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The Lukewarm Church: A Warning

To the Church at Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-11

  • And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
  • I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
  • So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
  • 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:
  • I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
  • As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
  • Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
  • 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.
  • He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

History

Laodicea was located about 50 miles southeast of Philadelphia, in the Lycus River
valley near Colossae and Hierapolis (cf. Col. 4:13-16). It was also located forty miles from Ephesus and was steeped in Greek culture. The city (and region) had experienced many earthquakes over the years.

The city was a cultural center with schools, libraries, and a banking center that brought strong economic and financial resources.
Two widely used eye and ear salves were produced in the city, as it was also a well-known medical center of its day. Its name means “People Ruling,” and represents the unbelieving, materialistic church of all ages.

Notes

  • Christ is the beginning of the creation of God in the sense that He is the origin and source of God’s creation
    • Col. 1:15-18
      •  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
      • For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
      • And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
      • And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
  • Christ is the head of the new creation
    • 2 Cor. 5:17
      • Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
  • The church is likened to lukewarm water, or as being virtually worthless, Christ says He will “spew them out,” or eject them from His company.
    • The hot waters of nearby Hierapolis were known for their medicinal qualities
    • Colossae was known for its cold, pure water.
    • Laodicea was forced to receive water by aqueduct from other areas. By the time it arrived at Laodicea it was lukewarm and provoked nausea.
      • The works of the Laodicean church were as worthless as the city’s lukewarm water.
        • The description does not refer to a backslidden condition, but rather to their lack of genuine faith.
  • Laodicea was famous for its wealth, its bankers, its medical school, its popular eye salve, and its textile industry.
    • Christ says that spiritually the people of the church are poor, blind, and naked.
    • True wealth is found only in God’s grace. This church had no spiritual value (gold), virtue (white raiment), or vision (eye salve).
      • He urges the Laodiceans to repent of their lack of genuine faith and of spiritual understanding.
  • In light of the spiritual condition of the Laodiceans described in verses 17, 18, the invitation of verse 20 seems to be evangelistically addressed to individual members of an apostate church, so they might receive Christ genuinely as Savior and Lord.
    • To sup (dine) means to have fellowship (cf. ; ) and to enjoy Christ’s blessings.
      • Luke 22:30
        • That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
      • John 14:23
        • Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
    • The promise to sit with Christ in His throne refers to reigning with Christ in His kingdom.
      • Matt. 19:28
        • And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
      • Rev. 20:4
        • And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

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Understanding the Message to Philadelphia in Revelation

To the Church in Philadelphia:

Revelations 3:713

  • And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
  • I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
  • Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
  • Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
  • Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
  • Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
  • He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

History:

Philadelphia was located about 30 miles southeast of Bardia, about 30 miles southeast of Sardis and about 70 miles east of Smyrna, and lay at the upper end of a broad valley that passed through Sardis and near Smyrna. The city of Philadelphia was located at the foot of a mountain plateau in the area today known as West Central Turkey. It was built on an important travel route linking the city with Laodicea to the south.

Like Sardis Philadelphia was almost destroyed by the massive earthquakes in southwest Asia Minor in AD 17. The tremors continued for years. It was later rebuilt with the assistance of Emperor Tiberius.

When the Moslems overran Asia Minor in the fourteenth century A.D., Philadelphia resisted far longer than other cities and became an island for Christianity. The city exists today as the Turkish town of Alasehir and contains the ruins of many ancient churches.

Wine making, wool production, and agriculture were primary industries in the city.

Notes:

  • Its name means “Brotherly Love” and represents the faithful church in all ages.
  • The reference to the key of David is taken from Isaiah 22:22, where it relates messianic authority.
    • Isaiah 22:22
      • 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 reference to “The open door”, which no man can shut, refers to an opportunity for testimony and service.
    • The city sat on a mountain pass which served as a doorway to the Anatolian hill country
  • Those who are of the synagogue of Satan are probably unbelieving Jews or Judaizers.
  • Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
    • This is saying that God will keep those who keeps His word from the temptation that everyone else must face.
      • 1 Corinthians 10:13
        • There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
      • The word “temptation” is from the same Greek word.
        • πειρασμός peirasmós, pi-ras-mos’; from G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:—temptation, × try.
  • Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
    • Jesus is coming back. So, hold tightly to the Word of God and you will receive a crown.
    • This is probably referring to the crown of life.
      • James 1:12
        • Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
  • Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
    •  In Philadelphia, powerful earthquakes toppled buildings; temples withstood tremors because their pillars were massive and immovable.
      • Two bronze pillars—Jachin (“He establishes”) and Boaz (“In Him is strength”)—stood at Solomon’s temple entrance (1 Kings 7:15-22).
        • Believers familiar with those names would immediately hear stability and strength.
      • Pillars carried inscriptions honoring kings or donors; Jesus promises His own name instead.
    • What Being a Pillar Signifies for Believers Today
      • Permanent Residence in God’s Presence
        • John 14:3
          • And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
      • Stability and Strength
        • God establishes and upholds us
          • Psalm 40:2
            • He 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.
      • Galatians 2:9 calls James, Cephas, and John “pillars,” believers God uses to support others.
        • And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
      • Honor and Visibility
        • Pillars stand at the front; Christ publicly honors faithful believers
          • John 12:26
            • If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
      • Bearing God’s Name
        • Names signify ownership and character
          • Isaiah 43:1
            • But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
        • Three inscriptions promised:
          • – the name of God (belonging to Him),
          • – the name of the New Jerusalem (citizenship),
          • – Christ’s “new name” (shared identity with the victorious King).
      • Participation in the Living Temple
        • Ephesians 2:19-22—believers built together into a dwelling of God.
          • Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
          • And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
          • In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
          • In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
        • 1 Peter 2:5—“living stones” offering spiritual sacrifices.
          •  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
        • Revelation 21:22—God and the Lamb are the eternal temple; pillars share their glory forever.
          • And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

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Eternity After Judgment: New Heaven and Earth

Time Ends-Then Eternity
The time after the white throne judgment is not described in detail, but the Bible does give us some insights that are very interesting.

  1. Earth Aflame
    • 2 Peter 3:10 tells us, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up.
    • The whole earth and space around it will be aflame. Everything humanity has made on the earth will be burned and destroyed.
    • Everything humans have sent into outer space will be totally obliterated. The earth and the heavens around it will be completely purged.
  2. New Heaven and New Earth
    • We look for a new heaven and a new earth.
      • Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.
      •  2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
  3. The New Jerusalem
    • John saw a beautiful city coming down from God.
      • “And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).
    • There will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a new city.
      • Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions….I go to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).
    • Revelation 21 uses wonderful imagery to describe the splendor of the eternal dwelling place of God’s people.
      • It depicts the city as 12,000 furlongs (1,500 miles) in length, breadth, and height (verse 16).
      • It is made of pure gold like clear glass (verse 18), with walls of jasper and gates of pearl (verse 21).
      • It will not need any power plant, or sun, or moon to shine, for Jesus will be
        the light (verse 13).
    • There time and eternity will meet. The temporal will cease forever, and the hope of the righteous from all ages shall be fulfilled. We shall live with our Lord Jesus Christ forever.

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Understanding the Great White Throne Judgment

The Great White Throne Judgment

  • After one thousand years of the reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth, the great white throne judgment will take place.
  • It will be a judgment of all the dead from the beginning of human existence on the earth.
  • The only people who will not need to be judged will be the redeemed people, both dead and living, who arose to meet the Lord at the Rapture.
    • Revelation 20:11-12
      • And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened.
  1. The Throne
    • John saw an impressive, large white throne.
  2. The Judge
    • Jesus Christ will sit upon the throne.
  3. The Judged
    • The dead from all walks of life will be judged.
      • Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and
        hell delivered up the dead that were in them.
  4. The Evidence
    • The books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works
      • Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
    • The books represent:
      • The Bible, which reveals God’s plan for humanity.
      • The recorded history of each person’s life.
      • The book of life, the book with the names of the righteous of all ages.
  5. The Witnesses
    • The saints of the church will be present with Jesus.
  6. The Judgment
    • Those whose names are not in the book of life will be cast in the lake of fire.
      • Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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Understanding the Millennium: Christ’s Reign on Earth

The Return of Christ and the Millennium


To the Mount of Olives

  • When Jesus Christ comes with His armies to Armageddon and destroys the Antichrist system, He will then
    stand on the Mount of Olives.
    • And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the
      west, and there shall be a very great valley” (Zechariah 14:4).
  • The landscape around Jerusalem will never be the same again after He comes in glory to set up His kingdom.
  • The mountain will be divided as a monument to the deliverance of the Lord.

Characteristics of the Kingdom Age

  • Jesus Christ Will Be King of the Earth
    • And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one (Zechariah 14:9).
  • He Will Rule on the Earth for a Thousand Years
    • Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).
  • Judgment of the Nations
    • The nations of the world that have blessed or persecuted the Jews, especially during the Tribulation, will then be judged.
      • Matthew 25:31-46
        • “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
        • 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
        • 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
        • 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
        • 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
        • 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
        • 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
        • 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
  • God’s People Will Rule with Christ
    • Revelation 20:1-6
      • And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
      • And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
      • And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
      • And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
      • But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
      • Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
  • The Capital Will Be Jerusalem
    • The nations will come there annually to worship the Lord.
      • Zechariah 14:16-17 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
  • Satan Will Be Bound during this time
    • Revelation 20:2-3 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

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The Battle of Armageddon

The Battle of Armageddon

  • The valley of Jezreel or Esdraelon is located west of the Jordan River and east of the Mediterranean Sea.
    • The Battle of Armageddon will be fought in this area.
  • The name “Armageddon” is taken from the strategic military city of Megiddo, which was the fortified chariot city of Solomon.
  • Armageddon, it has been said, “will be the battleground for the greatest blood bath the world has ever seen!”

144,000 Sealed

  • The Antichrist, with the false prophet, will rule the world with an iron hand for three and a half years. He will extend control over the political, religious, and economic life of the world.
  • God will preserve 144,000 believers during this time. He will deliver this remnant, who will be hidden from the destructive power of the Antichrist.
    • Most believe that the 144,00 will be Jews who turn to Jesus during this time.

Preparation for Armageddon

  • The Jews will be a thorn in the flesh of this world leader. He will be able to break the will of the other nations but not them.
  • He will determine to destroy them and will gather his leaders and armies together for this purpose.
  • At this time the Lord will intervene with a heavenly army.
    • Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army
    • Rev 16:13-14; 16 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty… And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Armageddon Closes Out the Tribulation

  • This battle will be the end of the Tribulation. It will be the final attack of the Antichrist against God and His people.
  • The cup of God’s wrath will be full at this time, and He will personally come to end the wild and savage earthly reign of the beast and his system.
  • After this battle Jesus will set up the millennial reign on earth (one thousand years of peace).

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11, 14, 16).

  • And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge, and make war
  • And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean
  • And he had on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

The Judgment of the Beast and False Prophet

  • Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

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The Reign of the Antichrist

The Reign of the Antichrist
A forceful political leader, usually called the Antichrist, will come forth to dominate world leadership during the Tribulation. He will have much help in the person of the false prophet, who will be the world religious leader. A world system of government under one head will envelop the political, religious, and the economic areas of life.

The Antichrist

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 describes this evil leader, calling him the “man of sin.”
    • Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
    • Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
    • Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
    • And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
    • For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
    • And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
    • Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
    • And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
  • It further teaches:
    • The son of perdition, that man of sin will be revealed.
    • He will oppose God (verse 4).
    • He will exalt himself above God (verse 4).
    • He will sit in the Temple, showing himself as God (verse 4).
    • He will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus at Armageddon (verse 8).
    • Satan will empower him with signs and lying wonders (verse 9).
    • He will deceive those who do not love the truth (verse 10).
    • God will allow those who do not love the truth and are deceived by the Antichrist to believe a lie and be damned (verses 11-12).
  • The Devil has the same desires now as when he was in Heaven.
    • Isaiah 14:10-16
      • All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
      • Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
      • How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
      • For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
      • I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
      • Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
      • They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
  • Revelation 13 describes him as a “beast” rising up out of the sea.
    • The dragon (Satan) will give him his power and authority.
      • Rev. 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
    • The one-world system of government will be, in some sense, a revival of the old Roman Empire.
      • Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
    • The people will worship the beast.
      • Rev. 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
    • He will have total power the last three and a half years of the Tribulation.
      • Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
    • He will blaspheme God, His name, and the heavenly dwellers.
      • Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
    • He will make war against those who turn to God during this time.
      • Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
    • He will cause all to receive a mark in the right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell (verses 16-17).
      • Rev 13:16-17  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
    • His number is calculated to be 666.
      • Rev 13:18  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The False Prophet (Religious Government)

  • Revelation 13 also describes a religious leader in the Tribulation who works closely with the Antichrist. He will assist the Antichrist in attaining world supremacy. The false prophet is mentioned three other times (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10).
  • According to Revelation 13:
    • Rev 13:11-15
      • And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
      • And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
      • And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
      • And 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.
      • And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
        • He will exercise great power.
        • He will cause the people to worship the Antichrist and submit to the world system (verse .
        • He will perform miracles by the power of Satan.
        • He will be a deceiver.
        • He will have an image of the Antichrist made.
        • He will give life to the image and cause the image to speak.
        • He will put to death all that will not worship the image of the beast.

The Antichrist System of Political Government

  • The ten toes of the image of Nebuchadnezzar and the ten horns of the beast of Revelation 13:1; 17:12; and Daniel 7:7, 24 are a confederation of ten nations that will constitute a world power in the last days.
  • These nations will help the Antichrist come to power and sustain that power for some years.
  • Their authority will be lessened by the Antichrist after he has used them to gain world power.
  • This confederation will probably develop into a very powerful economic bloc, which will give them great influence in the making of a world leader.
    • Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
    • Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
    • Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
    • Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
  • This world will be greatly dominated by a world religion, which Revelation 17 describes as a great harlot drunk with blood of saints and martyrs. This harlot will ride the beast until the beast kills her. The political-economic system will destroy the false world church, taking its power and wealth.

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The Seventieth Week: Unpacking Tribulation Judgments

The Tribulation
The end time is portrayed in an awesome way in the Scripture.

  • “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

Daniel, the great prophet during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, recorded a period of seven years at the end time. This period of time will bring terrible calamity on the earth. He described seventy “weeks,” or periods of seven, that would relate to Jewish history. Each “week” represents seven years, for a total of 490 years. Daniel did not prophesy about the church age; his prophecy concerns the state of the Jews in God’s plan.

Daniel’s Seventieth Week
To understand the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy, it is necessary to have an understanding of how the Scripture describes the seventy weeks.

  • Daniel 9:24
    • Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Sixty-nine of these weeks were to take place between the decree to restore Jerusalem and the crucifixion of “Messiah the Prince” (Jesus Christ)

  • Daniel 9:25-26
    • Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
    • And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Seven weeks (or 49 years) were used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
There were sixty-two weeks (or 434 years) from the rebuilding of the walls until the crucifixion of the Messiah. Using the scriptural year of 360 days each, there were 69 weeks or 483 years between 445 BC. and A.D. 32. This leaves one week remaining of the seventy. Daniel 9:27 says that in this week of years the Antichrist system (“the prince that shall come” in verse 26) will break a covenant with the Jewish nation and bring much havoc on the earth.

There is an interval of time between the sixty-ninth week and the seventieth week, during which time the
church age exists. The church age will continue until the time of the Rapture. The seventieth week that follows is the period called the Tribulation.

The Tribulation Judgments
During the seven years of tribulation, evil people will bring various calamities upon the earth, and God will
pour out severe judgment on the earth. These devastating events are introduced by the seals, the trumpets, and the vials (Revelation 6, 8, 9, 15, and 16).
During this time the people of the earth will go through a time of suffering and death such as the world has never known.

  • The Seals (Revelation 6; 8:7)
    • The seals describe the following events:
      1. An evil leader who is usually called the Antichrist will win the world to himself.
      2. Terrible war will come, followed by famine and death.
      3. One-fourth of the world’s population will die.
      4. There will be much persecution of people who turn to God during this time.
      5. Catastrophic earthquakes will disturb the earth.
      6. The moon will become as blood and people will hide in the mountains for fear.
  • The Trumpets (Revelation 8-9)
    1. During these judgments hail will fall, and fire will burn over a third of the earth.
    2. A falling meteor will destroy one-third of the shipping.
    3. The fish of the sea will die.
    4. One-third of the sea will become blood.
    5. Poisons will contaminate one-third of the water supply and many will die.
    6. Great darkness will come over the earth.
    7. For five months scorpions will sting people on the earth.
    8. A 200,000-man army will kill one-third of the population.
  • The Vials or Bowls (Revelation 16)
    • The vials represent God’s final judgments for the Tribulation.
      1. Awful sores will afflict those with the mark of the beast (those who follow the Antichrist).
      2. Everything in the ocean will die.
      3. The water will become blood.
      4. The sun will burn hotter than usual and will scorch people.
      5. The earth will be thrown into darkness, and great pain will come upon people.
      6. The river Euphrates will dry up so the armies of the east can come to Armageddon.
      7. Hail will fall, destroying whole cities.
  • The Terrible Death
    • In the fourth seal, one-fourth of the earth’s population will die. With over five billion people living today, that would be well over one billion people dying in a short time.
    • In the sixth trumpet, one-third of the remaining population, again over one billion, will die in a short period. The population of the United States is a little less than one fourth of a billion, which means that ten times the present population of the U.S. will die. Death brings misery and heartaches. All the world will feel this heartache over and over again.

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The Church of Smyrna

The Church of Smyrna

This study comes from Revelation 2:8-11.

Jesus says,

  •  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)
  • I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan.
  • Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:
  • be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
  • He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
  • He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

There are some words that need to be defined.

  • Jews: Strong’s G2453 – ioudaios
    • Ἰουδαῖος Ioudaîos, ee-oo-dah’-yos; from G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:—Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
  • Synagogue: Strong’s G4864 – synagōgē
    • συναγωγή synagōgḗ, soon-ag-o-gay’; from (the reduplicated form of) G4863; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish “synagogue” (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church:—assembly, congregation, synagogue.
  • Satan: Strong’s G4567 – satanas
    • Σατανᾶς Satanâs, sat-an-as’; of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite affix); the accuser, i.e. the devil:—Satan.
  • blasphemy: Strong’s G988 – blasphēmia
    • βλασφημία blasphēmía, blas-fay-me’-ah; from G989; vilification (especially against God):—blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

This passage gives us a couple of lessons:

  1. Remember that when you are being tested, that it is only those who pass the test that receive the crown of life. Be faithful to God even unto death.
    • Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
      • I am fully aware that most don’t see any glory while going through tribulations but remember that from tribulations you learn lessons that give you cause for hope. That doesn’t mean ask for tribulations or patience. It does mean that when we trust God and come through to the over side of the tribulation that you will have a testimony.
  2. Just because the person should be right with God, doesn’t mean that he or she is right with God. In the passage it says that they say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan. It has been I problem done through history that people will say that they are one thing and really be something else. Remember Matthew 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. There are many wolves in sheep clothing.

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Key Insights for Studying the Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is a very complicated book. Many people have various ideas about this book. However, the best way to study this book is to remember a few facts. Also remember that there is prophecy concerning the end times in the Old Testament. Those prophecies must be taken into consideration when studying the book of Revelation.

  1. The Bible always interprets itself.
  2. Let everything be confirmed by 2 or 3 witnesses. In other words, if the principle or point is not confirmed elsewhere in the Bible, try again.
  3. God wants everything done in decency and in order. That means that the book of Revelation is written in the correct order according to God.
  4. When in doubt ask God. He has promised that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you in all truth. This means pray when reading the Bible, especially the book of Revelation and any other difficult to understand part.

Here is some Bible Studies on the Book of Revelation. There are more studies to come.

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