4x4 (Colossians Message)

 4x4 of Colossians.

A focus on the 4 points of each of the 4 chapters.

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Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Colossians 1:26

Chapter 1

(It's all HIS)

2 points on how to walk worthy----
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,

being 1) fruitful in every good work,
and 2) increasing in the knowledge of God;
vs. 10

He is the CREATOR
For by him were all things created,
that are in heaven,
and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,
vs. 16

& He is your REDEEMER

In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

vs. 14

He is the firstborn of this new creation of His

And he is the head of the body,

the church:

who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead;

vs. 18

Chapter 2

(Shadow of the ceremonial laws fulfilled / JUSTIFICATION  in HIM)

2 Things to Beware....

Beware

lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,

after the 1) tradition of men,

after 2) the rudiments of the world,

and not after Christ.

vs. 8

Nailed that ceremonial law to the cross (the ordinances)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

nailing it to his cross;

vs. 14

That SHADOW (ceremonial laws/cermonial sabbaths) fulfilled at the cross in HIM

Let no man therefore judge you in meat,

or in drink,

or in respect of an holyday,

or of the new moon,

or of the sabbath days:

Which are a shadow of things to come;

but the body is of Christ.

vs. 16,17

No more living in the SHADOWS of the ceremonial-the real thing has come

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,

---why, ---

as though living in the world,

are ye subject to ordinances,

vs. 20

Chapter 3

(SANCTIFICATION)

At the resurrection.......ultimate SANCTIFICATION

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear,

then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

vs. 4

Change your old sinful ways (Sanctification)

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;

fornication,

uncleanness,

inordinate affection,

evil concupiscence,

and covetousness,

which is idolatry:

For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

But now ye also put off all these;

anger,

wrath,

malice,

blasphemy,

filthy communication out of your mouth.

vs. 6-8

Old Man/New Man (Sanctification)

....seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

vs. 9,10

The tie that BINDS

Above all,

clothe yourselves with love,

which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

vs. 14 NLT

Chapter 4
(Ripple Effect)

Ripple Effect...all the way down the vertical chain....

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;

knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

vs. 1

Expanding the chain horizontally

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;

make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be always full of grace,

seasoned with salt,

so that you may know how to answer everyone.

vs. 5,6 NIV

WHY in Laodicea?

And when this epistle is read among you,

cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans;

vs. 16

All these things in Scripture appear for a purpose.

If Laodicea is the Adventist Church for the homestretch,

(Last of the 7 stages of Church history in Revelation)

they need to get their hearts right with God...WHY?

Because-

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

          I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Revelation 3:14,15,17,18 

Epistle from Laodicea?

 ....and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

vs. 16

Paul's letter to Laodicea has been lost early on.

But none of this happens for no reason.

Think...what does Laodicea represent spiritually

& in what time?

Could it be that the epistle was "lost" for a reason,

so as not to be a distraction on this point & instead

focus on the spiritual meaning here?

So to the rest of Christendom, what could be this "epistle" of Laodicea today

for them to listen to?

What is the message of this church of Laodicea?

If it is the Adventist movement---then that "epistle"

that these spiritual Laodiceans have is known

as the EVERLASTING GOSPEL & the 3 Angels message

of Revelation 14:6-12

That RIPPLE EFFECT....And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Revelation 14:6

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 Summary of Colossians:

Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2