Today, Craig and LaDonna Smith begin a new series in their extended study of eschatology, or, biblical prophecy. They are using the Book of Revelation, which isn't taught from very often by preachers and teachers but is so necessary to cover because it presents in great detail the things that are to come for both believers in Christ and for those who reject His free gift of salvation. They move from their review of the seven churches in Asia Minor, found in Revelation 2 & 3 to the church after it has been raptured into heaven by Christ which launches the seven year Great Tribulation period here on earth. They unpackage the introductory verses of chapter 4 by reviewing what John the Revelator saw in his vision of things to come. They discuss in detail what the words of this chapter are telling those who read it and desire to understand it fully. They talk about John being invited by Christ to, "Come up here..." and how he could do this by, "Being in the spirit..." and how long it took him to get there, which was immediately. But the most important part of this episode is when Craig stops the music and turns his attention to sharing a clear presentation of the gospel and inviting listeners to come to Christ right then and there, so they don't miss this eternity altering event! If you're in that number, please consider your eternal destiny, as the Smiths plead with you to consider. You may not have much time left to decide. Is it heaven, or is it going to be hell? They only assurance we have for heaven is through Christ, the truth behind the whole book of Revelation and the other sixty-five books that make up God's Holy and universally true Word!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith finish their study in the seventh and final church in Revelation 2 and 3, the church in Laodicea. Along with their concluding comments on the discipline of the Lord as found in verse 19, they unpackage the truths about who's door it is He is standing at and knocking, seeking to come in and have fellowship with. Contrary to many who think He's knocking at the door of the lost person, He's actually standing and knocking at the door of His church, which He wasn't a part of because this was an apostate, unbelieving church. Oh, how we need to take the admonitions of Christ seriously to all the seven churches He told John to write to and give them His exact words of commendation and condemnation, but in particular this church, which was a lukewarm church that Christ would spit (vomit) out of His mouth. The passage ends on a potentially positive note as verse 21 tell us all, if we live victorious lives, we will be given a place of honor by sitting in His throne in heaven. What does that mean? Well, please tune into this series ending finale for that answer. And don't miss Craig and LaDonna's acapella rendition of Amazing Grace, sung in both English and their Native languages of Ojibwa and Navajo. A great ending to a great series, right her on Indigenous Faith! And don't forget to join them as they continue on in their extended eschatological study on the rest of the book of Revelation!

Today the Smiths help draw the parallel Christ makes about the spiritual climate of Laodicea in comparison to the climate of the practical or even physical climate of this important city as they cover Revelation 3:17-19. There were three important hallmarks of Laodicea as a community they were known for. Their wealth, their textile industry and their advances in medical helps such as an expensive eye salve they were famous for. Jesus says don't depend on your wealth, but look to me for a spiritual supply of resources that come with my blessing. Don't look for the black woolen garments they were famous for, but for the white garments associated with the righteousness that comes from Christ, and also, don't depend on the eye salve the community was famous for producing, but put on the supernatural eye salve I proved that improves both physical and spiritual sight and understanding. The bottom line of Christ's admonition to them was LOOK TO ME FOR ALL YOU NEED! He said that because they weren't looking to Christ for anything they needed. They seemed to have it all, but that "all" came from fallen mankind's sources. And that's not the living church of Jesus Christ! That's why this church was nothing more than a human organization made up of lost people who thought they were followers of Christ. It led the Lord, and the Smiths, to finish up this line of thought from verse 18, which was all bout the discipline, yes loving discipline of God for His own. If they wanted to repent and turn to Christ for salvation, then they'd have to be willing to go through godly discipline, which always is intended to bring wayward souls back to the fold of God. All important stuff, and all right here on this week's version of Indigenous Faith!

In episode two of the church in Laodicea, the Smiths move their study down the road as they finish up some introductory comments before launching into verses 14-18. They identify who Christ really is to counter some false teaching that he was only a created being and not a part of the eternal Godhead. They then move into one of the more famous verses in all the Bible where John said that Christ wished that they were either hot or cold, but they were lukewarm. And because of that, He would spit (or vomit) them out of His mouth. What horse tones the Lord sets when describing the actual church in this community that was not an actual church at all. Why? Because they were made up of folk that only thought they were Christians, but lacked the true markers of genuine believers. Drawing from three analogous comparisons between spiritual Laodiceans and the natural Laodicea, Christ explains why they were not His true followers, but only applying three key realities of the surrounding city of Laodicea. The first was their wealth. Laodicea was a prosperous city with a strong banking system. The church was prosperous enough on their own they didn't need the Lord and His provisions. They also leaned heavily on the massive textile industry that featured black woolen products to clothe themselves in the finest of clothing, and leaned on the advancements the city made in the medical world through a much sought after eye salve that the world went crazy for. There wasn't any dependence on God because they didn't need His help. They were totally into themselves, and lacking the burning passion of a hot heart after God, our able to drink refreshingly cold spiritual water from the Lord, Himself, but were like the lukewarm and dirty water that supplied Laodecia with their less than favorable water supply. Drawing from commentators like Amir Tsarfati, Barry Stagner and John MacArthur, the reality of the spiritual indifference of the church in Laodecia became incredibly painful to read, leaving them with only one true option..Repent! Would they do so? Well you'll have to join the Smiths next week to find out, right here on Indigenous Faith.

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith begin their journey into the seventh and final church that was on the receiving end of admonitions from Christ as given to the Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos, and which formulates the book of Revelation. It's the church in Laodicea which is front and center today. This was one of two churches that did not receive positive commendations from Christ, but only condemnatory words because of the serious situation they found themselves in. Though thought to be representing Christ, they were actually a church which Bible commentators noted was made up of people who thought they were Christian, but were actually just going through the motions. It led one voice to note that of the seven churches in Revelation 2&3, this was the only one that would miss the rapture and have to go through the Great Tribulation because of their unsaved status. They had alot going for them, in earthly terms. They were wealthy but that wealth led to no need to trust God for their provisions, they were well dressed in the styles of the day as Laodicea was known for their textile industry, and a reputation that lacked nothing in the medical world as being the city where an excellent eye salve was developed and used widely. Reputation was everything, except it was a reputation of the world, and not of the Word. It led the Lord to comment that they were neither hot nor cold, but full of lukewarm indifference, just like the lukewarm water that serviced the city through a complex aqueduct system. What do you have to say to a group like this? Sadly, this church represents many churches all throughout the Church Age, and even to this day. You can say you are a Christian church, but lack any evidence of true regeneration and divine empowerment. So this begins the Smith's study into this confused church, and once they are done with this series, we'll all know what to watch for in our own local church body so we do not become like the Laodicean folks who lacked what it took to be a church that was accepted by the Lord Jesus Christ. Important issues for sure, and it's all right here on this and the upcoming editions of Indigenous Faith!

In today's third and final episode of Christ's words to the church in Philadelphia, as found in Revelation 3:7-13, Craig and LaDonna complete their verse by verse commentary of this incredibly important passage of Scripture that had relevance for this church in the Dark Ages, but important for us as well. Remember, the Smiths have reminded us in episodes past that these actual seven churches were not only living bodies of Christ some 2,000 years ago, but they also represent all churches in all cultures in all parts of the world throughout all the Church Age. Important to today's teaching is the reality that throughout its history, the church has been anticipating with great expectancy the rapture of the church and the subsequent return of Christ to earth to establish His millennial reign, and we will be part of all those miraculous events! As the great gospel song says, "So keep your eyes upon the eastern skies, lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh!" Even so, come Lord Jesus!

This is the second of a three part series on the church in Philadelphia as presented in Revelation 3:7-13. Today the Smiths continue their verse by verse commentary on this passage and also continue to present seven important commendations Christ gives to this church. It's all important information that will help us live victorious lives in the context of our Indigenous cultures and communities. All right here on Indigenous Faith!

Today the Smiths return to their extended study on biblical prophecy and Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor as found in Revelation 2 and 3. Today they begin a look at the sixth church, the church in Philadelphia. Today's episode provides the all important context to this church as the Smiths provide some very important background information on not only the church, but the community as well. This is one of only two churches of the seven who did not receive any condemnation from Christ, but only commendation. The Smiths had time to only delve into the initial text of Revelation 3:7-13 which spoke of Christ as Holy and True. What a way to start this new look into this new church. We trust you will stay with Craig and LaDonna as the continue to unpackage these all important words from the Lord Himself to these seven churches, right here on Indigenous Faith!