Tag: Revelation at a Glance

Rev 3:14-22  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  (15)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  (19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  (20)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  (21)  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  (22)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Good morning, reader! I hope this series stirs your heart to tell others about Christ so they won’t have to live through the most terrible period in earth’s history. I know it stirs the embers in my own heart! I also pray that this series would prick the lukewarm heart to be set on fire for God’s Word and repent from complacency.

Today’s church is the Laodicean church and we are hard pressed to find anything in this church that it is doing right. In fact, Christ cannot commend it for one thing! Even though He can’t, He still encourages them to repent! In fact, He prefaces that statement with the fact that those He loves, He reproves and disciplines them. What great compassion our Saviour has!

This church in history was a wealthy church. It was known for its sheep that had glossy black wool which they used for fine expensive coats. Their medical school also invented an eye disease salve which we still use today, called boric acid. I found that quite interesting. They didn’t have good drinking water so they piped in their water by aqueduct from Hierapolis. This water came from their hot water spring and by the time it arrived to Laodicea, it was lukewarm. I love how the Lord uses their “commodities” in a spiritual light. It is located near Denizli, Turkey today. They were nearly destroyed in 60AD by an earthquake. In fact, the government offered them subsidies to rebuild (sound familiar?) but they rejected it and said they could handle it on their own. They were self sufficient, which I also find interesting. They didn’t need any help from God!

In the church timeline, Laodicea existed from the 1900’s and this church will go through the Tribulation period. It runs simultaneously with the church at Philadelphia but it is not evangelistic at all. In fact, this church is an apostate church. It’s interesting to read how Jesus uses His reprimands with what this church holds dear.

Jesus tells them that they are lukewarm considering the waters from the aqueduct coming into their city being lukewarm! I love the analogy! They are not on fire for the Lord nor cold and indifferent. Jesus also tells them that they are known for their eye salve yet they are spiritually blind! They’re known for their black shining expensive wool but they will be naked before Him. He encourages them to have white raiment so they will be clothed. They have plenty of gold but the Lord tells them to buy from Him gold tried by fire!

This church has allowed the world into it and has no spiritual power at all. At the turn of the 20th Century, scholars of the day promoted heresies which started turning the hearts of Christian churches. One such man was Harry Emerson Fosdick. According to Wikipedia,

Fosdick became a central figure in the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s and was one of the most prominent liberal ministers of the early 20th century.

In his sermon at the Northern Baptists Convention in 1922, he said that Christianity didn’t need:

“intolerance of fundamentalists, but rather the tolerance of diverse beliefs practiced by enlightened modernists.”

Today, a tolerating of sin under the banner of love is promoted in this apostate church rather than addressing sin under the banner of truth and grace so that people could experience genuine forgiveness! It is liberal theologians like this who infiltrated the church and this church becomes known as the apostate church at Laodicea. Both churches, Philadelphia and Laodicea, exist today but the church at Philadelphia will be gloriously raptured! The Laodicean church, however, will go through the Tribulation and will be used by the Antichrist. He will succeed in deceiving many through this church.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks and asks them to let Him in. This church has not invited Jesus into their church. The Lord doesn’t force His way in. It continues to be a personal invitation to us all, not just this church, amen? We must all have our own personal experience with the Lord. We must all be born again and live for the Lord as our time is short!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Rev 3:7-13  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;  (8)  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  (9)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.  (10)  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  (11)  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  (12)  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  (13)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Good morning, reader! Pull up a chair, open your Bible and sit a while with your favorite morning beverage. We are about to read the letter to the Church at Philadelphia. This church is especially a blessing to read because it represents our current Church age! This is the age where believers have the blessed hope of being raptured before that great and horrifying day of the Lord.

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The horrifying seven-year Tribulation will be like none that has ever occurred on this earth. As mankind has grown more wicked, it will take more judgments and wrath from God in order to get their attention. The more one sins, the harder the heart is toward the things of God. It is going to be a period of great fear and destruction. This is the very topic that led me to the Saviour and I have rejoiced daily that I am going to be included in this blessed event, unless the Lord calls me Home before.

The Church of Philadelphia is not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It, too, was nearly destroyed by the great earthquake of 17AD and it never fully recovered. It was known for its principle crop of grapes. Ironically, the unbelievers worshipped Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

Bacchus was the unrestrained Roman god of wine and revelry, religious ecstasy, and frenzied creativity. The Romans believed that Bacchus inspired his worshipers in their drunken state, freeing them to think and act in new ways.

mythopedia.com

This city was built by Philadelphus, King of Pergamum. It was eventually taken by Bajazet in 1390. It is now the town named Allahshar, and Islam is the only religion. How sad that Christianity faded!

Historically, the Church at Philadelphia covers the period from 1750 until the Rapture. this time frame is also occupied by the Church at Laodicea covering the time span between the 1900’s through the Tribulation. Do you wonder why two Churches run side by side? Apparently the Church in the 1900’s branched off into two and resulted in the evangelistic Church and the liberal, apostate church. The liberal “thinkers” became prominent during the 1900’s and this liberalism crept into the Church. But as usual, there was a holy remnant who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ from 1750 until today. We see the continuation of John Wesley’s preaching as well as Jonathan Edwards, who was also prominent. There were four segments to the Great Awakening:

1. Starting at the end of the last Church from 1730-1740, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were leading many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2. From 1790-1840, America was spiritually awakened. It is said that 10,000 souls per week were won to the Lord in New York City alone! Oh that this would happen today! The awakening spread throughout New England and Baptists baptized over a million converts. The gospel’s effects were felt for 40 years after that!
3. A Welsh revival occurred from 1855 to 1930 and entire towns were transformed. Bars closed down and lives were literally changed. It was said that the coal production industry went down because the donkeys wouldn’t move when the townsmen told them to move! Why? The donkeys were accustomed to being cursed at and the townsmen were no longer cursing! Now THAT is a changed life, amen? (2 Cor. 5:17 was truly accomplished)
4. From 1960-1980, America saw an awakening with Billy Graham’s evangelistic tours. Hearts were stirred at this time. I’m not promoting his work as his doctrine was different than what I believe; however, one cannot deny the hearts that came to Christ because of his ministry. In fact, I was born again in 1980, not because of Billy Graham but because of a faithful servant who shared the Gospel with me. At that time, many were going door to door spreading the Gospel. Today, going door to door could get you arrested for not being “woke”!

The Church at Philadelphia is alive and well today. Because of its evangelism, souls have been saved and there are still a few good churches around the world. These are the churches who did not close down during the epidemic and Pastors refused to obey the government’s mandates for closure. These are the churches who preach the whole counsel of God and win souls and not churches who have a “life coach” that only speaks in generalities.

This is the second Church that Jesus didn’t reprimand (the Church at Smyrna being the other). This Church’s faithfulness will be rewarded with the Rapture and they won’t have to go through the Tribulation.

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

This is a wonderful promise which is taught throughout the New Testament and brings encouragement to all believers. The Apostle Paul did not want us to be ignorant in the area of the end times. The last series covering the Rapture goes into the details and Scriptures – if you haven’t read it, you can access it here. Despite the wickedness and fear displayed by the world today, born-again Christians all over are awaiting their Blessed Hope and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet us in the air! I, for one, am encouraged by the “signs” of His return! I’m not afraid of what will happen and how bad things are getting. The war between Russia and Ukraine doesn’t bother me in the least. The rising inflation and threats of economic collapse don’t frighten me at all. Why? Because the Lord has promised that this generation will not pass away before He comes for us. Israel (the fig tree) became a nation in May 1948 and the generation alive to see this is the final generation before the Tribulation.

Luk 21:29-33  And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;  (30)  When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.  (31)  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.  (32)  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.  (33)  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Dear reader, are you going to be one of those who will experience the Rapture? If not, wouldn’t you want to be a part of it? It excites me that the Rapture might occur before I die! I will get to go up into the clouds to meet Jesus. As I’m going up, my earthly body will be changed to an eternal body! Jesus was able to be touched by His disciples and He also ate. Just as the body of Jesus after His resurrection was changed, so will ours! Praise the Lord God Almighty!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Rev 3:1-6  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  (2)  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  (3)  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  (4)  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  (5)  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  (6)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

It’s a beautiful day here – the sun is shining and warmer days are ahead! Winter’s cold days dissipate as Spring’s beauty unfolds. How I love Spring! It’s a beautiful analogy of the new life that is given to us at the moment of salvation, amen? This new life should produce a heart that desires to please God as well as to be a good ambassador for His kingdom!

I praise the Lord that He has given us His Word to learn what is about to happen to the entire planet and those who dwell on it. Friend, this is no laughing matter, nor is it one that is to be taken lightly. We are currently going over the letters dictated by Jesus to the Apostle John to the churches of the day located in Asia Minor. Each letter not only had specific instructions to a particular church, but also the letters were for a specific time in church history. Today’s churches can glean from the teachings they hold and about what the Lord Jesus warns us.

Today’s letter is to the Church in Sardis. The church age for this church is from 1517-1750 AD. This church was not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It was a wealthy city which worshiped Artemis, the goddess of fertility (one of their many gods). They were also known for the largest graveyard which was named the cemetery on a thousand hills. This city was destroyed by a major earthquake in 17AD and was not fully restored to its original state. Today, it is known as Sart with a population of approximately 5,300.

Many other doctrines were introduced and way too many to list here. It is this “church” that Jesus warns us about. The reader should do some studying on the many things that were introduced by the Roman Catholic Church and compare it with Scripture. I’m not trying to pick on Catholicism here. It is important for the reader to learn about church history according to early writers and historians; not just literature from the Catholic church, which I might add is skewed. You will be surprised to discover that many of the Catholic beliefs are not biblically sound. During this period, a Gregorian monk by the name of Martin Luther, posted his objections to the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrines in his famous 95 Theses on October 31, 1517. He posted this on the Castle Church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. This is when the Protestant Reformation (protestors) began. God’s holy remnant began to question Catholic doctrine and they compared these doctrines with Scripture. This is what everyone should do.

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Protestant Reformation began toward the end of this Church age. It was known as the age of the “Great Awakening.” Men of God saw the heresies in the church and sought to remove themselves from it. Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were prominent preachers in the early 1700’s. In fact, John Wesley started preaching in 1738; it is said that he covered over 250,000 miles on horseback! Hearts were on fire to hear God’s Word. The push to have a printed Bible began during this timeframe as well. The first printed Bible in English was printed in 1611 and known as the King James Bible. This edition of the Bible was commissioned in 1604 by King James I. Now we can see why this period was called the Great Awakening. The age went from a time of trusting the clergy (also known as the appropriately named Dark Ages) to reading for one’s self what the Bible had to say. The Bible was forbidden to be read by lay people up until this point. It was taught that only priests could interpret it. What joy it must have been for the average person to be able to read the Scriptures!

This church had a holy remnant left in its midst and they were commended by Jesus for this. Jesus also told them that He had something against them: they were alive in reputation, dead in actuality and incomplete in deeds.

They were not living according to His Word and how it directed them to live. However, to the holy remnant, He said they would be dressed in white and their names would be found in the Book of Life! We see a common theme in these letters – there was always a holy remnant who stuck to Christ’s teachings and separated themselves from the world. The rest were known for works for reputation’s sake only when in reality, they were dead inside. Their works were not a result of salvation but they were done in order to gain salvation. This is taught by many different religions today. Having been raised Catholic, I was taught this very thing.

So, therefore, these “practices (or dogma)” were added to their initial doctrine, bit by bit. In the year 1010, the rosary was added – “invented” by Peter the Hermit. (I was raised believing that the virgin Mary made an appearance and taught us to say the rosary.) In 1215, the practice of transubstantiation was added (the actual turning of the wine and bread to Christ’s blood and body). In 1229, the Bible was forbidden to laymen. We see the results in today’s Roman Catholic Church. More and more burdens were added to the salvation message and no longer was faith and mercy a part of it. It was now a religion of works:

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

So what do we have to learn from this Church? Even though we are in the end times and things are occurring on a daily basis which reveal the devil is hard at work as his time is short, we must remember this:

• Remember that we are alive in Christ – we must share this “life” with the dead, the lost: Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 1 Pet 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
• Remember those deeds as a believer in Christ – tell others about salvation through Christ alone; we must care for the poor, the fatherless and the widows. More importantly, the deeds are not to be done for our glory but for the glory of God alone! It is not our works that get us to Heaven but only Christ’s work is sufficient, amen?

As an afterthought, it’s interesting that the word “catholic” means universal. As we will see in later chapters, the one-world (universal) church will be located in a city on seven hills. Rome is the only city that fulfills this geographic location. I pray that if you are Catholic, you will not see these posts as negative comments or attacks on your church. Instead, I pray that your eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit of God before it’s eternally too late.

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Rev 2:18-29  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;  (19)  I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.  (20)  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.  (21)  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  (22)  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  (23)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.  (24)  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.  (25)  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.  (26)  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  (27)  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  (28)  And I will give him the morning star.  (29)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Good morning, Reader! Have you enjoyed reading about the different churches and how we can learn from each one? These posts aren’t all inclusive in their history, nor are they meant to be. The goal is to give you an idea of what was going on during that timeframe.

Today’s letter to Thyatira is quite interesting! In the church age timeframe, it existed between 606-1517 AD. At this point, we see a church that is known for its idolatry. Although the “spirit” of the Roman Catholic Church began as early as the 300’s, the official “incorporation” of the Roman Catholic Church began in early 600 AD. Its basic structure is the same today, i.e. the Pope and hierarchy. With each year, more idolatrous doctrine was added to its arsenal of corruption. Later years also brought: the mass, Mary now called the Mother of God and worthy to be worshipped, the doctrine of purgatory, and Latin being the language of prayer and worship in the church (both imposed by Gregory the Great).

During this timeframe, Emperor Phocas appointed Boniface, then the Bishop of Rome, to be “pope” of all the churches in the Roman empire. The Catholic Church teaches that Peter was their first pope but the Scriptures are quite clear that Peter was the Apostle to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles.

Gal 2:7-8  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;  (8)  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

Jesus commends them for their love, faith, service and perseverance. However, they allowed some of the awful doctrines above to creep into their midst. Note that Jezebel is mentioned in verse 20. Jesus tells them here that she calls herself a prophetess, she teaches and seduces His servants to commit fornication with her, and she also taught eating things sacrificed to idols. First of all, committing fornication here refers to spiritual fornication, which was leaving their first love, the Lord Jesus, and worshipping someone else. Who could they be worshipping? It is not known if this woman was an actual person or if it is referring to the same doctrines that Jezebel held, one of which was:

Heb 10:10-12  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  (11)  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:  (12)  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:14-18  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  (15)  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,  (16)  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

The sacrifice of the mass has one purpose and that is for the sacrificial offering. However, what do the verses above tell us? Jesus’ blood was shed once for all sin! Daily sacrifices by Catholic priests is not necessary. They are not worshipping the same Christ as we are. We serve a risen Saviour and they are all about death. Why? There’s money to be made in death (prayers for the dead, purgatory, indulgences, etc.) according to the Catholic Church’s doctrine.

You may be saying, well what about communion in my non-denominational church? It’s a whole different story when we celebrate communion in remembrance of the Lord as He taught us in the Last Supper. We think on what Jesus did for us and we do this in remembrance of Him and His work on the cross for our sin. We don’t believe, as the Catholics, that the juice is miraculously transformed into His blood and His body is miraculously transformed into His body! This is the doctrine of transubstantiation and Pope Innocent III made it dogma (Catholic doctrine) in the year 1215. Do you see how through the years, beliefs and man-made doctrines were incorporated into this church? This religion became one of works based salvation, not salvation by faith. These are the types of things that Thyatira was allowing into their church. A church should never be tolerant of sin and should be able to recognize it when it enters into their midst. We are blessed to have the Scriptures to turn to and practically every home has a Bible so we can study for ourselves! Unfortunately, the priests and hierarchy were the only ones allowed to reveal the Scriptures.

What do we have to learn from this church today? A lot! We must hold true to God’s Word over what a church hierarchy has to say. The Catholic Church is not the only one that added to these compromises. There are many other religions who have an “additional book” for members to read, which is in addition to God’s Word (and in most cases, supersedes the Bible). The Catholic Church claims that whatever the Pope says supersedes what the Bible states. This is blasphemous, to say they least!

Col 2:20-22  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,  (21)  (Touch not; taste not; handle not;  (22)  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

A church’s authority should never be equal to the Scriptures nor should it be above Scriptures. NEVER! When a church remembers this, they will not be seduced by false doctrine. It is toward the end of this Church age that the Protestant Reformation began. What a blessing to all the churches and members to follow!

One interesting note is that this church was known for its idolatry. Jezebel is at the core of this idolatry. Jesus says that Jezebel was their prophetess. Interestingly enough, Mary is at the core of the Roman Catholic Church and has been for centuries. She has been elevated to a point where members pray to her (the rosary); they claim she has performed miracles; they call her Mother of God, etc. These practices began early in church history but are still going on today!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Rev 2:12  And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 
Rev 2:13  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 
Rev 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 
Rev 2:15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 
Rev 2:16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 
Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 

Hallelujah to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We will be singing this once the Lord Jesus raptures His Church! I can picture all believers from the time of Jesus through today, in one voice, singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus! Can’t you? It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. 🙌

Today’s letter to the churches in Revelation 2 is about the church called Pergamos. In the church age, it existed between 312-606 AD. This is the age where the Roman Catholic Church began. Pergamos was well known for its reading and knowledge. They had the biggest library with over 200,000 books! These books were later taken by Mark Anthony and given to Cleopatra as a gift. It is at this point in time that the church married the world and adopted worldly practices which looked more “Roman” than early church doctrine. Despite Constantine making Christianity the mandated religion, the “changing of the heart” of the doctrine was taken out and man-made doctrine replaced it. Conversion was replaced by mandates. Here are a few of those practices which were adopted:

1. praying for the dead and purgatory
2. worshipping saints and angels
3. worshipping Mary
4. wearing robes and clerical collars

But what does Jesus say about this? He made it a point to document it in the Scriptures so we would learn from it:

(Mar 7:8)  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

(Col 2:8)  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Satan had a field day during this timeframe. Rules and regulations crept in and they had just enough “truth” to capture an audience but works and traditions of men were held to a higher level.

Also, take note that Jesus commended them prior to telling this church what He had against them. Jesus’ title here was “Him which hath the sharp sword with two edges.” What does that remind you of? The Lord doesn’t mince His words. He uses His Word to convict the heart and to teach us, amen?

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Rev 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Jesus reprimands them for allowing the doctrine of Nicolaitans in the church. We learned in prior posts that this doctrine was one of hierarchy and ruling over the laity. Notice that the Lord says it here again: “which thing I hate”! If God hates something, we should beware, amen? Jesus calls them to repent! This church didn’t just hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans. They allowed those deeds into their church! Praise the Lord for a remnant that remained holy through Christ and His Word.

Where are you today, Reader? Are you standing in church services because you were dragged there? Is the church you attend merely a repetition of the week before: Stand, kneel, sit at specific times? Traditions don’t make a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes you a car. The conversion of the heart is what’s needed: repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone. No amount of good deeds can add to your salvation. There is a change of heart that actually happens at true conversion. The old sinful life is to be abandoned and the new life in Christ must take over.

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

If works are added to salvation, the gift is no longer a gift – it is no longer free. That is why you don’t see a change in one’s life if they are trusting in works. The works of religion are a heavy burden. There is no freedom and no change in the heart because of the trust in those works. It is Christ’s work on the cross and nothing more!

Rom 5:15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Rom 5:16  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

If you gave me a gift for my birthday but then you told me that there were several things I had to do in order to receive that gift, it is no longer a gift: it has become something that I had to work for in order to receive it. If I now have to do something in order to receive it, it appears that I “earned” this gift and it is no longer free. Do you see the difference? This is what the church at Pergamos was allowing into their church. This doctrine is of the devil and not from the Lord. The Apostle Paul taught the church in Rome in three separate verses above that it is a free gift. It’s salvation through Christ alone, friend!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Rev 2:8  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 

Rev 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 

Good morning, Reader! Today is a brand new day – another day to look forward to the Rapture of the Saints, amen?! As we continue our look into the Book of Revelation, I pray that you are blessed and that you, too, are looking forward to our Blessed Hope!!! Don’t forget to tell someone about the times that we are currently living in and how close we are to Rapture and the Tribulation.

Today’s Scriptures speak of the Church at Smyrna. This is one of two churches where Christ had nothing against it (the second being Philadelphia). This church was known as the suffering church. In the timeframe of the church age, it existed from 100-312 AD. This is the time where Constantine made Christianity the state religion. One would think that this would have been a time of rejoicing for believers. But what this actually did was allow pagan practices and customs to permeate the church – there was no change of heart. At this point, there was a part of the church that became very carnal and allowed unbelievers to be a part of them.

There was a remnant in Smyrna who followed the Lord without compromise. Jesus commends them for not giving into “the synagogue of Satan.” Jesus refers to Jews who belong to this synagogue of Satan. The devil’s deception is subtle and these Jews added “works” to the salvation message. The devil knows that if he can put carnal people into the church, that church’s effectiveness would diminish. Jesus also continues to encourage them not to fear their upcoming suffering. He tells them of their upcoming reward so they have something to look forward to!

What can we learn for today? We sure can see some of Smyrna’s church in our churches. Many are playing church and not sincere in their love for the Lord. They appear religious but inside they are dead.

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

There are plenty of churches today, but they are filled with people who love the entertainment but don’t have the Spirit within them. I saw this when we lived in Oregon. On the most part, Oregon is a spiritually cold State. There aren’t many churches and the ones we attended were not fervently preaching the Word of God. It was very much like attending services with dead people. The members had no joy and I felt it the moment we walked in. It was as though they were robots simply filling the pews. We did, however, find one very small church with only ten people. The Pastor preached his heart out and we were spiritually fed there. Unfortunately the town we lived in did not want to hear his message. It’s very sad when people would rather be entertained or hear messages that don’t “dig too deeply” into their hearts. But this was not the case with Smyrna, praise the Lord!

So what’s the point of sharing these letters to the various churches, you may ask? There is a “moral to the story” in each of the letters. I’ve always said that God is very economical. He will use His Word to bless each and every one of us! God’s Word goes further than to simply record historical events. His Word works on the inward parts of man’s heart. The Holy Spirit of God pricks the heart and lays it open for one to see where repentance is needed! Amen? I can read the same Psalm repeatedly over a period of time and each time I read it, that same Psalm will speak to my heart in a different way. That is why God’s Word is known as the “Living” Word! Praise Him!

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Good morning! Are you as excited as I am to be embarking on this series? I pray you will be blessed and that it gets you excited to share its content with those who do not know Christ as their Saviour.

After reading the last post, which gives us the names for Jesus in Revelation 1:1-18, we learned about the One who qualifies to reveal these truths to us! We can rely on His words because He was there at the beginning of all things, He created all things, and He can accurately give an account of what occurred since the beginning of this earth all the way to the end! I imagine God’s view is similar to a very long train. If I were standing on a hill looking down at the train below, I could easily see the engine all the way to the caboose. But as a passenger of that same train, I can only view the car I’m in and a few cars ahead as we go around a bend. God sees the whole span of time: past, present and future.

John was instructed to record what he heard and saw. Can you just imagine what this was like to him? Just to give you an idea how his senses were bombarded, here’s what I found:

John records the word “heard” 33 times in Revelation; the word “saw” 42 times; the word “beheld” 8 times; the word “see” 16 times and the word “hear” 11 times; “like a” 7 times; “as it were” 12 times; “like unto” 15 times; “as a” 10 times.

You can see that each time the above words and phrases were used, John was attempting to reach into the future, from 2,000 years ago to today, through a culture, language and time frame. He’s to describe events from a time which no man had ever seen! It’s no wonder that some things seemed like they were right out of Star Wars! 😂 As well, he is seeing things like the one world government and the one world church which he had to describe in such a way that it would make sense – you’ll find that many of his descriptions match up with Old Testament prophecies. As you read Revelation (or any of the prophetic books of the Old Testament), a good rule of thumb to use is: if a passage appears symbolic, it must be symbolic. Check the Old Testament for a clearer understanding if they are referenced.

Rev 1:18-20  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  (19)  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;  (20)  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou awes are the seven churches.

We see that Jesus is the One speaking with John and He instructs John to write down what he saw, what he currently sees, and what he’s about to see. Jesus will be giving John letters to the different churches of that time, (which we will see in Chapter 2) found in Asia Minor. The verses above refer to the angels of the seven churches. The word angel is defined as:

G32
ἄγγελος
aggelos
ang’-el-os
From ἀγγέλλω aggellō (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor: – angel, messenger.

Strong’s Concordance

The letters will be written to the Pastors of these seven churches, all located in modern day Turkey. The first of the churches is Ephesus. As we read this letter, keep in mind that these have spiritual and historical relevance. Each church was in existance at the time John wrote about them. We can actually see spiritual truths pertaining not just to that specific church, but to all the future ages as well. We see the way Jesus deals with each one: He has a specific “title” which ties in with that particular church, He commends them for what they are doing well, He tells them what they are doing wrong, and He closes the letters.

Rev 2:1-7  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;  (2)  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  (3)  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  (4)  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  (5)  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  (6)  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  (7)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Here’s a little history behind this church located in Ephesus. It existed from the time of Pentecost in 33 AD to 100 AD. This time period is known as the end of the Apostolic Age as John (the last living Apostle) died during this time. Jesus began his letter to them telling them that He holds the churches in His right hand and that He is in the midst of the churches. I praise the Lord that our Saviour is in our midst.

Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Before Jesus shares what He has against them, He commends them for their hard work, perseverance and their discernment in spotting error and false doctrine. They were well taught, obviously. Remember, these churches were built on the Rock and the Apostles were the ones actually teaching them. There’s nothing better than having someone tell you about Jesus when they were personally with Him, amen?

Then Jesus tells the church at Ephesus that they left their first love. This definitely applies to all churches today, amen? Sometimes we get busy with life and lose that fervent desire to serve Him. Can you remember when you first came to salvation? The excitement of knowing the Saviour personally is the first thing on your mind when your eyes open in the morning!

One of the positive comments Jesus made was:

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

When the Lord says He hates something, every Christian should perk up and listen carefully. We, too, should hate what He hates. But exactly what are the “deeds of the Nicolaitans”? The name “Nicolaitans” is derived from the Greek word nikolaos, comprised of the words nikos and laos. The word nikos is the Greek word meaning to conquer or to subdue and laos is for the people. It is also where we get the word laity. When these two words are combined, they literally mean one who conquers and subdues the people. It appears the Nicolaitans were conquering and subduing the people. We see this practice clearly in the Roman Catholic Church, from its infancy and today. Not only did the church at Ephesus hate their deeds, but Jesus said He also hated their deeds. Their deeds also included sacrificing to idols. If you recall, Jesus didn’t teach the Apostles to lord over people.

Mar 10:44-45  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  (45)  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

There is one Lord over the church and that is Jesus! Jesus ends His letter to Ephesus by telling them to hear what the Spirit says to the church. Those who are born again will get to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God!! It’s God’s Word that pierces the heart of man. Jesus wants to build our faith through His word. As we go through this Book, I pray that the reader will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Welcome to this new series on the Book of Revelation. It is by no means an in-depth study but it is a series which will give the reader a glimpse of what will happen during the Tribulation. I’m excited to be writing this one! My prayer is that once the Rapture has happened, there will be something out there in cyberspace that will warn those who are left behind so they can prepare. Some may come to salvation immediately after the Rapture; the Word of God doesn’t specify numbers according to His Word. What can the world expect after the Rapture? The Rapture is not an event that starts the Tribulation. As you learned in our previous devotional series, keep your eyes focused on Israel. Whenever a peace treaty is signed with Israel, that will mark the start of the Tribulation. I hate to tell you this, but those seven years won’t be good at all. In fact, it will be the most horrifying time in the history of this earth! So let’s proceed and receive a blessing as promised in:

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

One mustn’t start reading Revelation with the attitude that it’s a difficult book to understand. We are promised a blessing here, amen? If we are promised a blessing, then it stands to reason that the Holy Spirit of God would give us understanding of its content. When one understands the reasons why it is worded the way it is and one begins to read it the way the Apostle John “observed and heard” it, it becomes a book filled with wonder, intrigue and horror. It’s written by the Author of all things – He is the beginning and the end.

Revelation is interpreted in different ways by different “schools of thought.” I believe that we should interpret this book literally and futuristically. Some believe that it is an allegorical book and full of symbolism. Yes, there are some symbolic things but not all of it is. Others believe that it is for historical purposes only. While some of this is true in Chapter 1 through 3, the rest from Chapter 4:1 moving forward, is very much futuristic. None of what is prophesied in Revelation has happened in history… EVER! Therefore, that view cannot be true.

But when we look at the Bible as a whole, we see that everything revolves around whom? Israel! The Old Testament begins with God creating a people for His own and prophecies are made about futuristic events revolving around Israel. Two-thirds of the Bible is prophetic and it is all about Israel. It’s not about America versus Russia nor China versus Taiwan.

Exo 6:2-4  And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:  (3)  And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.  (4)  And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

As we begin chapter one, we see the Apostle John was on the island of Patmos at the time he wrote this. He was imprisoned there and doing hard labor. John was the last of the Apostles – all the others were martyred. This book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, not of John. The word “revelation” in Greek is apokalupsis and it means “an unveiling or revealing.” It’s appropriate to begin this book with revealing to us just who Jesus (Yeshua) is. He had many names, as we see here in Chapter 1, which described Him and His character.

1. The Faithful Witness (Rev 1:5)
2. The First begotten of the dead (Rev 1:5)
3. The Prince of the kings on earth (Rev 1:5)
4. The Alpha and the Omega (Rev 1:8)
5. The Beginning and the Ending (Rev 1:8)
6. Which is, Which was, and Which is to come (Rev 1:8)
7. The Almighty (Rev 1:8) (God in NT and Shaddai in Hebrew)
8. The Son of man (Rev 1:13)
9. The First and the Last (Rev 1:17)
10. The Living One (Rev 1:18)

Therefore, we see that He is quite qualified to give the Apostle John all the information that is needed for those who read this wonderful Book, amen? We will read about things that were, that are and that will come in the next post. Are you ready? Let’s hunker down and pray that the Lord of all wisdom will open our eyes and work in our hearts.

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!