DIFFERENT   LEVELS  of  FAITH  ?
                                               or
               The    SEVEN   CHURCHES  of  REVELATION

        We are shown 7 Churches in Revelation in which John writes
about describing  CHRIST'S  words on how HE views those people's
relationship to HIM and the consequences/rewards to those who's
FAITH places them in a particular Church.  The Church of Philadelphia,
and  Laodicea being well known in that they appear to be the extreme
at both ends of the spectrum.  We all would like to think of ourselves as
belonging to the Philadelphians and not the Laodiceans.  After all, who
wants to be spit out of HIS mouth. ( it doesn't say where they would land
but I'm sure it's not a happy place)  So let's take a look at the Philly crowd
and see if we can reach any suppositions about these folks and their
FAITH that has placed them in CHRIST'S  FAVOR. We have to ask
ourselves, do THEY all have the same LEVELS of FAITH? Doubtful!
We only have to look JESUS'S own DISCIPLES for evidence of a
difference between them for proof of a difference.  Thomas (the doubter)
is specifically singled out for an example of this by JESUS HIMSELF!
HE says to Thomas, after he examines CHRIST'S wounds for himself
that he NOW BELIEVES that HE is indeed THE MASTER. " My GOD
and my LORD" (para.)  At this, JESUS informs him: "Yes you see and
believe, but I tell you that those who don't see and still believe are TRULY
BLESSED". (Para.)  So here we have a distinction by JESUS HIMSELF.
WOW!! So we have to take JESUS at HIS  WORD.  There is a level of
FAITH difference among the Disciples who, undoubtably would have
belonged to the same CHURCH, would they not?  So we can assume
that folks belonging to the Church of Philadelphia also may have a
different level of FAITH albeit falling in the same general CHURCH
category.  Well then, what does it mean to be TRULY BLESSED?
        Could it be bigger mansion? Maybe a fancier crown? More "face
time w/ JESUS when we get to Heaven? Must be something special as
JESUS HIMSELF implies that it is noteworthy indeed.  How about being
a Servant of CHRIST'S this level of FAITH manifests a service to HIM
that would not be available to a LESSER FAITH? After all, those who
possess this degree of belief could be used as a witness to others who
may still have some (rapture DIS-qualifying doubts) at this LATE HOUR.
Remember when JESUS told HIS  disciples that some of them would be
doing MIRACLES GREATER THAN HE HIMSELF had done sometime
in the future? This HAS NOT HAPPENED YET in recorded History.
Could that PROMISE that JESUS MADE to HIS  Disciples be one for
the latter days?  Would those with a "no seeing belief" qualify for that
task? Are the 2 Witnesses the ONLY witnesses of the latter days?
The SCRIPTURES don't rule it out. Hmmmm I wonder,,, don't YOU?

            MARANATHA

                  TH