My last message - "The Rapture and the Throne of God" ends with heavenly worship of the now glorified Church. We are now going to study Revelation 5 where the scene changes from heavenly worship to the preparation for the Great Tribulation and the judgment of God.
The importance of the seven-sealed scroll (Rev. 5:1, 2)
"And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?' And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it" (Rev. 5:1 -3, NKJV).
John was still in heaven and beside God's Throne at the opening of Revelation 5. He saw a scroll in God's right hand that was sealed seven times with writing on both sides. Whatever this scroll was, there was no doubt that it was important. We can guess the importance of the sealed scroll from the way its need to be opened was proclaimed and from John's weeping (Rev. 5:4) because there was no one worthy to do the job.
John also saw a "strong angel." What made this angel appear to be stong is not revealed, but he had the authority to speak in the presence of God. We do not know who this angel is, but because the name "Gabriel" means "strength of God" in Greek, some believe he is indeed the archangel Gabriel.
This scroll was a title-deed. In Old Testament times God gave this commandment to the children of Israel concerning the land they would possess in Canaan:
"The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me. And in all the land of your possession you shall grant redemption of the land. If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold" (Lev. 25:23 - 25).
If a person bought a piece of land from his neighbor, that land became his possession. However, if the closest relative of the original owner came and wanted to repurchase the land, the present owner had to accept that claim no matter how much he desired to keep the land. This law was called, "The redemption of the land."
The title-deed to ownership of this earth
What kind of scroll (title-deed) was the scroll in the Hand of God? It was the title to ownership of this earth. Before Adam fell into sin, God had given him dominion over, or control of, the earth. When sin came in, however, the earth was corrupted and became the dominion of the evil one. Satan was making a valid offer to Jesus in Luke 4:
"Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours'" (Luke 4:5 - 7).
Adam had forfeited his dominion over the world to Satan, and in effect making a title-deed of this world before God. How was the Devil used his power? He instigates bloody wars; he foments robbery, abuse and murder. For this reason Paul said, "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:22, 23).
Therefore if humanity was to have any hope, someone had to repurchase the earth.
Qualifications required to open the sealed scroll (Rev. 5:2 - 4).
The one who could open the scroll had to be a close kinsman to the original "owner" of the world. Thus, the one who would redeem the earth from the Devil had to be a human being. But, how could sinful people, descendants of Adam, be qualified for this job? In addition, whoever would redeem the earth would have to want to do it enough to pay the price.
Who then would have all these four conditions or qualifications - (1) A kinsman to human beings; (2) not a descendant of Adam; (3) able to redeem the earth; and (4) willing to pay the price? The person could not be found in heaven, for the angels are not close kinsmen to us. Nor could the person be found among ordinary, sinful mortals. And the person certainly wouldn't be found under the earth, where the Devil and evil spirits are, for they would be the last to desire to redeem the earth.
Thus, there was no one able to open the scroll and look at it, and John wept bitterly as he realized there was no hope for human beings on earth. He also wept over his own incompetence in that situation, because he, too, was a member of the fallen human race.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (Rev. 5:5 - 14)
A Lamb that was slain (Rev. 5:6)
While John ws thus weeping, one of the elders said to him: "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals" (Rev. 5:5).
Then John saw that in the midst of the Throne, the four beasts and the elders, stood a Lamb. Jesus appeared not as the Son of God but as a Lamb, the sacrifice for sin.
When Jesus walked upon this earth, John the Baptist introduced Him by saying, "Behold! The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29)! When the John of Revelation saw Him in heaven, he described Jesus as a Lamb that looked as if it had been slain. Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb.
Peter said Christians are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19).
Jesus looked like He had been killed, but He was not lying on an altar, in bed, or in a casket. He was standing in the center of the Throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and twenty-four elders (Rev. 5:6).
Seven horns and seven eyes (Rev. 5:6)
Seven is the number of perfection in the Bible, and horns are symbols of power. Seven horns means that Jesus had ominipotent, perfect power. He may have looked like a little lamb, but He had all the power of God.
The seven eyes are defied as the seven Spirits of God - "The Spirit of the Lord shall be upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord" (Isaiah 11:2).
The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5 - 7)
As the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus met all four conditions for redeeming the earth:
1. To be a close kinsman of human beings (one of us), He left His Throne in heaven and became a man, born of the young woman Mary in Bethlehem.
2. In order to avoid being a sin-tainted descendant of Adam, He was supernaturally conceived and born of a virgin. Therefore, Jesus was free from the original sin of Adam and lived a perfect life.
3. Able to redeem the earth by virtue of His sinlessness. It freed Him to take the punishment we deserved for our sins upon Himself (read Romans 5).
4. He wanted to redeem the eath. For all His ability, if Jesus had not wanted to redeem us enough to go to the cross, we would have remained in sin. Yet He voluntarily gave up His life for us. And thus did He rightfully take the title-deed of the earth from the Hand of God.
When Jesus received the scroll, His identification as the Lion of the tribe of Judah symbolized His reign as the King of kings.
From Lamb to Lion (Rev. 5:7, 8)
Keep in mind that John was seeing those things that will take place after the Church is raptured. The Rapture is a very significant event because it marks a distinct change in the way Jesus deals with mankind. Up until now He has dealt with us as a lamb, but from this point on through the Great Tribulation period, He will deal with those who are left behind as a lion.
John watched as Jesus took the scroll from the right hand of God. All creation has waited almost six thousand years for this pivotal moment. Adam lost the title-deed to earth for all mankind, but Jesus has proven Himself a worthy redeemer and will get the deed back.
When Jesus took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him each with a harp and a golden bowl. The harps are musical instruments that will accompany the singing in heaven. The "golden bowls full of incense" (Rev. 5:8) are the prayers of the saints. Notice that in Scripture, incense always speaks of prayers of the saints.
The psalmist said; "Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands a the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:2).
Who and what will we be praying for in heaven? We will be praying for our loved ones on earth who are being persecuted. We will pray for the defeat of the "satanic trinity," and we will pray for the Second Coming and the subsequent reign of Jesus.
The Godhead is thought of as - The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Satan seems to try to duplicate that with his own trinity called the "satanic trinity." Satan tries to replace God, the Antichrist tries to replace Christ, and the false prophet tries to replace the Holy Spirit. Satan will indwell the Antichrist and the false prophet, so they will be pure evil. When the Antichrist supposedly dies and is resurrected some think he will come back to life because Satan has possessed his body.
The three songs in heaven
A new song - the song of redeemed saints (Rev. 5:9, 10)
The four living creature and the twenty-four elders sang a new song with a new form of praise. Their song speaks of what He has already done. It tells why Jesus is worthy to take the scroll and open the seals.
Jesus is worthy because He was slain on the cross of Calvary (Isaiah 53:4 - 6). Jessus is worthy because with His blood He purchased our sins. He paid the price of our redemption (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Jesus is worthy because He is no respector of persons. He died for the sins of all the world (John 3:16). Jesus is worthy because He made us a royal priesthood to serve and reign with Him (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Tim 2:12).
The song of the angels (Rev. 5:11, 12).
Next comes the song of the angels. First notice their position: "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, ..." (Rev. 5:11). The redeemed saints are sitting on the Throne; the hosts of angels are standing. As angels were created to serve the redeemed saints (read Heb. 1:14), there is a distinction between the two. They praised Jesus thus: "Worthy is the Lamb who was lain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12)!
Since angels have never fallen and were made for a different purpose, their song does not refer to the precious blood of the Lamb, or being purchase or becoming priests. Their song simply a song of praise.
The song of all creatures (Rev. 5:13, 14)
All creatures include creature which are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea (Rev. 5:13).
Following the song of the angels, all creatures sing thus: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever" (Rev. 5:14)!
When all these hymns are ended, the four living creatures respond with "Amen," and the twenty-four elders bow down and worship.
It seems to me that the most beautiful song of the three is the "new song" or the song of the redeemed saints. Isn't God's divine grace wonderful? We are the ones who rebelled against Him and consequently received the greatest love and destiny from God. Part of our response should be beautiful songs of praise to God, and He delights to hear them. That is the reason we need to praise Him regularly in our Church services and prayer meetings.
Thus, the preparation for God to reclaim the earth will be completed. As soon as our Lord opens the seals of the scroll, the curtain on the stage of the Great Tribulation will finally be drawn up. This will be my next messages.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Rapture and the Throne of God
As I have mentioned in my previous message - "The Church Age - Part 3," the Church in Laodicea signifies the Church Age from the 1900s to the time of the Great Tribulation. This is the last Church on earth. This Church will be the Bride of Christ. But, this does not mean that the entire Church will be the Bride. There are conditions to be fulfilled. In order to understand the Rapture we need to understand God's purpose of redemption for Israel and for the Church.
God's purpose of redemption for Israel and for the Church
Exodus 19 contains a message God gave to Moses for the children of Israel after He had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt, brought them out by tremendous miracles and brought them to the foot of Mount Sinai and from there He proposed to enter a Covenant with them. Let us look at some verses.
"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, the you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:4 - 6, NKJV, emphasis added).
When God said to Israel, "I brought you to Myself," He was telling the children of Israel His primary purpose of their redemption, i.e. to bring His chosen to himself! Notice that God first revealed His primary objective before He went on to outline the rest of His purpose - the details of His Covenant and the conditions attached to His Covenant (read the rest of Exodus).
Notice that the words spoken by God are not merely relevant to Israel after their redemption out of Egypt, but they are not less relevant to the Church today. I believe that most of the Jews have never discovered the purpose of their redemption, not even today. The Scripture says because of their unbelief and rejection of God, salvation came to the Gentiles (Romans 11).
Since Israel failed to understand the purpose of their redemption, God simply restated the same purpose for the Church of Jesus Christ, consisting both the Jewish and Gentile believers.
Peter said (to the believers), "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, ..." (1 Peter 2:9).
Therefore, God's primary purpose in redemption is always this - to bring His people (Israel and the Church) to Himself. Anything else is secondary.
The Bride of Christ
Now, God's purpose of bringing His people to Himself is to prepare a Bride for His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5 gives a picture of Christ's love for the Church.
Paul said: "Husbands love your wives, just as Chrsit also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25 - 27, emphasis added).
The Bride is being prepared, "with the washing of the water of the Word." Therefore, without upholding the truth of God's Word, the Church will not be cleased and so is not fit to be the Bride. The Church cannot be cleansed by any other means - like observing Church doctrine, Church custom, Church tradition, and doctrines of men (even men graduated from Bible Colleges), because more often than not, these are contrary to the Word of God and therefore tarnish the Church! The Church that is not cleansed by the Word will not be holy; she will be full of spots and wrinkle and full of blemishes and therefore fails to be the Bride.
After the preparation of the Bride (the glorious Church), Jesus' ultimate purpose for His Church is to bring her to the Father's house for the marriage of the Lamb:
Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2, 3, emphasis added).
1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 give a picture of what will happen. A day will come when all true Christians will be caught up bodily and alive to meet the Lord in the air (please read my earlier message - "Imminent Pre-trebulation Rapture." This is what John means when he said in John 14:3 - "I will come again and receive you to Myself."
I believe the first event in heaven after our Lord takes us there, will be the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:12 - 15). This is not a judgment for condemnation but a judgment for reward. We must all give an account to our Lord for every action or failure to act, for every idle word and secret thought. After this the Groom will want to spend some time with His Bride, the now glorified Church in the Father's house.
In Christ's days the Jewish bride was taken to the father's house where the two were in seclusion for seven days (one week). Christ must have had that custom in mind when He promised to take His Bride to His Father's house. During these seven years (the 70th week of years in Daniel's prophecy - Daniel 9:24 - 27) the earth is going through the Great Tribulation period under the reign of the Antichrist! But, at precisely the same time in heaven, the marriage supper of the Lamb is being prepared (Rev. 19:7, 8)! The Bride of Christ escapes the wrath of the Antichrist. That is the way God protects His Church, fulfilling what Jesus said to Peter, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). He brings His Church to Himself! On the other hand, the gates of Hades shall prevail against the "church" that is left behind under the reign of the Antichrist. In fact the Antichrist together with his false prophet and his "elders" and "pastors" will be sitting at their gates - the gates of Hades!
The Rapture of the Church
In Revelation 1:19 John was told to write three things - "The things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this." (Please read my earlier message - The Church Age - Part 1). "The things which you have seen," correspons to the Chapter 1 of the book of Revelation. "The things which are," corresponds to the period of Churches (the Church Age) in Chapter 2 and 3. "The things which will take place after this," corresponds to the remaining Chapters (Chapter 4 to Chapter 22) which deal with things that will unfold at the end of the Church Age. So far we have looked at the first two of those things. Now, beginning with Revelation 4, we consider the third - "The things which will take place after this." This message deals with some of the things which will take place. This involves the Rapture of the of the Church to heaven into the very presence of the Throne of God. After this, we shall study The Great Tribulation.
The Throne Room in Heaven (Rev. 4:1 - 11)
John wrote, "After these things I looked, and behold a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this'" (Rev. 4:1, emphasis added).
The panorama John now viewed had changed from earth to heaven. Only a short time before, Jesus stood in the midst of the golden candlesticks and spoke to the seven Churches. That scene disappeared, and when and awesome gate of heaven was flung open, a voice like a trumpet said, "Come up here." God will likewise use a trumpet sound when He calls the Church to meet Him in the air (read 1 Thess. 4:16, 17).
John was the last surviving apostle. His ascending to heaven pictures the Church at the end of the age that has prepared oil, being filled with the Holy Spirit (read Matt. 25:1 - 13), and with other conditions fulfilled, is taken up into heaven as the Bride of Christ.
It won't be long before that same voice will be heard by your ears and mine, and we also shall be taken up to heaven. As a door opened when John looked up, so a door in heaven will open for us, and we shall also ascend.
One Who was stting on the Throne (Rev. 4:2, 3)
As john looked into heaven, he first saw omeone sitting on a throne (Rev. 4:2). The center of heaven is the Throne of God, and on it are the Father, the Son and the Spirit. John thus described the figure of God the Father on the Throne - "And he who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald" (Rev. 4:3).
Jasper signifies the inscrutable divinity and holiness of God. The ruby-colored sardius stone signifies righteous judgment. When John first saw God, he felt not only the infinite divinity and holiness of God but also His sternness of righteous judgment, John's heart might well have trembled with awesome fear.
The rainbow around the throne resembled an emerald. When we see a rainbow from the earth, it looks like a half-circle. But when we see it from an airplane in the sky, it looks like a complete circle. The sight must have filled John's trembling heart with joy.
The origin of the rainbow goes back to the days of Noah. When Noah sacrificed animals after the flood, God made a covenant with him, saying He would not judge the world again with a flood (Gen. 9:11). As a sign of this covenant, God made a rainbow to appear in the clouds.
Thus, a rainbow resembling an emerald and surrounding the Throne means that God, in spite of His infinite divinity and holiness, has already accepted a sacrifice for our sins. That offering is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross of Calvary. By accepting Jesus' sacrifice, God made another covenant between Himself and mankind - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Twenty-four elders around the Throne (Rev. 4:4)
After John saw Him who sat on the Throne, he also saw twenty-four thrones surrounding the Throne. Twenty-four elders, with crowns of gold on their head, sat on those thrones.
John promised the Laodicean Church: "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:21). Those who overcome will ascend to heaven and sit on the Throne that even angels cannot come near.
What do the twenty-four thones signify? I believe they represent the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the twelve disciples of Jesus in the New Testment. Altogether the twenty-four thrones represent the saints who were saved in both Old and New Testament times.
The twenty-four elders were human beings. Angels cannot have an office such as elders, neither does God give them golden crowns. Such crowns are given only to those who have been saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
The Throne (Rev. 4:5, 6)
John also saw "lightnings, thunderings, and voices proceeded out of the Throne" (Rev. 4:5). What comes after a flash of lightning and peals of thunder in a summer storm? A shower. God is ready to rain judgment (The Great Tribulation) upon this earth like a summer shower. But He is postponing His judgment until His children are taken away to heaven and seated with Him.
John also saw "... seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God" (Rev. 4:5). This image shows the Holy Spirit on the Throne in heaven, having returned there with Church.
In front of the throne was "a sea of glass, like crystal" (Rev. 4:6). This can be interpreted to mean the true Church after the Rapture. The description, "like crystal" indicates calmness and serenity. That means all our tears, cares and trouble will no longer exist.
The four living creatures or beasts (Rev. 4:7)
Next John saw four living reatures around the Throne of God. The first was like a lion and the second like a calf; the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle (Rev. 4:7).
Isaiah saw a similar vision. He wrote of seraphim standing above a throne (read Isaiah 6:2, 3).
Ezekiel also saw four living creatures in his vision (read Ezekiel 1:5 - 12).
What were the four living creatures in Revelation 4? They were cherubim, the angels that guard the holiness at His Throne. The first was like a lion. That symbolizes Jesus' coming as the King of the Jew, as Matthew's Gospel describes Him. The second creature was like a calf (ox), which signifies Jesus who works, as Mark's Gospel describes Him. The third creature was like a man, and Luke's Gospel describes Jesus as the Son of man. He had a complete human nature, being born of the Virgin Mary. The fourth creature was like an eagle which represents the divinity of God. John's Gospel emphasizes John was the divine Son of God.
Thus, the four living creatures standing around the Throne all symbolize the Person of Jesus Christ.
Worship (Rev. 4:8 - 11)
What comes next is a scene of worship. First the four living creatures worship God day and night, never resting. They ceaselessly say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is to come" (Rev. 4:8).
When the living creatures give glory to God, the twenty-four elders also fall down and worship Him. They cast their crowns before the Throne and saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created" (Rev. 4:11).
This is the scene of heavenly worship which includes us, the heavenly glorified Church - "A sea of glass!"
God's purpose of redemption for Israel and for the Church
Exodus 19 contains a message God gave to Moses for the children of Israel after He had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt, brought them out by tremendous miracles and brought them to the foot of Mount Sinai and from there He proposed to enter a Covenant with them. Let us look at some verses.
"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, the you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:4 - 6, NKJV, emphasis added).
When God said to Israel, "I brought you to Myself," He was telling the children of Israel His primary purpose of their redemption, i.e. to bring His chosen to himself! Notice that God first revealed His primary objective before He went on to outline the rest of His purpose - the details of His Covenant and the conditions attached to His Covenant (read the rest of Exodus).
Notice that the words spoken by God are not merely relevant to Israel after their redemption out of Egypt, but they are not less relevant to the Church today. I believe that most of the Jews have never discovered the purpose of their redemption, not even today. The Scripture says because of their unbelief and rejection of God, salvation came to the Gentiles (Romans 11).
Since Israel failed to understand the purpose of their redemption, God simply restated the same purpose for the Church of Jesus Christ, consisting both the Jewish and Gentile believers.
Peter said (to the believers), "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, ..." (1 Peter 2:9).
Therefore, God's primary purpose in redemption is always this - to bring His people (Israel and the Church) to Himself. Anything else is secondary.
The Bride of Christ
Now, God's purpose of bringing His people to Himself is to prepare a Bride for His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5 gives a picture of Christ's love for the Church.
Paul said: "Husbands love your wives, just as Chrsit also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25 - 27, emphasis added).
The Bride is being prepared, "with the washing of the water of the Word." Therefore, without upholding the truth of God's Word, the Church will not be cleased and so is not fit to be the Bride. The Church cannot be cleansed by any other means - like observing Church doctrine, Church custom, Church tradition, and doctrines of men (even men graduated from Bible Colleges), because more often than not, these are contrary to the Word of God and therefore tarnish the Church! The Church that is not cleansed by the Word will not be holy; she will be full of spots and wrinkle and full of blemishes and therefore fails to be the Bride.
After the preparation of the Bride (the glorious Church), Jesus' ultimate purpose for His Church is to bring her to the Father's house for the marriage of the Lamb:
Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2, 3, emphasis added).
1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 give a picture of what will happen. A day will come when all true Christians will be caught up bodily and alive to meet the Lord in the air (please read my earlier message - "Imminent Pre-trebulation Rapture." This is what John means when he said in John 14:3 - "I will come again and receive you to Myself."
I believe the first event in heaven after our Lord takes us there, will be the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:12 - 15). This is not a judgment for condemnation but a judgment for reward. We must all give an account to our Lord for every action or failure to act, for every idle word and secret thought. After this the Groom will want to spend some time with His Bride, the now glorified Church in the Father's house.
In Christ's days the Jewish bride was taken to the father's house where the two were in seclusion for seven days (one week). Christ must have had that custom in mind when He promised to take His Bride to His Father's house. During these seven years (the 70th week of years in Daniel's prophecy - Daniel 9:24 - 27) the earth is going through the Great Tribulation period under the reign of the Antichrist! But, at precisely the same time in heaven, the marriage supper of the Lamb is being prepared (Rev. 19:7, 8)! The Bride of Christ escapes the wrath of the Antichrist. That is the way God protects His Church, fulfilling what Jesus said to Peter, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). He brings His Church to Himself! On the other hand, the gates of Hades shall prevail against the "church" that is left behind under the reign of the Antichrist. In fact the Antichrist together with his false prophet and his "elders" and "pastors" will be sitting at their gates - the gates of Hades!
The Rapture of the Church
In Revelation 1:19 John was told to write three things - "The things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this." (Please read my earlier message - The Church Age - Part 1). "The things which you have seen," correspons to the Chapter 1 of the book of Revelation. "The things which are," corresponds to the period of Churches (the Church Age) in Chapter 2 and 3. "The things which will take place after this," corresponds to the remaining Chapters (Chapter 4 to Chapter 22) which deal with things that will unfold at the end of the Church Age. So far we have looked at the first two of those things. Now, beginning with Revelation 4, we consider the third - "The things which will take place after this." This message deals with some of the things which will take place. This involves the Rapture of the of the Church to heaven into the very presence of the Throne of God. After this, we shall study The Great Tribulation.
The Throne Room in Heaven (Rev. 4:1 - 11)
John wrote, "After these things I looked, and behold a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this'" (Rev. 4:1, emphasis added).
The panorama John now viewed had changed from earth to heaven. Only a short time before, Jesus stood in the midst of the golden candlesticks and spoke to the seven Churches. That scene disappeared, and when and awesome gate of heaven was flung open, a voice like a trumpet said, "Come up here." God will likewise use a trumpet sound when He calls the Church to meet Him in the air (read 1 Thess. 4:16, 17).
John was the last surviving apostle. His ascending to heaven pictures the Church at the end of the age that has prepared oil, being filled with the Holy Spirit (read Matt. 25:1 - 13), and with other conditions fulfilled, is taken up into heaven as the Bride of Christ.
It won't be long before that same voice will be heard by your ears and mine, and we also shall be taken up to heaven. As a door opened when John looked up, so a door in heaven will open for us, and we shall also ascend.
One Who was stting on the Throne (Rev. 4:2, 3)
As john looked into heaven, he first saw omeone sitting on a throne (Rev. 4:2). The center of heaven is the Throne of God, and on it are the Father, the Son and the Spirit. John thus described the figure of God the Father on the Throne - "And he who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald" (Rev. 4:3).
Jasper signifies the inscrutable divinity and holiness of God. The ruby-colored sardius stone signifies righteous judgment. When John first saw God, he felt not only the infinite divinity and holiness of God but also His sternness of righteous judgment, John's heart might well have trembled with awesome fear.
The rainbow around the throne resembled an emerald. When we see a rainbow from the earth, it looks like a half-circle. But when we see it from an airplane in the sky, it looks like a complete circle. The sight must have filled John's trembling heart with joy.
The origin of the rainbow goes back to the days of Noah. When Noah sacrificed animals after the flood, God made a covenant with him, saying He would not judge the world again with a flood (Gen. 9:11). As a sign of this covenant, God made a rainbow to appear in the clouds.
Thus, a rainbow resembling an emerald and surrounding the Throne means that God, in spite of His infinite divinity and holiness, has already accepted a sacrifice for our sins. That offering is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross of Calvary. By accepting Jesus' sacrifice, God made another covenant between Himself and mankind - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Twenty-four elders around the Throne (Rev. 4:4)
After John saw Him who sat on the Throne, he also saw twenty-four thrones surrounding the Throne. Twenty-four elders, with crowns of gold on their head, sat on those thrones.
John promised the Laodicean Church: "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:21). Those who overcome will ascend to heaven and sit on the Throne that even angels cannot come near.
What do the twenty-four thones signify? I believe they represent the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the twelve disciples of Jesus in the New Testment. Altogether the twenty-four thrones represent the saints who were saved in both Old and New Testament times.
The twenty-four elders were human beings. Angels cannot have an office such as elders, neither does God give them golden crowns. Such crowns are given only to those who have been saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
The Throne (Rev. 4:5, 6)
John also saw "lightnings, thunderings, and voices proceeded out of the Throne" (Rev. 4:5). What comes after a flash of lightning and peals of thunder in a summer storm? A shower. God is ready to rain judgment (The Great Tribulation) upon this earth like a summer shower. But He is postponing His judgment until His children are taken away to heaven and seated with Him.
John also saw "... seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God" (Rev. 4:5). This image shows the Holy Spirit on the Throne in heaven, having returned there with Church.
In front of the throne was "a sea of glass, like crystal" (Rev. 4:6). This can be interpreted to mean the true Church after the Rapture. The description, "like crystal" indicates calmness and serenity. That means all our tears, cares and trouble will no longer exist.
The four living creatures or beasts (Rev. 4:7)
Next John saw four living reatures around the Throne of God. The first was like a lion and the second like a calf; the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle (Rev. 4:7).
Isaiah saw a similar vision. He wrote of seraphim standing above a throne (read Isaiah 6:2, 3).
Ezekiel also saw four living creatures in his vision (read Ezekiel 1:5 - 12).
What were the four living creatures in Revelation 4? They were cherubim, the angels that guard the holiness at His Throne. The first was like a lion. That symbolizes Jesus' coming as the King of the Jew, as Matthew's Gospel describes Him. The second creature was like a calf (ox), which signifies Jesus who works, as Mark's Gospel describes Him. The third creature was like a man, and Luke's Gospel describes Jesus as the Son of man. He had a complete human nature, being born of the Virgin Mary. The fourth creature was like an eagle which represents the divinity of God. John's Gospel emphasizes John was the divine Son of God.
Thus, the four living creatures standing around the Throne all symbolize the Person of Jesus Christ.
Worship (Rev. 4:8 - 11)
What comes next is a scene of worship. First the four living creatures worship God day and night, never resting. They ceaselessly say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is to come" (Rev. 4:8).
When the living creatures give glory to God, the twenty-four elders also fall down and worship Him. They cast their crowns before the Throne and saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created" (Rev. 4:11).
This is the scene of heavenly worship which includes us, the heavenly glorified Church - "A sea of glass!"
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Church Age - Part 3
Continuing from Part 2 we are now going to study the remaining three of the seven Churches, prophetically covering the period 1517 to the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The three Churches are the Church in Sardis, the Church in Philadelphia and the Church in Laodicea.
The Church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1 - 6)
1. Name of the recipient Church
Sardis was a city that flourished some five hundred years before John (who wrote Revelation) was born. Later the city was conquered by Cyrus of Persia, then by Alexander the Great. Through those conquests Sardis was reduced to ruins. This city worshipped the goddess Cybele.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
The Church in Sardis signifies the period from 1517 to 1750. The name "Sardis" means "those escaping" - the people who left what became the Roman Catholic Church. In the light of Church history, the Church in Sardis refers to the Protestant Church founded by Luther, a priest who led the Reformation beginning in 1517, on the Biblical principle that we are justified by faith alone, not by good works and adherence to tradition.
Jesus appeared to the Church in Sardis as One who had the seven Spirit of God and the seven stars (Rev. 3:1). The seven stars signify the servants of God, and the seven Spirits of God signify that God gives the fullness of the Holy Spirit to the servants whom He has restored.
Jesus said, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead" (Rev. 3:1).
Even though the Reformation was achieved, it had political as well as spiritual motives behind it. The Church was still bound by form and ritual. And the Church was actually still in the state of death, even though it had the appearance of being alive. That is the reason why many Bible teachers called the Church in Sardis a dead Church.
3. Christ's Commendation
Jesus commended the few clothed in white robes in the Church of Sardis (read Rev. 3:4). They were the ones who were justified before God by their faith, as were the leaders of the Reformation, who also retained pure faith. Because they believed in the precious blood of Jesus and His grace, He washed them clean and clothed them with white robes.
4. Christ's Rebuke
As mentioned earlier in Rev. 3:1, Jesus said that even though the Church had a name that they were alive, but they were dead spiritually. He meant that in the past the Church had been growing and was alive, but little by little their enthusiasm disappeared and their faith became cold. Only a memory of the past was left.
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus exhorted the Church in Sardis to be awakened to life from the dead state, to remember His graces received, to hold fast to the faith and repent (read Rev. 3:3).
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised that He would clothe with white robes those who were thus quickened to life and record their names in the book of life, that they might live forever (read Rev. 3:5). He would also vouch for those names before God and His angels.
The Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7 - 13)
1. Name of the recipient Church
Philadelphia was located thirty miles southeast of Sardis. It was destroyed by the great earthquake of A.D. 17 and rebuilt by Tiberius. It was known for its wine, and drinking was a major problem.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
The Church in Philadelphia foretold the Church age between 1750 and 1905. "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love," and the Church there preached the gospel with such love. Indeed, proclaiming the gospel is impossible unless we have compassion for our fellow men and women. When we do, Jesus opens the door of revival.
The Lord appeared to the Church in Philadelphia as the One who had the key of David (Rev. 3:7). When He opens, no one can shut, and when He shuts, no one can open. This signified that the Lord would cause a great revival in the Philadelphia Church.
For a century and a half (from 1750 to 1905), Churches experienced wonderful revival movements, and the fire spread to various parts of the world. A Society for China Inland Mission was formed in Great Britain, and through its efforts the gospel was preached to the inner parts of China. The Student Volunteer Movement, also arising in Great Britain, became a great mission society.
Also during this period, the Methodist movement, the Salvation Army and the Holiness Church arose. George Whitefield shook England, America and Europe with the gospel. Following him, numerous evangelical revivalists such as Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Charles Spurgeon and Dwight Moody set America and Europe on fire.
Jesus' prophecy came true during the Church age of Philadelphia. He also forewarned the Church of the coming Great Tribulation, but He promised He would cause the Church to miss that Tribulation (Rev. 3:10).
3. Christ's Commendation
Jesus commended the Philadelphian Church for doing many activities with little ability and behaving sincerely, causing no shame to His name (Rev. 3:10).
4. Christ's Rebuke
The Lord did not rebuke the Philadelphian Church, a faithful and missionary Church. He never rebukes a gospel-proclaiming and mission-sending Church. Neither He rebuked a persecuted Church (Smyrna).
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus exhorted the Philadelphian Church, which fulfilled its missionary role with little ability, to "hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" (Rev. 3:11). He didn't demand more than that but urged the Church to preserve its enthusiasm for missions and service and to develop them more.
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised the Philadelphian Church that if it kept the word of patience, continuing its mission work, He would keep it from the hour of temptation, when God will judge all the people who have lived on the earth (Rev. 3:10) - the Great Tribulation.
To him who overcame, Jesus also gave the promise that He would make him a pillar in the temple (Rev. 3:12). The pillar of the temple or Church supports the house where God dwells.
Jesus also promised He would give the Church a new name (Rev. 3:10). he would write the name of God, the name of New Jerusalem and His own new name to him who overcomes.
The Church in Laodicea (Rev. 3:14 - 22)
1. Name of the recipient Church
Being a center of finance, Laodicea was very rich. It was one of the largest cities in Asia Minor. Moreover, it was a city of entertainment, where all the citizens sought continual pleasure. Since the Church had compromise with the world, it became neither cold nor hot (Rev 3:1).
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
In terms of Church history, the Laodicean Church signifies the age from the 1900s to the time of the Great Tribulation. This slso describes, prophetically, the state of our Church today. "Laodicea" means, "the right of laity," namely the Church of people's rights. This is a time when the laity have become more "enlightened" than the ministers and when their power is such that they can even hire and fire a pastor at will.
Jesus appeared to the Church in Laodicea as One who was "Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." Accepting the Word of God with "amen" expresses our sincere loyalty to the Lord. The Laodicean Church, howeve, had lost its loyalty to Christ, its true witness and the original purpose of creation. Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy and lifeless faith and urged it to repent.
From the beginning of the Laodicean aged in 1905, theology began to criticize the Bible historically, scientifically and philosophically by introducing rationalism and higher criticism. This started in Germany. The Scripture cannot be subjected to higher criticism through science and reasoning, however, for it was written by divine revelation. Nevertheless, the liberal new theology asserted that the Bible is not scientifically or historically correct; its accounts are mostly myth. Therefore all the miracles in it must be removed.
3. Christ's Commendation
Among the six Churches we have seen so far, no Church failed to receive a commendation. However, the Laodicean Church did not receive any commendation, only rebuke. It represents the Church age in which we now live.
4. Christ's Rebuke
Jesus rebuked the Church in Laodicea, saying, " I know your works, that you are neither cold nor ho. I could wish you wer cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:15, 16).
Jesus condemned the lukewarm faith of the Leodicean Church. But, many today's Churches are just the same - neither cold nor hot. The people offer lips service and make social noises when they meet in Church service or cell group meeting. They read the Bible but very often don't do what the Scriptures said.
Jesus hates the Laodicean Church's lukewarm faith. If faith is cold, Jesus can move a person toward repentance. On the other hand, people who vehemently oppose Jesus can easily be converted when their egos are crushed and they become hot with conviction. However, those people who go to Church and give agreeable answers but whose hearts are not in it are the last kind to be converted.
Why was the Church in Laodicea lukewarm in its faith? They had a wrong understanding of themselves. They said, "I am rich have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). But Jesus rebuked their spiritual powerty, "... you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked."
Today many Churches, the world over, also allow their worship services to degenerate into social gatherings. On Sundays they have a short worship service, and then they enjoy eating and drinking under the false name of Christian fellowship.
Paul said, "... the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but reighteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14;17).
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus first exhorted the Laodicean Church to seek true richness - spiritual richness that can be obtained only from Jesus through faith (read Rev. 3:18). Then Jesus said the Church should seek from Him white raiment. This is the robe Jesus clothers us with, signifying our righteousness through His precious shed blood.
Finally, Jesus exhorted the Laodicean Church to buy eye salve and anoint its eyes that it might see. This is the eye salve of the Holy Spirit, who opens spiritual eyes. In other words, the Church should look at its material and educational wealth through eyes of right spiritual-understanding. Then it would realize that the wealth of the world in which it put so much trust is only transient.
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised the Laodicean Church, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:21).
There is no place to go except the throne of God. This is a wonderful saying, for when we go to the throne of God, the world ends.
The Church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1 - 6)
1. Name of the recipient Church
Sardis was a city that flourished some five hundred years before John (who wrote Revelation) was born. Later the city was conquered by Cyrus of Persia, then by Alexander the Great. Through those conquests Sardis was reduced to ruins. This city worshipped the goddess Cybele.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
The Church in Sardis signifies the period from 1517 to 1750. The name "Sardis" means "those escaping" - the people who left what became the Roman Catholic Church. In the light of Church history, the Church in Sardis refers to the Protestant Church founded by Luther, a priest who led the Reformation beginning in 1517, on the Biblical principle that we are justified by faith alone, not by good works and adherence to tradition.
Jesus appeared to the Church in Sardis as One who had the seven Spirit of God and the seven stars (Rev. 3:1). The seven stars signify the servants of God, and the seven Spirits of God signify that God gives the fullness of the Holy Spirit to the servants whom He has restored.
Jesus said, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead" (Rev. 3:1).
Even though the Reformation was achieved, it had political as well as spiritual motives behind it. The Church was still bound by form and ritual. And the Church was actually still in the state of death, even though it had the appearance of being alive. That is the reason why many Bible teachers called the Church in Sardis a dead Church.
3. Christ's Commendation
Jesus commended the few clothed in white robes in the Church of Sardis (read Rev. 3:4). They were the ones who were justified before God by their faith, as were the leaders of the Reformation, who also retained pure faith. Because they believed in the precious blood of Jesus and His grace, He washed them clean and clothed them with white robes.
4. Christ's Rebuke
As mentioned earlier in Rev. 3:1, Jesus said that even though the Church had a name that they were alive, but they were dead spiritually. He meant that in the past the Church had been growing and was alive, but little by little their enthusiasm disappeared and their faith became cold. Only a memory of the past was left.
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus exhorted the Church in Sardis to be awakened to life from the dead state, to remember His graces received, to hold fast to the faith and repent (read Rev. 3:3).
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised that He would clothe with white robes those who were thus quickened to life and record their names in the book of life, that they might live forever (read Rev. 3:5). He would also vouch for those names before God and His angels.
The Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7 - 13)
1. Name of the recipient Church
Philadelphia was located thirty miles southeast of Sardis. It was destroyed by the great earthquake of A.D. 17 and rebuilt by Tiberius. It was known for its wine, and drinking was a major problem.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
The Church in Philadelphia foretold the Church age between 1750 and 1905. "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love," and the Church there preached the gospel with such love. Indeed, proclaiming the gospel is impossible unless we have compassion for our fellow men and women. When we do, Jesus opens the door of revival.
The Lord appeared to the Church in Philadelphia as the One who had the key of David (Rev. 3:7). When He opens, no one can shut, and when He shuts, no one can open. This signified that the Lord would cause a great revival in the Philadelphia Church.
For a century and a half (from 1750 to 1905), Churches experienced wonderful revival movements, and the fire spread to various parts of the world. A Society for China Inland Mission was formed in Great Britain, and through its efforts the gospel was preached to the inner parts of China. The Student Volunteer Movement, also arising in Great Britain, became a great mission society.
Also during this period, the Methodist movement, the Salvation Army and the Holiness Church arose. George Whitefield shook England, America and Europe with the gospel. Following him, numerous evangelical revivalists such as Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Charles Spurgeon and Dwight Moody set America and Europe on fire.
Jesus' prophecy came true during the Church age of Philadelphia. He also forewarned the Church of the coming Great Tribulation, but He promised He would cause the Church to miss that Tribulation (Rev. 3:10).
3. Christ's Commendation
Jesus commended the Philadelphian Church for doing many activities with little ability and behaving sincerely, causing no shame to His name (Rev. 3:10).
4. Christ's Rebuke
The Lord did not rebuke the Philadelphian Church, a faithful and missionary Church. He never rebukes a gospel-proclaiming and mission-sending Church. Neither He rebuked a persecuted Church (Smyrna).
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus exhorted the Philadelphian Church, which fulfilled its missionary role with little ability, to "hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" (Rev. 3:11). He didn't demand more than that but urged the Church to preserve its enthusiasm for missions and service and to develop them more.
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised the Philadelphian Church that if it kept the word of patience, continuing its mission work, He would keep it from the hour of temptation, when God will judge all the people who have lived on the earth (Rev. 3:10) - the Great Tribulation.
To him who overcame, Jesus also gave the promise that He would make him a pillar in the temple (Rev. 3:12). The pillar of the temple or Church supports the house where God dwells.
Jesus also promised He would give the Church a new name (Rev. 3:10). he would write the name of God, the name of New Jerusalem and His own new name to him who overcomes.
The Church in Laodicea (Rev. 3:14 - 22)
1. Name of the recipient Church
Being a center of finance, Laodicea was very rich. It was one of the largest cities in Asia Minor. Moreover, it was a city of entertainment, where all the citizens sought continual pleasure. Since the Church had compromise with the world, it became neither cold nor hot (Rev 3:1).
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
In terms of Church history, the Laodicean Church signifies the age from the 1900s to the time of the Great Tribulation. This slso describes, prophetically, the state of our Church today. "Laodicea" means, "the right of laity," namely the Church of people's rights. This is a time when the laity have become more "enlightened" than the ministers and when their power is such that they can even hire and fire a pastor at will.
Jesus appeared to the Church in Laodicea as One who was "Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." Accepting the Word of God with "amen" expresses our sincere loyalty to the Lord. The Laodicean Church, howeve, had lost its loyalty to Christ, its true witness and the original purpose of creation. Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy and lifeless faith and urged it to repent.
From the beginning of the Laodicean aged in 1905, theology began to criticize the Bible historically, scientifically and philosophically by introducing rationalism and higher criticism. This started in Germany. The Scripture cannot be subjected to higher criticism through science and reasoning, however, for it was written by divine revelation. Nevertheless, the liberal new theology asserted that the Bible is not scientifically or historically correct; its accounts are mostly myth. Therefore all the miracles in it must be removed.
3. Christ's Commendation
Among the six Churches we have seen so far, no Church failed to receive a commendation. However, the Laodicean Church did not receive any commendation, only rebuke. It represents the Church age in which we now live.
4. Christ's Rebuke
Jesus rebuked the Church in Laodicea, saying, " I know your works, that you are neither cold nor ho. I could wish you wer cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:15, 16).
Jesus condemned the lukewarm faith of the Leodicean Church. But, many today's Churches are just the same - neither cold nor hot. The people offer lips service and make social noises when they meet in Church service or cell group meeting. They read the Bible but very often don't do what the Scriptures said.
Jesus hates the Laodicean Church's lukewarm faith. If faith is cold, Jesus can move a person toward repentance. On the other hand, people who vehemently oppose Jesus can easily be converted when their egos are crushed and they become hot with conviction. However, those people who go to Church and give agreeable answers but whose hearts are not in it are the last kind to be converted.
Why was the Church in Laodicea lukewarm in its faith? They had a wrong understanding of themselves. They said, "I am rich have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). But Jesus rebuked their spiritual powerty, "... you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked."
Today many Churches, the world over, also allow their worship services to degenerate into social gatherings. On Sundays they have a short worship service, and then they enjoy eating and drinking under the false name of Christian fellowship.
Paul said, "... the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but reighteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14;17).
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus first exhorted the Laodicean Church to seek true richness - spiritual richness that can be obtained only from Jesus through faith (read Rev. 3:18). Then Jesus said the Church should seek from Him white raiment. This is the robe Jesus clothers us with, signifying our righteousness through His precious shed blood.
Finally, Jesus exhorted the Laodicean Church to buy eye salve and anoint its eyes that it might see. This is the eye salve of the Holy Spirit, who opens spiritual eyes. In other words, the Church should look at its material and educational wealth through eyes of right spiritual-understanding. Then it would realize that the wealth of the world in which it put so much trust is only transient.
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised the Laodicean Church, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:21).
There is no place to go except the throne of God. This is a wonderful saying, for when we go to the throne of God, the world ends.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
The Church Age - Part 2
Continuing from Part 1 we shall now study the next two of the seven Churches, prophetically covering the period A.D. 312 to 1517. These two Churches are the Church in Pergamos and the Church in Thyatira.
The Church in Pergamos (Rev. 2:12 - 17).
1. Name of the recipient Church
Pergamos was the capital of Asia Minor and a flourishing center of politics, power, heathen worship and learning. It had temples of Zeus and altars offered to Aesculapius, its tutelary god. The people put serpents on their altars and worshipped them. This signified devil worship. Moreover, the cult of emperor worship flourished here too. It was the duty of every citizen to burn incense once a year to his deified image.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
Prophetically, the Church in Pergamos refers to the Church period from A.D. 312, when Constantine the Great proclaimed Christianity as Rome's state religion, until the year 590.
"Pergamos" means "marriage." While Constantine made Christianity the state religion, he also took advantage of it politically. He used the marriage of the state and Church (including the incorporation of the Babylonian religion's heresy) to consolidate the empire's unity.
Accordingly, in the annals of Church history, the Church in Pergamos represents the adulterous Church that compromise with the world. When suffering persecution, they became pure. But when they received blessings again, they compromised with the world, turning into Pergamos and falling to depravity in pursuit of worldly pleasure.
The Lord appeared to the Church in Pergamos as "He who has the sharp two-edged sword" (Rev. 2:12, NKJV).
Because this Church "have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idol and to commit sexual immorality" (Rev. 2:14), it needed to repent, or He would come in judgment - fight against those people with "the sword of His mouth" (Verse 16) which is the sword of His Word.
3. Christ's Commendation
Jesus commended the Church in Pergamos for keeping its pure faith and not compromising with heresies. he especially pointed out a man named Antipas (Rev. 2:13). Tradition and history related this concerning the martyrdom of Antipas:
"At that time emperor worship was in full force. One day a Roman official took Antipas before the image of the emperor and said, 'Antipas, worship the image.'
Antipas answered, 'The King of kings and the Lord of lords is Jesus Christ only, so I will not worship any other god. Only Jesus.'
The Roman official was infuriated and shouted, 'Antipas, don't you know that all the world is against you?'
Antipas responded, 'Then I, Antipas, acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of lords against all the world.'
Enraged at this answer, the official ordered some men to heat up a brazen bull, and Antipas was put into it. There he was slowly roasted to death. Yet he never denied Jesus."
4. Christ's Rebuke
Jesus rebuked the Church in Pergamos, saying, "But I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, ..." (Rev. 2:14).
When the children of Israel came out of Egypt and entered the land of Canaan, Balak, king of Moab, called Balaam, the prophet, and asked him to curse Israel. Balaam, whose eyes were darkened by power and money, advised Balak that if the Moabites tempted the Israelites with fornication, God would destroy them (read Num. 25:1 - 9; 31:16). So Balak had beautiful Mobite women dance lewdly on the altars of the idol, and the men of Israel committed fornication with the women of Moab and worshipped the idol. As a result, God's judgment came upon them, and thousands of people died in a single day.
The Church in Pergamos harbored fornicators, and the Christian Church of that day committed spiritual fornication by joining itself with the Babylonian religion.
The Lord also rebuked the Church in Pergamos for including some who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:15).
The Nicolaitans were the followers of Satan. They introduced Greek philosophy into the Church and also caused it to commit fornication and adultery.
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus exhorted the Church in Pergamos, "Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth" (Rev. 2:15).
From this we know how indignant He was. The Church He bought with His own blood was tainted with heresy and immorality.
6. Christ's Promise
He promised that He would give the hidden manna to the person who repented and overcame temptation (Rev. 2:17). This hidden manna is heavenly, spiritual food - Jesus Himself!
He also promised He would give a white stone to those who overcame. This refers to the stone the court of that day gave as token to accuse criminals when they were found not guilty. On the other hand, if they were found guilty they were given a black stone. Therefore, Jesus was promising that when people repented, He would forgive their sins and make them righteous. The promise extend to us as well.
The Church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18 - 29)
1 Name of the recipient Church
Thyatira was a small city in Asia Minor. The chief industry of this city was fabric dyeing. Fortune-telling was also prevalent, and numerous people would gather for this purpose in large temple.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
"Thyatira" means "continued sacrifice," which the Catholic mass is all about. In terms of Church history, Thyatira signifed the Dark Ages of the Church from A.D. 590 to 1517, when Martin Luther began the Refomation.
Jesus was described to the Church in Thyatira as having "eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass" (Rev. 2:18). He penetrates reality with those eyes and judges the Church with those feet. Brass speaks of judgment.
After Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, the Church grew steadily more worldly. It left the true nature of the faith - the religion of the Word, praise and prayer. Lay people attending service only watched what was going on, while the priests offering sacrifices. Consequently, the faith of the laity atrophied into little more than spectating at rituals.
One of the abominable practices adopted by the Church was the selling of indulgences to collect contributions from the believers. It was a last unbiblical resort to finance the building of a new Church building for Saint Peter in Rome. Buying an indugence was a commercial transaction; it was like buying ticket to heaven, and it was adverised as such! However grave a person's sin may have been, it was immediately forgiven the moment he bought this indulgence. Even a person who was already dead and whose soul was thought to be in purgatory could get to heaven if his offspring bough indulgences for him!
A story was told that, Johann Tetzel, a priest who was commissioned to sell indulgences, beguiled believers, playing on their sympathies for departed relatives and friends whom they might release from the sufferings in purgatory "as soon as the penny tinkles in the box." Thus, God's spiritual gift of salvation was corrupted into a commodity to be fought like a sack of potatoes! In this manner the Church of that day, like the Church in Thyatira, became depraved. For this reason, most Bible teachers classified the Church in Thyatira as the corrupt Church.
Jesus said He would cast the Church that did not repent of fornication into a sick bed and kill its children (read Rev. 2:21 - 23).
Several times Jesus gave opportunities for the Church to repent in the dark period of the Middle Ages. Various movements arose and challenged the Church to repent and reform.
One of the first was the Albigenses, which arose around 1170 in southern France. Rejecting the rites of the Church, it put its effort into distributing copies of the New Testament. In those days the Church forbade lay believers to read the Bible. Every local Church had only one copy, and even that was chained to the pulpit so no one had access to it. When the reform movement became strong, Popel Inncent III sent crusaders and annihilated the Albigenses.
Another opportunity for repentance came with the waldense movement in 1170. Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyon, France, was their leader. The Waldence disguised themselves as tradesmen and peddled ware, distributing copies of the New Testament and preaching the pure gospel as they traveled. However, this movement also came to a halt through persecution.
Yet another opportunity for repentance appeared with the reform movement led by John Wycliffe, an Englishamn, he translated the Latin Bible into English and launched a compaign of spreading the Bible throughout the world. Jan Hus, who was influenced by Wycliffe, became the rector of a university in Bohemia. He cried for reform in 1369, demanding that the Church return to pure faith. In 1416 he was excommunicated y the pope and was finally burned to death in France.
On the day Hus was executed, the public square was filled with a large crowd. An effigy of a demon was bound to his body, which in turn was bound to a stake by a chain. Wood was heaped around his body up to his chin, and then set on fire. Historians noted that Hus sang hymns as the fire was ignited and began to burn his body. Numerous people witnessing the scene were moved to tears and became followes of the reform movement.
Because the Church refused to repent of her spiritual fornication, she had to be "cast into a sickbed" (Rev. 2:22). That bed was the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther, which supplanted the Roman Church as God's most faithful witness on earth.
3. Christ's Commendation
The Lord said, "I know you works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first" (Rev. 2:19).
He commended the works, love, service, faith and patient endurance of the Church in Thyatira.
4. Christ's Rebuke
The Lord issued a severe rebuke citing the Church's tolerance of Jezebel, the false prophetess (Rev. 2:20). Jesus was referring to a woman fortune-teller in Thyatira, who even went into the Church to practice her evil. But, symbolically He was referring to the Jezebel of the Old Testament. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, and Ahab, king of Israel, took her to be his wife (read 1 Kings 16:29 - 33). She brought the worship of Baal into Israel and had the altars of the Lord God demolished.
Jesus rebuked the spiritual adultery of this Church that followed Jezebel, mixing faith and divination.
5. Christ's Exhortation
The Lord gave the Church in Thyatira the exhortation that it should not compromise with the shamanistic faith, but stand firm on the Word (read Rev. 2:24, 25). Our faith also should be based firmly on the Word. Extravagant fondness prophecy - an obsession with details not revealed in the Bible - might lead your faith astray just as in the case of the Church in Thyatira.
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised He would give power over the nations and the morning star to him who overcomes temptation (read Rev. 2:26 - 28). I believe the morning star signifies the second coming of Jesus Christ. If we stand firm on the Word with pure faith, we will have the privilege of taking part in the second coming of Christ - our part as the bride of Christ!
The Church in Pergamos (Rev. 2:12 - 17).
1. Name of the recipient Church
Pergamos was the capital of Asia Minor and a flourishing center of politics, power, heathen worship and learning. It had temples of Zeus and altars offered to Aesculapius, its tutelary god. The people put serpents on their altars and worshipped them. This signified devil worship. Moreover, the cult of emperor worship flourished here too. It was the duty of every citizen to burn incense once a year to his deified image.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
Prophetically, the Church in Pergamos refers to the Church period from A.D. 312, when Constantine the Great proclaimed Christianity as Rome's state religion, until the year 590.
"Pergamos" means "marriage." While Constantine made Christianity the state religion, he also took advantage of it politically. He used the marriage of the state and Church (including the incorporation of the Babylonian religion's heresy) to consolidate the empire's unity.
Accordingly, in the annals of Church history, the Church in Pergamos represents the adulterous Church that compromise with the world. When suffering persecution, they became pure. But when they received blessings again, they compromised with the world, turning into Pergamos and falling to depravity in pursuit of worldly pleasure.
The Lord appeared to the Church in Pergamos as "He who has the sharp two-edged sword" (Rev. 2:12, NKJV).
Because this Church "have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idol and to commit sexual immorality" (Rev. 2:14), it needed to repent, or He would come in judgment - fight against those people with "the sword of His mouth" (Verse 16) which is the sword of His Word.
3. Christ's Commendation
Jesus commended the Church in Pergamos for keeping its pure faith and not compromising with heresies. he especially pointed out a man named Antipas (Rev. 2:13). Tradition and history related this concerning the martyrdom of Antipas:
"At that time emperor worship was in full force. One day a Roman official took Antipas before the image of the emperor and said, 'Antipas, worship the image.'
Antipas answered, 'The King of kings and the Lord of lords is Jesus Christ only, so I will not worship any other god. Only Jesus.'
The Roman official was infuriated and shouted, 'Antipas, don't you know that all the world is against you?'
Antipas responded, 'Then I, Antipas, acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of lords against all the world.'
Enraged at this answer, the official ordered some men to heat up a brazen bull, and Antipas was put into it. There he was slowly roasted to death. Yet he never denied Jesus."
4. Christ's Rebuke
Jesus rebuked the Church in Pergamos, saying, "But I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, ..." (Rev. 2:14).
When the children of Israel came out of Egypt and entered the land of Canaan, Balak, king of Moab, called Balaam, the prophet, and asked him to curse Israel. Balaam, whose eyes were darkened by power and money, advised Balak that if the Moabites tempted the Israelites with fornication, God would destroy them (read Num. 25:1 - 9; 31:16). So Balak had beautiful Mobite women dance lewdly on the altars of the idol, and the men of Israel committed fornication with the women of Moab and worshipped the idol. As a result, God's judgment came upon them, and thousands of people died in a single day.
The Church in Pergamos harbored fornicators, and the Christian Church of that day committed spiritual fornication by joining itself with the Babylonian religion.
The Lord also rebuked the Church in Pergamos for including some who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:15).
The Nicolaitans were the followers of Satan. They introduced Greek philosophy into the Church and also caused it to commit fornication and adultery.
5. Christ's Exhortation
Jesus exhorted the Church in Pergamos, "Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth" (Rev. 2:15).
From this we know how indignant He was. The Church He bought with His own blood was tainted with heresy and immorality.
6. Christ's Promise
He promised that He would give the hidden manna to the person who repented and overcame temptation (Rev. 2:17). This hidden manna is heavenly, spiritual food - Jesus Himself!
He also promised He would give a white stone to those who overcame. This refers to the stone the court of that day gave as token to accuse criminals when they were found not guilty. On the other hand, if they were found guilty they were given a black stone. Therefore, Jesus was promising that when people repented, He would forgive their sins and make them righteous. The promise extend to us as well.
The Church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18 - 29)
1 Name of the recipient Church
Thyatira was a small city in Asia Minor. The chief industry of this city was fabric dyeing. Fortune-telling was also prevalent, and numerous people would gather for this purpose in large temple.
2. Christ's spiritual evaluation of the Church
"Thyatira" means "continued sacrifice," which the Catholic mass is all about. In terms of Church history, Thyatira signifed the Dark Ages of the Church from A.D. 590 to 1517, when Martin Luther began the Refomation.
Jesus was described to the Church in Thyatira as having "eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass" (Rev. 2:18). He penetrates reality with those eyes and judges the Church with those feet. Brass speaks of judgment.
After Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, the Church grew steadily more worldly. It left the true nature of the faith - the religion of the Word, praise and prayer. Lay people attending service only watched what was going on, while the priests offering sacrifices. Consequently, the faith of the laity atrophied into little more than spectating at rituals.
One of the abominable practices adopted by the Church was the selling of indulgences to collect contributions from the believers. It was a last unbiblical resort to finance the building of a new Church building for Saint Peter in Rome. Buying an indugence was a commercial transaction; it was like buying ticket to heaven, and it was adverised as such! However grave a person's sin may have been, it was immediately forgiven the moment he bought this indulgence. Even a person who was already dead and whose soul was thought to be in purgatory could get to heaven if his offspring bough indulgences for him!
A story was told that, Johann Tetzel, a priest who was commissioned to sell indulgences, beguiled believers, playing on their sympathies for departed relatives and friends whom they might release from the sufferings in purgatory "as soon as the penny tinkles in the box." Thus, God's spiritual gift of salvation was corrupted into a commodity to be fought like a sack of potatoes! In this manner the Church of that day, like the Church in Thyatira, became depraved. For this reason, most Bible teachers classified the Church in Thyatira as the corrupt Church.
Jesus said He would cast the Church that did not repent of fornication into a sick bed and kill its children (read Rev. 2:21 - 23).
Several times Jesus gave opportunities for the Church to repent in the dark period of the Middle Ages. Various movements arose and challenged the Church to repent and reform.
One of the first was the Albigenses, which arose around 1170 in southern France. Rejecting the rites of the Church, it put its effort into distributing copies of the New Testament. In those days the Church forbade lay believers to read the Bible. Every local Church had only one copy, and even that was chained to the pulpit so no one had access to it. When the reform movement became strong, Popel Inncent III sent crusaders and annihilated the Albigenses.
Another opportunity for repentance came with the waldense movement in 1170. Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyon, France, was their leader. The Waldence disguised themselves as tradesmen and peddled ware, distributing copies of the New Testament and preaching the pure gospel as they traveled. However, this movement also came to a halt through persecution.
Yet another opportunity for repentance appeared with the reform movement led by John Wycliffe, an Englishamn, he translated the Latin Bible into English and launched a compaign of spreading the Bible throughout the world. Jan Hus, who was influenced by Wycliffe, became the rector of a university in Bohemia. He cried for reform in 1369, demanding that the Church return to pure faith. In 1416 he was excommunicated y the pope and was finally burned to death in France.
On the day Hus was executed, the public square was filled with a large crowd. An effigy of a demon was bound to his body, which in turn was bound to a stake by a chain. Wood was heaped around his body up to his chin, and then set on fire. Historians noted that Hus sang hymns as the fire was ignited and began to burn his body. Numerous people witnessing the scene were moved to tears and became followes of the reform movement.
Because the Church refused to repent of her spiritual fornication, she had to be "cast into a sickbed" (Rev. 2:22). That bed was the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther, which supplanted the Roman Church as God's most faithful witness on earth.
3. Christ's Commendation
The Lord said, "I know you works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first" (Rev. 2:19).
He commended the works, love, service, faith and patient endurance of the Church in Thyatira.
4. Christ's Rebuke
The Lord issued a severe rebuke citing the Church's tolerance of Jezebel, the false prophetess (Rev. 2:20). Jesus was referring to a woman fortune-teller in Thyatira, who even went into the Church to practice her evil. But, symbolically He was referring to the Jezebel of the Old Testament. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, and Ahab, king of Israel, took her to be his wife (read 1 Kings 16:29 - 33). She brought the worship of Baal into Israel and had the altars of the Lord God demolished.
Jesus rebuked the spiritual adultery of this Church that followed Jezebel, mixing faith and divination.
5. Christ's Exhortation
The Lord gave the Church in Thyatira the exhortation that it should not compromise with the shamanistic faith, but stand firm on the Word (read Rev. 2:24, 25). Our faith also should be based firmly on the Word. Extravagant fondness prophecy - an obsession with details not revealed in the Bible - might lead your faith astray just as in the case of the Church in Thyatira.
6. Christ's Promise
Jesus promised He would give power over the nations and the morning star to him who overcomes temptation (read Rev. 2:26 - 28). I believe the morning star signifies the second coming of Jesus Christ. If we stand firm on the Word with pure faith, we will have the privilege of taking part in the second coming of Christ - our part as the bride of Christ!
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