Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Master of Science degree in Psychology/Christian Counseling with honors from Liberty University. She is well-known as a counselor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults.
Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah is one of the Cities of Refuge. The city of Hebron was called the City of Abraham during the Crusades.
The LORD God appointed Kedesh in Galilee in Nount Naphtali as a city of Refuges. Kedish is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee approximately twelve miles from Tabor.
The church in Philadelphians were actively teaching and preaching Christ’s gospel. Jesus Rebuke and admonished the church of Philadelphia. The message to the church in Philadelphia again speaks of a synagogue of Satan who claim to be Jews but are not, whose members will in the end bow down before John’s listeners
The church in Sardis has a reputation that they are alive but they are dead. Those that overcometh, shall be clothed in white raiment; and not blot his name out of the book of life, but Jesus will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Jesus says that he knows the deeds of those in the church in Thyatira. Jesus is aware of the labors of love the believers in Thyatira have shown to God and to their neighbors. Their works included love and faith and service as well as endurance. The last works were greater than their first works.
The church in Pergamene believers were surrounded by pagan worship, Yet they held fast to Christ’s name and did not deny Him during difficult times.They held the teachings of Balaam which is false teachings and conduct within the church.