The Book of Revelation explained!

2. THE COMPLETE BOOK OF REVELATION INTERPRETED BY BIBLICAL TERMS By Pastor O. E. Bogart Revelation....Interpreted completely through types, shadows, symbols in biblical terminology, simply stated and easy to understand. Copyright © 1982 By O.E.Bogart All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in any form without the written consent of the author.

3. PREFACE God is an eternal Spirit which no man can see or has seen. He is a Consuming Fire in His brightness and glory. He is the Light and Life of all living, and the Alpha and the Omega of all creation. He made man of the dust of the earth with the ability to behold the things of the earth and the heaven of the world only. The fleshly man has only the capacity to see and understand the natural side of life, therefore the Bible has been written in both the natural and Spiritual terms, in a symbolic language of types, shadows, and parables, and many Illustrations throughout the Written Word, and they were all given for our admonition. For one to understand the Spiritual side of eternity, and God, it is necessary to follow the method which God has provided for us in the Bible. It was never intended that the natural should be spiritualized away, nor was it intended that the Spiritual should be naturalized away. Both the natural and Spiritual are used in the Bible to convey to the world vital information of the Spiritual things which cannot be seen and understood in the natural. Prophecy has foreshown, in both the natural and Spiritual manifestation, that which will come to pass in the Last Days. Parables are not used as a type or shadow and should not be termed as facts or a true setting in the plan of God, but rather they are used as an illustration only in conveying a thought, and not as an example or act of prophecy. God can be known of, by the reading of His Word, but He can only be known in reality by the incoming of His Spirit. This interpretation is presented as it is recorded in the King James Bible only. This is done so that the possibility of errors in the translations of revised versions may be avoided. Due to one's haste and anxiety to understand the scripture, there has been a human tendency to move wording from one text to another. This of course, can be done in any written book, which would change the intended purpose and meaning in the theme of thought. Also using isolated scriptures that is spoken in plain terms can be misleading unless it coincides with all other prophecy and biblical truths.

4. This interpretation is the substance of Pastor Orin Ε. Bogart's nearly 60 years of study and meditation, as he waited upon the Lord for Spiritual guidance, with a hunger untold, for biblical knowledge and Understanding. Pastor Bogart was called to the ministry through an audible voice which was spoken from heaven. He has been blessed with many Spiritual experiences, visions, dreams, revelations, and often visitations of God by His Spirit. He was born in the year 1900 on the 7th day of May, and has ministered independently, never having been associated with any one denomination. He has had no seminary teachings. He brings the revelation of this Book in simple language, through Bible terminology, as it is written and recorded in the King James Version of the Bible.

5. Notable Scriptures 1 Corinthians 12:3 ”Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” John 10:30 ”I and my Father are ONE.” John 17:21-23 “That they all may be ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be ONE in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.......And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them;that they may be ONE, even as we are ONE:..... I in them,and thou in me, that they may be made PERFECT in ONE; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” Ephesians 5:31-32 ”For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be ONE flesh..... This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Mathew 10:25 “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his Lord . If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” Colossians 2:9 ”For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God head bodily.” Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” **** THE END RESULT: GOD AND MAN (THE CHURCH) BECOME ONE. **** If you want to know more please go to Orin and Ona Lee Bogart's website at http://www.thelastdaymessenger.com/ There are many more writings that they both have written on the Word of God that can be downloaded on their website or you can visit my website http://www.therevelationofchrist.org.

6. INDEX CHAPTERS 1, 2 , 3 Introduction & The Seven Churches of Asia. CHAPTER 4 Setting of the earthly throne on earth for 1,000 years. CHAPTER 5 The Seven Sealed Book, to be opened in the Last Days. CHAPTER 6 The releasing of the Seven Seals...Last Day ministry goes forth...Peace being taken from the earth through warfare...A Great Famine... Death and horror on earth... A Great Martyrdom...The earth shaken...The wrath of God released. CHAPTER 7 144,000 of Israel sealed in Their foreheads. 8 CHAPTER Seventh Seal Opened...Silence in Heaven.... Anointed Fire of God falls from Heaven.... Four of the Seven Angels pour out the Plagues of God. CHAPTER 9 Fifth and Sixth Angels pour out Their Woes Demons released on earth...The Four Wicked Angels released that were bound in the Euphrates ... The Last World War to control the earth begins. CHAPTER 10 John Eats the Book, that He might Prophesy to Many Nations. CHAPTER 11 Measurement of the Temple, The Church,... The Two Witnesses appear for 3 1/2 years to torment the Beast. CHAPTER 12 Woman taken into the Wilderness...Dragon takes over the earth... The Second Woe is Past and the Seventh angel sounds His Woe.

7. CHAPTER 13 The Beast takes His throne...Ten Kingdom Empire...Another Beast rises up from the earth...The Anti-Christ and False Prophet ...The Mark ,666, stamped upon His people. CHAPTER 14 144,000 Company Sealed with Their Father's Name in Their foreheads...Wrath of God released. CHAPTER 15 The Seven Angels with Their vials of the wrath of God prepared to be poured out upon the earth. CHAPTER 16 Seven Vials of God were poured out declaring the Battle of Armageddon and the destruction of Babylon. CHAPTER 17 John is shown Mystery Babylon the Great Whore. CHAPTER 18 The Great Whore Destroyed by the Ten Kings. CHAPTER 19 Marriage of the Lamb...Armies from Heaven to destroy all sinners from the earth... The Battle of Armageddon. CHAPTER 20 Satan is Bound for 1,000 years...Jesus sets upon the throne on earth...Wicked Dead raised...Battle of Gog and Magog...White throne Judgment of the Wicked. CHAPTER 21 New Jerusalem...The City Foursquare. CHAPTER 22 The New Heaven and Earth...The throne of God and the Lamb set up in the City, New Jerusalem...The Trees of Life and Their Fruit... The River of Life in the midst of the City. Scripture Index Chapters from the Old and New Testaments pertaining to the Book of Revelation, including the Book of Revelation to study by.

8. Introduction The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John about the year 96 A.D. John was the only Apostle left, all the others had laid down their lives for the Word of God. Hе was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. History tells us that God delivered him from the boiling tank of oil and gave him this great last and final revelation involving the End times, and the consummation of the Ages. The first and last Books in the Bible reveal a message of great importance in the understanding of the plan of God and the Way of Life, both on earth and in heaven. Genesis, which means BEGINNING, reveals the beginning of the earthly creation and the purpose thereof. The Book of Revelation reveals that which takes place in the end of the Ages and the finish and completion of the plan of God. Both of these Books presents mysteries which are difficult to understand. However, one is necessary to the other to deliver the full essence of God and His plan of Salvation. The first five Books of Moses presents many types and shadows which were used by the Apostles to open the Spiritual understanding. The Book of Revelation is written in symbolic language which can only be properly understood by knowing the symbols of the language, which is revealed by the various types, shadows and illustrations shown throughout the Bible. God’s plan has marvelously been laid out and recorded from the beginning unto the end. No plan on earth has been so mysterious, and yet so complete and accurate. Moses, the most perfect and beloved of God in his day, was called to bear record of the Beginning through his first five Books; while John, the most beloved in his day, was called to write the five Books under Grace that brings the Revelation of the Ending. God, the Alpha through Moses, is also the Omega through John the beloved. God is the ONE and Only Supreme Being in all eternity and on earth that can open the understanding of the Bible to mankind. In Genesis we are shown the beginning of all earthly creation, while in Revelation we are shown the finish and End of all earthly creation. There is a need of an understanding of the relationship of these two Books as the Alpha and the Omega, which opens and closes the plan of Salvation. Knowledge and understanding of the written Word of God is not obtained by visions and dreams but rather by the reading of the Word. Every Book in the Bible act as a part of the Whole, and is needed in developing understanding of the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is not a series of revelations, but a revelation to be understood by a series of all the Books of the Bible. 1.

9. Since it is impossible to understand the true meaning of the writings of the Book of Revelation, without knowing the language in which it is written, it becomes necessary to study the symbol of the language. This necessitates a thorough study of the remaining 65 Books of the Bible to be able to understand the language of types, and shadows and symbols fore-shown therein. There are four important factors in the study of the Book of Rev elation. Number 1. One must know the symbol of the language in which it is written. Number 2. One must know the time element in which each transaction occurs, that they may be placed in their rightful setting. Number 3. One must not spiritualize away that which is hard to understand or vice versa. Number 4. One must not permit their belief or teaching of the past to lead them in a new way. It is best that we tear down the whole structure of our past doctrine, and let the symbolic language lead us, instead of letting our past teachings guide us. We should not assume, add to, or take away from. Not one of us is perfect in our understanding, but if we are honest in heart we will humble ourselves to what the Word saith, and not rely upon our past faith. 2.

10. CHAPTER 1 Introduction & The Seven Churches of Asia. The first verse of the Book of Revelation introduces Jesus Christ, God's Son. Who was given the revelation to show His servants on earth things which must shortly come to pass. The Angelic Messenger was sent to communicate with the Apostle John to bring the divine mysteries into full view to His servants. The mysteries of God recorded in His Word, have been only partially understood by the ecclesiastical world, and the time had come to bring the full revelation through the beloved John, which was written and recorded, so that those who seek to understand the consummation of these great mysteries, and the outcome of His purpose and plan of Salvation may be well informed.(Rev.chapter 1 here) Although the Book of Revelation appears to be the most mysterious of all sixty- six Books recorded, it is not written to deepen the mysteries, but to enlighten them. The reason it becomes so mystical to the world and most Christians, is because it is written in the symbolic language of the Bible. Biblical language is as hard to understand as a foreign language, and a Spiritual language is understood only when it is taught by the Holy Spirit, Who wrote the Bible through holy men of God under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. John14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Through symbols, types, shadows, and various other ways through the Prophets, and by the movements of the Holy Spirit through the past generations, the language of the Bible has been revealed. Although it is written in the natural language, the Holy Spirit teaches the Spiritual language by likening the natural to the Spiritual. This is done in various ways throughout the Bible. The Angelic Messenger is the Holy Spirit Who comes in Spiritual illumination and not in Person. The Book of Revelation is built around Jesus Christ Who is the Subject matter from the Beginning of the World. The Book reveals Him as King of kings, and Lord of lords....The Lamb Slain....The First Begotten of the Dead....The High Priest....The Faithful Witness....The Lion of the Tribe of Judah....The Lord of Harvest....The Word of God....The Bridegroom of the Church....The Bright and Morning Star....The Eternal Judge....The Lamb as Part of the Temple....The Light....The Root and Offspring of David....The Alpha and the Omega. 3.

11. Jesus declares Himself to be the Alpha and the Omega of the earth, the Beginning and the Ending. He still IS, and WAS, and IS yet to come, and HE is the Almighty of the earth. It was HE Who created the earth and made all things therein. He was not God the Father, but He received all power from the Father Who commissioned Him to be God over all the earth in bringing salvation to the earth. Revelation 1:8“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning andthe ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” The Testimony is not through the Father of heaven, but through the Son Who IS the Begotten of the Father, and was WITH the Father in the BEGINNING. John 1:1-3 1.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...... The same was in the beginning with GOD...... All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father)full of grace and truth.” The whole Bible is built around the Son. All Titles mentioned in the Book of Revelation pertains to the Son, the Lamb, Who was slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8“Andall that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The Word, is the name of the Father's Spiritual Son of the Family in heaven, and It was the Word that the Father used to create the earth before He made flesh. Jesus, is the name of the Father’s earthly Son made flesh, and Who is spoken of as the “Son of man”. He was made God and King of the Father's Spiritual Kingdom on earth. John 18:37 “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.” Thus, the Bible has described two Sons. Оne with a Spiritual nature in heaven, and the Other with a fleshly nature on earth, when the Father's plan is completed the earthly Son will turn back to God the heavenly Father, all power and authority given HIM while He was on earth. 1 Corinthians 15: 24-25 24.Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the father: when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 4.

12. 25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet." Many do not think it is necessary to receive the revelation which is sent directly from God through His Son to His servant John, and is to be delivered unto the churches. But God deemed the revelation so important that He said in the last remarks in the Book, that if any man added to, or took away from the Words written in this prophecy, God would take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things written in this Book. Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 18.And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life,and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Therefore, let us proceed with caution, and may our hearts be hungry for the revelation and message that God deemed so important for us to receive. Jesus the “FAITHFUL WITNESS", brought this revelation to John while he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. He was elevated on a Spiritual plane, losing all consciousness of things about him in the world. Suddenly a voice from behind him spoke, and it sounded like a trumpet, the same voice that will sound at the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:52"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound. and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”The voice presents a call to attention as did the trumpet to Israel at the feasts, and at the time of war, and at the mount when God spoke. The sound of His voice caused all Israel who stood at the base of the mount to exceedingly tremble and fear, and they asked Moses to speak unto them henceforth, and not to let them hear the voice of God again.... Exodus 19:16-19 16.And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 17.And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 18.And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 5.

13. 19.And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. Exodus 20:18-19 18.And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19.And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. One can imagine how John felt when he turned to see the voice that spoke, and saw the Seven Golden Candlesticks, and One like unto the Son of man in all His glory, although John was in the Spirit, he was still flesh and bone when he turned about......Revelation 1:17-19“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead, and he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me. Fear not; for I am the first and the last:.... I am he that liveth, and was dead:and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death...... Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. The number Seven is a Biblical number of divine completeness. The message to the Seven Churches signifies the complete Church worldwide. The Seven Spirits which are before His throne is the completeness of God's Spirit. Revelation 3:1,4,5 1. ”And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” 4.”Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” 5.“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Isaiah 11:1-2 1.And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2.And the spirit of the LORD shall rest 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; 6.

14. Revelation 5:6 “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Zechariah 3:9 “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” The Seven Golden Candlesticks are symbolic of the Seven Churches, or the Complete Church which bears the Light of the Gospel to the world. They are fore-shadowed by the Seven Golden Candlesticks in the tabernacle and temple, which were the only light in the building. The Son of Man in the midst is JESUS CHRIST as the HIGH PRIEST, standing in the midst of His Church. He is dressed in the clothing of the High Priest, with a garment down to His feet, and girded about the chest with a golden girdle. All this is made clear when we study the literal priesthood and their dress under the law. Their duties were to minister to the people through the rituals and ceremonies of the natural law, and to keep the incense burning on the altar, and to keep the lamps filled with oil, and the wicks trimmed that the brightness of the lights might shine in full effect. Revelation 1:14-15 “ His head and his hairs were white like wool,as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;..... And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters." His hair was as the purity of the holiness of the Almighty, and His eyes as a flame of fire, and nothing could be withholden from His sight. They were as a piercing flame looking into the heart of the Churches. His feet were as fine brass burned in a furnace. Brass speaks of judgment. He came to take inventory of the Last Day Church and to judge Their movements. The Epistle to each church was written as an admonition to the One and Complete Church which He is preparing for Himself as the Bride. The commendations, the faults, and reproofs of each church was declared to enlighten the True Church of the Way unto perfection. By using all Seven Churches, Jesus was opening the Way of understanding through the Seven Epistles of the One and Complete Church of the End Day. The Seven Churches are the Seven Golden Candlesticks, which is the only means of shedding the Gospel Light to the world. The Seven Golden Candlesticks were the only means of Light in the Holy Place. As the high priest ministered to, and inspected the candlelight, under the law, so Jesus walks in the midst of the Churches inspecting and trimming the wicks, filling the vessels with Oil and removing all defilement. 7.

15. Herein brings the understanding of the rebukes and commendations in the Seven Epistles to Asia. These Epistles apply to the local church and every church in the world; to all believers, and for all times. God's plan for this Age is to bring forth the perfected Church in fulfillment to the ministry of His will, and the defeat of Satan through the Church read John 1 7:20-23 and Ephesians4:11-16 below..... JOHN 17:20-23 20.Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21.That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22.And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23.I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Ephesians 4:11-16 11.And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12.For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13.Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14.That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15.But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16.From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 8.

16. The inspection of the Churches was due to a great Event that was to take place at the End of the Age,(the wedding).Remember that these Seven Churches are representative of the entire church age. Read the scriptures below. Revelation 19:7-8 7.Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8.And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. EPHESIANS 5:29-32 29.For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30.For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31.For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32.This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. The Seven Churches are prophetically shown in Their dispensational movements through a period of time, from the forming of the first church under the Apostolic ministry to the close of the Age. They are recognized by their characteristical actions being judged by the Word of God, and are placed in their dispensational periods in the appropriate time. How was He to perform this great mystery of perfection? By using the two-edged Sword that He had in His mouth. The two-edged Sword is the Word of God, and It is used by word of mouth. Hence, the Word in the Epistle of John came as a two-edged Sword from the mouth of Jesus to be sent to the Churches, to cut away all imperfection in the Churches. THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA The introduction to the seven churches of Asia finds the Son of Man standing in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks, which is said to be the Seven Churches. Revelation 1:20"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." 9.

17. The seven Epistles to the Seven Churches are prophetic. They are Christ's own history of the church from Pentecost to the End of the Age. Jesus standing in the midst is the High Priest commending and criticizing His Church. John was given this revelation on the Lord's Day while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Patmos is a small island off the coast of Asia Minor. What he saw while in the Spirit, he was told to write and send to the Seven Churches of Asia. Revelation 1:10-11 10.I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11.Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia,and unto Laodicea. Revelation 1:18“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” The Son of Man presented Himself to John as the ”One Who liveth, and was dead; andbehold, He is alive for evermore,” (Jesus the crucified One). He appeared in the garb of theHigh Priest on a tour of inspection of His churches. He declared the Seven Golden Candlesticks to be the Seven Churches, and the Seven Stars to be the Seven Angels or Messengers which is the head of each church. This signifies that they were the leaders or pastors of the churches. In the Epistles to each church, Jesus has ordained them to act as a priest and shepherd to control the church in righteousness as they are moved upon by the divine High Priest. (Back to Main Index) 10.

18. CHAPTER 2 Introduction & The Seven Churches of Asia. THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS { REVELATION 2:1-7 } 1.Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2.I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3.And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4.Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5.Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6.But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Rev.chapter 2 here) This, the first church or the beginning of church history, was founded by Apollos and Paul in the city of Ephesus, Acts 18:24 “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.” Acts 19:41 “And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.” It is called the maiden church. Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ was introduced by the early Apostles at Pentecost. The infilling of the promised Holy Spirit took place and brought joy and blessing to the hearts of the people in that day, and developed in joining themselves together in the form of a church. It became an authorized church of Christ, and Jesus stood in her midst holding her in the hollow of His right hand. Six other churches were also shown in His right hand, and the history of each church was to be written and sent to the pastors thereof. 11.

19. Acts 2:1-4 1.And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2.And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3.And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4.And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The Book of Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus and carries some of the greatest revelations of the church. The church at Ephesus had experienced the great ministry of healing and miracles, and became a great missionary center, and was educated in the deepest Spiritual truths. Dispensationally we see the history of this church in the years from 70 A.D. to 170 A.D. God dealt with her in many great signs and wonders in her missionary effort, and commended her for her good works, her labors, her patience, her holiness, her sincerity and discernment, and her faithfulness and steadfastness. Nevertheless, she was denounced because she had left her First Love. The love in the church became secondary because of their great Spiritual insight, and because they put knowledge before love. This is very common in the churches in this day. A lopsided church will bring denouncement from the Lord. The love of God is absolutely necessary for the Church to be wedded to Christ. Love is a fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith...... Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” 1 Corinthians 13th chapter 1.peak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3.And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5.Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 12.

20. 6.Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7.Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8.Charity never faileth : but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9.For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10.But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11.When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12.For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13.And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Jesus said because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Love is something more than signing the church roll. Love must be practical, and must actually be in our heart that we would lay down our lives for Jesus if need be. Love is not just something in Our minds. So many Christians tell themselves that they love the Lord, but when it is put to the test they fail. The Ephesus church was not ashamed of the Name of the Lord and upheld His Name at all times, and could not bear those who were evil, and tried those who came into the church professing that they were apostles, and they found them liars. The church hated the evil deeds of the Nicolaitanes. The Nicolaitanes were bringing carnal practices into the church and were lifting themselves up in authority, justifying themselves and their deeds. The promise to the church was conditional. If they took heed, if they had an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the CHURCHES, and repented and returned unto their First Love, and overcame their mistakes, then they would be given to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. They were not just to have enough to get through the pearly gates (figuratively speaking) but they were to have enough to take them into the midst, the very heart of Paradise, into the hundred-fold, the Bride of Christ. The “wedding” is near at hand. 13.

21. THE SMYRNA CHURCH { REVELATION 2:8-ll } 8.And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9.I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10.Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Prophetically from 170 A.D. to 312 A.D. the church of Smyrna is known as the martyr church. Smyrna signifies suffering, the bitterness of death. The Lord found no fault with the Smyrna church therefore there was no denounciation. Apparently they took advantage of the denouncment given to the Ephesus church. Although they were not made perfect, they were pleasing in the eyes of the Lord in the progress they were making. The anointing of God upon this church was not all joy and blessing as far as the flesh is concerned, but they suffered happily the bitter herbs as did Jesus the Son of God. One of the ingredients in the composition of the anointing oil under the Old Covenant was the bitter herb myrrh. The anointing oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings bitterness as well as joy. Myrrh was one of the gifts presented to the Christ Child after He was born into this world, Matthew 2:11“And when they were come into the house, they saw theyoung child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit of God and suffered many heartaches and thebitterness of death. They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh but He received it not, Mark 15:23 "And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not." He was glad and rejoiced in His suffering, even the bitterness of death. Psalms 45:7-8 “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness : therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.... All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” 14.

22. The Smyrna church was poor in worldly goods but was rich in the heavenly blessing of God. She was persecuted beyond measure by the world on the outside, and from within by false brethren who proclaimed to be Jews but were of the synagogue of Satan. These were of the same blood that crucified our Lord on Calvary. They may have been a natural Jew, and claimed their inheritance thereby. Yet they were of the synagogue of Satan. The real Jew is a born again believer..... Romans 2:28-29 28.For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29.But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 9:6-8 6.Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7.Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8.That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Matthew 3:9 “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” The church underwent a great persecution in their day, and was exhorted to fear none of those things which they were afraid to suffer. The prophecy was that some would be put in prison, and there would be ten days of great tribulation. Revelation 2:10-11” Fear none of those thingswhich thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life..... He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Those that overcome shall not be hurt of the second death, that is, their soul shall not die but will be resurrected unto life. Being faithful unto death signifies they would become martyrs for the Lord. The church underwent a ten year persecution from 303 A.D. to 313 A.D. This could be the ten day tribulation period if the year for a day theory is used as it was in Joshua's day. Numbers 14:34"After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.” 15.

23. Ezekiel 4:6 “And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.” Many were put to death and received the reward of the crown of life, and will have no part in the second death, which is the death of the soul, and not of the flesh. Revelation 20:6"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Read Revelation 20:14 and 21:8 below. Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Many more Christians will give their lives as martyrs in the Last Days, as we're told in Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”James tells us that if we enduretemptations and are tried we shall receive the crown of life. It is said that Polycart was the pastor of the church at Smyrna, and became a martyr by being burned alive. He told the heathen judge where he was tried, that he had served the Lord for 86 years and the Lord had never wronged him and he would not turn Him down even unto death. 16.

24. THE PERGAMOS CHURCH { REVELATION 2:12-17 } IT IS CALLED THE HERETICAL CHURCH 12.And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13.I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14.But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15.So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16.Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. The name Pergamos signifies marriage or a "tower of things high or lofty. True to the Biblical form the name signifies the characteristics of the bearer. The Pergamos church had broken the barrier of holiness, by permitting the high minded and lofty spirit of fleshly worldly men and women to enter into the church, with their teaching of Balaam, and fornication and idol worship. The church at Ephesus held a closed door to all impure doctrine, because in their heart, they hated the carnality of the world. However, they became so involved in the deeper things taught in the Christian faith, that they let down in the missionary spirit of love for the lost souls and were denounced by the Lord. The church at Smyrna also upheld the spirit of holiness in their order and was persecuted even unto death by the Jews, who were not Christians but were of the synagogue of Satan. The Church at Pergamos let down the barriers and permitted the worldly spirit and their teaching to join with them, thereby becoming engaged in marriage to the doctrine of man as is described in the Thyatira Church. This declares the beginning of church apostasy developed by the letting down in holiness and compromising with the carnality of the world. Prophetically it is shown in church history to have taken place approximately from 312A.D. and continued in mixing with the worldly practices until 606 A.D. 17.

25. The introduction to the Pergamos church presents the essence and purpose of the Epistle to the church, these things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges. He proposed to use the Sword in judgment unless They repented. Again following the Title given Himself, He declares His knowledge of their sins. I KNOW THY WORKS, and the location where they dwell to be a territory of Satan's seat or throne. Pergamos was the center of heathen idolatry: A Pagan university. It was the headquarters of Satan: therefore, the church was located on Satan's territory. The persecution, tribulation, and martyrdom of the saints experienced in the Smyrna church, had calmed down since they had opened up to the world, however, it had not altogether ceased. The church still held fast the name of Jesus, and did not deny the faith which they had followed so many years, although they were condemned for the mixture of the worldly fleshly members in the church, their faithful works were accepted if they repented of their wrong deeds. Antipas was a faithful righteous servant of God, acting as the pastor of the church. Although he did not approve of the mixed congregation, he no doubt, was over-ruled by the members of the church. He was considered a faithful martyr who was slain among them. History tells us that he was martyred by being placed in an iron image of a bull and heated red hot, and that he died praising and worshipping the Lord. Although they were commended for their faith in Christ by not denying His name, they were condemned for permitting the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans to be taught in the church. Balaam was a prophet who was hired by Balak the king of Moab, to pronounce a curse upon Israel. The Lord knowing what was in the mind of the king, and knowing the weakness of Balaam, tested him to see what he would do. The servants that were sent to Balaam by king Balak, were invited to tarry overnight until Balaam heard again from the Lord. That night the Lord appeared unto Balaam and said, "If the men come unto you again go with them" so the next morning Balaam rose and saddled his ass and went with them, and the anger of the Lord was kindled because he went with them. Read the story in the 22nd chapter of Numbers(Here). Although Balaam could not curse Israel, he did have counsel with Balak and showed him a way to weaken the hosts of Israel, through fornication and the worship of Idols. Numbers 31:15-16“And Moses said unto them,Have ye saved all the women alive?.. Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.”....... Peor was the name of a mountain in Moab where Balak took Balaam, that he might see and curse Israel. It was a high peak, near the town of Baal-Peor, opposite the valley in which Israel camped, before entering into Canaan's Promised Land before the death of Moses. It is also referred to as mount Peor or mount of Baal. 18.

26. 2 Peter refers to Balaam as one who had gone astray, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.. 2 Peter 2:14-16 “ Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:.. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;... But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. This counsel given by Balaam, was accepted as a doctrine by those who catered to the flesh, and was brought into the church of Pergamos. The Nicolaitans also taught this doctrine and other carnal practices. It was these doctrines of sin, that brought the twoedged Sword into the church. Revelation 2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against THEM (the sinners) with the Sword of my mouth.".....It was the Spirit of Christ that brought the invitation to repent, and the promise to the overcomer, and this Spirit will be given only to those who have an ear to hear. The promise of a white stone is an insignia of purity, holiness, and righteousness. And in the white stone is a new Name written. Not ON the stone, but engraved IN the stone. The white Stone will not be given to one who has only a form of holiness, but to those who are deeply in love with the Lord; that righteousness and purity becomes a part of their very life instilled in their very being. There were twelve stones on the breastplate which the high priest wore on his chest next to his heart. Those stones represent the twelve tribes in the purity of righteousness. Even so the Church is upon the heart of our HIGH PRIEST (Jesus). Likewise, the new Name must be engraved in the purity of the white stone. No man can know the New Name saving he who actually receives it in the innermost part of his being. Head knowledge will not be accepted by merely believing. One must be a partaker of His Spirit in righteousness. It takes the promised hidden Manna to bring one to the place where they are worthy and capable of accepting the White Stone. The Manna was the food given of God to instill and maintain life in the natural body, Unless It was eaten and hidden away in the body the substance of the Manna would fade away. The hidden Manna spoken of in the Pergamos church, is the Word of God. Unless we eat thereof, our understanding will be void and the substance thereof will vanish away. The Manna was so important when it was rained upon Israel, that God told Moses to hide away a portion in the Ark of the Covenant in a golden bowl, along with Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of stone. As long as It remained in the bowls of the Ark It maintained It's strength of life. This was not done because the Lord wanted a keepsake, but rather, as an example to us under Grace, that in order to keep the Manna or Word, we must hide It away in our very bosom. 19.

27. God's promise to the Church is the hidden Manna, which if we eat thereof, It will never spoil, but rather It will prepare us for the White Stone, which only he that receives It can know the value thereof and the Name thereof. The White Stone is the insignia of the wedding ring and the New Name is the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The teaching of Balaam permitted fornication and the worship of idols in the church, and with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans the church became a mixture of heathen worship. Such worldly carnality was an open invitation to the world, even as it is in this day in some churches. The church at Pergamos, up to this time, was small and scattered. When Rome came in, she was no longer despised but became an honorable worldly possession of Rome, with only a few honorable Christians within. From a little unorganized and persecuted institution, her boundary stretched throughout the Roman Empire. The Emperor himself, became a member and insisted all Rome should accept the church. This the beginning of the Roman Catholic Church. It became quite popular and was looked upon by Rome as the first church. The introduction of the Sword with the two edges in this Epistle was to fight against THEM, the sinners in the church, who accepted the doctrine of carnality. The Sword is the Word of God and is used in judgment and also to cut asunder the soul and Spirit. Hebrews 4:12"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The call to repentance, to those who are not partakers of this doctrine clearly indicates that the Christians should separate themselves from the company of such evil doers or they too will face the Sword of Judgment. The Word used as Manna brings life and understanding, but when It is used as a Sword, It brings judgment and death. 20.

28. THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA {REVELATION 2:18-29} 18.And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19.I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20.Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21.And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22.Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23.And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24.But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25.But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26.And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27.And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28.And I will give him the morning star. 29.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Prophetically this church is shown in its manifestation to be of a Jezebel character and it existed from about 606 A.D. to the period of 1500 A.D. It is known as the false prophetess church. It was this period of the dispensation of time, that Jezebel held rule over the teaching in the church, in the period known as the middle of the dark ages. Thyatira means a daughter of feminine oppressor, which bears out the characteristics of Jezebel and her teachings. Jezebel means unmarried. She set herself up in the church as a teacher, declaring that the unmarried was justified in committing fornication, and that in doing so they legally wouldn't lose any virtue in the sight of God but would still remain in purity. 21.

29. The Satanic progress which began in the Pergamos church, overcame and took complete authority and rulership of the church at Thyatira, and changed the name to the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholics today claim to be the mother church of all churches or the first established church descending from Peter, but the historical record denies this claim. Rituals and ceremonies were set up in the church. Sprinkling was substituted for emersion, Infant baptism was ordained; the worship of the Virgin Mary; the burning of candles; the eating of fish on a specified day; purgatory teachings; and many more were added. Thyatira has all the earmarks of the most contaminated church of evil and corruption of the Seven Churches. In the sight of God, the infestation of Satanic filth, was at the lowest ebb. From this period of time, the remaining righteous of the church were seeking a way to separate themselves from the church. This Epistle was written unto the pastor of the church, who had been robbed of his authority: nevertheless, the exhortation was to those who were holding true to the Lord. The Title of JESUS, the Author, was His eyes of fire. Eyes that could burn into the deepest sin. Eyes that could see the corruption about them, and also the works of the righteous. Revelation 2:19 "I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works; and the LAST to be more than the FIRST.” Revelation 1:14-15 ”His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;...And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. Although corruption had entered into the church and they were surrounded with worldly filth, these few righteous were gaining in growth and were commended for their steadfastness. Jesus not only declared His knowledge of their works of righteousness, but also could see the corruption of those who were dwelling among them, therefore He declared His feet like as fine brass, Brass is biblically declared as a symbol of judgment. Jesus herein has declared He would bring judgment, in the day of His appearing, when He shall walk again upon the earth and judge both the righteous and the wicked. We can be sure our sins will find us out and we will be called upon to give account of all our deeds. Although the righteous were commended for their works, Jesus was disappointed with them because they suffered the teaching of filth and corruption by that woman Jezebel. What He is saying to them is. If they can't control the leadership of the church, then they should remove themselves from the church lest the spirit of Jezebel should fall upon some of them. This move was made in the developing of the Protestant movement, which is declared in church history. Jezebel was a false prophetess who was corrupting the church. The characteristics of Jezebel is recorded in first and second Kings. Second Kings records her as being in whoredom and witchcraft. She was brought up under the teachings of her father who worshipped Baal. She married Ahab the king who reigned over Israel for 22 years. 22.

30. Becoming the wife of Ahab, and the queen of Israel, she not only followed her past teachings of Baal, but imposed it upon the people of Israel. Ahab under her influence, built a temple and an altar to Baal in Samaria.1 Kings 16:32"And he reared up an altar for Baal in the House of Baal, which he had built in Samaria” This was the downfall of Ahab: being led by the desires of his wife brought a curse on him, and the nation that followed in his footsteps. This fits the condition which Matthew 13:33 speaks of in a parable. Matthew 13:33"The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a WOMANtook, and hid in three measures of meal, till the WHOLE was leavened." While there is no harm in women having a part in the church, great harm can be done when they become the head of the church, as is shown in the case of Jezebel and Ahab. Ahab the king of all Israel, yielded to the teachings of Jezebel and was cursed by God. It is for this reason that the church at Thyatira was denounced and that the Christian is exhorted not to marry one who is not of the household of faith. One may be assured in themselves that it won't affect them, but sooner or later it becomes a drag on their Spiritual nature. Jezebel gathered 450 prophets of Baal which ate at her table, and slew all the prophets of God that she could lay hands upon,1 Kings 18:4-13. When she was told of the slaughter of the prophets of Baal by Elijah, she threatened his life and he was obliged to flee for his own safety. 1 Kings 18:4-13 4.For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 5.And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. 6.So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. 7.And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my Lord Elijah? 8.And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy Lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 9.And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? 10.As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my Lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not here;he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. 11.And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy Lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 23.

31. 12.And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth. 13.Was it not told my Lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? Because of Áhab's sin in permitting Jezebel to turn Israel from God to Baal, and because he permitted the prophets of God to be slain, God slew all of Ahab's family,2 Kings 9:7"And thou shalt smite the house of a Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel." Again later Jezebel schemed a way for Ahab to possess the land of Naboth by false accusation and he was stoned to death, (read 1 Kings 21st chapter : See Scriptures Here) When Elijah heard of this crime, he told Ahab that God's vengeance would fall upon him, and the dogs would eat Jezebel's body by the wall of property which he had stolen. This prophecy was fulfilled 11 years after the death of Ahab. Jehu becoming king executed vengeance and moved to fulfill the judgment pronounced upon Jezebel. Jezebel painted her face and tired her head and stood at an open window, but Jehu was not enticed by her appearance and cried. Who is on my side? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs, and he said, Throw her down. And Jehu drove over her with his chariot and her blood spattered the horses and the wall. Later he gave orders to bury her body, but they found that the dogs had eaten all but her skull, feet, and the palms of her hands. 2 Kings 9:7 “And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD,at the hand of Jezebel.”and.... 2 Kings 9:30-37 30.And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. 31.And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. 33.And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. 34.And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. 24.

32. 35.And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. 36.Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: 37.And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. She was a bitter enemy to God and His prophets. She supported the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the groves. Under her influence Israel forsook the covenant of the Lord. She tore down His altars. She slew His prophets by false witnesses. She killed righteous Naboth who desired to obey the Word of God in not selling his vineyard. She satisfied her own selfish desires at any cost, even to murder. She was an evil woman doing an evil work for Satan. The Jezebel in the church at Thyatira proclaimed herself to be the voice of God, disregarding the Word of God and directly opposing It. Revelation 2:20-21” Not withstanding I have a fewthings against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.” The mercy and longsuffering of God reaches unto the end, and then His wrath and judgments will be executed. Revelation 2:22"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds." The 17th chapterofRevelation shows the Last Day condition of Jezebel and her destruction in the flesh, while her Spiritual judgment is yet to follow. Revelation 2:23"And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.".....Jesus will search the deep desires of the heart in all churches. Revelation 2:24 "But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will, put upon you none other burden." Although some may have tasted of the sins of Jezebel, God leaves an open invitation to repent and come out from among them. But they that have ventured into the depths thereof, will not repent, for they will have gone too far with no judgment upon them as yet, and will find it impossible to believe and repent, until it is too late. 25.

33. The exhortation to those who have been steadfast, is to hold fast until He comes, or until the coming of Jesus in judgment at His coming. He that holds true until the end, He will give them the same power that He received from the Father : the power to rule over sin and to be a conqueror over all nations of sin and corruption with a rod of iron(a rod of strength) that they may become as He Himself is, a Bright and Morning Star. Let the ear heed to what the Spirit saith and the promise shall be fulfilled. In the church at Thyatira the sin of fornication and adultery is outstanding: the breaking down of morality, which we see so widely manifested in the very nature of people today, is a part of that breaking down. However, there is a greater sin exposed and it is of a Spiritual nature, but of the same source, and when it is revealed it should cause God's people to walk softly before the Lord. The process of building the Church into a Spiritual creation while She is still here on earth, involves not only the action of the flesh but the very thoughts of the mind, and the condition of the heart unto a New Creation. If the fleshly, sinful deeds will be judged, how much more the Spiritual? (Back to Main Index) 26.

34. CHAPTER 3 Introduction & The Seven Churches of Asia. THE CHURCH AT SARDIS { REVELATION 3:1-6 } 1.And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2.Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3.Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4.Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5.He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.(Rev.chapter 3 here) The church at Sardis is known as the DEAD CHURCH. Speaking in Spiritual terms, she was dead in sin. The prophetic dispensation of this church was from 1510 A.D to 1750 A.D. This represents the period of time of the pulling away from the Roman Catholic influence which had taken over the church at Thyatira. Many in the church at Thyatira who had not accepted the teaching and doctrine of Balaamism, Nicolaitanism, and Jesebelism, and who had not known the depths of Satan, spoken of in Revelation 2:24 “ But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden”, had finally broken away fromthe Thyatira Church and become independent. This was the first move of the entering into protestantism, however, formalism and false prophets were still among them. The Lord said He had a few in Sardis that had not defiled their garments. These few were helpless in leading the church into holiness, and struggled to maintain their own strength in the Lord. Although Sardis had broken away from the Roman Catholic teachings, they were formal, and catered to the worldly ways. Therefore, they were alive in name only to the world, but they were dead in the eyes of the Lord because of the lack of holiness and power. 27.

35. Revelation 3:2-3 ”Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God...... Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief; and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Although they were rebuked for their failures, they had a few good points remaining to their credit, and they were exhorted to be strengthened and to die out completely and enter into the perfect way of the Lord. Many Christians today who are in formal churches are serving the Lord, but lack understanding of the real meaning of holiness and righteousness. Therefore, they have need of the message given unto the church at Sardis, to repent and heed the warning of His coming in an hour when unexpected. He that heedeth the warning and repents, and overcomes their shortcomings, will be clothed in white, and their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life, for they shall be deemed worthy. Revelation 3:5“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”Here we are told that our names can be blotted out of the Book of Life ifwe are not overcomers. Thus, no backslider or those who are not worthy will be accepted. Although we may at one time have had our name in the Book of Life, we are not secure unless we endure unto the End. Read the following scriptures. Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 17:8 “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Revelation 22:19 “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 21:27 “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” 28.

36. Revelation 20:12-15 12.And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13.And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14.And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15.And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Philippians 4:3 “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Nicolaitanism, Balaamism, and Jezebelism were not the problems at Sardis, but SPIRITUAL DEATH had invaded their midst. The breaking away from these false teachings by leaving the church at Thyatira presented good works, but their works were not found to be perfect, for they were living in name only, and were dead in the Spiritual activities of life. Before men, they had a name that they lived, but before God their works were not complete. The name over the church door was not enough to save their soul. It takes works of righteousness, or fruits of the Spirit of God. Protestantism features justification by faith in acceptance of the open statements of the Bible, dropping all rituals and ceremonies of both the Law and man made traditions. The church at Sardis accepted justification by faith, but failed to follow in the New Testament order of the New Birth and the paths of holiness. Conforming to the world instead of holiness to the Lord, will bring an open rebuke from He Who hath the Seven Spirits and the Seven Stars. The few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments are the ones who worshipped the Lord in holiness, therefore. He said they would walk with Him in white. White signifies holiness and righteousness, and there were only a few whose garments were not defiled in the church at that time. The rest were told to remember therefore what they had received and had heard in the beginning and repent and return to holiness lest He would come in an hour that they knew not. 29.

37. The only way that works can be made perfect, is by overcoming Spiritual deadness. Sardis means, "remnant or ESCAPED FEW". Jesus says, Many are called, and few will be chosen. There will be but a few who will hold fast in true worship in conforming to the holiness of God. The theme to the Epistle to Sardis, is underlined in the call to purity, righteousness, and holiness unto perfection. The few names were praised because they had not defiled their garments. Garments is used in a symbolic term as also most of the Book of Revelation is written. To understand the Spiritual meaning, the language of symbols must be understood. A filthy garment, in the natural sense, defiles the body which it covers although the body may have just been bathed and made clean. To keep the body clean, the garment must be kept clean. The garment of white signifies purity, righteousness, holiness throughout the Biblical language. Although these few clothed in white raiment were not yet perfect, they were told that they were to press on until they were complete overcomers, then they would receive the raiment that would secure their name that it would not be blotted out from the Book of eternity. This robe of righteousness carries a much deeper truth than is normally understood by the Christian world. It is a promise of God and greater than was given to the angels in heaven, for many of them did sin, and their names were blotted out from the Book and were cast out of their heavenly abode unto eternal destruction. The garment of white is symbolic of the Spiritual clothing which is given to clothe the New Man who becomes free from the filth of sin. As sin decreases in the body, so does the old filthy garment fade away and is replaced with that portion of the righteous garment of white. It is a Spiritual garment and covers only the Spiritual growth in the body and never the sinful part, although some attempt to hide their sins behind a cloak of righteousness. 30.

38. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA { REVELATION 3:7-13 } 7.And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8.I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9.Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10.Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11.Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12.Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13.He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Philadelphia means BROTHERLY LOVE. The church at Philadelphia is known as the LOYAL LOVING CHURCH. Prophetically it existed in the middle of the Dark Ages, from 1750 A.D. to 1900 A.D. This was the beginning of the great missionary age that brought the Protestant movement under way in the Spiritual teaching of justification by faith in holiness, and this continued unto Pentecost. Great men such as Whitefield, Finney, Wesley, Etc. were called by God to evangelize Europe and America in their early days. This missionary vision carried on until it was taken up by the Pentecostal movement in approximately 1900 A.D. That which the cankerworm had eaten was to be restored. Read Joel 2:25. Joel 2:25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” 31.

39. At the beginning of the Protestant movement, Jesus appears as "He with the Seven Spirits and the Seven Stars": He Who has all authority and power, and He that is HOLY AND TRUE. The breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church practice created a different aspect in the movement of the church unto holiness. "He that, is Holy and True". He is calling the churches unto holiness. To be like Him in Spiritand in true worship. He who worships God must worship Him in Spirit and truth in holiness. This teaching is upheld throughout the New Order unto the End Day when Jesus shall join Himself to the Church as a part of His Body, but not until the Church has been made perfect. The Church at Philadelphia had a little strength but not the fulness thereof. A little strength is referring to the Spiritual strength or life. She is loved by the Lord because she is dying to the world and growing in righteousness in Christ. Her understanding is being opened by the Word and she is making progress in Spirituality and the fulness of the Apostolic ministry that developed in Pentecost. The message to the Church at Philadelphia, prophetically reaches until the End of the Age, as do all messages to all other churches. In this particular Church is found the promise to the Bride. Because thou hast kept my word and the word of my patience (endurance), I will keep thee from the hour of temptation. That is, He will not permit them to be tempted above that which they cannot stand. There is yet to come a great tribulation that will try every Christian on earth before the second coming of Jesus. Matthew 24:21. This is not the reign of the Beast. Matthew 24:21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” The victorious Church, the Bride of Christ, will be delivered in the Last Days and will not pass through the Beastly Tribulation, but will be delivered by the power of eagle's wings. Revelation 12:14 "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time from the face of the serpent." The remnant will lay their lives down for the Lord. Revelation 12:17“And the dragon waswroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”……The professors of Christianity who fight against holiness and the manifested power in the Church, will be brought to their knees and be made to know that Jesus loves the Church. Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, 32.

40. and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God:and I will write upon him my new name.”.........The temple is a Spiritual temple and a pillar is the most important part of the temple. Without the pillar, the temple could not be supported. Without Jesus the foundation Stone, the pillars could not be held firm. "And he shall go nomore out:".....When one is being made a pillar in the temple, they shall be eternally secure. They can never fall or be cut off. "And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the nameof the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name·" New Jerusalem is the Wife of Jesus and Shehas inherited Her place in connection with the Temple of God. She has received the New Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST through marriage. Revelation 21:2, 9-11"And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Verses 9-11 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying. Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.... And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; In the church at Philadelphia is portrayed the fulfillment of Ephesians 2:2 2"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." The human temple has grown into a Holy City for an habitation or a dwelling place for the Lord. Revelation 22:3-4 “ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:..... And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” Revelation 21:22-23 “ And I saw no temple therein:for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it...... And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon, to shine in it: For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The throne spoken of in the fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation, is the throne of David or Jesus which will be set up in the kingdom on earth for a thousand years Reign. This setting will come to an end at the entering into the New Heaven and Earth. 33.

41. THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA { REVELATION 3:14-19 } 14.And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15.I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16.So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17.Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18.I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19.As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. The church at Laodicea is known as the lukewarm, self-satisfied church. Prophetically to be as the End Time condition, dispensationally coming into view in 1900 A.D., through the Pentecostal enlightenment, and developing into full reality prior to the coming of the Lord. Protestantism, being taught in the previous three hundred years, grew into the Pentecostal movement of holiness, and swept the whole earth in a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This movement ushered in the restoration of the early Pentecostal experiences which created the mighty revival of holiness in the beginning of the New Testament history. The Laodicean history reveals the characteristics and condition of the lukewarm church of the Last Day. Laodicea means, "the people's rights". The city of Laodicea was a very proud and independent city. She supported a medical center, and manufactured woolen goods, and was a money center. She was a city of much commerce and trade, and boasted of her independence and self-support. She was rich, proud, and lifted up as a people in her own rights. In other words, she supported herself and wanted no help or advice from others. The Laodicean spirit of the "people's rights" has grown in momentum for over one half a century. It began in a spirit of pressure for independency by the I.W.W. movement and has developed in this day into transgression, in an attempt to gain their point. Unions of all nature, the Ku Klux Klan, Terrorists, Women's Liberation Movements, etc. are putting extreme effort into winning their cause or independence, or recognition. This spirit is worldwide. 34.

42. Christians and church-goers are involved with many not realizing what it is all about. The Laodicean spirit is the Spirit of the Enemy operating as an angel of light. The introduction to the church at Laodicea was positive. These things saith the AMEN(He Who has the last word): the FAITHFUL and TRUE WITNESS, (He Only Who has held truth as a Witness), and was in the Beginning of the creation of God. In this Title is declared His authority as He stands in the midst of the Seven Churches taking inventory and pronouncing judgment upon the church. "I know thy works" is the heading of each Epistle to the churches. All stress is put upon works. The Lord is not concerned about good deeds in the flesh, but the works of righteousness according to His Word. The works of this church are shown to be miserable and deplorable. Nothing good could be said about this church. She has separated herself from holiness through her independency. She is neither cold nor hot. Priding herself with her ways of worship, yet holding on to the name of Christianity, she is reproved as neither hot or cold. She is cold or dead to the Spiritual life, and living her own desires of the flesh, believing in Christ's salvation, but neither is she hot because she has not the Spirit of Christ flowing in her soul that brings the fire and warmth of a Spirit filled Christian into the true worship in holiness. This is a terrible condition, and because of such the Lord said He would spue her out of His mouth. Jesus says that we cannot serve two masters and be pleasing in His sight. It is His desire that we would serve One or the Other. Either we get in or get out. Be either cold or hot; either serve Him or the Devil. If we continue in this attitude, we will be spued out of His mouth. Revelation 3:17"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" This is a terrible condition that grips the spirit of man. Believing that all is well with their souls by their formal, self-satisfied attitude, and independent worship, and by not accepting the Spirit of holiness, they are overcome by deception and believe themselves to be rich, and increasing in the blessings of God and have need of nothing, yet they do not know that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked in the sight of God. Even though one may be blessed in worldly goods, and expensive buildings, etc., and have a good education, this does not signify that God has blessed them. Jesus says that they are blind to the true salvation and that they are naked of the clothing of righteousness, therefore if they do not repent they will be spued out of His mouth. The only way to be rich in God is by buying "of Me" (Jesus) gold tried in the fire, and not by possessing worldly treasures or gold. The works of the Laodicean church were false, worldly, and sickening before God. 35.

43. 1 Peter 1:7 says "That the trial of YOUR FAITH BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS than of GOLD THAT PERISHETH: though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."...The TRUE GOLD is purchased through God by faith in holiness, a gold that cannot perish by fire of the world. James 2:5 "Hearken ,my beloved brethren,Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?". The church at Laodicea was naked, not of worldly apparel, but of the white raiment which only could be purchased through the Lord. They were counseled not only to buy gold, but white raiment that their nakedness of sin might be covered. The raiment of God is fine linen in RIGHTEOUSNESS of the saints, clean and white, read Revelation 19:8''And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.'' Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief, Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.".. They were blind because they did not have the Spiritual insight of the Word of righteousness and thought they could gain eternal bliss by their fleshly, worldly method of worship. The eye-salve is the anointing of the Spirit of God which the church at Laodicea did not have. They were altogether destitute of the Spirit of God, therefore would have no inheritance in heaven except they repented and bought the true salvation through faith in righteousness to cover up their nakedness of sin. 36.

44. THE CHURCH COMMENDATION AND DENOUNCIATION THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS { REVELATION 2:1-7 } The church at Ephesus was denounced, not because she was backslidden, but because she became slothful in the love for sinners unto salvation. Taken up in her church affairs, involving the teaching of the Word and in righteousness, and in keeping the church free of imposters, she let down in the evangelistic Spirit. After being commended for her good works she was warned of the Lord, that He was displeased with her for not upholding her first conviction of the love for the lost. Ephesus, being the first organized church, has portrayed the danger to the Last Day Church. Denominationalism has separated the Christian faith and has a tendency to create a lack of love for the other, as well as the lack of unity of our first love. THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA { REVELATION 2:8-11 } The Smyrna church was not denounced. This does not mean that they were perfect in the sight of God, but rather that their works were pleasing before God due to the great suffering and persecution, and being faithful unto death. Smyrna is known as the martyr church. That is, they surrendered their body fully unto the Lord. This trait portrays their works as pleasing to God. There will be no rebuke in the church of the Last Day when they go all out in the sacrifice of their bodies. This does not necessarily signify that one must lay down their lives and be buried, but as Paul declared, he dies daily from imperfection in the flesh so must we. In the perfect Church spoken of in Ephesians 4:13“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of theknowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” The Last Day Church must measure up in the fulness of the stature of Christ.As long as we strive to follow our convictions as is recorded in the Word, we will grow into that Church. It is when we let down the standard that the denunciation is declared. 37.

45. THE PERGAMOS CHURCH { REVELATION 2:12-17 } The Pergamos church was commended for holding fast His name. Biblical names carry a characteristical meaning. Names were not only given just to distinguish one person from another, but to declare the characteristic of the person as well. To hold fast His name is to hold the characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although they walked in the footsteps of Jesus they were denounced because they let false doctrine come into the church. Permitting impure doctrines to mingle with the people in the church is sure to have an ill effect upon the church and lead some astray. This rebuke declares a warning to all churches throughout the Ages, especially the Last Day Church. THE THYATIRA CHURCH { REVELATION 2:18-29 } The church at Thyatira was commended for their patience, love, service, and faith; and the last to be more than the first. They were growing in the characteristics of the Lord, but they were denounced for letting the false prophet Jezebel teach and seduce His servants. The Jezebel spirit is fast developing in the ecclesiastical movement in this day, as it was at the time of the warning in the Thyatira Age. THE SARDIS CHURCH { REVELATION 3:1-6 } Those who had not defiled their garments with the Jezebel spirit and corruption of sin, were commended. But they were denounced for being dead to the Spirit of God. This formal spirit is manifested throughout most churches today. More and more the manifestation of the Spirit of Life in the churches is replaced with quietness and formalism. Pentecostals have even become ashamed of the moving of the Spirit of God in their midst and placed all manifestation behind closed doors. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA { REVELATION 3:7-13 } The Philadelphia church portrays the Bride of Christ and is commended for keeping His Word and not denying His name. They kept the Word and all that His name stood for. They did not have the fulness of the Apostolic strength, but what they did have, was perfect in God's sight. Therefore, there was no denunciation. This declares the purpose of the letters to the Seven Churches In presenting the Last Day Church as is pleasing in His eyes. (Back to Main Index) 38.

46. CHAPTER 4 Setting of the earthly throne on earth for 1,000 years. Revelation 4:1 "After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things Which must be HEREAFTER."(Rev.chapter 4 here) John was on the isle of Patmos, and had just received a Visitor from heaven Who gave him a vision of the Seven Golden Candlesticks, and in the midst of them stood One (Jesus) like unto the Son of Man. In His hand He held the Seven Stars. John was told that the Seven Candlesticks were the Seven Churches, and the Seven Stars were the Seven Angels, Heads, or Pastors of the churches. He was to write what he had JUST SEEN, and the THINGS WHICH WOULD BE HEREAFTER. John's first vision was to the church concerning their Spiritual condition in holiness and righteousness. It was necessary for the church to understand, and be a partaker of the great mysteries of which was to be hereafter. Jesus and the prophets referred to these things of the Last Days, yet future. The first three verses in Revelation, chapter one, tells us that the revelation of these great mysteries were given unto Jesus, to give to John to show unto us the things that were shortly to come to pass. The Epistles to the Seven Churches with their commendations and rebukes, point out the Perfect Church of the Last Day. The whole Book of Revelation is prophetic and yet future. The fore-runner to the breaking forth of these great phenomenon’s is now in operation. Immediately after the message given to John for the Seven Churches, a voice spoke to him and said, "Comeup hither, and I will show you things which MUST be HEREAFTER." Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that HEAR the words of this prophecy, and KEEP those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” In chapter one we are told of John being exiled on the Island of Patmos: no doubt deep in prayer and worship, for he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The Lord spoke andappeared unto him and told him to write what he saw in a book and send it to the Seven Churches of Asia. In the fourth chapter he is given a revelation of things WHICHMUST COME TO PASS, yet future. 39.

47. John looked, and behold, he saw a door opened in heaven. No natural eye could span such distance without supernatural power, therefore John was given a vision as he looked toward heaven. Then he heard a voice which sounded like a trumpet, clear and loud, talking with him and saying, "Come up hither, and I will show thee things whichmust be hereafter." In the very beginning of his experience he was told that what he was to see was not of the past or present but was to come to pass in the future. There is no time element given when these things would come to pass but a complete revelation was given him of the conclusion of God's great plan of salvation, purposed before the world was. The outcome of this plan has been prophesied throughout the Old and New Testaments, without giving any specified date. Jesus says that we shall know by the signs of the times. But there is also another way whereby we may know when these things take place, and that is by rightly dividing the Word of Truth. First things MUST come first. The Holy Spirit Who was sent to reveal the things which John saw in heaven, brings the revelation by discernment through the Word. The full revelation recorded by John must come in the order of God's plan. The house is not ready for the roof until it is progressively prepared thereunto. Immediately after hearing the voice, John was in the Spirit and caught up into heaven, where there was a throne set for him to look upon. The Lord sat on the throne. What John saw was not the original setting of the heavenly order, but the setting was to show him the things which was to be future. These things are concerning His people and the earth. Not until the 20th chapter was John shown the heavenly setting of the New Heaven and New Earth. All that John saw concerning God's plan on earth must take place on earth, Jesus says, "When you pray, pray thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. …….It is God's plan for the kingdom of God to dwell for one thousand years on earth, after the return of Jesus. The kingdom of God is not a natural kingdom and takes place after the resurrection of the righteous dead. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound at His coming, the dead in Christ shall rise a Spiritual man, and be given a body that pleases God. There will be no resurrection of the natural body that has returned to the dust from which it was created. Much confusion is created by not accepting the Thousand Year Reign to be a Spiritual Kingdom, rather than a natural Kingdom. The fourth and fifth chapters declare the order of the Millennial Age in the Kingdom of God on earth. This Kingdom comes to pass after the coming of the Lord and the resurrection of the righteous dead, and the Battle of Armageddon. The throne was set in heaven and He that sat thereupon was to look upon as a jasperand a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald ...The jasper and the sardine stone, under the brilliant colors of therainbow, presents a beautiful sight as well as a symbol of God's promise of security from destruction. The language of symbols, types, and shadows is used throughout the Book of Revelation, bringing Spiritual understanding to all who understands the language. 40.

48. Revelation 4:4 "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: And upon the seats I saw four and twenty eiders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." Luke 22:28-30 Jesus said to His disciples, "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations..And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;..that YE may EAT and DRINK at my table in MY KINGDOM, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." If any deserves to sit upon these seats, certainly those to whom the promise was given were qualified and they will occupy twelve of those seats; but who are the other twelve seats reserved for?....And who are the other twelve elders who were in white raiment, with a crown of gold upon their heads?....This appears to be a mystery to many, yet most agree that there is to be a great gathering in Christianity in this Last Day, a gathering of a Many Membered Body which will evangelize the world. It was Jesus Christ the Chief Corner Stone, and the twelve apostles, as the foundation that built the first church, and for one hundred and fifty years evangelized the world that was known in that day. Ephesians 4: 11-16(Read Here), declares the making of the church in the Last Day, and the eleventh verse declares THE CHURCH is to be perfected by the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. The Apostles are not spoken of too much among God's people in this hour, but they will appear in the near future in another Apostolic ministry; to found the Last Day Church, with Jesus still the Chief Corner Stone. As the promise was given unto the first twelve Apostles, so will it involve the last Twelve . The twenty four elders sitting upon the twenty four seats are all Apostles of the Millennial Kingdom being rewarded for their faith and ministry of the past. Revelation 4:5 "Out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." Jesus will be honored with the full power of God, even the Seven Spirits of God were in His control, and the angels of heaven were around and about the throne. Jesus will become King and God of the Kingdom of God on earth. He will become the supreme Lord for one thousand years, and then comes the New Heaven and Earth, and all power will be turned back to the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." 41.

49. Revelation 4:6 "And before the throne was a sea of glass like unto crystal: And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind." The four living ones or creatures are four fully redeemed men who lived on this earth and have been translated to heaven. Revelation 5:8-10 assures us that they, and the twenty four elders were redeemed from this earth... Revelation 5:8-10 8.And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9.And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast REDEEMED US to God by thy blood OUT OF EVERY KINDRED, AND TONGUE, AND PEOPLE, AND NATION; 10.And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Redemption pertains only to this earth, by the blood of Jesus Christ. These heavenly creatures are full of eyes before and behind, that is, they have full knowledge of things of the past and future. The scripture shows that there are four men whom God has appointed as Leaders in His plan of redemption on earth, and have been taken bodily from this earth into heaven. The four men along with the twenty four elders fill an important part in the Millennial Age. They sit in and around about the throne to lead and judge the twelve tribes of Israel and the great multitudes who are as the sea of glass before the throne. The first Living One is ENOCH, the seventh from Adam who pleased God, and was translated alive into the presence of God. Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5. Genesis 5:24 “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” The second Living One is MOSES, the Lawgiver, who died and was buried by the Lord, and was resurrected and translated into heaven. Deuteronomy 34:5-7Jude 1:9 and Matthew17:3. Deuteronomy 34:5-7 5.So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6.And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 42.

50. 7.And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Matthew 17:3 3.And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. The third Living One is ELIJAH the prophet of God, who was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind, and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 2:11 “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” Luke 9:30-31 30.And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31.Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. The fourth is JESUS, God's Son, Who died on the Cross, was buried and arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven after forty days. Acts 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” We cannot look lightly upon this great truth, for these four redeemed Creatures are a reality recorded in the Bible. If there was a purpose in the resurrection of Jesus Who was taken into heaven, then there is a purpose in taking Enoch, Elijah, and Moses into heaven before the End time resurrection. They had eyes before and behind them, and it was for this reason that they were chosen, that they might see all things that took place and have perfect knowledge of the past and future, to maintain their high position around the throne. They were FOUR great Leaders used by God in promoting His plan of Salvation, and by their translation and resurrection, and by taking note of their ministry while on the earth, it enlarges the purpose of their calling and shows forth God's power in being able to resurrect and translate and keep them and use them in the Last Day. 43.