Go Rebuild My Church

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part XVII: The Seventh Church of Revelation: Laodicea

Peter and Leslie complete their discussion of the seventh and final Church in the Apocalypse, the Church at Laodicea. This church received the most severe rebuke and warning from Jesus Christ. But also, they receive abundant hope if they repent! Jesus said that He stood at the door and knocked. This becomes the way out of their severe condition of syncretism and  He offers them communion and fellowship if they will open the doors of their hearts and lives. So, too, we, as 21st-century Catholic Christians, must follow the example of these first-century Catholics! If we take specific steps to come out of being lukewarm, and let Jesus come into "our world", we will experience His forgiveness, blessing, and affirmation of our Lord!

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part XVI - The Seventh Church of Revelation: Laodicea

Peter and Leslie continue their discussion of the seventh and final Church in the Apocalypse, the Church at Laodicea. This church received the most severe rebuke and warning from Jesus Christ. Many present-day thought leaders believe this church prophetically pictures the Church in the United States today. And yet, if they repent, they receive the most significant rewards! Jesus began by calling them out for being in total unreality concerning their spiritual condition. The Lord uses the city's geographical setting, economic forces, and culture to address their fallen condition. Can we imagine what the leadership of this Catholic congregation imagined when they read this letter? This second of a three-part series on the church at Laodicea will cause conviction, repentance, and hope to fill all who heed what the Spirit is saying to the churches! Next week, we will explore the beautiful promises given to this Church if they repent!

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part XV - The Seventh Church of Revelation: Laodicea

Peter and Leslie introduce the seventh and final Church in the Apocalypse, the Church at Laodicea. Jesus revealed Himself as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the Origin of God's creation. This church received the most severe rebuke and warning from Jesus Christ. And yet, if they repent, they receive the most significant rewards! Of all the seven churches, the Doanes believe this church most represents the state of the American Catholic Church today. Jesus began by calling them out for being in total unreality concerning their spiritual condition. They thought they were rich, prosperous, and in need of nothing. Little did they know how the Lord, with perfect knowledge and insight, thought of them. This final, three-part series on the church at Laodicea, will cause conviction, repentance, and hope to fill all those who heed what the Spirit is saying to the churches!

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part XIV - The Sixth Church of Revelation: Philadelphia

 Peter and Leslie complete their discussion of the sixth Church in the Apocalypse, the Church at Philadelphia. Jesus reveals Himself as the one Who has the Key of David and opens and shuts doors according to His Will. They have been given just a little power yet have been faithful to steward the gifts and graces the Lord entrusted them. This week, the Doanes discuss how this church did not deny the Name of Jesus. The Name of Jesus opens doors of power, forgiveness, encounter, and deliverance! The Church honors the Name of Jesus every January. The symbol for the name of Jesus, IHS, has been a symbol that calls each of us, for centuries, to honor the Lord's Name. Remember, Christ is His title, but Jesus is His Name!

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part XIII - The Sixth Church of Revelation: Philadelphia

Peter and Leslie discuss the sixth Church in the Apocalypse, the Church at Philadelphia. Jesus reveals Himself as the one Who has the Key of David and opens and shuts doors according to His Will. This Church receives a commendation from the Lord. They have been given just a little power, yet they have been faithful in stewarding the gifts and graces the Lord entrusted to them. This week, the Doanes discuss how this church is a model for us. If we are faithful in the small things that Jesus entrusts to us, He will open doors of opportunity for us to be His instruments! He has already created works for us to walk in. If we do our part, He will do His!

The Church at Sardis-Part II

Peter and Leslie continue to discuss the fifth Church in the Apocalypse, the Church at Sardis. Jesus reveals Himself as the one Who has the seven spirits of God! He is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. This Church receives a stern warning from the Lord. They have a reputation for being alive in Jesus Christ, but they are spiritually dead. They have replaced the apostolic faith with a form of godliness that denies its power. Two times, Jesus tells the believers to "wake up," This week, the Doane's focus on "solutions-based" answers to the Church at Sardis! Jesus called the church to "wake up," what does that mean? Waking up spiritually involves three key components that we receive from the Apostolic Faith: Personal devotions, the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist, and engaging in the re-evangelization of the faithful!

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part XI - The Fifth Church of Revelation: Sardis

 Peter and Leslie introduce the fifth Church in the Apocolypse, the Church at Sardis. Jesus reveals Himself as the one Who has the seven spirits of God! He is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. This Church receives a stern warning from the Lord. They have a reputation for being alive in Jesus Christ, but they are spiritually dead. They have replaced the apostolic faith with a form of godliness that denies its power. Through sacred scripture and personal witness, the Doane's relate to times we all practice our faith, as Catholic believers, in name only, just like the believers in Sardis. Also, Leslie shares the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, Who preserved her amid a severe accident. Sometimes, the Lord speaks clearly when we are in the midst of difficulty.

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part X - How the Church was Infiltrated by the Occult

Peter and Leslie again discuss the Church of Thyatira this week in chapter two of Revelation. Jesus strongly commends the church for the five aspects of their spiritual life. But then, Jesus gave them a firm correction, which was the most serious: they tolerated the prophetess Jezebel and her teachings. The teachings of this false prophetess were bringing some to practice idolatry and sexual immorality. Jesus told the church that the "deep things of Satan" were a part of the tolerance within this congregation. Today, again, the occult, like the Trojan horse, has found its way into Catholic families and parishes. We must identify Satan's "most dangerous game" and root out Satan's strategies to oppress the People of God!

Introducing the Church of Thyatira in the Book of Revelation

Peter and Leslie discuss the Church of Thyatira this week in chapter two of Revelation. Jesus strongly commends the church for the five aspects of their spiritual life. But then, Jesus gives them a most severe and strong correction: they tolerate the prophetess Jezebel and her teachings. The teachings of this false prophetess are bringing some to practice idolatry and sexual immorality. The Jezebel influence can still affect our churches today, as it expresses itself through the dictatorship of relativism. Pope Benedict XVI, in the sermon before the conclave that elected him, told us how to recognize this false teaching and defeat it

The Church at Pergamum and the Plague of Pornography

This week, Peter discusses the Church of Pergamum in chapter two of Revelation. There were three groups Jesus addressed in this church. Last week, the two groups we looked at were displeasing to Jesus. They have given themselves to sexual sins and practiced idolatry. So also, today, Catholic Christians have a huge battle that must be waged and won: the battle against pornography. Pornography is a spiritual plague affecting clergy, consecrated religious, and laypeople alike. This multi-billion dollar satanic business must be identified as a clear and present danger to individuals, families, and parishes. Last week, Peter shared the problem pornography plays in the culture. This week, we focus on being solutions-oriented. How do we get free from porn addiction? Peter gives a step-by-step plan for deliverance and freedom. This battle is one every Catholic Christian must engage in!