow among them were those who paid no attention to God's counsel for preparing and filling their vessels. But at a time determined by God, the culmination of events arrived. The Word fulfilled everything for which it was sent, and all doors were shut.

It is terribly frightening to find oneself outside of salvation while being a believer. It is hard to imagine a worse scenario. God's Word will fulfill everything precisely, both in good purpose and in bad.

If I plan my own victory strategy without basing it on the Word of the Faithful Witness, I will likely resemble a naked warrior who went into battle against an enemy army with clenched fists and furrowed brows, hurling threats after flying airplanes.

If there were no word "overcomer" in the message to Laodicea, then the ignorant could have attributed it to those good counsels that would serve the benefit of spiritual development and gradual exit from the lukewarm state, which they are now doing. But considering that this is the last message for the last time, after which the final denouement comes, it deserves special attention to study every Word of God and ensure that I follow all proposed instructions precisely and respond to all knocks and the voice I hear.

Trusting God's Word, I have a decent arsenal of various Divine promises for successful warfare and victory. God has provided for all unforeseen situations in His Word that might arise during combat, and it is His Word that guarantees victory at any given moment of the battle.

No wise thoughts or sayings of human reason will give you success on the battlefield because for the enemy of the soul, these are not the weapons of a victor, and Satan desires to clothe us in nothing in order to then mock us and create an illusion of our resistance.

The enemy fears my awareness and reliance on God's Word more than anything. Here he will unquestionably lose, so his strategy consists of occupying my mind with anything except studying Scripture and examining God's promises for the last time. And the enemy succeeds in this.

Bloggers' opinions or thousands of likes will not help me stand in battle with the enemy. Only God's Word and faith in the fulfillment of what is written guarantee my victory in the final war.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Genesis 1:3,6-7,9,11,14-15,24; Isaiah 55:10-11; Hebrews 4:12; 11:3; Revelation 19:11-15; Matthew 4:4; Luke 8:21; 11:28; 1 John 2:5,14; Ephesians 6:17; John 1:1-2; 15:7; Psalm 32:6; 118:89; 2 Peter 3:5-7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Do you believe that God's Word fulfills everything for which it was spoken? Explain your answer.

5. How does God's Word differ from human words?

6. Can my words possess special power? Isaiah 44:26.

7. What is the power of God's Word?

8. Does the enemy of the soul submit to God's Word?

9. Do you understand who spoke the message to Laodicea and what purpose it pursues?

10. Do you agree that Revelation 3:18 is the heart of God? If yes, how do you understand this?

11. If I do not understand the full depth and meaning of the Message to Laodicea on the first try, is it worth studying further?

12. What benefit is there for a person who knows much but does not respond to the Faithful Witness's counsel?

13. Can one become a victor without purchasing goods from the Faithful Witness?

14. Will those virgins be able to enter the marriage feast who did not have oil in their reserves?

15. What have you decided to do with the message to Laodicea? Is it God's call to something useful and important for you personally?

Sifting is typically a process related to food products. Through this process, useful products are separated from foreign particles, excess debris, and dirt. Such sorting is necessary to prevent mixing of pure and impure, edible and useless. And when sifting occurs, the true quality or spoilage of the product is revealed.

Something similar is produced by the Lord among His people, periodically allowing various trials or proposing certain reforms.

The very first sieve through which all people believing in Jesus pass is God's law, presented to the world in the form of the Ten Commandments. Regardless of what anyone might say or think, this Decalogue is the Word of God, which God spoke before a multitude of witnesses, and then He Himself, with His own finger, wrote on stone tablets on both sides.

A person's obedience to all these commandments determines their holiness and righteousness, which is not from the law, but by faith in Jesus. The closer we get to the end, the more likely it is that sifting will occur more frequently and thoroughly.

Knowing the truth liberates my mind from various delusions and makes me free in Jesus. I receive a new heart, which under the influence of the Holy Spirit is capable of distinguishing truth from error, lies from pure doctrine.

Various reforms that the Lord periodically conducts among His people reveal the rebellious spirit and ignorance to which the carnal heart is prone. For example, a health reform does not carry a message of justification but improves the quality of life for God's obedient children. Similarly, a dress reform does not save me from the second death but reveals God's view of my appearance and discovers the seeds of rebellion abundantly scattered in my heart. Such reforms will never become a criterion for accepting new members into God's church, but they relate to the holiness of principles without which informed God's children risk remaining in darkness and not receiving new light. The Lord also allows some false teachings to shake the faith of superficial listeners and separate them from His people. All those who have not been established in truth will be sifted by various winds of lies and will exclude themselves from among those faithful to God's Word. A good defense in this matter is understanding all the doctrines of God's church, which reveal various fermentations and help see the delusions of false teachings.

Moreover, the message to Laodicea will cause the most powerful sifting. This will be a global crisis of relationships between God and His people. We have already come to this understanding, thoroughly examining the message from Revelation 3:14-22 in previous lessons. But let's listen to the opinion of God's messenger on this matter, recorded in the past century: "I asked about the meaning of the sifting I saw, and it was shown to me that this action would be caused by a credible testimony, inspired by the counsel that the Faithful and True Witness gave to the Laodicean church. It will touch the hearts of those who accept it and encourage them to raise the banner of truth high and proclaim it firmly. Not everyone will announce this credible testimony. Some will rise against it, and this will precisely be the cause of sifting among God's people. I saw that the testimony of the true Witness is not given even half the significance it deserves. The sacred testimony on which the fate of the Church depends is not valued as it should be and is sometimes even completely neglected. This testimony should cause deep repentance; all who truly accept it will submit to it and be purified." – (Early Writings. Chapter 64. "Sifting". P. 270)

Through God's messenger, the Holy Spirit has long been warning His people that accepting or rejecting the message to Laodicea will cause a sifting that no one will escape.

The message itself calls me to close relationships with Christ. And studying this counsel, I see that the Lord quite clearly offers me all of Himself, desiring to have all of me. He thirsts to build eternal relationships with me, which in the message are called trade. It is like a marriage contract that will someday take place and never be destroyed.

How should Jesus relate to those who carelessly waste their time on empty things, ignoring the most important counsel that will change everything in life?

Gold refined by fire, white clothing, and eye salve — these are the true riches of Heaven, so simply offered to me, with which I will become a victor in the final battle.

Simply knowing the correct answer about the meaning of these symbols is not enough. It is necessary to give God the power to endow me with these qualities and teach me how to use them. But what will the Lord teach those who show ignorance, carelessness, or have no time, being occupied with various services?

The message to Laodicea is God's Word, which was spoken for our time, and ignoring it will deprive me of protection during the final crisis. I will understand that there is no oil in my lamp, which is now being offered to me in such abundance.

If one carefully reads the entire chapter on "Sifting," it further states that the Latter Rain will be poured out on those who have filled their lamps, and they will be entrusted with proclaiming the loud cry of the third angel. I did not venture to make such bold statements, although I understood that the message to Laodicea is very important, and we have talked about it a lot.

Jesus desires to personally get to know His bride, to reveal Himself to her, which is why He Himself has come and stands at the door, wanting close relationships.

The message to Laodicea is the full initiative of God to save me from temptations, lead me out of the lukewarm state, endow me with His character qualities, His love, righteousness, and wisdom, and allow me to know Him from the inside. His initiative is also to know me in the full depth of relationships, reveal the future and give hope, make me a victor, and create an Eternal family with me. And what is He to do with those who have no interest in His counsels? How else can He persuade His beloved children?

God speaks once and quietly waits for those who will respond, urging me and you, friends, to speak about this more often and more convincingly.

In this message, we are offered everything most valuable that Heaven has, in order to receive in full everything that I have in return. If I tell my bride that I will give her all of myself if she gives me all of herself, would this trade look strange? And half a bride does not suit me, nor would she need only part of me, but the entire me.

What do I give Jesus in return for His offer of hand and heart? A little interest as a favor and my formal participation in our relationship? Is this what the Lord expects from me?

And sifting is approaching, and no one will escape it. And this sieve will consist of fire, and nothing superficial will withstand such a test.

On which side of the Laodicean sieve would you like to be before this shop closes?

And the Lord offers to enter into trading relationships with Him and then develop them eternally. What could be more beautiful? To receive refreshment from the Lord's presence, it is necessary to walk the path that the Lord has determined, not I.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 13:24-30; Revelation 14:14-16; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Revelation 3:14-22; Amos 3:7; Revelation 10:7; 22:6; Psalm 19:5-9; Luke 22:31-32; Isaiah 1:9; 10:17-24; 28:24-29; 46:3-4; Galatians 6:7; Zephaniah 3:12-13 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Do you believe that God will sift His people?

5. Should we engage in sifting and separate wheat from tares?

6. Why do you think the message to Laodicea will cause a global sifting?

7. Do you understand what the Faithful and True Witness is saying, addressing you personally?

8. What does this message have to do with me personally?

9. Is it important to know and understand all the symbols of the message to Laodicea, and who and what stands behind them?

10. Is it worth buying everything Jesus counsels? Would this be a wise decision?

11. If I do not understand the meaning of the message to Laodicea, will this be my justification?

12. If some of my brethren explore the Faithful Witness's message and share their discoveries, can I use these studies and accept them for myself? Or do I need to seek and find the meaning of all symbols myself?

13. Do you understand how important the message to Laodicea is, and what this all means for us?

14. Is it important to understand that I accept all of Jesus' counsels and implement them in my life? How can this be determined?

15. Is the example of the groom and bride clear to you? Do you have your own interpretation of the message to Laodicea?

If I decide to obtain higher education in Germany, it won't be enough to simply choose an educational institution and enroll. There are specific rules regulating the admission process.

I have two secondary vocational educations, but this is not enough to enter any university. I would need to additionally complete a couple of gymnasium or technical school classes, and only then would my documents be considered.

If I decide to become a pastor or preacher in this country, despite my church membership tenure, I would not be appointed to this service or entrusted with a pulpit. Only those who have graduated from a German seminary, having studied or retrained there for at least two years, receive this right.

I understand that such measures are necessary to preserve the church's doctrine in purity. And it is quite difficult to circumvent these rules. But education does not guarantee a minister's dedication. And if someone sees this only as a good job, I feel sorry for them.

The Lord sent a special message to His end-time church, which can be found in Revelation 3:14-22. The message to Laodicea is quite consistent, and it cannot be accepted from the middle or the end. Each subsequent verse flows from the previous one. I cannot receive the blessing of verse 21 if I have not received the blessing of verse 18. No one will come to my door and knock and call if I have skipped all the previous counsels and rebukes.

In the message to Laodicea, a detailed plan for the victor is laid out. My friends and I have been studying this message thoroughly for over 7 years and understand that its depth has not yet been fully revealed to us. We have realized that this message consistently describes a program for preparing a special group of people who, by all their character qualities, are suitable for the mysterious number 144,000.

Although the Agape Love School lessons have already sufficiently revealed the meaning of all the symbols in this message, this is still not enough to be a victor. Fire awaits us ahead, through which we still have to pass. We are partially already experiencing various trials that prepare us for the main exam. And such a time will come someday.

My heart burns with a desire to share the importance of the meaning of this message, and I have to constantly repeat the same things to many people to somehow interest them in the matter of preparation.

Previously, I waited for the Latter Rain to be poured out, which would somehow miraculously prepare me for sealing. And the only thing I wanted was to receive baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is a very important event, but God has a preparation plan for it that I cannot bypass or jump over.

If a groom offers his bride an engagement and to spend some time in close relationships before the wedding to get to know each other better, and the bride simply ignores him, deciding to meet only at the wedding itself, what should the groom do? Most likely, he will lose interest in the one who is not interested in him.

If I do not understand the importance of the victor's plan, the Lord will do everything possible to present and explain it to me. But if I am not interested in what He advises me to do and accept, this very much reminds me of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Studying the message to Laodicea, one involuntarily comes to the conclusion that this message must cause sifting among God's people. I do not want to engage in this and divide the church into the chosen and the lost. But the Bible teaches that this will happen regardless of me. God and His Spirit cannot be eternally disregarded.

Looking at what is happening in the world, I understand that God is also doing something and expecting something from His people, offering us a way out of the lukewarm state. Many Biblical truths are good in themselves, but now it is important to understand the truth for the present time, about what I need to do at this time. I want to understand the difference between the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-12.

I am interested in everything that will help me better understand God's plan for me at this time because I do not want to lose salvation through my ignorance. And the Lord reveals to those who seek and pray everything they need to know.

In the book "Early Writings" by Ellen White, there is a chapter "Sifting" that I strongly recommend everyone read. 170 years ago, the Lord predicted through this messenger what we should pay attention to and what will cause sifting. I will quote from this chapter:

"I asked about the meaning of the sifting I saw, and it was shown to me that this action would be caused by a credible testimony, inspired by the counsel that the Faithful and True Witness gave to the Laodicean church. It will touch the hearts of those who accept it and encourage them to raise the banner of truth high and proclaim it firmly. Not all will proclaim this credible testimony. Some will rise against it, and this will precisely be the cause of sifting among God's people.

I saw that the testimony of the true Witness is not given even half the significance it deserves. The sacred testimony on which the fate of the Church depends is not valued as it should be and is sometimes even completely neglected. This testimony should cause deep repentance; all who truly accept it will submit to it and be purified." – {EW 270.3}

Previously, I read this book many times and did not see what I shared here. But studying the message to Laodicea, I came to the same conclusion independently, and then read about it.

And I have questions for you, friend: "Do you understand the importance of the Message to Laodicea for you? Do you believe that this message is addressed to you? Do you have a desire to study, understand, and accept everything that the Faithful and True Witness offers?" Answer these for yourself and follow your answer.

Even now, reading this message cursorily, although I understand the meaning of what is written, it is still covered with a mystery that I am trying to comprehend. And this is after seven years of study and reflection! What will those who open it for the first time understand? But there is good news: Seek and you will find, ask and it will be given to you. God is more interested in our salvation than we are and is the first to seek out each one. He will not leave anyone who chooses Him and tries with all their might to understand what is hidden in mystery.

The message to Laodicea contains a message about accepting God's agape love as gold refined by fire. And keeping the commandment to love one another is also God's plan for the last time. We have such simple words from the Heavenly merchant, and what deep meaning they are full of!

Agape love is not some product being imposed on me, but an Eternal blessing, a happy spirit, joy at all times, friendliness, and constant delight from God's presence in my heart. It means many friends whom you love. It means happiness from morning to evening. It means endless gratitude to God that He is now yours forever and for what He gives you eternally.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Ephesians 5:15-18; Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 25:1-12; Luke 11:9-10; Daniel 12:10; Isaiah 60:1-3; Romans 12:1-3; Philippians 1:6; Amos 3:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Do you understand the importance of the message to Laodicea, and what is it about?

5. If God offers me personal relationships, is it worth accepting and understanding what is expected of me and how to develop them?

6. Do you have friends with whom you could begin studying the message to Laodicea?

7. What do you think will happen to those who never pay attention to the message of the Faithful Witness?

8. If the message to Laodicea is not clear to me, is it worth studying? If yes, then for what purpose?

9. What victors are being discussed in this message? What or whom should they defeat?

10. Why is this message unpopular even among God's people?

11. What does Jesus offer us in this message?

12. What blessings will those receive who follow Jesus' counsel and buy what the Lord offers?

13. Why does the Lord sell and not give away His goods?

14. When will the sifting of God's people begin?

15. How can I love this message if I have no interest in it and do not understand it?

To understand what "the main thing" is, about which we are calling to remember, it is necessary first to identify it from the general mass, compare it with other important things, and follow what this "main thing" calls for. Let's not invent something new, but take the ready-made God's message that we have been studying for so long, and make it conditionally "the main thing".

The message to Laodicea is proclaimed by Jesus Himself, who introduces Himself in it as "the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). This message is of a reproachful nature, exposing my spiritual ignorance and carelessness, but at the same time provides a way out through the goods Jesus offers. The Lord calls the person who accepts this message and follows it a victor and gives him a seat next to Himself on His throne.

This message reads very easily. A quick reading took me 35 seconds, but if done calmly and thoughtfully, it will take a couple of minutes. However, reading does not reveal the meaning of what is read at first glance, so many are satisfied with having familiarized themselves with the message and seek other activities. How long does the phrase "Will you marry me?" sound? 3 seconds. But how much meaning and perspective does it contain? Infinitely much.

Showing a way out, the Lord advises me to buy gold, white clothing, and eye salve from Him. What does this mean? The love of God the Father, the grace and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Essentially, in the symbols of these goods, I am offered entry into close communion with the Deity, as a result of which He prepares me for final victory by His rules.

In verse 18, the Lord offers His heart and relationships with Him, which He then recommends maintaining and developing. To understand how important the message to Laodicea is, it is necessary to delve into every word of this message and see its spiritual connection with our time. Simple understanding of the message is not enough. It is necessary, having realized everything, to follow what is written. In this message, God gives all of Himself, understanding that nothing else will help to exit the lukewarm state. Everything else simply pales in comparison to what the Faithful Witness advises buying from Him.

Why, if this message is so important that those who accept it are promised a place on Jesus' throne, do few study it, and no one speaks about it as they should? Why is it so neglected, and why are people who try to carry this message unpopular or nonexistent? Is this how one treats the main thing?

Let's consider other concepts of "the main thing". Many will say that the main thing is to believe in Jesus and keep His commandments. Yes, this is indeed main, and it is present in the message to Laodicea, but alongside other necessary goods. Moreover, the Lord offers to buy gold refined by fire, which symbolizes faith and love. By this, Jesus indicates that keeping the commandment of love for one another in the right spirit and power is a mandatory consequence of the transaction being made.

Someone decided that the main thing is to accept the message of righteousness by faith, because without this, a person risks losing Heaven. In the message to Laodicea, this message is in its place and sounds like "buy white clothing".

Let's decide that the main thing is to know and observe all doctrines and laws. They are also part of the Faithful Witness's message, for love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10).

And someone will decide that the main thing is accepting the health reform, as it is the right hand of the three angels' message. And this truth is also contained in the message to Laodicea. For He who gave the world His commandments also gave health laws. And He does not plan to leave those who decide to enter into Eternal trading relationships with Him in ignorance about this.

All that you say here is empty! The main thing is deeds! Deeds must be performed, friends, not discussed! Prove your faith by your deeds, and this will be the most important of the important. But the Faithful Witness says: "I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot; oh, if you were cold or hot!" (Revelation 3:15). So what deed can I surprise and please Jesus?

The main thing is to form a character worthy of Heaven. This is exactly what Jesus advises to buy from Him under the symbol of eye salve.

A very interesting picture emerges. All my great and main things are already within the message to Laodicea. And whatever I decide to especially mark as the most important, it is already included in the message, unless it is a product of my sin-sick mind.

God made the message to Laodicea comprehensive and universal. It includes the perfect fullness of everything.

But then an informed person comes on the scene and firmly declares that the main thing is accepting the three angels' message, and rejecting even one of these three messages is fraught with receiving the mark of the beast. I agree. So it will be.

But let's look at who will carry these messages, especially the third message? Will God entrust His message to those who have neglected Him, ignoring the message to Laodicea? Will the Lord endow with His Spirit those who had no interest in God's counsel or did nothing to exit the lukewarm state? I recall some people who actively worked in spreading materials with the Three Angels' Message but had a rather fanatical spirit and considered themselves right and faithful. I could never understand how such people plan to enter Eternity, having so much spiritual pride and vanity? But in the light of Laodicea, all these questions found answers.

The third angel's message will be proclaimed by victors, and they will do it very quickly and effectively, using the simplest means and having the most correct spirit.

God has made everything in His Word perfect, timely, and open to those who wish to know, accept, and live according to the received light. Passing by a clear Divine counsel and making something else main is an attempt to achieve salvation by one's own deeds. But since God's counsel implies freedom of choice with all its inherent privileges and limitations, few rush to listen.

I do not know when the door of grace will close. And if I manage to die before that time, my rejection or acceptance of the message to Laodicea will not play a key role in my justification if I was faithful in other matters. But when this mysterious door begins to close, and I hear the "midnight cry" about the Bridegroom's approach, then the presence of oil in my vessel will play the main role. Will I have time to buy it before the store closes? Will it be enough for me to endure the time of trouble? Will I not find myself naked at the final weighing? Will Jesus still want to sell me something?

It is better to understand now what is main and follow this course than to later find oneself among the foolish virgins who seemed so wise during preparation.

Entering into trade with Jesus, I can have various types of service alongside these relationships and not abandon them. But if I make service the main thing, ignoring the main thing, I risk losing everything. And I so want to be a victor, for it is written: "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Revelation 21:7).

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Proverbs 4:7; Hebrews 8:1-2; Revelation 3:14-22; Ephesians 5:14-18; Matthew 22:2-14; 25:1-13; Jeremiah 7:25-27; Hosea 4:6-8 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Was the message to Laodicea clear to you when you first read it?

5. How can you determine that the message to Laodicea is the most important message?

6. Is it bad that the narrative from Revelation 3:14-22 is not understood at first reading?

7. Is it worth accepting the importance of this message by faith and beginning to study it independently? Or is it better to wait for someone who has already studied it and will come to me personally to explain?

8. Do you know that we have been studying the message to Laodicea in our School for more than two years and have already discovered much for ourselves?

9. Will the Lord reveal the true meaning and depth of His message to those who will try to delve into it and understand its essence?

10. Why did the Lord place His most important message so modestly and inconspicuously, and even clothe it in symbols?

11. Are you pleased that we constantly return to this message and find new revelations in it?

12. Will this message be relevant if the church does not pay it due attention?

13. Do you understand what is being offered to us in the Faithful Witness's counsel?

14. What will happen to those who never follow the Faithful Witness's counsel?

15. What do you think, will Jesus fulfill His warning in the lives of those who remain lukewarm?

Studying the Laodicean Message, I have a special desire to share the discoveries of this Epistle with other people. Describing everything we comprehend in the process of study, we involuntarily immerse ourselves in the depth of God's revelations and marvel at the simplicity and harmony of Biblical symbols.

But I encountered that even those who consistently study the Message to Laodicea from Revelation 3:14-22 cannot briefly explain it to others and find it difficult to concisely express the essence of this Message. And when messengers are asked questions they struggle to answer, they suggest that the questioners independently find analyses of this Message and understand it themselves, referring to the fact that it is already deeply presented in the Agape Love School lessons.

The School's purpose is to motivate each of your minds to independent research of all the revelations God gives us and to understand them within ourselves.

The message to Laodicea is very frightening in its meaning and contains an ambiguous hint at the rather sad state of God's people in the last time, as well as God's attitude toward such a situation. But the beauty of this Epistle is that we are offered the most amazing way out of the lukewarm state, which makes us victors in the final confrontation with the forces of darkness.

At the very beginning of this Epistle, in verse 14, the Lord reveals His new Names, which carry a message of His greatness, omniscience, and might. The entire Universe trembles before the Creator, except for those who are called by His name and called from darkness to light. The condition of the Laodicean church is so depressing that Jesus has not a single word of praise for it, only deep regret and a warning that the punishment will be terrible.

Being a lukewarm Christian from verses 15-17 is exactly the state of God's people that each of us can observe with our own eyes. There's no need to invent anything; it's enough to look in a mirror or enter any gathering to see what the Faithful and True Witness sees. Not I, but the Lord gives such an assessment, and He is not mistaken. If the point had been put at these verses, no worse state could have been imagined.

The reality is that God's people listen to God's assessment, agree with it, and continue to do the service they have always done.

I recall an incident when I was on duty in the battery. I had poorly organized snow removal from the parade ground where the unit assembly took place. The duty officer personally came to me to call me a bad organizer who would be punished. I was so frightened that I ran and single-handedly cleared all the snow in one hour, thereby avoiding inevitable punishment.

When God makes a statement about my true condition, I think He would be pleased to see my genuine fear and sincere desire and some efforts to correct the situation.

But the Lord knows whom He is dealing with and immediately after the accusation offers a way out of the lukewarm and hopeless state. But this way out sounds very interesting and unusual.

I think that if that officer had advised me to take a wide shovel and a sled for snow removal, he would not have had to repeat it twice. But somehow I found everything myself and self-organized.

In verse 18, the Lord gives a very wise counsel, offering me to buy something hidden in symbols and not immediately understandable, but sounding very beautiful and solemn.

Questions arise: Why buy? What to pay with? How much does it cost? How long should I buy? What do these goods mean?

Knowing the correct answer to these questions is good, but entering into trading relationships with the Lord is what will suit Him most.

In the symbol of gold, an endless ocean of God's agape love and faith that shakes God's throne is offered to us. These soul qualities can become mine when I invest all of myself, wanting to receive all of God.

White clothing is the impeccable character of Christ, becoming mine by right of lawful purchase and by the fact of my unwillingness to be naked. I acquire this by paying all my sins and natural flaws of the carnal nature.

Eye salve is all Heavenly wisdom necessary for me to see everything and act in a way pleasing to the Holy Spirit. In payment for all these goods, I invest all my time.

Essentially, in these symbols, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are offered to me, and with Them, all of Heaven. No one has ever received such an offer. And the entire fear of this message is that if the listener does not hear this counsel, and having heard, does not buy what they are advised to buy, they will be lost forever. What the Faithful Witness offers has the highest cost. The highest payment is expected for it.

What to do with this counsel is for me to decide. And in verse 19, the Lord calls to be diligent in this purchase and repent of the lukewarm state, never to return to it. He loves faithful buyers and lovingly punishes them for forgetfulness or inattention.

Essentially, I am offered in the symbol of this trade with Christ to enter into a marriage relationship with Him, but before the festive celebration, it is necessary to know the One with whom I plan to live for all Eternity, and He very much wants to know me better, whom He plans to love infinitely and with whom He desires the most solid connections. Verse 20 reveals God's desire for personal relationships with me in my best time, so that in this mutual knowledge He might teach me to properly use and live with what I am buying.

The love and devotion of the Faithful Witness to me are so great that He decides to make precisely these relationships with Him the pledge of my victory over all sins, temptations, and enticements of this world. He declares me a victor over all evil forces, although I have only chosen Him, communicated with Him, and devoted all my time to this, even while doing ordinary things. I simply took the Lord into each of my enterprises and was always ready to invest all of myself and everything He expects. And He gives me all of Himself without reserve.

I used to think that to win, I needed to know all the plans and tricks of the enemy, study behind-the-scenes games and be aware of all world news, but it turned out that personal knowledge of God the Father and Jesus sent by Him made me a true victor. And this message sounds in the epistle to the Angel of the Laodicean Church.

Never before has the Lord offered His throne as He desires to share it with the listening Laodicean. Verse 21.

The Son of the Morning decided to sit on this throne but was cast down from Heaven. We desire nothing, and it is offered to us for constancy in trade and faithfulness in relationships.

When a groom presents an engagement ring to his chosen one, in this symbol he gives all of himself and everything he has. What will the bride answer? She decides herself, voluntarily.

This message will sift God's people and will be the filter that will not let through any impurity, ignorance, or other spirit. Not our plans are described and glorified in this message, but God's. Verse 22 tells that many of the lukewarm will forever remain deaf to this message, while those who have an ear will hear God's counsel and respond.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read John 17:3; Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 22:2-14; 25:1-12; Ephesians 5:15-18; Hosea 4:6; Daniel 12:10; Psalm 72:22; Proverbs 12:1; 14:18,24 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Are you studying the Message to Laodicea?

5. What is the importance of the message to Laodicea?

6. Can you briefly and in your own words describe the essence and meaning of the message to Laodicea?

7. Why did the Lord clothe such a serious warning in incomprehensible symbols?

8. Does this message sound in your life?

9. Do you understand what the Faithful Witness is offering you?

10. What will happen to those who never hear this message, reading it with their eyes?

11. Does God have a softer message for our time?

12. Do you think the Lord has something better than what He offers to buy from Him?

13. Are you ready to pay for what the True Witness advises?

14. Will the Heavenly Guest knock on the doors of those who do not make the proposed purchases?

15. What should I do if I understand the meaning of the message but do not know what to do or how to implement it in my life?

Knowing the Message to Laodicea and understanding its symbols is very important and useful because without it, I will not have an idea of what God wants to say, what His plan is for me, and what I need to do. But knowledge itself does not make me a participant in God's plan. I simply study everything that is written, and what was previously encrypted becomes clear to me. And then what? What should I do with the light that has been revealed to me?

Once at a gathering, I decided to visually convey the essence of this Message to the people assembled in the hall. I took out a banknote, showed it to the believers, and said that I had decided to give it to someone who needs these money. Everyone watched with interest as events would unfold, but no one approached me for the money. I asked those present if they believed that I would give these money to those who need them. Everyone began waiting for a brave lucky person. I asked again if they believed that I would give the prepared money to someone in need. Everyone nodded in unison and said they believed. And I again and again assured the hall that I had brought this banknote for them and would give it to someone who very much needs it. Everyone smiled at me, wanting to understand what would happen next. And I began a promotional campaign, explaining to those gathered what they could do with this money, how it would support their family budget, and that I would gladly give them what I had decided to give. It was no longer mine, but I did not yet know whose it was. And everyone looked and waited for something. I asked, "Maybe this is not enough?" No one answered me. Then I began to beg those present to take these money, assuring them that I would gladly give them away.

A man stood up from the back row and walked to the pulpit. His gait became more confident, and his face expressed determination to take what was offered. He approached me and extended his hand. The entire hall froze in anticipation, and when I gave the promised to the believing brother, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and almost began to applaud. A joyful buzz rose, and the entire gathering began to discuss what had happened. I again took out another banknote and offered to give it to someone in need. Silence reigned again. And again, I had to beg someone to take what I planned to give. Fortunately, the next person was found much faster.

The Lord offers Himself in full completeness and desires to become part of my life. He advises me to buy Him from Himself, which will make me truly rich, cover my nakedness, and open my eyes. Understanding the meaning of the symbols, I begin to reflect on what acquiring them will give me. I look around and do not see a rush around this Message. I calm down a bit. I see that what is offered is very valuable and of excellent quality. Understanding that faith and love are being sold to me, I try to imagine what will change in my life if I buy them. I dare to extend my hand and immediately receive what is offered. Wow! I bought gold! It is now mine! From now on, I am truly rich! I have become the owner of a Heavenly treasure and a believing person in the eyes of Heaven. I again extend my hands and again receive. Then I decide to keep my hands extended and not lower them. My vessel has been filled to overflowing, and the gold has begun to overflow the edges, returning to where it was poured into my life. I do not understand what to do with it further.

I hear a knock at the door of my heart and a tender voice calling me and Himself by name. I open it. The Seller stands there, smiling, and says, "Today I must stay at your house." I look and can hardly believe my eyes, invite the Guest inside. And He takes out the brought dinner and begins to treat me, and during the meal tells me that the Heavenly treasure will become truly valuable when I begin to enrich my neighbors with it, acquiring goods not only for myself but for them as well. Love cannot be given to me for myself. It is created to love, to serve and care, to devote oneself entirely to God's work.

Everything began to fall into place in my head. Previously incomprehensible parables and Bible verses began to come alive in my consciousness and form one holistic picture. Personal communication with the Seller opened my eyes to what I could not understand before and inspired me to continue trading.

I again, but already more confidently, acquired the offered gold and decided to immediately share it with friends, which very much surprised and pleased them. And in this transmission of Heavenly blessings to my loved ones, I saw how this experience enriches my soul with an imperishable treasure of another person's joy.

My brethren carefully observed me, what I was doing, how my trading was happening, and how good it had become for me. Some praised me for my faith and regretted that they could not join me for personal reasons, while others gave a like. And I told everyone about the wonderful goods the Message to Laodicea offers me and how they enrich my life with new experiences and endless blessings. I was listened to with interest and they nodded. Some dared to listen to the Seller Himself and looked at His goods in a trance, doing nothing.

I did not tire of sharing my experiences in buying the Heavenly and increasingly confidently talked about the importance of this trade. Among those listening to me were people who dared to try to enter into trading relationships with the Lord, and their lives, like mine, were transformed. We had something to talk about with each other, discussing the quality and value of the acquired goods and how we could serve our neighbors with them, dedicating ourselves completely to this work.

And in the best evening time, when all everyday affairs were resolved, I would meet with the Heavenly Merchant, who would come to me with unchanging constancy to spend time with me and gift me new revelations for the next victories. Sometimes in our conversations, only I would speak, telling the Merchant about my problems, plans, and tasks, or simply thanking Jesus for everything. And He always patiently listened to me and opened my mind for a clearer understanding of the next step.

The greatest blessing for me became keeping the commandment of love for one another. When such a friend was found, and not in the singular, then everything in my life turned upside down. There is nothing more beautiful than loving one another according to the commandment and acquiring new friends for another manifestation of mutual love. It is such true happiness in which you simply cannot abide without the goods of the Laodicean store. No fake gold will be accepted in this love and will not be able to glue us together in unanimous relationships. In love for one another, it is very easy for us to part with sins and reveal our transgressions in true light. We become not judges, but friends. We invite Jesus into our relationships, and He abundantly blesses us with even greater love. There becomes so much of it that we no longer have earthly time to devote more to our friendship. And we begin to encroach upon Eternity, planning to continue everything there and implement all our grand plans in deeper knowledge of each other and our dear Savior.

The message to Laodicea is terrible for those who do not hear it, but very beautiful for those who live in it.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read John 17:3,26; Isaiah 55:8-9; Revelation 3:14-22; Hosea 4:6; Proverbs 23:26; John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; John 3:16-21; 15:12,17 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Do you see beauty in the Laodicean message?

5. Do you believe in the importance of accepting this Message in our days?

6. If I do not consider the Message to Laodicea important, will God take into account such an attitude and send me another message?

7. Will the Message to Laodicea be terrible for those who have accepted it and live in it?

8. Does your heart fill with happiness from what you read in the message to Laodicea?

9. Is everything clear to you in this Message?

10. Do you believe that the Message to Laodicea contains some special depth that we have not yet reached?

11. If I do not understand something in this Message, should I reject it as unnecessary?

12. Will God entrust His final mission to people who have not accepted the counsel of the Faithful Witness?

13. Should we judge those who do not study the Message to Laodicea or do not live in its light?

14. Do you understand the importance of living in God's love for one another in light of recent events?

15. Are you overflowing with joy from constant purchases in the Laodicean store?

The message to the angel of the Laodicean church is the last in a series of God's revelations for specific historical periods. And this Message contains the most terrible warning from Christ, which has power and will ultimately bring to fulfillment this sad verdict announced by the Faithful and True Witness.

God does not cast His words to the wind but long-suffers with His people, giving each of us time to prepare. This message is spoken so that it is directed personally to me and touches my heart, but at the same time, the Lord desires to personally awaken the heart of each of His sons and daughters to a deeper investigation of internal processes. The Lord seeks to bring us all to unity of faith, to transform our character into the likeness of Christ, to teach us to love one another, and plans to make us wise in His eyes, so that in this state He may reveal to us the blessings of His personal presence among us and prepare us to proclaim the loud cry of the third angel.

The message to Laodicea, described in Revelation 3:14-22, is very short and can be read in one minute by superficially familiarizing oneself with its contents. But this message is deep. To understand and accept its essence and make it all one's own, not just one month will pass, but many years of revival and character transformation will go by, so that the soul may be cleansed from all idols and sinful thoughts that my carnal nature so cherishes.

God tests me and shows my heart the true motives that influence decision-making and hinder the Holy Spirit from forming my character in the likeness of Christ's character.

God's Salvation Plan includes preparing a special group of people through whom He will complete the history of this world and proclaim the most terrible warning through the third angel. Without accepting revelations from the Message to Laodicea, such revival will be impossible. God will not send "lukewarm Christians" to carry the most formidable message to the world, as this message will testify against them. But a passionate heart will be prepared by God for any events and will fulfill any God's commission, regardless of how complex it may seem.

Understanding and accepting the symbols of the Faithful Witness's Message requires a lot of time, and this is part of God's plan to sift out everything superficial and proud, leaving only those who will not be discouraged by God's delay and procrastination but will persistently work, acquiring everything offered by the Lord and growing from glory to glory.

God will honor with His presence all people who will not drop their hands and will be faithful in buying Heavenly gold, white clothing, and eye salve.

If we knew exactly that we had little time left, for example, a year, and then everything would end with the Second Coming, I think our preparation would be more effective, the Message to Laodicea would have a more powerful effect, and the presence of the Holy Spirit would be more visible and tangible. All this will happen at the very end, and the last will become first, as written, but it is precisely today that God calls you, friend, to step on this path and step by step implement God's plan of transforming your character. It is in such a consistent approach to this task that genuine motives are revealed, true values and goals are determined, and the mind is prepared for sealing and establishing in truth.

During natural cataclysms and adverse weather conditions, it is very difficult to engage in construction. It is precisely during such a period that the most rigorous test of everything that was built occurs. The storm of final events approaches, and it is inevitable. We will all have to enter it, but we do not know when, so we tend to be distracted from the main goal and settle down in this world, considering Babylon our permanent residence.

The purpose of the Message to Laodicea is God's desire to attach us all to Himself through constant acquisition of what He advises us to buy from Him. He seeks to preserve us in these relationships until our very last breath on this earth or until the closing of the time of grace for this world.

If I believe that by buying goods from the Faithful Witness, I will have time to prepare for the final events and will definitely enter them fully armed by God, then I may risk cooling down and becoming discouraged because these events may not occur during my lifetime, and my preparation will be a futile waste of time and effort. There is nothing worse than stopping in one's race just before the finish line and crying about being deceived with a promise of victory that never came.

I become a victor at the moment when I agree to accept God's offer to exit my miserable lukewarm state. Even if I have not yet managed to change anything in my life but have stepped onto the path of eternal trading relationships with Christ, His grace will be sufficient to cover all my shortcomings and gradually free me from them. If, however, I am focused on receiving the expected reward and persistently move toward this goal, believing that God will intervene and achieve the final victory any moment now, and the desired does not come, then I become increasingly tired of this struggle and eventually completely weaken and become discouraged with everything I strived for. I stop. In this case, my past experience of training and victories will be insufficient to reach the goal and receive the promised.

In accepting the Message to Laodicea, it is very important to understand that God invites me into relationships that should never be interrupted. Although they are characterized as trading, they are much deeper than they seem to a new listener. The purpose of the message is to attach me to Jesus forever and preserve my soul in this union, guiding me through such relationships throughout my entire life.

God has established times and terms for certain events, and in their time they will come and be fulfilled. If I am ready, my readiness will be relevant both today and at any other time. Nothing will catch me by surprise, although it may surprise me with its speed and transience. If I am a "wicked and lazy servant," I will always find thousands of excuses for my ignorance and various occupations in the world and even in God's work, except for what the Faithful Witness offers.

Approaching the acceptance of light for the Laodicean period, one should tune in to a lifelong study of this very message. It will not become clear immediately. Its entire depth will not open up at once, but everything offered in it will make my life better, of higher quality, more blessed, and more interesting than before.

Relationships with God bring much light, love, joy, and happiness into my life. And this is so overwhelming that I want everyone to quickly acquire it and become the happiest in God's family.

God desires that His faithful buyers learn to trade in heavenly gold among themselves, enriching each other with mutual love, and in such spending of time prepare for the coming events, having the right spirit and constant experience of development in love, friendliness, and happiness, and readiness to fulfill any God's mission.

Supplement to Reflection on this Lesson. Testimonies for the Church. Volume 1:

It was shown to me that the testimony to the Laodiceans relates to God's children living at the present time, but it has not fulfilled its important purpose due to the hardening of their hearts. However, God gave this message time to eventually accomplish its work. The heart must be cleansed from sins that have long obscured Jesus. This terrible message will ultimately fulfill its work. When it was first presented, people began to carefully examine their hearts, confess sins, and God's people everywhere were deeply moved. Almost everyone believed that this message would end with the loud cry of the third angel. But as the brothers and sisters did not see impressive events in the following years, the message did not have the proper impact on many. I saw that it could not fulfill its purpose in just a few short months. The message was given to do the following: awaken God's people, reveal their apostasy, and bring them to zealous repentance, so that Jesus might then honor them with His presence and prepare them for the loud cry of the third angel. When this message reached hearts, it led them to deep humility before God. Angels were sent in all directions to prepare unbelieving hearts to accept the truth. God's work began to rise, and His people recognized their condition. If the counsel of the Faithful Witness had been fully accepted, God would have worked more purposefully for His people. Nevertheless, the Lord blessed the efforts made after the proclamation of the message, and many souls were brought out of darkness and error and now rejoice in the truth. – {1T 186.1}

God will test His children. Jesus long-suffers with them and does not instantly cast them out of His mouth. The angel said: "God weighs His people." If this message had acted for a short time, as some of us supposed, God's children would not have had even an hour to perfect their character. Many people began to do something not from principle and not by faith, but out of fear, because this solemn, terrible message seriously troubled them. It affected their feelings and aroused fear in them but did not accomplish the work intended for it by God. God reads hearts. So that His children would not deceive themselves, He gives them time for the general excitement to pass and then tests them to see if they will obey the counsel of the Faithful Witness.

God leads His people step by step. He places them in different situations to reveal what lies in the people's hearts. Some people endure one test but fall at the next. With each subsequent step, the Lord sends increasingly serious checks and tests of the heart. When God's children see that their hearts resist such a direct call, this should convince them that they still need to get rid of something if they do not want to be cast out of the Lord's mouth. The angel said: "God will act more and more decisively to test and examine each person in His people." Some people endure one test, but when God brings them to the next, they become frightened and withdraw because they do not want to give up some cherished idol. At this stage, they are given the opportunity to see what particular idol is driving Jesus out of their hearts. Something is more important to such people than the truth, and their hearts are not ready to accept Jesus. – {1T 186-187}

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Revelation 3:14-22; 1 John 3:23; Isaiah 28:10; 30:18; Luke 18:7-8; 2 Peter 3:9-10; Hebrews 10:35-39; Proverbs 1:29-33; Ephesians 5:15-18 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. How long do you plan to study the Message to Laodicea?

5. Does the Faithful Witness offer anything short-term and temporary in the Message to Laodicea?

6. How does the Message to Laodicea sound to a superficial reader and to someone who follows Jesus' counsels?

7. What prevents a person from tuning into constant relationships with God?

8. Have you already tasted the beauty and power of the Laodicean Message?

9. Why does the Lord not reveal the essence of the Message to Laodicea all at once?

10. How much time is needed for character transformation?

11. Are you discouraged by the fact that the Lord does not manifest obvious supernatural miracles in the lives of those who enter into trading relationships with Him?

12. Do you like the Message to Laodicea?

13. What is this Message about?

14. How important is this Message to you?

15. What should you do if you hear this Message for the first time?

In the Bible, there is a story about Moses, about how the Lord chose him for a special mission for His people. Moses was called by God and chosen to fulfill the task assigned to him. Through this man, God gave the world His beautiful law, rules for a happy and righteous life, and those wise decrees that resolved many everyday and social issues in the best possible way. But Moses was not destined to enter the promised Canaan due to sin, and this mission was entrusted to Joshua, who embodied all of God's plans in the history of his people.

Have you ever wondered why Joshua, son of Nun, was specifically chosen by God? This was not a coincidence, and in this selection, there is a very important lesson for every Laodicean about the basis on which their election might occur. In Israel at the time of the exodus from Egypt, there were many faithful and sincere men who honored the invisible God and showed obedience, believing every word of His messenger. But the young Joshua showed a special interest in service and was always where God's work was being done.

Joshua's name is first mentioned when God sent warriors to destroy the Amalekites (Exodus 17:9-13). Joshua and his warriors accomplished this task with the support of Moses praying on the mountain.

When Moses was called to ascend the mountain, Joshua went with him and remained close to the place where the Lord spoke with Moses (Exodus 24:12-13). And when lawlessness occurred in the camp, Joshua did not understand what strange noise was heard in the valley (Exodus 32:17). When the issue with the apostates was resolved and the guilty were punished, we read in Exodus 33:11: "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent."

Joshua was not just one of the people but was the one who desired to be where God was doing His work and revealing His glory. He saw Moses as God's anointed and tried to support him in everything.

When the people approached the Promised Land, and representatives from each tribe were called to scout their future possessions, Joshua, son of Nun, was among the scouts. Traveling 40 days through his future homeland, Joshua imagined with childlike faith how he and his people would soon possess the riches of this land according to God's promise. He and Caleb were so confident in God's power that they did not waver in their hope when other scouts discouraged the entire people and plunged the camp into despair (Numbers 14:6-9).

The people's unbelief caused God's disapproval, and Heaven passed a sentence of long wandering in the desert.

For the sins of the unbelievers, God's chosen servants also suffered, and they had nothing left but to be together with everyone for the next 40 years and wander through desert places, waiting for this period to end.

When Moses began to ask God whom to choose as leaders, the Lord named Joshua and blessed him through Moses' ordination (Numbers 27:15-23).

When Moses was commanded to ascend the mountain and die, Joshua became his successor. We read in Deuteronomy 34:9: "Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses."

This story teaches us that in God's work, there are no random people who suddenly become holy and famous. God calls everyone and offers Himself to all, especially those who bear His name. But it turns out that many are called, but few are chosen.

The interest that few show in God's work and everything related to it is taken into account by Heaven, and these people are marked and receive special blessings. They may not be recognized by society, they may be considered strange or fanatical, but they pay no attention to others' opinions and are genuinely and sincerely interested in everything that comes from God, always present where God's work is being done.

In His parable about the called and chosen, the Lord Jesus very clearly showed how Heaven sees both groups.

In addressing His people of the Laodicean period, the Faithful Witness calls all to repentance but promises His throne only to the chosen, whom He calls victors. It is worth noting the Lord's statement at the very end of Revelation 21:7: "Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."

The message to Laodicea is unique in that, although it contains few words, it has much meaning that is gradually and consistently revealed to people who thirst, seek, and accept God's counsels.

It is impossible to become the owner of everything offered in one visit. The Heavenly Merchant desires to see in us constant buyers who know what is being offered and value what they purchase.

My interest in God's counsels and offers assigns me a special status, and my constancy in relationships with Christ gives Him the right to deeper relationship development and to choose me for places where those who think they can casually be saved or receive something by God's mercy in exchange for their ignorance cannot enter.

It is necessary to understand the important truth that if God has a special plan for the end of time, it is better to build and live according to this plan rather than seek other paths or invent something similar to the truth for the present time.

God very clearly and precisely makes us understand through the Spirit of Prophecy that the acceptance or rejection of the Faithful Witness's message will cause sifting among God's people and prepare faithful people for the solemn proclamation of the Third Angel's Message from Revelation 14:9-12.

Joshua tasted how good the Lord is and decided to deepen this knowledge as much as he would be allowed. The entire people witnessed the miracles and signs of deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The pillar of cloud and fire was also visible to all, but only Joshua thirsted for something more and was chosen by God for a special mission, which he successfully accomplished.

What prevented other Israelites from showing similar interest in holy things and reverently observing God's actions? Something similar might happen in our days when the Lord decides to honor with His Spirit those who thirst and pour His streams on the dried up.

It is not our place to know the times and seasons that the Father has placed in His power, but we can have a living interest in what is revealed to us and receive direct Divine blessings from it.

The time we spend in relationships and communion with Jesus, or at the Sanctuary of the Heavenly Sanctuary, will never be considered wasted, even though some earthly matters may arise. Understanding and accepting what is promised to the faithful, I see everything earthly through Heaven's eyes.

God will certainly honor those who honor Him. Not one who thirsts for the Holy Spirit will be left without reward. Not one constant buyer from the Faithful Witness will be forgotten or lost. Though such chosen people may be few, they are all marked by God to receive the promised.

We read in 2 Chronicles 20:20: "... Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be established; have faith in his prophets and you will succeed."

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read the references provided in the lesson and also Matthew 22:2-14; 24:22-24; 25:10; Luke 14:23-24; 18:7-8; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 8:28-34; Mark 13:26-27; Isaiah 65:9; Psalm 104:43; 105:4-5; Revelation 17:14 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Who are the called in our time?

5. Who are the chosen? What is the difference between the called and the chosen?

6. Why did Jesus teach that many are called, but few are chosen?

7. Was the example of Joshua's election a lesson for you? (Numbers 11:28)

8. In our time, how can one follow Joshua's example?

9. Can the Lord Himself choose people upon whom He desires to place a special mission? (Acts 9:15-16)

10. Are those chosen by God always immediately ready to fulfill their mission?

11. Can I choose myself for salvation? If yes, what is needed for this?

12. Will the chosen enter the number of 144,000?

13. Did Joshua know about his future election when he accompanied Moses in all his works?

14. Should I, while performing my service, think about whether I will be a person chosen by God or not?

15. Does Heaven pay attention to those who have a genuine interest in God's work?

The fifth book of Moses contains an interesting verse. We read in Deuteronomy 30:19: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live..." In its meaning, this statement applies to each of us today and has not lost its power. By offering me a choice, the Lord also gives counsel on which choice will be pleasing to Him: "Choose life..."

Has anything changed in God's expectations since then? He not only asked me to make a choice but sent His beloved Son to die in my place, to forever establish my decision and give me, according to my faith, the right to Eternal life. But with all His desire to save me, the Lord respects my choice and waits for my decision, waits long and patiently endures my ignorance. He knows what awaits me in any case, what will happen to me if I choose Him and accept all the blessings of this choice. His Power only awaits my "yes" to take me under His protection and fill my life with God's presence.

But God has an enemy who lives inside me and constantly fights against everything that comes from above — this is my carnal nature, in which I was born and which does not want to die while I am alive. It is in a solid alliance with the enemy of my soul.

Offering me a choice of blessing, the Lord also sends me His grace so that I can gain victory over the forces of evil and over my flesh. And God's help comes immediately when I decide to live by God's rules and laws and begin to move in this direction.

I am always amazed by the freedom of choice that the Lord gives me, offering incredibly beautiful blessings with all their Eternal consequences. Knowing how happy I will be with Him, what Eternal life in His presence will give me, how many good changes will occur in my life, He still does not deny me the right to reject all these benefits and use the right to death. It sounds somewhat stupid, but unfortunately, many make exactly this choice of their path, demonstratively or intuitively ignoring God's counsel, and preferring a curse.

The path of darkness and death initially does not seem so terrible. It is quite wide and tempting. It offers a variety of sensual pleasures, exquisite entertainments, pompous performances, and amazing experiences. Laughter, bustle, excitement capture the mind and draw toward magical pleasures, deceiving consciousness with the thought that this is the true meaning of life. Although the payment for sin is death, at the moment of another sensual experience, one does not want to think about this.

Flesh constantly seeks what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit opposes the flesh and desires to have Heavenly blessings. And I am between these opponents, between the right and left ear, and must decide something and feed one of the opponents. Whoever I feed will become stronger. And I will be led by it.

The Faithful Witness reports in Revelation 3:14-22 a message in which He rebukes me and offers me to accept blessing or curse. I think it is not worth describing the state and consequences of the wrong choice. Nothing good awaits those who agree with Christ's fair assessment and do nothing to follow the subsequent counsel.

Entering into trading relationships with Jesus, I thereby show Him my desire for change and exit from the miserable state that He dislikes so much. And the Lord, seeing my effort to change something, extends His hands and accepts me into His embrace as the most precious buyer. Then He begins to give me everything that will transform my life and make me a victor.

I immerse myself in a new world of God's revelations, which are so amazing and beautiful, so simple and deep, that I marvel at why this inner beauty is not revealed to the whole world. And the Lord draws me further to Himself, into the very depth of His heart, and shows me such great and inaccessible things that I did not even know. And God is not alone in this depth of revelations. There are many of my new friends there who, like me, have entered into Eternal trade with Jesus and now have become very close to me in spirit. The Lord gives me these people and endows me with love for them, and them for me. It is so unusual for me to love someone, but I accept it and observe where it will lead. And this is only the beginning.

My new friends in faith are visible to me; I can talk to them, I can hug them, and they are not like everyone else; they are God's. I do not know how best to build relationships, but the Lord endows us with His gold, offering us to enrich each other. We try and marvel at how pleasant it is to love and receive so many unusual constant blessings!

My faith in God passes through fiery trials and encourages me to dive deeper into the depths of God's heart to acquire more beautiful treasures with which I can enrich my friends. I see the huge potential of such relationships and understand how good it will be in Eternity to share all of God's blessings and that very amazing agape love about which we have heard so much but could not imagine how it works in the heart.

My character is formed in the light of Heavenly trade into something new and beautiful. Like white clothing, it covers all my previous nakedness and makes me some special creation in God's eyes. I cannot boast about this to people. They simply do not understand what I mean. But my new friends perfectly understand the quality of white clothing and constantly tell me that it is very similar to the clothing of the Faithful Witness. And I disagree because I see that their shining white garments are more like Christ's clothing than my new clothes. But we do not argue; we accept such testimonies from each other in faith and rejoice that we are like mirrors of the soul for each other to communicate about beautiful changes in our attire. We are not ashamed of our new clothing. And we are pleased that Jesus likes it. He constantly adjusts it on us, smooths out the folds with His hands, and gives it a solemn look, sincerely admiring us, not hiding His joy. For this smile of Divine approval, one can give everything and live only by this.

Eye salve heals our eyes, destroys all stereotypes, and shows us the true beauty and depth of God's law, God's principles, and expectations. We see each other through Heaven's eyes and marvel at how good everything from God is and how it delights the heart with its healing power.

The Lord calls us to be zealous in buying His goods, and we do not intend to stop. We feel so good in this store that we see no reason to leave.

But the most interesting thing happens when the Seller Himself comes to you for dinner to treat you with another revelation about Himself, to teach you how to use what was bought correctly, to fill the heart with Himself and send you into the world with all this to save at least someone. And Jesus does not leave us in this mission but sets the direction for our feet and endows us with His Spirit of love, offering to rise higher.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read John 3:16; Genesis 27:29; Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Psalm 36:22; 108:17; 118:18; Amos 3:7; Revelation 19:7-8; Isaiah 53:11; 55:1-3 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. Will God bless those who are obedient to Him?

5. Why does the Lord offer everyone a choice of path?

6. Can love force someone to do something good?

7. Will I have a curse if I choose the path of blessing?

8. Do you understand how beautiful it is to act according to the Faithful Witness's counsel?

9. Do you know what joy in life those who buy Heavenly goods from the Message to Laodicea experience?

10. What prevents you from following Jesus' counsel from Revelation 3:18?

11. How do you understand the blessing of the Message to Laodicea?

12. Does God plan to trade only with you?

13. Do you think there will be friendly relationships between those who constantly buy something in the "Laodicean store"?

14. Where is this "store" located?

15. How can I understand that I am buying something from the Faithful Witness?

The most sad thing one can imagine is to be lost forever for Eternity, being a believing person, a member of God's people, and bearing Christ's name. It is hard to wish someone a worse fate or greater disappointment. But even more tragic will be that this group of people, left without God's protection, will become an enemy of the chosen God's people and attempt, unsuccessfully, to oppose the victorious power of love.

I really do not want to talk about this, but unfortunately, for many, this will be the bitter reality that will result from ignorance, deafness, and a proud spirit.

God does not wish for anyone to perish and does everything possible from morning to evening to illuminate each person's path. God's love continues to pour infinitely into the life of every faithful and unfaithful son and daughter. God does everything on His side to save any soul deceived by the enemy. The amount of light we have today has never been given to anyone before us.

God's grace has not been exhausted to give victory over sin to everyone who desires it.

Lawlessness has never become a norm of happy life in God's eyes. It causes unambiguous disgust and hatred in the Highest. But with all this, God's love for the sinner remains immeasurably great and constant.

As it was in the days of Noah, when all who wanted saw and heard God's prophecies about the coming Divine judgments but did nothing for their salvation, so it will be in our days. The Lord's will shall be revealed to every person. Everyone will clearly hear, in one form or another, God's call to a new life of love, happiness, and friendship. This good news will sound constantly, but people who choose not to hear it or consciously reject it will be lost forever.

The world is full of various interesting discoveries, events, things, and activities. Much of this is given to us as God's blessing for a better life. But when all this occupies my mind more than God's truth for the present time, what else can God offer me to help me somehow?

The Bible contains many examples and images of how the Lord loves and desires to save for Eternal life anyone who wants it. But it also describes the fate of those who rejected God's calls and decided to go their own way, doing what they consider right. One of the most severe punishments was the flood, which destroyed all unbelieving humanity except for eight believing souls. For 120 years, a message of warning and unambiguous assertion that the world would be destroyed by a flood sounded, but this warning was rejected by the world, and people drowned in the waters of judgment. Is God to blame that humanity did not want to be saved and did not believe in the Creator's justice? Was the punishment unexpected? Did the flood waters catch anyone by surprise?

Something similar is happening in our time. The Faithful Witness says in the message to Laodicea that He finds my lukewarm state disgusting and will spit me out of His mouth if I do not repent. And if He did not give me a way out, I would have no chance of salvation. But the Lord does not want me to perish without hope and offers me a blessing that would have been difficult for anyone to even dream about.

Imagine that I live in enormous debts counted in billions, and suddenly an idea strikes me. I find a local billionaire and ask him to cover my debts and even give me an unlimited credit limit so that I can become richer and richer. What do you think, how realistic is this? It is hard to imagine a more foolish situation. I would not even be allowed near this wealthy person's house.

But what do we see in the message to Laodicea? The Heavenly Billionaire calls me poor despite my imaginary wealth and offers me an endless and unlimited credit for my enrichment. He clothes me in the beautiful garments of His character and offers me Heavenly wisdom. By human logic, this does not fit into my consciousness. It is difficult for me to understand how Someone can desire me true happiness and give me true wealth, and do everything for this. But this is exactly how it is and cannot be otherwise. God Himself became the initiator of this blessing and put not some incomprehensible proposals into it, but Himself. And what is He to do with those who reject this offer? He has no one better than Himself, better than the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. And what is the Lord to do with people who hear but do nothing to live according to what they heard? How to deal with those who plug their ears and think this message is not for them? Judge for yourselves what the Faithful Witness should do with those who turn their back to Him and consider His counsels unserious or irrelevant in the light of our time?

Being spit out of God's mouth is the saddest event one can imagine. There is no need to frighten me with a curse. It will come by itself if I reject the blessing. There is a Light that has a Source. If I do not kindle this Divine Light in my life, darkness does not need to be invited into my home. It will come by itself, and there will be nowhere to hide from it.

What could be better than the faith and love offered by the True Witness? But for some reason, there is no queue to Him, and those He calls lukewarm do not show proper interest in God's counsels.

What prevents me from buying what is offered and rejoicing in these trading relationships? How can I justify my ignorance? But I am not that stupid. I have my experience, good deeds, consistency in reading and prayer to justify myself. I can boast of my obedience, and in the future, I plan to proclaim the third angel's message and preach the Gospel to all nations. Isn't this enough to become a victor? Won't God accept all my efforts? Doesn't all this have value in God's eyes? Are not I and all the people mistaken? If this message were so important, wouldn't everyone be talking about it at every gathering and in all speeches! Since they are silent, it means it has already found its fulfillment in the past, and it is not worth bringing it up for consideration again.

What can Christ say to such statements? With regret, He tells me that I do not even know how miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked I am.

It is hard to imagine what the curse of Laodicea will be. It is like seeing the doors of the salvation ark, which were always hospitably open, slowly closing forever at some point. Inside was life and victory, but here chaos and death have arrived. Worse cannot be imagined! And no repentance will help anymore, and no insight will save.

Lost, not because one could not be saved, but because one chose this path and rejected everything offered by God in His plan.

How long should one continue to frighten the blind with punishment for their blindness? How long can the ignorant be lured by the beautiful blessings of Laodicea? At some point, the Lord will repeat the sad phrase said about Ephraim in Hosea 4:17-18: "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! Their drink is sour; they continue in sexual immorality; their rulers dearly love shameful ways." Whether my or your name will stand in this verdict is for us to decide, and to decide now, while the Lord still calls: "Buy from Me."

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Hosea 4:6; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Deuteronomy 11:26; Psalm 108:17; Isaiah 1:3,9-20; Jeremiah 6:16; 7:13-16; 36:15; Revelation 3:14-22; John 3:16 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. What is a curse?

5. Does God curse those He does not like?

6. How can one be sure they are receiving God's blessing and not a curse?

7. What is the role of the Faithful Witness in your life? Do you understand His counsels?

8. Is it possible that while buying goods in the "Laodicean store," I will buy some things but pay no attention to others?

9. Will the Lord fulfill His curse against those who never hear His counsel?

10. Why does God not save everyone simply out of love for people?

11. Is the Message to Laodicea relevant in our time?

12. Should one observe people and judge them if they do not understand the Faithful Witness's message as you do?

13. Can one buy what Christ offers without having communion with one another? (1 John 1:7)

14. How can you help your loved ones become buyers in Laodicea?

15. If I am a constant buyer in Laodicea, does this guarantee it will continue forever? (1 Corinthians 9:27)

The Faithful Witness, offering me the blessings of Heaven and Himself, desires to make me a source of His love and a representative of the Heavenly Kingdom. Once in a conversation with a Samaritan woman, He expressed this idea thus: John 4:14, "But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Receiving to give — this is the principle of all God's blessings. Although the Message to Laodicea is addressed to each of us personally, and its purpose is to convince me and work with my soul, everything offered is given not only for my personal revival and transformation but for serving my neighbors.

To have something to give, I must first receive it. And if I need to give continually, day after day, it is important to find a source of God's blessings that will always fill me to overflowing. I can invent it myself and ask God to bless my speculations and somehow give me power from above through this. But here lies the danger that the wrong spirit might fulfill my needs.

However, I can study God's plan and understand how the Lord works and what offers He has for me, and then step onto the path of fulfilling God's will in my life.

By offering me gold refined by fire, the Faithful Witness desires to endow me with faith and love of a Heavenly standard. By purchasing these priceless blessings of Heaven, I become the owner of a great and inaccessible Divine gift of agape love, which is intended for transmission to my neighbors. Just as the sun cannot shine for itself, love is not given to me for myself. It is a verb originally designed to enrich other people. God is love, but if this love does not touch me and is not poured out into the lives of neighbors, it cannot be called love. So in my case, if I buy love but do not share it with anyone, there will be no benefit from such acquisitions.

Fortunately, we are surrounded by a huge world filled with living people to whom I can give everything the True Witness sends me. The society in which I live offers me to live according to the flesh and not think about God's plan of victory over this world. The enemy of the soul is satisfied with my use of my personal potential of faith and love, which is enough to reach the first difficulty or the first crossroads of opinions, to then find an excuse for my powerlessness and weakness, telling others that I am an ordinary sinner.

The word "Love" is used in this world even to describe what it is not. Corrupted people call various abominations by this word, trying to reduce God's design to base passions. But it is through love for the world that God desires to reveal the beauty of His character and be glorified on earth. And for this, He has chosen me and you, friend, calling us to love one another.

By our nature, we cannot have unconditional love on a permanent basis, and the Lord does not expect cacti to bear good fruit. But God has a plan that He outlined in addressing people of the Laodicean period, in which He pours out His most cherished desire about us, offering Himself in the form of symbols. God decided to call Himself Agape Love and in this love become part of a human, part of me. But for this, He needs me, needs my responsive heart, understanding by my mind, and the consent of my will. And by such barriers, the Almighty Lord has limited His presence in me. And until I show my faith and open my heart, until I begin to ask Him to live in me, He will not burst into my life and change it.

By offering me to make purchases, the Lord teaches me that all this should serve the good of my neighbors, my church, and those who, like me, have entered into trading relationships with Him.

Acquiring God's love, I cannot help but share it. Although at the beginning of this path, much does not work out for me, I often fall and make mistakes, but the Lord teaches me and guides me to all truth, sending me those through whom I will be established in love, develop in its depth, and constantly need it from above.

We who have entered Heavenly trade are called to consciously love one another and in this love give God power to act through us.

In our love for one another, we learn the rules of Eternal life, giving and developing the most tender and beautiful feelings of our soul, working out clear principles of life position, having an understanding of our constant dependence on God.

The Lord leads me to the boundless cosmic ocean of His Agape, which I must pass through myself, and by faith, I comprehend the magnitude of God's plan for God's church of the last time.

Loving each other mutually, my friend and I learn many good things in our relationships that fit into our thoughts and feelings and form our character. Knowing how love works among us, we very successfully share this knowledge with other people, becoming even more established in agape.

Whether we love each other or not can be easily determined by the presence of the Holy Spirit's fruit in our relationships. This is impossible to fake. It either exists or it does not.

The Laodicean Message calls us to become victors in faith and love, in righteousness and wisdom. And this is fulfilled only in the lives of those who say "Yes" and take a step of faith, wanting to immerse themselves in the meaning of trading relationships with Christ.

All of God's goods are united in their totality and cannot be acquired separately from each other. Obtaining love and carrying it into the world, I am also endowed with Christ's righteousness. I receive Heavenly wisdom in applying these gifts. How else could it be?

The invisible God manifests Himself in my visible love for a friend, for a neighbor, for an enemy. And this is not mine. I receive it from Christ in exchange for all of myself, my best time, and my sins.

God acts in the gift of my love for a friend and reveals to me the secret of Eternal relationships extending into Eternal life. Having such knowledge and experience, I can subject any of my thoughts to obedience to Christ.

Love, by God's design, is the weapon of the victor in the final battle between good and evil. If I do not understand the essence of the final war between Christ and Satan, I will not be able to wage battle and defeat anything. God will not give me what I do not plan to have if I do not see the meaning in acquiring what is offered. But precisely the presence of God's agape love in me and my unity with Christ will be the determining factor of my victory. The Lord invented this Himself and outlined His plan in the message to the church of the last days.

To believe God and entrust Him with one's life, accepting what He advises buying from Him, requires faith that comes from hearing, which comes from God's Word. How much longer will God speak to His people? How much longer will His people pay no attention to the most important and terrible warning? How long will we, like foolish virgins, sit and observe Christ's actions, doing anything except following His counsels?

Love wants to become known to the whole world through us. And if the world does not accept us, it will at least see that we love one another and are disciples of the One who is Love. Do you believe this?

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Galatians 5:6,22-23; Revelation 3:18; Isaiah 55:1-3; Proverbs 23:23; John 4:10-14; 13:34-35; Philippians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:22; Romans 10:17; 1 John 4:7-8,12-13 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. What is agape?

5. Do you understand what role love will play in the last time?

6. Why did God decide to endow His chosen ones with such goods with strange names?

7. What does love do to my character?

8. Will the Lord place His seal on a loving heart?

9. Are you interested in studying this small message for so long?

10. What will happen to those who reject God's plans and promote their own ideas as God's?

11. How long will the Faithful Witness's Message continue to sound?

12. What will happen to those who buy nothing according to Christ's counsel?

13. What should I do if I ask to be sold what is offered, but nothing happens in my life?

14. What does the symbol of gold refined by fire mean? Where did you get your answer?

15. Does the Lord help with understanding those who have a living interest in His message?

It is written about Jesus in Colossians 2:9: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." Those who read the Bible repeatedly read this verse and know it by heart. Let's focus on the expression "fullness of Deity" and understand what this means. The fullness of something implies complete perfection, to which nothing can be added and nothing needs to be removed.

God originally made everything perfect, and if there had been no sin, we would now be inhabiting the most perfect world and would be clothed in the fullness of Deity bodily.

Deity is the unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, in which Each fulfills His mission by agreement, remaining an independent Person possessing omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, and self-sufficiency.

One of the best explanations of such a mission we can see in 2 Corinthians 13:13: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

In the person of Jesus Christ, the entire fullness of God was embodied bodily, and He represented the perfection of the Divine Plan of Salvation, to which nothing could be added, and the Divine unity within Himself, from which nothing could be removed.

The fullness of Jesus' Deity was revealed to the world in His earthly life. His character was unblemished and pure, despite the sinful environment. His love for truth and fallen people remained unconditional, unchanged, genuine, and constant, skillfully combining mercy for the sinner and justice toward sin. The Savior's wisdom was revealed to the world in impeccable teaching, containing not a single error, including toward people who were close to Him. In Christ, the true character of God was comprehensively revealed to us and an example for imitation was given.

In the message to Laodicea, the Faithful Witness rebukes me for my lukewarm state but also offers a way out through counsel, assuring me that I will become a victor.

It is difficult for me to understand what victory the Lord has in mind, but since He calls those who heed His counsel and let Him into a relationship with themselves victors, the best thing is to accept everything He offers and expects.

In Revelation 3:18, we see a symbolic description of what will make each of us passionate and grant us complete victory. In these symbols, upon deep study, one can discern the love of God the Father, the righteousness and grace of Jesus Christ, and wisdom in communion with the Holy Spirit. In subsequent verses, there is a call to constancy and daily close communion with Christ during my best personal time.

The fullness of the message to Laodicea lies in the fact that I cannot choose just one thing from what is offered and develop to perfection in that. I need to buy everything and reach character perfection in each gift.

If I decide that love or faith will be the most important goods in our trade, but do not see the need for Christ's righteousness and baptism in the Holy Spirit, one can imagine what kind of faith and love I will achieve.

If I decide to comprehend righteousness by faith, delve into the depth of this science, but do not have love and trust in God and do not comprehend the fullness of the wisdom of the Salvation Plan in other matters, whose righteousness will I ultimately be endowed with?

If I take the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and study only this topic, without paying attention to the drawing of this Very Spirit to righteousness and love by faith in Jesus, what spirit will possess my mind and will?

We are surrounded on all sides by such one-sided teachings and movements where a part of the truth for the present time is enthusiastically offered, but the fullness of the entire message is ignored.

Unfortunately, various false teachings are trying to infiltrate our ranks, through which the enemy of the soul desires to assure us that God the Father is one and does not need a Mediator, or that Jesus is a creation, or that the Holy Spirit is a force that proceeds from God. There are also entire denominations that preach baptism in the Holy Spirit but violate God's Law given by God Himself. And all this is already breaking into our church through individual people into my consciousness under the guise of some good for all of us.

But delusion will never become truth and will never replace the fullness that the Faithful and True Witness offers.

The Lord will not allow me, by buying something from Him, to not receive everything else. He does not divide Himself into parts, as if one thing is more important than another, but entrusts Everything in one package.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit desire to dwell undividedly in me in all Their fullness, without any limitations on Their part, as it is in Christ Jesus. Although this sounds very solemn and beautiful, such fullness turns out to be very tender and respectful toward me. Deity considers my choice and expression of faith and will and does not violate these boundaries without my consent. Amazing love!

Moreover, the Lord Jesus, selling me His Heavenly goods and seeing my zeal in buying them, decides to personally come to me and in personal communion guide me in the language of revelations on how to live with what I have acquired and how these Purchases plan to use me. He shows me His unchanging love in our communion with Him and endows me with this same agape, establishing my character in it through various life situations. And I am no longer afraid to love my neighbors but see in such an attitude the invisible manifestation of God's fullness, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit establish and root me in Themselves, and Themselves in me.

Without Jesus, it is impossible to understand and accept all this. Only He opens this door numbered "Revelation 3:18," which no one will close.

The Bible also describes one personality who from the day of creation was clothed in the fullness of perfection but neglected this privilege, became proud, and became an enemy of God and then an enemy of the human soul. Now all the power, wisdom, and beauty of this anointed cherub work against God and His people and lead the entire world to destruction. This fallen angel perfectly understands what the Faithful Witness offers me and does everything possible to divert my gaze from this message or offer me to buy just one thing from what Jesus advises. Unfortunately, the enemy of the soul has succeeded in his deceptions, but the Lord does not cease to call us to Himself and waits, waits very long for the moment when we will hear Him and respond.

I have often heard the verse from Revelation 3:20 out of context from the message itself. The Lord stands at each person's heart and knocks, wanting to enter. So it is, but in the light of the message to Laodicea, He comes in this way only to those who have entered into trading relationships with Him. Why come to someone who ignores your counsels and does not follow them? Will the groom bother his bride when he hears her clear "No" and complete indifference to his claims?

By giving me All of Himself, Deity desires to have all of me, not dividing me into spirit, soul, and body, but receiving the entire human, with all his time and all his sins and characteristics.

And the Lord also desires that we hear this message and enter into it voluntarily.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Romans 8:32; John 1:16; James 1:4; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:18-19; Colossians 1:18-20; 2:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Revelation 3:18-20 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

4. What would righteousness and love look like without the power of the Holy Spirit?

5. What would all of God's gifts look like without love?

6. How can one understand God's fullness in oneself and determine if it is present?

7. What happens to those who reject all of God's fullness and choose just one thing?

8. Does the Faithful Witness from Revelation 3:18 offer something for our choice and taste, or does He want us to acquire everything in a package?

9. If I do not understand how to determine the fullness of Deity in my life, will this be a grief to me?

10. Will the Lord endow everyone indiscriminately with Himself, or does He choose a special people?

11. What is needed to acquire everything Christ counsels?

12. Can a perfect person filled with all the blessings of Heaven fall under temptation? (1 Corinthians 10:12)

13. Does the Lord know how to preserve His children among all kinds of temptations?

14. Are you joyful in understanding God's beautiful plan for all of us?

15. What should I do if I do not understand how to obtain God's fullness?

The Bible calls victors those who believe in Christ, those who buy from the Faithful Witness what He advises, and then let Jesus into their lives and have a relationship with Him. These are people who during the final trials rely on God's Word and have personal relationships with the Savior. These are those who have clothed themselves in God's full armor and firmly hold it in their right and left hands, skillfully wielding it. These are those who keep all of God's commandments, including the commandment of love, and treasure them in their heart, having the mind of Christ. These are Christians who will survive baptism with the Holy Spirit and receive God's seal.

Victory is not simply given to me by my desire, and it will not be something unexpected for me at the end of time, but I will enter it through constant study of God's will, accepting all of God's light, obeying truth in my practical life, and continuously demonstrating unconditional love in all daily life situations.

Great victories are not accomplished by my troops or my strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit living in me and protecting me. But at the same time, I directly determine through my choice how to wage war and whose power to call upon to gain the upper hand.

Jesus gave us an example of complete victory over the power and strength of sin by allowing Himself to be crucified in our place and not displaying a spirit of revenge, anger, or self-will.

In my life, there have been many moments when, knowing what the response to another trial should be, I acted as if I knew nothing. It turns out that I stepped on another rake, thinking it would not react to contact with my feet. Then sharp pain would appear, and I would realize that I had done something wrong again. Strangely enough, if many of us were asked to share our life experience, we would start recalling all our "rakes" and how we humbled ourselves afterward and radically changed something in our lives.

I also understood that it is difficult to become a victor during a trial when you must make the right decision but do not know which one will be best in the end. At such a moment, you need to have an appropriate Divine promise, but it does not immediately come to mind, and you are forced to take a step blindly, not knowing if there will be more "rakes" ahead.

The helmet of salvation and shield of faith are given to me not to withstand blows from garden tools and boldly step on them, but to keep my mind pure in thoughts, according to the received light and the presence of God's power in me.

Receiving another blow of fate or experiencing a fall, and understanding that you have fallen, it is worth thinking about the cause of what happened and deciding how you could have acted differently and correctly. A deep analysis of my losses will not eliminate the consequences of my failures, but it will help me see the cause-and-effect relationship and draw appropriate conclusions to then open paths to victory.

Love always finds the best way and tunes my heart to a behavior model defined for it. But in life, there are many situations that I experience for the first time and cannot immediately orient myself to what the correct reaction would be. There are spontaneous trials when someone in a public place steps painfully on your foot or rudely responds to your carelessness, and you need to react somehow. But there are also systematic events, such as when an unbearable work colleague constantly nitpicks at you and deliberately ridicules all your actions, making your life extremely interesting. And there could be thousands of such situations. For someone, perhaps, their own home is the most fierce battlefield, a sea of tears and disappointments.

And the Lord desires to see us as victors and gives His light for all life situations. He has certain laws, rules, and counsels, obedience to which guarantees us protection and happiness.

If in the family we love each other and do not quarrel, this does not guarantee that we will also win and stand firm in other areas of life, although the experience of our mutual love shows us the right path to victory.

My prayers, Bible study, and spiritual writings, listening to sermons and spiritual music give God the opportunity to pour His light into my life and teach me to distinguish good from evil, and the trials He allows teach me to apply the knowledge gained in practice. I cannot hide anywhere from the enemy of my soul and my carnal nature. They will always put me in a difficult position and offer their services in complex situations.

Planning victory is a rather wise approach to the best outcome of events.

Let's give an example. A work colleague decided to bother me with his nitpicking and mockery. I tried to put him in his place, and the matter nearly came to a fight. Analyzing my behavior, I understood that I had turned to another power that led me into sin and worsened the situation. My conscience condemns me; the law calls me a hypocrite. What should I do to emerge victorious? Apparently, my colleague is not going to change and is decisively set to always attack me. Changing jobs is not a victory in my heart. Going to complain to management is also not a solution. Thinking about revenge is a loss. I begin to seriously pray and ask for wisdom in this matter. I read that God will not allow temptation beyond my strength. I believe this. I decide to love this enemy and pray for him. And the colleague continues to attack unrelentingly. I understand that I will not last long and begin to pray more about this situation and seek greater wisdom. I ask friends for advice, remember God's promises, and ask for God's intervention. I take up fasting and prayer. As a result, I compose a plan of action and write it down on paper if possible to remember it better. I decide to love, not respond rudely to rudeness, be silent when necessary, or speak with respect. I plan to apologize for my past rudeness and promise not to insult him again, and if the pressure continues, I tune myself to quiet prayer for help for me and blessing for this person. Having such a plan, I ask for God's approval and decide to follow this course and analyze in prayer how best to act if something goes wrong. It is difficult to understand how God will act and what He will want to teach me, but by choosing God's path, I will never lose.

Those who deviate from God's path, choosing a carnal solution to the issue, will never win. Those who remain in truth will never lose. The main thing is participation in alliance with God and in the spirit of love.

People looked at the naked, beaten, crucified, and dead Christ as a loser, but He precisely won the most outstanding and complete victory that will continue to surprise and delight us for all Eternity. The Cross showed and revealed to the entire Universe the true Divine character and the genuine face of sin. Life and death met in this confrontation, and death was defeated by the victory of unconditional Love.

Mistakes teach, but vices kill. In Christ's school, we can fall and make mistakes, and the Lord is able to raise us and teach us. But woe to me if I allow sin to solve my tasks by its methods.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read 1 John 5:4-5; Jeremiah 29:11-14; Isaiah 44:26; Revelation 3:18-21; Proverbs 15:22; 16:3; 22:3; Job 5:10-13; 21:31; 22:27-28; 33:14-19; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 1:17-22; Hebrews 4:10-12; Romans 12:21; Revelation 21:7; Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-12 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Who is a victor in our time? What do they defeat?

5. What is victory for?

6. What is the advantage of someone who analyzes their mistakes and falls to avoid repeating them?

7. Is it important to understand whom God considers and calls victors?

8. Have you counted how many times victors are mentioned in the Book of Revelation, from chapter two to three?

9. How did Jesus win? Can this be called a victory?

10. Can victories be won without fighting?

11. Have you tried planning your victory?

12. What is the advantage of a plan over the lack of one?

13. At what moment does love become a victor?

14. Is it important that my victory plans correspond to God's will?

15. Can anyone win without a plan? Is this plan necessary at all?

When you first step onto the path of love, the very first step in receiving this Heavenly gift is a sincere acknowledgment and recognition that I do not have this agape love in which the Lord so desires to manifest Himself.

Any attempt to bypass this recognition ends with me trying to prove to everyone, even Heaven, that I somehow possess something, and that this is the love that should be in me by default.

When I become truly a loving person and begin to tell others that love must be begged for, thirsted after, and then even bought, I hear the same response: "Where did you get the idea that I don't have love? I have it, and I love!" To this, one must silently agree and allow the Holy Spirit to show the true state of this or that heart.

We are all given, without exception, the necessary measure of love, faith, joy, and patience as Christ's warriors, so that we look like the Savior's army. We receive uniforms, body armor, light firearms, and a few rounds to successfully maintain self-defense. An automatic weapon is quite effective in hand-to-hand combat, but it is of no use when "Grad" rockets, missiles, and various bombs are flying.

How does a soldier with a small plastic drone look against fully armed soldiers? Quite comically, but he is considered the main defender and attacker because behind him stand artillery, aviation, and missile troops, unleashing all their power on the enemy. And this little soldier sits in a cozy chair, launches his device, and begins to report the coordinates of the next target, setting in motion all the attacking forces tied to the small drone.

We have witnessed new wars that are difficult to comprehend with the mind but in which people die on both sides. And this is just the beginning. Soon we will see fire descending from the sky and delivering victory to those on whose side this force will be.

It would be foolish to oppose such inventiveness with an automatic weapon, believing that this is the weapon of victory.

Jesus showed the world the power of the most powerful weapon in the Universe. Without calling love by name, He defeated the most powerful enemy by displaying the most militant spirit of a Victor — obedience, humility, meekness, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

Our Heavenly Commander perfectly knows to whom and how much love was given, and how it was used. I will not be able to verify this in another's life or prove that it is such, although its visible manifestation can determine its presence and action.

It is also not worth accusing anyone of not having love or that their love is not genuine. I do not know a person's heart and their relationship with Christ.

But from the prophecy in Revelation 3:18, I know that the Lord has given this power a special status in the last time and is waiting for those who will enter into constant trading relationships with Him.

There is a general idea about this heavenly blessing, and there is a prophetic understanding of how this gift is acquired. I can collect all the biblical verses about love and based on them prove to myself and you that I have it. But the Heavenly Merchant from the third chapter of Revelation knows exactly how much of this gold was sold to me, to what extent it was refined by fire, and how I used it for God's glory.

The Lord desires that I not only buy this power but also study its essence and how it works and how it can and should be applied.

If I live in a house where another spirit constantly attacks me, and I need love only to not go crazy and not die from beatings, then I will be granted exactly enough to stay alive and endure these trials. But when I set myself the goal of loving everyone I live with and winning the hearts of people whom the Lord sends me on my way to Heaven, then I need much more than I have. And I need knowledge of how to use it.

Coming to me as a buyer of His goods, the Lord chooses my best time, when I want to rest from all daily concerns and eat something unusual and useful. Jesus quietly approaches the door of my heart and knocks, hoping that I will open it and spend time with Him, learning the science of the power and authority of love.

In personal communion with Christ, one can talk about everything, but if I ask Him to dedicate me to the depths of His love and teach me how to use it, how to choose it and attack with it, then our time will be occupied precisely with these reflections, and I will definitely learn something.

Humanly, I want to believe and live as is customary in our community, as it is revealed to me, as I need it according to my own understanding. But agape love has a special power and is offered as a victor's weapon. And this is not light firearms for self-defense, but a very complex heavenly rocket complex for capturing new territories and cleansing existing areas and regions from sin.

To love is an entire science with its own laws and rules. And this is God's design for me and my victory in the last time. If the Lord has conceived something of His own and outlined it in His plan, should I offer an alternative and decide that it is better?

How will I look, not following the counsel of the Faithful Witness and not even showing interest in this message, but at the same time claiming that I possess what He offers? Whether I have love or not is determined not by me, but by the One from Whom I buy it.

It is also difficult to restrain Heavenly agape when it overflows your heart and fills all areas of life, having unlimited access and admission to the sources of this power.

In each of our hearts, there is a place the size of God, Who is love. And He desires to pour out into my life through the Holy Spirit and fill all empty space with Himself.

I love! This is the response of my heart to God's plan and the militant cry of a victor of the last days. Such a spirit will boldly pass through all trials and prevail in every battle. This is how Christ won.

The mind of Christ is formed in each person entering into special trading relationships with Jesus. The oil for the lamp, which the wise virgins bought in Matthew 25:1-12, is still being sold. The trading shop from Revelation 3:18 is still open. What prevents me from coming for purchases, spending my time on this, and learning to use what I have acquired?

To be a victor right now is not only the work and duty of the last time but also joy, happiness, constant inspiration, and a special blessing, both for me and for those I love and who respond to me in the same way.

Prophetic love enters the lives of those buying it so skillfully that they do not need to prove anything. They simply love, and this power accompanies them everywhere and is present in every matter at all times. I study not only the language of Heaven's love but also learn to speak in the languages of love of my friends' hearts to make their lives even more beautiful and interesting. And with God's help, this works out, as it does not contradict God's plan.

Do you have, friend, what the Faithful Witness from Revelation 3:18 advises you to buy? He has many goods that He has clothed in these beautiful symbols.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Isaiah 55:8-9; Revelation 3:18-21; Matthew 25:1-12; Romans 5:5; 12:8-10; 13:10; 1 Corinthians 4:6-8; 13:1-8; 1 Peter 1:22; Hosea 4:6; Galatians 5:22-23 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Is it important to understand what plan the Lord has for those He calls victors?

5. Can we err in our plans without knowing God's plan?

6. Do you understand the victory plan from Revelation 3:18-21?

7. Will the Lord reveal the meaning of the victor's symbols to those who study them?

8. Will the Lord make victors of those who have no interest in His message?

9. Does Heaven have other plans for the last time besides the message to Laodicea? Name them.

10. Do other Divine messages of salvation cancel the message to Laodicea?

11. What is gold refined by fire? How do you understand this?

12. Do you understand the role of love in the final trials?

13. Is the knowledge and acceptance of God's love your desired goal?

14. Where will I end up if I invent a goal for myself and go towards it?

15. Do you have agape?

Studying Biblical prophecies about the last time, delving into God's law, seeing how everything is moving toward culmination before our eyes, one logically comes to the conclusion that the end of the world is very near. And if this is so, then the prophecy of sealing will soon be fulfilled as well. And a question arises: "Who among us will receive God's seal?" I very much want to have it. I also desire that all my dear friends, all brothers and sisters from my worldwide church, be sealed by God, and by no one else.

If one does not build close relationships with Christ and does not delve into the depth of prophecies about the last time, an impression may arise that to receive God's approval, it is sufficient only to make a covenant with Him in the right church, agree with the truthfulness of one's denomination's teaching, and live as other church members live. The essence of worship becomes the idea that I must come to a meeting on a specific day, participate in discussing another topic, listen to a sermon, and at best have lunch with someone after the service. And all this is important and relevant, and there is no way around it. But in reality, the most interesting part of Christian life begins precisely when I am left alone, in no hurry, and have enough free time to spend it as I see fit. I can choose what my soul or my flesh desires. God's love quietly knocks at my heart and wants to reveal something to me but modestly waits for my decision about which path and way of thinking I will choose.

The last time will differ from all previous eras in that believers must reach such perfection in Christ that they will be able to endure all trials without an Intercessor in the Heavenly Sanctuary. How is this possible? What does this mean? It means that God will prepare a special people who will enter into such close relationships with Christ and so clearly reflect the fullness of God's character in their lives, being eternally established in truth, that no forces of darkness will be able to shake such believers in any trials.

It is difficult to comprehend this mentally, but I want to understand where the key to such a conclusion lies. What should I do to be saved at this time? Enterprising people understand that difficult times await us, and they are not sitting idle but preparing remote shelters with autonomous amenities, supplies of drink and food, and independence from the world. But the problem with these people is that the most important preparation occurs in the soul, and if the heart is not ready or proves unfit, what use will all other expectations be?

Jesus will come regardless of my faith or my readiness for this event. But He does not wish for me to perish and therefore reveals His plan for my preparation. He also gave His church a prophet through whom He transmitted important details of the final preparation, wanting to show special details to those who will thoroughly study and investigate this.

The Bible contains many pointers in the correct direction for investigating this question, and the Holy Spirit more clearly reveals various details and convinces of the truth.

And all the prophecies of Scripture lead us to the conclusion that agape love will play a key role in the last time. What does this mean? Why love?

In our previous lessons of the Agape Love School, we found answers to these questions and concluded that without love, we will have big problems.

But I want to bring clarity to this matter. God's plan for the last time was composed by God, and having passed through centuries, He has brought us to the moment when this plan enters its final phase of fulfillment. This is not my plan or yours, but God's. It can be found in Revelation 3:14-22.

The Laodicean period, as is commonly believed, began in October 1844 when the longest prophecy about cleansing the Heavenly Sanctuary was fulfilled, and God's judgment moved to its final phase. It is in this message that the true spiritual state of God's people and myself personally is described, and then a way out is given and a reward for the victor is announced. And this gives hope that it is possible to achieve the state that the Lord expects of me.

The entire essence of the message is embedded in Revelation 3:18. And it is in accepting these symbols that God's plan for my victory lies. The Spirit of Prophecy also speaks very clearly and unambiguously that believers who do not accept the counsel of the Faithful Witness will be sifted and risk being left without God's protection, as verse 16 speaks about.

God has invested in this plan all of His heart, all the blessings of Heaven that one can only dream of, the full wisdom and richness of glory. This message serves as the left hand of the three angels' message, with health reform considered the right hand (Proverbs 3:16). Gold refined by fire is a symbol of God the Father, faith and love, patience in trials, and obedience to truth. And agape love becomes the distinguishing characteristic of the character of the last-time victor.

In the description of the 144,000 group from Revelation 14:1-5, one can see that it is love in all its fullness and depth that made them such a special people, in whose mouths there is no guile. If love is removed from this group, it would turn into a gathering of sinners.

Some will find it difficult to agree that love will be the main criterion when weighing character. This happens because many perceive love as a pink heart and sensual sentimentality. But with deep knowledge of this topic, a completely different picture opens up to me, and an involuntary question arises: "Who will be able to stand?"

God's plan contains a promise that Christians who wish to understand the Lord's design and accept it will receive power and wisdom from above and will be taught by God.

Many brethren will carefully observe these people, note their mistakes and successes, rejoice in their blessings, and do nothing for themselves to replenish their vessels with oil for lamps. Insight into the acceptance and meaning of the symbols of this message will be given to everyone, but not everyone will decide to acquire what Jesus advises, because such knowledge will deprive me of free time, point out my sinful attachments, and require all of me as payment. Not many will make such a sacrifice.

Cain and Abel differed in that one accepted God's plan and strictly followed it, while the other conceived something of his own and tried to invite God to bless it.

When giving the commandment to love one another, Jesus declared three times that this is a commandment. The end of the third angel's message contains this element of obedience in Revelation 14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." But it is characteristic of sinful humans to invent their own plans and offer them as an alternative. We read in Revelation 22:14: "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." Again, it speaks of keeping the commandments.

We cannot ignore God's plan without bringing sad consequences upon ourselves.

Love is not only a feeling but the closest merger with God, which takes me to a new level of relationships with Him and with neighbors. It is the mind of Christ, His faith and righteousness, His wisdom and power in me.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Isaiah 55:8-9; Ezekiel 18:29; Ephesians 5:1-2; Matthew 24:12-13; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 14:1; Hebrews 6:9-12; 10:24; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2:22; Titus 2:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:12; 6:11; Romans 13:8-10 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Do you understand the Divine plan described in the message to Laodicea?

5. Why is such an important plan so inconspicuously presented to the church?

6. How long has it been since you heard a sermon about the very important message contained in the Laodicean epistle for the last time?

7. Do you think God will prepare a people corresponding to His plan?

8. How can I understand the message to Laodicea, since it is full of strange symbols?

9. What should I do if I have no time to study the Faithful Witness's message, but I very much want to be among the 144,000?

10. Can I ask God to somehow prepare me for His Coming while I work for Him?

11. What was the difference between Abel's sacrifice and Cain's offering? Is there a lesson for our time in this?

12. Will the Lord sell me something from His goods if I do not buy them but only study them?

13. How do you understand the counsel: "Buy from Me gold..." from Revelation 3:18?

14. Do you consider love something important to you?

15. Do you believe that love in the heart will be an important criterion when weighing you on God's scales?

Philia is a Greek word that has no analogues in other languages and is translated as love, friendship, friendliness, attraction, implying a personal acquaintance with the one to whom it refers. This word can be a prefix to other words, for example, "Philadelphia" — brotherly love, or "Philosophy" — love of wisdom.

In Greek, philia is used to describe very close friendly relationships between people who know each other.

We cannot precisely say what kind of relationships were characterized by this word during Christ's time, but its use in the Gospel and other books reveals to us the depth of friendship that the disciples had toward Jesus and toward each other.

If we examine all the words about God's love for all people and His creation in the Bible, they sound like "agape". The Lord also calls us to have this agape for all people and especially for one another, so that everyone can see that we are His disciples.

If you read the Bible in our translation, it is not apparent which Greek word describes a particular type of love.

But in the original, there are two places where Jesus specifically calls His relationship to His Church by a certain name.

We read in Revelation 3:19: "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline." In this case, the word philia is used. I want to understand what the Lord put into this expression of His love, and why He only once in all of Scripture addresses the Church in this way, toward which there is not a single word of praise?

The Lord not only loves His people of the Laodicean period but also declares His friendly attitude toward this people. He also says that justice in these relationships remains in its proper place.

But such an exception to the general rule makes one think about this statement.

The very deep meaning of this word is also revealed in Peter's repentance when Jesus asked him three times if Peter loved Him. In the original, this sounds very interesting. We read John 21:15-17. (From the author: excuse the lack of declension in the word philia.)

First time: "Do you agape Me more than these?" Peter answered: "You know that I have philia for You."

Second time: "Simon son of John, do you agape Me?" And again the answer: "Yes, You know that I have philia for You."

The third time Jesus asked: "Simon son of John, do you philia Me?" To which Peter sadly replied: "You know everything. You know that I philia You." Peter did not argue with this test but three times assured Jesus of his friendly attachment to Him and that he remains in this relationship.

But the deepest meaning of the word philia is revealed in Jesus' statement about His Father's love for the Son.

We read in John 5:20: "For the Father loves (philia) the Son and shows Him all that He does; and will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel." This verse can be considered a key to understanding what Jesus put into the relationship of love-Philia when addressing Laodicea specifically.

If the Father's love for all creation sounds like agape, and love for the Son sounds like philia, then in this word, there is a certain depth that the Lord desires to reveal to us, inviting us to enter into it.

Imagine! He compares and calls His Love for His people by the same word with which He only once calls the Father's Love for Himself. What trust, what closeness of Christ to His followers is revealed in this address! It is amazingly pleasant to understand and hear this!

We have an assurance that "the Father shows the Son everything that He does, and will show Him greater works, so that you will marvel." And after such a testimony, it continues to verse 47, which speaks about what the Father and Son will do in this friendship.

Jesus' statement about His friendliness carries a promise that reveals God's plans for the people of the last period. The Lord will show Christians who have entered into close trading-friendly relationships with His Son everything they need to see, and even give them to understand more than is accessible to us today.

The Lord promises us such a fullness of revelations and blessings that we cannot even imagine anything similar. And so it will be.

And how pleasant it is for Jesus to come to friends afterward and dine with them, revealing in friendly communion everything that will serve victory and expose all the plans of the evil one.

Is friendship possible without agape love? Yes, but it will have many fences and conventions. Is agape Love possible without friendship and close relationships? Yes. This is how God loves our ungrateful world, and our love for enemies does not expect reciprocity but displays the right spirit. Not every neighbor will respond with the same agape to my unconditional love.

But friendly love-philia has relationships and reciprocity in which agape feels very good and expects a friendly response in the same agape spirit.

God's love is unique in that it searches for a long time for a channel through which it can pour into the world and bring blessings to others. And when love finds a heart suitable for this, with what joy it is ready to reveal everything most beautiful and give the best!

Laodicea is unique in that it is the last church in the period of Christian earthly history. It will be given the full measure of light necessary for preparation for the final events and all power from above for complete victory. Laodicea has partially already received enormous blessings through the prophetic gift, but amazing transformations in the mind and deeds of God's children still await us, thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit, who will irrigate with the Latter Rain everything sown in believers' hearts.

And Jesus calls us to be diligent in purchasing those relationships which He so convincingly advises us to acquire in Revelation 3:18, and to repent of our lukewarm state when a call to changes in life and thinking is given.

The very last words of Jesus to His disciples before crucifixion were His affirmation that they were His friends. John 15:14-15. Here the same word philia is present. The Lord has left the best, most important, significant, and delicious for the very end. And in His attitude toward Laodicea, He gives us to understand that He is generous with pleasant surprises that will bring our victory closer. And this Surprise is He Himself with His unchanging unconditional love-philia. What an advantage to be not just loved like the whole world, but also to be a close friend in close relationships with Deity itself in the person of the Son. It is not we, but He who precisely voiced His attitude toward His people.

We read in John 15:15: "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, because everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." We are friends! Can you imagine what this means? And what advantage does this status give in the last time?

Amazing and very interesting.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read, if possible, in an interlinear Greek-Russian translation: Revelation 3:18-21; John 5:19-24; 15:14-19; 21:15-17; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 2 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 13:1; Colossians 3:14-15 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Are you glad that a new depth of the message to Laodicea is being revealed to us?

5. How do you understand love-philia discussed in this chapter?

6. What is the difference between agape and philia?

7. Why did the Lord decide to relate in a friendly way to the Laodicean Church?

8. Did the verse from John 5:20 give you a key to a deeper understanding of the message to Laodicea?

9. To whom is the message to the angel of the Laodicean Church given?

10. Does Jesus expect any specific actions from us in light of the message to Laodicea?

11. What advantage does understanding the Faithful Witness's message give us?

12. What has changed in your life since you began studying the Message to Laodicea?

13. Is Jesus interested in us studying His message to Laodicea, understanding it, and acting according to His counsel?

14. What awaits those who never heed the counsel from Revelation 3:18?

15. Do you ask God in personal prayers for a deeper understanding of the message to Laodicea?

In addressing the Laodicean Church, the Faithful Witness declares the reason for His dissatisfaction with His people, listing some signs of apostasy. One of the accusations sounds like: "You are naked" (Revelation 3:17). And every son and daughter of God should personally examine this statement of Christ. Further, in verse 18, the Lord counsels buying from Him a means to cover this nakedness.

What types of nakedness do we know?

1. Physical nakedness — when a person is completely undressed or exposes body parts that provoke temptation or lust in the opposite sex.

2. Emotional nakedness — when a person sincerely shares the secrets of their soul with strangers, opening their thoughts and feelings, making themselves vulnerable, and allowing other people to be aware of everything happening in their personal life.

3. Spiritual nakedness in the light of the Bible — when a believing person has some unconscious or secret sinful addiction or lives in obvious sin, thereby opening their heart to the influence of evil spirits, which, upon entering, deprive the soul of the right to Eternal life. God will not cover a conscience defiled by sin with the garments of His righteousness until the person of the Laodicean period recognizes their sad state and follows the counsel of the Faithful Witness, entering into constant trading relationships with Christ (Revelation 3:18).

4. Nakedness can also refer to the natural state of someone or something, without unnecessary artificial additions or decorations. This can be something that human hands have not touched.

Nakedness can be visible and invisible to the eye.

When the first people were created, they were naked. They did not have the familiar clothing to us, but God's light covered their bodies as a symbol of the purity and righteousness in which Adam and Eve were created and sheltered. Sin deprived them of this unique clothing, and they saw that they were naked and were afraid. To somehow cover their nakedness, Adam and his wife made themselves clothes from fig leaves, believing that this would hide their problem. God rebuked people for the sin that made them naked in all respects and took care to give people leather clothes sewn from the skins of innocent animals killed for human sins. Thus, the rite of sacrifice was established, which was to constantly remind of the price that would be paid for human sin and the better Sacrifice that would be brought to deliver from the power of sin.

When the Lord brought His people out of Egypt, the world was opened to God's laws and ordinances through Moses. These rules regulated people's relationships with God and with each other. Part of these laws concerned the form of clothing, who and what should wear, and how open this garment could be.

Time passed, and in the middle of the 19th century, the Lord gave the world a message about Clothing Reform through the Spirit of Prophecy, very clearly and in detail explaining the criteria expected by Heaven from God's children. Living in the 21st century, we do not have new light regarding clothing wear that would cancel earlier ordinances. We are given common sense that allows us to correspond to God's standards in the context of modern culture without looking ridiculous or sexual. We are surrounded by a world that exerts steady influence and offers its values. Fashion dictates to us how and what to wear. Various media advertise goods that do not correspond to God's light. Through this, the enemy desires to damage our mind in this matter and impose his concepts and standards.

The church does not have a prescribed order for admitting people to worship in one form of clothing or another. You will be admitted to the assembly in any form if you are not completely naked. And you will not be expelled from the service if your appearance does not correspond to the Clothing Reform. Moreover, the light of this Reform is unfamiliar to many parishioners, and it is spoken about less and less from the pulpit, fearing to lose those who at least come this way. In God's churches in some regions of the world, there are ethical rules that are not supposed to be violated, and there is the influence of permanent church members who show newly arrived people from the world how it is customary to dress in this society.

The Lord stands above all human cultures and Himself determines what is decent and what is not, what can be exposed and what should always be covered.

Clothing is that closed territory and established boundary that no one can enter just like that. I myself decide what to wear and what to take off in this or that situation. There are people who have the moral right to violate these boundaries. These are my spouse, treating physician, and in some cases, rescue or security services.

God is very attentive to what and how I put on myself, and how appropriate it is. After all, I am His visible representative in this world, and my appearance should reflect holiness and purity.

However the world might try to erase these boundaries of holiness in my understanding, they remain unshakable in God's requirements. Moreover, God expects not only external conformity of my appearance to His requirements but also that my internal content be at the height of God's standards. These knowledge does not come by themselves. They must be sought, studied, and invariably observed. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of God (Romans 10:17).

By calling me naked, the Lord expects that I will accept His decision on this matter and enter into trading relationships with Him, be zealous in studying the light He has sent, and repent of my lukewarm state. He will never lower this bar below His criteria and will not make His light outdated or irrelevant.

Jesus accepts a coming sinner in any form but does not leave him as he is forever, but washes, clothes him in His garments, and teaches wisdom and holiness.

In my personal space, I have the authority and right to establish my own boundaries, deciding to make something a secret or to open something to someone. But what God has closed and declared indecent, I cannot expose with impunity.

I like God's constancy and definiteness. When I understood what He expects and requires of me, I stopped being afraid that He would someday change His ordinances or lower the level of trust. He always asks me to rise higher and comprehend something new, and the Lord is consistent in this growth, not forcing me to jump over the simple things that need to be studied to understand the more complex. Knowing what the light of the Clothing Reform tells about, it is already impossible to live contrary to the received knowledge, but unquestioning adherence to this light will cause fierce resistance and mockery even among coreligionists and even in the family. One must be prepared for this and should not be afraid of it.

It is more important to me to be clothed in God's eyes and have His approval than to be accepted in the world's eyes and think that God does not care how I look, but only what I am in the heart.

Your appearance, friends, should not cause admiration but respect. And God will take care of this when you firmly stand on this path.

Without independent study of this light, you will not be able to know God's will in this matter and will shift these boundaries not for the better, falling under the condemnation of the Faithful Witness.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 1:16-18; Matthew 5:20; Isaiah 64:6; Revelation 3:16-19; 7:13-14; 16:15; 19:8; Genesis 2:25; 3:6-7,21; 47:42; Exodus 20:26; Isaiah 47:2-3; Deuteronomy 22:5; Ecclesiastes 9:7-8; 1 Peter 3:3-4; Proverbs 31:25; Testimonies to the Church, chapters 85, 88 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Have you studied the light about clothing reform in the "Testimonies to the Church"?

5. Does the Lord give some light just to have it recorded somewhere?

6. How does the Bible describe those who do not wish to study God's will and reject God's light?

7. Did you notice how much attention was paid to the clothing of priests and people?

8. Do you think the Lord pays attention to how and what we are dressed in?

9. Should you judge someone because their clothing does not correspond to the light revealed to you?

10. Is it important to understand that the question of clothing relates both to external clothing and to the internal state of the soul?

11. What benefit will I have if I am decently dressed but distant from the Lord in my thoughts?

12. Is the Clothing Reform given only for women, or does it also concern men?

13. What is the difference between decent and indecent clothing? (Proverbs 7:10)

14. Is it important not only to know and study God's light but also to live in it?

15. While studying the issue of Clothing Reform, is it worth remembering that without love I am nothing, and I have no benefit from any knowledge? (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

Have you ever thought about how much you cost your parents before you started earning money and living independently? How much money has the state invested in your preschool education and schooling? How much do free medical services cost someone? We constantly encounter such "free" services in life and do not even think about how much this "free" costs. But there comes a moment when the state system or situation changes, and I myself must pay for everything and everyone. And then a completely different picture opens up.

A child does not worry about their maintenance and education. They simply do not yet have the wisdom to comprehend and analyze all this. And even if they understand something, they do not have the strength or ability to earn and pay for their own care.

Such things are not customary to discuss in our society. They belong to self-evident principles embedded in consciousness from childhood, and we live this way, unable to imagine any other life.

How much do those gifts and that "freebie" cost that we are used to receiving from others, considering ourselves worthy or unworthy of such honor? Have you ever thought about how much your salvation costs, and can it be evaluated by units of measurement accepted in our understanding?

When the Soviet Union began to disintegrate, and the so-called "iron curtain" collapsed with it, unique opportunities for preaching the Gospel in new territories opened up for the entire Christian world, and streams of various evangelists poured into this country. And they came not empty-handed but brought the Bread of life with them. I experienced this time and attended spiritual events held in large halls and huge stadiums. At first, I was a curious guest whom foreign missionaries wanted to save, and a few years later, I myself met new guests and told them about Christ.

I remember once asking the brothers how much it cost to rent the sports complex where a two-week Gospel campaign was held. I was told it cost over a million dollars. At that time, this was quite a substantial sum. And someone from across the ocean brought these funds to a foreign country so that local natives could know the truth and become free in it.

And now I myself weekly or as needed donate my money for similar events, understanding that the free Gospel costs someone big money.

Take any advanced internet blogger who interestingly talks about Christ. They do not ask you for money to prepare another video and upload it to their channel for free. But usually, behind such public people stands an entire team of trained specialists who work tirelessly, improve their skills, share their revelations, and learn new, not free ways to promote these channels on social networks. And someone pays for all this.

A casual viewer does not even think about how much effort, time, and resources were invested so that they could watch something for free.

How many volunteers work everywhere to promote God's work, giving their lives to preach the Gospel? And who will evaluate their free labor?

But if you look at our entire world and collect all the resources invested in any labor, in any matter, collect all human-hours spent on various affairs and put everything together, then one saved person, just one, will be able to do and invest millions and billions of times more effort and resources than the entire world has done throughout all epochs of its existence. I cite this fact for comparison so that you understand how one saved soul is evaluated even in material terms.

Have you ever thought about what "free" costs God, which various evangelists so persistently offer you? How much was paid for salvation from death for just one soul? By what measure can one evaluate the contribution that invisible Heavenly forces make daily to our salvation and education?

How much does one, just one drop of God's blood cost, which He shed for my salvation, not requiring anything from me, but freely offering me this Gift of Heaven and expecting that I will have an extraordinary interest in it? There are many "free things" that we receive from God as a matter of course, without even thinking about how much this costs God, and how poorly we would live without this, and whether we could live at all.

God does not call us to evaluate His work, but He would be pleased to understand that we realize the high price paid for our redemption from the power of sin and death.

The law requires the death of the sinner for any sin, moreover, eternal death or, as the Bible calls it, the "second death" (Revelation 20:14). Do you have many of these deaths in stock to pay the required payment for each of your mistakes and continue to live? The answer: only one, after which there is no right to life. But Jesus, by His death, made this colossal payment for all of humanity, so that everyone who believes in Him would not perish but have Eternal life (John 3:16). God the Father gave the Most Precious He had so that I could live. And then He made this path to salvation so accessible that every sinner could find it. And what does He expect in return? My faith, so that I accept this plan and live in it! How did the world evaluate God's contribution to its salvation? Not only did it crucify the Savior, but now it also persecutes all His followers, imposing its own values and rules.

But the Lord does not stop at what has been achieved. He introduces new possibilities and development perspectives into the Salvation Plan.

It is amazing that at the very end of time, the Lord suddenly decides not to give away but to sell the most precious thing He has to make victors of those who respond (Revelation 3:18). Although it is called Heavenly trade, and the price for the goods is unusual, unfortunately, you cannot get something for the familiar "free." And this trade enters God's plan for the last time, and I cannot bypass this verse. How I would like to have all this simply, without investing anything, just believing that it is mine and receiving everything in abundance.

Essentially, we do not need to do anything to breathe freely, drink water from sources, warm ourselves in the sun, eat fruits from trees, and live in this world. But to have the weapon of a victor, one must constantly pay for it by entering into eternal trading relationships. How so? Just like this and no other way. But this is what will make us stable in the last time and grant us victory.

Once, the Heavenly Father invested a lot in our upbringing and education, and we accepted this as the norm, but now He wants us to become independent and determine for ourselves what else we need and respond to His counsel given through the Faithful Witness.

But one should always remember that although we make a certain payment for the offered blessings, their true price is immeasurably great and exceeds our imagination.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Isaiah 43:4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23; Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10; Psalm 48:7-14; 71:13-14; Proverbs 3:13-18; Job 28:12-23; Isaiah 28:16; 62:11-12; Matthew 13:45-46; 1 Peter 1:17-20; Ephesians 4:30; Revelation 21:6; 22:17 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. How do you evaluate yourself? How much have you cost our Lord?

5. Do you think the Lord values what He has invested so much in?

6. What good and free things in this world cost nothing to anyone?

7. How does God evaluate what He has done for us, which we sometimes do not appreciate? (Romans 3:24)

8. Why is our salvation given to us for free? (Ephesians 2:8-9)

9. Why does the Lord give everything for free (Revelation 22:17), but decided to sell something (Revelation 3:18)?

10. How to understand Isaiah 55:1: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost"?

11. How do you understand Proverbs 23:23: "Buy the truth and do not sell wisdom, instruction and understanding"?

12. Are you familiar with the meaning of the symbols from Revelation 3:18?

13. Do your loved ones appreciate the work and gifts with which you bless them?

14. What should be done to understand the true value of valuable things and always appreciate them?

15. Is it worth paying attention to what we give to others and how valuable it is? (Malachi 1:8): "When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the Lord Almighty.

Our 21st century can rightfully be called the age of information and amazing discoveries in an area previously unknown, and we could not imagine all the possibilities that information transmission through the air over long distances brings. But knowledge varies, and everything my mind receives becomes building material for my worldview.

There is a particular feature in human consciousness. The mind is formed based on what it is most focused on. And if I am a free person who can set the direction of my steps on life's path, my will shall indicate the direction in which my mind and heart will go.

Remembering that I live in a world where a universal battle between good and evil is fought for possession of my mind, I must always be on guard of my mind to prevent unnecessary things from entering it.

The Bible contains a warning about the last time. We read in Luke 21:26: "People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." Is this referring to all of humanity, including believers, or does this prophecy describe a specific group of people whose minds were focused on this world and everything happening in it?

Place a sponge in juice and let it absorb this liquid. Then when pressed, it will release what it has been saturated with. Our mind is arranged the same way. It gives others what it is fed with and influences the course of my thoughts precisely in the sphere to which it pays the most attention.

If I am expecting not disasters coming upon the Universe but Christ's coming, and focus my gaze on this event, I will likely be overflowing not with fears and terror, but with thanksgiving and joy about the upcoming meeting. I will study all the details of this event, wait for signs, prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit's Power and pray about it, turn my gaze to Heaven and beg for love that endures everything. I simply will not have time for anything that might distract my gaze from Christ.

Although this world is visible, and I still live in it, I can look with eyes of faith at the invisible and contemplate what the Lord will reveal to me in His love and according to His plan for me.

I do not recommend looking closely at war rumors. If you begin studying all ongoing conflicts and try to understand them, you might become a specialist in this field, but you will never know the whole truth and the true reason for what is happening as God knows and sees it. And He will not reveal the essence of things to you now. Your knowledge of military events will make you an armchair expert but will not influence the course of history. But the most sad and terrible thing that will happen is that the lawlessness of this world will cool love in your heart and fill it with completely different content. Christ will not share His throne with those who stare intently at the world, studying the science of sin and thinking about how to improve their life among this evil.

Jesus promised that victors will sit with Him on His throne—those who strictly followed God's plan, studied the Heavenly strategy, looked to the Heavenly Commander-in-Chief, and heard the voice of His commands and revelations. Although sometimes it is very difficult to concentrate on good things, and one must see what is happening in the world, diving headlong into one or another sphere of events is my personal decision that only I make.

For example, I take a phone in my hand. It does not force me to look at something that will destroy my mind and make me unfit for Eternity. The smartphone also does not ask me to listen to useful sermons or study the science of salvation. It calmly lies in my palm and waits for my finger's command to open information that I, not it, am interested in. Developers' analytical programs can recognize what I like most and try to offer me material on my favorite topic, but they cannot force my finger to go their way. I decide what is more important to me. Here my will and mind come into play. It is easier for them to offer me what they are already filled with.

But the greatest influence on my will is exerted by its lawful husband. For any person, there can only be two. Christ and His mind, or the carnal person and their principles.

If my will is married to Christ, it will strive to please its Husband in everything and not be distracted by other husbands. And by looking at Christ, it will become like Him in thoughts and feelings, and all its desires will be about Him and for Him.

The carnal nature is closer to my heart by the fact of sinful heredity, and it is always easier for it to take possession of my will if it is not occupied by Christ. And the desires of the flesh are familiar to my mind and constantly draw it to themselves. The carnal person does not mind their presence even in spiritual matters and would gladly sit on God's throne, but love will never allow this to happen. It will either drive out carnal thoughts or leave the human heart forever but will not unite with lawlessness and permeate sinful things.

The lust of the flesh does not mind wearing the name of love and presenting its desires to the world under this name. But it will never become love from this. Just as the South Pole will never become the North Pole, love will never be lawlessness. By looking at this world, I absorb its values and then share them with others. By looking at Christ and God's principles, I permeate my mind with Heavenly content and will definitely share it with everyone.

By offering us to buy His goods from Revelation 3:18, the Faithful Witness desires to teach us constancy in these trading relationships. It is a kind of looking at God's glory and immersion in the science of victory over the world. Symbolically buying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I acquire with Them their power to victory over sin. My mind puts this trade as the priority of everything, and my will clings to the Heavenly Husband, who comes every evening for dinner to communicate with me and draw me closer to Himself.

My will and mind, my heart and desires—this is me as I am, and it is precisely this my "I" that the Lord desires to possess eternally, giving all of Himself in exchange forever, on a permanent basis. Do you want to have such trade with the Savior? If yes, then you need to settle forever in the Laodicean store from Revelation 3:18 and constantly look at what is offered there, taking for yourself as much as one needs to have every day throughout Eternity.

The Bible promises to grant God's protection during the time of trouble, special blessings at all times, and amazing revelations for personal growth to all those who will look intently at Christ, seek His face, and show obedience to His commandments.

While the entire world will be dying from fear, those expecting Christ will anticipate the joy of the upcoming meeting and the prospect of eternal liberation from the influence of evil. And with what heart I will enter this time of trouble, I choose myself right now. And blessed am I if my thoughts and feelings are saturated with the desire to know the Truth and taste It. The Lord will respond to such thirst and give more than asked.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalms 15:8; 16:15; 39:9; 100:2-6; 118:15; Luke 13:20-21,24; Matthew 6:11,19-20; Isaiah 5:11-12; 26:10; 31:1; Micah 7:7; Hebrews 12:1-2 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Do you believe that the things you look at form your consciousness and worldview?

5. How do you understand the expression "to look"? What does this look like in life?

6. Can my worldview influence what I want to look at and what I do not want to look at?

7. If I look at the sun briefly and then turn my gaze to other landscapes, will there be a trace of the sun present in my vision even with closed eyes? How is this example similar to other situations?

8. Can I not look at anything?

9. If I look only at good things, does this mean the enemy can never tempt me?

10. Can I become like Christ by briefly glancing at Him?

11. Do you see an offer for prolonged relationships in Jesus' counsel from Revelation 3:18?

12. Will I learn more about what or whom I watch closely and devote much time to?

13. Did you notice the phenomenon where famous actors can quickly impose their values on the world even after a brief film viewing? What conclusion can be drawn from this?

14. Has anything changed in your life after you began looking at Jesus?

15. If you were not familiar with the law of influence and transformation by looking at something, does this mean you have not been transformed into anything?

In the message to Laodicea, the Lord announces the victor's reward — His throne. We read in Revelation 3:21: "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne." Without understanding what this means, one might not even notice the magnitude of this reward. I think the host of fallen angels was outraged when they heard such a statement. Satan was cast down from Heaven because he said in his heart: "I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14) Can you imagine the jealousy and hatred the enemy of souls now feels toward those who are candidates for this place and sometimes do not even value or understand what is being offered to the victor?

It is not for us to decide what reward we are to receive. Thanks to our humility and ignorance, we are content with the most modest place and status in the Heavenly Kingdom, so the magnitude of the proposed reward does not agitate our consciousness.

Living in the material world, we often witness various competitions that identify one victor who, by status, is entitled to the main prize. And sometimes many losers are the best of the best, but the award goes to one person or one team. But in God's plan of salvation, everyone receives a reward. And this gladdens the heart and gives hope that this Divine promise has power for me too if I follow the counsels of the Faithful Witness and enter into constant trading and friendly relationships with Him.

A throne is a symbol of supreme state power, judgment, and governance. It can be both a literal elevated place on which a monarch's or spiritual leader's magnificent throne is set, and in a figurative sense mean the highest governmental power with which all subjects must reckon.

God's throne is a real place of God's presence, on which He sits as the King and Ruler of the Universe. It is the center of the Heavenly Kingdom. And in a spiritual sense, it is a place in the heart of a person who has chosen God as their Lord and Savior and allowed Christ to establish His throne in their soul. It is the spiritual authority of Deity, capable of changing and cleansing sinful hearts and making Christ's followers worthy citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Where God's throne is, there is also God's Kingdom, and it is, according to Jesus' words, within us (Luke 17:21).

The Biblical description of God's throne shows us the place where God Himself sits. We are also given to understand that the foundation of this throne is heaven and earth, justice and righteousness, truth and judgment, mercy and truth.

In the first chapter of the prophet Ezekiel, we are presented with a detailed description of God's throne, for which the prophet could not find suitable words, and therefore we see such indefinite expressions as "as it were" and "like." In reality, it is very difficult to describe something that has no analogues in our visible world and to invent words that would reflect reality and be understandable to readers.

Studying the question of God's throne, one can conclude that in Heaven there is a stationary throne in the form of an exalted seat on which the Master of the Universe sits, and there is also a mobile throne in the form of a fiery chariot with four fiery wheels. And this chariot delivers the Lord where He needs to be visibly present.

The Bible also tells us that in addition to God's throne in Heaven, there are other thrones on which judges invested with Divine power and authority sit (Revelation 4:4). Jesus also told His disciples that they would occupy 12 thrones to judge 12 tribes (Luke 22:30).

In the book of Daniel 7:9-10, a mobile throne of God is described, from which a fiery river flowed. And in Revelation 22:1, the Eternal White Throne of God and the Lamb is shown, from which flows a river of life, bright as crystal.

In the works of the Spirit of Prophecy, we can also find a description of the stationary and mobile Divine throne in the Heavenly Sanctuary (Early Writings, p. 55).

Nowhere and never did the Lord give His throne to anyone except Christ, when He, as the Victor over sin and Satan, ascended to Heaven with His blood shed for the redemption of humanity. But then in the Message to Laodicea, Jesus promises victors that they will share a place on His throne. What this means is personally difficult for me to comprehend and explain because understanding these words lies beyond the limits of limited human imagination, and I think many heavenly beings also do not fully understand it. Our Lord loves to clothe many of His decisions in mystery and then reveal these mysteries to seeking and thirsting souls.

The Bible also tells us that Satan also had his throne in Heaven, which he dreamed of raising above all, and now his throne is on earth, which he gives to the beast from Revelation 13:2.

Also, in Revelation 2:13, there is mention of a literal visible throne of Satan, which was established in Pergamon and on which human sacrifices were made. Time buried this throne under the earth, but for some strange circumstances, this cult structure was found by archaeologists, excavated, transported to the center of Europe, and took a new place in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin as a historical landmark. However, the essence and purpose of this structure have not changed, and those who were involved in installing this monument in a new place may not even realize what they have introduced into European culture. And it is quite possible that in the near future this structure will resume its rituals for the purpose with which it was built at the beginning of its birth.

The Bible promises us that judgments and plagues will be poured out on Satan's throne and kingdom, and no one will repent, and this kingdom will be overthrown forever (Revelation 16:10-11).

But God's throne will be exalted and established forever, and nothing will shake it.

God's throne on earth is His visible church organization arranged according to Heavenly principles, as well as the invisible church of Christ, scattered throughout the world and consisting of daughters and sons of God, currently in various denominations, but honoring God according to conscience and according to the light received. Soon the time will come when the Lord will purify His people and command all His children to come out of spiritual Babylon and become one victorious people to whom a great reward is promised. These people will be honored to meet their Savior among the living victors.

God's throne is the authority of God's agape love over the hearts and minds of God's children. It is the personal presence of God through the Holy Spirit in the mind of a believing person. And where God's throne is, God's Kingdom is also established.

In calling us kings and a royal priesthood, the authors of these words made no mistake but described what is actually the truth (1 Peter 2:9).

The most interesting part is that the victors will receive the right place next to Jesus on His throne and will reign with Him and sing a new song about this (Revelation 5:9-10).

And now is the time of preparation for this amazing status called "victor."

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Hebrews 1:3; Isaiah 6:1; 66:1; Psalms 88:15; 96:2; 1 Kings 10:18-20; 22:19; Job 26:9; 36:7; Psalms 9:8; 10:4; 44:7; Proverbs 16:2; 20:28; Jeremiah 17:12; Lamentations 5:19; Daniel 7:9-10; Matthew 5:34; 25:31-32; Revelation 4:5-6; 20:11 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What throne is being discussed in Revelation 3:21?

5. Why was Satan cast out of Heaven for dreaming of raising his throne and being like the Most High?

6. Why does the Lord promise us what Satan so dreamed of?

7. Do you understand the magnitude of the reward promised to the victor?

8. Would you like to be next to Jesus on His throne?

9. What is needed to receive the reward promised by God?

10. Which believers of the last time will never receive the promise in Revelation 3:21?

11. What should I do if I want to be a victor but do not know how to become one?

12. Why only the victor will sit with Christ on the throne, not all who labor and are burdened?

13. Is it easy to be a victor?

14. Will the other heavenly beings respect the authority that the saved will receive?

15. Would you want to receive God's throne without Christ on it?

The message to the Laodicean church period begins with the words: "To the angel of the Laodicean church write: These are the words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God's creation" (Revelation 3:14).

It is commonly believed that the Laodicean period begins with the start of God's judgment in Heaven in 1844, when Daniel's prophecy about 2,300 evenings and mornings was fulfilled, and Christ began the final phase of Sanctuary cleansing, entering the Most Holy Place with His blood.

Laodicea in Greek means: laos — people, kaes — right, or in some translations, judgment. Laodicea at that time was a very wealthy city with its textile productions, banks, and pharmaceutical enterprises, which made it financially independent from other regions. When this city was destroyed by an earthquake in 61 AD, Laodicea's residents refused state assistance for reconstruction and rebuilt the structures with their own forces, which they subsequently were very proud of.

Angel is a Greek word "angelos," which means messenger, envoy. In this case, it can be both a personal address to the literal leadership of the literal Laodicea church and to messengers of the last time. "Thus says..." — the commandment begins when the Lord starts speaking. He is not verbose in His utterances, but each of His words has depth and meaning and fulfills what it is spoken for. Jesus presents Himself to His church and calls Himself by many names, each of which characterizes a specific feature that the Lord considers extremely important to emphasize and highlight precisely in this time of human history.

Recording prophetic visions, the apostle John at the very beginning calls Christ the Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5), so that subsequently all readers of this prophetic book would pay attention to Jesus' name.

We read in Psalm 88:36-38: "Once for all I have sworn by my holiness— and I will not lie to David— that his offspring shall endure forever, his throne shall be like the sun before me. Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies."

Amen is an ancient Hebrew word "amen," which means agreement with what is heard or said and is translated as "so be it." This word has the same sound and meaning in ancient Greek. It is translated as "truly." Usually "amen" is pronounced after a prayer or as a sign of agreement with what is heard. The Lord calls Himself by this name, making it clear that all His words are true, have power, and will certainly be fulfilled. This name is like a seal on all God's utterances, making them inviolable and unchangeable.

By naming Himself this or that way, the Lord did not simply pronounce the first thing that came to mind. He invested deep meaning in each name so that the reader and student could be imbued with the depth of revelation and understand that they are dealing with One whose words are true and will certainly be fulfilled. If the Lord Himself affirms that "so be it," then so it will be. This name of Christ calls us to have faith that God's words will certainly accomplish what they were said for.

It is worth noting that usually the word "amen" is said in conclusion, but in this message, it is pronounced at the very beginning. This may mean that the address to Laodicea is the last and true warning. The prophecy will occur at the appointed time. It will certainly come true precisely.

A witness is one who was or will be an eyewitness to certain events and can provide an objective description of what they saw and experienced, without bringing in their own speculations. A person who was not present at certain events or who distorts reality is called a false witness. In judicial, historical, or scientific practice, a witness can become the only source of true evidence to direct the investigation in the right direction.

The Lord calls Himself a Witness, emphasizing that He is Faithful and True. A witness cannot be false by definition, but additional names help us understand that every word of Christ will certainly fulfill precisely what it was said for.

Faithful means one who maintains loyalty and is reliable, devoted, and meeting expectations. God by His nature is the Most Faithful Executor of His promises and words. Prophets repeatedly pointed to this amazing characteristic of God's character — to be faithful to all His words and promises and fulfill them in absolute accordance with the purpose for which they were spoken. This also means that the Faithful Witness can be relied upon because His words will be a reliable and unshakable foundation for further relationship building. God's faithfulness forms trust in me that expects God to fulfill each of His words exactly when He considers necessary or when the time of fulfillment comes.

True means truthful and completely corresponding to reality, encompassing, considering, and including all objective information about someone or something. Truth cannot be false or indefinite, otherwise it is not truth.

Once Jesus already declared about Himself: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). His immaculate life and impeccable faithfulness to God's law confirmed this statement, and His death established these names for Him forever.

"Beginning of God's creation." The Lord did not call Himself this by chance. He invested a very deep meaning in this concept. Jesus said by this about His eternal existence, for through Him everything began to be, and nothing began to be that has begun to be (John 1:3).

With what love the Lord addresses His people in this message, wanting to point out the problem and provide a way out! Upon careful examination of each word of this message, we discover the deep meaning of God's address to His church and His immeasurable desire to save each of its members, making them victors. All the names of God mentioned in this message have one common root — "Love". It is out of love for us that Jesus transmits this sad and reproachful message, desiring that we listen to it and fulfill everything He counsels.

Although the first verse of the message does not carry any call, it shows us the magnitude and might of the One who addresses us with this beautiful message. And if we consider the appearance of the Speaker described a little earlier, it sounds majestic.

We read in Revelation 1:3: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Here it speaks about the one who reads, in this case, the one who writes to you, those who listen — those who read, and those who keep — those who have ears and, reading into each word, try to precisely fulfill what they are called to. Simple listeners will have no benefit from new knowledge, but those who execute the word will become victors and receive the reward. We read in John 13:17: "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Revelation 19:11; 2 Corinthians 1:20; John 1:1-3; Psalms 40:14; 71:18-19; 145:5-6; Deuteronomy 7:9; Mark 16:20; Revelation 21:5-6; 22:13,20-21; Proverbs 14:15,25; Lamentations 3:22-23 in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Are you interested in discovering something new and beautiful about God?

5. What other names of God do you know?

6. Why does the Lord often call Himself by new names?

7. Why did Jesus give Himself the name "Amen" at the beginning of the message to Laodicea?

8. Do you think the message to Laodicea is a true message for our time?

9. Does the Faithful Witness expect that His message will attract the attention of God's people and be carefully studied by us?

10. Do you think the Lord made a mistake by not saying any words of praise for the Laodicean church?

11. Do you believe that each message of Christ to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 is an address to Christians of different eras and periods?

12. What will happen to those who ignore studying the Message of the Faithful Witness and study something else?

13. Is it worth always remembering the verses from Revelation 1:3 and Revelation 22:18-19 when studying the Book of Revelation? Do such statements frighten you?

14. Will the Lord bless people who decide to study the Faithful Witness's message and fulfill everything written in it?

15. Do you enjoy studying the message to Laodicea?

We read in Jeremiah 6:16: "This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

Jesus' message to the Laodicean church is contained in nine verses of the third chapter of Revelation. If desired, they can be quickly memorized and briefly retold.

But if we look at the essence of this message and what the Faithful Witness offers us, it is easy to understand the following: If one does not accept Christ's counsel, all subsequent statements will not be for you.

Let's examine this message through the example of an ordinary Laodicean who is a member of God's church, law-abiding, believes in God, and reads the Bible. The Faithful Witness, meeting him on the pages of Revelation, declares that he is lukewarm and causes the Lord to feel nauseated. I listen to such an assessment and agree. What can I do, since this is proclaimed by the One who never makes mistakes! My recognition and agreement with Christ is a good beginning for repentance. I lower my eyes and head and say, "Amen." After this, I invite Jesus into my life and ask Him to put things in order.

The Lord enters one of the hidden rooms of my soul and begins to tell me how dirty it is, how much garbage there is, and how unpleasant it smells. I again agree with Him and declare, "Lord, You know that I love You and cannot imagine my life without You." And He says to me in response, "I know all your deeds, that you love Me, therefore I have come to you to put order in your house and remove what is not pleasing to Me."

I reply, "My dear Savior, I am so grateful for Your rebukes, but this dirt does not prevent me from loving You, and I do not consider cleaning my rooms important, nor does the smell bother me. I believe the main thing I have is love for You, and I am not indifferent to my neighbors either. But if You do not like my mess, then remove it Yourself. I do not mind, but I am not going to do anything. You can do this, I know, and will do it better than me."

Jesus listened to my sincere confession and, smiling, continued, "Friend, I always cooperate with people and perform that part of the work that people cannot do if they are capable. I allow many natural processes to purposefully participate in solving many of your tasks, but there are things that no one will do for you. You must make your bed, brush your teeth, dress appropriately, and do other things yourself. Although you can hire people for this and pay them for such services, regarding Heaven, you cannot find a replacement for what you must do yourself."

I listen and respond, "Lord, but I believe in You, isn't this enough? Can You not pay attention to my garbage and disorder in the house? After all, You Yourself said that You will not cast out the one who comes to You! And I have come to You to always be Yours. What does not suit You?"

Jesus continued, "I accept you as you are, but My plans have a goal — not to leave you this way forever, but to cleanse, wash, clothe, enrich, and teach. Are you not uncomfortable living in the dirt from which I want to extract you? You do not even know how miserable you are in this state, and how disgusting you smell. In such a naked and dirty state, you will not be admitted to Heaven. Nothing unclean will enter there."

I thought and asked, "Lord, do You not like how I sing psalms, with what blessing I come to worship, how I prepare for the Sabbath? Do You not pay attention to this but only see the dirt in my life? If I start evaluating others like this, I will become a critic and lose the right to Eternity!"

Jesus smiled and continued, "The requirements for first-grade students are not as high as those we recruit for the 144,000. This will be a special people, rich in heavenly gold, dressed in white garments, and anointed to serve neighbors. They not only listen to My counsel but follow it. They are not better than you, but are ready to remove everything from their lives and change what I point out to them. Although most of their dirt is dear to them, they find the strength to get rid of it forever. And where they cannot handle it themselves, I come to help and assist them."

I would not calm down: "Lord, do You not like that I come to You every morning and read and listen to Your revelations? Is all this in vain? So what if I do this while sitting up to my ears in dirt, but I do everything from a pure heart. Well, remove this dirt if it bothers You so much!"

Jesus replied, "My dear friend! I can remove this dirt only by cooperating with you, helping you. I really do not want to lose you. What I ask you to remove from your soul's house are not soulless things, but your essence, your habits, your tastes, your carnal nature, which is under your control. And you are free to do with this as you please. I can only rebuke you, but you must act."

I thought again: "My Lord, I tried to remove this by my own strength, but it returns again in greater quantity and influence. I prayed for You to remove it, but it remains. I do not know what to do? How else can I remove it?"

The Savior joyfully declared, "I give you a way out of this dirt through unquestioning adherence to My counsel and the proposal to enter into trading relationships with Me. I know the intentions for you are for good, not for evil, and I give you a future and hope. Will you accept this as a narrow path and want to continue walking on it?"

"Lord, do not speak in riddles. Tell me what I should do, and I will do it."

Jesus answered, "Understanding and accepting the symbols of this message requires all your attention and desire. I will reveal the essence and sell the proposed goods only to those who want to enter into this trade with Me and not depart from Me. In these goods, there is something that will help you clean your house and become a victor in every deed and every thought."

"Lord, it's all so complicated! Can't You write this on a dictaphone, and I would listen to it every day?" He sadly shook His head: "No, this is given only to the thirsty."

I said, "I am so thankful to You, Lord. Such a good rebuke I received today!"

When we finished our conversation, I ran to my phone to check messages from friends and immersed myself in thoughts about how to best respond to them. My wife asked me, "Who were you talking to in your room?" I answered that I was talking to Jesus. "And what did you talk about?" I paused, trying to remember, but there were so many other things to focus on that I decided to answer briefly: "I don't remember. It was very interesting and somehow complicated. And I postponed it for later." My wife persisted: "Well, remember, maybe it's something important!" "Leave me alone!" I said and plunged into searching for something interesting about what is happening in the world, understanding that soon everything will end. I wouldn't want to miss something important. After all, the Lord will definitely reveal to us what will help us prepare and boldly meet the enemy. I should probably compose a sermon about this and inspire friends to do good deeds.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Revelation 3:14-22; James 1:8,22-25; Jeremiah 7:13-17; Hosea 4:6; Psalms 93:8-13; Romans 2:11-13; Revelation 7:13-14; 14:1; John 10:27-30; Isaiah 44:3 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What was this lesson about?

4. What did you understand from this chapter?

5. How important is the message to Laodicea in our time?

6. Do you understand the meaning of the symbols from Revelation 3:18?

7. How often do you hear sermons or instructions about the importance of the Laodicean message?

8. Do you understand that according to verse 22, the key to the last-time victory is embedded in the Message to Laodicea?

9. Why does Jesus speak in symbolic language in this message?

10. Will the Lord reveal the meaning of the symbols from the Message to Laodicea to those who will thirst and try to understand their meaning?

11. Why are such important truths so modestly presented to the Christian world?

12. Has this message come alive in your consciousness?

13. Should the importance of the Faithful Witness's Message be repeated to people who did not understand anything the first time?

14. Do you think this message will play an important role in the events of the last time?

15. Is it possible to come out of a lukewarm state without following the counsel of the Faithful Witness?

The Faithful Witness from the third chapter of the Book of Revelation offers His people spiritual fullness and advises me to buy from Him what will fill my life with this fullness, give meaning to everything, reveal Heaven to me, show Christ to the world, and be a healing power for many hearts.

The enemy of souls perfectly understands what the Lord offers His followers and how effective this weapon is in the battle against evil. Therefore, Satan is occupied with filling our hearts and lives with emptiness. In his arsenal, he has emptiness for every taste, every interest, every age, and intellectual level. The enemy has studied human psychology so well that it is not difficult for him to interest anyone with his emptiness, and every inquiring mind will find exactly the emptiness that will correspond to their spiritual and mental needs.

The power of Satan over our world was not obtained in a single day. By small steps and compromises, he conquered human hearts, making them his territory.

In spiritual warfare, there are its own rules and laws. Jesus stands at the head of our world and is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will not give this power to the enemy and will ultimately establish His victory banner in this world, putting an end to evil. But now He gives people the freedom of choice so that they may determine and choose whom they will serve, whom they will love without seeing, and to whom they will worship. The call to "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" from Joshua 24:15 is as relevant today as never before. There is still a favorable time, still a day of salvation.

The enemy of souls is allowed to establish his power, destroy souls, and carry out his plans through people who will accept him as their king and fulfill his will. God also seeks worshippers who will accomplish their salvation in Spirit and truth and influence this world. For now, these two opposing camps can peacefully coexist in many countries of the world and carry out the plans of their leaders. But a time is approaching when everything will change, and those who chose Satan and chained themselves to his chariot will understand how cruel their master is and how bloodthirsty and merciless he is in his power.

What has the enemy of souls succeeded in?

The education system is under his control and power and is built so that you cannot go against this current without punishment. The enemy claims his rights to children, declaring them state property, not parents', and through his education system, he instills his values in young minds. What will a child be taught whom believing parents send to "Egyptian schools"?

The system of power in the world is built so that a person needed by the enemy of souls is installed at the head of the state, elected by the people. We do not know the heart of the people's elected representative and to whom he really serves and worships. A simple believing person from outside the system will simply not be allowed to rise and occupy a high post. And people in power receive unlimited control over the minds and conscience of their citizens, and if the ruler's heart is not in God's hands, he is controlled by another force. Even the ruler himself does not decide many issues. Everything is subordinate to the system, and he only needs to present it competently to the people. The enemy of souls has been moving toward what we have today in the world for a very long time, and the system of state power today is in his hands, although God's angels still restrain human passions until God's plans are fulfilled.

Medicine, unfortunately, has also become one of Satan's departments of power. Recent global events very clearly showed the power of this authority, where all human freedoms were trampled, and people were officially imposed non-Divine methods of fighting diseases.

The financial system in our world is built so that economies and banks of all countries are tied to the American dollar and depend on the interest rate set by far from believing people. As a result, all economic achievements are devalued in a moment, small and medium businesses are ruined, and all countries become debtors to a small group of people whose conscience is under Satan's influence.

Theater art has long been teaching the world not good things, imposing all kinds of abominations under the guise of beautiful scenes and plots.

Numerous media have become frank heralds of Satan, offering people emptiness, gnashing of teeth, and spiritual languor.

The current world is so full of weapons being produced and stockpiled for incomprehensible events that our planet could be destroyed several times. And someday the enemy of souls will put all these accumulations into action. And without armed forces, no country will stand and will be immediately captured by neighbors or overseas countries.

The enemy of souls has also put his hand to world religions, introducing his false teachings into every movement, mixing truth with lies and watering all peoples with this wine. Satan really wants to become the lord of every person's conscience, and he successfully achieves this through religious structures, forcing parishioners to believe lies.

Although we live in times of light and enlightenment, unfortunately, forces of darkness stand at the head of many systems, aimed at stealing, killing, and destroying.

Although God's church is under Christ's protection, the enemy of souls also stretches his disgusting hand there to tempt, if possible, even the elect. The enemy cannot resist the truth, but he successfully offers emptiness, that which does not satisfy and does not give knowledge of God.

Any science is interesting in itself, but disconnected from God, it does not bring the soul closer to Heaven. It is not capable of giving the right to Eternal life without the presence of the Eternal Divine Spirit within.

Let these revelations not seem gloomy to you, friends, but this is the reality we have around us. Almost everything in the civilized world is created and presented to distract our minds from important truths.

The emptiness of the world has the property of filling any space into which it is let in. It can even unite with lawlessness and cool love in many. And this can be resisted only by opening one's heart to God's fullness. In knowing God and following His counsels and laws, there is no emptiness, but there is He Himself and what accompanies this knowledge, giving Eternal life.

Strangely enough, material success and well-being bring much emptiness into people's lives, depriving the mind of the thirst for knowing truth. Statistically, spiritual decline occurs in economically developed countries, and Christ's teaching becomes uninteresting and boring to people.

God allows catastrophes, diseases, and wars so that many cooled souls may come to themselves and begin to seek the path of salvation. But must we bring ourselves to such extremes?

Solomon was a multi-trillionaire by our time's estimates, and this wealth almost destroyed his soul and led the country to moral corruption, the influence of which has reached our days. And this king summed up everything, leaving us his conclusion that everything is vanity if it does not have the knowledge of God as its foundation. Vanity is emptiness, the absence of meaning, the darkness of godlessness.

But the Faithful Witness offers us to acquire from Him the fullness of knowing God, the meaning of life, and light. He declares His buyers victors because they have responded.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Psalms 61:10; Luke 13:35; James 1:26; Ephesians 5:4-7; Ecclesiastes 1:2,14; 2:9-11,17,21; 5:9; 1 Timothy 6:3-10; Jeremiah 10:12-15; 16:19; Ezekiel 13:3-11; Micah 6:12-14; Ecclesiastes 12:8,13 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What is the emptiness discussed in this chapter?

5. Do you think it is possible to be both religious and empty?

6. Does Jesus like the empty state of our hearts?

7. Is the lukewarm from Revelation 3:16 the same as empty?

8. Life itself is an interesting thing. Why does it become empty in light of the message to Laodicea?

9. How and by what can one measure the emptiness and fullness of one's heart?

10. What is fullness?

11. Do you think God has a plan to exit emptiness?

12. Will a person need to make any efforts on their part to fill the heart's emptiness with Divine fullness?

13. Is it worth dedicating precious time to studying the achievements and plans of Satan in this world?

14. Will my life get better if I study the enemy of souls' reports on his work?

Emptiness is nothing. It is a place that is empty. A place where God is not present, where it is dark and cold, where there is no hope for an eternal future. The place where God comes, where He is present with His Holy Spirit, becomes filled with meaning, light, and love.

Fullness is harmony in relationships with God. It is the alignment of a person's thoughts, feelings, and actions with God's will. It is unity with Deity at the level of intelligent worship and reverence of the Creator.

God created this world and all living in it for Himself. He instilled in every breathing and thinking soul a need for relationship with Himself. The spiritual world is arranged to be filled with knowledge of God, which in turn gives life meaning.

Jesus defined this meaning in John 17:3: "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

The Lord knew that in the last time, emptiness and godlessness would be present in everything and abundantly offered to the world, and this would become a serious problem even among God's people, who by God's design should offer the world fullness and the Source of life.

In the message to Laodicea from Revelation 3:14-22, the Faithful Witness voices the problem of our time, and He does not stop at just rebuking the lukewarm state. He also offers a way out.

Verse 18 contains God's plan of fullness in knowing God. By offering us eternal goods, the Lord seems to hint that obtaining them should also become eternal and turn into a habit. It is impossible to taste food once and have it last a lifetime. We are designed to always eat, otherwise hunger, exhaustion, and death will come. The same can be said about the spiritual bread of life offered to buy according to the Faithful Witness's counsel. If a lukewarm person once entered into trading relationships with Jesus, was filled with the fullness of God's blessings and decided that this would be enough for a lifetime, they will cool down again and become lukewarm, but now with a fleeting trading experience. They once tasted how good the Lord is and how Heavenly gold can enrich and change everything in their life. But our world is constant in its temptations of cold and darkness, and to resist this, a constant source of fire and light is needed, otherwise one will cool down and freeze.

If the most hardened person is placed in conditions of eternal permafrost, at some point their internal resource will end, and they will become as cold as this surrounding world.

God's plan, expressed in the message to Laodicea, is for the lukewarm Christian to recognize their true condition, accept what is offered in Jesus' counsel, enter into eternal trading relationships with Him, be zealous in continuously buying what is offered, and repent of their previous way of life. To such followers, Jesus will come daily for evening meals and teach them how to use the acquired knowledge and gifts.

Filling can also occur outside the message to Laodicea. A person who unceasingly seeks God and has constant relationships with Him receives the Bread and Water of life and is alive. But in the counsel to Laodicea, Jesus also offers spiritual growth. This is a kind of higher spiritual military academy, where Christ's disciple receives the skills of a victor and conqueror and becomes one.

If a soldier wants to become a general, in their routine service they can only rise to the highest sergeant rank of a senior sergeant. By submitting a report for promotion, they can study to become a warrant officer, and if they want to study further, they can enter a military school and become a junior officer. The obtained education will help them serve up to the rank of lieutenant colonel. For further career growth, they need to undergo training at a military academy, after which they can serve up to the rank of general and even become a marshal. The military education system excludes a quick transition from the lowest group of military personnel to higher command echelons of leadership and power.

By offering His training program for victors, the Faithful Witness does not teach that without effort, everyone can become the victor that God intended for a human.

Think about it: by buying love from Jesus, you will not become a loving person in an instant. Many old habits will need to be left behind, many unnecessary stereotypes will interfere with development. A dirty glass needs thorough washing before it becomes suitable for use and storing clean water.

Entering military service, I cannot avoid learning without facing severe punishment. The military education system simply excludes this. Christ's School is more loyal, and it takes into account my desires. It considers my will and choice. But it is also military and expects self-discipline from its students in obtaining valuable knowledge and applying it in practice.

We learn on the battlefield. In the spiritual world, there are no peaceful corners. Even far from civilization, a lonely person will be pursued and tempted by their own lust and the enemy of souls. And in this battle, one needs to be armed with a victor's spiritual weapon. And this weapon is offered to us to buy by the Faithful Witness from Revelation 3:18.

The Lord does not just wish to fill us with Himself, but to overflow us so that we willingly share the excess of Deity with other people.

A room that has light turned on is immediately filled with it, but dim light is not enough to illuminate everything around. The sun is needed for this task. To water my garden, a few liters of water are sufficient, but this is not enough to irrigate all nearby fields. A downpour is needed for this task. To understand that the Lord loves me, my faith and reading assurances of God's love are enough. But this is not enough to convince the surrounding world of love. The power of the Holy Spirit is needed.

By offering us to buy gold refined by fire, white clothing, and eye salve, the Savior hands over in these symbols a strategic fullness for global victory over oneself, over the spirits of evil in the heavenly places, and over this world.

It is impossible to become a spiritual general on the battlefield, bypassing God's educational plans.

Any soldier, practicing their skills in battle, learns the art of warfare and can be a victor in local skirmishes. But they will never see the entire picture of battle deployment and without the support of all armed forces will never completely defeat the enemy. Any army, ultimately defeating the enemy, becomes a victor from private to commander-in-chief.

By offering us trading relationships, Jesus invites us to service and training in the Victor's army. He has already won this war but desires that we become skilled warriors in our own battlefields and triumph over the enemy with God's weapon of mass destruction.

Unlike earthly weapons, God's weapon does not destroy but builds, heals, restores, treats, lifts, inspires, and gives wings for creative perspectives. God's fullness gladdens the heart, brings peace, and fills life with light and love for all near and far, for relatives and enemies.

What is surprising is how modestly the Lord offers us a way out of the lukewarm state. He advises something better. So unobtrusively and tenderly. He does not pour His fullness upon us but modestly waits.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Colossians 1:19-20; 2:8-10; John 1:16; Jeremiah 29:11; Revelation 3:18; Proverbs 14:12; Psalms 15:11; Ephesians 1:19-23; 3:16-19; 5:18; James 1:2-4 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What is fullness?

5. How can one obtain fullness?

6. Do you think the message to Laodicea is still relevant in our time?

7. Did you see the offered fullness in the symbols from Revelation 3:18?

8. How is the fullness expressed in the proposed Heavenly goods?

9. Why does the Lord want to have eternal trading relationships with us, not temporary ones?

10. Can a believing person be filled with God's fullness? How?

11. Can a lukewarm person lead another lukewarm person out of a lukewarm state?

12. Do you think the promise from Revelation 3:21 extends to those who ignore the counsel from Revelation 3:18?

13. Is it worth understanding that the message to Laodicea describes not only the state of God's people but also provides a way out?

14. Is the Faithful Witness's Testimony contained in the fullness of the entire message from verses 14 to 22, or are there important verses and unimportant ones?

In Revelation 3:14-22, we find Christ's address to the angel of the Laodicean Church. This entire book is written in a symbolic language that can be deciphered and understood by studying the entire Bible and knowing the history of Christianity.

It is commonly believed that the Laodicean period began in 1844 when the longest prophecy about cleansing the Heavenly Sanctuary was fulfilled, in which Jesus as our High Priest entered the Most Holy Place and began the final phase of His service.

In essence, the Lord addresses His people with the most amazing message, which is very deep in its content and quite extensive in meaning for those who decide to immerse themselves in it completely. This message can be divided into several parts that are one whole and lose meaning when separated from the fullness of the entire content.

At first, the Faithful Witness introduces Himself to His people, calling Himself by appropriate names. Then, addressing me personally, He shares His testimony about who I am and in what miserable state I find myself. After this, He shows me a way out of the lukewarm state, offering to enter into an alliance of eternal trading relationships. In the symbols of Heavenly goods, the entire Heavenly fullness of Deity is provided to me, without purchasing Which I myself cannot exit my lukewarm state and will be spit out of Christ's mouth.

All subsequent verses are addressed to those who have accepted the counsel from verse 18. In them, Jesus assures me of His love and calls me to be zealous and constant in trading relationships, repenting of my lukewarm state. After this, He personally comes to me to reveal the meaning and depth of the purchased goods and teach me how to use this weapon to victory over evil forces and temptations. Then the Lord names the victor's reward, as if making it clear that it belongs to me if I accept the entire message and follow His counsels.

If you now search for the phrases "Message to Laodicea," "Testimony of the Faithful Witness," or other algorithms related to this message, you will be presented with many movements and groups that engage in a deep analysis of the first four verses of this message, describing the deplorable state of God's people and rebuking them. Without understanding this, it will be difficult to feel the need for repentance and how miserable my position is in God's eyes. Although I no longer belong to the world, this world still has a place in me and very skillfully disguises itself with a mask of Christianity, which is abhorrent to God.

But, unfortunately, for some reason, these messengers do not provide a way out of this lukewarm state, and their message consists of encouraging me to adopt their spirit of reproof and in a similar vein expose lukewarm brethren, pointing out their spiritual tepidity. But this is not the message to Laodicea! This is a distortion of the meaning of this message. And some of these "messengers" even dare to leave the church ranks or are excluded from church fellowship, considering themselves persecuted for the truth.

It is undoubtedly true that sin will manifest among God's people until the very last harvest. But the Lord does not call us to separate tares from wheat, lest we damage the good harvest.

The most incorrect interpretation of the Message to Laodicea is to take part of this message and present it as a message without providing a way out, without indicating how to establish the true relationships with God that are offered, beginning from verse 18.

Verse 20, which speaks of the Heavenly Guest who stands and knocks at the door, is a favorite verse of many evangelists to call people from the world to Christ. This verse emphasizes God's respect for my choice and His expectation of my permission to enter my life. But it should be noted that this verse relates to the Message to Laodicea and is one whole with this message. Outside of this message, it carries a completely different call and meaning. And in the light of the message to Laodicea, it has power only when I heed the counsels of the Faithful Witness and begin to buy from Him what He offers me. Buy! Not take without payment!

What sense is there for Christ to come to a lukewarm Christian who ignores God's counsel and jumps over His recommendations, but is not against having dinner with his Savior? One cannot impunely change the meaning of what is written in the message to Laodicea by extracting something and examining only what is liked.

The heart of this message is verse 18, in which the Lord makes a wedding proposal to my will in the form of a symbolic "engagement ring." He desires to have her as His bride at the wedding celebration, but she lacks faith working through love, and the love of God the Father, the pure clothing of Christ's righteousness, and the heavenly wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Will the Lord lead His bride out for the universe to see in a naked state? Will He not burn with shame when she displays her grumbling and discontented spirit? How will He feel in the company of a foolish wife? Therefore, He offers the fullness of Deity in modest symbols of gold, white clothing, and eye salve.

And after this, He will be very pleased to know His future bride in personal communion, so that she might love Him and open her heart to the One with whom she entered eternal trading relationships. For this, the Lord comes to my will every symbolic evening, in my best personal time, so that we can eat together, communicate, and Jesus can teach me something.

In verse 21, a symbolic reward for the victor is announced. But at the same time, it is presented very modestly compared to the glory of Heaven that will be revealed to all the chosen from the Laodicean period.

The parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-12 is also a symbolic prototype of the message to Laodicea, providing a broader understanding of some details and sad consequences for those who do not accept the counsel from the Message to Laodicea.

In this message, every word and the fullness that these words compose are important because my eternal fate depends on the correct interpretation and understanding of this message.

To buy gold refined by fire is to enter the Heavenly School of Love and learn this love, sitting at the feet of the Heavenly Teacher and applying the received knowledge in practice. Love truly enriches both me and those upon whom it will be directed through me.

Love is not a spontaneous feeling of tenderness and good attitude, but a conscious choice of my will, deciding to follow this path in relation to a loved one. And this is reinforced by the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit and established in Christ's righteous character, with which He endows me.

The Lord is not discouraged that many, reading, have not heard and did not understand what is written in this message. However, when it was revealed to the mind and brought to consciousness but not accepted by the heart and ignored by the will, then the Lord has nothing more to offer me. This is the last message for the last time, in which the most effective weapon for victory in the coming trials is offered.

When this Heavenly store closes, it will be too late to do anything. It will close forever for the unwise, but continue its eternal work for those who have entered and engaged in trading relationships with Christ.

On which side of this mysterious door of the message to Laodicea do you plan to be?

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 25:1-12; Proverbs 1:23-33; 3:13-18; 14:5,25; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Matthew 23:13; Luke 11:42; Psalms 91:6-7; Proverbs 23:23 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Can one impunely extract one thing from God's messages and ignore another? (Revelation 22:18-20)

5. Do you think the Lord will reveal the essence and meaning of His message to Laodicea to those who seek?

6. What should I do if these symbols and meanings are not clear to me on the first reading?

7. Why is this message so important in our last time?

8. What will happen if I seek a way out of the lukewarm state somewhere else?

9. Did the Lord give His message from Revelation 3:14-22 so that it would not be studied and observed?

10. Is it worth considering that it is difficult for any listener to understand the meaning of the message to Laodicea on the first try?

11. Do you think a thirsty buyer will acquire what is offered by the Faithful Witness?

12. Why does Jesus not give away Heavenly riches but sells them?

13. Does the Lord impose His blessings offered in the Message to Laodicea?

14. Why are such important things offered so modestly?

15. Can I become a victor by ignoring the message of the Faithful Witness?

The Bible makes it clear that our Savior has a bride with whom He has planned a wedding celebration. There are many interpretations and assumptions about this topic that both delight us with their boldness and surprise us with their complexity. God is a God of order, and everything He does for our salvation can be understood and accepted.

There was a time when I was asked directly who Christ's bride is, with people expecting to hear a specific name of a group of people who would be worthy of this status. And I thought that the most suitable group for this was those who would enter the number of 144,000. I understand that the characteristics describing the righteousness of these people correspond to all of God's standards, and this last-time people will be unique in their spiritual purity and principled nature.

Considering that Christ's bride is a symbolic description of a new Heavenly status, before making any conclusions about this, it is worth understanding what this symbol means.

The entire structure of the unfallen Universe is built on the principle of family and family relationships, in which Deity is the Creator of all that exists, although in the description familiar to us, it is divided into Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And this division into ranks makes it clear that each Person of the Deity has a specific mission, and this Person carries out certain actions in governing the Universe, in creation, and in the salvation of humanity.

A wife or bride is a quite serious status, indicating the closeness of relationships that do not break during trials but are purified and become even stronger.

There are no divorces in Heaven. The decision to be husband and wife, which two close people make, becomes an Eternal union and is established for Eternal ages. The bride after the wedding ceremony is declared the wife of the Groom and becomes one flesh with Him.

Christ's bride is a conditional status in which not all who want to be a bride will find themselves, but only the chosen ones. I can be her, but because of my unfaithfulness, I can lose this honor.

Christ's wife is already an unconditional status that will never change and never lose its power. This also gives her the right to a special closeness with her Husband, which simply could not exist before the wedding. It is something that provides her full right to possess her Spouse. It is much more than can be imagined. But with this wife status and with all that it gives, she does not automatically receive her Husband's status and does not become equal to Him in power and authority. She is just a wife.

Already in the book of Isaiah, we read that the Lord Himself calls Himself a Spouse: "For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he will be called God of all the earth" (Isaiah 54:5). This is not just a suggestion, but God's statement when addressing His people.

Imagine what the saved from previous generations will feel, finding themselves at a wedding where only 144,000 will be getting married, and the rest will be just guests. I think that, as then, so now, many questions arise for Jesus, which are difficult to answer logically. Although the Groom Himself has the right to choose the one who suits Him in all respects, and no one will have envy or murmuring about this, there are inconsistencies in many directions, and it will be very difficult to understand many Biblical verses. One thing is clear in the description of Christ's bride: it is not one person, but a group of people.

Reading Revelation 21:9 and further, we see a symbolic description of the Lamb's bride as a city descending from God from Heaven. Houses and other soulless structures cannot be the Lamb's wife. In this case, He would not have needed to seek us and give His life for us. This is a symbol of the holy people of God, in whose heart the Lord Himself will dwell.

So who is Christ's bride, and can she be named in human language with a specific definition? Yes, she can. Christ's bride is the will of a saved and converted person, male and female. She is the bride whom the Lord loves very much and passionately desires to save from eternal destruction, making her His forever.

Understanding the question this way, a person sees that everything becomes clear, fair, logical, and interesting. It turns out that I, having entered the number of chosen and invited to the wedding celebration, simultaneously become both a guest and Christ's bride. My decoration at this celebration is pure and bright fine linen, which is the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8-9).

I think that before performing the marriage ceremony of all saints with His Son, God the Father will ask a logical question to His beloved Son: "Are you willing, Jesus, to take your bride as your wife?" The Lamb will answer: "Yes, I am willing!"

Then the Father will address the will of each saved person from all ages: "Are you willing, bride of My Son, to become Christ's wife and be one with Him throughout endless eternity?" A short but very loud answer will follow from the lips of all redeemed by Christ's blood: "Yes, I am willing!" And there will not be a single soul that would say something opposite. After this, God the Father will raise His hands and announce us husband and wife to the entire Universe. And all heavenly beings will say: "Amen!!!"

Why can this wedding celebration not happen now? There is a great risk that my will, having free choice, will begin to be unfaithful to its Spouse and enter into extramarital relationships with the enemy of the soul, with the fallen world, or with my carnal old self. They are not against such a union, and it does not matter to them that I will be rejected by Christ and will suffer in such a position. While a war is going on around my will and my mind, the Lord tests each of us and prepares the faithful for Himself.

In the message to Laodicea, He announces the plan of victory for my will over this world and gives me a symbolic engagement ring as a guarantee on His part that He will be faithful in all His promises and I will receive what He offers.

The essence of the symbols from Revelation 3:18 is that if you give Me all of yourself, you will receive all of Me. Neither more nor less. Such trade is fair in any family relationships both before and after the wedding. What groom would want to deal with a bride who partially belongs to him and partially to someone else?

My will is already striving toward Christ and asking Him to become her Husband. He accepts such a decision and conditionally occupies this place, since a person's will cannot be unmarried. But now, while I live in the world, I have the opportunity to choose another husband, and the Lord respects this decision as well. Although I do not want anyone else with my mind, my heart very clearly speaks of my true feelings and attachments. And Jesus takes this into account.

But when all trials of my will have passed, and it proves to the entire Universe that it belongs to Christ and will not exchange Him for anyone even before the fire of trials and death, then the Lord will respond to the aspirations of my soul and embody all His dreams in this desired union, so that nothing will ever separate us again.

This will be an amazing event that our imperfect language is not able to describe, and our mind is not able to comprehend. And this marriage will certainly take place, and nothing unclean or false will enter into it.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Psalms 1:1-2; Romans 7:2-6; Matthew 22:2-14; Revelation 19:7-9; 21:2-3,9-11,22-23; 22:17; Isaiah 54:5-7; 62:4-5; Song of Solomon 4:7-16; 7:11; John 3:29-30; Ephesians 5:17 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Was something new revealed to you in this chapter?

5. Who is Christ's bride? How do you understand this?

6. Why did the Lord clothe His relationships with His people in the symbols of Groom and bride?

7. Do you understand how deep relationships the Lord plans to have with each of us already now and throughout Eternity?

8. What does the bride become after the wedding ceremony?

9. Are you amazed by God's plan for each of us and all the saved?

10. Does the wife take on the husband's position after the wedding? What new responsibilities does she have after marriage?

11. Why can our will not be free and alone and must belong to someone?

12. To whom does your will belong now?

13. Why did the Lord plan His wedding after His Second Coming?

14. Do you think the status of Christ's wife will distinguish us from other heavenly beings?

15. Were these lessons useful to you?

When reading the Bible, one can quickly notice that the Lord calls His people His beloved and bride, but also accuses her of marital infidelity.

We read in Jeremiah 3:1: "If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers—would you now return to me?" declares the Lord.

God's patience and love for the one who, having so many advantages and being chosen by the Creator Himself to be His beloved, chooses this world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, and steadfastly clings to it, is astonishing.

In the Song of Songs, the Lord describes the kind of relationship He desires to have with His people. What hasn't He done so that His children could have the fullness of knowledge of the truth for their time? And at a certain period in history, He gave Himself to this world in the person of His beloved Son. He asks through Isaiah 5:4: "What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?"

Addressing His people of the last time through the message to Laodicea, the Lord decided to personally point out to each of us how He sees us. And what has changed over many centuries? We are just as wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked as our predecessors who were His people before us. And from this lame and miserable society, the Lord is gathering an army of overcomers, and moreover, such as have never been in all the days of human history!

But the problem with Laodicea is that it thinks highly of itself, but represents little good. Considering itself a bride, it has something in common with this world, which cools its love and makes its condition abhorrent in the eyes of Jesus. And He again assures her of His love and offers such close relationships that no one could even dream of.

Imagine such a picture. A promiscuous woman comes to her fiancé for advice and says to him: "Beloved, I'm going to flirt a little with my lovers here, let them court me, but don't worry. It's not serious. I'm yours in soul and belong to You and will never leave you. I know that You won't leave me either, so I feel free. And if I do something wrong, then You find a way to bring me back, and I will definitely return, because I'm Yours forever. Come, knock, follow me, wait for me, and someday I will be completely Yours and appreciate everything you have done for me, and I will be the most faithful." Doesn't such hypocrisy outrage you? Would a sane man tolerate such sincere confessions from his bride? But the Lord endures and believes in each of us, that we will someday turn and fully belong to Him. And He teaches how and through what.

But the next problem arises. It turns out that the bride is deaf. She has no ears with which she could hear her Chosen One. He seems to be saying something to her, but she looks at Him, smiles, assures Him of her faithfulness, and immediately forgets about what she didn't hear. He repeats His proposals to her again and again, and she looks at Him, admires him, and asks what hair color He likes, or which movie is better to watch.

What do you think, if some multi-billionaire decides to make you a rich person and makes every effort to teach you how to acquire wealth, and invests all the necessary resources and himself in this education, will he succeed? Yes, but on one condition. If you are interested and want to become a rich person. But if you are deaf and blind to all his instructions, then eventually he will wave his hand at you and leave you forever, regretting the wasted time. Will he be to blame for the fact that I didn't hear all his advice and didn't accept what he offered me? Will this billionaire regret that he didn't tell me information that could really convince me?

What else do we need to be given, explained, and shown so that our ears open, and we, seeing our true position, turn to the way out that the Lord offers us?

A sparrow accidentally flew into a house. Looking for a way out, it began to dart from wall to wall, hitting its beak against the glass. The people who were in the room wanted to drive it out through the open door or window, but the sparrow skillfully dodged and tirelessly flew back and forth, breaking its small body to blood. Then one person suggested creating darkness, turning off the light, drawing all the curtains, and leaving only the door to the street open. So they did. The sparrow immediately understood where the exit was and successfully flew out into freedom unhindered.

It happens that we have stopped hearing and seeing God's blessings so much that He has to surround us with impenetrable darkness and leave a small exit through which light will penetrate, indicating deliverance. But is it worth bringing ourselves to such a state?

It is also comforting that God is not human. He sees and thinks quite differently than we imagine. What I consider the norm of life, and what seems to me not so terrible in flirting with the world, the Lord sees differently.

To hear God's answer to my "What, Lord, is wrong in my life?", it's worth seriously asking Him this question and waiting for an answer, staying in fasting and prayer. It's difficult to stop quickly when you're rushing through life at full speed, but it's better to do it yourself and now than to have a wall do it for you.

Trading relationships with Christ imply such a stop in time and all your affairs so that I can sit at His feet and listen to what He will offer and what He will reveal. This is a whole School of knowing God and learning how He can manifest Himself through you in this world so that I can stand and win.

God wants to be first in my life and from this position to have communion with me and build relationships. After all, I'm not just one of many, but the one who is so interesting to Him that He sees me as His bride, dreams of having me next to Him for all Eternity and never parting.

In Revelation 3:18, Jesus offers all of Heaven, all of Himself, but this exit is so small and imperceptible to blind eyes that in the end He will have to envelop the whole earth in darkness and plunge us into such great tribulation so that we finally see this shining light, gain sight and go to the exit.

Sooner or later, we will all stop, come to our senses, start to hear, but the Heavenly store may be closed forever.

Regarding the 144,000, it is written that they did not defile themselves with women. These are those who, having accepted the counsel of the Faithful Witness, fully immersed themselves in this message and did everything in their power to be faithful to God and have nothing to do with the fallen world, false teachings, and spirits of darkness.

If you want to become a doctor, how much time do you need to achieve this goal? Many years. The same principle applies to the message to Laodicea. Prepare yourself to learn, accept, and change a lot. And no one will be able to become a bride quickly. In the Heavenly School, such haste is not needed, the price of education is too high and the requirements for the desired chosen one are high.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read James 4:4; Jeremiah 3:6-14; 13:23-27; Isaiah 54:5-15; 57:3-12; Ezekiel 16:8-42; Revelation 2:14-22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Do you think God experiences our infidelity as painfully as people experience it in relation to each other?

5. Why does the Lord call the relationship with His people marital?

6. How to understand if I'm on a dangerous path?

7. Why doesn't God reject His chosen one for her unfaithfulness, but seeks her, calls her, forgives her?

8. Are you glad that you are the bride whom the Lord loves so much and wants to save?

9. Will the Lord forever endure infidelity from His beloved?

10. Who or what is the Bride of Christ?

11. Why can't one be with the world and with God at the same time?

12. Is it worth returning to God if I have gone too far in my lawlessness?

13. How will the Lord deal with those Christians who do not respond to His calls and continue to flirt with the world?

14. Do you think the Lord will willingly reject an unfaithful bride?

The most difficult and almost insurmountable section of the narrow path to Heaven is quite short. If measured with a meter, it would be about 40 cm, and many followers of Christ have not been able to overcome it or even tried, believing that such a difficult path is beyond their strength, and the Lord should somehow transport them to the destination Himself.

This section of the road begins between my right and left ear and is directed towards my heart. 40 cm is not much in physical terms, but in the spiritual dimension, it can be cluttered with all kinds of fears, stereotypes, complexes, feelings of guilt and duty, lies, self-love, pride, selfishness, and other garbage from the arsenal of the evil one. Lucifer was the first being to fall on this short stretch. And he is still there, having not passed this amazingly difficult distance.

If you look at this section in an open area and fresh air, there are no visible problems with passing it. But if there is a thick wall between points A and B, as high as Heaven and infinitely wide, which I build myself, then passing this distance becomes impossible.

The Lord knows this peculiarity of thinking, when the mind understands, the heart agrees, but the will does not allow anything to change. I know people who have left the church brotherhood, believing that they can overcome everything alone and prove to everyone that they are right, and they will succeed better. But somehow, in my opinion, all this looks cold and alienated, and I don't really want to be in such company. Such people know the truth, see a lot, but for some reason, it's very gloomy and uncomfortable with them. They are like icicles, sometimes looking very beautiful, transparent, and unusual, but in terms of life taste, they are inedible, tasteless, and very cold.

The principle of a burning fire is known to many. Logs stacked together burn very cheerfully and brightly, but if you take a brightly burning ember out of the fire and put it nearby, it will soon go out. And if you put it back into the fire, it will flare up with new force in a cheerful company and will give all its warmth and light to others.

In God's church, there are also many representatives of the class with similar thinking struggling with themselves. They were present in Jesus' time, and we even know that they were called scribes, legalists, and Pharisees. Although these names themselves were the pride of that time, now they are perceived as something common. God's church in our days also has similar comrades who cannot overcome these important 40 centimeters, and to somehow hide their powerlessness, they begin to invent all sorts of explanations and justifications, defending their behavior and way of thinking. And sometimes it doesn't look like a justification, but as that point of view or opinion which is true, and everything else is wrong.

In the message to Laodicea, the Lord calls such people by name, not hiding His disgust, but at the same time, He points out the way out, offering to buy from Him what is very valuable in the eyes of Heaven and transforms everything in life and relationships. Moreover, the Faithful Witness assures us that His love and friendly attitude continue to exist towards those who will enter into trade relations with Him.

But in all this, I personally need to figure it out. It is human nature to see the shortcomings of others and attribute our own sins to them, so I can consider myself someone important and in this light belittle the essence of my neighbors. Jesus taught that a tree is known by its fruit. And the taste of my fruit can be very easily determined. When I think that I love someone and boldly say so, then I should pay attention to how this person relates to my words and whether my attitude pleases them.

Of course, if a person is led by a different spirit, then even in the love of Christ Himself, he will not see anything good for himself, but will roll everything in the mud of his heart. But if this someone is your close friend, with whom you have agreed on love and friendship, then, as I understand it, he should see this love and friendship in you, receiving blessings from it. You will experience exactly the same. This works very well for everyone who has an active hormonal system that quickly reacts to a kind attitude towards oneself and injects all kinds of happiness and joy hormones into the blood. But such experiences, although good, are short-term, because the will, mind, and heart also want to have constant blessings from love and friendship.

Love immerses the friend's mind in a country of peace and friendliness. The soul immediately feels a pleasant atmosphere and begins to open up, trying to determine the boundaries within which it will be safe.

If my loving friend decides to make me not happy, but good, then protective mechanisms are immediately activated, and relationships are blocked until true intentions are clarified.

Although we are all imperfect, and there will always be something in character that needs to be replaced or repaired, but when a beloved friend starts to do this, then my whole being resists, and I first ask the close one not to do this, and then I set boundaries in communication, beyond which I don't let them. Then, to somehow rehabilitate myself in the eyes of a friend, I myself begin to point out their shortcomings, making it clear that they are just as imperfect a person. And what do we come to? Instead of love and friendship, we begin to engage in upbringing, teaching, and distributing valuable advice and instructions on how to live better, and what is good and what is bad.

And this "snowball" of our relationships becomes so big and heavy that as it continues to move, it absorbs not only clean snow but also all the dirt that carelessly rested under the cover of love and friendship. And, of course, I will always be right in my own eyes, because I do everything out of the motives of my love and expect the same from a friend.

The Pharisees were very good people, and they wanted to have equally good friends. And all their disciples also strived for this. And a whole popular movement was formed in which everyone knew their place and did not claim anything else. But Jesus came and began to treat human rules and traditions very contemptuously. And the worst thing is, He did not want to become good, according to the opinion of the "specialists of that time," but offered the world a different model of relationships. For three and a half years, He taught inveterate egoists the science of love, and then even gave them a commandment to consciously observe it. The disciples at first did not understand what was wanted of them, but when the Teacher was gone, then the Holy Spirit reminded them of many examples of true attitudes within the framework of love and friendliness. Do we really have to wait until our earthly friend dies to see our true spirit and recognize our imperfection?

The most valuable thing in this world is what we can take with us to Heaven. There, everyone will be fine and there will be no temptations, but it's worth learning to be a loving friend here and now.

If I start demonstrating my holiness to my neighbor, I risk losing something very valuable in relationships that my righteousness cannot restore. But if I show my friend my imperfect love and my sincere desire to do everything possible to make him feel good from it, he will like it more.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 7:13-25; Revelation 3:14-22; Psalm 51:10-13; 78:34-39; 139:23-24; Proverbs 2:10-16; 3:5; 4:23-27; 12:23; 15:28; 17:17; 18:24; 27:17; Ezekiel 36:26-27; James 3:13-18 in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. How to understand if I love a friend as the Lord wants to see it?

5. Can I deceive myself by declaring my love for others?

6. Why shouldn't we point out a friend's shortcomings and mistakes? Proverbs 17:9.

7. Do you think your love should gladden your friend's heart?

8. What could be the reason if I constantly quarrel with the one I decided to love?

9. What is the difference between love for each other and love for enemies?

10. Do you know how to bring joy to your friends? If yes, share this experience?

11. Does Heaven rejoice seeing how we love each other?

12. Why do even friends who love each other have conflicts and disagreements?

13. If my friend doesn't think the same way I do, should I prove my rightness to him?

14. What to do if I see that my friend wants to make me not happy, but good?

15. Is it worth starting a friendship if there are so many unclear trials in it?

Address to the reader:

Dear friend. Thank you for dedicating your precious time to read this book. I hope that you learned something new and took something useful for yourself. I hope that all the Bible verses were also read by you, and if this has not happened yet, then I ask you to pay attention to the Biblical foundation of what you read in this book.

If you have feedback, questions, wishes, or anything else, you can contact me in any way convenient for you, and I will definitely answer.

You can find me on Facebook.

Email: info@otkrovenie.de

Website:www.otkrovenie.de;www.karpekin.de

You can find this book and my other works on the website:

www.proza.ru/avtor/bauarbeiter

May the Lord bless you!

Andrey K.