You are here: Home / Archives for BOOKS / Bible Study

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 10 THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

by

Revelation

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suff*er: 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. 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.” (Revelation 2:8-11).

The church at Smyrna, according to Easton’s dictionary means, “Myrrh, an ancient city of Ionia, on the western coast of Asia Minor, about 40 miles to the north of Ephesus. It is now the chief city of Anatolia, having a mixed population of about 200,000, of whom about one-third are professed Christians. The church founded here was one of the seven addressed by our Lord (Revelation 2:8-11). The celebrated Polycarp, a pupil of the apostle John, was a prominent leader in the second century in the church of Smyrna. Here he suffered martyrdom, A.D. 155.”

The glorified Christ is presented as “the first and the last” (v.8). He is the eternal God, the great “I AM.” He was before all things and will exist after all things have completed their purpose. He became the Son of Man in order to taste death for all men. His eternal existence was punctuated by His incarnation and death. He is the only one who has the “keys” of death and conquered it. In fact, He is the KEY! He gives this description of Himself to encourage faithfulness on the part of the remnant. Death cannot hold its prey. Their resurrection to eternal life was assured. The second death of verse 11, which is eternal banishment in the lake of fire, cannot touch those who overcome and are faithful to the end.

Some claimed to be apostles and were liars, and others said they were Jews but were not. To be a Jew “in deed” was to depart from evil and acknowledge Jesus as the Christ. No doubt it is this group John speaks of in his epistle (see 1 John 3:3-6; 9-11; 24. 4:1-4; 11-16. 5:2-5). The believing remnant will have a standard by which it will judge those who profess to be Jews. No doubt these are Abraham’s seed, but they are not his children. Their lack of truth and sincerity betray them (see John 8:39-44). Jesus called these Scribes and Pharisees, “children of the Devil.” They were the leaders of the synagogue and professed to sit in Moses’ seat, but in reality sat in Satan’s seat. They represented Satan and accomplished his purpose. Their goal was to destroy the righteous and all who professed Jesus as the Christ. As things were in the Acts period, so shall they be in the Day of the Lord. (The constant reference to things concerning the Old Testament, Jews, and Apostles ought to make it clear that these letters to these churches are not intended for the CHURCH, the body of Christ.)

Those at Smyrna were encouraged to fear none of these things because He was in their midst and secured them in His right hand. His victory over death assures their victory. The “ten days” are ten days and no other meaning should be sought.

John does not tell us what the “crown of life” is. The “overcomers” are to be “kings and priests.” Perhaps they will wear literal crowns. Their resurrection to new life may be the crown. Time will reveal the true meaning of what the many crowns are in Scripture. Note the ten crowns:

1. Crown of honor (Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 17:6; Esther 8:15; Job 19:9)
2. Crown of kings (2 Samuel 12:30; Esther 1:11; Esther 2:17; Rev. 19:12-16)
3. High Priest’s crown (Exodus 29:6)
4. Crown of pride (Isaiah 28:1-5)
5. Crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2-5)
6. Crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4; Proverbs 4:9; Proverbs 16:31; Isaiah 62:3)
7. Crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)
8. Crown of life (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10)
9. Corruptible crown (1 Cor. 9:25)
10. Soul winner’s crown (1 Thes. 2:19)

John uses a form of the word, “overcometh,” eleven times in the book of Revelation! In 1 John, which is also a tribulation epistle, the word “overcome” or “overcame” is used six times. Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven requires one to overcome persecution and the mark of the Beast in the Day of the Lord. In the Revelation, millennial salvation is only assured to the “overcomers.”

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 9 CHURCH OF EPHESUS

by

 

Revelation

“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; 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:”   (Revelation 2:1-2).

Ephesus was a great commercial center of Asia Minor, and was noted for the great temple of Diana, one of the wonders of the ancient world (Acts 19:27).  The site of the city is now covered with ruins.

Jesus is described as one who “holdeth” and “walketh.” The idea of holding the preachers or elders of the synagogue in His right hand was discussed to some degree in our comments on chapter 1 verse 20. The right hand is symbolic of a place of favor and privilege. Jesus is said to sit at God’s right hand. Stephen sees Him standing on the right hand of God. Thus, the right hand speaks of special privilege, honor, and protection. These ministers of God are assured of God’s love and protection in the Day of the Lord.

The glorified High Priest also walks in the midst of the churches. As the Lord walked in the midst of the camp so all Israel might know his presence, this glorified One was also in their midst. “For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.” (Deuteronomy 23:14).

That presence assured them that He, too, was their brother in tribulation and suffering. This is the theme of many of the Psalms.

The Lord Jesus was fully aware of their works (v.2). The four Gospels and Hebrews through Revelation clearly teach the necessity for works to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. This explains why most religious systems think works are necessary for salvation in this day of grace. The problem is not that a works system for salvation is not taught; the problem is their inability to rightly divide the Word of God. The Gospels and Hebrews through Revelation are not written to the church of this dispensation. They concern Israel and their Kingdom.

Not only will works be required to enter the kingdom, great patience will also be needed to endure the tribulations. Luke12:43-46 gives a clear account of the patience and commitment needed to enter the kingdom, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” You have the same warning in a different setting in the parable of the ten virgins. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:10-13).

In 2:2 where it states, “…say they are apostles,” Jesus promised the Twelve apostles that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel in the kingdom. Just as Simon the sorcerer saw the advantage of apostolic gifts, so these, who say they are apostles, see some benefit to that title and possession. Just as it was necessary to manifest the “signs” of an apostle in the Acts period, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:12), so those within the Day of the Lord will also be “tried” and found to be false apostles.

“And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  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. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.  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.”  (Revelation 2:3-7). (The reader should note the frequency of the word “overcometh.”)

In verse 3, notice the past tense of their action. They were experiencing persecution and suffering when John was brought forward in the vision. The persecutions will begin between the Rapture of the Church and the beginning ofDaniel’s seventieth week. We are not certain how long that period will be.

In verses 4 and 5 the evidence that they had “left” and “fallen” was seen in their departure from their “first love.” Jesus said to His kingdom followers, “ye are the light of the world.” At the Second Advent of Christ, Israel is called on to rise and shine. They will mourn for Him and repent of rejecting and crucifying Him. Then their light will shine to all the earth. They will have returned to the One they had left, and He will recover them from their fall. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

The positive note was their work, patience, and disdain for the present evil.  In addition, they hated the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” (v.6).  We find little help from the commentaries on who these Nicolaitanes are or what their deeds were. Since they cannot be sure or agree, we will leave the revelation of their identity for the Day of the Lord.

It is the “churches” (plural), which are addressed in verse 7. This letter, as well as the others, is not only for those at Ephesus, it is intended for all the churches in the Day of the Lord. “Overcoming” will be the requirement for salvation and permission to enter the Kingdomof Heaven. To overcome is the same as to endure. The context of the four Gospels is the Day of the Lord and faithfulness is the requirement. None make that more clear than the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 24, which speaks specifically of that day. Jesus makes it clear that those who would be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven must endure unto the end of the Day of the Lord. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

The promise of access to the “tree of life” is to all those within the churches who overcome. This “tree of life” first appears in the paradise called Eden. It was there for man’s eternal physical life. That is why God forbade man to eat of it after the fall. “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:” (Genesis 3:22).

Dake says concerning this verse, “There must have been an inherent virtue in the tree of life to preserve life indefinitely. If man was created to live forever should he not sin, then he lost eternal life in the fall.Christ brings it back to him (2Timothy1:10). The tree of life would have caused even sinful man to live forever physically; hence, the action of Genesis 3:22-24. See notes on  Genesis 2:9, Revelation 22:1-3.”

Those who overcome and endure to the end of the Day of the Lord will enter the kingdom in their natural bodies. They, no doubt, will “never die” and will maintain their eternal physical life by eating of the tree.  These and the saved nations, which come out of the Great Tribulation, will eat of the tree of life. Certain nations will be assigned a month in which to come up and eat. “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2. Zech. 14:16-18).

The “paradise of God” (v.7) speaks, not of heaven, but of the eternal bliss, comfort, and joy on the earth for those who overcome.  Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines it as, “A Persian word (pardes), properly meaning a “pleasure-ground” or “park” or “king’s garden.” This will be fulfilled in Revelation 21:1 where John says, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 8

by

Revelation

“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. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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 sawest are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:18-20).

Jesus identifies Himself as the one who conquered death, the grave, and He then assures His followers that He has power over both (v. 18). He said to His disciples, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). Jesus always practiced what He preached!

Perhaps no other verse in the book is more misunderstood than verse 19. John was instructed to “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter…” Most commentators claim this verse as the key that unlocks the book of Revelation. Their standard interpretation is, “the things which thou hast seen,” speaks of the glorified Christ in the midst of the churches. The “things which are,” they say, are the churches themselves in this dispensation, and “the things which shall be hereafter,” are those things which follow the rapture of the church which is thought to take place in chapter 4.

This interpretation is based on how they view John in relation to time. They do not view John as being in the “Day of the Lord” when he wrote the first three chapters. To them, John was in the church age and is prewriting church history. This, they say, is the “things which are.” The problem with this interpretation is that not one verse supports that view. In addition, it would be impossible for anyone to understand the Revelation without a working knowledge of church history. The letters to these seven churches were not written to help us understand past church history. They were written for the sake of those that will exist in the Day of the Lord. If the seven churches are going to be raptured in chapter four, what was the purpose of the letters? If the church is raptured prior to the tribulation, why write to them about being “over comers?” Finally, if the letters are to churches of this dispensation, to whom is the remainder of the book written?

As stated earlier, John had seen all of the Day of the Lord prior to writing the first verse of chapter 1. Furthermore, he was transported forward into the existing assemblies and was required to “turn” to view them. John is standing in the Day of the Lord when he writes verse 19. It is common practice for a writer to complete his entire thesis or book and then write the introduction. This is what John did. After he had seen the complete Revelation, he introduced it. Therefore, John had seen the complete revelation, which included the glorified Christ in the midst of the churches, and the churches in the tribulation.

The things “which are,” are not the things which are now in this church dispensation, but are the things which were contemporary to the vision. The “things which shall be hereafter,” are those things which followed the prophetic letters to the churches. Everything within the verse is for a time in the future.

In verse 20, John is made to understand the meaning of what he saw. No doubt the angel “signified” the vision to him. The stars are the angels to the churches. Jesus is called a star in Numbers 24:17. “…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.” We need not think of these stars as luminaries in the heavens, but rather these angels are the pastors or elders of these Jewish synagogues. Elders may have a representative angel in heaven, but it seems rather unlikely that John would be instructed to write them. What could possibly be the purpose of writing to angelic beings, if a pastor of flesh and blood would be needed to pastor each assembly? The candlesticks are the Jewish synagogues. There is no need to seek a different meaning than that given to John. The candlesticks were for light and a converted Israel is to be the light of the world.

Notice that these stars are in His “right hand.” This speaks of Israel and their security during the Day of the Lord, if they will “abide in the Vine” and overcome the mark of the Beast. No doubt this is the intended meaning of John 10:28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Believers of this dispensation are not in Christ’s hand. They are in Him and He is in them. God’s people today are, “bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh.”

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 7

by

A Message to the Seven Churches

Revelation

“1:12-17 “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:” (Revelation 1:12-3:22).

J
ohn “turned” to see the vision of the churches and the Son of Man in their midst. They were “behind him” and out of necessity he turned to see them. He says, “and being turned, I…” Thus, we know that the seven churches and the Day of the Lord were in existence in the vision, when the Spirit transported John forward into the Day of the Lord.

John saw seven golden candlesticks and the High Priestly Son of Man in their midst. Luke tells us that during the Acts period, “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). These priests and many others like them formed the Hebrew Church. They found that there was no place for them at Jerusalem in the temple or in the local synagogues. We find their candlesticks are located in Asia. John writes to warn them that, as the Jewish nation had lost its candlestick, theirs too was about to be removed unless they repented. They did not, and the Hebrew Church ceased to exist.

When we speak of the Hebrew Church, our reference is to those Hebrews who believed the preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the twelve concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Many believed their message and waited for the Kingdom to appear. Most who held to that hope were killed or driven out of the land. These believers were scattered throughout the Roman world and continued the rest of their lives knowing only the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. Apollos illustrates this truth. “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). The twelve at Ephesus were also in the dark concerning certain changes God was making from the Kingdom offer to the dispensation of grace and the church (see Acts 19:1-12).

Because of Israel’s rejection of their King and Kingdom, God withdrew His promised Kingdom of Heaven with Israel and started a new church, the body of Christ, with Paul as its Apostle. Most of the Hebrew churches never came to the knowledge of this new church; which was neither Jew nor Gentile. Thus, the Hebrew churches went into apostasy and ceased to exist. The Lord was in those Hebrew churches until their candlesticks faded and went out. God will once again jumpstart His program with these Jewish assemblies, and their candlesticks will again give light; even as He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and it’s light will shine for the whole world.

Most Christians assume that the Day of the Lord begins immediately following the Rapture of the church. However, there is no proof for that assumption. It is possible that several years will transpire between the Rapture and the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. Some writers suggest a forty-year gap. If so, this would give more than ample time for these Jews to realize that Jesus was the Messiah and begin worshipping and serving Him in the synagogues in Asia (see Isaiah 53).

When God jumpstarts His program, Daniel’s seventieth week will be in progress. The Hebrew church will once again be in existence. Thus, they receive this warning in prophecy given by John.

The number “seven” is a number of perfection or completion. One need not assume that there will be only seven Hebrew churches in the Day of the Lord. The messages to the seven were intended for the entire believing remnant.

“…the Son of man…” (v.13) a title given to Jesus Christ and speaks of His right to rule and reign as the last Adam. The first Adam disobeyed God, believed Satan and lost his dominion of the earth. The last Adam obeyed unto death and will overcome and conquer where the first Adam failed. He will do so as a son of Adam, the Son of Man. Thus Jesus is seen in the midst of the Jewish assemblies, in the Day of the Lord, as the Son of Man in a priestly capacity.

Dake gives us the follow notes on His appearance.

1. His body was clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded with a golden girdle (Rev. 1:13; cp. Daniel 10:6).
2. His hair was white like wool and snow (Rev. 1:14; Daniel 7:9).
3. His eyes were as a flame of fire (Rev. 1:14; Rev. 19:12; Daniel 10:6; cp. Hebrews 4:12).
4. His feet were like fine brass (Rev. 1:14; Rev. 10:1; Daniel 10:6).
5. His voice was like many waters (Rev. 1:14; Rev. 8:5; Rev. 10:2-4; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 14:2; Rev. 16:17-18; Rev. 19:6; Psalm 29; Hebrews 12:26; Daniel 10:6).
6. His right hand held seven stars, which were the pastors of the seven churches (Rev. 1:20).
7. His mouth had a two-edged sword coming out of it (Rev. 1:16; Rev. 2:12,16; Rev. 19:15,21; cp. Eph. 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).
8. His countenance shone like the sun (Rev. 1:16; Rev. 10:1; Daniel 10:6).

The reader should review the cross references for the interpretation the Holy Spirit gives on Jesus Christ as Israel’s King and High Priest.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 6

by

Revelation

John says he was “…in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” Not by any stretch of the imagination is John saying he was “filled with the Spirit on Sunday.” John was not in “a state of spiritual exaltation” on a Sunday morning. Rather, he was carried away by or in the Spirit as illustrated in the book of Ezekiel. “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God” (Ezekiel 1:1).

Just as Ezekiel was literally in Babylon among the captives, John was literally outside the land of Israel on the isle of Patmos. Likewise, as Ezekiel was transported in the Spirit to Jerusalem, John was transported in the Spirit two thousand years forward into the “Day of the Lord.” This is the key to understanding the Book of Revelation. “And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy” (Ezekiel 8:3). Another example is in Ezekiel 37:1, “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones.” Note also the following: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” (Rev. 4:2). “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns” (Rev. 17:3). “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” (Rev. 21:10).

When John was transported forward into the Day of the Lord, that day was already in progress (see verses 19-20). Not only does John state this, but it is also implied in the verse under consideration. Verse 10 says, “…and heard behind me a great voice…” When John heard the “voice behind” him, he “turned” to see the One commanding him to write.
The voice, which sounded like a trumpet, was for clarity and preparation for war. God’s judgments on Israel and the kingdom of the Beast are preceded by the sound of trumpets.