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she is enamored with herself, needing nothing, not even the Lord Himself -- for He has been locked out, and is on the outside knocking, trying to get in.

          How ironic it is that Christ characterizes the poor church of "Smyrna" as being rich, and calls the wealthy church of "Laodicea" poor. This is our modern day form of Christianity -- Corporate -- run by boards and consensus of opinion, rather than by the "Holy Spirit." Christ counsels them to buy from Him "gold tried in the fire." which hearkens back to the "parable of the 10 virgins" who are told to go "buy" for themselves. This church has worldly riches, but has (as it were) fools gold, for Christ only honors "gold tried in the fire". This represents the fact that each of us must personally pay for ourselves a high cost for spiritual development -- no one can do it for us. We can either pay this price now, when it is relatively easy; or we we'll be forced by the Lord to do so out of necessity in the tribulation.

          Christ promises this church that He will spit (or vomit) them out of His mouth. Overcomers are promised rulership with Christ in His throne.

          As we have mentioned several times already, Christ is coming to judge our works based on their point of origin  -- whether born in our own religious minds (i.e. our souls) or born in God's mind (i.e., His spirit). This is the meaning of the two-edged sword which will proceed forth from His mouth.

          Just being born again does not instantly make us spiritual. Even though we may have received the Holy Spirit, (through the laying on of hands or by Divine Intervention) this still does not insinuate that our thought processes are controlled by, or even necessarily led by God's Holy Spirit. We must remember, that our old nature (the old man) must be put off daily, and must be replaced by the new man (God's new creation, the Holy Spirit in us) (Col. 3 vs. 9-10). This is why we see so much carnality evident among believers today; because they mistakenly assume that since Christ entered their lives (in the salvation experience) and may have brought them a step further, (into the realm of the supernatural through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit) that they automatically received the whole package. How far from the truth this really is. Any father can give gifts to his children, but will still readily realize that the simple act of gift giving does not necessarily better the basic character of his children; in fact, some children may begin to feel more "special" than others and may refuse to let them play with their toys -- while some share whatever they have. This seems to parallel what we see occurring in many churches today. Many are impressed by, or are themselves impressing others with their spiritual gifts, never realizing that these gifts do not in anyway make them truly spiritual people. In fact, just the opposite often occurs, for spiritual pride and egotism can begin to take root (as we see God use us), and we can begin to feel more favored and superior to our brethren -- a position, as Christians, we should loathe to take. Remember, "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

          One famous Evangelist used by the Lord in the healing revivals of the fifties and sixties began getting drunk before and after his meetings, and still the supernatural healings occurred. Why? Because God honors His Word above all other things. This should really come as no surprise to us, for we read earlier of Balaam, whose prophesies were