I wonder what the Christian Churches in America today would do if Jesus sent each one a report card grading them on their faithfulness.\u00a0 How well would some of these churches fare when subjected to such divine examination?\u00a0 Well, this is not merely a hypothetical question.\u00a0 The thing is: \u00a0Jesus has already sent out such report cards!\u00a0 He had them mailed to us by way of the New Testament in the Book of Revelation.\u00a0 In the opening chapter of Revelation, the Apostle John was directed by our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, to send letters to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor.\u00a0 Asia Minor was basically what is now the modern-day nation of Turkey.\u00a0 These letters graded each church on its faithfulness and performance in following Christ\u2019s teachings.\u00a0 Let me provide a little historical background.<\/p>\n
John wrote these letters while he was being detained on the Isle of Patmos.\u00a0 Patmos served as a Roman penal colony and is located in the Aegean Sea about 60 miles due southwest of the City of Ephesus on the mainland.\u00a0 Toward the end of the 1st century A.D., John was exiled there due to his preaching of the Gospel.\u00a0 His zeal for Christ apparently offended the Roman authorities who insisted on the worship of their emperor\u2014which was something John refused to do.[1]<\/p>\n
While on Patmos, John received a vision in which Jesus gave Him messages for the \u201cseven churches.\u201d\u00a0 When writing about these churches, John mentions them in a specific order, beginning with the Church in Ephesus and ending with the Church in Laodicea.\u00a0 They are listed in this sequence because this was the order that a messenger would have taken from the Isle of Patmos through the mainland when delivering each letter. \u00a0But, these letters were not meant solely for those seven ancient churches.\u00a0 They were meant for every church, large or small, that has ever existed throughout church history.\u00a0 This, of course, means it is a letter to us today. \u00a0Now, how do we know this?<\/p>\n
Well, there is no doubt about it: The seven churches John mentions were actual 1st century congregations.\u00a0 But, in reality, there were many more Christian churches in Asia Minor during John\u2019s day than just these seven.\u00a0 So, there must be something significant about John\u2019s use of the number \u201cseven.\u201d \u00a0You see, in antiquity, the number seven was often used as a symbol for \u201cwholeness\u201d or \u201ccompleteness.\u201d \u00a0It is even more significant that seven is considered the \u201ccovenant number\u201d referring to God\u2019s covenant to humanity in general, and to the Church specifically.[2]\u00a0 In this regard, the Prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God has declared: \u201cAnd I gave them [referring to God\u2019s people] the Sabbath\u2014a day of rest every seventh day\u2014as a symbol between them and Me, to remind them that it is I, the Lord, who sanctifies them\u2014that they are truly My people.\u201d Ezekiel 20:12 (TLB) \u00a0So, here, the use of \u201cseven\u201d indicates that Jesus intended His message for the entire Christian Church throughout all time.[3]\u00a0 Theologian, Douglas Moo, points to another factor indicating that these seven ancient churches represent all churches that have, or will, exist throughout world history.\u00a0 Professor Moo points out that each letter ends with Jesus saying: \u201cWhoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.\u201d (See Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.)\u00a0 The \u201cwhoever\u201d Jesus had in mind may well include any congregation or individual, over the course of time, who hears the messages of each letter and puts them to use in the life of the church or in that person\u2019s walk with Christ.[4] \u00a0Bible scholar, Ian Fair concurs by stating: \u201cIntroduced by seven letters to seven churches in Asia, Revelation is in one sense a letter [from] Jesus to all His churches throughout the ages.\u201d[5]\u00a0 Bear in mind that this is not some newly crafted view.\u00a0 In fact, the Christian Church in the 2nd century A.D. accepted this interpretation without reservation.\u00a0 In fact, one early Church theologian stated:\u00a0 \u201cJohn \u2026 though he writes to seven churches, nevertheless speaks to all.\u201d [6]<\/p>\n
The bottom line is this:\u00a0 These letters addressed real church congregations who were confronted with intense persecution by the Romans and Jews alike, as well as the challenges presented by false teachers.\u00a0 Nevertheless, Jesus\u2019 \u201creport cards\u201d to those 1st century churches are just as relevant to churches and individuals today in the 21st century.[7]\u00a0 Accordingly, many of the spiritual \u201cpluses\u201d and \u201cminuses\u201d of these ancient churches remain applicable to churches and people today.\u00a0 Every modern congregation reflects one or more characteristics of these seven churches of Asia Minor.[8] \u00a0With this brief history in mind, let\u2019s move directly into Jesus\u2019 letter to the Church in Ephesus to see how well they fared on this holy report card.<\/p>\n
In a vision, Jesus instructed John to tell the Ephesian congregation the following: \u00a02 \u201cI know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don\u2019t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for Me without quitting. 4 But I have this complaint against you. You don\u2019t love Me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to Me and do the works you did at first. If you don\u2019t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. 7 Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.\u201d Revelation 2:2\u20137 (NLT) <\/p>\n
The Church in Ephesus was located in a challenging setting. \u00a0Ephesus was a large seaport town full of sailors who\u2019d been long at sea\u2014with all the vices that that implies.\u00a0 It was one of the most important cities in Asia Minor with a population of about 250,000.[9] The famous pagan Temple of Artemis, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located there.[10]\u00a0 It was also center of emperor worship with various temples dedicated to several Roman emperors. [11]\u00a0 False teachers with their many errant doctrines presented internal dangers to the Ephesian church.\u00a0\u00a0 Despite these adversities, the Church in Ephesus had existed for more than 40 years by the time Jesus\u2019 letter, penned by John, reached its congregation.[12]<\/p>\n
Now, if we deem the letter to be a \u201creport card,\u201d what grade did they receive from Jesus?\u00a0 Well, Jesus gave them some good news; then, He gave them some very bad news.\u00a0 Let\u2019s consider the good news first.\u00a0 Jesus began by assuring them that He was quite familiar with all their deeds as Christians.\u00a0 He praised them for being hard workers in the Church. He commended their perseverance in enduring persecution in a city as thoroughly pagan as Ephesus.\u00a0 Jesus noted in particular their intolerance of wicked people and their dedication in testing the truthfulness of all preachers and teachers who came along.\u00a0 They were diligent in finding whether these so-called \u201capostles\u201d believed in sound doctrine according to Jesus\u2019 teachings that had been communicated to them, first by Paul, and later by John himself.\u00a0 In this regard, Jesus specifically pointed to their rejection of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans were a deviant religious sect that, like Balaam in the Old Testament, tried to lead people astray.\u00a0 In particular, they were noted for their worship of pagan idols and their sexual immorality.[13] You can almost see the self-congratulating smiles on the faces of the Ephesian congregation upon hearing Jesus\u2019 words of praise. Then, the other shoe dropped when Jesus added that all important word: \u201cBut. . .\u201d!\u00a0 \u00a0It was then that Jesus gave them the bad news that ruined their report card.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Jesus condemned them for losing their first love.\u00a0 He was very specific in saying: \u201cYou don\u2019t love Me or each other as you did at first!\u201d \u00a0This was a serious charge against the Church of Ephesus.\u00a0 It may well be a serious charge against many churches in America today.\u00a0 In fact, Jesus told them that unless they changed and returned to a life marked by His love, it would be fatal to their continued existence as a church.\u00a0 With this being the case, it is clear that when the letter arrived in Ephesus, their report card was marked with a capital \u201cF\u201d!\u00a0 They could only change that grade through true repentance.\u00a0 What is true for the corporate body of the Church, is true for each one of us individually as well.\u00a0 You see, a Christian might be able to strictly observe all the biblical commands, but if he or she lacks love in their hearts, their efforts will always be in vain.\u00a0 The Bible explains this in many ways and one of the most direct expressions of this great truth comes from the Apostle Paul. He told the Church in Corinth, as he tells the churches of America today:\u00a0 1 \u201cIf I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.\u201d 1st \u00a0Corinthians 13:1\u20133 (NIV)\u00a0 \u00a0Later Paul urged the Corinthian Church: 13 \u00a0\u201cBe on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 \u00a0DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE.\u201d \u00a01st Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV) <\/p>\n
Shortly before Jesus went to the Cross, He gave His disciples some of His most important teachings.\u00a0 Perhaps, the most notable was when He told them:\u00a0 34 \u201cA NEW COMMAND I give you: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.\u201d John 13:34\u201335 (NIV)\u00a0 \u00a0It is crucial that we understand why Jesus said that this is a \u201cNEW COMMAND.\u201d\u00a0 After all, the command to love one another finds precedence in the Old Testament texts.\u00a0 For example, Leviticus 19:18 tells us to \u201clove your neighbor as yourself.\u201d (NIV) \u00a0Jesus gave us this \u201cNEW COMMAND,\u201d not because loving one another was unheard of in past Scriptures, but because His followers were given a new and radical model reflecting the essence of what that love must look like.\u00a0 What it must look like is the love Jesus poured out on His disciples as He humbly washed their feet.\u00a0 It is a love marked by servanthood.[14]\u00a0 \u00a0And, even more than that, it is the sacrificial love Jesus demonstrated by going to the Cross for us.[15]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n
In the world in which we live, this is particularly relevant.\u00a0 So, many things are promoted as evil all around us.\u00a0 It seems as if we are surrounded by modern-day Nicolaitans.\u00a0 In fact, the majority of people here in Virginia seem to delight in electing \u201cNicolaitans\u201d to political offices.\u00a0 This appears to be the case with our newly elected Virginia General Assembly which recently passed the Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment (2026).[16]\u00a0 This legislation, spear-headed by Governor Spanberger and backed by her Democratic colleagues, calls for an amendment to the Virginia Constitution to make abortion a constitutional right.\u00a0 It will be on the ballot this coming November to let the people decide whether to implement this change to our constitution.\u00a0 Unfortunately, recent polls indicate that well over 60% of the voters[17] are apparently real \u201cNicolaitans\u201d\u2014so, the prospects for this constitutional amendment passing appears likely unless Christians step up to the plate and rally against it.\u00a0 But, how do we do that while at the same time avoiding the failure of the Church in Ephesus?\u00a0 In other words, how should we, as the Church, discuss abortion in light of Jesus\u2019 command to \u201cLOVE ONE ANOTHER\u201d? \u00a0\u00a0Earlier this month, a guest article appeared in ChristianPost.com that confronts us with this very issue.<\/p>\n
The article was written by Victoria Robinson.\u00a0 She is the mother of four grown, married daughters and has ten grandchildren.[18] For the past 30 years, she has been a respected leader in the pro-life movement and strongly opposes abortion.\u00a0 She has been very active in a post-abortion trauma recovery ministry she founded.\u00a0 She has worked with women who have struggled with the emotional wreckage that often comes following an abortion.\u00a0 Ms. Robinson knows firsthand about such matters. Many years ago, she was once in that painful position. As a single mom who was raising two children, she found herself in a desperate position when she became pregnant with her third child.\u00a0 She reluctantly had an abortion and, thereafter, carried in her heart the shame and guilt of\u00a0 her decision.\u00a0 In her article, she expresses alarm about those pro-life supporters who call themselves \u201cabolitionists.\u201d\u00a0 These abolitionists insist that any woman who obtains an abortion be prosecuted with criminal charges.\u00a0 Specifically, they support treating these women as murderers.\u00a0 Ms. Robinson agrees that abortion is murder, but voices her objection to this abolitionist position as follows: \u201cRedeemed, post-abortive women (and men) are a vital part of ending abortion. Their voices matter, and they must be heard. But they will never come out of hiding if the very movement that should extend love, grace, and support calls them murderers and demands steep legal\u00a0penalties.\u201d\u00a0[19]<\/p>\n
Ms. Robinson\u2019s position is echoed by Heather Lawson.\u00a0 Mrs. Lawson is a devout Christian and the mother of two adult sons\u2014one aged 30, the other is 26.\u00a0 Between the births of these two sons, she became pregnant for the second time.\u00a0 She was married, so the pressures of a single mom were not an issue.\u00a0 Rather, her doctors pressured her to have an abortion claiming the unborn child had a hole in its brain that would prove fatal shortly after his birth.\u00a0 They assured her that having the abortion was the \u201chumane thing\u201d to do.\u00a0 So, she had the abortion only to find out later, upon reading the doctor\u2019s medical notes, that the seriousness of the unborn child\u2019s condition had been greatly exaggerated.\u00a0 For 20 years, she struggled with this terrible reality until a Christian woman helped her find peace in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 She makes the following point:\u00a0 \u201cAll politics aside, you can never fully know who that girl or young woman facing a crisis pregnancy has or does not have in her life.\u00a0 You can never fully know the good or bad advice she was given that may have pressured her to do something she will regret. You can never know the fullness of her story.\u201d And so, she urges us to: \u201cBe the only Jesus she may ever see and love her despite her mistakes.\u201d\u00a0[20]<\/p>\n
So, how do we, as the Church, address this issue of abortion?\u00a0 We can\u2019t simply bury our heads in the sand and ignore the matter.\u00a0 If the Church is going to be relevant in our society today, we have to take a firm stand on this and any other ethical and moral issues of the day.\u00a0 But, we cannot afford to address these things like the Church in Ephesus.\u00a0 Apparently, they were very good at condemning people.\u00a0 But, they failed to \u00a0reflect the LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST!\u00a0 For that, Jesus rebuked them.\u00a0 And, because of that, we cannot take the position of the so-called abolitionists and demand that women who have had abortions be treated as criminals and thrown in jail. \u00a0Rather, Jesus gives us a model of LOVE to imitate.<\/p>\n
In John 8:3-11, a guilty woman was dragged before Jesus by Pharisees whose sole aim was to cause Jesus trouble.\u00a0 The woman wasn\u2019t guilty of an abortion, but she was very much guilty of adultery.\u00a0 The Pharisees demanded the woman be punished for her crime.\u00a0 They wanted Jesus to lead in having her stoned to death.\u00a0 But, Jesus turned on the Pharisees and said, \u201cLet the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!\u201d John 8:7 (NLT)\u00a0 They all knew that none among them were sinless.\u00a0 And so, one by one, they turned and walked away.\u00a0 Jesus turned to the woman and offered the LOVE OF FORGIVENESS, not condemnation.\u00a0 John\u2019s Gospel tells us: 10 \u201cThen Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, \u2018Where are your accusers? Didn\u2019t even one of them condemn you?\u2019 11 \u2018No, Lord,\u2019 she said. And Jesus said, \u2018Neither do I. Go and sin no more.\u2019\u201d John 8:10\u201311 (NLT)<\/p>\n
The abolitionists of the abortion issue are very much like the Pharisees who confronted Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, abortion is something that we should all want to be abolished.\u00a0 We must strongly oppose efforts to include the so-called \u201cright to an abortion\u201d in our State Constitution.\u00a0 Abortion is murder.\u00a0 There is no constitutional right to murder anyone\u2014especially a helpless, unborn child.\u00a0 But, then, aren\u2019t we all murderers?\u00a0 Jesus said to call someone an \u201cidiot\u201d is an act of murder.[21]\u00a0 Have you ever done anything like that?\u00a0 If people were locked up for calling each other idiots, we\u2019d all be behind bars.\u00a0 At the same time, we cannot afford to be unclear as to what God\u2019s Word has to say about abortion.\u00a0 Any reasonable reading of Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, Exodus 21:22\u201325 and Luke 1:15\u00a0 [22] tells us that an abortion is the wrongful taking of a human life.[23]\u00a0 So, yes, again:\u00a0 It is murder.\u00a0 That is what we must communicate to those who may be considering an abortion.\u00a0 We do this, not to deliberately upset them, but in order that they will be fully informed as to the extreme seriousness of their proposed action.\u00a0 Then, for a woman who has already had an abortion, we are show them the love of Christ and not self-righteous disdain.\u00a0 In other words, we are not called to hurl \u201cstones\u201d at them, as Jesus clarified with the Pharisees.\u00a0 Rather, we tell them of Jesus\u2019 love and forgiveness of even the most egregious of sins of those who are truly repentant.\u00a0 We do this not to condemn them, but to bring them back to Christ so He can heal their broken hearts.\u00a0 We are to do this even though we hate abortion.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 New Testament scholar, George Beasley-Murray provides the answer by reminding us that: \u201cWhen [our] hate for the practices of those who err becomes hatred of those who err, Christians depart from the redeeming love of God in Christ.\u201d[24]\u00a0 When that happens, we begin to lose the very thing that anchors our faith\u2014which is the love of Jesus Christ. \u00a0\u00a0And so, we need to make sure that we stick to sound, uncompromising, biblical doctrine, while showing the world the love, mercy and grace that Jesus has shown to us.\u00a0 The Church in Ephesus failed miserably in doing this.\u00a0 We cannot afford to do the same. \u00a0Theologian, John Walvoord puts it well in saying: \u201cHow the church today needs to heed this same warning [as was given the Ephesians], that [sound doctrine] and [good deeds] are not enough. \u00a0Christ wants believers\u2019 hearts as well as their hands and heads.\u201d[25]\u00a0 What\u2019s true for the Church, is also true for you and me.\u00a0 Let\u2019s make sure our heads and hearts are aligned with Christ and filled with HIS LOVE.\u00a0 Do this, and you can rest assured that your HEAVENLY REPORT CARD will receive a passing grade!<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Darvin Satterwhite, Pastor<\/p>\n
Forest Hill Baptist Church<\/p>\n
February 15, 2026<\/p>\n
\u00a92026 All Rights Reserved as follows:<\/p>\n
Anyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God\u2019s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.<\/p>\n
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Visit us on our Face Book page at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/4409sspotswoodrdgordonsvilleva.<\/p>\n
[1] Fair, Ian A. 2011. Conquering with Christ: A Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers.<\/p>\n
[2] Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. 1997. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Vol. 2. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.<\/p>\n
[3] Matthew Y. Emerson,\u00a0Between the Cross and the Throne: The Book of Revelation, ed. Craig G. Bartholomew, Transformative Word (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016),\u00a011\u201312.<\/p>\n
[4] Moo, Douglas J. 2018. \u201cThe Letters and Revelation.\u201d In NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, edited by D. A. Carson, 2273\u201374. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.\u00a0 See also: Mangum, Douglas, ed. 2020. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Context Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.<\/p>\n
[5] Fair, Ian A. 2011. Conquering with Christ: A Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers.<\/p>\n
[6] Moo, Douglas J. 2018. \u201cThe Letters and Revelation.\u201d In NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, edited by D. A. Carson, 2274. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.<\/p>\n
[7] Robert B. Sloan,\u00a0\u201cThe Revelation,\u201d\u00a0in\u00a0Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998),\u00a0667.<\/p>\n
[8] Glen Spencer,\u00a0Revelation: Unveiling Christ and His Prophetic Program, Expository Pulpit Series (WORDsearch, 2005),\u00a026.<\/p>\n
[9] Fair, Ian A. 2011. Conquering with Christ: A Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers.<\/p>\n
[10] Walvoord, John F. 1985. \u201cRevelation.\u201d In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 2:933. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<\/p>\n
[11] Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. 1997. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Vol. 2. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.<\/p>\n
[12] Walvoord, John F. 1985. \u201cRevelation.\u201d In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 2:933. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<\/p>\n
[13] Donaldson, T. L. 1979\u20131988. \u201cNicolaitans.\u201d In The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, edited by Geoffrey W Bromiley, 3:533. Wm. B. Eerdmans.<\/p>\n
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[14] Carl B. Hoch Jr., \u201cNew Command,\u201d in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 559.<\/p>\n
[15] Robert J. Dean, Bible Studies for Life, Spring 2007, Herschel Hobbs Commentary (LifeWay Christian Resources, n.d.), 79.<\/p>\n
[16] See Ballotpedia.org at https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Virginia_Right_to_Reproductive_Freedom_Amendment_(2026).<\/p>\n
[17] Ibid.<\/p>\n
[18] DignityDefense.org, https:\/\/www.dignitydefense.org\/about-victoria-robinson (accessed February 12, 2026).<\/p>\n
[19] Victoria Robinson, \u201cAbortion abolitionism's shame-based legalism. I will never support it.\u201d ChristianPost.com, https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/voices\/i-will-never-support-abortion-abolitionism-shaming-women.html (February 7, 2026).<\/p>\n
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[20] Heather Lawson, \u201cWhy it took me more than 20 years to share my abortion story,\u201d ChristianPost.com, https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/voices\/why-it-took-me-more-than-20-years-to-share-my-abortion-story.html (February 10, 2026).<\/p>\n
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[21] Matthew 5:21\u201322 21 \u201cYou have heard that our ancestors were told, \u2018You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.\u2019 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.\u201d (NLT)<\/p>\n
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[22] Psalm 139:13\u201317\u00a0 13 \u201cFor you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother\u2019s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!\u201d (NIV)<\/p>\n
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Jeremiah 1:5\u00a0 \u201cBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.\u201d\u00a0 (NIV)<\/p>\n
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Exodus 21:22\u201325 22 \u201cIf people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman\u2019s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.\u201d (NIV)<\/p>\n
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Luke 1:15\u00a0 \u201cFor he [John the Baptist] will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.\u201d\u00a0 (NIV)<\/p>\n
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[23] Abortion is the wrongful taking of a human life: See Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, Exodus 21:22\u201325 and Luke 1:15.<\/p>\n
[24] Beasley-Murray, George R. 1994. \u201cRevelation.\u201d In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 4th ed., 1428. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.<\/p>\n
[25] Walvoord, John F. 1985. \u201cRevelation.\u201d In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 2:933\u201334. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I wonder what the Christian Churches in America today would do if Jesus sent each one a report card grading them on their faithfulness.\u00a0 How well would some of these churches fare when subjected to such divine examination?\u00a0 Well, this is not merely a hypothetical question.\u00a0 The thing is: \u00a0Jesus … Continue reading