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LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 14

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Revelation

“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;  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. 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.  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.  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  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.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  (Revelation 3:7-13).

Philadelphia means “brotherly love” and was a city of Lydia in Asia Minor, about 25 miles southeast of Sardis. It was the seat of one of the “seven churches” (See Revelation 3:7-12). It came into the Turks possession in A.D. 1392. It has, several times, been nearly destroyed by earthquakes. It is still a town of considerable size, called Allahshehr, “the city of God” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary).

Jesus presents Himself as the One who is “holy” and “true” and has “the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth…” (v.7). We have already witnessed the immorality and false doctrine that will plague the faithful remnant in the Day of the Lord. Jesus is the Holy One and the only true One. He is also the offspring of King David. The “key” is a symbol of regal power. This verse speaks of His absolute right to the throne of David.

The messages to the churches must not be isolated or interpreted independently of each other.  Each one must be understood in the context of all the others. All of them were experiencing, to some degree, the same persecution, the same immorality, and the same false doctrines.

At the zenith of King David’s reign, he conquered and ruled wherever he desired. “And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people” (2 Samuel 8:15). The nation was not divided or scattered under David’s rule. When Jesus returns, He will rule all Israel with a rod of iron (see Psalm 2). Before the thousand years is over, He will rule the whole earth. Those who are worthy, by availing themselves of God’s grace and Christ’s example, will rule and reign with Him for a thousand years.

This, no doubt, is what Jesus had in mind in His parable of the good shepherd when he said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9).Jesus is the “door” or entrance into the kingdom. When Israel repents, at the Second Advent, Satan will be bound a thousand years. Jesus Christ and His remnant will rule with a rod of iron. War will cease and the false prophets and teachers will be exposed and removed from the land. That “open door” was a door of hope. Like King David’s subjects, they will participate in the expansion of Christ’s Kingdom and sit at His table.

All the churches were facing the same opposition and the same Devil (v.9). The reader should compare chapter 2:9 with this verse. Those false Jews, who were following Satan and doing his bidding will be exposed and be forced to come and bow before those who are worthy and made kings and priests. The false leaders will see that they have been the persecutors and murderers of Christ’s true followers.

Stephen said it best of the Jewish leaders, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:” (Acts 7:52). Their response to him was to bash out his brains. In the Day of the Lord, they will not have that opportunity at Christ’s return. Rather, they will be forced to acknowledge they were fighting against their own Messiah!

In verse 10 the Lord is not promising the remnant they will not go through the Day of the Lord. He is assuring them of His presence and protecting power in the midst of that hour. We have alluded to the parable of the vine. The churches are also assured that they are in His hand, and if they will abide in Him, they will be secure and will overcome.

There would be no need to admonish them to “hold fast” and “overcome” if they could not fall and be removed. They, like the rest, must “hold that fast” and watch that “no man take thy crown” (v.11).

The crown speaks of a dominion that will be granted to the overcomers; they will be a pillar in God’s temple (v. 12). A “pillar” was a word used of Jews who were teachers of the law and persons of great importance and achievement. “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel” (Exodus 24:4). “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision”(Galatians 2:9).

The seven churches are located in Asia because the believing Jews were driven from Jerusalem, from their synagogues, and from their temple. Even in the Day of the Lord, Jerusalem and the temple will be given to the Gentiles. “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” (Revelation 11:2). This does not mean that there will be no Jews in Israel or Jerusalem. However, many who confess Jesus as Messiah will be persecuted and forced to flee the country.

The writer of Hebrews said, “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:13-14). The reader should note that Revelation is written to the Hebrews. When the kingdom is established, Christ will build a new temple. These faithful priests will have full access to it and will never be driven from it again.

Those who overcome and remain faithful during the Day of the Lord will not only have access to the Millennial temple, but will also have access to the New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven. This is the city looked for by the Old Testament faithful. “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14).

We are not told what the new name will be. Although the name and mark of the beast seems to be literal, God’s new name need not be literally written on their bodies. This statement may be simply a statement of God’s approval on them.

The Lord’s new name may be similar to that which was written on the miter, which the priest wore. “And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (Exodus 28:36). The full meaning will be evident to those to whom it was written.

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 13

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Revelation

“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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  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.  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.  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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  (Revelation 3:1-6). Sardis was a city about 40 miles east of Smyrna; the ancient capitol of Lydia.

Jesus is presented to the church in Sardisas the omnipotent and omniscient One. He has “the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars” (v.1). He knows all about them and that their inward man does not match their profession, “…thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (v. 1).  Only the omniscient God could know this.

In verse 2 those who walked in the truth were warned, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.”  They, too, were in danger of the gross immorality within the churches. These had not defiled themselves (see verse 4).

The following admonition is seen throughout the Gospels and the Jewish epistles, Hebrews through Revelation. They were called upon to, “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.” (v.3).  If they did not, He would come as a thief and they would be robbed of all they possessed.

Even a casual reading of Matthew 24 shows that it is about the coming King to Israel.  Jesus warns Israel to watch and be ready for His sudden return. “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up” (Matthew 24:43). The parable of the ten virgins contains the same warning, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13).

“…for they are worthy” (v. 4). One must be “worthy” to enter the Kingdom and reign with Christ. This is the essence of the Gospel of the Kingdom. One must be “worthy” to enter it, “But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead…” (Luke 20:35). “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”( Luke 9:62).

The above verses speak of the coming wrath and kingdom. “That world” and resurrection in Luke 20:35 is the subject dealt with in Revelation.Israel is warned that they must seek to be “worthy” to escape the temptations of false doctrine, immorality, and the mark of the Beast in order to stand before the Son of Man.

It must be noted here that believers in Christ today are worthy because they have been made worthy in Him. There is not one thing we must do to be worthy. But, in Revelation, it is the overcomers who are worthy or fit to enter into eternal life.

The constant theme throughout Revelation is the requirement to overcome (v.5). Overcomers will be clothed in white raiment. They will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life, and will have their name confessed before the Father and before his angels. The white raiment is symbolic of a priestly garment. These overcomers obviously become a kingdom of priests.

In the Old Testament these books and ledgers were quite literal. One’s genealogy had to be verified and guarded if he was to serve in the Levitical priesthood or be part of the nation of Israel. These atSardis, have received the promise of becoming kings and priests, if they endure to the end and are faithful. Although a literal record may not be required, the omniscient One will have perfect knowledge of those who are worthy to rule and reign in that kingdom.

What is written to one is written to all the churches, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (v.6).

 

WHAT EVENTS FOLLOW THE RAPTURE?

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By Ken Blue

In a previous article I proved from Scripture that an event we call the rapture is taught. The references are I Cor. 15:51-58 and II Thess. 4:13-18. We also proved that a time period called the Tribulation, or The Day of The Lord was spoken of by Jesus and most of the Prophets.

We made it clear that we do not know the time of the rapture, nor does anyone else. It is believed by some that forty years will be the time between the rapture and the tribulation. We speculated on some events that could follow the rapture. One of those was the chaos that would follow the absence of believers in key positions. We are not given the details of what may happen.

Some of the major events that are required prior to the Tribulation are as follows: Israel had to return to their land and become a nation. This has happened. Israel must be considered a “burdensome stone” to the nations. They are in the world new every day. The surrounding nations must have governments of a fragile democracy. The surrounding nations must be at war with each other. The surrounding nations will form an Arab League of nations consisting of ten individual nations. These are some events that will take place before the Tribulation.

In addition to the above, Jesus said, “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”Mark 13:5-8.

These are some of the events to follow the rapture of the church. The above words are addressed and directed to the nation of Israel. Believers should watch what happens to, and around Israel. Also, pay attention to a shift in world opinion concerning Israel. Most, if not all nations will be against them. Read carefully the following verses.

“I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Joel 3:2. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. Zephaniah 3:8. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” Zechariah 14:2.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 12

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Revelation

“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; 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.  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. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  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.  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.  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”  (Revelation 2:18-25).

Thyatira is a city ofAsia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Mysia. Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather of cloth dyed with this color, was from this city (Acts 16:14). It was and still is famous for its dyeing.

Jesus is presented in this letter as, “…the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.” The one who walked in their midst was like the Son of Man with penetrating, purifying eyes. Habakkuk 1:13 says of Him, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…” It is our eyes that first behold evil and our feet are swift to take us to it. Eve’s sin resulted from what she saw. The same can be said of Achan, Lot, and King David.

The Son of God cannot look on sin with approval. His eyes are like unto a flame of fire. He sees and judges righteously. His is a walk of holiness. His feet, while on earth, were washed with water and tears. They were wiped with a towel and the hair of a woman. But now those feet are seen as bathed in a furnace of molten brass, purified seven times. His is a holy walk and so it must be of His followers.

Although there was much in this church to commend, there was also sin in the camp and it must be removed if that church was to remain (v.20). In each of the letters there is a sin connected to Israel’s past.  At Ephesus, there was the sin of false “apostles.”  At Smyrna, there were those who claimed to be “Jews” but were liars. At Pergamos, there were those who embraced the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. In Thyatira, there was a false prophetess like unto Israel’s Old Testament Jezebel.

The indictment on this church is that a woman, like unto, or whose name was Jezebel, was within their midst. There were false Jews within the church who committed immoralities similar to those of their fathers. Those who follow her pernicious ways will be destroyed if they do not repent. It is worthy to note that false doctrine and immorality are the two causes of God’s judgment on these churches. False doctrine leads to false living, which leads to God’s judgment.

           “…as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan.” (v.24). The “doctrine” was the false teaching of Jezebel. Her teaching included deception and depravity. These two are the “depths” of Satan. This is his final objective. “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9). Some in the remnant will not be deceived, nor will they enter into the temptations of immorality. The 144,000 are an example of this.

In verse 25, the believing remnant had the truth and had taken a stand for the coming Christ. They were encouraged to be faithful and patient. He who is to come, will come.  “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”  “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  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.  And I will give him the morning star.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  (Revelation 2:26-29).

The reader cannot possibly miss the fact that overcoming and good works are imperative for kingdom citizenship and ministry (v. 26-27). These, to whom the Revelation is written, will rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years. These promises are seen in the Old Testament, throughout the Gospels, and in the Jewish epistles.

We should keep in mind that when God ruled in the Jewish kingdom of the past, He did so through a theocracy. This will be the form of government in the kingdom. Christ will rule through His overcoming remnant.  Note the following: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9). “The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies” (Psalm 110:2). “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” (Revelation 2:27). “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne” (Revelation 12:5). “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15).

            “And I will give him the morning star” (v. 28).  Jesus Christ is the morning star. This is clear from Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” He is the “root,” the “offspring,” and the “star.”

Each of these titles is associated with David’s son through whom the Kingdom would be established. When Christ appears to Israel, He will bring righteousness, peace, and truth to His people. Those who wait and look for Him will enter into the glorious Kingdom with Him. They will receive what He receives and partake of all that is His. Thus, they are given the Morning Star.

In Numbers 24:17, Balaam prophesied of Him, “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” One can see that a King and a Kingdom are in view here. When we come to the introduction of Matthew, we see the wise men of the east following His star and it leads them to the Christ. So, the promise is that the overcomers will rule and reign withChrist and receive all that is associated with His rule.

            “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (v. 29). This promise is to all the churches.

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION# 11

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Revelation

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;  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. 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.  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  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.”  (Revelation 2:12-17).

Easton’s Bible Dictionary describes “The Church in Pergamos” as: “It was noted for its wickedness, insomuch that our Lord says, “Satan’s seat,” was there. The church of Pergamoswas rebuked for swerving from the truth and embracing the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. Antipas,Christ’s “faithful martyr,” here sealed his testimony with his blood.  This city stood on the banks of the river Caicus, about 20 miles from the sea. It is now called Bergama, and has a population of some twenty thousand, of whom about two thousand profess to be Christians. Parchment (q.v.) was first made here, and was called by the Greeks pergamene, from the name of the city.”

The Lord Jesus is introduced to the churches as the One “…which hath the sharp sword with two edges.” This sword, which comes out of His mouth, is the spoken Word of God. It is He who spoke and it came to be. He said, “let us make man…” The Roman Centurion understood the power of His words when he said, “Say in a word and my servant shall be healed.” With this sword He judges the nations, beginning with Israel (see verse 16; 19:5, 21).

            “Satan’s seat” (v.13). It is a mistake to assume that Satan personally resided or had his headquarters at Pergamos. We saw in 2:9 that the synagogue of Satan was in Smyrna. The idea here is that Satan was working in their midst through the Jews and Synagogues where Jesus Christ was not acknowledged as Lord and King. We know that Satan did not physically dwell among them. He is not cast out of heaven until chapter 12.

We have no information about “Antipas,” the “faithful martyr.” He may have existed in John’s day or he may have been martyred just prior to the vision.

The Lord found some fault in this church. Some within the church embraced the doctrine of Balaam. That doctrine involved eating meat offered to idols and fornication. For a description of Israel’s sin see Numbers 25. Orthodox Jews, in the Day of the Lord, will be pork abstaining, Sabbath keeping and Law observing Jews. Many Jews will be immoral and apostate.

We have already been informed that amid the believing remnant there will be “false apostles” and “false Jews.” It doesn’t take any stretch of the imagination to believe that some within the assemblies will tolerate food forbidden to a Jew and will practice sodomy and immorality. Why should that shock any of us? We live in a day where any word against sodomy or homosexuality will be labeled as a hate crime and many pastors and churches are threatened with lawsuits.  One can find churches in any city in America where sodomy is accepted, and in many cases the pastor and staff members are sodomites. “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” (Revelation 11:8).

Just who the Nicolaitanes were, no one seems to know for sure. Easton’s Dictionary says, “The church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:6) is commended for hating the “deeds” of the Nicolaitanes, and the church of Pergamos is blamed for having them who hold their “doctrines” (Revelation 2:15). They were seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into the church a false freedom or licentiousness, thus abusing Paul’s doctrine of grace (comp. 2 Peter 2:15-16, 19), and were probably identical with those who held the doctrine of Baalam (q.v.), Revelation 2:14.”

Dake says of the Nicolaitanes: “Followers of Nicolaus, a heretic. They are thought to have been a sect of Gnostics who practiced and taught impure and immoral doctrines, such as the community of wives, that committing adultery and fornication was not sinful, and that eating meats offered to idols was lawful. This was similar to the doctrines of Balaam and Jezebel of Thyatira (Revelation 2:6, 14-15, 20).”  This is one of those many issues in Scripture where the full understanding will be made clear to those to whom it is written.

Repentance of these foul deeds was required (v.16), or He would “come unto thee quickly” and “fight against them with the sword” of His mouth. Their candlestick would be extinguished and removed.

In verse 17, notice that the Spirit sends letters to all the churches, and only the “overcomers” will eat of the hidden manna and receive a white stone with a new name written in it. We are not told what this “hidden manna” is. If we speculate, we find ourselves in good company. There was manna within the Ark of the Covenant. It was placed and kept there to remind Israel of God’s provision and faithfulness. Perhaps the manna in our text is not literal, but symbolic of God’s faithfulness to the faithful remnant who overcomes. They simply will find sustenance and strength in their obedience of God. Jesus said in John 4:32, “…I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” In verse 34 He said, “…My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” The analogy may be to a spiritual experience or fulfillment at the return of Christ. It is also possible that this manna is reserved for those who will be forced to flee the city of Jerusalem and hide in the wilderness where they will be fed with hidden or reserved manna (see chapter 12).

The stones, which will be received, may be likened to those in Aaron’s breastplate. Israel will have her twelve tribes in the future and they will consist of the remnant. This may be the reference to the name within the stones. Also, a black and a white stone was placed in a jar or container. It was used as a form of casting lots. The white stone meant the person would go free, a black stone meant death. The idea may allude to those who will enter the kingdom and those who will be cast out. Nobody knows what these names will be; they will be fully known at the end of the Lord’s Day.