Revelation Chapter 2...48 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapters 2 & 3 ~The Epistles To The Seven...

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapters 2 & 3

~The Epistles To The Seven Assemblies~

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… These things saith He That holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks

-Revelation 1:11 & 2:1

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Revelation Chapter Two The Epistles To The Seven Assemblies

In the eleventh verse of chapter one, John is told to write what he sees and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The contents of this letter is found in chapters 2 and chapter 3. These seven churches were North of the Island of Patmos in Asia Minor, which is the nation Turkey today. The word for church here is ecclesia and it is by no means limited to the restricted sense of a church building. Ecclesia means simply an Assembly: any assembly of people who are called out (for that is the etymological meaning of the word) from other people.

This is the usage of the word in the Gospels, and even in the Acts of the Apostles before the new use, which the Holy Spirit was going to make of the word, was revealed.

When Christ said, "Upon this rock will I build my Ecclesia," He did not use the word in the exclusive sense in which it was afterwards to be used, but in the older and larger sense in which the word had been before used, which would embrace the whole assembly of His People, while not excluding the future application of the word to the Church or Body of Christ when that secret was given in due season revealed.

When the Spirit, by Stephen, speaks of the church (Ecclesia) in the wilderness (Acts 7: 38), he means the congregation of pious worshippers of God at the Tabernacle.

When the Lord added to the church (Ecclesia) daily (Acts 2:47), He added to the number of those 120, who first assembled themselves together in the upper room in Jerusalem.

When Saul says he persecuted the church (Ecclesia) of God, he does not use the word in the limited sense, which it subsequently acquired after he had received the special revelation concerning it: but in the sense in which it had been used up to, and in which it was used at, that time. It means merely that he persecuted the People of God - the congregation of God. He is speaking of a past act in his life which took place long before the revelation of the secret, and his words must be interpreted accordingly. We must not read into any of these passages that which was the subject of a subsequent revelation! These passages are perfectly clear without it. The word Ecclesia in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and (for the most part) in the Acts, must be taken in the sense of its earlier usage as meaning

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Revelation Chapter Two The Epistles To The Seven Assemblies

simply the congregation or assembly of the Lord's people, and not in the sense which it acquired, after the later and special signification had been given to it by the Holy Spirit Himself. The assembly of believers that are present in the days preceding the Lord’s second advent will need some special instruction as to how to carry themselves. Where is this instruction if it is not here written? There are many interpretations of exactly who and what these churches are. It is not our intention to busy ourselves on this point. It is more important to focus on Christ’s instruction to each church. It is imperative that we absorb the message of our Lord and meditate upon how that message may apply to us in Christian duties. As for the interpretation of the churches, we are confident that the Bible student who always watchful as the Lord commanded (Matthew 24) will recognize the meaning of these churches in the day that they are relevant.

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The Structure of The Seven Church Epistles

Church Name Symbolic of Chapter & Verse(s) ~Israel in the Wilderness~ Ephesus Israel’s Espousals 2: 1-7 Smyrna Israel’s Testing 2: 8-11 Pergamos Israel’s Failure 2: 12-17

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~Israel in the Land~

Thyatira The Day of Israel’s Kings 2: 18-29 Sardis Israel’s Removal 3: 1-6 Philadelphia The Day of Judah’s Kings 3: 7-13 Laodicea Judah’s Removal 3: 14-22

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Revelation Chapter Two Warm-up Questions

Question 1 The Church of Ephesus In verse four of chapter two the Lord admonishes Ephesus for leaving their first love. Who was their first love? In what ways have you left this same love? Deuteronomy: ch. 7 verses 7-9 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 2 The Church of Smyrna Christ warns the church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:10) that they will suffer at the hands of the devil and be: cast into prison, tried, and endure tribulation ten days. What are Christ’s instructions for any believer who is tried in this manner? Mark: ch. 13 verses 9-13 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Question 3 The Church of Pergamos The church of Pergamos is acknowledged for “holding fast Christ’s name” (Revelation 2:13) What is the blessing in store for those who stand for the Lord? Luke: ch. 12 verses 7-9 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 4 The Church of Thyatira To the Church of Thyatira the Lord reveals that many have not known the depths of Satan (Revelation 2:24). In what ways do you suppose people are ignorant of Satan? Revelation: ch. 12 verse 10; Isaiah: ch. 14 verses 12-20; Catechism of the Catholic Faith 391-395 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Question 5 The Church of Sardis The Church of Sardis is told to watch. In Revelation 3:3 what is the Church watching for and what are the consequences for not watching? Matthew: ch. 25 verse 10-12; Catechism of the Catholic Faith 672-673 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 6 The Church of Philadelphia The Church of Philadelphia is granted the key of David (Revelation 3:7). What is the key of David and why can’t the door be shut when the Lord opens it? Isaiah: ch. 22 verse 22; Luke: ch. 24 verse 45 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Question 7 The Church of Laodecia Christ is upset with the Laodiceans because they are neiter cold or hot but “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:15-16). What does it mean to have works that are neither cold or hot and what are the consequences Christ will administer? Revelation: ch. 3 verses 15-17; Luke: ch. 12 verses 15-21 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 8 The Churches Judged by Works Each of the seven churches is judged and rewarded on the basis of their works. What do works reveal? James: ch. 2 verses 18-26 __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 2 Verses 1-8 Revelation 1 KJV 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;

V These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, V who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works,

V and thy labour, V and thy patience, V and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: V and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, V and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne,

V and hast patience, V and for my name's sake hast laboured, V and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,

V because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,

V and repent, V and do the first works; V or else I will come unto thee quickly, V and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, V except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast,

V that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, V which I also hate.

7 He that hath an ear,

V let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; V To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, V which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;

V These things saith the first and the last, V which was dead, and is alive;

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 2 Verses 9-17 9 I know thy works,

V and tribulation, V and poverty, (but thou art rich) V and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, V but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer:

V behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, V that ye may be tried; V and ye shall have tribulation ten days: V be thou faithful unto death, V 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;

V He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

V These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works,

V and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: V and thou holdest fast my name, V and hast not denied my faith, V even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, V who was slain among you, V where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee,

V because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, V who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, V to eat things sacrificed unto idols, V and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,

V which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly,

V 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;

V To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, V and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, V which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 2 Verses 18-26 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write;

V These things saith the Son of God, V who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, V and his feet are like fine brass;

19 I know thy works,

V and charity, V and service, V and faith, V and thy patience, V and thy works; V and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,

V because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, V which calleth herself a prophetess, V to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, V and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;

V and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed,

V and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, V except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death;

V and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: V 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,

V as many as have not this doctrine, V and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; V 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,

V and keepeth my works unto the end, V to him will I give power over the nations:

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 2 Verses 27-29 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron;

V as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: V 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.

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The First Epistle- Ephesus Revelation 2 verses 1-7

Ephesus – Symbolic of the Day of Israel’s Espousals. (Exodus).

In the Epistle to the Assembly at Ephesus, the reference is to Exodus: to God's love in choosing them out of Egypt, and making them a nation. See Hosea 11:1: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." In Jeremiah 2:2 we see this "first

love," which the Lord calls "the love of thine espousals." And in Ezek. 16 we have a full description of the workings and outcome of this "first love." The whole of Ezekiel 16 must be read with Exodus 19: 4-6. It is this "first love" which Israel is here charged with having

"left." This is the beginning of all the subsequent evil.

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The Promise to Ephesus Revelation 2:7

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The promise to the Church of Ephesus refers to Genesis 2 the promise being, "I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" God begins from Himself. The Apocalypse related not only to Israel, but to the earth; and the first promise goes back to Eden and to the "tree of life." The way to that tree was lost: but was "kept" (or preserved) by the cherubim (Genesis 3:24). These cherubim next appear in connection with the way to the Living One, in the Tabernacle, and are thus linked on to Israel. Only in Israel's restoration can the way to the "Tree of Life" be restored. Sovereignty and government on the earth is the great subject of the Apocalypse; therefore the promise goes back to the point where sovereignty was ignored and government was overthrown. This becomes the starting-point. That is why the cherubim reappear in the Apocalypse, intimately associated with this work of restoration of Divine Government on the earth. Their song is of "creation" (Revelation 4:11). Their likeness is to creation. Their song is of the redemption of Israel.

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The Structure of The Epistle to Ephesus

Although the structure of each Epistle is unique, they all follow a general plan.

§ The Introduction, consisting of Christ's command to John to write,

§ An appropriate attribute that describes the Lord. An attribute that was mentioned and taken from the previous vision in chapter one.

§ The specific subject matter to the church addressed.

§ The Conclusion, consisting of Christ's command to him that hath an ear, to hear; with His

promise, fulfilled in the latter portion of the book. The correspondences and contrasts between the Epistles form a useful guide to their interrelation. They show us the important points which we should notice; and what are the matters on which we should place special emphasis.

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 1- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:20) -1 Commendation (Christ’s praise of Ephesus) C1 “Thy Works” 2- D1 “And thy labor” -2- E1 “And thy patience” -2- F1 “Non-endurance” -2- G1 Liars. Trial -2- G2 Liars. Proof. -2- F2 Endurance. 3- E2 “And hast patience” -3- D2 “And hast labored” -3- C2 Works. “Hast not wearied.” -3- Reproof (Christ’s criticism of Ephesus) H1 Accusation. Love. 4 I1 Warning. “Remember.” 5- I2 Warning. “Repent.” -5 H2 Commendation. Hatred 6 Conclusion A2 Christ’s command to hear. 7- B2 Christ’s promise. “Tree of life.” (Compare Rev. 22:2 & 14) -7

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 1 Revelation 2 KJV 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;

V These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, V who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

NAB 1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

V The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, V the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

• the angel of the church…an angel especially sent to oversee this church see Hebrews

1:14, Daniel 10:13 and 20.

• The church of Ephesus: Ephesus was the most important city in Asia Minor when Revelation was written. It was the center of worship for Diana, an Oriental deity who personified the bountifulness of nature, see Acts 19: 24-34. It was a strategic commercial center and a great seaport.

• He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand…reference 1:20 the seven stars are the

seven angels of the seven churches. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches

• He who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks… the reference is to Deut. 23:14, where this walking, and the object of it, are the same as in the Day of the Lord. "For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy; that He see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee." Here, Christ thus walks according to Lev. 26:12. And his eye sees and exposes the unclean things in the camp of these Assemblies.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 2 Revelation 2 KJV 2 I know thy works,

V and thy labour, V and thy patience, V and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: V and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, V and hast found them liars:

NAB 2 I know your deeds,

V your hard work and your perseverance. V I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, V that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, V and have found them false.

I know thy works…this is a phrase that appears in each of the seven church letters: 2:9, 2:13, 2:19; 3:1, 3:8, 3:15. The Lord deals according to works in the Day of the Lord see Isaiah 66:18.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verses 3-4 Revelation 2 KJV 3 And hast borne,

V and hast patience, V and for my name's sake hast laboured, V and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,

V because thou hast left thy first love. NAB 3 You have persevered

V and have endured hardships for my name, V and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you:

V You have forsaken your first love.

• Thou has left thy first love… this is reminiscent of the Lord’s description in 1:5 where he is described as,” Him that loved us.” This is a reference to Jeremiah 2:1-2 where God commanded Jeremiah to commence his prophecy by calling this fact to Israel’s remembrance: "Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord: I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness." This was the day referred to in Ezekiel16: 8-10, the day when the Lord set His love upon them and chose them, not because of their number, "but because the LORD loved you."

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 5 Revelation 2 KJV 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,

V and repent, V and do the first works; V or else I will come unto thee quickly, V and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, V except thou repent.

NAB 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

• Remember…from where you have fallen…This speaks of a considerable drop-off of love (verse 4) in the Ephesian Church. A generation earlier the same church was commended for love (see Ephesians. 1:15, 16; & 6:24. This church was strongly commanded to grow in love (Ephesians 4:2, 15,16)

• Repent...means to change one’s thinking. It is connected with changed behavior.

This is clearly stated in verse five after the word, “repent,” comes the phrase, “do the first works.” The Ephesians were to regain the lifestyle that they had before they departed from their first love (verse 4). Reference Leviticus 26: 40-42; Deuteronomy 30: 1-3; Daniel 9: 3-4.

• Or else….I will remove thy candlestick… The Lord had come before, at His first

Advent, seeking fruit, but found none. Now He is coming again, and the cry goes forth once more, "Repent "; for, He who is coming is at hand. Repentance is 'the first work.' It is the one condition of national blessing for Israel. It is the essence of the proclamation of the King and the Kingdom. The ministries of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2), of Christ Himself (Matt. 4:17), and also of Peter (Acts 2:38; 3:39), were all stamped with this one word "Repent." This is the "first work" to be done, the first step to be taken in view of national blessing. See Leviticus 26:40-42, I Kings 8:33, 35, 37,Deuteronomy 30: 1-3., Daniel 9: 3- 4, Zechariah 1:3

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 6 Revelation 2 KJV 6 But this thou hast,

V that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, V which I also hate.

NAB 6 But you have this in your favor:

V You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

• The Nicolaitanes are mentioned again in verse 15. History says nothing definite of any people bearing such a name during the primitive age of Christianity. Tradition has something to say; but this is so conflicting and so uncertain, that most scholars attempt to solve the difficulty by considering the name as being symbolical (as they do that of Balaam (Revelation 2:14-15), and Jezebel (Revelation 2:20). There have been efforts to interpret the mystery of the Nicolaitanes by looking at the etymology of the word (nikos) conqueror and (laos) people. Some church fathers have even gone so far as to connect this sect with Noclas, one of the seven elected leaders in the Jerusalem church in Acts 6:5. If there be anything in this, it is better to leave it to "that day," when future events will make the identity of the Nicolaitanes manifest.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 7 Revelation 2 KJV 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear

V what the Spirit saith unto the churches; V To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, V which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

NAB He who has an ear,

V let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. V To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, V which is in the paradise of God.

• He that hath an ear…In Scripture only the Lord Jesus ever used these words. On

fourteen occasions He used it. Always, when He was speaking of the great change in the Dispensation which was about to take place. It is connected therefore with Dispensational truth. Six times (the number of man) in the Gospels He used it as the Son of Man; and eight times (the Dominical Number) in Revelation, as the risen Lord speaking from heaven: here, at the close of each of these seven Epistles, and once in 13:9.

• what the Spirit saith (or is saying) to the Assemblies…In Rev. 19:10 we are told that "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy"; i.e., it is the prophetic testimony spoken by Christ Himself; or the testimony spoken by His servant John, or by angelic messengers concerning Him who addresses these Assemblies in this Book.

• To him that overcometh… Those who are addressed here will be living in the days of the Beast, in the midst of the great Tribulations and there will be those who will "endure unto the end." Of some we read "the Beast...shall make war against them, and shall overcome them and kill them" (11:7). Of others it is said is they overcame him (the accuser of their brethren) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (12:11). Of others again, "It was given unto him (the Beast) to make war with the saints and to overcome them" (13:7). This final promise is again mentioned in 21:7, "he that overcometh shall inherit all things." The Revelation is full of overcoming. The overcomers who are addressed at the close of each of these seven Epistles will be living in the days referred to in these passages. They will be special overcomers of a specific form of evil. They are thus prophesied of in Isaiah 66:5 "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." They are spoken of in Daniel 11:32 as those who "do know their God, shall be strong and do exploits." In Matthew 24:13, as those who "shall endure unto the end." Compare Matthew 10:22.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 7 continued

• will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God…For the promises of the seven Epistles as a whole, see This first promise is fulfilled in 22:14, where the article "the tree of life" is used, and refers specially to the overcomers. The Tree mentioned in verse 2 and Ezekiel 47:12 is another tree or trees (without the article) intended for the healing of the nations during the millennium.

• The promise, here, refers to the New Earth, when the curse will be removed, and the whole Earth be restored as the Paradise of God. To this "Paradise" Paul was caught away (2 Corinthians12: 4); and also to this "third Heaven" (and Earth).

• The first Earth age was overflowed with water and perished (2 Pet. 3:6 and Genesis 1: 2.

• The second Earth age are the Heavens and Earth "which are now" (2 Peter 3:7), and which will be purged by fire (2 Peter 3:10).

• The third Earth age is the one to come, the New Heavens and the New Earth (Paradise restored) (2 Pet. 3:13 and Revelation ch. 21-22).

• To this third heaven and Paradise was Paul caught away in vision. These John also saw; and was commissioned to write what Paul was unable to utter. This Paradise of the New Earth, which will characterize the Kingdom, was referred to by the Lord Jesus in His answer to the dying thief "Lord, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom." "Verily, I say unto thee to-day, (i.e., on this day of shame and death, beyond which thou seest by the eye of faith) thou shalt be with me in Paradise." That promise will be fulfilled to him as an overcomer. His faith overcame all his circumstances; and he marvelously believed, in spite of all the awful scenes of that day, that Jesus was "Lord," and that He would yet come in his Kingdom. To him, therefore, as an overcomer, was the promise of that future Paradise given; as here it is given to all who shall overcome by the same faith.

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The Second Epistle- Smyrna Revelation 2 verses 8-11

Smyrna – Symbolic of Israel’s Wanderings (Numbers).

Christ informs the church of Smyrna, that they will face a definite time of trial. For Israel in the wilderness it was forty years. For this assembly it is ten days. It is quite possible that the tribulation mentioned in Matthew and Isaiah below describe these ten days.

Matthew 24 9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Isaiah 66 5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Historically, Smyrna was an important seaport about 50 miles northwest of Ephesus. Smyrna is one of the churches Christ did not rebuke in some way.

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The Promise to Smyrna Revelation 2:10-11

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life…He who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.”

The promise from Christ here refers to Genesis 3 where death enters the world. But the promise goes beyond this; for it relates not merely to the death which came in with sin, but also to the "second death," which is revealed in Revelation 20: 14; 21:8.

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The History of Smyrna The custom in ancient letters was for the writer to identify Himself at the beginning of the letter, instead of signing His Name at the end. The Lord does this in verse 8: “The First and the Last who once died but now lives has this to say.” This designation of Christ was to bring comfort to the persecuted believers of Smyrna. He is the One Who conquered death, (Hebrews 2:14). Through their persecutions, trials, tribulations, poverty ‘then’ and in the future day of the Lord, Christ was and will be with them then. As our Lord revealed to Martha before He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Scripture does not record the founding of the church at Smyrna. What is revealed about this assembly of ‘called out ones’ is within this letter. History is very clear in regards to the Christian church in Smyrna at the end of the 1st century. The city an ally of Rome was known for ‘emperor worship’. Smyrna was the site wherein a new temple was dedicated to the Emperor Tiberios, A.D.26. because of it’s loyalty to Rome Under the Roman emperor Domitian it became a capital offense to refuse to offer yearly sacrifices to the emperor. Smyrna was settled by the Greeks about 1,000 B.C., faded history may go as far back as 3,000 B.C. Smyrna was destroyed by the Lydians around 600 B.C. and lay in ruins for 300 years. One of the four military heirs of Alexander the Great rebuilt the city in 290 B.C. This historical kingdom, Greece, under Alexander, defeated the Medes and Persians. This was bought forth when Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of that ‘terrible image’ of the five successive kingdoms that would rule the known world, the Jewish people and Jerusalem. The belly and thighs of brass, Daniel 2. This rebuilt city, Smyrna, now under dominion of Rome, is that 4th kingdom of the terrible image revealed by God to Daniel, the legs of iron. Destroyed in the late 2nd century by an earthquake, Smyrna was rebuilt by the Roman Emeror Marcus Aurelius, it was said that Smyrna was the most beautiful city in Asia; located on a gulf of the Aegean Sea. Smryna’s famous street of gold that curved around the large hill Pagos was lined with temples to Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite.

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The History of Smyrna As was unveiled to us in Daniel, God has given numerous historical types, models, examples that will appear in ‘latter times.” Paul details this in 1 Corinthians: 1Corinthians 10 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Historical Smyrna is one ensample of end time events that detail the tribulation of the Antichrist. The Christian community of Smyrna, faced intense tribulation because of their faithfulness to Jesus Christ. The city was a leading center for the cult of emperor worship. Christians in Smyrna obeyed civil authority but refused to offer sacrifices to the emperor or worship him. What ensued was Roman wrath against them for their refusal to give homage to the emperor and the many different fictional gods, Zeus, Apollo, etc. Smyrna’s social life revolved around these pagan worship practices thus marking Christians as ‘antisocial’, The Christians’ rejection of the many pagan idols along with their worshiping of an invisible God caused them to be denounced as atheists. Unbelieving Jews, ‘and’ those Jews who say they are Jews and are not, hated and rejected Jesus Christ. In both regards they were of the synagogue of Satan. They accused the Christians of cannibalism not understanding the Lord’s Supper and immorality perverting the ‘holy kiss’ with which believers greeted each other, Rom 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26. The wealthy Jewish population reported these practices to the Romans; especially their refusal to offer sacrifices to the Roman emperor hoping to destroy the Christian faith. These haters of the Gospel of Jesus Christ claiming to be Jews but are not, incited the Jewish population of Smyrna against Christians and were of the synagogue of Satan. Meaning they assembled to plan their attacks on the church therefore doing Satan’s will. Persecution of the church at Smyrna reached a peak half a century after this letter with the execution of the Bishop Polycarp in which these Jews of the synagogue of Satan were responsible. A translated 2nd century document entitled: “The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp” details these events. Smyrna exists today as the Turkish city of Izmir.

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The Structure of The Epistle to Smyrna

The Second Epistle was addressed to the angel of the Assembly in Smyrna. They endure trial for "ten days." It is reminiscent of Israel's history, which was marked by a definite period of trial forty years. The first Epistle (Ephesus) began with a reference to the day of Israel's Espousals, and reminds those people of their "first love." The second (Smyrna), in its definite days of trial, reminds us of the definite period of forty years in the wilderness.

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 8- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:18) -8 Smyrna’s Personal Suffering C1 Suffering (The Earthly reality) 9- D1 Contrast (The Spiritual reality) -9- Smyrna’s Suffering From Others C2 Suffering (Who they claim to be) -9- D2 Contrast (Who they really are) -9 E1 Christ’s Encouragement “Fear not” 10- Smyrna’s Suffering From Others F1 Suffering “Those things” -10- G1 Place (Prison) Smyrna’s Personal Suffering F2 Suffering (A Trial) -10- G2 Time (Ten days) -10- E2 Christ’s Encouragement “Be faithful” -10 Conclusion A2 Christ’s command to hear 11- B2 Christ’s promise. No second death (Compare Rev. 20: 6,14) -11

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 8 Revelation 2 KJV 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;

V These things saith the first and the last, V which was dead, and is alive;

NAB 8 To the presiding spirit of the church in Smyrna, write this:

V “The First and the Last who once died V but now lives has this to say:

• Smyrna was a seaport town located approximately fifty miles north-west of

Ephesus. Its name means myrrh which is sweet and healing. It is one of two types of fig trees, Smyrna being the productive tree, the other, the Caprice, the unproductive fig tree. There is a reference to both in Jeremiah 24 and a command from our Lord to know the parable concerning the fig tree Tree (Mark 13).

• And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write…Christ’s command to John is to write

to the ‘spiritual representative, leader, the angel of the ‘called out ones’ the assembly at Smyrna.

• These things saith the first and the last... This is one of the titles used by Christ in the

introduction (1:17); it is used in the Old Testament, to describe God. (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12).

• which was dead, and is alive... the phrase literally means to become dead and return to

life. The verb ezesen means more than merely to live or be alive, it means to live again in resurrected life. In Revelation 13:14 there is a similar reference to the beast. Will the False Messiah mimic Christ’s power over death?

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V and tribulation, V and poverty, (but thou art rich) V and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, V but are the synagogue of Satan.

NAB 9 I know of your tribulations

V and your poverty, even though you are rich. V I know the slander you endure from self-styled Jews V who are nothing other than members of Satan’s assembly.

• I know thy works... Our Lord knows our works through our thoughts, words, and

deeds. Our Lord addresses the individuals within seven churches with I know thy works in particular to each of His children who are blessed to be His servants during the Lord’s Day. Our Lord is the Judge and rewards His servants according to their works.

Isaiah 66 18 "For I know their works and their thoughts.

V It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; V and they shall come and see My glory.

• tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)... This is the trial and tribulation

foretold by the Lord in Matt. 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Compare with Matt. 24: 9-10, and John 16: 1-4. In these passages the very trials are mentioned. In Revelation 13: 5-7 the circumstances are described.

Revelation 13 16 And he causeth all,

V both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, V to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell,

V save he that had the mark, V or the name of the beast, V or the number of his name.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 9 & 10 Revelation 2 KJV 9 I know thy works, and tribulation…

• and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not,...this is the seed line of Cain, who has infiltrated the Jewish sect. See Appendix 10. This statement is literal. The activities of these Satanic peoples is described in Daniel 11: 21-25.

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Revelation 2 KJV 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer:

V behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, V that ye may be tried; V and ye shall have tribulation ten days: V be thou faithful unto death, V and I will give thee a crown of life.

NAB 10 Have no fear of the sufferings to come.

V The devil will indeed cast some of you into prison V to put you to the test; V you will be tried over a period of ten days. V Remain faithful until death V and I will give you the crown of life.

• Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer…throughout Holy Scripture we have

been encouraged to lay aside fear. In the book of Joshua, as he was about to enter into and conquer Canaan, the Holy Land, after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness our Lord spoke these words to him:

Joshua 1 9 Have not I commanded thee?

V Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, V neither be thou dismayed: V for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

• These words should be memorized and on our lips and in our hearts at all times,

especially for those who are blessed to be God’s servants during the ‘tribulation period of the Antichrist.

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Revelation 2 KJV 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer…

• The words “neither be thou dismayed:” are appropriate for the trials we will be blessed to go through. They mean when you look around you and see the horrific events that are taking place to the Earth itself and to those who take the mark of the beast don’t let it dispirit you for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

• ye shall have tribulation ten days: In this special case the tribulation is limited to "ten

days." There are some scholars who believe ten days is only symbolic of a greater length of time, but why should we make these words mean more than what they say? Many things can happen within the space of a few days. Among Biblical examples we have the incident in Esther 3:13 when a decree went forth that the whole nation of Israel was to be destroyed "in one day." Why should not such a decree go forth again for "ten days"? Why introduce endless difficulties into this Book by always maintaining that God means something quite different from what He says? When God says (Genesis 7:4): "For yet seven days and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights," God meant days, not years. See verse 10: "And it came to pass after seven days"; and see verse 12.

• Be faithful unto death, personally as God’s servant it does not matter if our

testimony ends in a violent death, knowing we are doing His Will and are the ones that will overcome.

• I will give thee the crown of life this address is individual, and individually those that

are blessed to be God’s servants during this tribulation period will receive a crown of life. Herein are God’s ‘good and faithful servants’, who will participate in the ‘First Resurrection’, and live with and reign with Christ:

Revelation 20 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,

V and judgment was given unto them: V and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, V and for the word of God, V and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received

his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; V and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

V This is the first resurrection.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 11 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

V He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

• He that hath an ear...is addressed to those servants of God who diligently seek Him, His Truth and Will in their life.

• The 2nd death is the death of the soul, the blotting out of one’s existence. After

the millennial reign of Christ, Satan is loosed for a short period to deceive once again and He shall be devoured by God’s consuming fire. The ‘Great White Throne Judgment’ follows, the 2nd Resurrection and the 2nd death detailed below:

Revelation 20 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:

V on such the second death hath no power, V but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, V and shall reign with him a thousand years.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

V This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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The Third Epistle- Pergamos Revelation 2 verses 12-17

Smyrna – Symbolic of the Wilderness Period (Numbers).

In Christ’s Words to Pergamos He makes a reference to Balaam (Numbers 22-25; 31). Balaam in the Old Testament text, Balak hired Balaam to turn the hearts of Israel away from the Lord. Through "the counsel of Balaam" (Numbers 31:16, etc.) Israel was entrapped and led into idolatry. In the assembly of Pergamos, Balaam will have its counterpart in a yet future day.

In this future day Pergamos will be in a special manner the seat (or throne) of Satan (2:13; and compare 13:2), and a form of idolatry more awful will be on the earth. In his second epistle (2:15) Peter warns of this future time and in verse 15 he speaks of the "following in the way of Balaam the son of Bosor."

In like manner Jude also connects his description of a similar phase of idolatry with "the error of Balaam" (verses 10-13).

This makes it clear that the idolatry mentioned by both Peter and Jude is connected with Balaam's "counsel" in Revelation 2:14, and will be revived in this coming period.

In Numbers this great evil was met by the "sword" of destruction (31: 1-15). Our Lord speaks warns of this same evil returning and of the same judgment upon it: "I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth" (Revelation 2:16). The Lord carries out this threat in 19:21. This is why the Lord mentions the sword as a description of Himself (1:16). It is the He who will vanquish the evil in His second advent. (6:16).

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The Promise to Pergamos Revelation 2:17

"I will 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."

In this third Epistle, which refers to the wilderness we find a special reference to the manna, the wilderness food mentioned in the book of Exodus. "Bread from Heaven" and "Angels' food" (Psalm 78:24-25) is set over against the lusts of the flesh and spiritual idolatry. God instructed the manna to be "hidden" in the Ark of the Covenant, for Israel’s remembrance (Exodus 16: 32-34). This "hidden" food is for remembrance; to remind them that God can supply nourishment in the coming day, when none shall be allowed to buy or sell (Rev. 12: 16-17), unless they consent to bear the "mark of the Beast." God supported His People in the wilderness, where they could obtain no food: Why not here? There is a further promise as to the "white stone" and the "new name." Again we ask, Why go to our own imaginations, or to Pagan customs, for interpretations, when we have in this same book of Exodus* the account of the stones on which the names of the Tribes were engraved: Two on the High Priest's shoulder, with six names on each (collective); and twelve on the breastplate, with one name on each (individual). The individual names being placed "upon his heart" (the place of love), and the collective names "upon his shoulders" (the place of strength) (Exodus 28:8-30). Besides these stones there were the stones of the "Urim and Thummin*," of which little or nothing is known. These may have been” white" it is not known; but we do know that they were associated with a hearing and answering God dwelling in the midst of His People. During this time of trial and tribulation, God’s people and believers can take comfort in the blessed fact that He has our names in remembrance; that His love is everlasting; that His strength is almighty, and able to nourish us when enemies might prevail and human resources fail. * In the Hebrew Canon Exodus is called the Book of "the Names.” ** These stones were mentioned in Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 27:21: Deuteronomy 33:8

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The History of Pergamos

Pergamos (also spelled Pergamum) was about 100 miles north of Ephesus, Smyrna in between both churches. Ephesus and Smyrna were cities on the ports of the Aegean Sea whereas Pergamos was about 15 miles inland. Since 133 B.C. Pergamos was the ancient capital of Asia and considered it’s greatest city. The Roman writer Pliny called it “by far the most distinguished city in Asia”. Pergamos as a city has a unique geography. Central to the city is a large conical hill that is 1,000 feet high, surrounded that dominates the broad plain of the Caicus River valley. Archaeologist in reference to this uniqueness stated it seemed like a royal city, one with authority. Pergamos’ was noted (as Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign) for its vast library second only to that of Alexandria with over 200,000 hand written volumes. Pergamos was known as a center of culture and learning. The inhabitants viewed themselves as the defenders of Greek culture within Asia Minor. Pergamos was a center of pagan worship. Four main pagan gods of the Greco-Roman world were idolized in Pergamos - Athena, Asklepios, Dionysos, and Zeus. However, this pagan idolatry was second to Pergamos’ devotion to the cult of ‘emperor worship’. Pergamos built the first temple devoted to emperor Augustus in 29 B.C., and continued later, building two more temples to Roman emperors Trajan and Septimus Severus. In other cities throughout Asia Minor that practiced emperor worship Christians were endangered mostly on the one-day of the year wherein they were required to offer sacrifices to the emperor. In Pergamos, Christian endangerment was daily because it was the Asian center of emperor worship. Unlike the martyr Polycarp of Smyrna, there is no history about the martyr Antipas except our Lord’s words describing him ‘my faithful witness was martyred in your city where Satan has his home.’ Tradition states he was executed for refusing to worship the emperor by being roasted to death inside a brass bull during the persecution instigated by Emperor Domitian. Pergamos survives today as the Turkish city of Bergama.

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The Structure of The Epistle to Pergamos

In the Epistle to the Assembly in Pergamos, the Old Testament illustrations are from another period of Israel's wilderness experiences. Balaam and Balak are used to illustrate the special circumstances of this Assembly; similar characters will be found to exist in "the day of the Lord."

It is the last of the three Epistles in which the Old Testament reference is to Israel and the Wilderness period. In the first we had Israel's Espousals; in the second we had Israel's Testing and Trial; now, here, in the third, we have Israel's Failure.

This failure is marked in the Epistle to Pergamos. The tone of the Epistle is accusation. Two solemn warnings are given, and a call to "Repent," with a threat of being fought against by the sword of His mouth.

This will be seen in the Epistle as we proceed; and it is clearly exhibited in the Structure:

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 12- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:16) -12 Commendation C1 General Works 13- D1 Place -13- C2 Particular Works -13- D2 Place -13 Reproof E1 Accusation “I have against thee 14- D1 Balaam -14- F1 Description of Balaam “Who taught…” -14 D2 Nicolaitanes 15- F2 Description of Nicolaitanes “In like manner…” -15 E2 Warning. “Repent; or I will come,” 16 Conclusion A2 Christ’s command to hear 17- B2 Christ’s promise. “Manna.” “New Name” -17 (Compare 7: 13-17; 19:12)

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 12 Revelation 2 KJV 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

V These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; NAB 12 to the presiding spirit of the church in Pergamum, write this:

V The One with the sharp two-edged sword has this to say:

• These things saith he... He who has the ‘sharp sword’ is the risen, glorified, Christ. The ‘sword’ is God’s Word, living and active, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow AND able to judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts., (Hebrews 4:12 & Ap. 5 )

• He who hath the sharp sword with two edges…This is one of the seven Divine

Attributes mentioned of our Lord in chapter one (1:16). Two solemn warnings are given to Pergamos and a call to ‘repent’ with the threat of being fought against by the sword of Christ.

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V and where thou dwellest, V even where Satan’s seat is: V and thou holdest fast my name, V and hast not denied my faith, V even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among

you, where Satan dwelleth. NAB 13 I know you live in the very place where Satan’s throne is erected;

V and I know you hold fast to my name V and have not denied the faith you have in me, V not even at the time when Antipas my faithful witness was martyred in your city

where Satan has his home.

• I know thy works… and where thou dwellest,... Christ declares this to all seven assemblies. He sets Himself forth as ‘omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent’.

• even where Satan’s seat is...Here we have a reference to the circumstances of Revelation 13:2, where the Dragon gave the Beast "his power, and his throne, and great authority." In Revelation 16: 10, "the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the Beast." So that at that time, in the Day of the Lord, there will be a special place where Satan's throne will be set up in this world; and when he and the Beast will receive that worship which has always been his aim. This throne is evidently to be in Pergamos. Whatever foreshadowing’s there may have been of this in past history or in the history of the Roman Emperors, it only shows us the possibility of "history repeating itself." Pergamos was the seat of the ancient mysteries*. That which has been, may be again. Just as the deeds of Antiochus Epiphanes show us how another individual will do entirely, what he did partially.

• even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you…Antipas is specifically mentioned as a faithful. Although Scripture has no reference beyond what is said here, Antipas is an example of God’s servants who will be martyred during the tribulation period of Antichrist. This is revealed in Revelation 6:9, “I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held...”

*Pergamos with its grandeur altars within huge Hellenistic structures modeled pagan worship. The throne of Satan is easily connected to the worship of the god Asklepios that was prevalent in Pergamos. Asklepios was the god of healing and people came from all over the ancient world to Pergamos seeking to be healed at this pagan shrine. *Asklepios was given the title ‘savior’ and was depicted as a snake. Numerous nonpoisonous snakes would roam freely in his temple and these idol worshippers would be found laying down throughout the temple hoping to be healed by the touch of one of these snakes.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 14 Revelation 2 KJV 14 But I have a few things against thee,

V because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, V who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, V to eat things sacrificed unto idols, V and to commit fornication.

NAB 14 Nevertheless I hold a few matters against you:

V there are some among you who follow the teaching of Balaam, V who instructed Balak to throw a stumbling block in the way of the Israelites V by tempting them to eat food sacrificed to idols V and to practice fornication.

• Reference the history of Balaam (Numbers 22 through 25). The error of Balaam

is stated in the Book of Jude: Jude 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain,

V and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, V and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

• As Israel was tried and tested and failed in the wilderness period, Numbers 25,1;

31,16 similarly during the tribulation period of the Antichrist this form of idolatry will again appear wherein fornication will be made religion and when religion will be turned into fornication. Similar religious abominations committed by King Manasseh, 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 31 were the direct spiritual reason why God’s wrath caused Israel’s exile and captivity, Book of Daniel.

• This most insidious form of Biblical idolatry modeled in Scripture will again

appear in the day of the Lord: Revelation 9 20 And the rest of the men, which were not killed by these plagues

V yet repented not of the works of their hands, V that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and

stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders,

V nor of their sorceries, V nor of their fornication, V nor of their thefts.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 15 & 16 Revelation 2 KJV 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. NAB 15 Yes, you too have those among you who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. As discussed in verse 2:6 no known Biblical reference or historical documentation beyond tradition is known of this people who will be active during the tribulation. What is important is the fact that God hates them and the activities they will manifest in ‘that day’ will undoubtedly cause similar feelings among God’s servants.

------------------------------------ Revelation 2 KJV 16 Repent;

V or else I will come unto thee quickly, V and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

NAB 16 Therefore repent!

V If you do not, I will come to you soon V and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

• The Biblical consequence of idolatry is God’s wrath. Our Lord is telling this

community that will arise to REPENT! or else His retribution will be quick and merciless, Revelation 19: 11-21.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 17 Revelation 2 KJV 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

V To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, V and will give him a white stone, V and in the stone a new name written, V which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

NAB 17Let him who has ears heed the Spirit’s word to the churches!

V To the victor I will give the hidden manna; V I will also give him a white stone upon V which is inscribed a new name, V to be known only by his who receives it.

• To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna…this promise follows in the

order of Old Testament illustration. To Ephesus it was the tree of life (Genesis 2). To Smyrna it was not to be hurt of the second death (Genesis 3). Now, to Pergamos, it is the manna of Exodus 16:32-34. The false prophets and teachers were fed at Jezebel's table (I Kings 18: 19). So all these false teachers will be supported by the State of which the Beast will be the head. The faithful remnant of the woman's seed will be again driven into the wilderness (12:13-17). How beautiful to be reminded, that God can spread a table (not Jezebel's) for them in that wilderness, as He did of old (Psalm 78:19), when "man did eat angels' food, and sent them meat to the full" (Psalm 78: 24-25). It is this connection that the promise of the manna is given. In Exodus 16:34-35 the manna was specially given "until they came to a land inhabited." Until then, God has "hidden manna" with which to support His people.

• I will give unto him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written…This new name

for the new Israel is the referenced in Isaiah 62:2. It tells of the time when "Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name" (see also Isaiah 65:15). Revelation 19:11-16 is the fulfillment of this promise. What that new name will be is not yet revealed, but its association with the "white stone" reminds us that as they will be "a kingdom of priests," so they will have the priestly signs as Aaron had (Exodus 28:36). On the front of his mitre was a plate of gold "holy to the Lord." Here, instead of a plate of gold, it is a white stone, on which will be an inscription equivalent to Aaron's, with a new name: thus distinguishing believers from those who will worship the Beast and receive his mark in their forehead.

Those who will be on the earth in those days will thus be divided into two opposing parties: the party of the Beast, and that of the Lamb; each having its own distinctive mark or brand.

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The Fourth Epistle- Thyatira Revelation 2 verses 18-29

Thyatira – Symbolic of the Period of Israel’s Kings (1 and 2 Kings)

In the Epistle to Pergamos we found a reference to Balaam. Through his counsel (Numbers 31:16) Israel was led into the worst form of Midianitish idolatry (Numbers 25:3). The Epistle to Thyatira references a more intensified form of idolatry similar to the days of Ahab, king of Israel, similar to Balaam, he led Israel to sin (1 Kings 16:30). Ahab was the first king to introduce and organize the most abominable form of idolatry that the human mind ever conceived (1 Kings 16:33). To describe this form of idolatry will defile the mind. Even so, we will mention it in the examination of this Epistle. The Lord gives a clue to it in Revelation 2: 20-24. What was initially introduced by Balaam became evolved into a national religious system under Ahab and Jezebel. What this religious system of licentious (sexual) idolatry was will be made known in the foregoing pages; but an ancient document (published under the title Amherst Papyri-Oxford Press) describes the days of Israel’s kings in the following way:

And Manasseh turned aside his heart to serve Beliar [i.e., Belial]; for the angel of lawlessness who ruleth this world is Beliar, whose name is Malambuchus. And he delighted

in Jerusalem because of Manasseh, and made him strong in Jerusalem. And sorcery and magic increased, and divination and auguration and fornication and the persecution of the

righteous at the hands of Manasseh... And when Isaiah the son of Amoz, saw the lawlessness which was being committed in Jerusalem, and the worship of Satan, and his

triumph, he withdrew from Jerusalem, and settled in Bethlehem of Judea." The Papyrus goes on to speak of Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, as being "the teacher of the four hundred prophets of Baal;" and tells how Isaiah "called Jerusalem Sodom, and the rulers of Judah and Israel he named people of Gomorrah." This was in reference to the special sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.

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The Fourth Epistle- Thyatira

Introduction Continued

Many proofs abound to show that some similar system will be revived. No other system would more quickly and universally take hold upon the world, and unite all communities - even the worst of characters, by making all, to become religious, and yet able to degrade and gratify the instincts of human nature under the guise of religion.

There is no other form of corruption that seems to mark off the people of God more effectually, and cause them to be separated from the abounding wickedness around them.

Revelation 19 provides the best explanation of the awful character of Antichrist's great universal system of Religion, which even God's plagues, will have no effect upon the unjust, which will lead him to call down the yet greater judgments of "the seven vials."

These verses (Revelation 19:20-21) profoundly describe such a future:

"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils (demons), and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts."

Our point, however, must not be forgotten; the mention of the evil in these Epistles corresponds with the historical order of Israel's history in the Old Testament.

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The Promise to Thyatira Revelation 2:17

"To Him who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…and I will give Him the Morning Star”

Works are the basis for future judgment (Revelation 20:12-13; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6). However, works do not save (Ephesians 2:8-9),but they provide evidence of salvation (James 2:14-26). Those who have been faithful in tribulation will be exalted to higher places (Matthew 25: 14-28). The words of the Lord refer to the books of Numbers and Samuel. The promise is, "to him will give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star" (Revelation 2: 26-28).

This promise and prophecy was first foreshadowing in David; showing what was in store for David's Lord. In 2 Samuel 22:40,41, and 43, David exclaims:

"thou hast girded me with strength to battle; them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might

destroy them that hate me.... Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street" This was the theme of David's song "in the day that

the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies."

And this heralds the yet more glorious song in honor of David's Lord when the kingdoms of the world shall have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15).

Luke 1:31-33 also tells of Christ’s conquest, and reign on David's throne.

The promise is given in this fourth Epistle, because the prophecy of Numbers 24: 17-19 has never been completely fulfilled. "The day-spring (the morning star) did visit His people" (Luke 1:78); but He was rejected; and therefore the fulfillment remains in abeyance.

The promise here tells us the time is at hand for the fulfillment of it. Hence the promise is repeated; and in Revelation 20:4 we see it accomplished; for the "morning star" shall then have risen (Revelation 22:16), and the prophecy of Psalm 2 will be fulfilled.

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The History of Thyatira

Thyatira was town lying between Pergamos and Sardis. The city was located in a long valley and had no natural defenses. It had a long history of being destroyed and rebuilt. Originally, it was a station for the soldiers of Alexander the Great, but was little more than a military outpost to guarded Pergamos. Although the abominations in this Epistle refer to greater evils than that of Pergamos, the lack of defense may be the reason Satan seats himself in Pergamos (Revelation 2:13 and 13:2). Perhaps at this future time, Thyatira will become a military post guarding the seat of Satan in nearby Pergamos. Acts 16:14-40 describes the journey of Paul and Silas through Thyatira and the conversion of Lydia. However, there is also mention of Satanic forces at work just as they are in the Revelation Epistle and in a yet future time. Throughout their preaching in Thyatira, Paul and Silas are followed by “a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination.” Puthon as the Greek text describes it, “a spirit, a python.” The Python was a serpent destroyed, according to Greek Mythology, by Apollo, who was afterwards Pythius. The term Python became equivalent to a soothsaying demon, as in the case of this damsel who had an evil spirit controlling her. Nowadays, she would be called a medium. The Lord’s commission in Mark 16 was to cast out demons. For scholars to say the girl was simply a ventriloquist who became disillusioned or disconcerted when Paul (in Christ’s name) cast the demon from her, and by this supposedly lost her power, shows us what lengths are taken to explain away the supernatural.

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The Structure of The Epistle to Thyatria

In the first three Epistles: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, the Old Testament references are to the period of Israel’s wanderings in the Wilderness. In these last four Epistles the references are to the period of Israel in the Promised Land: Israel and Judah are placed alternately.

Israel comes first; for, idolatry began in the Ten Tribes, and these were first removed from the Land. Judah followed, and was afterwards removed as the Book of Daniel documents.

The first of these last four Epistles, therefore, compares the great apostasy of Israel under Ahab and Jezebel.

Few of us can realize what that apostasy was; or what was its character and extent. Jeroboam was the first who made Israel thus to sin, but it grew under Ahab and Jezebel. Under these two, organized idolatry of the grossest kind became the religion of the State, as opposed to the true religion established in Jerusalem. It had its own priesthood, so numerous and powerful that the prophet Elijah was specially raised up by God to do battle against them, and warn the people against the enormity of the evil. Yet again in a future time (as described in this Epistle) Elijah will perform a similar duty under more awful circumstances.

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The Structure of Thyatria

CONTINUED The structure of this Epistle is elaborate, as were the workings of that apostasy. But it is also very clear and unmistakable.

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 18- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:15) -18 Commendation C1 General Works 19- D1 Particulars (Love, Service, Faith, Service) -19- C2 General Works -19- D2 Particular Works “And the last…” -19 Reproof- The Guilty E1 The Woman-Jezebel 20 D1 Her Lack of Repentance 21 D2 Her Punishment 22 E2 The Assemblies 23 Reproof- The Innocent F1 Persons in General “To you and to the rest…” 24- G1 Particulars “As many as” -24- F2 Persons in General “I will put upon you…” -24 G2 Particulars “But that which ye have…” 25 Conclusion B2 Christ’s promise. Power… (compare Revelation 12:4; 19:5; 20:4) 26-28 A2 Christ’s command to assemblies to hear 29

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 18 Revelation 2 KJV 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write;

V These things saith the Son of God, V who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, V and his feet are like fine brass;

NAB 18"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

V The Son of God, V who has eyes like a flame of fire, V and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:

• Write these things saith the Son of God…this is the first time the Speaker is directly

named (the Son of God) and described by the attributes in His eyes and feet. Herein the Divine Author emphasizes that He and the Father are One: John 5:18.

• Who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire...To detect all evil and alrarm the evil-doers.

This is the first of the Divine Attributes mentioned in Revelation 1:14 & Daniel 10:6 and again in Revelation 19:12 (see also appendix 4). Thyatira on the surface may appear good, but the fire in our Lord’s Eyes seeing into heart of the church community as it really is will purge the evil within (John 2:24-25).

• And His feet are like fine brass… This tells of coming judgment, when the Lord will

tread the wicked under his feet. Isaiah 63: 1-6; 41:25; 14:25. See also Malachi 4:3; Daniel 8:7, 10; and compare Micah 4:13. Daniel 7:19. Deuteronomy 33:25. Job 40:18. The fulfilment of all this is seen in Revelation 19:13-15.

• As seen in the following Scriptures, our Lord’s Return is in wrath; the Earth will

resound with a shout of all peoples, all nations, all tongues:

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 18 continued Revelation 6 16...hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne,

V and from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 19 2 For true and righteous are his judgments:

• As seen in the following Scriptures, our Lord’s Return is in wrath; Isaiah 63 3 I have trodden the winepress alone;

V and of the people there was none with me: V for I will tread them in mine anger, V and trample them in my fury; V and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, V and I will stain all my raiment.

4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart,

V and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help;

V and I wondered that there was none to uphold: V therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; V and my fury, it upheld me.

6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger,

V and make them drunk in my fury, V and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

God’s words are very clear concerning the wrath to come. Our focus should be to serve. As Isaiah answered God’s call we must also invoke our Lord daily with the same petition: Isaiah 6 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

V Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? V Then said I, Here am I; send me.

9 And he said, Go, and tell this people,...

• God’s prophet Malachi echos the same warning, uplifting God’s children who will make a stand as each of the seven Epistles is addressed to “He that overcomes”

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 18 continued Malachi 4 1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven;

V and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: V and the day that cometh shall burn them up, V saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

2 But unto you that fear my name

V shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; V and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

3 And ye shall tread down the wicked;

V for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet V in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

• The fulfillment of the above Scriptures (as well as many others) is found in

Revelation 19. Revelation 19 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

V and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses,

V clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,

V that with it he should smite the nations: V and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and V he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

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V and charity, V and service, V and faith, V and thy patience, V and thy works; V and the last to be more than the first.

NAB 19 I know your deeds,

o and your love o and faith o and service o and perseverance, o and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

• These “Ands” form a figure of speech known as polysyndeton. The “ands” are placed for the purpose of reflection on all things mentioned in the verse.

• I know thy works, and thy love, and thy service, and thy faith…It is a question of "works" here, as in all these Epistles; and also of patient endurance in the Tribulation. Works are the basis for future judgment (Revelation 20:12-13; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6). However, works do not save (Ephesians 2:8-9),but they provide evidence of salvation (James 2:14-26). Those who have been faithful in tribulation will be exalted to higher places (Matthew 25: 14-28).

• Our Lord’s commendations to the Christians of the community of Thyatira: charity (love), service, faith, patience, works, is compounded by word and means there are many examples and works practicied by the Thyatiran community. For example the commendation of charity, love is taken from the many acts of love that are unstated but actually have taken place by these Christians in Thyatira. This is more emphatic by the words faith and service which means ministy, even though the Christians of Thyatira were under extreme persecution (see history of Thyatira), they were faithful to their Christian calling, ministry.

• There is an application to individuals in each of these Epistles, ‘He that overcomes’ can mean individuals (not just assemblies) actively practicing patient endurance.

• Your deeds of late are greater than at first....to editorialize the Lord’s statement, it does apply to those actively studying Scripture, Christ knows such efforts, and the works He has set aside for those in Him.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 20 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,

V because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, V which calleth herself a prophetess, V to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, V and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

NAB 20 But I have this against you,

V that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, V who calls herself a prophetess, V and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of

immorality V and eat things sacrificed to idols.

• the woman Jezebel, she herself a prophetess, and she teacheth and deceiveth my servants to

commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols…The reference here is to I Kings 16:30-34. All the evil is traced up to Jezebel (I Kings 21:25). The teaching is the same as that of Balaam, and of the Nicolaitanes—only it is more organized, and in the name of religion, and under the direct support of the State.

1 Kings 16 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

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1 Kings 21 25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

• This form of sexual idolatry was in existence during the period of Israel’s bondage in Egypt. The first Scriptural reference occurs in Exodus when Israel came out of Egypt by God’s Hand and is being led by our Lord into the promised land.

• Moses was told directly by the Lord when he came into the Promised Land to destroy all the groves and images of idolatrous worship practiced by the Canaanites.

Exodus 34 13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

• Groves in Hebrew are asherah which is a phalllic image, worshipped by libidinous rites and lascivious practices (see appendix 11).

• Balaam was outside Israel; Jezebel is within. This is what it will be in the days of

the Beast: and this is why these exhortations, teachings, and warnings are written in these Epistles. It is difficult to comprehend them, because, at present, we are not living in those days; therefore, we may find it difficult to apply them to ourselves.

• Three of the Assemblies are warned with regard to this evil. Ephesus (2:6);

Pergamos (2:14, 15); and Thyatira (2:20). And there is everything in the Apocalypse to show that that will be a special form of evil in the coming days of Antichrist on earth. See also 2 Kings 9:22, 30. Jeremiah 4:30. Nahum 3:4.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 21-22

Revelation 2 KJV 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;

V and she repented not. NAB 21 I gave her time to repent,

V and she does not want to repent of her immorality.

• And I gave her space in order that she might repent and she willeth not to repent of her fornication…We must read the history in the book of Kings in order to understand this; and see and note how it is connected with persecution, see I Kings 18:13, 14. It may have reference to the woman of Revelation 17:1-4, and to the scenes then going on in the earth. Compare chap. 18:3 and 8-l0). Also 9:20, 21.

• Our Lord is Longsuffering; He waits for His children to invite Him into their life, repenting of their evil deeds, thoughts and words. Paul declares through the Holy Spirit the consequences of sin:

Romans 2 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my

gospel.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 22 Revelation 2 KJV 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed,

V and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, V except they repent of their deeds.

NAB 22'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness,

V and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, V unless they repent of her deeds.

• Jezebel used a luxurious bed to commit her immorality, and the reclining couch

at the idol feast to eat things offered to false gods. The punishment here is in contrast to Jezebel being thrown out of a window in 2 Kings 9:30-34, but rest assure, whatever manner of death she dies will be just as gruesome.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 23 continued 23 And I will kill her children with death;

V and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: V and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

NAB 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

• I will strike her children dead…Death here means pestilence. When we see in John’s vision, Rev. 1,10, our Lord opening the 4th Seal of the 4th horsemen of the Apocalypse we are actually viewing consequences of sin on Earth that will take place during the ‘tribulation period of the antichrist’.

Revelation 5 *8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. • And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth,

to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. *This will be elaborated upon examining chapter 5.

• God’s knows every thought, word, and deed: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works - judgment encompasses not only wrath but blessings and rewards, Matthew 6:20.

Related to this is our Lord’s one specific command that resounds throughout the Bible: Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verse 24 Revelation 2 KJV 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira,

V as many as have not this doctrine, V and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; V I will put upon you none other burden.

NAB 24'But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira,

V who do not hold this teaching, V who have not known the deep things of Satan, V as they call them--I place no other burden on you.

• But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira…this message is directed to Thyatira,

but all believers should make note of Christ’s Words and reflect on the personal application of the message.

• The depths of Satan… In 1 Corinthians and Romans 11 we read that God has

divine depths: 1 Corinthians 2 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Romans 11:33 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

• The second chapter of Corinthians encourages believers to move away from the wisdom of man and rely on the wisdom of God. Romans 11 glorifies the knowledge of God and the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 2 exalt Christ crucified. The first letter of John also emphasis Christ’s victory over death (5:6).

• Here, in verse 24, we read of “the depths of Satan.” In Satan’s depths we find a

refuting of the truth stated in the above Scriptures. Historically, John was fighting off the false doctrine of Gnosticism. Gnosticism was a working of Satan ministered through false teachers infiltrating the early church. It valued the mind’s knowledge and preached that individuals could participate in bodily evil and not harm the spirit. Gnostics accepted Jesus as Christ, but believed His spirit entered His body at baptism and left it before the crucifixion.

• In Revelation 13 we read of other Satanic depths, but the real "depths" are in

turning sensual indulgence into religion;

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verses 25-26 Revelation 2 KJV 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. NAB 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.

• That which you have already hold fast till I come…hold fast here means to cling to dearly. It is important for all believers to cling to the faith and not let the cares of this world choke the Word of God from our hearts (Matthew 13:18-24). We must hold fast to it, so that in His coming we shall rejoice (Luke 21: 27-28).

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Revelation 2 KJV 26 And he that overcometh,

V and keepeth my works unto the end, V to him will I give power over the nations:

NAB 26'He who overcomes,

V and he who keeps My deeds until the end, V to him I will give authority over the nations;

He that…keepeth my works …keeps in mind, as to ponder over, and understand. And he that overcometh…according to John to be an overcomer is to be a Christian. This means they must keep Christ’s works until the end. 1 John 5 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

• Overcomers are those who believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and everything that means. Overcomers include all believers 1 John 2:13.

• The Greek word for overcomer means, “to conquer,” “to have victory,” “to have

superiority,” or “conquering powers.” The word reflects a genuine superiority. It involves overthrowing an enemy so that all see the victory. Our Lord used this same word to describe Himself in John 16:33. Believers are in Christ and partake of His victory (Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 2:14). Partakers who have proven their trustworthiness in this life by doing the will of God to the end will see this end. This is the exalted destiny to which all believers should strive.

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Revelation 2 Verse by Verse Verses 27-29 Revelation 2 KJV 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron;

V as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: V even as I received of my Father.

NAB 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron,

V as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, V as I also have receive authority from My Father;

• rule them with a rod of iron….This scene is mentioned in Revelation 12:10 and

19:15-21 (see also ap. 5). The iron rod of the Lord is first mentioned in Psalm 2:7-9. Many quote only the first part in support of spreading the gospel to all nations, “ask of me and I will give the heathen for thine inheritance,” they stop short of mentioning the remainder, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: and shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." The asking is for the destruction of the wicked and Christ gives for that purpose. The promise is to the Assembly in Thyatira, for the circumstances called for it.

------------------------------ Revelation 2 KJV 28 And I will give him the morning star. NAB 28 and I will give him the morning star.

• Christ is the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16). The Morning Star has already dawned in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19), someday we willl have Him in His fullness.

• The promise of this fullness is fulfilled in Revelation 22:16. But the prophecy is

in Numbers 24:17, which connects it with Israel and with the day of the Lord's judgment, "there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth."

------------------------------ Revelation 2 KJV 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NAB 29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

• He that hath an ear…these words were never used by anyone but the Lord. While on earth he used them only seven times and eight after His resurrection. Here in verse 29 is the fourth mention in Revelation. The Lord uses the words to emphasize and call attention to the utterance He had just made.

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Revelation 3 Chapter Read (KJV) Verses 1-8 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;

V These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; V I know thy works, V that thou hast a name V that thou livest, and art dead.

2 Be watchful,

V and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: V for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard,

V and hold fast, V and repent. V If therefore thou shalt not watch, V I will come on thee as a thief, V 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;

V and they shall walk with me in white: V for they are worthy.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;

V and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, V 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. 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

V These things saith he that is holy, V he that is true, V he that hath the key of David, V he that openeth, and no man shutteth; V and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works:

V behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: V for thou hast a little strength, V and hast kept my word, V and hast not denied my name.

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Revelation 3 Chapter Read (KJV) Verses 9-17 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,

V which say they are Jews, V and are not, but do lie; V behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, V and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,

V I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, V which shall come upon all the world, V to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly:

V hold that fast which thou hast, V that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,

V and he shall go no more out: V and I will write upon him the name of my God, V and the name of the city of my God, V which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: V 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. 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

V These things saith the Amen, V the faithful and true witness, V the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works,

V that thou art neither cold nor hot: V I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,

V I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich,

V and increased with goods, V and have need of nothing; V and knowest not that thou art wretched, V and miserable, V and poor, V and blind, V and naked:

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Revelation 3 Chapter Read (KJV) Verses 18-22 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;

V and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, V and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; V and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:

V be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

V if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, V and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,

V even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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The Fifth Epistle- Sardis Revelation 3 verses 1-6

Sardis – Symbolic of the Period of Israel’s Removal From The Land

(1 and 2 Chronicles)

We have had four references to Israel's history in the Old Testament, In Scripture, four is the number connected with the earth. Here again, we see four connected with Israel in the earth and the Land; and with the culminating sin of departure from the love of God manifested to the Nation. Israel had "left her first love," forsaken God, and joined herself to idols in the most abominable form.

This is the climax of Israel's sin. All else in this history is judgment, until Israel is removed from the Land and taken away out of God's sight. His name is practically blotted out. So blotted out, in fact, that men speak today of the lost* ten tribes.

In Deuteronomy 29 there is the threat to blot out the name of the "man" or "tribe" who shall introduce idolatry. As a matter of fact, the Tribes of Dan and Ephraim were the first to introduce it; and their names are blotted out from the tribes of those who are to be sealed in Revelation 7.

It is in this Epistle, next in order (to the assembly at Sardis) that we have the reference to this silence and blotting out: "He that overcometh... 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" ~Revelation 3:5

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The Promise to Sardis Revelation 3:5

"He that overcometh... 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"

This refers to the times of David — and the end of his reign,

It is a double promise, negative and positive, and both have to do with the names of individuals.

The reference is to "the last words of David" in 2 Samuel 23:8. They follow "the words of this song" in the previous chapter.

These "last words of David" were uttered as he was about to give up the throne and the kingdom to his son Solomon; when the conflict was to end, and issue in dominion, and in a glorious reign of peace: foreshadowing the time when this promise of Revelation 3:5 is about to be fulfilled, and the Apocalyptic judgments are about to issue in the millennial glory of Christ.

"I will not blot out his name."

"I will confess his name."

This is the double promise, and it is exactly what we see in the history of David referred to.

David is confessing the names of his overcomers, and the confessing of them begins, "These be the names of the mighty men whom David had" (2 Samuel 23:8).

They had "gathered themselves to him" in the day of his rejection. For, though he had been anointed as king, he was not as yet sitting on his own throne, but was in the cave Adullam, or the place of testimony.*

* Adullam means their testimony.

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The Promise to Sardis Continued

They had gone to him in their distress and debt and bitterness of soul (I Samuel 22:1-2), and David "became a captain over them." They had followed him through all his conflicts: and now, on the eve of the era of glory and peace, their names are confessed before all. Their deeds are announced, and their exploits are recorded. But there are some who are "blotted out." Joab is not there, though "Abishai, the brother of Joab," is there (2 Samuel 23:18); "Asahel, the brother of Joab," is there (verse 24); "Nahari...armour-bearer to Joab," is there (verse 37); but not Joab himself. He was a "mighty man." He had been the commander-in-chief of David's forces, a valiant soldier, a great statesman and wise counselor; but, while he was all this and more, he was not an overcomer, for his heart was not right with David. He remained loyal when Absalom rebelled; but he took part in the treason of Adonijah. Ahithophel is not there; though we read of "Eliam the son of Ahithophel" (verse 34). He was David's greatest counselor; so wise, that when he spoke "it was as if a man had enquired at the oracle (or word) of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). But he was not an overcomer, and he is not "confessed" even before men. He took sides with Absalom in his rebellion; and he is blotted out from this list of names. Abiathar, too, is blotted out, for not even is his name here. He was David's beloved friend (1 Samuel 22:20-23), but he was not an overcomer. He remained loyal in the treason of Absalom, but joined in that of Adonijah. The other names are duly confessed.

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The Promise to Sardis Continued

The scene is unspeakably solemn; and has, by application, a warning voice for all. But, by interpretation, it comes with special force in this promise to the Assembly at Sardis, and refers to the fulfilment of Matthew 10: 32-33 and Luke 12:8-9. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Thus this promise refers not only to that solemn past scene in Israel's history, but is shown to be closely connected with the Four Gospels, and points on to the scenes of final judgment and glory in connection with David's Lord, and "a greater than Solomon."

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The History of Sardis The spiritual darkness of false teaching and sinful living extinguished the light of the Church of Sardis - the reason why our Lord proclaimed this a dead church. The downward evil descent of these churches beginning with Ephesus loss of its first love for Jesus Christ; Pergamos worldliness and Thyatira’s toleration of sin, reached a new low at Sardis. Sardis may be proclaimed the first church of the tares, the Kenites, the children of the evil one, Matthew 13 (see appendix 10). Sardis was an assembly of people that had actual historic roots, was dominated by sin, unbelief and false doctrine. Sardis symbolizes the dead churches that have existed throughout history and those churches that will continue to exist unto the Day of the Lord. It symbolizes the fig tree our Lord cursed in Matthew 21:19 that bore leaves but no fruit. Sardis was probably founded as an outreach of Paul’s ministry at Ephesus, Acts 19:10. Sardis a city founded in 1200 B.C. was one of the greatest cities in the ancient world; the capital of the wealthy Lydian kingdom. It was rich in wealth through gold taken from the nearby Pactolus River. Archaeologists have found hundreds of crucibles used for refining gold in the ruins of Sardis. Gold and silver coins were apparently first minted at Sardis. The city was located at the western end of the royal road that led east to the Persian capital city of Susa, the center for many trade routes. It was also a center for wool production and the garment industry, one claim is that Sardis discovered how to dye wool. Sardis was located about 30 miles from Thyatira in the fertile valley of the Hermus River, and stood about 1500 feet above the valley floor. The location made Sardis all but impregnable with rock walls on three sides and with only one approach to the city. Even in John’s day a proverbial saying ‘to capture the acropolis of Sardis was equated with ‘to do the impossible’.

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The History of Sardis continued

Sardis came under Roman control in 133 B.C. An earthquake destroyed the city in A.D. 17 and was rebuilt by Emeror Tiberius. The citizens of Sardis, in tribute, built a temple in his honor. The city’s main worship was the goddess Cybele, the mother of the gods, the same goddess worshipped at Ephesus as Artemis (Diana). Not far from the city were hot spring that were celebrated as a spot in which the gods manifested their supposed power to give life to the dead - an ironic note for a city whose church was dead. In John’s day Sardis was prosperous but decaying, its glory days long past. Both the city and the church it contained had lost their vitality. One bright soul in the history of Sardis known to history was Melito. He was an apologist who wrote in defense of Christianity serving as bishop of Sardis in the late 2nd century. He also wrote the earliest known commentary on passages from Revelation.

Interestingly, there is no mention in this letter, nor in the history of Sardis concerning persecution of Christians. The answer is quite obvious: why would

Satan bother to persecute a dead church that professed false doctrine, false teachers, or corrupt living?

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The Structure of The Epistle to Sardis

In this Epistle the Old Testament reference is to the period of Israel's removal from the Land. Where, as the separate kingdom of the Ten Tribes, her name is practically blotted out, as applied to the Ten Tribes.

In Deuteronomy 29, God declares of those who shall turn away from Him "to go and serve the gods of these nations" (v. 18), that He will "blot out his name from under heaven (v. 20).

This was fulfilled first in the case of the Ten-Tribed Kingdom of Israel. It was Jeroboam who first "made Israel to sin." This is his special mark by which he was best known. In forming the Ten-Tribed Kingdom he was at once cut off from Jerusalem and the worship which God had established there. Religion of some kind must be the basis of government, so Jeroboam made his own religion: and in a yet future day the Beast will have his own universal religion; as we shall see.

A similar warning, therefore, and a similar teaching, will be needed by those who shall be living on the earth in the days of which the Apocalypse treats.

Hence we have in the epistle the reference to Israel's removal from the Land

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 1- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:4,20) -1- Reproof C1 Accusation -1 D1 Warning “Be Watchful” 2- D2 Warning “Remember & Repent” 3- C2 Threatening “If, therefore,” -3 Commendation E1 Persons. Commendation 4- F1 Character. “Which have not…” -4- F2 Consequence “And they shall…” -4- E2 Persons. Reason. -4 Conclusion B2 Christ’s promise (White Raiment. Book of Life compare 5 Revelation 19:8; 13:8; 17:8; 21:12; 21:27) A2 Christ’s command to hear 6

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 1 Revelation 3 KJV 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;

V These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; V I know thy works, V that thou hast a name V that thou livest, and art dead.

NAB 1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

V He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: V 'I know your deeds, V that you have a name V that you are alive, but you are dead.

• And unto the Angel of the Assembly in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven

spirits of God… the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, Revelation 1:20 and the ‘seven spirits’ of God. Some believe the Holy Spirit is represented by the stars, but the Holy Spirit, as co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, could not be properly spoken of as a possession of Christ; and placed on the same footing as the seven stars, "which are the angels of the seven assemblies."

• In Revelation 1 verse 4 the Seven Spirits are viewed before the throne of

God.They are defined by Paul in Hebrews below: Hebrews 1 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

• These angels are the seven lamps of fire before God’s Throne, Revelation 4:5.

• And in Revelation 8 they are God’s seven angels who blow the seven trumpets which bring about the tribulations on Earth during the time of the Antichrist and again they are the seven angels who pour out the seven vials upon the Earth bringing unparalleled affliction upon those who take the mark of the beast and worship it’s image.

Revelation 8 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

• When Christ speaks of having these seven Spirits they are not attributes but are in His Power for use and command to cast down, to punish, to remove, to exalt fulfilling His Will, God’s Plan.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 1 continued Revelation 3 KJV 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;

V 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… There is no commendation to the assembly at Sardis as to Ephesus, Smyrna, and Thyatira. Herein our Lord declares this church dead. On the surface this church appears to have spiritual life, but this is in name and reputation only. This church on the surface appeared to have life but our Lord’s omniscience declares it spiritually dead; He knows the conduct, the deeds, the thoughts of the members of this assembly.

• It may be characteristic of similar assemblies today being defiled and caught up

in the world - unredeemed people playing church. Spiritual death in the New Testament is always connected with sin. Those who proclaim the spiritual desire to become disciples of Christ but instead are serving the world:

Luke 9 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

• A dead church focuses on society and it’s idiosyncrasies rather than changing people’s hearts through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• A dead church is more concerned with the material world rather than the

spiritual reality of God’s love for His children.

• A dead church is more concerned with what men think than what God tells us in His Holy Word.

• A dead church follows traditions of men rather than God’s Word that gives

spiritual life.

• A dead church is one that losses conviction that every ‘Word of the Bible’ is the Word of God......

• A church has life when the members hold Jesus first in their thoughts, their

words, their actions - when the words, the conversations of the people are centered on Christ, the Word of God and the deeds, actions of it’s people are centered in Will of God in Christ’s Name.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 2 Revelation 3 KJV 2 Be watchful,

V and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: V for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

NAB 2 'Wake up,

V and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; V for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

• Be watchful… The ‘watchfulness’ required here is that which our Lord foretold in

Luke 21 and Mark 13 Mark 13 34 And take heed to yourselves,

V lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, V and cares of this life, V and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always,

V that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, V and to stand before the Son of man.

• strengthen the things which remain …the members of the assembly of Sardis had deeds, but they were incomplete not acceptable to God, pleasing perhaps to man but not to our Father.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 3 Revelation 3 KJV 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard,

V and hold fast, V and repent. V If therefore thou shalt not watch, V I will come on thee as a thief, V and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

NAB 3 'So remember what you have received and heard;

V and keep it, V and repent V Therefore if you do not wake up, V I will come like a thief, V and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

• remember what you have received and heard…Christ’s warning that He will come as a

thief is repeated from Matthew 24:36, 25:13; & Revelation 16:15 Matthew 25 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Revelation 16 15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 3 continued Revelation 3 KJV 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard…

V I will come on thee as a thief, V and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

• We are commanded to be ‘watchers’, the simplicity of our Lord’s word is

revealed in 1 Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 5 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say,

V Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, V as travail upon a woman with child; V and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness,

V that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light,

V and the children of the day: V we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. The thief is to be watched against (John 10) as the False Messiah uses peace and prosperity to deceive the peoples of the Earth. Christ will return, not as the Paschal Lamb, the Suffering Servant but with the ‘cup of wrath’ that He will pour out on those who accept the Mark of the Beast and worship the Image set up by Antichrist, Revelation 6:15-17. Hebrews 10 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me,

V I will recompense, saith the Lord. V And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 4 Revelation 3 KJV 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments;

V and they shall walk with me in white: V for they are worthy.

NAB 4'But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments;

V and they will walk with Me in white, V for they are worthy.

• Thou hast a few names even in Sardis…these names are evidently the distinguishing

point in this Epistle, for we read in the next verse of names being not blotted out, and confessed. Our Father always has his remnant even in a dead church, Romans 11:1-5. These few stalks of wheat among the tares, Matthew 13, have not defiled their garments meaning their character, their love of God through the Son, Isaiah 64:6, Jude 23. They will walk with Christ because they have not defiled themselves but have manifested themselves as His servants in word, deed, and thought. The promise is fulfilled in Revelation 19:

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 5 Revelation 3 KJV 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;

V and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, V but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

NAB 5'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments;

V and I will not erase his name from the book of life, V and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

• He that overcometh…This address is contained in all the Epistles to the seven

churches. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is addressed to God’s servants (Revelation 1:1). Those who will make a stand on God’s Word, who will witness against the Antichrist, who have the Seal of God in their minds.

• Here in verse 5 our Lord blesses those that overcome with 3 specific promises:

1st He that overcomes shall be clothed in white raiment.

• In the Gospel of John our Lord reveals He is going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2). God tells us in Revelation 14 that those who endure will rest from their labors and that the works of those who die in the Lord will follow them:

Revelation 14 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write,

V Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: V Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; V and their works do follow them.

• Works are righteous acts, acts of mercy - in thought, word and deed. The reward

above is mentioned in Matthew 25:31-35, verse 4 above, and Daniel below Daniel 12 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;

V and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 5 continued Revelation 3 KJV 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment… 2nd. He that overcomes... I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.

• The ‘Book of Life’ is mentioned 7 times in Revelation, beginning with in chapter 3. Daniel’s vision of the tribulation period also mentions the “Book of Life.’

Daniel 12 1...and there shall be a time of trouble,

V such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: V and at that time thy people shall be delivered, V every one that shall be found written in the book.

As revealed below, the fulfillment of this prophecy occurs during the tribulation period of the Antichrist, when only the elect are preserved from the deception of the Beast. Revelation 13 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,

V 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:

V and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, V whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the

world, V when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 5 continued Revelation 3 KJV 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment…

• After the final assault of Satan the Great White Throne Judgment occurs. This is where the book of life is mentioned.

Revelation 20 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;

V and the books were opened: V and another book was opened, which is the book of life: V and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, V according to their works.

Revelation 20 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

• Those written therein will be the citizens of God’s Holy City, Jerusalem, Rev 21: Revelation 21 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth,

V neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: V but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

• God’s Word must never be tampered with - a warning to those who prophecy

out of their own mouth, Ezekiel 13, 1 Peter 4, 17, Revelation 22 Revelation 22 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,

V God shall take away his part out of the book of life, V and out of the holy city, V and from the things which are written in this book.

Luke 10 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,

V and over all the power of the enemy: V and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you;

V but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 3rd. Our Lord’s promise... I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 6 Revelation 3 KJV 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NAB 6'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

• The Holy Spirit is speaking God’s Word, His Plan, to His servants hear them and heed them. Our Lord’s Word,

Mark 13 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

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The Sixth Epistle- Philadelphia Revelation 3 verses 7-13

Philadelphia – Symbolic of the Period of Judah’s Kings

(2 Chronicles) We’ve had two references to Israel's history, and now we are to have two references to Judah's. Unlike Israel, the references to Judah will not focus on failure, sin and judgment; but to the hope of restoration and blessing. In our study of Israel, we read of Ahab. The king of Israel who provoked the Lord to anger by being the first to introduce and establish the Asherah worship (see ap. 11). Now, in our study of Judah, and in the Epistle to the assembly of Philadelphia, we read of another king-Hezekiah- king of Judah, who did much to destroy the Asherah and cast it out. In 2 Chronicles 31:1, Hezekiah "brake in pieces the pillars and hewed down the Asherim." Hezekiah is mentioned with the two men that reigned before him: Jotham and Ahaz. Each of these kings is mentioned in connection with the temple:

• Jotham "entered not into the temple of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 27:2). • Ahaz "shut up the doors of the house of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 28: 24). • Hezekiah, at the beginning of his reign, "in the first year, in the first month,

opened the doors of the house of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 29:3). This is peculiar to the epistle of Philadelphia in that our Lord mentions the temple in the same language as it was mentioned in the history above.

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The Sixth Epistle- Philadelphia continued

In Isaiah 22:22 there is a further reference to this point. Shebna, the Treasurer, had misused his trust for his own glorification (Isaiah 22:15-19). On this account he was ordered to be deposed, by Divine command, and "the key of the house of David" was laid upon the shoulder of Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah (verses 20-25): "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so the shall open, and none shall shut, and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Eliakim means God will raise up: and there can be no doubt whatever that we have here a prophetic reference to Christ, whom God would raise up. Indeed, the whole passage (verses 20-25) reads more like prophecy than history; and points very distinctly forward to the Temple which He Himself will build, and will fill with His glory. It is remarkable to notice how, in writing to this Assembly in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7), the Lord takes these very words and applies them to Himself, saying: "These things saith he... that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth;

and shutteth, and no man openeth." The reference here to Isaiah 22:22 is unmistakable, and it is clear that we have a reference to another closely connected event in the Old Testament history. With this reference we can understand the Lord’s announcement to the Assembly of Philadelphia in Revelation 3:8

"Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." And we can understand also the reference to the Temple in the promise:

"I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out" (Revelation 3:12).

We are taken right on, beyond Jerusalem and its Temple, to the days of final blessing, even to the new Jerusalem and "the Temple of my God," when Isaiah 62: 2 shall be fulfilled:

"And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name."

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127

The Promise to Philadelphia

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, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and my new name."

This refers to the times of Solomon, as does the seventh epistle (Laodicea). In this epistle the reference is to the "Temple" and to the "City;" In the next epistle, it is to the "Throne."

The reference here to Solomon is unmistakable.

It was Solomon who built the first temple, and put in its porch those mysterious pillars "Jachin and Boaz" (1 Kings 7:13-22; 2 Chronicles 3:17).

"And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin (i.e., He shall establish): and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz (i.e., In it is strength)."

Strength and permanence were thus announced to all who entered that wondrous Temple.

The Temple of God is brought in this Epistle into contrast with the Synagogue of Satan, and those who "say they are Jews and are not." That synagogue has neither strength nor permanence. But the overcomers are endowed with Divine strength, and shall have eternal inheritance, for they "shall go no more out."

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The Promise to Philadelphia continued

Moreover, the promise refers to the name of the overcomer being written in "the city of my God."

The glory of the city is proclaimed in many Psalms such as 48, 122, and 87. "Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: In the City of our God -- His holy mount. Beautiful for situation, The joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, The sides of the north, the city of the great king.

As we have heard, so have we seen; In the city of the Lord of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it for ever" (Psalm 48:1-2, 8)

"His foundation is in the holy mountains. Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.

The promise in Revelation 3:12 refers to the New Jerusalem (Revelation chapters 21-22). If the earthly city of David and Solomon was such that "glorious things" were spoken of it as "the city of God," what will be the glories of that city which "cometh down out of heaven from my God"?

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The History of Philadelphia The Church of Philadelphia and the Church of Smyrna are the only two assemblies of people that are called out among the seven churches commended by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian communities within these two churches were faithful and obedient, serving and worshipping the Lord. This model of loyal Christians then and in the Lord’s day are those who made and will make a ‘stand on God’s Word’, who do witness against the Antichrist Sardis and Smyrna were located in the Hermus River valley. Philadelphia was located in a smaller valley branching off to the southeast of the Hermus Valley that ascended almost one-half mile to a vast central plateau, about 28 miles from Sardis. Philadelphia the youngest of the seven cities was founded after 189 B.C. by King Eumenes of Pergamos or by his brother, Attalus II who succeeded him as king. The city derived its name from Attalus’ nickname Philadelphus (brother lover) because of his loyalty to his brother Eumenes. Philadelphiia was situated on an easily defensible 800 foot high hill that overlooked an important road. It was not founded as a military outpost as Thyatira, but as a center of Greek culture and language. It was a ‘missionary’ outpost for the spreading of Hellenism to the regions of Lydia and Phrygia. By A.D.19 the Lydian language was completely replaced by Greek. Philadelphia was located at the junction of several important trade routes and a regular stop on the Imperial Post Road. It came to be known as the ‘Gateway to the East’. Philadelphia was known for its grape industry, textiles and leather goods. Philadelphia’s location was on the edge of what was called the ‘burned land’, a volcanic region whose fertile soil was ideally suited for vineyards. In A.D. 17 a powerful earthquake rocked Philadelphia, along with Sardis and ten nearby cities. The majority of the destruction effected Sardis. Caesar Tiberius financed the rebuilding of Philadelphia and in gratitude these cities erected a monument to him - continuing the practice of emperor worship.

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The History of Philadelphia Continued

However, because Philadelphia was located nearer to the epicenter it experienced frequent after shocks that were continuouis during future years. This on-going experience caused pyschological scars wherein many of the residents would often live in tents outside of the city during these periods of after shocks. It is probable that this period of volcanic activity and continuous danger existed during the period of the Seven Epistles to the churches. Philadelphia changed its name to Neocaesarea for a number of years. Decades later it again changed its name to Flavia in honor of the ruling Roman Imperial family. It would be known by both names, Philadelphia and Flavia into the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In addition to emperor worship, Dionysis was the major pagan god, the people also worshiped sun and serpent gods. Philadelphia, the last of the Byzantine cities was captured by the Turks in 1390. Christians lived there until the early 1900s. When and how the church was established there in not known, but it prospered for many centuries.

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131

The Structure of The Epistle to Philadelphia

In these last two epistles the Old Testament illustrations are from the period of the Kings and Kingdom of Judah; and after the removal of Israel. The one is from the days of Hezekiah; and the other is from the days of the Minor Prophets, before and after the return from Babylon, when hope of restoration was held out to the people. Those who will be on the earth in the days, to which the Apocalypse refers, will need the instruction, which such illustrations will give; for they will be days when all hope of restoration from man has gone, and the people can hope only in God. It will be a time of trial; but the promise of being kept in it is made, and the hope of being delivered out of it is given. Those who have this promise fulfilled in them are seen in chapters 7, 14, and 15. They go into but come “out of” the Great Tribulation. They are afterwards seen standing before the throne, with Christ upon the throne. They will serve God and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth (See Revelation 7:14-17; 14: 1-5; 15:1-4). The structure of this assembly exhibits these promises. The time of trial has sifted and separated the people, and there are those now who have kept the words of this book in remembrance, to whom these promises can be made.

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 7- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:18) -7 C1 Statement “I know” 8- D1 Reason “for thous hast,” -8 C2 Statement “Behold” 9- D2 Promise “Behold” -9 E1 Statement “Because” 10 F1 Promise “I also will keep,” -10 E2 Statement “Behold I come” 11- F2 Exhortation “Hold that fast,” -11 Conclusion B2 Christ’s promise. Pillar in Temple, New Name, New Jerusalem (21:2; 22:4) 12 A2 Christ’s command to hear 13

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 7 Revelation 3 KJV 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

V These things saith he that is holy, V he that is true, V he that hath the key of David, V he that openeth, V and no man shutteth; V and shutteth, V and no man openeth;

NAB 7. To the presiding spirit of the church in Philadelphia write this:

V “The holy One, the true, V who wields David’s key, V who opens and no one can close, V who closes and no one can open, V has this to say:

• Seven attributes of Christ are mentioned. The seven is divided, into three and

four. Three relate to what He is and hath: 1. He that is holy. 2. He that is true. 3. He that hath the key of David.

• Four relate to what He does and does not do:

4. He that openeth 5. And none shut 6. That Shutteth 7. And none openeth

• He that is holy…or the Holy One, This is a title of Deity (Hosea 11:9; Habakuk

3:3). It is given to Christ )Psalm 16:10 Acts 3:14). The usual form of this title in the Old Testament is “the Holy One of Israel’; but Istael is now removed, and the illustration is from Judah.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 7 continued Revelation 3 KJV 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

V These things saith he that is holy, V he that is true…

• He that is true…The Greek word here is alethinos (meaning real) not alethes (meaning

true). It denotes what is real and genuine in constrast to all that is merely typical. It is usded of God whenever referenced or contrasted to idols.

• Our Lord declares in John 14 verse 6... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no

man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Throughout Scripture and into present day, we see a continued diversity between those who worship the True God and those who worship idols.

1 Thessalonians 1: 9 and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;’ John the Apostle also wrote of this conflict 1 John 5: 19 And we know that we are of God,

V and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come,

V and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, V and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. V This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

• At present, idolatry has taken on many more subtle, intellectual and sexual forms, wherein the mind and thus the spirit are turned from God unto devices of man’s mechanical evolution and his tolerance of sexual immorality of the grossest kind under the guise of religion.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 7 continued Revelation 3 KJV 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

V These things saith he that is holy, V he that is true, V he that hath the key of David…

• He that hath the Key of David refers to the period of Judah’s history described in

Isaiah 22. Jerusalem was about to be taken into captivity and instead of repenting they were feasting. The Treasurer, Shebna had misused the king’s trust for his own glorification, Isaiah 22:15-19. He "who was over the house" (Shebna), carried the key of David in token of his office; and he presumptuously thought he was going to retain his office and his dignity, and finally be buried in the magnificent sepulchre he had prepared for himself in the rock, but he was removed by God’s Divine Command and ‘the key of the house of David ‘ was given to Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, verses 20-25: And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

The use of ‘the key of David’ denotes access to the ‘house’ and ‘throne’ of David and implies Regal dominion. It is the Throne of God’s Kingdom that is referred to; foretold by God in the Scripture below: Luke 1 32 He shall be great,

V and shall be called the Son of the Highest: V and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

• Our Lord Jesus Christ is the One Subject of the Word of God, Luke 24:27,44,

He is the promised “Seed” of the woman, Genesis 3:15. Christ is the ‘Master Key’ to the Divine Revelation of the Word. The whole Bible is about Him directly or indirectly, and as everything centers in and around Him, apart from Him it cannot be understood and therefore He describes Himself as: ‘He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth’.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 8

Revelation 3 KJV 8 I know thy works:

V behold, I have set before thee an open door, V and no man can shut it: V for thou hast a little strength, V and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

NAB 8 ‘I know your deeds:

V that is why I have left an open door before you which no one can close. V I know that your strength is limited; V yet you have held fast to my word and have not denied my name.

• I have set before thee an open door…The keys to the Kingdom belong to Christ,

(Revelation 1:18); but the opening of the kingdom, in testimony, was committed to Peter, and Peter used those keys in his ministry in Acts 1-12 Against that kingdom the "gates of the grave" should not prevail.

• The open door describe above can refer only to deliverance, as when the opened

door was set before Peter (Acts 12: 10; compare Isaiah 49:9-10). Their enemies shall acknowledge the Lord's protecting power. A common misinterpretation holds it as meaning an open door for service. in I Corinthians 16:9 Paul uses it to imply deliverance from the "many adversaries"; and in 2 Corinthians 2:12 the reference is clearly to deliverance from Satan's "devices" (v. 11); in Colossians 4:3 the reference is to deliverance from his "bonds."

Thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, …keeping the Lord’s Words is the one important injunction (command) throughout, and is obeyed by those who are addressed here. and hast not denied my name …by receiving another "name"; even the name of the Beast. This, too, refers to another special injunction so peculiarly applicable to, and characteristic of, the coming days of the great Tribulation. (See Rev. 13:17; 14: 9, 11, 12). Here is the description of those very days referred to, in this epistle.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 9 Revelation 3 KJV 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,

V which say they are Jews, V and are not, but do lie; behold, V I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, V and to know that I have loved thee.

9 I mean to make some of Satan’s assemble,

V those self-styled Jews V who are not really Jews but frauds, V come and fall down at your feet; V they will learn of my love for you in that way.

• The synagogue of Satan… see appendix 10. These mysterious people claim to be

Jews and meet in their assemblies (or synagogues), but it is "the synagogue of Satan." They claim to be "fellow-servants" (Matthew 24:49). Those who will be on the Earth at that time will know and experience what these words mean because they will see the Kenite people enacting it. At present, it is for us to believe that there are tares among the wheat working for the benefit of their father Satan (Matthew 13: 24-43; John 8:44).

• I will make them to come and worship before they feet… trouble and persecution and trial

are the lot of the church; this was plainly foretold to us during the time of the Lord's rejection until the time when He shall come. To be hated because He was hated; this is our portion now, from which no hope of reprieve is held out to us. But this homage spoken of here belongs to Israel by right in a yet future day. To see this we have to read only such passages as Isaiah. 45:14; 49: 22, 23; 60: 14; 66:1-4, 5, 14. It is Israel that continually suffers atrocities and hatred of individuals, nations, and peoples. If we only turned to Isaiah 60:14 we would see clearly that this worship is towards Israel:

"The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee:And all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of they feet."

• The promise made to Christ will be shared in by His people Israel

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 10 Revelation 3 KJV 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,


NAB 10 Because you have kept my plea to stand fast,

V I will keep you safe in the time of trial V which is coming on the whole world to test all men on earth.

• Thou has kept the word of my patience…this is the patient waiting or endurance the

Lord commanded in Revelation 1:9; 2:9, & 2:19. In the Gospels this same endurance is spoken of in Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 4:17; 13:13; and John 6:27.

Matthew 10 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:

V but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Mark 4 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who,

V when they have heard the word, V immediately receive it with gladness;

17And have no root in themselves,

V and so endure but for a time: V afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, V immediately they are offended.

John 6 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth,

V but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, V which the Son of man shall give unto you: V for him hath God the Father sealed.

• These commands for “patience” refer particularly to the waiting during and

under the tribulation. This is found in Revelation 13:10 & 14:10 where it is written, “here is the patience of the saints.” It is the patience of those who shall be in the midst of the tribulation scenes of judgment and our looking for deliverance out of it. For this is the promise of our Lord.

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Revelation 3 KJV 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,


The Keeping From That Hour

• I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation…The Scripture above refers to a brief definite season (Revelation 12-19). It is the tribulation period; a time of trial. In preparation for it, the Lord advises believers to, “watch” and “pray.”

Luke 21 26 Watch ye therefore,

V and pray always, V that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, V and to stand before the Son of man.

• The Lord also prayed for all believers as they dwell in the midst of evil

John 17 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,

V but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

• In our troubles now, and in that yet future time, our hearts should rest in the Lord as David’s did:

Psalm 27 1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

V The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh,

V they stumbled and fell. 3Though an host should encamp against me,

V my heart shall not fear: V though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;

V that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, V to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:

V in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; V he shall set me up upon a rock.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 10 continued Revelation 3 KJV 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,

V I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, V which shall come upon all the world V to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Time of Trial

• the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth…Those who follow the false Messiah will fail the trial and persecute believers. They are repeatedly mentioned in Revelation:

Revelation 6 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Revelation 11 10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth 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 13 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

• It is clear from the above that the hour of tribulation will call for patience and endurance by believers as evildoers prosper for a time.

Psalm 37 6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 40 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

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Revelation 3 KJV 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,

V I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, V which shall come upon all the world V to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Lord’s Return

• Immediately following this time of trial and marking its close is the manifestation of the Lord Jesus in the clouds with great power and glory (Matthew 24:30; 26:64). This scene is foretold in Zephaniah:

Zephaniah 1 14The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly,

V even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15That day is a day of wrath,

V a day of trouble and distress, V a day of wasteness and desolation, V a day of darkness and gloominess, V a day of clouds and thick darkness,

16A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities,

V and against the high towers. 17And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men,

V because they have sinned against the LORD: V and their blood shall be poured out as dust, V and their flesh as the dung.

18Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath;

V but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: V for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

• The fire mentioned in verse 18 refers to the Lord God as a consuming fire

(Hebrew 12:29) that will renew the Earth by destroying its rudiments (in Greek stoicheia-the material earth and the immoral, 2 Peter 3:10, 12). But the Lord will preserve the patient as He has promised above and in Isaiah below:

Isaiah 26 20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 11

Revelation 3 KJV 11 Behold, I come quickly:

V hold that fast which thou hast, V that no man take thy crown.

NAB 11 I am coming soon.

V Hold fast to what you have V lest someone rob you of your crown.

• hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take they crown…again as in the other

assemblies Christ urges believers to hold fast i.e. to continue in His Word (John 8:31-32). The Christian must always be ready for Christ’s coming. Our Lord’s return with expected suddenness is an incentive to persevere in faithful service. Through misconduct one can lose a crown that had been previously attained:

2 John 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

• The crown signifies the royal authority given to the victorious coheirs of Christ. The judgment seat of Christ will be an occasion of either reward or regret.

2 Corinthians 5 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

• In reference to this time and to the crown, we are told in the Pauline epistles to, “fight the good fight,” we are to liken ourselves to athletes that train to win a race.

1 Corinthians 9 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 2 Timothy 4 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 12 Revelation 3 KJV 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,

V and he shall go no more out: V and I will write upon him the name of my God, V and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, V which cometh down out of heaven from my God: V and I will write upon him my new name.

NAB 12 I will make the victor a pillar in the temple of my God

V and he shall never leave it. V I will inscribe on him the name of my God V and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem V which he will send down from heaven, V and my own name which is new.

• I will make a pillar in the temple of my God….This is in reference to the days of

Solomon, when the first temple was constructed in Jerusalem. The promise in above reminds us of that there is a New Jerusalem to come. If the historic earthly city of David and Solomon was such that "glorious things" were spoken of it as "the city of God," what will be the glories of that city “which cometh down out of heaven from, my God?”

• a pillar… It was Solomon who built the first temple, and put in its porch those

mysterious pillars "Jachin and Boaz" (1 Kings 7:13-22; 2 Chronicles 3:17). 1 Kings 7 21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple:

V and he set up the right pillar, V and called the name thereof Jachin (i.e., He shall establish): V and he set up the left pillar, V and called the name thereof Boaz (i.e., In it is strength).

• Strength and permanence were thus announced to all who entered that

wondrous Temple.

• The Temple of God is brought in this Epistle into contrast with the Synagogue of Satan, and those who "say they are Jews and are not." That synagogue has neither strength nor permanence. But the overcomers are endowed with Divine strength, and shall have eternal inheritance, for they "shall go no more out." Christ promise that believers will be, “a pillar” implies a prominent place of service in the His Kingdom. Believers are like pillars in that they will be both stable and permanent citizens enjoying an unshakable, eternal secure, place in the presence of God.

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Revelation 3 KJV 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,

V and he shall go no more out: V and I will write upon him the name of my God, V and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, V which cometh down out of heaven from my God: V and I will write upon him my new name.

• temple of my God…city of my God…The realization of the temple and city is fulfilled

in Revelation 21 verses 2 & 3. It is spoken of in Psalm 48 verses 1,2,8, & 9, and Ezekiel 48:35.

• I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God…The

overcomer is stamped with the names of God signifying God’s ownership of them and identifying them as citizens of the heavenly city.

• I will write upon Him my new name…Christ is disclosing to believers His new name.

This implies special intimacy with Him. By this, we shall know the full revelation of His Character. In biblical times a person’s name represented their character. Christ writing his name upon us is a way of imprinting His character on us and identifying us as belonging to Him.

• The names of God, His city, and the new name of Christ…The acquiring of all these

stamps by the overcomer implies that they are associated with the ultimate rulers and the governing center of the universe throughout all eternity spoken of in Revelation 21:9-22:21.

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Revelation 3 KJV 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NAB 13 Let him who has ears heed the Spirit’s word to the churches!’”

• He that hath an ear…these words are peculiar of the Lord and our used only by Him throughout Scripture. They mark a solemn moment of emphasis concerning the importance of what He had just spoken.

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The Seventh Epistle- Laodicea Revelation 3 verses 14-22

Laodicea – Symbolic of the Period of Judah’s Removal

(The Minor Prophets) In this last epistle we are reminded of the lowest point of Judah’s degradation. The idolatry of the nation began as the people were brought forth out of Egypt to the day the ten tribes of Israel left their first love (God). And even after that, when Judah and its two tribes were left in the land, the nation continued to spiral down through idolatry and here in this epistle, Laodicea is compared to what Judah had become, a condition of spiritual destitution. It is comparable to the time when the Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) preached to Israel (the ten tribes) and Judah (the two tribes) both separately and collectively to return their hearts to God. The similarity between Laodicea and the historic spiritual destitution of Israel is so close, we can compare the Scriptures side by side. Here we shall provide several examples of this:

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."

Hosea 2: 5, 8, 9 - "For their mother hath played the harlot;... for she said, I will go after my lovers that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink... For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers," etc. etc. Isaiah 55: 1-2-“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Revelation 3:18 - "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see."

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The Seventh Epistle- Laodicea continued In verse 16 of this epistle the Lord speaks of spewing out the church. This is the very expression used prophetically in Leviticus 18:25-28 of Israel; where God warns that, if they adopted the abominations of heathen idolatry, the Land might spue them out. And, not heeding this warning we have its fulfillment spoken of in Jeremiah: Jeremiah 9 19For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion,

V How are we spoiled! V we are greatly confounded, V because we have forsaken the land, V because our dwellings have cast us out.

Ezekiel 36 17 Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land,

V they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: V their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

This epistle, serves to enlighten the reader (most especially those belonging to Israel) of this past history, and to warn of the evil that will surround them. In this present time, we are already seeing its fruition. There will be, as there was then, plenty of religion. Isaiah 1: 10-15 minutely describes the state of things, as they were then and will be again in the future. Just as we find in this epistle, people will consider themselves rich in spirituality (Revelation 3:17) when they are really poor. It will be similar to the Pharisees prayer (Luke 18:11-12), the parables of the great supper (Luke 14:15-24), and the wedding garment (Matthew 22:1-14), all-pointing to Revelation 19:9.

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Revelation 3:19 - "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Isaiah 43:4 - Since thou was precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." Deuteronomy 7:8 & 8:5 - "Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee." Malachi 3:7 - "Return unto Me and I will return unto you" (another form of Revelation 3:19).

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The Promise to Laodicea Revelation 3:21

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" This promise makes reference to Solomon, who was in the ideal type. The promise is given to overcomers who are in the lowest condition of spiritual degradation, and are described as in danger of being, “spewed out.” The overcomers in this epistle are the ones who are in need of the greatest of Divine help and encouragement and so, the highest promise is given them. The fulfillment of this promise is described in Daniel 7. Four times in Daniel chapter 7 the, saints of the most high are mentioned. In verse 18 it states, the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. In this same chapter, in verses 21, 22 the fourth Beast "made war with the saints and prevailed against them (also mentioned in Revelation 13:7); until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." In verse 25 the Beast "shall speak great words against the Most High," &c. (described in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Revelation 13: 5-6). In verse 27 we read that "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."

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The Promise to Laodicea Continued

These are the "elect," who shall be "gathered together from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other," when the "Son of Man" shall come down on the earth (Matthew 24: 30, 31). Then shall His "call" go forth, "Gather my saints together unto me." This is when He will call "to the earth, that He may judge His People" (Psalm l: 4, 5; read the whole Psalm). Then will this promise be fulfilled to the overcomer: "I will grant to sit with Me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne (Revelation 3:21)

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The History of Laodicea The New Testament does not record anything about the founding of the church in Laodicea. It was likely established during Paul’s ministry at Ephesus, (Acts 19:10). Paul’s coworker Epaphras founded the nearby church at Colossians about 10 miles to the East and he may have founded the Laodicean church as well., Colossians 1:6-7. Laodicea was located on a plateau several hundred feet high in the Lycus valley about 100 miles East of Ephesus. It is the southeasternmost of the 7 Churches about 40 miles from Philadelphia. Laodicea was almost militarily impregnable because of its geographic location. However, its vulnerability to attack was due to the fact that it had to pipe in its water from several miles away through aqueducts that could easily be blocked by a besieging force. Laodicea was founded by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus 11 and was named after his wife. Before 253 B.C. The original settlers were from Syria, within the population there was a significant number of Jews. A historical insight to the size of the Jewish population was obtained through a ban by a local governor who forbade the Jews from sending the temple tax to Jerusalem. When they attempted to do so he confiscated the gold that was intended for the Temple. Historically this was one half a shekel from each man 20 years or older (Exodus 30:13); see also our Lord’s response to the Temple tax in Matthew 17:24-27. From the amount of the confiscated tax it was calculated that 7500 Jewish men lived in Laodicea not including the several thousand women and children.

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The History of Laodicea Continued

Under Roman rule Laodicea prospered. Laodicea was strategically located at the junction of two important roads: the east-west road leading from Ephesus into the interior and the north-south road from Pergamum to the Mediterranean Sea, making it an important commercial city. History detailed in the first century B.C. the Roman statesman and known philosopher Cicero cashing his letters of credit there revealing Laodicea to be a strategic banking center. An additional indicator of the wealth of Laodicea became known after a devastating earthquake in A.D. 60 and they paid for their own reconstruction rejecting financial aid from Rome. Laodicea was famous for the soft black wool it produced. The woolen products, clothes and carpets, were highly sought after. Laodicea was also an important center of ancient medicines, (Revelation 3:18). The pagan temple of the Phrygian god man Karou had an important medical school associated with it. That school was most famous for an eye salve that it had developed which was exported all over the Greco-Roman world. All three industries, finance, wool, and the production of eye salve are seen within this 7th Epistle to the Laodicean church.

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The Structure of The Epistle to Laodicea

The Epistle to the Assembly in Laodicea is the last, as it is the most solemn, of these Epistles. All the Epistles cover, in a general way, the whole period covered by the book; but, they also mark special stages of the apostasy and of the tribulation. Laodicea marks the last stage. It is the final period immediately before Revelation 19, when "the Judge standeth before the door" The Old Testament illustrations are taken from the Minor Prophets, which cover the last period of the nation's history, the last testimony before the First Advent of Christ; because the same character will mark the period immediately preceding the Second Advent or the Day of the Lord.

The Structure is much more simple than any of the other Epistles, because the whole position at that time will be reduced to the very simple issue of allegiance to Christ or Antichrist.

STRUCTURE

Correspondences Verse(s) Introduction A1 Christ’s command to write 14- B1 Christ’s attribute (referencing 1:5 ) -14 Reproof C1 Accusation (Lukewarmness) 15,16 D1 Warning (Gifts) 17,18 C2 Exhortation (Zeal) 19 D2 Warnings. (Graces) 20 Conclusion B2 Christ’s promise. The Throne. Compare with 20:4 21 A2 Christ’s command to hear 22

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 14 Revelation 3 KJV 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;


NAB 14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

V The Amen, V the faithful and true Witness, V the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

• These things saith the amen… the word “amen” is a common Hebrew word and

Biblical expression signifying certainty (2 Corinthians 1:20). In this passage it emphasis the words that immediately follow it, “faithful and true.”

• the faithful and true witness…meaning that Christ is, “The True One.” He is

completely trustworthy and a perfectly accurate witness to the truth of God as stated in John below:

John 14 6 Jesus saith unto him,

V I am the way, V the truth, V and the life: V no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 14 continued Revelation 3 KJV 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;


• the Beginning of the creation of God…there are two scholarly thoughts concerning this

statement. Both believe it is incorrect to think Jesus was the first being created by God and contrary to other Biblical passages that describe Him as eternal (John 1:1-3) and as being God Himself (John 8:58; Philippians 2:6; Titus 2:13). Revelation speaks of Christ as the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Both schools of thought emphasize that the Greek can be translated into a more active sense so as to read, “the One who begins the creation of God.”

• However, some scholars carry the point further. They believe Christ is eternal,

but state that the phrase, “the beginning of the creation of God,” emphasizes the fact that by Christ all things were created; and that by Him all things exist and all things consist (Colossians 1:15-19). Scholars here point to Biblical evidence that asserts, before any created thing was formed, God took created form in order to create; so that created beings might hold communion with the Creator, which they could not with God, who is "Spirit" (John 4:24). Thus He is referred to in this manner in Proverbs 8:22-31. And thus He appeared to Adam (who was created in His image), and to the Patriarchs, and to Joshua as one who could be wrestled with (Genesis 32:24) and seen and spoken with. God must have assumed creature form specially for these appearances. It is only one step further to believe that this form was more permanent: that He took creature form in order to create, as He afterward took human form in order to redeem. No other view so well enables us to understand how He could be called "the Beginning of the creation of God," or explain such passages as Proverbs 8: 22-31 and Colossians 1:15-17. He is therefore the Head of Creation, the great subject of which this Bible speaks, reminding us here of its beginning, as it afterwards tells of its end, and of the New Creation of the New Heaven and the New Earth.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verses 15 & 16 Revelation 3 KJV 15 I know thy works,

V that thou art neither cold nor hot: V I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

V and neither cold nor hot, V I will spue thee out of my mouth.

NAB 15'I know your deeds,

V that you are neither cold nor hot; V I wish that you were cold or hot.

16'So because you are lukewarm,

V and neither hot nor cold, V I will spit you out of My mouth

• I wish that you were cold or hot…cold water is refreshing; hot water is useful for

medical purposes. Lukewarm water is neither.

• Near Laodicea Hierpolis was famous for its hot springs, and Colosse for its cold, refreshing mountain stream. But Laodicea had dirty, warm waterthat flowed for miles through an underground aqueduct. Visitors, unaccustomed to it, immediately spat it out. The church at Laodicea was neither cold, openly rejecting Christ, nor hot, filled with spiritual zeal, Instead, its members were lukewarm, hypocrites professing to know Christ, but not truly belonging to Him.

• I will spue thee out of my mouth…just like the dirty warm water of Laodicea, these

self-deceived hypocrites sickened Christ; by analogy Christ wanted vomit the believers out of his mouth. In very vivid terms, the Lord rejects the halfhearted efforts of self-satisfied Christians. The same result of unfaithfulness in not keeping the Word and Commandments of God is spoken of in Leviticus 18:25, 28; and 20:22 where the people are told that for such disobedience, the very land should spue them out compare the Leviticus verses with the consequences mentioned in Zechariah 11:1-9; and Hosea 4: 6-7

Leviticus 20 22 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes,

V and all my judgments, V and do them: V that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, V spue you not out.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verses 17 & 18 Revelation 3 KJV 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich,

V and increased with goods, V and have need of nothing; V and knowest not that thou art wretched, V and miserable, V and poor, V and blind, V and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;

V and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, V and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; V and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

NAB 17 'Because you say, "I am rich,

V and have become wealthy, V and have need of nothing," V and you do not know that you are wretched V and miserable V and poor V and blind V and naked,

18I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich,

V and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, V and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; V and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

• Because thou sayest, I am rich…the Laodicean church was spiritually self-deluded.

Because the church was wealthy it assumed that it had need of nothing, when in actuality it was spiritually impoverished. The church believed that because it had expensive garments it was well-clothed, when it was really spiritually naked. It believed physical sight indicated the ability to spiritually, when it was actually blind to spiritual realities. They were ignorant of the fact that Christ is the provider of spiritual gold and heavenly white garments (Revelation 7:13-14; 19: 7-8) and healing eye salve to all who repent (verse 19). Christ was offering them the spiritual counterparts to their three major industries. Each item was a way to refer to genuine salvation.

• I counsel thee to buy of me… the reference is to Jeremiah 13: 25-26; and Hosea 2:3.

For more on this point and the one above, see the introductory notes on pages 146-147 where these verses are compared with Hosea 2:5, 8, 9, and other passages from the minor prophets, which describe the very condition of things here referred to. We enlarged on this point in those pages, so as not to over-burden these running comments on the text itself.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 19 Revelation 3 KJV 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:

V be zealous therefore, and repent. NAB 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:

V be zealous therefore, and repent.

• God’s love for His children manifests itself in rebuke and chastening when they go astray (verses 15-18). The intent of the Lord’s discipline is for our “profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). The proper response to God’s loving discipline is to repent (to change our wrong outlook) and be zealous to move away from a dangerous, lukewarm spiritual state (verses 15-16). The Laodicean believers needed to change their perspective and seek the spiritual riches of the ultimate Overcomer-Christ.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 20 Revelation 3 KJV 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:


NAB 20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock;

V if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, V I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

• Behold I stand at the door…literally meaning, (I have taken my station) at the door

and knock. The call here, by the Lord, is to the wedding feast of Revelation 19:9. Many of the Gospel parables pointed to it Matthew 22: 1-14; Luke 14:15-24; and especially Luke 12: 35-38. The servants in the parables (just as in this assembly) are encouraged to be "like unto men that wait for their Lord when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. However, unlike the Gospel parables, the coming is no longer spoken of as "near" — in this epistle the Lord is already at the door!

• The message of the Lord already at the door, was written especially for the

twelve tribes of Israel scattered abroad throughout the earth, James 5:7-9, but the application is to all Christians who should always be ready.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 20 continued Revelation 3 KJV 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:


NAB 20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock;

V if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, V I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

• The common interpretation of this verse can be found in many paintings that

portray the Lord as knocking at the hearts of sinners. It is a distortion and misinterpretation of the Scripture description above. By simply analyzing the context of the Lord’s words, the Bible student would arrive at the same conclusion.

• I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me… This is in connection with the knocking just referred to in Luke 12: 37 This is a gracious promise to His servants-Revelation 1:1. "Verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to meat, and he will come forth and serve them." Compare Matthew 22:2,-3. Luke 14:15; 22: 16-18. Mark 14:25, and Revelation 19:9 This is the same watching which is spoken of in Luke 12:39 as the watching for the coming as a thief.

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Revelation 3 Verse by Verse Verse 21 Revelation 3 KJV 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,

V even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. NAB 21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne,

V as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

• To Him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne…this promise is fulfilled in Revelation 20:4. Those who shares Christ’s victorious experience on earth will have a victory similar to His. The victory of Christ led to His present position at the right hand of God in heaven, while the victory of believers leads to the privilege of sharing Christ’s own earthly throne (Revelation 1:6).

• Even as I also overcame, am am set down with my Father in His throne…

Revelation 3 KJV 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NAB 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

Revelation Chapter 2...48 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapters 2 & 3 ~The Epistles To The Seven...

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