INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Start of study

“Trying to understand Revelation before you really know the rest of Scripture is like trying to understand the last chapter of an advanced chemistry book without ever having studied chemistry. For this reason the study of Revelation is really the study of the whole rest of the Bible.”

"In the Old Testament there are 1,845 references to Christ’s rule on the earth. There are 17 Old Testament books that give prominence to the event. In the New Testament (216 chapters) there are 318 references to the Second Coming. It is mentioned in 23 of the 27 books. For every prophecy relating to His First Coming, there are seven or eight prophecies treating His Second Coming"
-The Late Chuck Missler, Revelation Study Notes, Video Series on Revelation

Anything with that much repetition and reference has got to be important to God; therefore important to us also.

The claims about the Revelation are that it is:

The first three points above are not to be regarded by any serious student of God's Word. This is because the only one that works from cover to cover of the Word of God is the last one. Even the symbols are symbols of real things, not imaginations, not ideas. Every prophesy of His first coming was fulfilled, literally, all of them. Just because God uses a figure of speech, an image, a likeness, the words "as" or "like" does not mean that it is not referring to something literal that that particular thing represents. On top of all of this, the book itself claims the last one:

(Revelation 1:3 [KJV])
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

(Revelation 22:7 [KJV])
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

(Revelation 22:18-20 [KJV])
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

(Revelation 10:11 [KJV])
And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

(Revelation 11:3 [KJV])
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

KEY VERSE: WHAT THE REVELATION IS ALL ABOUT

(Revelation 1:19)
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

History is Progressive, not cyclical (The Book of Daniel, Chapters 2-12)
  1. The Creation
  2. The Age of Innocence
  3. The Fall of mankind
  4. The Age of Conscience
  5. The Age of Promise
  6. The Age of the Law
  7. 400 silent years
  8. The Church Age
  9. The Rapture of the Church into Heaven
  10. The Great Tribulation: Historical Focus Back to Israel
  11. The Second Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ
  12. The Millennial Kingdom
  13. Eternity

History is under God's Control, Always:

(Psalms 75:7 [KJV])
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

(Daniel 2:20-21 [KJV])
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

(Daniel 4:17 [KJV])
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

THE LAYOUT OF SCRIPTURE: ALL ABOUT CHRIST

THE STRUCTURE OF SCRIPTURE

  1. The Old Testament is the History of a nation (Israel)
  2. This leads to the New Testament, the recording of the history of the God Man, Jesus Christ, the God Man, The Creator of the heaven and earth Who became a Man. His arrival to earth as a man is the central turning point event of all history, by which we get our year in the Jewish calendar (360 day year), slightly different than our own Gregorian calendar (365 day year)
  3. Christ the Messiah died on the Cross for our sins, to redeem us, was buried, arose from the dead three days later and ascended into Heaven
  4. It is our personal privilege, by grace through faith, to have Him know us and to know Him. This is the Bible's theme throughout

THE LAYOUT OF THE REVELATION

  1. The opening Revelation/Introduction
  2. Letters to the churches
  3. Rapture
  4. Israel now focus
  5. Judgment
  6. Seven Seals
  7. Seven Trumpets
  8. Seven Bowls
  9. Seventh Seal
  10. Seven Trumpets of Seven Angels
  11. Armageddon
  12. Satan chained in the bottomless pit (abyss)
  13. First Resurrection (Tribulation saints)
  14. Millennium
  15. Second Resurrection (Hell and Death, cast into lake of fire)
  16. Re-Creation/New Jerusalem/Eternity

Or, to put it another way, as a summary:

  1. The catastrophic ending of this present age/worldly system
  2. Glorious return of Jesus Christ to earth, to reign
  3. The enemy cast into the bottomless pit
  4. Millennial reign of the LORD Jesus Christ
  5. Judgment
  6. Satan released, one last insurrection, destruction of sin
  7. New Creation, including a new Heaven, new earth

THE STRUCTURE OF THE REVELATION

The Judgment Structure

Seven Seals (6-8), Seven Trumpets (8-11), Seven Vials/Bowls (15-17)

    • THE REVELATION: A TIME FOR GOD'S WRATH UPON FALLEN MANKIND

    The time of this seven year period is a time of many things, redemption and destruction, joy, peace and upheaval, chaos, all as contrasts. There are many more, but this is also a time of intense wrath, unequaled on earth since the flood of Noah's day. It is, as that time was, upon the whole earth, none escaping, except those who are removed onto the ark, then literally a boat, future, the ark Who is our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who will remove His own people in the Rapture before this all starts, as that is how God does all things when He judges an entire group of people, HE removes His people from the area, separates them out from the judged ones.

    (Revelation 6:16 [AKJV/PCE])
    And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

    (Revelation 6:17 [AKJV/PCE])
    For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

    (Revelation 11:18 [AKJV/PCE])
    And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

    (Revelation 12:12 [AKJV/PCE])
    Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

    (Revelation 14:8 [AKJV/PCE])
    And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

    (Revelation 14:10 [AKJV/PCE])
    The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

    (Revelation 14:19 [AKJV/PCE])
    And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

    (Revelation 15:1 [AKJV/PCE])
    And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

    (Revelation 15:7 [AKJV/PCE])
    And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

    (Revelation 16:1 [AKJV/PCE])
    And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

    1. It is a time of utter wrath, final wrath
    2. Wrath is intense anger, ire from a Holy God, which was, is and never will be good to the judged ones who get the butt end of this wrath
    3. It is the final judgment of God upon all sin, in man, in creation, in the enemy
    4. It is reserved for the enemies of God, not for the saved, redeemed, paid for by the Blood of Christ, because that wrath for our sin was already poured out upon and in Christ's Blood for us, removing our sin at the Cross
    5. Wrath is always seemingly poured out like spilled blood, either from literal blood, or from the vials held by angels, pouring them onto the earth

    THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION IS MAINLY ABOUT ISRAEL

    (Deuteronomy 4:30-31)
    When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

    Revelation Chapter 1

    (Luke 1:30-33 [KJV])
    And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

    THIS IS FUTURISTIC, NOT YET FULFILLED. Revelation tells us that it will be fulfilled, and clearly how.

    (Revelation 1:1)
    The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:
    (Deuteronomy 29:29 [AKJV/PCE])
    The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

    (2 Peter 3: 3-4)
    Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

    SIG'NIFY, v. t. [L. significo; signum, a sign, and facio, to make.]
    1. To make known something, either by signs or words; to express or communicate to another any idea, thought, wish, a hod, wink, gesture, signal or other sign. A man signifies his mind by his voice or by written characters; he may signify his mind by a nod or other motion, provided the person to whom he directs it, understands what is intend by it. A general or an admiral signifies his commands by signals to officers as a distance.
    2. To mean; to have or contain a certain sense. The word sabbath signifies rest. Less, in composition, as in faithless, signifies destitution or want. The prefix re, in recommend, seldom signifies any thing.
    3. To import; to weigh; to have consequence; used in particular phrases; as, it signifies much or little; it signifies nothing. What does it signify? What signify the splendors of a court? Confession of sin without reformation of life, can signify nothing in the view of God.
    4. To make known; to declare. The government should signify to the protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.

    SIG'NIFY, v.i. To express meaning with force. [Little used.]

    SHORT'LY, adv.
    1. Quickly; soon; in a little time. The armies came shortly in view of each other. Clarendon.
    2. In a few words; briefly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.
    (Revelation 1:2)
    Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
    (Revelation 1:3)
    Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
    (2 Thessalonians 2:2-12)
    That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

    (Revelation 1:4)
    John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

    THE I AM:

    (Exodus 3:14)
    And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

    JESUS: HE IS THE I AM

    (John 5:43)
    I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

    It must be understood that Jesus Christ was sent of the Father and did all in the Father's Name, to point the way to the Father. The anti-Christ will come in and only in his own name, not God's, and people will fall for it, wanting to worship him as God.

    (John 6:35)
    And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

    (John 6:41)
    The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

    (John 6:48)
    I am that bread of life.

    (John 6:51)
    I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

    (John 7:28)
    Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

    (John 7:29)
    But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

    (John 8:12)
    Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

    (John 8:16)
    And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

    (John 8:18)
    I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

    (John 8:23)
    And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

    (John 8:24)
    I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

    (John 8:28)
    Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

    (John 9:5)
    As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

    (John 9:9)
    Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

    (John 9:39)
    And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

    (John 10:7)
    Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

    (John 10:9)
    I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

    (John 10:10)
    The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

    (John 10:11)
    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

    (John 10:14)
    I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

    (John 10:36)
    Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

    (John 11:25)
    Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

    (John 12:46)
    I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

    (John 13:19)
    Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

    (John 14:6)
    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

    (John 14:10)
    Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

    (John 14:11)
    Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

    (John 14:20)
    At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

    (John 15:1)
    I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

    (John 15:5)
    I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

    (John 18:5)
    They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

    (John 18:6)
    As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

    (John 18:8)
    Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

    (John 18:37)
    Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

    (John 19:21)
    Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

    CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS

    (1 Corinthians 15:20)
    But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.

    (1 Corinthians 15:23)
    But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

    (Colossians 1:18)
    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.

    (Revelation 1:5)
    And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

    NO OTHER BLOOD

    (Hebrews 9:12)
    Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

    (Revelation 1:6)
    And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
    (Genesis 14:18 [KJV])
    And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

    (Psalms 110:4 [KJV])
    The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

    (Hebrews 5:6 [KJV])
    As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

    (Hebrews 7:17 [KJV])
    For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

    (Revelation 1:7)
    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
    (Matthew 24:30)
    And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

    (Matthew 26:64)
    Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

    (Mark 13:26)
    And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

    (Mark 14:62)
    And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

    (Zechariah 12:10)
    And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

    (Revelation 1:8)
    I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
    (Revelation 1:9)
    I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

    (Revelation 1:10)
    I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
    (Exodus 19:16)
    And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

    (Leviticus 23:24)
    Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

    (Numbers 10:9)
    And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

    (Numbers 10:10)
    Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.

    (Numbers 29:1)
    And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

    (Numbers 31:6)
    And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

    (Joshua 6:5)
    And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

    (Judges 7:22)
    And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

    (1 Samuel 13:3)
    And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

    (2 Samuel 6:15)
    So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

    (1 Kings 1:34)
    And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

    (Revelation 1:11)
    Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

    THE SEVEN CHURCHES: “THE THINGS THAT ARE”

    THE ORDER OF APOSTASY

    1. The Church grows
    2. The enemy tries to stop the spread of the Church from without through persecution
    3. Persecution actually makes the Church grow and strengthen
    4. Failing that, the enemy simply then tries to stop the spread of the Church from within with an apostasy

    The Churches and the Characteristics

    1. Ephesus-Apostolic Age Before AD 100: "universal church of the days of the apostles, or the first century of Christianity" Warmth and love and labor for Christ; defection beginning with a gradual cooling of love, false professions and clergy/laity distinctions.
    2. Smyrna-Age of Persecution 100 to 313 AD: "the age of martyrdom, when pagan Roman emperors attempted to destroy Christianity with the violence of the sword" or "the persecuted church". Sweet and precious martyrdom, but a progression of clergy/laity distinctions and Judaizing tendencies, with an increasing departure from the simplicity of the gospel.
    3. Pergamos-Imperial Church Age (Church/State marriage)
      313 to 590: "the church was exalted to royal power and kingly authority through a union, or marriage, with the state." or "the licentious church" True faith more and more disappearing; clericalism systematized, union with the world.
    4. Thyatira-Age of Papacy 590 to 1517: "the corrupt, political church of the Dark Ages." or "a lax church" Purple and glory for the corrupt priesthood; false prophets enthroned in a time when truth was exchanged for darkness (up to the Reformation).
    5. Sardis-Reformation Age 1517 to 1730: "but doubtless embraces the entire history of Protestantism to the end of the gospel dispensation" or "a dead church" Separation and return to the rule of Christ; many great names, but also deadness, and lethargy (Protestant centuries).
    6. Philadelphia Missionary Age 1730 to 1900: "a favored church" Closer adherence to Jesus' word, more fraternity among Christians modern evangelical movement of the 19th century, characterized by real, Scriptural revivals, worldwide missions movements, and renewed expectation of Jesus' return.
    7. Laodicea Age of Apostasy 1900 to ? (Rapture)
      . "a lukewarm church" or "a sad comment on modern Christendom." We are now in that age today

    Evaluating These Interpretations

    There is validity in this approach if these periods are seen as broad, imprecise descriptions of the church through history, allowing for generous periods of overlap. For example, it seems that the last four churches will persist until the coming of Christ (see 2:25; 3:3, 11, 20).
    First, if one accepts these seven letters as descriptive of the flow of church history, it does not require that we see them as exclusive, rigidly sequential ages. Secondly, it is good to remember that if these letters are a prophecy of the course of church history, this is their secondary significance. It must always be remembered that the letters were written to real, existing first-century congregations, and to "all who have an ear to hear."

    As Morris says, "Since there is nothing directly said by Christ to require - or even to suggest - such an (prophetic)
    application, a literalistic approach to the study of Revelation cannot place much emphasis on it."

    As well, we must remember that every age has had some characteristics of all seven churches. Though certain historical periods are marked by the conditions spoken of in these letters, we could never say that "only one letter" applies to us or our age.

    Joseph Seiss speaks to this well: "There are Protestant Papists, and Papistical Protestants; sectarian anti-sectarians, and partyists who are not schismatics; holy ones in the midst of abounding defection and apostasy, and unholy ones in the midst of the most earnest and active faith; light in dark places, and darkness in the midst of light."

    We need to hear what the Spirit says to the churches (in the plural sense), not just one church. And certainly not what carnal, sinful man in his flesh says, if it goes against the Spirit.

    Why These Seven Churches?

    1. Local: actual churches; valid needs.
    2. Admonitory: "hear...churches" ...all seven letters apply to all seven churches.
    3. Personal: "He that hath an ear...." It applies to you and me personally.
    4. Prophetic: In their particular order, they lay out the entire history of the church. [They fill the gap implied in Daniel 9:26, and between Revelation 12:5 and 6, etc.] Whereas the Book of Acts covered the first 30 years of the church, the Book of Revelation takes it from Acts to His Second Coming (covering about 2000 years)
      . Cf. Matthew 13; Pauline letters...Any other order--it doesn’t fit!
    (Revelation 1:12)
    And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
    (Matthew 5:14-16)
    Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

    (Revelation 1:13)
    And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
    (Revelation 1:14)
    His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;
    (Daniel 7:9)
    I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

    (Deuteronomy 4:24)
    For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

    (Revelation 1:15)
    And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
    (John 5:22)
    For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

    (Revelation 1:16)
    And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.
    (Hebrews 4:12)
    For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    (Revelation 1:17-18)
    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

    (Revelation 22:5 [KJV])
    And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
    (Matthew 16:19)
    And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

    (Revelation 1:19)
    Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
    (Revelation 1:20)
    The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
    Revelation Chapter 2

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