The Synagogue Of satan

[0:00] Last week we were talking about the suffering church, the precious church, the persecuted church, the church of Smyna. I want to pick it from there because I didn't finish last week. So Genesis, sorry, Revelations.

[0:13] Revelations chapter 2. Somebody say thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

[0:25] Revelation chapter 2. Permit me to indulge myself in reading from the verse 1, even though I'm going to verse 10 and 11. To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, these things say, he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstand.

[0:42] I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not.

[0:53] And I found them liars. And you have persevered and have patience and have labored for my name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you that you have left your first love.

[1:04] Remember, therefore, from whence you have fallen. Repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent. Verse 6.

[1:14] But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear, excuse me, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

[1:28] To him who overcomes, I will give to each from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Verse 8. And to the angel of the church in Smyna write, these things say the first and the last, he who was dead and came to life.

[1:45] I know your works, tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan.

[2:00] Do not fear, do not fear any of these things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison.

[2:11] That you may be tested and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

[2:25] He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. So I spoke about Smyna and how Smyna means, the Greek word for Smyna actually comes from the word mer.

[2:38] And we get mer through crushing. Mer, sorry, we get the sweet fragrance of mer through crushing the mer. So it tells you that the church of Smyna, a church that is coming under crushing.

[2:51] But the more we are crushed, the more the fragrance of Christ oozes out of us, is produced out of us. So it's a church going through suffering and a church going through pain.

[3:02] And God didn't stop the pain. He didn't stop the suffering. He didn't stop the crushing. The early church, the first church, the church of Ephesus. The church of Ephesus is known to be the church which had everything together but lost their life.

[3:19] They were running low on life. Then the church of Smyna is known as the church that suffered, that came under pressure and persecution. Excuse me.

[3:30] So Jesus writes a letter to this suffering church and he didn't say I'm about to take away the suffering. But he actually tells them don't be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Very interesting.

[3:43] Let's look at verse 9 again. Verse 9 says that, I know your works, your tribulation, your poverty. So I know you are going through tribulation.

[3:56] Tribulations are trials. Okay? Difficult moments, difficult times. I know you are going through tribulations. And I know your tribulations. I know your trials.

[4:07] I know your sufferings. I know all that you are going through. And I know your poverty. As I explained last week and the week before, that they went through so much. They were so persecuted. They were so marginalized and possibly disenfranchised that they started losing their businesses.

[4:22] They started losing jobs because of their position for Christ. Smyrna was a very important city in ancient times and in Asia at that time.

[4:37] Very important city. And Smyrna was called the crown. It used to be called the crown of Asia. The beauty of Asia. I mean, you haven't really enjoyed Asia.

[4:49] If you travel to Asia region, you have to go to Smyrna. Because if you haven't been to Smyrna, you haven't actually been to Asia. Because Smyrna was a very significant city. It was actually the center of medicine.

[5:00] That's where the medical symbol, the pharmaceutical symbol, the snake, came from Smyrna. Because they had this... And they had...

[5:12] That place was full of idols and gods. Different gods. Demi-gods. Different type of gods. And pantheism.

[5:23] Many gods. They worshipped all kinds of things. To the extent that one of the emperors... No, not actually. Roman emperors, as I said earlier on, were considered gods.

[5:35] And so, one of the governors those times in Smyrna actually built a temple dedicated to the Roman emperor.

[5:45] Because so... So, you can imagine how significant the emperors would deem Smyrna. Because it was like the emperor's city.

[5:56] That way, Winsor. You know, our queen would go to... Winsor is a special place for them. So, it's like Smyrna was a special place, a special city as well for the emperor.

[6:08] So, all the people in Smyrna were loyalists to the emperor. If you want to start a rebellion or you want to start some...

[6:19] If there's going to be some insurgents, it won't come from Smyrna. Because, you know, in politics in the United Kingdom, there are certain areas that, you know, is a safe labor seat.

[6:32] Safe tourist seat. That place, don't bother. It's labor. It's tourist. In the same way, in Smyrna, it is seriously for the emperor.

[6:43] Sorry, emperor. It's... They're so... And the emperor is seen... The emperors were seen as gods. They had a temple dedicated to them.

[6:54] And the Christians were now coming up, rising, and they said, Jesus is Lord. And they will not say, the emperor or Caesar is Lord. That brought them under extreme attack.

[7:04] Because people will like you in the community. Because all the community, everybody in the community, practically, is the social mood. We just like our emperor. Emperor.

[7:15] Emperor. We just like them. You can't touch the emperor. And then suddenly, you are coming to say, the emperor is not... Or Jesus is Lord. No. You actually put yourself up for attack, socially.

[7:26] You'll be marginalized. You'll be marginalized. You'll be discriminated against. You'll be hated. Because you are like public enemy number one. Right. Right. And so, they were faced with this situation.

[7:40] Political situation. Because of their Christian stance. Faced with that. And guess what? Not only that. The Jewish community also hated them so badly. No community attacked the Christians, early Christians, and Jesus himself like the Jewish community.

[8:01] They attacked them so much. So, they had these two extremes. And guess what? When they are in town, they were being killed. They were being persecuted. They were suffering. And it was so bad that they were living in the extreme side of suffering.

[8:15] And yet, when they come to church, that's the only place. It was so exciting. So, they had these two extremes. When they were in church, it was like nothing else. Nothing else matters.

[8:27] Nothing in this world. They just enjoyed church like some of us. I said some of us. I didn't say all of us. They enjoyed church. They enjoyed the fellowship of their brethren.

[8:40] Because that is where they have solace. That's where they have meaning for life. That's where they had comfort. So, they won't miss church for anything. But guess what? After church, they know they are now going. Sometimes, you don't know who will come back to church.

[8:52] Because they will either be in prison or be executed. Martyr. So, you don't know who is coming back to church. Just like when our soldiers were in Afghanistan.

[9:05] When they are going out on patrol, they were trained to know that it's likely you are not coming back. Psychologically, they were prepared. Where are some of the soldiers who went? Were you not prepared? You didn't go out to Afghanistan.

[9:18] Sorry. He was only in the office. He went to Perkamp. Can we have all the ex-soldiers rise to your feet? No. No. This is a camel.

[9:28] Please. Unless you have been to... Rise to your feet. Unless you have been to Afghanistan. Or war front. If you have been to war front, come. Wow.

[9:40] See, we are enjoying our country. Because people are dying for us. That's why the Remembrance Day is important. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, buy puppy, okay?

[9:51] Yeah. Don't just say, buy the puppy. You don't know what it is. They will tell you what puppy is. Buy them. He was looking at what puppy is. He says a small dog.

[10:03] He says a small dog. Baby dog. There you go. So, they did this for...

[10:19] And was it a worthy cause? It was. Worthy to save a country or live for a country and protect a country. Yeah. And for queen and country.

[10:29] Yeah. Yeah. For queen and country. And God has called us now to do the same for him and the kingdom. Wow. Wow. Wow. And most of us... No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Wow.

[10:40] Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. It's like... No, no, no, no. We just... Thank you. We just come to church on Sunday and go. You want me to die for what?

[10:53] No. No. But Bible says that... It said, suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ.

[11:04] 2 Timothy 2, verse 3 and 4. It said, no man warring in this world entangles himself with civilian affairs that he might please his enlisting officer.

[11:16] You see that? No one engaged in warfare. Go to verse 3. As a good soldier of Christ. It said, therefore, we must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

[11:28] Amen. So, being a Christian is not like... Being a Christian is not... It's actually you have been enlisted into an army. Yes. Christians are soldiers.

[11:39] Shall we say that together? Christians are soldiers. Say it again one more time, please. Christians are soldiers. So, being a Christian means you have been enlisted into an army. Wow. And it says that, therefore, endure hardship because if you are in an army, you must endure.

[11:58] You must be... You must have good shock absorbers so you can endure. Endure. Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. I don't want to come to church again because when I was sick, no one called me.

[12:11] Come on. Come on. Grow up. Grow up. My birthday, no one sent me a message that happy birthday. Grow up. Join the K group. And be known in the K group very well. Get involved in the K group.

[12:24] Get involved in a small group. Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. Then he goes on to say that, for no one warring in this world, no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with affairs of this life.

[12:40] When you read... Give me the King James. Affairs of this life. Okay, then it's NIV. I prefer the NIV. Give me the NIV. I'm sure that's what... All right. Civilian affairs.

[12:51] Gets involved in civilian... He wants to please his commanding officer. Who is our commanding officer? Those of you at the back there. Have I lost you?

[13:02] Who is our commanding officer? Jesus. Those at the back. Can I hear you louder? Who is our commanding officer? Jesus. All of you. Who is our commanding officer? Jesus. So your aim must be to please Jesus.

[13:14] That's a good soldier of Christ. Yeah. Wow. And so in those days, when they were going out after church, they are not sure. In Smyrna, they don't know who will come back. Wow.

[13:25] Because of the... Please, can you excuse them? Don't join them like you are one of them. Stand somewhere for you. They are not in their league. They are not in their league. They have... They have... They have labored for this.

[13:39] Because when someone watches the picture, sees the picture, thinks I'm also a soldier. I thought I'm not a soldier. They are taking pictures like that. So that's what they were going through in the church in Smyrna.

[13:56] It was risky to be a Christian in those days. Let alone a church leader. In those places, or northern Nigeria, when they are attacking, their target is the church leaders.

[14:09] Yeah. Currently. Northern Nigeria. Yeah. And in Afghanistan, in those places. So being a pastor is not fashionable. Not at all. For everyone to jump into suits and be walking, look important.

[14:21] No. Those days, no one... In fact, if your son comes to tell you, I want to be a pastor, I say, God forbid. Because it's a dangerous job. You will lose your life.

[14:33] Your children will become fatherless. So that's why Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 3, I think verse 1. He who desires the office of a bishop has desired a good job.

[14:45] He is a faithful. If anyone desires the position of a bishop, because a bishop is an overseer, and they are the target. That's why normally the bishop's ceremonial attire is red.

[14:56] Yeah. Or burgundy. Or purple. Catholics do purple. But Church of England and other. Burgundy. It's bloodstained shirts. So being a bishop means that you are putting yourself in the frying line.

[15:12] That's why they wear the red. So normally, if I'm going to wear the clerical, I'm not supposed to be wearing the red unless you are a bishop. So that is why.

[15:23] So I've just told you, anytime you see bishops, normally it's red. And anytime they are not wearing the red, they have to put a cross in their neck. Because they carry the cross. They are a symbol of death for the course.

[15:37] That's what it meant to be a bishop in those days. Now it's completely different. Please clap for our service. So he said, in verse 9 again, I know your works, your tribulation, your poverty, and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews.

[16:06] They said they are Jews and are not. And what are they? Synagogue of Satan. Are there people who say they are Jews and are not?

[16:17] Yes, the Bible said it. But they are synagogue of Satan. And let me show you a text. So, in Romans chapter 2, verse 28, let's look at that.

[16:31] Romans 2, verse 28. Thank you, Jesus.

[16:42] Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.

[16:53] Do you see that? Romans 2, verse 28. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly.

[17:06] Nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly. And the circumcision that is of the heart in the spirit, not the letter.

[17:23] Whose praise is not from men, but from God. Paul was writing to say, let's not make so much noise about this natural, natural, just Jew when it comes to the church. All right?

[17:33] Not when it comes to general humanity. Because Jews are still Jews. But when it comes to the church, don't let anyone be bothering us. I'm Jew.

[17:44] I'm Jewish in the church. No, in the church. Really, what matters is the one who is a Jew inwardly. You must be one inside. Look at chapter 9, verse 7 and 8.

[17:59] Romans 9, 7 and 8. Thank you, Jesus. Romans 9, 7 and 8.

[18:18] It talks about how... No, they are... Sorry. They are not all of... All Israel. Who are of Israel.

[18:31] Okay? Sorry. They are not... I'm sorry. I'm reading something. I was starting from... I started from 6. Okay. But it... But... Verse 6. But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect.

[18:43] For they are not all Israel who are Israel. Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham. But in Isaac shall your seed... In Isaac shall your seed...

[18:55] Your seed shall be called. That is... Those who are of the children of the flesh are... These are the flesh. These are not the children of God.

[19:06] But the children of promise are counted as the seed. So... The children of promise is talking about... Look at verse 9. It's talking about those of faith. For this is the word of God.

[19:18] At this time, I will come to you and Abraham shall... So... Isaac is a seed... The child of promise. And so... In Galatians... In Galatians chapter 4 verse 28...

[19:30] It says that... We as Isaac... Okay? Talking about we Christians. Now brethren... As Isaac was... Sorry. Now we, brethren... As Isaac was...

[19:41] Are the children of promise. So we are the children of promise. But this... And you know what happened. The boy... The child... Ishmael... Ishmael...

[19:51] Hagar's son... Persecuted... And troubled... And... And... Bullet Isaac. It's in your Bible. It says that...

[20:01] The... The... The child... Of the law... The child of the foreigner... Persecuted... The child of promise. Because...

[20:12] Ishmael was born first... Before Isaac came. And he was also a legitimate... Child of Abraham. Biological child of Abraham. But Isaac was not just... A biological child of Abraham. Isaac was a promise child.

[20:24] So the word of God... To Abraham was not to Ishmael. Because God is a God of promise. He was not dealing with Ishmael. Even though Ishmael was his son... Ishmael had not got anything...

[20:34] To do with the promise of God. Isaac was the child of promise. And in those days... The child of... The born woman... Persecuted the child of promise. And it's the same in today.

[20:45] And so... When Jesus came... Guess who... The people who punished him most. Who troubled him most. Is the elders... Of the people. Those in... He has...

[20:56] Much of his troubles... Came from the synagogue. Matthew chapter 12... Verse 9 to 14. Look at it. Matthew 12... Verse 9 to 14. From there we will go to Luke... Chapter 4. And we will go to John. Matthew...

[21:07] See... Verse 9 said... Now when... When he had departed from there... He went... Into where? Where did he go? Most of the problems...

[21:18] The problems of the early Christ... And the early church... Came from the synagogue. So even in Smyna... He said... They call themselves Jews... But they are synagogues of Satan.

[21:29] Synagogues was supposed to be a place... Where the Jews go... And worship... The true God. It was a place... Jesus used to go to the synagogue. Paul went to the synagogue.

[21:41] The early church... They used to go to the synagogue. Because it was an okay place. But guess what? The synagogue became... The center of Satan. Not that it has changed... But Satan now was using the synagogue...

[21:52] More than God... Was using the synagogue. So that's why he said... Synagogue of Satan... Look... Jesus went into their synagogue... Look at verse 10... Verse 10... And behold...

[22:03] There was a man... Who had... A withered hand... And they asked him... Saying... Is it lawful to heal... On a Sabbath day... That they might accuse him?

[22:14] Why did they ask the question? It's not... Not because they are... They are concerned about the man. They wanted to accuse Jesus. There are people in churches... There are people in town...

[22:25] Who... Are just wanting the pastor... To say something... They are asking a question... That they might accuse him. Oh yeah... And the scripture said... That they might catch him...

[22:36] In the things he says. You are here to come... And catch us in what we say... So you accuse us. May God punish the devil. Now... Verse 11...

[22:50] Then he said to them... Then he said to them... What man is... Is there amongst you... Who has one sheep? And if it falls into a pit...

[23:02] On a Sabbath... Will not lay your hand on it... Will not lay hands on it... And lift it out... And lift it out... You say Sabbath... So your sheep has fallen... Only one sheep you have... Is falling into there...

[23:12] You say... Oh it's a Sabbath... So I can't break it out... See that they are hypocrisy... Then he said to them... What man... Sorry... The next verse... Verse 13...

[23:23] Of how much more value... Then is a man... Than a sheep... Therefore... It is lawful to do good... On the Sabbath... He didn't just answer...

[23:35] He gave them an analogy... And he answered them... Look at the next verse... We are going to verse 14... Verse 14... Then he said to them... Sorry... Then he said to... Then he said to the man... Stretch out your hand...

[23:46] And he stretched out your hand... And the man was... We made whole... Look at the verse 14... Then the Pharisees... Went out... And plotted... Ah... Who are the Pharisees...

[23:56] They were supposed to be... The Jewish leaders... The religious leaders... Of the Jews... The religious leaders... In the synagogue... Then they went out... And plotted against him... How they might destroy him...

[24:08] They might destroy who? Jesus... Jesus was... God's agents... On earth... But why? Why would... Someone wanted... Want to destroy God's agents... Synagogue of Satan...

[24:19] Look at... This is... Look at Luke... Luke chapter 4... Chapter 4... Luke chapter 4...

[24:29] Verse 28... And 29... If... Ah...

[24:40] Ivy... Guess what I remembered... Somebody... Some people say... You like it... Some people say... That's why I don't want to go to church...

[24:53] They are full of hypocrisy... I thought church wouldn't be like this... I went to church... And someone offended me... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... You may think you are going to fellowship with good people...

[25:06] But you may find the bad side of some bad people... There are people like you in every church... I'm talking about...

[25:17] Potential husband snatches... Potential wife abusers...

[25:28] They are in the church... So don't say... I went to the church and I'm disappointed... No... No... No... No... No... No... Don't be disappointed in church... Just know why you go to church...

[25:39] Jesus went to the synagogue... And he preached his first sermon... After he met... The Holy Ghost came upon him...

[25:51] And he came out in power from the wilderness... He went and saw the face of God... And then he came... He went to his own hometown... And he went to the synagogue... As his custom was... According to Luke chapter 4 verse 16...

[26:03] As his custom was... And he read the scroll... From verse 17 and 18... And after he wrote it... He told them this scripture... It's fulfilling your hearing... And then... They were... They said... But we know you... We know your father... I said... That's the problem...

[26:13] Because God uses man so much... That sometimes... If you are not spiritual... You will be distracted... Constructed by the person's... Humanity... The person's humanity...

[26:25] Because God has... God has this interesting... Way of working... That he chooses to use... Human beings with humanity... And yet... He puts divinity on them...

[26:36] And they carry divine assignment... But when you get so close... You just see human... So you get confused... But I thought this one... The way it is very anointed...

[26:46] I didn't know you can also eat rice like this... You were on the flight... And you saw... A great man of God...

[26:57] Maybe you saw Benny Hinn... And you saw him snoring... Maybe he's asleep... Then suddenly you are disappointed... Oh... Come on... We are so... Man...

[27:09] So human... That... Your normal... Human tendencies... And human... We are just... Just so human... Human... Just so human...

[27:20] So much... That's why Jesus said... That a prophet is not without honor... Except in his own house... Because they see him so much... They find it difficult to... Accept that... No... You are a man of God... Some of you have got brothers...

[27:30] Who are pastors... Or sisters who are pastors... And you don't respect them... You don't respect them... And you have joined some... Other family members... Fighting them... And you don't understand... Why your problems are increasing...

[27:42] Because maybe... This is the one God is using... Listen... Listen... To have a pastor in your family... Is a big reason for celebration... Big blessing... Big blessing... Big blessing...

[27:54] There are many families here... You don't have any minister in your family... You don't have any pastor in your family... You don't have any man of God in your family... It's a crisis... Believe God at least... One...

[28:05] You may have one... If you have to... Wow... Three... Yeah... Four... Hooray... Believe God for that... And some of you...

[28:16] Somebody... Somebody came and was begging us... Please don't make my son a pastor... Oh... Meanwhile he said... When I get back to him... I vow to God that this one... He will do your work...

[28:27] Yeah... He will do your work... Until... Social desires came in... He said... Oh... My son shouldn't be a pastor now...

[28:38] Because... He must have prosperity... My biggest breakthrough... Will be if... When my daughters come and tell me...

[28:48] They... Pap... Daddy... I'm convinced... I want to do God's work... That would be my biggest breakthrough... Amen... Not getting admission to Yale... Oh...

[28:58] I'm getting admission to Harvard... Oxford... For what? For what? For what? Is it not...

[29:09] Financial opportunity to give you? It just boosts your earning power... It doesn't change who you actually are... And your destiny... It just...

[29:22] Schooling is just to help you get money... That's why the course... You... Read matters... Because it's... Some of us...

[29:33] You see no one is employee... Because you had a bad course... You... You... You... You... You... You go to... Investigo... To go and... Go and do... Dancing...

[29:43] Me... What are you two? You can't dance... You dance like... A Maasai... So...

[29:59] Back to the text... Jesus Christ in Luke chapter 4 verse 28... What does it say? Please put it on the screen... So all those in the synagogue...

[30:10] When they heard him... When they heard these things... Were filled with wrath... Look at the next verse... And they rose up and thrust him out of the city... And they led him to the brow of the hill...

[30:21] On which the city was built... That they might throw him down... The cliff... That's Jesus... Wow... John chapter 9 verse 22... In the synagogue...

[30:34] Much of the problem of the early church... Came from the synagogue... So it became... Instead of becoming a synagogue of worship... It became a synagogue of Satan... It became a synagogue of Satan...

[30:51] Verse 22... And his parents said these things... Because they feared the Jews... For the Jews had agreed already... That if anyone confessed...

[31:03] He was the Christ... He would be put out of the synagogue... You want to say Jesus is Christ... They would throw you out of the synagogue... And the synagogue was the social center... You can't do your naming...

[31:15] You can't do your anything... You can't do anything... Because that was the center of... Mobilization and interaction... You want to confess Christ... The biggest problem of the early church...

[31:27] Christ and the early church... Came from the synagogue... So that's why he said... Synagogue of Satan... How about the early church... Acts chapter 4... Verse 1 and 2...

[31:40] What does it say? Acts chapter 4... Now as they spoke this... The priests and the captains of the temple... And the Sadducees came upon them...

[31:51] Verse 2... Being greatly disturbed... That they taught the people... And preached in Jesus... The resurrection from the dead... From the dead... They were very worried... That these guys were preaching... So they came and...

[32:02] Arrested them... John chapter 16... Verse 1 and 2... Jesus said... A time is coming... Jesus said... These things I have spoken to you... That you should not be...

[32:13] Made to stumble... Verse 2... They will put you out of... The synagogues... Yes... The time is coming...

[32:23] That whoever kills you... Will think they offer God's service... Do you know who Jesus was writing this to? Christians... He was talking to his disciples...

[32:35] That people will be killing you... The synagogue of Washington... Will become a synagogue of Satan... Why is it a synagogue of Satan? Because Satan is actually... They are promoting Satan's agenda...

[32:47] Now they have become... Where is Satan actually... His headquarters... Where he is operating from... He is comfortably entering the synagogue... And he is operating from the synagogue... And Christians... Who are going for worship...

[32:57] Are going for gathering... And they are being attacked... In the synagogues... In Acts chapter 5... Verse 17... Or verse 24...

[33:09] It's all over... So many references I can give you... In Acts chapter 5... Verse 17 and 18... Look at verse 17... And the high priest arose... And all those who were with the high priest...

[33:19] Which is the sex of the Saddures... And they were filled with indignation... Verse 18... And they laid hands on the apostles... And put them... Put them in the common prison... For preaching... They had to throw them into the prison...

[33:31] In Acts chapter 6... Downwards... And Acts chapter 5... So many verses... I want to leave that and move on... They were... So the synagogues became... The center of attack...

[33:41] For the... Against the Christians... So he says that... I know you are suffering... So sometimes... We have to be careful... Church folks... Ashes...

[33:52] Church workers... Be careful you don't make... A place of worship... A place of fellowship... A synagogue of Satan... That people come...

[34:03] And people who actually want to worship God... And be honest... Faithful to God... And the body of Christ... And the church... And are suffering... In your hands... Hmm...

[34:15] Hmm... Hmm... Lada mercy... Lada mercy... Alright... So... Jesus... Back to Revelation chapter 2... He said to them...

[34:28] That... Verse 9... I know all that you are going through... I know the blasphemy of those... Who say they are Jews... And they are synagogues of Satan... Do not fear... Of the things which are about... You are about to suffer...

[34:39] Say suffer... Suffer... Last week I spoke extensively... About dying for Christ... Suffering... Um... Philippians chapter 3... Verse 8... 9... And verse 10...

[34:49] Let me show you something there quickly... Philippians chapter 3... Verse 8... 9... 10... I spoke about it last week... Yes indeed... I... I... I also count... All things lost... For the excellency...

[35:00] Alright... For the excellence of the knowledge of... Christ Jesus my Lord... Why does he count all things lost? The excellent... He... Listen... Listen...

[35:10] I know you have not heard something... He... He said... Knowing Christ is excellent... Uh... Get it? I just want to know him... That's the best thing that can happen to me...

[35:20] It's the excellent thing... It's... It surpasses... It passes... It's more than any... The worth of anything... The supreme... Preciousness of Christ...

[35:32] He said... I just want to know him... He says... Anything I have gained... I count them lost... Why? For the excellence... Excellence of knowing... The knowledge of... Of...

[35:42] Uh... Christ Jesus my Lord... Who... For whom I have suffered... The loss of all things... And count them as rubbish... That I may... I might gain Christ...

[35:52] I won't... I won't... So I don't care what I lose... I just want to gain Christ... Someone say... I want to gain Christ... I want to gain Christ... Say... Oh that I may gain more of him... Oh that I may gain more of him... Some of you are not saying...

[36:03] If you don't want to gain him... Don't say... But if you want to gain... Say... Oh that I may gain more of him... Oh that I may gain more of him... Say... For the excellency of knowing him... For... I can gain him...

[36:14] I can gain... It's a gain... We count... We count pounds... But God counts crosses... We...

[36:25] We... We count gains... God counts our losses... What are you losing for Christ... That you may gain him... The things you are losing for Christ...

[36:35] Is what God counts... Yeah... Not the things you are gaining in life... I know you've got a new job... I know you've got the best job... I know you've got the best house... Those are not the things God counts...

[36:47] He counts... What have you lost for Christ... He's counting your losses... God is counting our losses... Brothers and sisters... God counts losses...

[37:01] You count... Dollars... Or pounds... God counts crosses... You count gains... God counts losses... We... Determine our worth...

[37:13] By the things... And... The things we gain... And... We have gained... And stored... But God... Counts our scars... God counts our scars...

[37:25] Hallelujah... So it says... That I may gain... Look at verse 9... And be found in him...

[37:36] Not having my own righteousness... Which is of the law... But that which is... Through... Through faith... In Christ... The righteousness... Which is from God... By faith...

[37:47] The next verse... Watch it... That... That... Three things... Three things... Very important... That I may know him... You see... It says... I count them lost... For the excellence... Of the knowledge of him...

[37:58] Now he said... All this in there... He said... So... Why have I lost all things... One... That I may know him... Two... What... And the power of his resurrection... So I want to know him...

[38:08] And the power of his resurrection... Sorry... It's not two... It's one... I want to know him... And the power of his resurrection... Yeah... That's it... I know him... And the power of his resurrection... Two... And the fellowship... The fellowship of his suffering...

[38:19] Being made conformable... Or being conformed to his death... Revelation chapter 2... No... No... The guy even doesn't want to put it... Do not fear of those things...

[38:37] Which you are about to suffer... Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison... That you may be tested... Okay... Tested... Tested... God has to test you... God has to test you...

[38:48] Before he promotes you... That you may be tested... And you will be... You will have tribulation 10 days... Why 10 days? And I told you... I'll tell you... Why 10 days? 10 days is very short...

[39:00] 10 days is fine... If you are going to do some big serious deals... For some money... And they say... The judgment will be 10 days... You don't mind... You just have the money... 10 days... You'll be okay...

[39:11] But 10 years is a serious one... 10 days... 10 days is very figurative... And even though it's short... 10 is the number of completion... When it comes to God... Stop sleeping... When it comes to God...

[39:21] It's the number of completion... After playing the drum for us... To dance... Don't sleep... It's the number of completion...

[39:31] Say the number of completion... Number of completion... That's why we have 10 commandments... Oh... Okay... It's that the complete set... Of God's... Legal... Demands... Moral demands...

[39:43] Complete... You won't have anything more than that... So it's complete... 10 days... 10 commandments... 10 commandments... So when Rebecca was about to be taken to... Her husband... Isaac...

[39:55] After they went to... Do all the... Necessary rights... Yeah... The brother said... You know... Don't take her... Genesis chapter... 24 verse 55...

[40:05] He said... Let her spend 10 days... But her brother and her mother said... Let the young woman stay with us... A few days... At least 10... After that she may go...

[40:16] She's going away... But we need some... 10 in the Bible... 10 in the Bible... Is a sign... Is a number of completion... The number of completion... 10 days... In...

[40:27] In... Jeremiah chapter 42... Verse 7... Jeremiah chapter 42... Verse 7... It happened after 10 days... That the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah... 10 days...

[40:38] 10 days... A complete... A completion of a certain... Cycle... Or something... Complete... So... In 10 days... Daniel... And his friends...

[40:49] Daniel chapter 1... Verse 12 to 14... You remember... He says that... No... You don't give us food... The normal food... That is dedicated to idols... Don't give it to us... Give us just herbs...

[41:00] And give us... Please... Test your servants... For 10 days... And let them be giving... Giving vegetables to eat... And water to drink... Go to the next verse... Then let...

[41:10] Our appearance... Be examined before you... And the appearance... Of the young men... Who eat the portion... Of the king's meat... The king's delicacies... And... As you see fit...

[41:21] So deal with your servants... Verse 14... So... He consented with them... In this matter... And tested them for... 10 days...

[41:32] 10 days... Complete... It's a cycle... Must be completed... So he said... Fear not... For some of you... Are about to be thrown...

[41:42] Into prison for 10 days... That you may be tested... That you may be tested... And this will happen... For 10 days... 10 days... It must be completed...

[41:53] There must be a completion... Of God's process... In your life... It's a process... So in other words... Something must be completed... Don't be in a haste... To... Thank you...

[42:03] Thank you... Don't be in a haste... To terminate the program... I know you want... To move on quickly... You want to be a medical doctor...

[42:14] And from... Childhood... You have always been... An astounding student... You are so brilliant... So your medical course... They should do it... Two days... Two months for you...

[42:25] A crash course... No... You have to complete... The process... Complete the process... Okay...

[42:35] I know some of you... Are sleeping... Can I wake you up... As I finish... Yes... Lady... You haven't known... The guy long enough... Tell him...

[42:47] 10 days... 10 days... 10 days... 10... You haven't known... It's... Thank you... Call me... It's just... Seven days now... Brother...

[42:59] You haven't known her... Long enough to commit... To marry her... It's just... Three days now... You just met her...

[43:11] Last week... At the party... And already... You have checked... Into a hotel... Oh... No... Come on... Come on... Sometimes I ask...

[43:24] The ladies... Who are in courtship... How long have you... Known him... You have started... Relating... How long... And I normally advise... Young ladies...

[43:34] When they are entering... Into a relationship... With a man... In church... Decent ones... Decent relationship... So what you start is... You keep talking... Sometimes...

[43:45] Maybe... 30 minutes... For the first two days... Don't do five hours... Straight on the first day... Ah... Within two days...

[43:57] Within one week... He got to know you... You have already visited him... In his house... You start that... Until 3 a.m... Hey... Hey...

[44:10] Hey... Hey... Hey... He has already... Played with your kneecaps... Hey... Hey...

[44:21] Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey...

[44:33] Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey... How say you...

[44:43] Normally we tell people that at least. Know somebody at least for six months before you say, I'm going to marry the person. Lord, if you're going to say somebody. Know somebody.

[44:55] Some of you are not happy at all. I will even say it tomorrow. Tighten the process, lady. Already he has seen your knickers after two weeks.

[45:09] What is knickers? Is it not shorts? Oh, it's the same. Oh, sorry. Okay, I'm sorry. Ah!

[45:23] Don't let a man see you in a certain way. If he's not yet 10 days. Never! Never!

[45:35] He said, oh, I think this summer is short. Let's go to the beach. You know what he's trying to see. And he's going to order some fanciful swimwear for you. Don't wear it. Wear mumu dress.

[45:47] Maxi. Let's go to the beach. Let's go to the beach. Someone scream 10 days!

[46:02] 10 days! No, 10 days is important. And most of the time, it's the ladies who suffer. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course. If you cut the days short. Yeah, I know there are seven days in a week, but please, we need 10 days.

[46:17] To complete the cycle. I tell some of the ladies that you are not trying. He's getting to know you. It's just, he hasn't even said anything. Tell him after 10 p.m. I don't talk to men.

[46:29] Yeah, after 10 p.m. Yeah, after 10 p.m. Yeah, after 10 p.m. Yeah, after 10 p.m. Standard. I don't talk to men. Because, why is he trying to make himself special when he hasn't even committed anything to you?

[46:41] He hasn't said anything. He's just playing with your heart. He wants you to feel desperate for him. Some men like that so much. For them to like, the woman likes me.

[46:53] The woman likes me. You are not a strong man. You just want women to like you. That's why you are dangling hair like that. You are holding like a mitt in front of a cat. And you are, you are, you are.

[47:04] No. Sister, behave like you haven't seen him. Wear your high heels and let him know that there's a woman passing.

[47:18] Let him know that he will speak the truth. I thought you are awake. You are usually awake. But when I was talking about suffering, you are quite serious eating sugar.

[47:38] If you don't understand it, come later and I'll explain it to you. It's important.

[47:49] Tell somebody 10 days. Is it a good policy? It's a good policy. I said, is he a good policy? It's a good policy.

[48:03] Is he not amazing? It's amazing. Is he not fantastic? Fantastic. Is he not wonderful? It's wonderful.

[48:16] What a shock. What a shock. He's not perfect. It's established. Hey. Hey. Hey. 10 days. 10 days. So what is gonna scream? 10 days.

[48:26] 10 days. 10 days. It looks like you would prefer the message title 10 days today. But the 10 days is not about laughter. You will suffer for 10 days.

[48:40] Be in prison for 10 days. And you. Don't cut short the process. And you.

[48:53] Some of you remember. They told Lazarus and the rich man. Father Abraham told the rich man. In your days. You enjoyed all these things. And Lazarus is now also having some rest.

[49:05] Now some of you. The amount of things you have enjoyed in the world. Amount of stuff you have done. Including jobs.

[49:18] And. Cats. Amount. Amount of screaming. Biting. Shouting. Banging.

[49:31] Scratching. Biting. Yes. Biting. You have done. Drinking.

[49:44] Now you have just arrived in church. It's okay. When you see people walking down the aisle. And enjoying their marriage. Take your time. Recover. Before you jump into the deep end of relationship again.

[49:58] 10 days. 10 days. 10. The amount of nightclubs you've gone to. And the amount of. The number of men who have rubbed your shoulders.

[50:09] Hacked you. Hacked you. Now you don't have a man. Don't worry. Let the 10 days finish. So that we can detox you of all kinds of worldly men. Before a godly man starts his process.

[50:26] A brother came to me. He said I'm struggling now. Because when he was in the world. He was free. But I said I'm struggling. Pastor. What's your. I said. 10 days. Somebody scream 10 days.

[50:41] 10 days. I said scream 10 days. 10 days. 10 days. That's a prescription. Why 10 days? Because we have 10 commandments. I need to run.

[50:54] I need to run. Let's finish the text. Thank you for putting on the screen for me. That you may be tested. And. Be faithful unto death. Be tested. I have to release you for 10 days. Be faithful unto death.

[51:04] And I'll give you the crown of life. In the Bible. In the New Testament. You always come across crown. Anytime you see the word crown. It's not talking about just normal crown. You're wearing. It's talking about rewards. God will never leave you.

[51:16] I'm forsaking. He'll reward you. So after the 10 days. There's a reward coming. He will marry you. Never let a man know you in a way.

[51:29] That only a wife should be known that way. He hasn't paid the price for you to be a wife. Why is he knowing you that way? He's a cheat. He's a thief. And if he really loves you.

[51:41] He won't go there. Yes. He hasn't paid any bride price.

[51:58] That's why anytime you mention marriage. Oh, you know. Don't worry. You know I love you. Excuse me. Do not allow any man to enjoy what husbands enjoy from you.

[52:11] When he's not your husband. Listen. How dare him tell you. Come and visit me.

[52:21] Let's have a shower together. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah. And you two. You have changed your. Taking overnight clothes. And you are going. So you can have a shower together.

[52:33] Scream 10 days. 10 days. He said. He said. He said. Be faithful to the end. And I.

[52:44] Will give you. The crown. Of life. James 1. 12. Count it on. When you go to temptations. James 1.

[52:55] 12. The blessed is the man who endures temptation. For when he has been proved that. He will receive what? A crown. Of life. 2 Timothy chapter 4. Verse 8. Verse 7 says that.

[53:06] I fought a good fight. I've kept the faith. I've finished my course. Therefore. Verse 8. Finally. There is later for me. What? A crown. Of righteousness. Saw the crown.

[53:17] Saw the crown. In Revelation chapter 3. Verse 11. He says. That hold fast. That which you have. That no man takes away. Your crown. A crown. There is always a crown.

[53:29] Waiting for somebody. In 1 Corinthians chapter 9. Verse 25. Paul said. They do all these things. To obtain a perishable crown. When they go for the Olympic race.

[53:40] And all that. What they get. In those days. It wasn't medals. It was crowns they used to get. Crowns. And they said. All these crowns are perishable. It's not enduring. It's not forever. But we do.

[53:50] To get an imperishable crown. There is a crown. Waiting for somebody. I said. There is a crown. Waiting for somebody. There is a reward. Waiting for somebody. Yeah. Shout hallelujah.

[54:00] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And in 1 Peter. 1 Peter chapter 5. Verse 4. It talks about. If you do God's work well. When he appears.

[54:11] You will receive. Hallelujah. You will receive. A crown. Of glory. Hallelujah. He's coming. Hallelujah. He's coming with his crown. Yeah.

[54:21] He's coming. Amen. He says that 10 days persecution. 10 days imprisonment. Does not compare to. A crown of glory. A crown of life. A lifetime crown.

[54:32] Eternal crown. He said. When I come. You receive. A crown. Of life. Remember. Smyrna. Is a city called. The crown of Asia. Wow.

[54:42] But he said. He will give you. The crown. The true crown of life. And I told you. The Pagos. Pagos. The mountain. There's a mountain in. There was a mountain in.

[54:54] Smyrna. And it had. Temples. At the. Summit. Wow. They built temples on it. So. When you look from afar. It looks like. A head. Wearing crown. That's why it was.

[55:05] Count the crown. And the crown was made up. Of false temples. Temples to false gods. But God said. Don't let them intimidate you. They will throw you out of the synagogue. They will put you through all these things.

[55:16] But if you shall endure. To the end. He who overcomes. If you shall endure. I will give you. A crown. The actual crown. The crown of life. These are all crowns of design.

[55:27] Crowns of men. But come. Don't you want to be crowned in life? That your life. You have received the crown. What is the most important thing in life? You have got it. Crown of life.

[55:39] Then he finished by saying. He who endures. That's what the. He who has an ear. Sorry. Let him hear what the spirit says to the church. He who overcomes. Shall not be bent. Wow.

[55:50] Shall not be hurt. By the second death. You won't be hurt. Amen. You can't be hurt. Amen. As you live for Jesus. Amen. I pray for you. Thank you Lord.

[56:01] That God will help us all. Amen. To be faithful unto death. Amen. God will empower us. Amen. To be loyal. Amen. Amen. To be faithful. He said be thou faithful to the end.

[56:15] Faithful unto death. Who who for the joy that was set before him. And joy the cross despised the shame. And became obedient unto death. I pray. That your heavens will be open.

[56:26] Amen. I pray for you. Please. Let's all rise to our feet. I want you to pray. You want to pray that God. Help me go through the ten days process. Help me go through this ten days process. Begin to pray right now. Pray. Pray.

[56:37] Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray that Lord help me. Lord help me.

[56:48] Lord help me. Lord help me. Lord help me go through the ten days process. Help me. That I will desire more of you. The excellency of Christ. The excellence.

[56:58] For the knowledge of knowing you. The excellence of Christ. Lord help me. Lord help me. Lord help me. Lord help me. Lord help me Lord help me Lord help me help me to live the life help me to live the life of faithfulness life of obedience life of loyalty Father we thank you we give you praise for this afternoon thank you that because of knowing you the excellence of knowing you Lord and the power of your resurrection will empower us to share in the fellowship of your suffering being made conformable unto death

[58:02] Father thank you for such an opportunity thank you for such privilege we give you praise help us to be faithful unto death help us to be to be able to withstand temptation victoriously so that the church can multiply gloriously we give you praise in Jesus name Amen