Walking Through Revelation

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Walking Through Revelation

Understanding the Book of Revelation and the Purpose of

ProphecyThewordrevelationmeanstorevealordisclose.Inaspecialsense,thebookofRevelationismeanttorevealvitalissuestotheNewTestamentChurchtheend-

timeChurchinparticularaboutend-timeevents.Goddoesnotwantustobeignorantaboutthefuture:

SurelytheLordGODdoesnothing,UnlessHerevealsHissecrettoHisservantsthe

prophets(Amos3:7NKJV).

Godhasalwayswantedpeopletobeinformed,aware,andwarnedaboutfuture

difficulties.ThroughoutthehistoryofIsrael,HesentprophetstowarnHispeople

aboutfutureimpendingdoom.IthasalwaysbeenGodspurposetosteerpeopleawayfromcalamity.

JonahwassenttoNinevehtowarnandrebukethepeoplethatiftheydidnotturnawayfromtheirevildoings,theircitywouldbedestroyed.ThepeopleofNineveh

heededthewarningandtheircitywasspared,alongwithsome60,000soulsandmuchcattle(Jonah3).

Whenthe10tribesofIsraelwereheadingdownthepathofdebasementthroughidolworshipanddisgustingpractices,Godsentprophetafterprophettowarnthem

toturnback.GodalsoprovidedawonderfulpreviewofEarthshistorythrough

NebuchadnezzarsdreamandgaveIsraelhopethattheywouldbereturnedfromcaptivitytotheirhomeland.

Biblical Prophecy: Warning and Encouragement

Godusesprophecyfortwopurposes:towarnandtoencourage.Forexample,

prophecywarnsusoftheEnemysplansandencouragesuswithhopeandthepromiseofvictory.

ThebookofRevelationisfullofsuchwarningsandencouragements.Itdiscussesthe

forcesworkingagainstChristandtheactionstheywilltake,sothatwecan

recognizethemwhentheyhappen,andsteerclearofanyparticipationwiththe

Antichristforces.

WealsoreadinthebookofRevelationaboutthepromiseoffinalrestorationa

newheavenandanewEarth.ThesecomewiththefinaldestructionofsinandSatan,

theoriginatorofsin.BecauseRevelationpertainsspecificallytotheendoftime,and

becauseweliveintheclosingtimeofEarthshistory,thisbook,inparticular,

deservesourattentionifwewanttorecognizethesignsandknowthefuture.


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Whenweunderstandwhatistotakeplace,ourfearoftheendtimeswontcontrol

us.AndthatswhatGodwants.Whencalamitiesoccur,manyareafraidandwonder

whatishappening.ButthosethatstudyGodsWorddontneedtobeafraid.InHis

kindness,Godgivesusthesurewordofprophecyforourwarningand

encouragement.

The Book of Revelation is a Revelation of Christ

JesusChrististhecentralthemeofeverythingwereadinRevelation.Heistheheart

ofthebook.Itiscrucialthataswestudysomeofthedarkerpropheciesaboutthe

Antichristandthefinalcontroversy,werememberthatChrististheultimateVictor

overallevil.

The Chiastic Structure of RevelationThebookofRevelationiswrittenasachiasm.Achiasmisadoublelistofrelated

itemsinwhichtheorderofthesecondlistisoppositetotheorderofthefirstlist.

IfwedivideRevelationattheendofchapter14intotwohalves,andthendivide

eachhalfintoseparatedivisionswecanfindrelatedpairsofcontent.Thesepairsgo

inoppositedirections.Itisorganizedlikeamirrorimage.

ThebookofRevelationiswrittenasachiasm.Achiasmisadoublelistofrelated

itemsinwhichtheorderofthesecondlistisoppositetotheorderofthefirstlist.If

wedivideRevelationattheendofchapter14intotwohalves,andthendivideeach

halfintoseparatedivisionswecanfindrelatedpairsofcontent.Thesepairsgoin

oppositedirections.Itisorganizedlikeamirrorimage.

ThechiasticstructuredividesRevelationintotwomajorgroups.Thefirsthalfdeals

primarilywiththeexperienceofGodspeopleduringtheChristianera.Thisiscalledthehistoricalhalf.Thesecondhalfdealsalmostexclusivelywithlastdayeventsand

iscalledtheeschatologicalhalf.ThewordeschatologicalcomesfromtheGreek

wordeschaton,meaningend.

Thehistoricalhalfcoversallofhumanhistory.Therefore,ithasnotbeencompletelyfulfilledyetbecausenotallofChristianhistoryhashappenedyet.Forexample,the

seventhseal,seventhtrumpet,andfinalsceneinthegreatcontroversydivisionare

stillwaitingfortheirfulfillment.

Theeschatologicalhalfisstilltobefulfilledinthefuture.Wecanseetheinspiration

ofGodinthisbeautifuldemonstrationofliteraryartaswellastheloveofGodwho

doeseverythingHecantowarnusandcallusoutofthefalsesystemsofthisworld

intoHismarveloustruth.


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Is Revelation a Sealed Book?ManypeoplebelievethatthebookofRevelationisasealedbookonenot

intendedforustounderstand.AnditistruethatthebookofRevelationcanbe

difficulttounderstand,butthefactthatitisarevelation,andcarriesaspecial

blessingforthosewhostudyit,meansthatGodintendedittobeunderstood.

Inverse3theblessingisforthosewhonotonlyhear,butalsotaketoheartwhatis

written,andonecanonlytaketoheartthatwhichisunderstood.

TounderstandthebookofRevelationweneedanintimateknowledgeofGodand

HisWord,aswellasthepromisedguidancebytheSpiritofGod.TheHolySpiritwas

promisedtothosewhoobeyGod(Acts5:32).HewillleadGod'speopleintoalltruth

(John16:13).

ThegreattruthsofthebookofRevelationarehiddentothecasualreader,asthey

arecouchedintypesandsymbolsdrawnlargelyfromtheapocalypticwritingsofthe

OldTestament.Thebookiswritteninachiasticstructurethatseemstothroweventsoutofsequence,butthestructureactuallybuildsinsuchawayastohighlight

thecentralissuesofthegreatcontroversybetweenChristandSatan.

ThebookofRevelationwaswrittentoshowGod'speople"thingswhichmust

shortlycometopass"(Revelation1:1).Thisstatementistrueforallgenerationsof

God'speoplefromthetimeitwaswrittentotheveryendoftime.Eachgeneration

candrawsolacefromitspagesbecausealltimeperiodsarecoveredbythese

propheticwritings.

ItisimportanttonotethatthebookDanielisanotherpropheticbookthatdeals

withend-timeissues.RevelationandDanielshouldreallybestudiedhandinhand,soasweprogressthroughachapter-by-chapterstudyofRevelation,wewilloften

bereferringtothebookofDanieltoshedlightonwhatwearereading.

Revelation 1: Jesus is the Heart of RevelationSincethebookofRevelationwasneversealed(asthebookofDanielwas),ithas

beenahelpfulguideforallpeoplesinceJohnwroteitalmost2000yearsago.Partof

understandingthebookisrealizingthatJesusistheheartoftherevelation,theone

fromwhomtherevelationstems.Thebookisevencalled"TheRevelationofJesus

Christ"(Revelation1:1).

Establishing the Authority of the Book

Thenumbersevenisveryprominentinthebook.Therearesevenchurches,seven

letters,sevenstars,sevencandlesticks,sevenlamps,sevenseals,seventrumpets,sevenhorns,seventhunders,sevenheads,sevencrowns,sevenangels,sevenvials,

andsevenkings.

AmidstthesesymbolsstandsJesusChristthegreatHighPriest,theSupremeJudge,


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theKingofkings.Thesanctuarysymbolsarealsoprominentthroughoutthebook,

revealingChristasIntercessor,Judge,andKing.

Jesusstandsinthemidstofthesevenlampstands.Heisthelightoftheworld,and

thislightistobespreadtotheentireworldbyHisChurch.ThefactthatHewalksin

themidstofthesevengoldenlampstands(Revelation2:1)isapromiseofHispresenceintheChurchthroughouttheages.

JesusisnotonlyrevealedasourgreatHighPriest,butasGodHimselfinRevelation1.Johnusesanepanados(arepetitionofsentencesininverseorder)toidentify

JesusChristasthegreatIAM.JohnquotestheOldTestamentprophetsinthis

sequencetobringtolightasalientfeaturethedivinityofChristandinthiswaytogivethehigheststampofauthoritytothatwhichistoberevealed.Theepanados

isasfollows:

Revelation1:5Witness(Isaiah55:4)

Revelation1:7ComingwiththeClouds(Daniel7:13)

Revelation1:7Pierced(Zechariah12:10)

Revelation1:8IAM,AlphaandOmega(Isaiah41:4;44:6;48:12)

Revelation1:11IAM,AlphaandOmega(Isaiah41:4;44:6;48:12)

Revelation1:12GoldenLampstands (Zechariah4:2)

Revelation1:13-15HeavenlyHighPriest(Daniel10:5-6)

Revelation1:16MouthlikeaSword (Isaiah49:2)

ThefirstandthelastquotesarefromIsaiah,thesecondandsecondlastfromDaniel,

thethirdandthirdlastfromZechariah,andthedoublequoteinthemiddleisfrom

Isaiah.Thisfeatureisrepeatedtohighlightit.ChrististhegreatIAM.

Sadly,somemoderntranslationsleaveoutthesecond"IAM"quoteinRevelation

1:11,thusnullifyingtheepanados.

Christ,thegreatIAM,isthusthecentralthemeofthebookofRevelation.The

Churchthroughalltheagesisthebesiegedbride,throughwhomChristdisseminatesHistruthtocallpeopleoutoftheworld.

ThebookdepictsSatan,thegreatfoe,astheonebentondestroyingChristswork.It

describestheunfoldingbattle,thefinaldestructionofsin,andtheestablishmentofthekingdomofrighteousness.Themessagesarenotgiventoinstillfear,butto

encourage.


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Fearnot;Iamthefirstandthelast:Iamhethatliveth,andwasdead;andbehold,Iam

aliveforevermore,Amen;andhavethekeysofhellanddeath(Revelation1:17-18).

Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches

Revelation1discusseshowChrististheAlmightyGodandtheheartofthebookofRevelation.Revelation2introducesustosevenletters.Theseletterswerewrittento

sevenChristianchurchesthatsprangupthroughoutAsiaMinor,whichispresent-dayTurkey.

Althoughthesemessagesappliedtotheexperiencesofthespecificchurchesthey

werewrittento,theyarealsopropheticoftheexperiencesoftheChurchthrough

thecenturies.EachofthelettersalsocontainsadmonishmentsappropriatetoGod's

peopleineveryage.Wewillconcentratelargelyonthepropheticaspectsofthe

letterstothechurches.

Johnistold,"Writethethingswhichthouhastseen,andthethingswhichare,andthethingswhichshallbehereafter"(Revelation1:19).ThistextrevealsthatJohn

hadseentheeventsdescribedinvisions,"whichthouhastseen."Itrevealsthatthevisionshadapplicationforhistime,"thethingswhichare."Anditrevealsthatthe

visionhadapplicationforthefuture,"thingswhichshallbehereafter."This

principleisapplicabletotheletterswrittentothesevenchurches.Thelettershaveathen-timeandanend-timeapplication.

ThesevenchurchestowhichtheletterswereaddressedwereEphesus,Smyrna,

Pergamos,Thyatira,Sardis,Philadelphia,andLaodicea.Thesecitiesstoodalongone

oftheancientpostalRomanroadsofthatday,and,beginningatEphesus,would

havebeenvisitedintheorderinwhichtheyarenamed.Thedistancebetweeneachisabout50kilometres;afullday'sjourneyonfoot.

ThenamesofthecitiesaresignificantinthattheyconveyaspiritualmessagerelevanttotheChurchasawhole.Itisincrediblethattheirnamessoaccurately

reflectthehistoryoftheChurch.Itisoneofthegreatevidencesfortheinspirationof

theWordandtheomnipotenceofGod.Theletterscontainanumberofcommon

featuresthatappliedtotheChurchinJohn'sday,butalsoreflecttheChurchin

prophetictime.

Namesinancienttimesconveyedamessage.OneofthenamesgiventotheMessiah

wasImmanuel,conveyingthemessagethatGodwouldliveamongus.Inthesameway,thenamesofthesevencitiesconveyamessageaboutthestateandnatureoftheChurchfromJohnstimetotheendoftime.

Readabouttheletterstoeachofthesechurches:

1.Ephesus(whichmeansdesirable)

2.Smyrna(whichmeanssweetsmelling,likemyrrh)


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3.Pergamos(whichmeanselevationorexalted)

4.Thyatira(whichmeanssacrificeofcontritionorsweetsavoroflabor)

5.Sardis(whichmeansrenewal)

6.Philadelphia(whichmeansbrotherlylove)

7.Laodicea(whichmeansjudgmentorjudgingthepeople)

A Letter to Ephesus

Background

EphesuswasaprominentcitythegatewaytoAsiaMinor.Thecitywasthecenter

fortheworshipofDiana(Motherofthegods)andin480BCthegreattempleofDianawaserectedhereasasymboltotheworld.Hertemplewasfourtimesthesize

oftheParthenoninAthensandwascountedamongthesevenwondersofthe

ancientworld.Thetemplewasdestroyedin263ADandonlythefoundationstones

remain.

Historical Application

UntotheangelofthechurchofEphesuswrite;Thesethingssaithhethatholdeththesevenstarsinhisrighthand,whowalkethinthemidstofthesevengoldencandlesticks

(Revelation2:1).

EachletterisintroducedwithapartofthedescriptionofChristinRevelation1.Here,JesuswalksamongthecandlesticksdemonstratingHisabidingpresence.

ThenameEphesusmeans"desirable."Therewasmuchthatwascommendable

abouttheChristianChurchhereinEphesus.Ithadpatienceandgoodworks,and

hadtestedthefalseteachersandhadremainedfaithfultothetruth.TheEphesianChristianshatedthe"deedsoftheNicolations,"agroupwhosoughtaccommodation

withthepaganworldanddiscountedobediencetoGod'slaw.

However,byJohn'sday,beforetheendofthecentury,thefirststagesofdisunitywerecreepingintotheChurch,provokingtheadmonishment,"Nevertheless,Ihave

somewhatagainstthee,becausethouhasleftthyfirstlove"(Revelation2:4).

TheapostlePaulwrotealettertothechurchofEphesusaswell.Weknowthisletter

asthebookofEphesiansandwelearnmuchaboutthischurchfromhisepistle.Paul

beseechestheEphesianChristianstoliveworthyoftheircallingtoserveGod

(Ephesians4:1-2).HeexplainstothemafreshwhatitmeanstohaveputonChrist

(Ephesians4:17-24).Hiswarningto"grievenottheholySpirit"(Ephesians4:30)is

anindicationoftheintensityofthebattleforthesoul.

PaulcallstheEphesiansbacktounity(Ephesians4:3-6),andadmonishesthemnot

tosinbuttowalkinloveandthelightoftheGospel(Ephesians4:26).Thesesame

sentimentsareexpressedinRevelation'slettertoEphesus:

Rememberthereforefromwhencethouartfallen,andrepent,anddothefirstworks;


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orelseIwillcomeuntotheequickly,andwillremovethycandlestickoutofhisplace,

exceptthourepent(Revelation2:5).

Eachoftheletterstothesevenchurchesendswithanencouragementtoovercome

andeachchurchistoldofaspecialblessingtheywillexperienceinheaven.The

churchmembersofEphesusaregivenoneofthejoysthatawaitallofGod'sredeemedwhentheyreachheaven:

TohimthatovercomethwillIgivetoeatofthetreeoflife,whichisinthemidstofthe

paradiseofGod(Revelation2:7).

Prophetic Application

TheEphesianchurchrepresentsthefirstcenturyafterChrist.TheChurchhad

grownintoaforcetobereckonedwith,andChristianitywasstartingtochallengethereligionsandideologicalinstitutionsoftheday.

TheapostlePaulremainedinEphesusformorethantwoyearsonhisthirdmajor

journey,andhispreachingledtoamajorconflictbetweentheGospelandthe

worshipofDiana.Thispreachingturnedmanyawayfromidolworship,upsetting

silversmithswhospecializedinthemanufactureofidols(Acts19:26).

Satancantstandwhensoulsaretakenfromhissphereofinfluence.Therapid

spreadofChristianityinthefirstcenturyADservedtoescalatetheconflictbetweenChristianityandpaganismandtheinevitableconsequencewaspersecution.

ThegreatpaganreligionshadbeensetupbySatantocounterfeittheplanof

salvationandtodenyaccesstotheworld'sRedeemer.IthasalwaysbeenSatan'sstrategytoeitherforceordeceivepeopletoacceptthecounterfeitratherthanthe

true.

InEphesus,ChristianitystruckablowtotheworshipofDiana,theMotherofthe

gods.Itisnoteworthythatthemodern-dayequivalent,theworshipofMaryasthe

motherofGod,findsitsrootinEphesus.In451AD,attheCouncilofEphesus,the

RomanCatholicChurchbequeathedthetitle"MotherofGod"toMary,thusreviving

theancientcultinamoderngarb.

A Letter to Smyrna

HistorySmyrnawassituated60kilometersnorthofEphesusatthepresent-dayportof

Izmer,whichtodayisTurkey'ssecondlargestcitywithoneofthemostimportant

harborsintheregion.

SmyrnahousedtheshrinetothegoddessNemesisandwasoneofthelastcitiesto

falltoIslam.


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Acts19:10suggeststhatthechurchinSmyrnamayhavebeenestablishedbyPaul

onhisthirdmissionaryjourney.i


ThelettertoSmyrnacontainsnoadmonishment,andasthenameimplies,the

sacrificewhichChristianswerecalledupontomakeinthistimeperiodservedtodrawpeopletoChrist(see2Corinthians2:14-15).

Tothischurch,manyofwhosememberswouldactuallysufferdeathbypersecution,

JesusintroducedHimselfas"thefirstandthelast,whichwasdead,andisalive"

(Revelation2:8).Thenthewordsofthecomingperilweregiven,"Fearnoneofthose

thingswhichthoushaltsuffer:behold,thedevilshallcastsomeofyouintoprison,

thatyemaybetried;andyeshallhavetribulationtendays"(Revelation2:10).


Thesewordswerefulfilled,forduringthisperiod,themostviciouspersecutions

occurredagainsttheChristians.In107AD,Ignatius,BishopofAntiochinSyriaandafriendofJohntheapostle,wasthrowntothelionsandeatenaliveinthe

amphitheatreofRome.ii

In155AD,Polycarp,bishopofSmyrnaandaclosefriendofIgnatius,waskilledby

thesword,hisbodyburnedatthestakeinSmyrna.iii

ItwasthroughthewitnessofChristianmartyrsthatTertullianofCarthage,inAfrica,wasconvertedtoChristianityattheageof30,andthereafterbecameadefenderof

theChristianfaith.

ThisperiodofpersecutioncametoitsclimaxunderDiocletian,who,in303AD,

launchedavicious,empire-wideeffortforthecompleteannihilationofChristianity.

Althoughhediedin305AD,thepersecutioncontinueduntilitwasfinallybroughtto

anendin313ADbythedecreeoftolerationissuedbyEmperorConstantine.

TheDiocletianpersecutionlastedtenyears.Theten-daytribulationpredictedfor

thischurch(verse10)coincideswiththisten-yearperiodwhentheday-year

principleofBiblicalprophecyisapplied.PersecutioncleansedtheChurchbyforcing

ChristianstoconsiderwhethertheyweretrulywillingtofollowChristinallcircumstances.

IntheancientcityofSmyrna,themostexpensivehomeswereonthemountainsides

thatroseabovethebay.Thisgaveitthename"CrownCity."Wecanappreciatetheappropriatenessofthepromise,"bethoufaithfuluntodeath,andIwillgivetheea

crownoflife...Hethatovercomethshallnotbehurtoftheseconddeath"(Revelation2:10-11).


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A Letter to Pergamos

Background

Pergamos(alsocalledPergamonorPergamum)wassituated60kilometrespast

SmyrnaalongtheancientRomanpostalroad.Thenamemeans"elevation"or

"exalted."Appropriately,thereligiousandculturalcenterofthecitywasontopofaconspicuousmount.

PergamosinheritedtheancientsystemofsunworshipfromBabylon.Accordingto

Revelation2:13,PergamoswasSatan'sseat.Itwasacenterofancientsunworship,

andtheplacewherethefamousaltarofZeusstoodonaterraceontheslopesofthe

mount.

TheleaderofPergamosusedthesameancienttitleandvestmentsasBabylonian

priests.ThelastpontiffkingofPergamoswasAttalusIII,whobequeathedhistitleto

Romein133BC,which"endedthehistoryofPergamumasanindependentpolitical

entity."iv

Today,thecityofBergamaliesatthebaseofthemountainonwhichPergamosonce

sat.Excavationsnearbyhaveuncoveredavastcomplexwhichincludedtwotemples,

atheater,andamedicallibrary.Someofthemostfamousphysicianspracticedhere.

Themedicalsymbolwasaserpentwrappedaroundapoleverysimilartothe

symbolrepresentingmedicinetoday.Nearbystoodtheworld'ssecondlargest

library(afterAlexandria),withacollectionofsome200,000volumes.


WhenpersecutioncouldnotridtheearthofChristianity,thegreatadversaryturnedtodeceptionandcompromisetoridtheworldofitsinfluence.

TheletterrebukedthechurchofPergamosforfraternizingwiththosewhoheldthe

doctrinesofBalaamandtheNicolaitans.ItwasBalaamwholedIsraeltomoralcorruption,justbeforetheywereduetocrossovertheJordanintothePromised

Land.TheNicolaitans,ahereticalsectwhocompromisedwiththepagancults,had

beenrejectedbytheEphesianchurchbutwerecourtedbythechurchofPergamos.


ThePergamosperiodbeganin313ADandcontinueduntil538AD.

Thiswasaperiodofdeterioratingmoralstandardsanddoctrinalcorruption.Satan

hadfailedtodestroytheChurchthroughpersecutionsoinsteadheendeavoredto

destroyherthroughcompromise.Christianstandardswerelowered,andaunion

wasformedbetweenChristianityandpaganism.

ItwasduringthePergamosperiodthattheChurchadoptedmanypaganpractices.

TheseedsofpaganismhadalreadybeensownintoRomewhenKingAttalusIIIhad


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bequeathedhistitlePontifexMaximustothepaganRomanemperorsin133BC.

In322EmperorConstantineconvertedtoChristianity,butkeptthepagantitlePontifexMaximus.Inhiseffortstounitehisempireintheearly300s,Emperor

ConstantineblendedtheinterestsofpagansandChristians.

ConcerningConstantinesaims,ChurchhistorianF.J.Foakes-Jacksondeclares,"In

dealingwiththeChurch,hisobjectwasgraduallytotransferfromheathenismto

Christianityallthathadhithertomadeitattractiveintheeyesofthepeople."

However,in378AD,EmperorGratianrefusedthetitlePontifexMaximusas

unbefittingforaChristian.TheRomanCatholicbishopthentookthetitleuponhimself,astheCatholicChurchhasdonewithmanypagansunworshipsymbols.

ThechurchinPergamosrepresentsthishistoricalperiodofcompromise.In

exchangeforreligioustoleranceandacceptance,thetrueprinciplesofChristianityweresacrificedtoaccommodatepaganbeliefs.

Bytheendoftheperiod,in538AD,EmperorJustiniandecreedChristianitytheofficialreligionoftheempire,joiningchurchandstate.

Inspiteofthisdriftfromthetruefaithoftheearlyapostles,therewerethosewho

soughttomaintainthetruefaith.ForemostamongthemwasPatrick,who,intheearlyyearsofthefifthcentury,establishedscoresofchurchesoutofwhichgrewthe

CelticChurch.Thischurchheldontomuchofthetruefaiththroughthecenturiesofspiritualdarknessthatfollowed.

ThepromisetothefaithfulofthePergamosperiodwas,"Tohimthatovercometh

willIgivetoeatofthehiddenmanna,andwillgivehimawhitestone,andinthestoneanewnamewritten,whichnomanknowethsavinghethatreceivethit"

(Revelation2:17).

ThehiddenmannaisareferencetoanewlifeinChrist.Thenewnamerepresents

thecharactertransformedthroughthesanctifyingpoweroftheHolySpirit.

A Letter to Thyatira

Background

ThirtykilometerswestofPergamosontheimperialRomanroadlayThyatira,wherethetownofAkhisarliestoday.Apollo,thesungod,wasthechiefdeityofthecity.

Thecitywasalsonotedforitsindustries,themostnotablebeingthedyingof

clothparticularlyinthecolorspurpleandcrimson.


ThechurchofThyatirarepresentstheChurchoftheMiddleAges.Thyatirareceived

thelongestoftheletters,containinggraveinformationabouttheconditionsthat


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wouldprevail.TheChurchwouldbeinundatedwithfalsedoctrinesandpersecuted

forfaithfulnesstoGodandHisWord.

ThespiritofcompromisethatstartedwithPergamoswouldreachitszenithinthe

timeofThyatira.Asthenamesweetsavouroflaborimplies,worksasameansto

obtaininggracewouldbecomeaprominentfeatureofthetime.TheintroductorystatementinthelettertoThyatirahighlightsthispoint:

Iknowyourworks,love,service,faith,andyourpatience;andasforyourworks,the

lastaremorethanthefirst(Revelation2:19NKJV).

Inthistimeofspiritualdarkness,thetruthwasabandonedandChristianitywasreplacedbytheoldpaganformofsunworshipdressedinagarbofChristianity.

Forms,rituals,objects,andworksreplacedtheelevatingtruthsoftheGospel.Pagan

deitiesmasqueradingunderGospeltitlesreplacedJesus,andtheancientBabylonian

mysterieswerereintroduced.

Eventhepaganvestmentswiththeirprominentpurpleandcrimsoncolorswere

introducedasthevestmentsofthepriesthood.ThesymbolsofDagon,thefishgod,

becamesymbolsoftheso-calledshepherdsoftheflock.

ThepromiseoftheultimatevictoryofChriststandsasarebuketotheChurchofthe

MiddleAges:

Andhethatovercometh,andkeepethmyworksuntotheend,tohimwillIgivepower

overthenations:Andheshallrulethemwitharodofiron(Revelation2:26-27).

The Symbolism of Jezebel

ThelettertoThyatiracontainsastrongrebuke:

Notwithstanding,Ihaveafewthingsagainstthee,becausethousufferestthatwomanJezebel,whichcallethherselfaprophetess,toteachandseducemyservantstocommit

fornication,andtoeatthingssacrificeduntoidols(Revelation2:20).

Ahab,kingofIsrael,hadmarriedJezebel,aPhonecianBaalworshiper,althoughGod

hadexpresslyforbiddenintermarriagewithheathens.ThismarriageledtoBaal

worshipbeingintroducedintoIsrael,eventhoughitwassupposedlydoneinthe

nameofJehovah.

SoitwasintheprophetictimeofThyatira.Pagantemples,symbols,andfestivalswereconvertedintoChristiantemples,symbols,andreligiousfestivals.AllthiswasdoneinthenameoftrueworshipofthedivineGod.

Speakingofthisamalgamation,ArthurE.R.Boakdeclaresthis:

ThelongassociationbetweenpagansandChristiansandtherapidincorporationof

newconvertsintotheranksoftheChurch(afterConstantine's"conversion"),exercised


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aprofoundinfluenceuponChristianbeliefsandpractices.Paganbeliefinmagic

contributedlargelytotheChristianbeliefinmiracles;andthedevelopmentofthecultofthesaintswasstimulatedbypaganconceptsofinferiordivinities,demigodsand

demons.ManypaganfestivalsweretransferredintothefestivalsoftheChurch.v

FornicationandsacrificestoidolsarethesymbolsofapostasyagainstGodandHisSonJesus,theWordmadeflesh.WearetoeatthefleshoftheSonofGodto

internalizeHistruthnotreplaceitwithmereoutwardforms.Ofthis,theTwentiethCenturyEncyclopediaofCatholicismsaysthefollowing:

ThemissionaryhistoryoftheChurchclearlyshowsheradaptabilitytoallraces,allcontinents,allnations.Inherliturgyandherart,inhertraditionandtheformingof

herdoctrine,naturallyenoughsheincludesJewishelements,butalsoelementsthatare

ofpaganorigin.Incertainrespects,shehascopiedherorganizationfromthatofthe

RomanEmpire,haspreservedandmadefruitfulthephilosophicalintuitionsof

Socrates,PlatoandAristotle,borrowedfrombothBarbariansandtheByzantine

RomanEmpirebutalwaysremainsherself,thoroughlydigestingallelementsdrawnfromexternalsources...Inherlaws,herceremonies,herfestivalsandherdevotions,she

makesuseoflocalcustomsafterpurifyingthemand"baptizing"them.

ThetwinpillarsofRomanCatholicismarefaithintheEucharisticmysteryandfaith

intheintercessoryroleofMary.TheCatholicChurchisevenconsideringmaking

thisMarianroleasco-advocateandintercessoraninfalliblechurchdogma.

NeitherofthesetwodoctrinescanbefoundintheScriptures,andtheyarecontrary

totheverybasisoftheChristianfaith.SalvationcanbefoundinChristalone(John

10:9).

Jesussaithuntohim,Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife:nomancomethuntotheFather,butbyme(John14:6).

IntheEucharisticmystery,thebreadandwinearesaidtoliterallybecomethebody

andbloodofChrist.Christ'ssacrificeonthecrossisrepeatedduringeachmass,

whichtooiscontrarytotheplainteachingoftheScriptures:

Whoneedethnotdaily,asthosehighpriests,toofferupsacrifice,firstforhisownsins,andthenforthepeople's:forthishedidoncewhenheoffereduphimself(Hebrews

7:27).

Forthenmustheoftenhavesufferedsincethefoundationoftheworld:butnowonceintheendoftheworldhathheappearedtoputawaysinbythesacrificeof

himself(Hebrews9:26).

Butthisman,afterhehadofferedonesacrificeforsinsforever,satdownontheright

handofGod(Hebrews10:12).


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Ignoring a Second Chance

Godgivesopportunitiesforrepentance.Theperiodofpapalsupremacyspanned

1260years,andduringallthattimeRomanCatholicismwouldnotrepentfromher

unfaithfulnesstoGod(Revelation2:21-23).

WhenRomerejectedthemessageoftheReformation,theturmoilthatfollowedledtothegreatestsufferingsinhumanhistory.AttheCouncilofTrentin1563,the

Reformationmessagewasofficiallysetaside.ShortlythereafterEuropeagonized

undertheplagueandthe30-yearwar(1618-1648),butneitherofthesedreadful

situationsbroughtRomebacktoaloveofthetruth.

GodispatientwithpeopleHehasmade(SeeExodus34:4-10,2Samuel24,2

Chronicles33).HispeopleIsraelconstantlyturnedawayfromHim,butHewas

constantlyprovidingopportunitiesforthemtoturnbacktoHim,evensayingthis:

Ifmypeople,whicharecalledbymyname,shallhumblethemselves,andpray,and

seekmyface,andturnfromtheirwickedways;thenwillIhearfromheaven,andwillforgivetheirsin,andwillhealtheirland(2Chronicles7:14).

GodisthesamewaywiththepeopleofBabylon.HelongsforthemtoreturntoHim

(Jeremiah51:8-9).JustasGodraisedupElijahwithamessageofreforminthedays

ofJezebel,soGodraisedupsomewithintheChurchwhocalledforreformation

duringtheChurch'slonghistoryandevenafteritsrejectionoftheReformation.

A Letter to Sardis

BackgroundSardis(todaycalledSart)wasthecapitaloftheprovinceofLydia,situatedsome40kilometerssouthwestofThyatira.Thecitystoodonahill,andatthefootofthathill

werethetemplesofArtemisandZeus.

InviewofSardislocationandnaturalprotections,thepeopleofSardisconsidered

thecityimpregnable.Theyfeltsosecurethattheirguardwasnotalwaysupintime

ofcrisis.Historyrevealsthatthecitywasconqueredwithoutresistancebyboth

CyrusandAntiochus,andinthisliesaspirituallesson.Initsopeningaddress,the

lettertoSardissays,"Iknowthyworks,thatthouhastanamethatthoulivest,and

artdead"(Revelation3:1).


Thismentionofdeathtakesusintothepost-Reformationperiod,fromthecloseof

theCouncilofTrentin1563,tothebeginningofthegreatreligiousawakeninginthe18thcentury.Thisperiodhasbeenfittinglydescribedas"theageofdeadorthodoxy."

Insteadofthereformerscontinuingtheirworkofrestoration,theysubmittedtothe

protectionandsupportofthecivilauthorities.WhileseparatingfromRome,the


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ProtestantChurchbecamesubjecttothestate.

TheReformationwasrootedinChrist.ItistheGospelofChristthatledthereformersoutofthespiritualdarknessthathadallbutextinguishedtheflameof

Christianity.Sadly,thisearlyfervorwasgraduallyreplacedbyformalitiesasthe

communityandthestateacceptedthenewchurches.

TheinabilityofthevariousreformfactionstofindunitybasedontheWordalsoled

totheformationofnumerousdenominations,eachadoptingthecreedofits

founders.Thegreatworkofreformfalteredandevenresultedinbitterinfighting.

Addedtothis,theCounterReformationlaunchedbytheRomanCatholicChurchgraduallyerodedfaithintheScripturesandevensetthetonefortoleranceand

acceptanceoftheteachingsofRome.TheChurchofSardiswasgiventhiswarning:

Bewatchful,andstrengthenthethingswhichremain,thatarereadytodie:forIhave

notfoundthyworksperfectbeforeGod.Rememberthereforehowthouhastreceived

andheard,andholdfast,andrepent.Ifthereforethoushaltnotwatch,Iwillcomeon

theeasathief,andthoushaltnotknowwhathourIwillcomeuponthee(Revelation

3:2-3).

TheReformationhadfailedtofortifyitselfagainstcomplacencyandbecamethe

easypreyofthosewhowishedtodestroyit.Inthemidstofpersecution,many

courageousreformerswerewillingtolaydowntheirlivesratherthantodeny

Christ.ItistothesethatChristsays,"ThouhastafewnameseveninSardiswhich

havenotdefiledtheirgarments;andtheyshallwalkwithmeinwhite:fortheyare

worthy"(Revelation3:4).

ThemessagetoSardisisamessagecallingbelieversbacktothetruthandtosteadfastnessinfaith:

Hethatovercometh,thesameshallbeclothedinwhiteraiment;andIwillnotblotout

hisnameoutofthebookoflife,butIwillconfesshisnamebeforemyFather,and

beforehisangels(Revelation3:5).

A Letter to Philadelphia

Background

Philadelphialies45kilometerseastofSardisandtodaythecityofAlashehirstandswheretheancientcitystood.Philadelphiawassituatedatthefootofthemountains

leadingtoAnnatoliaand,assuch,wasthedoorwaytothisregion.Historical Application

AndtotheangelofthechurchinPhiladelphiawrite;Thesethingssaithhethatisholy,

hethatistrue,hethathaththekeyofDavid,hethatopeneth,andnomanshutteth;

andshutteth,andnomanopeneth(Revelation3:7).


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ThelettertoPhiladelphiacontainsnoreproof.Thetimeperioditrepresentswasto

openthedoortotheGospelsothatitcouldbespreadtotheendsoftheworld.The

WordofGodwastoberestoredandtruthwouldtriumph.


Philadelphiameans"brotherlylove."ThePhiladelphiaperiodistheperiodoftheGreatAwakeningofthe18thcentury.Itistheperiodofmission.Thewordsofcommendationwere,"Iknowthyworks:behold,Ihavesetbeforetheeanopen

door,andnomancanshutit:forthouhastalittlestrength,andhastkeptmyword,andhastnotdeniedmyname"(Revelation3:8).

DuringthePhiladelphianera,thegreatconflictbetweentruthandterrorreachedits

pinnacle.TheMilleritemovementreaffirmedthetruthoftheWordanditsprophetic

importance,andtheeraofworldmissionbegan.

WilliamCareybecamethemessengertoIndiain1793,andRobertMorrisonto

Chinain1807.In1817,RobertMoffatcarriedthemessagetoAfricaandJohnWesleychallengedthedoctrinesofCalvin.Between1804and1834,numerousBible

societieswereestablished,andthedoorfortheGospelwasopened.

Asalwaysinanageofspiritualenlightenment,Satanendeavoredtodestroythe

workbytheintroductionofcounterfeitmovements.Spiritisminallitsformssawits

modernrevivalatthattime.OutoftheFrenchRevolutionof1789-1799camethe

conceptsofhumanismandatheismthatweretoformthefoundationstonesfor

communism.TheperiodalsosawtheriseofmanyfalseprophetswhowouldclaimspecialrevelationscontrarytotheWordofGod.

Holding to the Truth

TheGreatAwakeningofthistimewasmetwithsuspicionandevenhostilitybytheestablishedchurchesofthedayastheyrefusedtoacceptnewlightonthe

Scriptures.TheageofPhiladelphiawasanageofbrotherlyloveamongthosewho

embracedthetruthsoftheSecondComingofChrist,buttheywerederidedand

mockedfortheirstance.

Behold,IwillmakethemofthesynagogueofSatan,whichsaytheyareJews,andare

not,butdolie;behold,Iwillmakethemtocomeandworshipbeforethyfeet,andto

knowthatIhavelovedthee.Becausethouhastkeptthewordofmypatience,Ialso

willkeeptheefromthehouroftemptation,whichshallcomeuponalltheworld,totry

themthatdwellupontheearth(Revelation3:9-10).

ThewordJewsusedhereisareferencetoJewishChristians(seeRomans2:28-29;

Galatians3:28-29).TheJewreferredtohererepresentsthoseChristianswhowould

rejectthelightandridiculethosewhobelievedit.

ThepromiseisalsogiventhatthePhiladelphianerawouldnotbesubjectedtothetimeoftroubleprophesiedbyDanielthatwastoprecedethecomingofChrist.The


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promiseofChrist'ssoonreturngiveninverse11("BeholdIcomequickly")is

furtherevidenceofthehistoriccontinuousnatureofthepropheticcontentofthe

letterstothesevenchurches.

TotheChurchoftheMiddleAges(Thyatira)themessagewasgivento"holdfast

whatyouhavetillIcome"(Revelation2:25),whereasinPhiladelphiatheChurchisgiventhesameadmonitionbutthistimeinreferencetoHissoonreturn.TheGreat

DisappointmentcameasamajorblowtomanyintheAdventmovementandthe

counselto"Holdfastwhatyouhavethatnoonemaytakeyourcrown"(Revelation

3:11)isappropriatetothisera.

"NotI,butChrist"wasthewatchwordofthePhiladelphianChristians,andthesame

mottoshouldbeforallofChrist'sfollowers.Oncewelayourselvesdownin

humility,ChristandHislovecanconquerthroughus.TheWord-basedunityandlove-basedcommunityoftheChurchofPhiladelphiaisashiningexampleofwhatall

whoaspiretofollowChristshouldseektoacquire.

A Letter to Laodicea

Background

Laodiceawassituated60kilometerssoutheastofPhiladelphiaandwasafamous

healthresort.Thecitywaspopularforitshotbathsandthecollyriumeyesalvethat

wasproducedthere.

Thehotwaterforthebathswasingeniouslypipedtotheresortsininsulatedpipes,

butbecauseofthedistancesinvolved,thewaterwasoftenonlylukewarmbythe

timeitarrivedatitsdestination.ThesymboloflukewarmnessappliedtotheLaodiceanChurchisthusveryappropriate.

Mineral-richwatersarealsoextremelyunpalatablewhentakenlukewarm,andthis

featuremakesthewordsoftheFaithfulandTrueWitnessregardingthosewho

refusetoacceptHiscounselallthemoreappropriate.

ThechurchinLaodiceawaslikelyestablishedbyPaul'scompanionEpaphras.vi


Laodiceaisthe"nationofjudgment."ItisthelastChurch,thelastlightbeareron

EarthbeforethecomingofChrist.ThisletteristoGod'speopleinourtime.

AlltheletterswerewrittentotheChurchtoGod'speople,Hisrepresentatives.The

lettersreflectthespiritualconditionoftheChurchineachtimeperiodandsomeof

theletterscontainseverereproofs.Thesereproofsweredesignedtotouchthe

heartsofGod'speople,sothatthesewrongsmightbecorrectedandthepromises

validated.


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Inalltheletters,exceptthelettertoLaodicea,thereisacommendation,anditis

vitalforGod'speopleattheendoftimetotakeheedoftheLaodiceancounsel

because,sadly,wehavedonenothingtocommend.

ThemessagetoLaodiceaisnotamessageofhopelessness.Itisamessageofhope.

Themessageisnotdesignedtodiscouragebuttoencourage.Ifthemessageisheeded,thenthemaladyoftheChurchcanbecorrected.Themessagestemsfrom

Onewhocanreadtheheart.ItstemsfromtheFaithfulandTrueWitnesstodeny

themessageistodenytheomnipotenceofGod.

AndtotheangelofthechurchoftheLaodiceanswrite;ThesethingssaiththeAmen,thefaithfulandtruewitness,thebeginningofthecreationofGod(Revelation3:14).

ThemessageisfromtheAmentheOneinwhomthereisnolie,theCreator.The

word"beginning"istranslatedfromtheGreekarche,which,whentakeninthe

activesense,meanstheinitiatoroftheaction,inthiscaseCreation.Inthis

introductionisconcealedallthemajestyofChrist,Hischaracter,andHislaw.

ThememorialofHisCreationistheSabbath,whichisalsothesealofGodmaking

thelawofGodvalid.ThemessagetoLaodiceaistoHispeople,theremnantofthose

whoobeyGod'scommandmentsandholdthetestimonyofJesus.

The Remnant

InRevelation12,theremnantismadeoffollowersofChrist,membersofthe

Church,thatseektofollowGodinallthings:

Andthedragonwaswrothwiththewoman,andwenttomakewarwiththeremnant

ofherseed,whichkeepthecommandmentsofGod,andhavethetestimonyofJesusChrist(Revelation12:17).

TheyaretheonesthatwakeupfromtheirLaodiceanslumberandtakethereproofs

toheart.TheremnantismadeupoftrueandfaithfulbelieversofGodthatfollowaftertheSecondAdventmovementofthe1800s,thosethatarelookingforthesoon

returnofJesusChristandwhoareseekingtoalignthemselveswithGod'sWordandthetruthslostaftertheReformation.

Insteadofthinkingthatalliswellandfollowingmaterialisticgain,theyrecognize

theirsinfulconditionandreturntotheprinciplesoftheReformationandallegiance

toGod.TheybasetheirfaithontheWordandseekunityintruthandlovebasedon

Truth.Tothemisentrustedthefinalmessageofwarningtoadyingworld.ThemessagetobegivenistheThreeAngels'MessageofRevelation14.Itisamessage

thatwillcausecontroversyandwillbeopposedbySatanbyeveryconceivable

means.Toliveoutthemessagewillrequiregreatpatience,endurance,andanabidingtrustinChrist.

Hereisthepatienceofthesaints;herearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod,andthefaithofJesus(Revelation14:12).


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ThedevilwageswaragainsttheremnantinordertohinderGodswork.Hewantsto

preventthemessagefromgoingoutintotheworld.Howwouldhebestachievethis?

BysopreoccupyingtheChurchwithissuesnotdirectlyrelatedtothemessagethat

thereisnotimeorenergylefttodotheworkthattheChurchwasinstructedtodo.

TheChurchistobealighttotheworlditisoneofthegoldenlampstands

(Revelation1:12-13).

Butsomanyarenowpreoccupiedwithlife,withtheprizeofsuccess,financial

wealth,pleasureseeking,andselfishambition.SadlyevenprofessingChristians

displaythissamezealforworldlygain.ThisistheLaodiceanstate.

The Lukewarm Church

InthelettertoLaodicea,thereisarebukeaboutthestateoftheheart:

Iknowthyworks,thatthouartneithercoldnorhot:Iwouldthouwertcoldorhot.Sothenbecausethouartlukewarm,andneithercoldnorhot,Iwillspuetheeoutofmy

mouth(Revelation3:15-16).

ThisrebukeistotheChurch,butachurchiscompromisedofindividuals.This

diagnosisofourstateisanindividualdiagnosis,andwemucheachindividually

heedthewarning.Lukewarmnessisanunacceptablestateandwillresultineternal

loss.Thestateoflukewarmnessmustberemedied.

BecausethousayestIamrichandincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing;and

knowestnotthatthouartwretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked

(Revelation3:17).

Why are we lukewarm?

Wearelukewarmbecausewebelievewearerichandhavethetruth.Webelievewe

arenotdeceived.Evenamongthosewhoknowthatthetruthrestsonthetwin

pillarsofobediencetoGod(thekeepingofHiscommandments)andthefaithin

Jesusthereismanifestedaspiritofcomplacency,afalsesenseofsecurity,andalack

ofdevotionanddedicationtoChrist.

TheJewsmadethemistakeoftrustingintheirobediencetoGod'slaw,ratherthanthemeritsoftheMessiah,providingthemwithafaadeofrighteousness.Thegreat

bulkofChristianstodaytrustinthemeritsofChristwithoutobediencetoHis

precepts.Thisisjustasdangerous.AlthoughChrist'srobeofrighteousnessisofferedfreelytoanyonewhobelievesandconfessesJesusChristasLord,thenext

stepisafitnessforheavenasubmissiontoChrist'srefiningworkinourlivesthatchangesusfromtheinsideintonewpeople.

Thepeopleoftheremnantknowthis.Justificationandsanctificationaregiftsfrom

GodthroughthemeritsofJesusChrist.ObedienceisaconsequenceofthisabidingtrustinChrist.


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Why are we "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked?"

Wearewretchedbecausewearedeceived.Wearemiserablebecausewethinkwe

arenotdeceivedwhenweare,andareunhappyevenwhilewepersistinhavingour

ownwayeventhoughonlyGod'swayspromisetruejoy.Wearepoorbecausewe

believethatwehaveembracedthetruthwhenwehavemissedtheboat.

Weareblindbecausewethinkwearecapableofdiscerningtruthfromerrorwhen

wecannot.Wearenakedbecausewebelieveweareclothedwiththerighteousness

ofChrist,whenthegarmentwearewearingisagarmentofourownmaking.

ProfessedChristians,likeallpeople,mustbecalledbacktoobediencetoGod.They

mustbeurgedtoseparatethemselvesfromfalsereligionandtoupholdthe

principlesofthelawofGodratherthanacceptthemarkoftheBeast.

Faith, Love, and Discernment

Icounseltheetobuyofmegoldtriedinthefire,thatthoumayestberich;andwhite

raiment,thatthoumayestbeclothed,andthattheshameofthynakednessdonotappear;andanointthineeyeswitheyesalve,thatthoumayestsee(Revelation3:18).

Thegoldweareinstructedtobuyisthegoldoffaithandlovethatisdevoidofself.

ThewhiteraimentistherighteousnessofChrist,agarmentcontainingnostitchof

ourownmaking.Theeyesalveisspiritualdiscernmentthatenablesustorecognize

wheretheproblemlieswitheachofus.ThemessagetoLaodiceaisintendedto

produceachangeineachindividual,nottoproducediscordamongbrothers.

Through Christ, We can Overcome

Aswehaveseen,thereisnocommendationforthechurchofLaodicea,whichrepresentsusintheend-timeChurch.Eventhoughthereisnocommendationforus,allisnotlost.Godlovesusandwantsusseeourselvesinourtruelight.Achieving

thisrecognitionandtransformationispainful,butaltogethernecessary:

AsmanyasIlove,Irebukeandchasten:bezealoustherefore,andrepent(Revelation

3:19).

Rebukeshurtourpride,butchasteninggoesbeyondthat.Itistobeafflicted.God

permitscircumstancestosooverwhelmusthattherewillnolongerbeanyrecourse

toself.Moreover,ourworsttraitsarerevealedintimesofgreatstress.Thosewho

willholdontotheirRedeemer,evenifHethrowstheirhipoutofjoint,will,like

Jacob,receivetheblessing.Thecaseofthoserebukedisnotahopelessone,but

evidencethatGodcares.

Behold,Istandatthedoor,andknock:ifanymanhearmyvoice,andopenthedoor,I

willcomeintohim,andwillsupwithhim,andhewithme(Revelation3:20).

TheheavenlyMerchantmanhaswarestosellwithoutprice,refinedbyGodinthe

fireofafflictionandHegivesusapromiseofHisindwellingspirit.


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TohimthatovercomethwillIgranttositwithmeinmythrone,evenasIalso

overcame,andamsetdownwithmyFatherinhisthrone(Revelation3:21).

TheprizeisaneternitywithGod.IfIrefusetoopenthedoor,ifIrefusetoletGod

changeme,theknockwillgetfainterandeventuallycease.TheblessingsofGodthat

Hewishesyoutobuyaretobeunselfishlydisseminatedtoothers.Wearetoliftupourvoiceslikeatrumpet:

Cryaloud,sparenot,liftupthyvoicelikeatrumpet,andshewmypeopletheir

transgression,andthehouseofJacobtheirsins.Yettheyseekmedaily,anddelightto

knowmyways,asanationthatdidrighteousness,andforsooknottheordinanceoftheirGod:theyaskofmetheordinancesofjustice;theytakedelightinapproachingto

God(Isaiah58:1-2).

IftheLaodiceanmessageisheeded,thenthetruthwillgoouttoallnationsbecause

ourconcernforselfwillbelostinChrist.Inatimeofgreatspiritualdarkness,itis

vitalthatweastoday'sLaodiceaproclaimthemessagewithpower.Thepromise

madetotheprophetIsaiahwillfinallycometrue:

Arise,shine;Foryourlighthascome!

AndthegloryoftheLORDisrisenuponyou.

Forbehold,thedarknessshallcovertheearth,

Anddeepdarknessthepeople;ButtheLORDwillariseoveryou,

AndHisglorywillbeseenuponyou.

TheGentilesshallcometoyourlight,

Andkingstothebrightnessofyourrising.

Liftupyoureyesallaround,andsee:

Theyallgathertogether,theycometoyou;

Yoursonsshallcomefromafar,

Andyourdaughtersshallbenursedatyourside.

Thenyoushallseeandbecomeradiant,Andyourheartshallswellwithjoy;

Becausetheabundanceoftheseashallbeturnedtoyou,ThewealthoftheGentilesshallcometoyou(Isaiah60:1-5NKJV).

Thenwewillindeedberichwitharichnessthatcanneverfade.

i"Smyrna,"BiblePlacesOnline.

iiBenjaminHarrisCowper,TalesoftheMartyrsoftheFirstTwoCenturies(Oxford

UniversityPress,1859):21-28.

iiiPaulBurnsandAlbanButler,Butler'sLivesoftheSaints:February(Minnesota:The


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LiturgicalPress,1998):228.

iv"AttalusIIIPhilometorEuegetes,"EncyclopediaBritannicaOnline.

vArthurE.Boak,AHistoryofRome(NewYork:TheMacmillanCompany,1921):

387.

vi"Revelation3:14,"atBiblosOnline

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Walking Through Revelation