Tabitha, full of good works and charitable deeds, dies in Joppa.

Acts 9:36-37

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
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“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.” Acts 9:36a.

In the previous section, Peter’s ministry reached Lydda and Sharon. Now, there is a woman in the nearby city of Joppa [named Tabitha], who had died. Joppa is circled in yellow between Lydda and the Plain of Sharon. Tabitha was a follower of Jesus Christ.

“This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.” Acts 9:36b-37

Tabitha was a woman whose faith was in Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. She was full of goodwill, kindness, love, gentleness, meekness, peacefulness, faith, and goodness. Those are qualities of the Holy Spirit that led her to be filled with good works and charitable deeds. That is exactly the way our Lord Jesus has taught us to be, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

The culture we live in today, which is global, puts to death the good works and charitable deeds that comes through the Holy Spirit. They live for the beast that opposes the presence of the Holy Spirit. That beast has power over physiology and demands that people do according to its will. That is the same beast that gives people what to speak, do, think, and feel. Because of its opposition to the good works of the Holy Spirit, today’s culture has become cold. They show negativity and hostility to the fruit of the Spirit. As our Lord Jesus says, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” –Matthew 24:12

Today, speaking about the United States, the majority of the needs of the population come through government subsidies, community charities, and other such organized efforts. Homelessness is rampant in the city where I live, in the surrounding cities, and all across America. Walls are built against individuals giving aid to those people in the name of Jesus. In fact, apartment managers, landlords, and neighborhood watch groups have policies against anyone “encouraging” and attracting the homeless by showing the love of God to them. People could lose their place of residence and face the wrath/persecution of neighbors by attending to the homeless. Today’s culture coldly refers to the spread of disease and sickness that come through the “uncleanness” of the homeless. However, today’s culture opposes the cleanness of spirit and soul that comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The fallen churches of today have become a partner with the agenda of the community culture and are just an arm of organized giving. The ministry of the love of God, by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit is not present towards those in need. Like Tabitha, they have become sick and died to the good works that come through the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus has several things to say to the churches of today, which are revealed in the letters to the “Seven Churches” of Revelations 2 through Revelations 3. A couple issues are that the church has left their first love [the Gospel of Jesus Christ], and that they allow a false prophetess to have influence over the congregation, as quoted below,

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Revelations 2: 2-6

 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants…” Revelations 2:18-20

The masses of people who live for the beast that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel are those who fill the seats of the churches. They have abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to partner with the community agenda. The beast they serve as God gives breath/life to the image of the beast to speak by speaking and living through them. By what they are given to say and do they are groomed to the mark, name, number of the beast, “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:5

“When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.” That was a show of respect and honor for a fellow follower of Jesus Christ, and represents the acknowledgement of our eternal Heavenly home beyond the grave. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that death is not the end of the story, but eternity waits beyond the grave. “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” Revelations 22:14. That city is the eternal New Jerusalem.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11