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VIEWS: 9 PAGES: 548 POSTED ON: 1/23/2012 Public Domain
MYSTERY OF GOD (WORD) REVEALED • Let your loins be girded about, and your light burning; • And yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. • Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will cometh forth and serve them. (Luke.12:35-37) MYSTERY OF GOD (WORD) REVEALED • And he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so , blessed are those servants. (Luke.12:38) • For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven (1)with a shout (2) with a voice of the archangel (3) and with the trump of God ) :And the dead in Christ shall rise first; • Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians.4:16-17) MYSTERY OF GOD (WORD) REVEALED • And the Lord said who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? • Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing . • Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. (Luke.12:42-44) MYSTERY OF GOD REVEALED • Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, • Strive to enter in at the strait (narrow) gate: for many , I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. • When the master of the house is risen up , and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are. (Luke.13:23-25) THE FIRST PARABLE (MATTHEW.13:3-9) • Behold, sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. • Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. • And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. THE FIRST PARABLE (MATTHEW.13:7-8, • And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: • But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold some thirty fold. • [ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower : When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, ………Matthew.13:18:23] REVELATION.2:1-3 • Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; these things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlestick; • I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: • And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name "s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted REVELATION.2:4 -7 • Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. • Remember therefore from whenc e thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. • But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolatians, which I also hate • He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. The Ephesians Church Age: The First: Messenger – . st.Paul The Time Period: AD 50 – AD 170 , Rev.2:1-7 & Mat.13:18-23 THE MESSENGER TO THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • The Apostle Paul founded the Ephesians church in the middle of the first century. He was the prophet- messenger to the gentiles. God gave him the full revelation of the word for the gentile church. (Galatians.1:12-19) • Paul"s manner of ministering settle pattern that all future messengers were to aspire to, actually sets the pattern for every true minister of God. THE MESSENGER TO THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • Apostle Paul"s ministry had a three fold quality : • 1) This great apostle was absolutely true to the word, never deviating from it no matter what the cost.(Gal.1:8-9, 1Cor.14:36-37, 1Thess.2:13) • 2) His ministry was in the power of the Spirit, thereby demonstrating the spoken word and written word.(1Cor.2:1-5, Acts.28:7-9,) • 3) Apostle Paul had the evidence of the fruit of his God given ministry.( 2Cor.12:11,1Cor.9:2) THE MESSENGER TO THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • Apostle Paul had the means of bringing in multitudes of gentile sheep; he fed them, and he cared for them, until they are brought forth righteous fruit and were prepared to meet the Lord as part of His gentile bride. • Paul was not governed by a denomination or any form of organized religion. He was absolutely Spirit led. (Galatians.1:1) THE EPHESIAN CHURCH • The beautiful city of Ephesus was one of the three greatest cities of Asia at that time. It was often called the third city of Christian faith with Jerusalem first, and Antioch second. A very rich city with the Roman government, but spoke the Greek language. • The name Ephesus , has a strange compound meaning "Aimed at" and "Relaxed" • The local church and the attitude of the church through the age had become relaxed and was drifting, backsliding, had left its first love. THE EPHESIAN CHURCH • The enemy had , in this first age of the church, sown anti word "seed" which would in future ages (The dark ages) bringing physical death to millions of God"s children. • Coming to maturity in the seventh and the last age, the fruit of the "seeds" sown in the Ephesus age would bring spiritual death to untold millions of professing Christians. THE EPHESIAN CHURCH • The very religion of the city of Ephesus type out perfectly this church age and sets the tenor of the ages to come. • The Ephesians worshipped the goddess, Diana. Diana was to the Ephesians, what Astarte was to the Syrians; Venus to the Romans and Isis to the Egyptians. • All the different names for the same goddess who was worship as the "queen of heaven". This worship originated with Nimrod, and his wife mother Semiramis and their son. THE EPHESIAN CHURCH • In this church age worship of the father , mother and the son the trinity began. Mother Semiramis was worshipped as the "queen of heaven". • Ahab"s wife Jezeble introduced into the worship of baal and Astarte, the goddess of heaven. • Hardly a nation escaped this spiritual pollution and it eventually infiltrated the church, establishing the " worship" of the virgin Mary. • It is nothing less than the spirit of anti-Christ moving the emphasis away from the Lord Jesus Christ to false gods and goddess of man made religion. THE EPHESIAN CHURCH • It would take time for the spirit of anti- Christ to mix Pagan ideas and theology with the new born Christian church. • But already in this first age pagan influence was subtly infiltrating the church of Christ. • The true believers did recognized the anti- word "deeds" of certain of the brethren, but never realized that those "deeds" would one day become the law of an empire which would hold political and spiritual dominion over the people. THE PAGAN RELIGION OF EPHESUS ( DIANA WORSHIP) • The priest of Diana were eunuchs - basically a sterile anti Christ priesthood which would be introduce to Christianity by false church, wherein their priest would be forbidden to marry. • Above and beyond the " physical sterility" it reflected a spiritually sterile church which had drifted from their love for the word of God, and become unable to reproduce the word in everyday living. THE PAGAN RELIGION OF EPHESUS • They became entrenched in a " form of godliness" satisfies with religious ritual, ceremony and works of a " dead faith" without Holy Ghost manifestations would be the order of worship. • A high priest was the overseer of all that pertained to the worship of the goddess Diana. He was a man of political power and pubic influence, portraying what was already in progress, though not too manifested as yet in this first age. THE PAGAN RELIGION OF EPHESUS • The church would son be given over to human leadership void of divine inspiration they would govern the church by human interpretations of the will of the will of God rather than the revealed word given by the messenger (angel) of the age. Any Holy Ghost move among the people would be branded as fanaticism and persecuted unto death. This was represented by pagan temple slaves who had no choice but obedience to the religious hierarchy. THE PAGAN RELIGION OF EPHESUS • All this things spoke of what was to come in greater manifestation in future ages of church. Man made and man appointed clergy, would , political maneuvering and with the state help enslave the laity, making them servants to creeds, dogmas and ritual of a church ran by corrupt leaders, giving their power and glory over to anti – Christ beast spoken of in the book of revelation. THE PAGAN RELIGION OF EPHESUS • The message to the each of the seven churches is from none other than our Lord Jesus Christ- one John saw standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks • At the beginning of the message to each of the seven churches the Lord Jesus " identifies" Himself in His position, His power, His authority, and His glorious attributes, by the word in the word , through the word He clearly identifies Himself in all ages. . THE MASSAGE TO THE EPHESIAN AGE • In the right hand of power are seven stars, who, according to revelation 1:20, , are the seven church age messengers being in His " right hand" first signifies His authority and control over His messengers and secondly, it signifies that the very power and authority of God are behind His messengers to every age. THE MESSEGE TO THE EPHESIAN AGE • The messengers are represented as "stars" in His right hand. They are "stars" because they reflect light, reflecting not their own light – the revelation of Jesus Christ for the age in which they live. • As the natural "stars" reflect their light in the night, when darkness covers the earth even so the "star messengers" in right hand of Jesus Christ are ordained to reflect "the light" in the spiritually dark night which falls upon the church. THE MESSEGE • These "star messengers" would fulfill in their day the "Great commission" given by Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20. • They speak and act upon His authority. • The great commission is three fold. • 1) Go, 2) Teach, and 3) Baptize. THE MESSEGE • The true ministry is there to "teach" the people the word, encouraging them to live up – not with a church creed, but with what God says in His Word. • The "true servants of God" will always points people to the WORD, not a church, not a ministry, not a sensation. THE MESSEGE • Teach not the " doctrine of the Nicolatians" or the doctrine of Balaam but teach them to " observe all things, whatsoever our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded in His word. • Neither the "star messengers" or any other ministry is permitted to "add to" the word or change, subtract or compromise" that which God has written and " forever settled in heaven" Psalms .119:89 THE MESSEGE • It wasn"t the Pope, the pastor general overseer or the church who hung upon the cross, gave his blood. It was Jesus Christ. The church didn"t Dei for us- it was Lord Jesus Christ the author and the finisher of our faith. We are espoused to Him and not another. We don"t belong to the church. We belong to Him. As His word is life to us , the church creeds, dogmas , by laws and constitutions " make the word , none effect" blinding the people to what the word of God actually teachers and causing them to "worship God in vain. Matthew.15:6-9. THE MESSEGE • As the literal "candlesticks" in the tabernacle in the wilderness are made of pure gold , our righteousness is His righteousness, our attributes are His own glorious attributes our identity is found in Him. What He has we have to manifest. REVELATION.2:2-3 • "I know thy works , and thy labour, and patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil :and thou has tried them which say they are apostles, are not and hast borne and hast patience, and for my name's sake has laboured, and hast not fainted." • LORD JESUS CHRIST THE MESSEGE TO THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • The Lord alone "walketh in the midst of His church". For He has planted it in His own likeness (the word) , therefore, He would water over it (with His word) and He would watch over it, lest unbelief defile or destroy it . • Without Christ in the midst of the church she simply a religious society, a club, a meaningless gathering of people. No matter what the good programs and kind efforts are, without Christ in the midst no life. "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks". (Revelation.2:1) The one who walketh in the midst of seven golden candlestick is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the message to each of the Seven Church Ages, the Lord Jesus "Identifies" Himself in His position, His power, His authority and His glorious attributes. He " holdeth the Seven Stars in His right hand." The right hand signifies the power and authority of God. Being His "right hand" first signifies His authority and control over His messengers, secondly it signifies that very power and authority of God are behind His messengers to every age. THE STAR MESSENGERS • The messengers are represented as "star" in his right hand . They are "Stars" because they reflect light, reflecting not their own light but His light The Revelation of Jesus Christ for the age in which they live. • As the natural stars reflect their light in the night, where darkness cover the earth so the "star messenger" in the right hand of Jesus Christ are ordained to reflect "the light" spiritually dark night which falls upon the church. THE WORKS OF THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • Jesus knows our works, whether they are good or evil. According to His word or contrary to His word. In each church age He acknowledges the works of the church, acknowledging their suffering and expressing His care and concern for them. • But He also takes full account of their spiritual attitudes, and behavior. Praising and commending them for their faithfulness and chastising and correcting them for areas wherein they were found to be compromising His word. THE WORKS OF THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • In this first age He knows that there is weakness amongst them, but as yet He doest not cry out against it. • But in love and mercy he encourages the saints in continuing to follow after that which is righteous, and discourages them from giving into the temptation to "go alone" with anti- word teaching. • Knowing the works of the church in this age Jesus knew that the "seeds" of anti word teaching were already being planted by false apostels. THE WORKS OF THE FIRST CHUCH AGE • " I know thy works, thy labour, and thy patience" • The word labour, signifies a weariness through oppression. There is an indication of another spirit is at work in the Ephesian age opposing the Spirit of Christ in His church. • This opposing , anti – Christ spirit would , according to Daniel 7:25 " speak ( great) words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints and thinks to change times and laws" • These first age saints suffered great persecution. They were being "harassed" "oppressed" by anti-Christ false church. FALSE APOSTLES OF THE FIRST AGE • The early church fathers had to deal with "false apostles" who were attempting to "exercise authority" over the people and preach things which didn"t come from the scriptures. • These false apostles claim to authority and their teaching were "tried" ( examined by the word); and they were found to be liars- deceiving the people. FALSE APOSTLES • The Apostle John Paul deals with such persons. • " I wrote unto the church; But Diotrephes, which loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiving us not, wherefore, if I come , I will remember his deeds, which doeth, prating against us with malicious words; and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receiving the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would , and casteth them out of the church" (3 John.9-10) FALSE APOSTLES • The Apostle Paul deals with such person. • "But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." (1 Timothy.2:16-19) FALSE APOSTLE • The seeds of the true church just bregan to sprout and manifest itself when "tares" also began to make itself known among the "wheat". • The "tares" had gained sufficient ground to become an hindrance and source of persecution, and deception to the "wheat" Sons and Daughters of God. • Liked Cain persecuted and killed Abel, Ishmael persecuted Isaac, Esau also persecuted Jacob who all are the seed of God , even from Genesis to Revelation. THE MESSEGE TO THE FIRST CHURC AGE • The children of this world, controlled by devil, hates the children of God who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. No matter how just and upright a Christian is before the public, and how gracious he is to his fellow man, dong naught but good, let him confess Christ as his savior and stand for all of what the Bible teachers, he will be criticized and condemned. THE MESSEGE TO THE FIRST CHURCH AGE • The very "life" of the true Child of God is a testimony against the forms of godliness, and worldliness of man made religion. Therefore, persecution , separation from family and friends (for His Word sake) are nature and normal part of Christian life. • The Lord acknowledges how that the saints in this Ephesian age has " endured" and "patiently" dealt with the false apostles all for His Name sake, that Name of the Lord be exalted and not blasphemed. They "labour" to the point of exhaustion, refusing to "faint" in the face of any opposition. THE LORD REPROVES HIS OWN IN THE FIRST AGE • Nevertheless I have (somewhat) against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation.2:4) • The scenario which hast oft repeated itself in God"s dealing with Israel is now sees in God"s dealing with the church. • In the history of Israel we see revival start with one generation only to see the fires fading into next. In the generation , the fire is reduced to glowing embers, but in the forth fourth there may be no trace whatsoever of that original flame. THE LORD REPROVES HIS OWN IN THE EPHESIAN AGE • This process enforces the truth that God has no grand children, only sons and daughters. Salvation is not passed on by natural birth, water baptism, sprinkling, etc.; or personal association with a church, its rituals, dogmas or creeds. • Salvation is a "personal experience" with the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38 is the path which if followed by faith in the heart will produce an "experience" with Christ. • A genuine experience will ALWAYS lead to His "Lordship" (by His word) over your life. THE LORD REPROVES • This is what happened to the Ephesian church. They were getting bit formal. Absolute dedication to the Lord and all allegiance to his word was dying out and the people were concerned about what the world thought of them. Rather than what God thought of them. • That second generation coming out was just like Israel. Wanting to be like other nations and wanting to be "recognized" a real kingdom, Israel demanded a "human" king to rule over them. When they did that, they rejected God as their king- they left their first love. THE LORD REPROVES • The church was beginning to do exactly what Israel did. In this first age Christ reproves His own with the words; "Nevertheless I have (somewhat ) against thee because thou hast left thy first love". • A generation was rising that wanted to be "recognized" by man. Therefore, in this first age the "false apostles influencing the young church to leave its first love" THE LORD REPROVES • Church began to submit, little by little to the idea of " organizing" Christianity and placing under a "human-led" church government. • Once the idea (seed) was sown, it wasn"t long before the people began moving their allegiance from the word of God to the organized church and it creed. • They change manner of dress, their attitudes and their behavior. They got lax,, that is what "Ephesus" means- relaxed - drifting THE LORD REPROVES • But already, the church was cooling in its love for her Lord. One little deviation from the word was a step away from Christ. What Israel did the church was also doing. • "Wherefore the Lord said ,forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me , but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precepts of men". (Isaiah.29:13) • Regardless of what they said with their mouth, their lives told another story. Jesus said " And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say" (Luke.6:46) THE LORD WARNS HIS OWN IN THE FIRST AGE • The people were still religious but not walking fully in line with the Word of the Lord. There was a tremendous influence in the Ephesian church age, calling them to "add to" that Word or " take from" it . • This influence was so subtle that many were not able to recognize the deception. Dressed as "reason" and " human understanding" this anti – Christ spirit was gaining a foothold in the church exactly as the Devil gained ground in the garden of Eden. THE LORD WARNS … • "Remember therefore from when thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of this place except thou repent. (JESUS- Rev.2:5) • The church was commanded to " remember" where and how the church started- on the day of Pentecost; recognized their "fallen" state and "REPENT" for straying from the " Original" fire, power and message of Pentecost, as much as they did. • And do the "first works" over again. Failure to do as Christ commanded means the " removal of the candlestick (the light) out of it" s place." THE LORD WARNS • The Lord"s warning is to entire church age, specially the generation which was witnessing the closing of the Ephesian age. • Those who failed to Repent and do the first works would be " blotted out" of the "Book of Life" (Revelation.3:5) • This warning came to pass to the "local" church at Ephesus, the candlestick was removed. By the end of the "Age" the City of Ephesus was in ruins and not one Christian remained in what was now a neglected village. RUINED AND NEGLECTED EPHESUS THE DECEPTION OF THIS AGE • "But this thou, Hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolatians, which I also hate." ( Revelation .2:6) • There was a heretical group existing "within" and "under" the banner of Christian Church, in the Ephesian age. In His message to the Ephesian age, JESUS acknowledges the Nicolaitan to be an " identifiable group" • The Elect seed of God in this age recognized this group, they hated what this group was doing. This "seeds" of the "deeds" of the Nicolaitans would through the ages become a doctrine and the way of the "organized" church. THE DECEPTION OF THIS AGE • The "deeds" of the Nicolaitans would indeed mushroom in to a rebellion against the" "Absolute Authority" of the word of God. With theses "deeds" man would "inject" his own ideas into how the church should run. • The very name "Nicolaitan" comes from the two Greek words; "NIKO" which means to conquer; and "LAOS" ,which means the laity. • These "false" Nicolaitan teachers in the church began to elevate the clergy above the laity. This distinction did not exist in the beginning. THE DECEPTION OF THIS AGE • The "clergy order" being set in motion by the Nicolaitan, hear in Ephesian age would later developed into the Papal hierarchy of priests and clergy over the laity. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church "enforced" this doctrine of Nicolaitanism on the people. • Following the great reformation, all protestant churches also eventually adopted this pattern. This anti scripture separation of clergy from the laity is a great evil in the eyes of the God and He hates it. PETER WARNS (2.Peter.2:1-3) • "But there were false prophets also among people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. • And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. • And through covetousness (greed) shall they feigned (false) words make merchandise of you. THE DECEPTION OF THIS AGE • In this modern age in which we live Nicolaitanism has descended into the shameful prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God in the lives of the believers. • Nicolaitanism denies the biblical "Priesthood" of the believers by few elevated clergy. THE LORD WARNS • A true and genuine ministry is there to "teach" the people the Word, encouraging them to line up not with a church creed, but with what God says in the bible. • The true servants of God will always point the people to the Word. Jesus said " man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew.4:4) • The spirit of Nicolaitans points people to a church ,a group, ministry or a sensation. THE FINAL EXHORTATION TO THE EPHESUS • "To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is IN THE MIDST OF THE PARADISE OF GOD." (Revelation.2:7) • The "over comer" is one who engages in a "battle" with opposing forces and " over come" them. • The" over comers" over come the influence of false teachers, Nicolatanism and man made (Lie- deception) religion. THE FINAL EXHORTATION TO THE EPHESUS • "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. (John.4:23) • They overcame, not by their own strength, but by virtue of the Word of God (Revelation), which abideth in them. (1John.2:14) • To over come one must stay with ,not with a church, a creed, a sensation, but stay what God says in His word. (1John.4:4) THE FINAL EXHORTATION TO THE EPHESUS • The "tree of life" is mentioned three times in the book of Genesis and three times in the book of Revelation In all six places it is the same tree (law governing life) • "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth His fruit in his Season." (Psalm.1:3) • "He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son hath not life" (John.5:12) • Bible states plainly and clearly that the life eternal is in the Lord Jesus Christ (the Son) PROVERBS.25:2 IT IS THE GLORY OF GOD TO CONCEAL A THING: BUT THE HONOUR OF KINGS (ROYAL) IS TO SEARCH OUT THE MATTER. LUKE.3:17 • " WHOSE (Jesus) FAN IS IN HIS HAND, AND HE WILL THROUGHLY PURGE HIS FLOOR, AND WILL GATHER THE WHEAT INTO HIS GARNER ; BUT CHAFF HE WILL BURN WITH FIRE UNQUENCHABLE." THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA ( The Second Church Age) • THE SECOND PARABLE • Matthew.13:24-26 • "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But when men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also." THE SECOND PARABLE • MATTHEW.13:27-28 • "So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in the field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?" THE SECOND PARABLE • MATTHEW.13:29-30 • "But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in BUNDLES to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." THE SECOND PARABLE • MATTHEW.13:37-39 • "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; reapers are the angels (messengers)." THE SECOND PARABLE • MATTHEW.13:40-41 • "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things (scandals) that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. THEN SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN IN THE KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. Who hat ears to hear , let him hear." THE SMYRNA CHURCH AGE • REVELATION.2:8-9 • "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; • I know thy works, and thy tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not , but are the synagogue of Satan. THE SMYRNA CHURCH AGE • REVELATION.2:10-11 • "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison , that have tribulation ten days be thou faithful unto to 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. THE SMYYRNA CHURCH AGE TIME PERIOD – 170 AD TO 312 AD THE MESSENGER – IRENAEUS THE BIBLE REFERENCE - REV.2:8-11 THE CITY - SMYRNA THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • Using God"s rule, the character and the attributes of the ministry of the Apostle Paul becomes a guideline in choosing all other church age messengers. There are certain attributes of character and ministry which are common to all of God"s major messengers. • Paul"s manner of ministering set the pattern that all messengers and ministers of God were to aspire to, though not all would attain to such height in the prophetic realm as did by Paul. THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • Irenaeus was exalted by the Lord to be the messenger to the second church age. He was the disciple of that great saint and warrior of faith , POLICARP. • POLICARP was one of truly illustrious saint of all ages when viewed in the light of blameless life. • In his old age POLICARP was martyred. THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • IRENAEUS was militant against any form of organization, with " man over man" controlling the church. His life was one of the great Holy Spirit manifestations glorifying God. And it is no doubt that IRENAEUS sat at the feet of that great man POLICARP and learned Christian graces that flowed from the POLICARP"S consecrated life. THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • IRENAEUS clearly taught the Word always conforming to its original precepts. ( the foundation of Apostles & Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself the chief corner stone.- Eph.2:20) His churches in France known to have the gifts of the Spirit among them. For the saints spoke in tongues prophesied, raised the dead and heal the sick by the prayer of faith. THE MESSENGER- IRENAEUS • Recognizing the danger of the "deeds of the Nicolatians" Irenaeus opposed any organized brotherhood among elders, pastors etc. He stood solidly for a unified, Spirit – filled church – manifesting the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He stood for a Sovereign God working Sovereignly in the power of the Spirit in each local body of believers. • He was also clear on his understanding of the Godhead. And since he was the disciple of POLICARP, who in turn was disciple of JOHN, we can know for sure he had a perfect teaching. THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • "All the other expression, likewise, bring out the title of One and the same Being, the Lord of power, the Lord, the Father of all ,God almighty, Most High, Creator, Maker, and such like, these are not the names and titles of a succession of different beings, but One and the Same." • IRENAEUS • Vol.1. Page 412, Ante Nicene Fathers. THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • Irenaeus understood clearly all these "titles" were not referring different "person" but as other titles such as Rose of Sharon, Bright and Morning Star, Fairest of Ten Thousand, etc. All point to One God. • His manifested Name • LORD JESUS CHRIST. THE MESSENGER - IRENAEUS • The messenger to the Church Age was steadfast in his allegiance to the WORD of GOD. This characteristic, along with his wonderful understanding of scriptures , and manifestation of power of God upon that ministry vindicates him to have been God"s choice for the age. • Irenaeus posses a balance of fruit, power, and leadership in the Holy Spirit, and the Word. In this age he was one who influence the age for God by means of a ministry which was solidly based on the word, in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit . SMYRNA CHURCH AGE • Christ graciously acknowledges that He is aware of the suffering of His Elect Children in this age. He encourages them to "be faithful unto death". He then points out the "false ones" who are still very active in the age – identifying them as "the Synagogue of Satan". They are not proclaiming themselves to be thus – just the opposite – they are professing to be "true believers" SMYRNA CHURCH AGE • It almost seems impossible that Church should go quickly from Holy Ghost control to Satanic control, through " false brethren" who bring in damnable heresies (2 Pet. 2:1). To understand this scenario we need only to remember what happened to Israel in it"s exodus. In less than five months Israel went from worshiping JEHOVAH on the shores Red Sea to worshiping " golden calf" in the wilderness. SMYRNA – THE CITY (The false church gains ground) • The city of Smyrna was little north of Ephesus at the mouth of smyrna gulf. Because of its very fine harbor it was a commercial center renowned for its exports. It was also distinguished for its schools of rhetoric, philosophy, medicine ,science, and fine building . Many Jews lived there, and they were bitterly opposed to Christianity, even more than Romans. In fact ,Policarp the first Bishop at Smynan was martyred by the Jews. SMYRNA – THE CITY • The name of the city means "bitter" being derived from the word Myrrh. Myrrh was used in embalming the dead. Thus we have a two fold significance found in the name of this age. It was bitter age filled with death. The two vines within the framework of the church would this age drift further apart with the "false vine" harboring an even increasing bitterness towards the "true vine" . Spiritual death reigned in the false vine , causing them to persecute unto physical death to the remnants of the true vine. • Thus the admonition of the Lord to His Elected Children in Smyrnaen Age " BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN." (Revelation.2:10) SMYRNA – THE CITY • Seeing these (little by little) things overtaking the church, was in "bitterness" instead to the heart and soul of the true vine. • Taking a stand against it would cost them their lives. What transpires in the local smyrna church and in the city was but a reflection of what was to transpire in the Second (Smyrnean) Church Age. SMYRNA – THE CITY • In this city there were two famous temples. One was the temple erected to the worship of ZEUS (a false god) , and the other was erected to CYBELE (a false goddess). • And between those two temples was found the most beautiful road of ancient times called" "golden street" was an indication of greater influence which paganism would have within the framework of the Christian church – strengthening the false vine but weakening the true vine. SMYRNA – THE CITY • Paganism was known to flourish greatly in Rome, in Rome the false vine , riddles with paganism would find its resting place. From these false vine church would spread it"s false doctrines around the world. • The joining the two pagan temples of a god and goddess would ( in a latter age) influence the false vine church to introduce " Mother (Mary) and Son ( Jesus) worship. Mary would be elevated to a position co- equalness with Jesus Christ, and was given the title of " Mother of God". The message to the Second Church Age - Smyrna • "And unto the angel of the church of Smyrna write; these things saith the First and the Last, which was dead and is alive" (Revelation.2:8) • Addressing the messenger to this second age Jesus adds to the revelation of His Deity given to Ephesian age. Now, He declares Himself to be " the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive;" • To John in revelation, Jesus affirmed His "absolute Deity" saying "I am Alpha And Omega, saith the Lord which is , and which was , and which is to come, the Almighty… The message to the Second Church Age - Smyrna • Lord Jesus Christ is not first, second or third "Person" – He is the One and Only Person in the Godhead. • The first Adam took "life" and through disobedience turned it into "death". Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, through , a sinless birth and absolute obedience to Every Word, takes "death" and turns it into "Eternal life" the First Adam took innocence and turned it into guilt. The message to the Second Church Age - Smyrna • On the basis of "Faith" in what He did, Jesus Christ takes " our guilt" and turns it into "innocence" giving us the Power (the Holy Spirit) in our lives to rise above the dominion of the world, the flesh and the devil. • "Behold, I give unto you power … over all the power of the enemy" ( luke.10;19) and" "sin shall not have dominion over you. (Romans.6:14) The message to the Second Church Age - Smyrna • Seeing other influence, at work in the church , taking the leadership and authority of "man" over and above the leadership and authority of the Holy Ghost, The Lord Jesus Christ issues these messages to each Church Ages, reaffirming His Deity and His claim to His Elected Church, which He has purchased with His own blood. He warns the false vine, but comforts the true vine The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty,( but thou art rich)." Rev.2:9 • Jesus comforts His children with the knowledge that He KNOWS The tribulation and poverty they are called to endure in this age. He encourages them with the revelation that though they be enduring tribulation, and suffering poverty, yet they are rich Spiritually. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • The Smyrnaen Saints had their treasures in heaven, their "potion" on earth, in this second age was "tribulation and poverty" • In the second church age the Elect of God are under pressure from "within" and from "without". From "within" they feel the pressure of "deeds of the Nicholatians" brought over from the first age, and the pressure of the "false Jews" in the "Synagogue of Satan" hear in Smyrna age. • The "false " ones in their midst, under a religious anti-Christ anointing introduces "man made order" to the True Church of Christ. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • But from without, the Christian Church (both true and false vine) is being persecuted by Jews and pagans. • The Christian faith was a "threat" to Judaism. To the pagans, the Christians were a rebuke to all that paganism stood for- idol worship, the worship of emperors, pagan customs, festivals and their immoral living. • Therefore, the faithful saints were in a warfare against "deception" from within and "persecution" from outside –"The Tribulation" The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • "And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan" (Rev.2:9) • This perfectly describes the false Jews and those of Satan"s Synagogue in this second age. • Many of these Jews are (self) righteous men, but like the pharisees of Jesus "s day full of unbelief in their heart , and the fear of God is taught by the precepts of men. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • What does it mean by "Synagogue of Satan" . The Synagogue is not unlike our use of the word "Church". It is the" "Gathering together" of the people. • The Synagogue of Satan is a church under Satan"s control by deception. The deception is that the people "think" they are doing God a service, when in reality there works, creeds, and dogma is a dishonour - to God. In fact God called it "Blasphemy". The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • That same religious spirit is right among us today practically , all churches (Christian denominations) claim to be the Original and the True Church. • Pointing to a particular church or religious group, they proclaim that salvation is found only in that church or group. • One church claims to posses the keys of the kingdom which they received from Peter. Of cause ,they have Absolutely No Scripture or Historical Proof for this claim. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • In this age , under Satan"s influence like Eve in the garden they continue to "add to" and "take away" from the Word. This then, is Satan"s Synagogue full of Blasphemy, in which the deeds of the doctrine of Nicolaitanism are already deeply rooted. • A few more years and this "Synagogue of Satan" enthrone a "Man" their Leader, and give him a "triple" crown falsely signifying his influence in heaven, hell and so called purgatory The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • You might call yourself a "Christian" because you are a member of a particular Denominational, Inter- Denominational , or Non- Denominational church or group, but church membership does not make a Christian. • To belong to a church is have the "spirit" of that church and be "like that church" or what that church teachers. • But to be a "Christian" is to be "Christ- like". If you "Christ – like" then you will do what He says in His WORD. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • If indeed you are a Christian you will Grow Spiritually. There is more to being a Christian than just saying " I believe in God". That doesn"t make you a Christian. Going to church doesn"t make you a Christian. • Only a personal EXPERIENCE with Jesus Christ can make you "Christ – Like". And if you had that EXPERIENCE you will "walk in the light of His Word" as He reveals it to you. By grace , you will Endeavour to Believe, Obey, and Live by Every Word. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • " If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness we lie, and do not the truth" (1John.1:6) • The blood will only atone for our sins as" we continue to walk in his word", failure to "walk in the light" takes us out from under the atonement. • "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1John.1:7) The Message to the SMYRNA Church Age • In the Smyrna age the church became Hybrid – a mixture. Even today nominal church is a Hybrid product. • People say "I am Baptist, I am Methodist, I am Pentecostal". But it was not so in the beginning. • Instead of saying what the Bible says, the people just recite a creed, ritual , programs and ceremony have taken the place of spontaneous praise in the Holy Ghost and Holy Ghost filled men, preaching the Word in its Power. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • Hybrid religion reject portions of the word, saying that " It is not for this day" or "We don"t have to do this and that" • They believe the church not the Bible. No organized religion has ever had a " Life – Giving" word revival. Once they organized they died. No Hybrid product can "produce" life. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • "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." (Rev.2:10) • The Saints in this age were persecuted, imprisoned and tortured even unto death. They were fed to the lions, given to the Gladiators sword. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • EXACTLY AS THE Lord said , they were cast into prison, they were severely tried and tested. • But He spoke of a "Span of time Ten Day " where in they would suffer "Tribulation". This is a prophecy. Taking a day for a year this prophecy refers to the last ten year reign of DIOCLETIAN, the most cruel of all the Roman Emperors. He launched a ten year reign of terror against the Saints of God. • Lord was mindful of them and their sufferings. He gave them the promise " be thou faithful unto death, I will give thee a crown of life. The Message to the Smyrna Church Age • 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 " (Rev.2:11) • What is this "Second death" ? The answer is Rev. 20:14 "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." • The over comers in all ages , receiving a crown of eternal life., will escape the "second death". Death in the flesh comes to al of us (except the raptured saints). But whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into lake of fire. The Message to the Second Church Age • Thank God for the hope which we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank God for the Revelation of Him in His Word. • "And this is the Father"s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (John.6:39) • No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up the last day. (John.6:44) THE PERGAMOS CHURCH AGE (The Third Church Age) • THE THIRD PARABLE • Matthew.13:31-32 • "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: • Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown. It is greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof" THE KINGDOM HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO MUSTARD SEED GROWN TO A TREE The Third Parable (Pergamos Age) • The man who sowed the mustard seed in his own garden represent the Son of Man. He sowed the mustard seed of the Gospel of salvation, which bore life and grew into a small plant, the small group of believers on the Day of Pentecost. • As it continued to grow, it produced more branches and more leaves. By and by it came to look like a small tree as the church grew. The mustard tree is actually an herb. And like all herbs, it has medicinal value. The Third Parable • By the time the Church had entered into the Pergamean Church Age ( the beginning of the 4th century AD) Constantine the new emperor of Rome, embraced Christianity in 312 AD after his "vision" of the Cross (in this sign you will be victorious) By it he had several victories in his battle campaign for the Roman Empire. • He pronounced Christianity The state religion. From 320 -330 AD, Constantine began to attack paganism. The Third Parable • Through the government he often persuaded people to follow the law by combining pagan worship with the Christianity. Those who were "converted" to "Roman Christianity were safe from persecution. • This attracted the men of higher societies and ranks –the rich, the noble, the aristocrat, and even pagan priests and religious leaders- to find shelter in the Church for their personal benefit. • These were the birds that came to perch on the branches for shelter, comfort and protection. The Third Parable • These birds did not contribute anything to the mustard tree except their weight and their droppings which soon weighed down and polluted the tree. (The Church) • With all these strange birds coming together on the tree, there was a constant noisy chirping of the different calls of the birds. This noise was the argument and debates over certain Church affairs. The Third Parable • Through the argument as to whether the Lord Jesus Christ was God or Man, a teaching stirred up by Arius, a priest of Egyptian Alexandria, a council was convened at Nicea, in 325 AD under the order of Constantine. • The product of that council was the false theological understanding of God known as the Holy Trinity, which is accepted by almost all in CHRISTIANITY TODAY. PERGAMOS CHURCH AGE (The Third Church Age) • REVELATION.2:12-13. • And to angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; • I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan"s seat is :and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth PERGAMOS CHURCH AGE (The Third Church Age) • REVELATION.2:14-17. • But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. • So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. PERGAMOS CHURCH AGE (The Third Church Age) • REVELATION.2:16-17. • Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. • He that hath a ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. THE PERGAMOS CHURCH AGE THE TIME PERIOD- 312 AD TO 606 AD THE MESSENGER – St. MARTIN THE BIBLE REF. REV. 2:12-17 THE CITY- PERGAMOS THE TIME PERIOD • The Perganean age lasted almost 300 years, from 312 to 606 AD. • In this age Christ is standing in the midst with a sharp two edges sword. He comforts His own and further contends with the "doctrines" of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. • In this age He speaks of "Satan"s Seat" and where Satan dwelleth. . THE MESSENGER – St. Martin • St. Martin"s ministry to the PERGAMEAN age was powerful in and demonstration of Spirit. He too stayed with the " original word", rejecting any suggestion to "add " human opinion and ideas. • Born in 315 AD in Hungary, the greater part of his ministry was in France, where he labored in and tours as a bishop. Having fought "The good fight" for the truth he went to be with the Lord in 399 AD. THE MESSENGER- St Martin • Prior to his "call" to the ministry of the Gospel Martin was a professional soldier. Leaving the army he became a leader in the church. His love for the Lord and his zeal for the word was manifested in his very militant stand against pagan idolatry. • He cut down the groves, broke up the images and pulled down the alters- proclaimed the truth of the One True and LIVING GOD. THE MESSENGER- St. Martin • Historians acknowledges that on at least on three occasions he raised the dead by faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. • There was no fear in the eyes of Martin when he stood for the revealed word of God. He had no respect of persons. He even did not fear the Emperor. • Martin was a man of prayer. He was able to demonstrate God"s glorious power against the enemies who came against him by bringing down fire from heaven. THE MESSENGER- St. Martin • Too often when men are mightily used of Lord with signs and wonders following their ministries, they became lifted up with pride. But not so with Martin. He ever remained the humble servant of God. • By signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Ghost, Martin was truly vindicated as the Messenger to the Pergamean Church Age. But not only he was gifted by great ministry, he himself was forever true to the Word of God. THE MESSENGER –St Martin • A biographer wrote of him. • "No one ever saw him angry, disturbed, grieving or laughing. He was always one and the same , and seemed something beyond mortal, wearing on his countenance a sort of celestial joy. Never was anything on his lips but Christ, never anything in his heart but piety, peace, and pity. Many hated him for virtues they themselves did not possess and could not imitate; and Alas! His bitterest assailants were bishops." THE CITY OF PERGAMOS • The ancient name for the city was Pergamum. The city was located in Mysia, in a district watered by three rivers. It was described as the most illustrious city in Asia. It was a city of culture with a library second only to that in Alexandria. • Yet it was a city of great sin, given to licentious rites of worship of false gods The Message to the Pergamos Church Age • "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges"" (Revelation.2:12) • In the Ephesian age he was revealed as the unchanging God. In the Smyrna age He is the One True God. In the Pergamean age He is revealed as the "sharp two edged sword". This sword the word of God. One with sharp sword two edges is standing in the midst of the church exercising His authority and power. The Message to the Age • In this age He stands with two –edged sword warning that except they manage "repentance" he would come and fight against them with the sword of his mouth. • His eternal word gives us the sword to defend ourselves against the attacks of Satan. The Message to the Third Age • " I know thy works, and where thou dwelleth, even where Satan"s seat is: and thou holdest fast My Name, and hast not denied My faith, even those days where in Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Revelation.2:13) • To all ages Jesus simply states "I know thy works" .And Jesus knows your works whether they be according to his word or contrary to his word. Jesus judges every church/ individual by His word the sharp two edged sword of the Spirit The Message to the Third Church age • Jesus commends His Elect children for holding fast to the Revelation of His Name. In an age when false vine influence was pushing aside the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in favor of the "titles" of Father, Son, Holy Ghost. • In the third century the actual Name was beginning to lose its significance for a lot of professing Christians. • The trinity teaching of "three persons" in the Godhead becomes a cardinal doctrine of false vine church in the Pergamean Age. The Message to the Third Church Age • The Bible says " And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed. Do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians.3:17) • The false vine church established the ritual of doing everything " in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Name was excluded. A teaching in the second age now a doctrine in the third age • The Revelation of the Name would be lost to the true vine church until the last (7) church age wherein God would restore through the Messenger to last Age. The Message to the Third Age • Never lose the "Significance" of the Name Lord Jesus Christ. "For neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved". (Acts.4:12) • In the Pergamean age human church leadership caused people to trust in church membership, human priestly authority than what the WORD said. The Message to the Third Age • Some of the "faithful ones" paid the high price for "holding fast unto His NAME and not denying His FAITH (Word) • ANTIPASS rejected these false teachings, particularly the doctrine of trinity and the water baptism in titles. He held fast to the NAME of his Lord. He did not deny the FAITH (the true Revelation of Christ) and he paid for it with his life. The Message to the Third Church Age • In the second age Jesus spoke of the false vine church being "the synagogue of Satan" in this age He calls it "Satan"s Seat" or "where Satan dwelleth". • History will takes us back to Genesis and shows "Satan"s seat in the beginning even go beyond Genesis, and trace it down to Pergamos and in to this present age. The Message • The Bible ( Ezekiel. 28:13-15) says Satan first attempted to Establish His "seat of authority" over and above the throne of God. He also aspired to exalt himself above the stars of God, and set in the temple of God and be worship as God. • Only way he is able to partially fulfill his aspiration is through "deceit". He would have to impersonate what God has done and is doing. • Deceive the people into thinking they are following and worshiping God The Message • In the beginning Satan placed his seat in the midst of the Garden to mislead (pervert) Eve. There after he placed himself through Cain and the seed of Cain in the midst of the true seed of Adam (Sons of God). • After the flood ,when Noah and his family began repopulate the earth again Satan once again sought to interfere in the plan of God. • This time using Ham, the son of Noah. Out of Ham came Cush, out of Cush came Nimrod. Beginning of Nimrod"s kingdom was Babel The Message • The Babel is the original name for Babylon which means confusion. Fro Babylon came the worship of false Gods. The false worship of "Mother" and "Child. A religious tradition which is traced all the way to the third century church age. • Infiltration and impersonation Christianity Babylon became the "Seat of Satan" JOHN.9:31 NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS: BUT IF ANY MAN BE A WORSHIPPER OF GOD, AND DOETH HIS WILL, HIM HE HEARETH The Message to Pergomos • "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. • So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of Nicolaitans, which I hate." • REVELATION.2:14-15 The Message to Pergomos • Lord Jesus Christ with the two – edged sword was again separating "truth" from "error", and "light" from "darkness". • Beginning with creation in Genesis the Lord "divided the light from darkness and all the way through the Seven Gentile Church Ages He is separating light from darkness. • Bible shows that God is a Separator not a mixer. • Through spiritual weakness and blindness and the fear of rejection by people, modern day church allowing the devil to mix everything. The Message to Pergomos • "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. • And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2.Corinthians11:13-14) • In Pergamos the Lord denounces two doctrines which He hates ;"the doctrine of Balaam" and "the doctrine of Nicolaitans" The Doctrine of Balaam • Balaam is an old testament character with now a famous reputation of being a " False Prophet". He is also known as a typical Hireling Prophet out of personal gain. • He was hired by Balak , king of Moabites to curse Israelites who were encamped in a desert near Moab. • For personal gain and popularity Balaam were more than willing to compromise with the worldly Moab. The Doctrine of Balaam • Balaam attempted three times to curse Israel, but every time that he opened His mouth to curse them, God caused him to bless them. • Finally, Balaam came with an idea to undermined the faith of the Israelites. He would deceive them into voluntarily corrupting and defiling their separation unto the Lord. • Balaam counseled Balak to invite the Israelites to worship and feast with them (Num.31:16- Deut.23:4); and entice them to intermingle and inter marry with Moabites (Num.25) The Doctrine of Balaam • Like Israel, the Church was called to be separated unto the Lord and commanded to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness and unbelief. • But in this Pergamos Age false prophets began to entice many Christians to accept, intermingle and inter- marrying with pagan and pagan religion. • Idolatry was brought into the Church in the form of false doctrine of godhead (trinity) a false water baptism, infant baptism, the worship of dead saints. The Doctrine of Balaam • Come out of her (false church), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation.18:4) • Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? • (2 Corinthians.6:14) The Doctrine of Balaam • In this age a firm foundation was laid for papal rule and the marriage of Church and State. In the 21 century Papal influence is greater than its ever been – religiously and politically. • It now influence all areas of denominational, inter denominational , non denominational Christianity and many world leaders and governments. • Those who knowing the error of it but still partook of these things were guilty of spiritual fornication. Lord commands this Age to REPENT. The Message to the Pergamos • "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (Rev.2:16) • The command to this age is an echo of the command given to the previous two ages- REPENT. • Acknowledge the error of doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, be sorry for their sins and come back to the true revelation of the word. The Message to the Pergamos • Failure on the part of the church to Repent would reap the judgment of God. He said that He would fight against them with "the sword of my mouth". The sword of is His eternal Word. • "And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Rev.1:16) • And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; (Rev.19:15) The Message to the Pergamos • Time after time Israel drifted from serving the one true God and chose to what was right in their own eyes. • Time after time God send his Prophet Messengers, with a message to call them back into the "straight and narrow way" • Time after time the Church drifted from serving the one true God (according to his word) and chose too do what religiously rights in their own minds. The Message to the Pergamos • "He that hath and ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth." • REVELATION.2:17 The Hidden Manna • The manna represent "food"; and it represent "Spiritual food" – the word of God, on which the Christians feeds. • Natural food gives strength to the natural body, even so spiritual foods gives faith and strength to the soul. • As in the natural so it is in the spiritual "we are what we eat"- " Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceededth out of the mouth of God.(Matthew.4:4) The Hidden Manna • Spiritually , we "live" by the word and when we think of manna we think of that which the Lord supernaturally gave the Israelites in the wilderness. • But that manna was not hidden, that which fell on the ground was there for all to see and partake off. • But the manna spoken of here in this age is "Hidden" manna. This indicates that not all have access to it, or given the right to partake of it. Hidden manna is what is reserved only for the predestinated seed. The Hidden Manna • Moses, commanded Aaaron, the high priest , to take some original manna, place it in a golden pot and lay it in the presence of the shekinah glory , in the most holy place in the tabernacle. To children of Israel it was hidden manna. • The high priest alone had the accesss to this manna; for only the high priest, with the blood of a lamb could enter the most holy place. • The high of every generation could enter and take a small portion of manna which was hidden behind the veil. The Hidden Manna • To the true church the hidden manna is the revelation of Jesus Christ to her. • Once the elected and predestinated seed of every age are given the right to feed on Revelation of the word for their day and age. • Most professing Christians are content with a church diet of creeds, dogmas and formalism – it is neither fresh nor pure. • But the Spiritual seed of God wants fresh , pure word of the Lord, from the messenger for the age in which they live. The Hidden Manna • The true believers – genuine sons and daughters of God , having been made through the new birth "Kings" and "Priest" unto God(Rev.1:6) is given the "access" like Aaron, to the most holy place in Christ and the "hidden manna" the spiritual revelation of the word found in him. • Those who are truly in Christ , by a new spiritual birth , not in the church but in Christ are ever increasing in the correct and vital knowledge of the Lord and intimate relatinship. The Hidden Manna • In every church age the messenger of the Lord to that age was given the revelation of God for that specific period in time- to meet the conditions of that age and counteract the moving of anti-Christ spirit. • Once the messenger was enlightened by the truth, he would bring that truth to the people. • And they whose ears had been opened by the Holy Spirit would hear it, believe it and live it. The revelation became "Hidden Manna" to hungry souls. The White Stone • First of all the "Stone" is "White". In the Bible "white" represents Righteousness- Innocence and Purity. • "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen , clean and white; foe the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Revelation.19:18) • Also a "stone" represent Christ- the stone which the builders rejected. (Matthew.21:42) The White Stone • To the believer this "stone" or the "true revelation of Jesus Christ" is their righteousness but to the unbeliever and the make believer it is an offence to their religious integrity and self righteousness. (1 Peter.2:8) • Thus the over comer, born in sin shaped in iniquity, is through repentance and faith in the revelation of Jesus Christ , given a "White Stone" a confession or profession of innocence. A New Name • The old name testifies of an old creation, an old nature, an old birth- born in sin through our natural parents. • But this new name speaks of a new creation, a new nature, and a new birth. • By the anointed word of God this new name which we now confess represent our new parentage , our new nature and righteousness, power and authority invested in us by the New Name. A New Name • New name is always linked to a victory –(over coming) • Abram was changed Abraham to Abraham , Sara to Sarah. Jacob to Israel. Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. • The Lords name on earth was Jesus- the redeemer. When he was on earth, he was the redeemer but when he conquered death and hell and overcome them, and ascended on high, He received a new name. A New Name • 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. • His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. • And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. • (REVELATION.19:11-13) A New Name • When the Lord take upon him a new name and that name will be the name of His bride also. • It would have to be a revelation of the spirit given so conclusively that none would dare deny it. • But no doubt he will leave that revelation to the day when he desires to give that name. The Fourth Church Age • FOURTH PARABLE.(Matthew.13:33) • Another parable spake he unto them; • "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" The Fourth Church Age • With the true Church going underground, the False (filthy) Church in Rome began to exert her power to do as she wished. • In order to rule the Roman Empire, the false church had to win over the pagan. • To make it much easier for people to embrace Roman Christianity , false church (woman) took some leaven and hid in three measures of meal until the whole was leaven. (False Roman Christian Church was the woman in the parable) The Three Measures of Meal • The three measures that God had weighed out to make a meal – A whole loaf, were, JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION and HOLY GHOST BAPTISM. • In all this lie the complete Redemptive Work of our Lord Jesus Christ. • The Roman church had to corrupt the very Bread of Life that God provided in Christ. Three Measures of Meal • The woman Mother Harlot (Rev.17:5) took her creeds, dogmas and rituals and hid them in the three measures of meal making it to rise, making bread easier to eat. • She then fed it to the people who were fooled into believing that they were receiving the Bread of Life. • It simply looked good and easy to eat, and so the people bought it, ate it and believed that eternal life was in it. It was a lie, Big lie. They were eating corrupted bread. THEY PROFESS THAT THEY KNOW GOD;BUT IN WORKS THEY DENY HIM,BEING ABOMINABLE, AND DISOBEDIENT, AND UTO EVERY GOOD WORK REPROBATE. (TITUS.1:16) Three Measures of Meal • She (the woman) substituted Justification with • (1) "Faith in the Roman Catholic Church" teaching that there is no salvation outside the Mother Church as she called herself. • (2) For Sanctification, she substituted with Indulgences, Penance and the Confession. • (3) For the Holy Spirit Baptism, she substituted with Mass and Confirmation. • Throughout the 900 to 1000 years of Dark Ages (holy Roman Empire) the leaven bread of Roman church was fed to the masses. Church of Thyatira (The Fourth Church Age) • REVELATION.2:18-19 • And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira wrote; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; • I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. The Fourth Church Age • REVELATION.2:20-22 • Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. • And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. The Fourth Church Age • REVELATION.2:22-24 • Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. • And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the rein and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. • But unto you I say , and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. The Fourth Church Age • REVELATION.2:25-28 • But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I 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. T HE TIME PERIOD – 606 AD TO 1520AD THE MESSENGER – COLOMBA THE CITY – THYATIRA THE BIBLE REF. – REV.2:18-28 The Messenger- Columba • St. Columba"s ministry most closely compares to that of Apostle Paul. • His ministry to Thyatirean age was powerful in word and demonstration of the Spirit. • He stayed with the "Original Word" and took his stand against the religious traditions. The Messenger - Columba • In spite of claims to the contrary by Roman Catholic Church neither St. Martin nor St. Columba were Roman Catholics. • St Columba was born in county Donegal, North Ireland, to the Royal Family of Fergus. • His miraculous ministry has caused many historians to acclaim him next to the Apostles. • The pure gospel that was preach by St.Columba and his fellow workers spread over the whole of Scotland, Ireland, and over Northern Europe . The City –Thyatira (The Dominating Female) • Historically , the city was the least noteworthy of all the seven cites of the Revelation. • It was situated on the confines of Mysia, and Ionia. Its most commendable feature was that it was well of financially, due to corporate guilds of potters, tanners, weavers, dyers, robe makers, The City-Thyatira • The major religion of Thyatira was, the worship of Apollo and Tyrimnoius which was joined with the Emperor worship cult. • Apollo the Sun God, and the next in power to his father Zeus. (He was know as the "avertar of evil") • The Name Thyatira means" Dominating Female" (The mystery Babylon the great , the Mother of Harlots. –Rev.17:5) The City- Thyatira • The Bride Church of Christ is not a dominating female, She is ever submissive to Christ, through obedience to His Word. • The dominating female "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (Revelation.17:2) The Dominating Woman • For the dominating, powerful and pagan religion of Thyatira the deception and fornication was literal. • But for the false, Mystery, Babylon the great church, it is spiritual fornication – partaking of things pagan (contrary to the word of God) While at the same time professing to be Christian. The Dominating Woman • For the sake of personal gain many professing Christians compromised their faith and joined the churches Which were controlled by the pagans. • The false, mystery, Babylon the great church was pushing the Holy Spirit led Lady aside, giving heed to the leadership of man – rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to Lead and Guide them. The City -Thyatira • The city of Thyatira, with it"s way of life, it"s commerce, it"s pagan religion, and it"s anti Christ "organized" representation of Christianity was most certainly prophetic age of the which would bear it"s Name (Thyatira – THE DOMINATING WOMAN) • Many in this age were taken in by this dominating false representation of Christianity which wielded so much power that during the Dark Ages it martyred 68,000,000 those who opposed it"s reign and rule. The City - Thyatira • No wander the Bible says this anti Christ church is "Drunken with the blood of the saints, and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (Rev.17:6) • It was in this age the false church was beginning to out number the true representation of Christ in the Church. The City and The Woman • Hold this woman had (The pagan Christianity) was remarkable. Its formidable power did not lie exclusively in the realm of the mystery. • But in the fact no one could belong to the unions which offered the people their living unless they belong to the "false system church. • Any one who refuses to join the idolatrous, feast and rituals was barred from unions. • In order to be a part of the social and commercial life one has to be a practicing pagan Christian. The City and The Woman • This is but type of what would come in the latter days. • "And no man might buy or sell ,save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. • Hear is wisdom, Let him that hat understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six". (REVELATION.13:17-18) V=5 F=0 D = 500 I =1 I=1 E=0 C = 100 L = 50 I=1 A=0 I=1 501 R=0 I=1 I=1 53 U=5 S=0 112 The Fourth Church Age • The evolution of the Roman catholic church, ever increasing its influence and dominion over the religious and political affairs of man. • Roman catholic church was the "First Organized" form of Christianity. • Its seed were planted in the Ephesian age as the "deeds" of the Nicolaitans evolving into the "doctrine" of Nicolaitans in Smyrna age. • Adding the "doctrine of Balaam in Pergamos, and in Thyatira the false prophecy, doctrine , spirit , and control of the Dominating Woman Jezeble. The Dominating Woman • Its dominion over the masses was all encompassing She (Roman Catholic Church) hast cast out the Word, destroyed the Bibles. • She has slain those who would preach the truth. She has taken over kings, princes and nations, control armies. • She insists that she is the true body of Christ and her Popes are the Vicars of Christ. • She is entirely seduced by the devil until she in turn has become the seducer of others. The Dominating Woman • By the end of this fourth age the Roman Catholic Church was dominating Christianity, putting to death anyone that stood in it"s way, anything contrary was branded as heretical and killed. • Head of this system, a Pope, reign as supreme leader of the church ,taking the word of God from the people and giving them a creed of Roman dogma. • This false Mystery, Babylon, the great, church was true to the name of the age THYATIRA a Dominating Female The Dominating Woman • She (Roman Catholic Church) is typed the Babylon because the same religious spirit which dominated the original Babylon, now, cloaked with Christian like trapping, dominating this false church. • Eventually, she produces "Harlot" daughter Churches, unto herself these "Harlot" churches also take on the same Babylonish religious spirit. • "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY,BABYLONTHE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH." (Revelation.17:5) The Message to Fourth Church Age - Thyatira • "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write these things saith the Son of God who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass." (Revelation.2:18) • In this age The Lord clearly identified as the " Son of God" deity speaking to the church. The revelation of Godhead to the Thyatirean age is that Jesus is the Son of God. • In the days of His flesh, walking the dusty roads of Israel. He was known as the Son of Man but hence forth we know him no more in the flesh. The Message • On the day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ – Logos the Son of God, returned in the form of the Holy Spirit revealing Himself in and through His Word, in His Church, in every age "to take out of them (the Gentiles) a people for His name" (Acts.15:14) • Through the New Birth He would quickened to His elect in every age the reality of his words. "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father. And ye are in Me and I in you. (John.14:20) The Message • And in this new spiritual birth we would come to know him, not after the flesh but after the Spirit. • The power of His resurrection living in us a conformation that He is risen and has taken unto Himself His mighty power and is above all and over all to the praise of His glory. • His Glory will He not share with a another. His leadership over the Church He will not surrender to any Man. The Message • He looks upon Thyatira and His holy and righteous jealousy for His Church is stirred. In this fourth age He finds that honor which belong to Him alone is bestowed upon another. • No wonder John declared that His eyes were like unto a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass. • His wrath is stirred against the Nicolaitan spirit which crept in to the first age to the usurp His absolute leadership ,authority and headship over the church. The Message • In Thyatira, the pagans worshipped Apollo, the son of Zeus as the son of God. • Taking their cue from paganism the church elevates a human ruler to adoration, backed by the power of the state. • This is Nicolaitanism in it"s highest form – conquer the laity and make them subservient to a headship other than the Headship of Christ. The Message • The Roman Catholic Church already fully immersed in idol worship (saints) • Based upon paganism, the false church had already elevated a man to a actual deity (a Pope). • And through the marriage of the church to the state, this Pope was invested with absolute authority and power over secular and religious matters A BLASPHEMY • " The Pope seems to those who view him with the spiritual eye, to be, not a man but a God. There are no bounds to his authority. He can declare to be right what he will and take away from any rights as he sees it fit. To doubt this universal power leads to being shut out from salvation. The great enemies of the church are the heretic who will not wear the yoke of true obedience" • By Thomas Aquinas and Alverus Pelagius The Message • The Bible in 1Timothy 2:5 clearly states "for there is One God and One Mediator between God and men The Man Christ Jesus" • But religious leaders threw out the mediatorialship of Christ and the absolute authority of the Word of God. • And proclaimed the Pope to be the "Mediator" between God and men , usurping the position of Christ, the Pope of Rome has changed the Word. But there is no other Mediator save the Son of God. . The Message • The Pope pronounces salvation through the church of Rome. • But there is no salvation except through the Son of God. No wonder that in this Fourth Age His (Lords) eyes blaze in fiery judgment, and His feet are like fine brass, ready to execute judgment upon the religious and secular kingdoms of this world. Birth of a New religion –Islam in the Fourth Age • It was this Thyatirean Age that we witness the rise of Mohammedianism, the Islamic faith, a man made religion that absolutely denies the Son of God, with the initial support of Roman Church. • Many Moslems are trying desperately to present mohammedaism as a peace loving religion, but this is far from the truth. • It is ironic that secular Christian nations allowed absolute freedom of worship to Moslems, but most Moslem countries deny and refuse this freedom worship for Christians in their countries. Further Blasphemy • It was also in this Forth Age that the false church defies the first commandment of Almighty God and launched swiftly in to breaking the second commandment. • For it put it"s Pope in place of Jesus Christ and established and enforced idol worship to such an extent that it meant death to those who refuse the icon a place within their church. • Under Empress Theodora alone from 842 AD to 867 AD OVER 100,000 saints were killed because they declares the (Roman) images no value. The Message to the Age • "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first" (Revelation.2:19) • Their works and our works bear witness of faith, or lack of it. The works of the word always pour forth from the life of one who experience the "saving grace" of God. • Jesus" works bore witness of His faith, confirming that the "living word" was made manifest in his ministry. The Message to the Age • Through the ages "working the works of God" have caused many to separate from a church from family and friends. • Many in this fourth age laid down their very lives for the Gospel"s sake. • The true believers are more than willing to be totally separated unto the Lord to live according to His WORD. Love, Service, Faith and Patience • In Thyatira age the believers were commends for manifesting the genuine fruit of the Holy Spirit. • Even in the face of poverty, opposition, persecution and death it is certainly true that faith is tried , not in times of poverty but in time of prosperity. • In time of prosperity the individual"s faith moved from dependency on God to dependency on his/her social status and financial financial standing , Faith and Patience • Faithfulness and patience go together. In James 1:3 it"s written that "the trying of your faith worketh patience" again Romans 5:3 it states; "tribulation worketh patience" • God will for us is perfection. And that perfection is patient waiting on God for God. This is the process of character development for the saints all ages. Last Works more than the First • In the warfare against Nicolaitanism, Baalamism and the false Jezebel spirit, honor roll of marytrs grew longer and longer, day by day. • The Thyatirean age was part of that period in history called the " The Dark Ages" It was the age of Pope INNOCENT the third, who claimed that he was the " Vicar of Christ"- supreme sovereign over the church and the world. • This same Pope instituted the infamous INQUISITION which under his direction she more blood than as any other time. Last Works more than the First • In this Thyatira age religious insanity ruled. The false vine church which by now had far out numbered the true church was riddled with whoredoms and immorality spiritually and physically. • This was the age when the true light of the Gospel glowed ever so faintly, yet few faithful believers labored more fervently as the Darkness increased. Last Works more than the First • True and faithful believers labors were so fervent that they paved the way for the oncoming REFORMATION. • Having done all to stand, they stood firm on what God had given them for their day. • One of the various meaning of the name "Thyatira" is " continual sacrifice". This is indeed representation of the " continual sacrifice" in the labors and martyrdom of God"s true children. Pontifex Maximus (The high priest of mystery) • When Rome conquered the world, the paganism spread from Babylon and developed in various nations, was merged into the religious system of pagan Rome. • This included the idea of a supreme Pontiff (Pontifex Maximus), an offeice that began to be held by the CEASARS in 63 BC. • The Roman Emperors (including Constantine) continued to hold the office of Pontifex Maximos until 376 AD. Pontifex Maximus • By the time of AD 376 the bishop of Rome had risen to political power and prestige and consequently in 378 AD, DEMASUS, the bishop of Rome was elevated the Pontfex Maximus "The High Priest of Mysteries. • Since Rome was considered the most important city in the world, some Christians looked to the bishop of Rome as " BISHOP OF BISHOP" and the Head of the Church, the POPE. The Message to the Age • "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduced my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Rev.2:20) • Though found faithful in many things, the church of God is rebuked for allowing the influence of " the Jezebel- false teaching" to infiltrate and pollute the church. The Message to the Age • What began so simple in the first age as the "deeds of Nicolaitans" now, in this fourth age had gained tremendous influence and authority within the church. • Through deception, intimidation and false teaching, paganism is introduced into the church, causing the clergy and laity to be seduced into joining up with pagans and its licentious practices. The Message to the Age • Pergamos, the third age was different to this evil fourth Thyatira age. • Such were the influence of this Jezebel spirit that servants of God were seduced into commit fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols. • It was a high price to pay for the benefit of belonging to the" false church trade unions". By being belonging to pagan trade unions and by just going alone with the trend you could avoids ridicules and persecution. (DARK AGES) The Message to the Age • These trade unions of pagan religion were but a forerunner of this church order in this last age we live in. • As in Thyatira, so it is in Laodicea, when the MARK OF THE BEAST is being enforced, many professing Christians are selling their God given convictions by the Word , and compromising the Word in order to be a part of "Flashy Denominational Christianity" and their activities. The Woman Jezebel • The first Bible reference to Jezebel is fund in the old testament. She was the pagan wife of Ahab, the king of Israel. • She was not a daughter of Abraham, nor was she converted to the faith of Abraham. Jezebel was the daughter of a heathen, murderous and pagan king-priest to Astarte (Venus) The Woman Jezebel • By marriage to Ahab she was elevated to the position of queen of Israel. • When she journeyed to Israel to marry Ahab she also brought with her hundreds of prophets of Baal (sun god). • She came with the intention of turning nation of Israel away from God of Abraham to serve and worship Baal. The Woman Jezebel • But from the time of Ahab"s marriage to Jezebel ,idolatry in Israel progressed in a deadly fashion. • It was when this Woman became a priestess in temples that she erected to Astarte (Venus) and Baal (sun god) that Israel came to the crisis point of her life. • Idolarity was running rampant in the nation of Israel during this time when God raised ELIJAH God"s judgment Prophet, thundered one judgment message after another against Ahab, Jezebel and backsliding ISRAEL. The Woman Jezebel • From the time the church first stated in Ephesian age, the spirit of anti-christ was there in form of "deeds of Nicolaitans" to sow seeds of discord within the true church, just like the woman Jezebel did in Israel. • Evan in Israel, under the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, God had reserved unto Himself 7000 that had not bowed the knees to Baal. The Woman Jezebel • Even so through the church ages regardless of the different anti-christ influences which infiltrated the church, God had in every age reserved unto Himself who would not yield to the Nicolaitan, Baalam and Jezebel influence. • Under Jezebel spirit the church had moved in to "organized" and bring the church under human leadership, and mixing paganism with the Gospel, causing many to backslide, giving heed to "seducing spirits and doctrine of devils. 1 Timothy.4:1-3 • Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter time some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; • Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; • Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. The Woman Jezebel • As the first Jezebel done to Israel , now this woman Jezebel – none other than the Roman Catholic Church in Thyatira age , was doing to Christianity. • The Pope with absolute control over the church, and having already merged with Constantine, brought religious and secular powers to gain absolute control over the masses – uniting paganism and Christianity together. The Woman Jezebel • The Son of God with eyes like unto a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass, judges the woman Jezebel, declaring her to be guilty of teaching falsehoods in the name of Christianity. • Through the paganism seducing God"s servants , and causing them to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols. The Woman Jezebel • "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not" (Revelation.2:21) • Still, the Lord gives her the opportunity of repentance But like Jezebel the queen did in the old testament, the Jezebel church in the new testament ignored God"s warning, His servants to "repentance". The Woman Jezebel • This false church were more wicked than Ahab. He repented for awhile and walk softly before God. • But we have no evidence that the Roman Catholic Church ever repented. On the contrary , she has stubbornly destroyed any and all who tried to help her repent. This is history. • In spite of the fact that God kept raising up messengers and ministries in each age who did everything that could, to bring the church back to God. She never did repent and never will. The Woman Jezebel • "Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds; and I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts; And I will give unto every one of you, according to your works." • (REVELATION.2:22) The Woman Jezebel • In passing judgment on " that woman Jezebel" Lord looks ahead and includes "her children" under the same indictment, saying that he would kill her children with death. • As the natural Jezebel had children, the spiritual Jezebel also gives birth to children. • As the natural Jezebel came to "symbolize" false religion in Israel, the spiritual Jezebel represent the "false impersonation" of Christianity which evolved the seven church ages to become Roman Catholic Church. The Woman Jezebel • The Jezebel of the old testament had a daughter – Athaliah. She married Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat , king of Judah. • What Jezebel did in Israel , her daughter did in Judah – filled the land with alters dedicated to the worship of Baal. The Woman Jezebel • What the Roman Catholic Church did throughout the church ages, her harlot denominational daughters have done since their birth, even unto the last age. • The false church (Roman church) filled the land with alters (churches) dedicated to the worship of their man made anti – word denominational rituals, creeds and forms of Godliness. • They lost their life of "separation" unto the Lord. Holiness unto the Lord went out The Woman Jezebel • God never ever started a denomination, God started "revivals" to call his elect children out of man made organized religion unto himself. • But on the heels of every revival came the devil with his lies, rituals, false doctrines and impersonations of Christianity to bring man under the Nicolaitan, Balaam, and Jezebel spirit.l The Woman Jezebel • Dominating Roman Catholic spirit was very strong in each age preventing people going any further with God. • Once they made a denomination they died spiritually and the life of the revival (Holy Spirit) moved on. • But in the last age there is a final "coming out" from among the organized religion. God would bring forth one more revival. And this revival would produce the last day Bride. She will not be seduce into a denomination but be Raptured. Cast Her into a Bed –Tribulation. Will Kill Her Children with Death • This is the sentence past on the Jezebel the mother of harlots church, and them which commit spiritual adultery with her. • To commit spiritual adultery is to accept the church interpretation of the word over and above Holy Spirit interpretation through the messenger of the age. • To do so is to be cast into a bed of tribulation – the great tribulation spoken in revelation to come to the world after the Bride of is caught away into glory. Kill Her Children with Death • How can one be "killed with death"? Spiritually, they are already dead. Every time people form themselves into a denomination and try to organized what God has done, they die spiritually. • But in Revelation 2:23 God say "I will kill her children with death". It can be none other than the "second death" recorded in Revelation. 20:2- 15. It is an eternal separation from God. Will Kill Her with Death • And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and other book was opened, which is the "book of life": and the dead were judged out of those things which are written in the books, according to their works. • REVELATION.20:12 Will Kill Her with Death • Their "works" were religious, sometimes very religious, but with only a " form of Godliness" and absolutely contrary to the "Revealed word of God." for their age. • Calling good evil, and evil good, they refused to accept the word for their age. • "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (TITUS.1:16) Will Kill Her with Death • The false Church always think they are righteous. Like Cain think their offering is sufficient. Only to find it is rejected by God because it"s contrary to His word. • The Lord does not ask us to be religious, but He does ask us to be spiritual, giving His Word, not the church creeds preeminence in our lives. Choose Ye This Day • If you haven"t already done so may be now is the time to stop and consider whether or not your attitude, motive, objective and life is "according to " or contrary to the word of God. • In the Bible, we have been instructed by the Lord to " Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves , how that Jesus Christ in you, except ye be reprobates" • If Jesus Christ is in you, then you will endeavor to live by His Word. The Message to Thyatira (Revelation.2:24-28) • But unto you I say , and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I 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. The Message • Not forgetting His own who labor under the strain of the forces of unbelief , our Lord graciously acknowledges those in Thyatira who have not defiled their testimony with doctrine of "that woman Jezebel". • Rather than experiencing the "depths of Satan" by compromising on the true Word, they experienced the depths of God by staying true to that measure of the Word, the revelation to them in their age The Message • Here, our Lord promises that He would not "put upon them none other burdens". The pressure of the Dark ages was either bend, or broken, bow or die. • It was the inquisition, the power of the Empire backing up Satanic worship. Be organized or pay with your life. • Each age had its pressures. The great burden of the last age is the pressure of riches. Soft living and nervous tensions in a complex age that we seem unfitted to live in. The Message • The Lord encourage them to "hold fast till I come", and points them to the reward reserved for the over comer. • He identifies the " over comer" as " he that keepeth my works unto the end". • They that "keep His works" are they that "do those things which please God, not the church. The Message • To more fully understand the reward of "power over the nations" we must understand the promised reward to the over comer in the seventh church age (Laodicea) • The promised in the seventh age • " to him that over cometh 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" • (Revelation.3:21) The Message • The throne represents a position of "power and authority". To sit with him, our Lord Jesus Christ, in His throne is to share in His " power and authority" • All judgment was committed unto the Son, and the Son in turn declared through Paul that the Saints shall judge the earth. • The elect bride will sit with Him in that position in eternity. The Message • With more words of encouragement the over comers are promised " the Morning Star". Of course, the Morning Star is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. • Jesus said " if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto my self; and where I am there ye may be also." (John.14:3) • To receive the Morning Star is to be gathered with Him, in resurrection and rapturing glory into eternity TRUE CHURCH (The Bride of Christ) • The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; • The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; • The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; • The spider taketh hold with, and is in kings palaces. • (PROVERBS.30:25-28) THE FIFTH PARABLE (The Church Age) • AGAIN, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKEUNTO TREASURE HID IN A FIELD; THE WHICH WHEN A MAN HATH FOUND, HE HIDETH, AND FOR JOY THEREOF GOETH AND SELLETH ALL THAT HE HATH, AND BUYETH THAT FIELD. • (Matthew.13:44) Fifth Church Age (Church in Sardis) • REVELATION.3:1-2 • And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirit of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. • Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. The Fifth Church Age (The Church in Sardis) • REVELATION.3:3-4 • Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. • Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. The Fifth Church Age (The Church in Sardis) • REVELATION.3:5-6 • He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels. • He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches The Time Period of Sardis • The Sardisean – The Fifth church age lasted from I520 to 1750 AD. A total of 230 years. • In church history , this period of time is usually referred as the Reformation; but more than reformation, it was a beginning of a restoration, a restoration of the truth or the world which was taken from the people during the dark age. The Time Period • It was during the early stagers of this age , Christopher Columbus discovered the New World – America. With that discovery, many in Europe were able to find freedom away from the oppression and bondage of the Roman Catholic Church. • Not only was the Roman church wounded by the Martin Luther"s reformation , but by about 300 years later , in 1808 AD , Napoleon Bonaparte dethrone the Pope , deepening the wound on the head of the Beast. (Rev.13:3) The wounded Head (Revelation.13:1-3) • 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. • And the beast which I saw was like unto leopard , and his feet were as feet of bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him power., and his seat , and great authority. • AND I SAW ONE OF HIS HEADS AS IT WERE WOUNDED TO DEADTH; AND HIS DEADLY WOUND WAS HEALED; AND ALL THE WORLD WONDERED AFTER THE BEAST. The Four Great Empires (Daniel.7:3-8) • And four great beast came up from the sea, divers from another. • The first was like a lion, and had eagle"s wings: I beheld till the wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and mans hearts was given to it. • And behold another beast,, a second , like unto a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it.; and they said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. The Four Great Empires (Daniel :7-6-7) • After this I beheld , and lo another, like a leopard, which, had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the best had also four heads; and beast and also four heads; and dominion was given to it. • 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 beast that were beforeit; it had ten horns The Great Empires (Revelation.7:8) • I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were mouth. e eyes of man and speaking great things. RUINATION & RESTORATION • That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left cankerworm eaten; and that which cankerworm hath left the caterpillar eaten. (Joel.1:4) • And I will restore to you the years that locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and caterpillar, and palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (Joel.2:25) THE MESSENGER MARTIN LUTHER THE TIME PERIOD 1520 TO 1750 AD THE CITY SARDIS BIBLE REF. REVELATION.3:1-6 The Messenger –Martin Luther • Martin Luther to this age is the best known messenger to all ages because history identified him to be the one who spear headed the great spiritual reformation of the church. • The church that had been over completely to the false doctrines of the Nicolaitans, Balaam, and the woman Jezebel. Martin Luther • Luther was a brilliant scholar. He was studying to be a lawyer when he entered the Augustinian convent at Erfurt in 1505 AD. Where he studied philosophy and also the word of God. • He lived the life of severest penance , but all outward acts could not banish his sense of sin and alienation from God. • He said "I tormented myself to death to make peace with God, but I was in darkness and found it not" Martin Luther • Like millions before him he made a pilgrimage to Rome – fulfilling a vow he had made himself. • Beholding the city which sits on seven hills he prostrated himself upon the earth exclaiming "Holy Rome, I salute thee" but, he discovered the city was anything but certainly not holy. Martin Luther • Luther was filled with astonishment and horror at the iniquity which existed among all classes of clergy in Rome and all over. He witnessed corruption on a scale he had never witness before. • In the place of sanctity he found only profanity. Later he wrote " What sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome; They must be seen and heard to be believed. Thus they are in the habit of saying, if there is hell, Rome is built over it. It is an Abyss whence issues every kind of sin. Martin Luther • Martin Luther was sincere and he determined to perform all religious duties customary for a pious visitor in Rome. • One of those duties was to avail of an indulgence offered by the Pope to all who ascend upon their knees "Pilate"s staircase" • One day Luther found himself on his knees, with hundreds of pious visitors devotedly climbing step by step. Martin Luther • While climbing and meditating on the things of God, a voice, like thunder suddenly echoed in his soul the words of Romans.1:17 "The Just shall Live by Faith." • The spiritual lightening of God illuminated his soul showing him the futility of church imposed ritual, dogma and works that would bring salvation. • The word of God struck home to his heart – it was finally quickened made alive – a living reality in his soul. He spring to his feet, rushed back down the staircase. Martin Luther • Turning his back on all deception of Roman Catholic Church, his eyes were opened and were never to be closed again to the delusion of Papacy. • From that time the separation grew wider, until he severed all connections with the Papal church. • He clearly saw the fallacy of trusting in human works and religious ritual for salvation. Now, he saw only the absolute necessity of constant faith in the merits of Christ. Martin Luther • On his return trip from Rome, the evangelical truth (Romans.1:17"Just shall live by faith") flooded his mind and his he was set free from sin and born into the kingdom of God. • With a determination to devote his whole life to study and faithfully expound and defend the Holy scriptures, Luther was no longer monk or professor. • He was now " a messenger to an age" the Sardis age. The torch in his soul was lighted with the eternal fire from the Almighty God. Martin Luther • It was only a matter of time and the revealed word to God"s messenger soon came unto open conflict with the abuses of church creeds and doctrines. • Thus when Leo х become Pope, and John Tetzel came to sell indulgences for sin, Luther had no choice but to rise up against this anti scriptural teaching. • First he thundered from the pulpit against it and then wrote his famous 95 theses which on oct.31 1317 AD. He nailed to the door of the castle church of Wittenberg, setting Germany ablaze. THE CASTLE CHURCH OF WITTENBERG Martin Luther • Luther, himself was a sensitive Spirit filled Christian. He was definitely a man of the Word for he not only had a profound passion to study it but to make it available to all in order that all might live by it. • He translated the New Testament and gave it to the people. He gathered around him a group of Hebrew scholars amongst whom were Jews and translated the Old Testament. Martin Luther • His translation of the scriptures, enabling the common man to read. He was a mighty preacher and teacher of the Word, and insisted especially in his first years of public ministry, that the Word of God was the sole criterion. • He was a man given to much prayer and had learned that the more work he had to do more time in prayer needed. • More of his time he gave to God in prayer in order to ensure more success and result. • Martin Luther • It is recorded in the history, Martin Luther was a " Prophet, Evangelist, Speaker in tongues , interpreter, in one person endowed with all nine gifts if the Spirit." • Luther"s ministry and the revelation of the truth "Just shall live by faith" signifying the "rebirth" of the Church Spiritual, which had been martyred by millions during the Dark Ages. • The truth was beginning to restored to the true sons and daughters of God. Luther will be forever known as the instrument in the hand of God , the Messenger to the Age. Martin Luther • His marvelous understanding of Sovereignty , Election ,Predestination and other truths show him to be a great man in the Word. • God used him to bring to the people God"s standard against works, "Just shall live by faith" • He spear headed this period of reformation making him a "Reformer" not a "Prophet". He was a fine teacher with some of the manifestation of the Spirit in his life. Martin Luther • Martin Luther did not qualify as a Prophet, nor did his ministry fit the profile of that of Bible prophet. • A Prophetic ministry was reserved for the last church age. • Luther was not able lead the church back to the while truth as would a man like Apostle Paul who was both Apostle and Prophet. Martin Luther • As time went on other influences came in to play in Luther"s life, causing him time to time to falter in his steps. • At first he had been so gentle, so fearless , so patient and constantly waiting on God to work out the problems. • But vast numbers began to come to his banner – not all came with right motives objectives. On the contrary some had political motives. • They wanted to break yoke of the Pope. Then there were fanatics , which of course fallow every revival. Martin Luther • Soon he was dragged into political affairs and decisions that actually way out side the realm of the spiritual. • The responsibility of the church was , through prayer, preaching and conduct to set a standard to guide man in all the affaires of life including political affairs. • The church was not to make political decisions, but rather pray for those making those decisions. Martin Luther • God used Luther in many different ways despite he was distracted in make political decisions. • After Martin Luther"s death, his followers organized the second Christian Religion – The Lutheranism. • If Lutherans could get back to Luther"s teaching and serve God , He could bless them. The City - Sardis • Sardis was the capital of ancient Lydia. It passed from the hands of Lydian monarchs to the Persians, Alexander the Great , Antiochus the great . The kings of Pergamos and finally the Romans took over. Today it is a heap of ruins. • The city was at one time very important commercially. It was center of wool dying and carpet weaving. • It had a goodly amount of silver and gold in the area . It also had a slave market. The City - Sardis • The religion of this city was the impure worship of the goddess Cybele. • Mother and son worship that was strong in Pergamos age carried into this age in the form of Cybele and Deoils. Attributes attached to the Pagan Mother & Son • He was the sun god. She was moon goddess. • He was the lord of heaven. She was the queen of heaven. • He was the revealer of goodness and truth. She gentleness and mercy • He the mediator. She the mediatrix. • He with the key that open and shuts the gates of invisible world. She with an identical key doing likewise. • He as the judge of the dead. She as standing at his side. The City - Sardis • Without a doubt the reformation started in this Sardis age caused the Jezebel false church to consolidate and emphasize her doctrine of Mary. • The protestants who denied Mary any part whatsoever in the plan of salvation, apart from favor with God as the virgin chosen to bear the babe. The City – Sardis • As Luther crystallized the doctrine of Justification by faith, the false church held to works , penance, prayers and other unscriptural means. • As the freed Christians glorified the Son, the Roman Catholic Church increased their deification to Mary until the twentieth century saw Pope Pius literally exalt Mary to glorification in a resurrected body. • This ascension doctrine is absolutely the Babylonian concept. The son carrying the mother bodily to heaven The Message to the Church in Sardis • Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; these things saith he that hath the Seven Spirits of God, and the Seven Stars. (Revelation.3:1) • Again, as in the previous four ages, we are seeing ever increasing revelation of the attributes of our Lord Jesus Christ. • In this age he is introduced as the one with "Seven Spirits of God, and Seven Stars" The Message • We already know that according to Revelation.1:20 the "Seven Stars" are Seven Messengers to the seven church ages. • We also know that Bible teaches that God is a Spirit (John.4:24) but what is meant by "the Seven Spirits of God" ? • This same phrase is found four times in the book of Revelation. The Seven Spirits of God • FIRST- Revelation.1:4 • "from Seven Spirit which are before His throne" • SECOND – Revelation.3:1 • " these things saith he that hath the Seven Spirits" • THIRD – Revelation.4:5 • " And out of the throne proceedeth lightening and thundering and voices, and there were Seven Lamps of fire burning before the throne , which are the Seven Spirits of God. The Seven Spirits of God • FOURTH – Revelation.5:6 • "And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders , stood a Lamb as it had been slain having Seven horns and Seven eyes, which are the Seven Spiris of God sent forth into all the earth." The Message • In these references the " Seven Spirit" of God are also referred to as "Seven Lamps of fire", and the "Seven Horns" and "Seven Eyes" of the Lamb. • In the Bible Scriptures interprets Scripture. Since John used the old testament symbols in the book of Revelation , the old Testament must be referred to understand further. The Message • In Proverbs. 20:27 it is written that " the Spirit of Man is the "Lamp" of the Lord. • In John .5:35 John the Baptist was called " A Burning Light" which should actually be translated as "Burning Lamp". • From these two portion of scriptures it is very clear, the "Seven Lamps of fire burning before the throne represented "Seven Men – The Seven Messengers of the Seven Church Ages. The Message • To more fully understand the Seven Horns" and "Seven Eyes" , One needs to refer to the book of Zechariah. 4:10 "For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. • It is clear that the word "They" refers to Men. Of course They will be Anointed men, full of Holy Ghost. The Message • The Seven Spirit of God refers to the continues ministry of the Holy Spirit of God in the lives of Seven Men with whom God through the church ages identifies Himself very closely. • They are His Eyes, His Lamps, and His Seven Stars giving light through revelation Jesus Christ for their particular age. The Message • The Seven Stars actually refers to the One Spirit of God working out the will and the word of God in different generations. • It"s like the Spirit of God on ELIJAH moving to ELISHA, then to JOHN the Baptist. Next the Malachi .4 end time Prophet to the gentiles. • And finally to the Jews during the tribulation period. It"s the same Spirit of God all the time • Bible says that the Seven Stars or Seven Messengers to the seven ages are in His hand. He is holding them. The right hand signifies power and authority given to them. The Message • "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found thy works perfect before God" (Revelation.3:1-2) • All through the ages the Lord has focused on the "works" of each age, praising the true vine and denouncing the false. The Message • In all previous ages He would acknowledges and offer a word of "praise" for the endurance, faithfulness, and patience of the true believer. • But here, in this fifth age we find "hope "for a few and rebuke and warning for many, including Roman Catholic Church and the budding protestant reformation. The Message • At the beginning of the reformation age, we find God"s rebuke and condemnation. • Even so with the budding protestant church of all who, with Luther, Zwingli, Calvin came out of the Roman Church System." With many of them God was not well pleased". • God was displeased, because of the "spirit and leaven" of the old "religious system were still in some of them. The Message • God saw what man could not see, before and after Luther passing this "spirit and leaven" of the old religious system made itself known. • In spite of Luther"s constant teaching concerning the Sovereignty of the Local Church , many other protestant leaders not able to completely get away from the idea of the Bishop, Arch Bishop concept of church government and leadership. The Message • Thus, in the Reformation, coming out of the Church of Rome, the protestant church took one step in the right direction. • But Protestant Church faltered in in it"s steps by not "purging out the old leaven , that they may be now a lump" easily moulded in the masters hand. • The protestant church failed to realize in spite of Luther"s warnings , that your glorying is not good. " Know ye not that little leaven leavened the whole lump?" ( 1Corinthians.5:6-7) The Message • Through the Reformation the great truth of "Justification by faith" was established through God"s "Chosen" messenger Martin Luther. • But grievous wolves entered in among the people , not sparing the flock. (Acts.20:29) • While still in its infancy the Reformation split up into numerous sects, persecuting each other and establishing denomination after denomination, becoming in structure, spirit and even some doctrines like very thing they came off –The Church of Rome. The Message • In the formation of the Roman Catholic Church system the leadership of the Holy Spirit was usurped by human leadership in a human hierarchy. • The pure word of God was replace by man made creeds, dogmas, church laws and by laws. • Worship in the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit were cast aside for a "form of godliness". Liturgy, literal idol worship (Saints) and pagan feasts; and Mary was made to replace Christ as the intercessor. The Message • In our study of the last three ages of the protestant church we will see that the same Nicolaitan spirit which led to the formation of the Roman Catholic system would follow the protestant church. • We will also see protestant church falling to the influence of same three false spirits. False Influence • 1) Nicolaitanism – Bringing the laity into bondage to a priestly order of clergy. • 2) Baalism – Defiling their separation with worldliness and paganism. • 3)The Jezebel false prophetess spirit – Privily bringing in damnable heresies (2 Pet.2;1) putting church creed above the truth of the Bible. • The "spiritual death" seen by our Lord here is seen again in the last age. The Message • "Thou hast a name thou livest, and art dead." (Revelation.3:1) • When our Lord looked down into the Sardis age He saw spiritual death. In it"s own eyes and in the eye of the people the Roman church were very much "alive". • But in the eyes of God it was "dead". Multitudes were nothing more than pawns of the Roman church. The Message • The peasants and kings alike belong, body soul and spirit to the church of Rome.. • In their own eyes many protestant groups were very much "alive" but in the eyes of God they were dead. • Because they "organized" the word which God gives them a creed around it The Message • "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." (Revelation.3:2) • Here, in the infancy of the reformation the spirit of man – made religion and denominations was so strong among the protestant ranks that , church is warned to "be watchful and strengthen the things which remain" The Message • In the reformation age protestant church is commanded to" be on their guard" and to "take a stand" to strengthen and establish what was left in Sadis, "undefiled" by denominations and man – made organizations. • Here, our Lord plainly states that what was left of that "revival" were ready to die. Another revival was on it"s way , but for the time being the few faithful ones in Sardis are warned to be "watchful" and continue to walk in the spiritual "light" they had. The Message • "For I have not found thy work perfect before God". (Revelation.3:2) • It is sad, but true that after Luther" s passing, another generation of Lutherans arose who did what many of their contemporaries did. • Make a denomination with a priestly or clergy order similar to that which Luther had brought them out off. • People were taken back into a denomination captivity. They were no longer free to believe the word as God revealed it, they could only believe what "their" particular church taught. The Message • Their work had not come to perfection or complete fulfillment yet. This was the age of the reformation not Restoration. • The last age, the age of Restoration would bring the perfection and complete fulfillment of all things, climaxing with the Second coming, Resurrection and Rapture • Luther"s message of justification by faith was a beginning, a coming out of darkness into light, pointing to the perfection and complete fulfillment of scriptures in the time of the promised "evening light" (Zechariah.14:7) The Evening Light • And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: • But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day , nor night: but it shall come to pass , that at evening time it shall be light. • ZECHARIAH.14:6-7 The Message • Again We are reminded of the words of our Lord. (John.8:31-32) • " If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth , and the truth shall make you" • In his epistle John shows us the absolute importance and necessity of continuing to walk in the light as God reveals it to us. The Message • "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light , we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ( 1John.1:7) • The blood will only atone for our sins as we continue to walk in the light of His word, as God reveals. • May the Lord help us to continue to move toward perfection that our works may be found perfect with God exactly according to his word. The Message • "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast , and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will. (Revelation.3:3) • The truth of God had given to the Sardis age and all ages is given as a permanent deposit – not to be changed or altered in any way. The Message • It is given , not to debated, made in a creed, organized or denominated. It is given to be believed and obeyed – to be the Lord of our lives. • The saints in Sadis had been given the basic truth of the whole Gospel. " The Just shall live birth." "salvation is of the Lord" The Message • The truth preached to the elect in this age, cast aside the doctrine of Rome and set at naught all papal authority. • In no uncertain terms the Lord plainly showed them the truth that the church does not save. They understood the last super, They had the light on water baptism • They had enough illumination completely overhaul the old system, or start out fresh and let God lead them, line upon line precept upon precept, they received the truth. The Message • The Elect in Sardis were told to Remember how they had received and heard the truth. • Remember the spiritual bondage and corruption they were in and remember how God brought them out of it. • By His grace He delivered them. It did not come by church creed the will and the intellectual learning of a theologian, or a seminary. • But by spiritual revelation it was revealed to the heart of a Messenger and the hearts of those who heard and recognized His Message. The Message • God had by – pass the established organized church and caused HIS WORD to be MADE FLESH in simple every day people - even babes such as would learn the way of God. • HOLD FAST REPENT AND OBEY HIM. • Its one thing to "recognized" what God does and speak, but another thing to "hold fast" , maintain your zeal and enthusiasm for it. • Its still another thing to allow revealed Word to bring you to "repentance", immediately changing your mind and with genuine humility acknowledge your error. The Message • "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief." (Rev.3:3) • A warning from the Lord to the Saints of Sardis – If they fail to watch and be on their guard against error He said that He would come as a thief. • No doubt to do as He warned in the Ephesian age in Revelation 2:5 "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen , and do the first works; or else, I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." The Message • We find that two of the twelve original tribes of Israel lost their position among the tribes. • The tribes of Dan and Ephraim were cut off because of idolatry. From the time that Ephraim and Dan joined themselves to idols, they died. Those tribes have no more recognition. • Note in the Bible particularly the punishment for idolatry was that the name that tribe was to be "Blotted out fro under heaven" (Deuteronomy 29:20) The Message • In Ezekiel. 48:1-23,29 all twelve tribes are mentioned. • But in Revelation 7:4-8 John make reference to the 144000 elect seed of the tribes of Israel who are sealed during the time of great tribulation. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are replace by Joseph and Levi. • Here in the Sardis age our Lord is warning the Saints in that He would come as a thief and "remove their candle stick" and the light they had would become darkness. (Matthew.6:23) The Message • "I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come unto thee" (Revelation.3:3 ) • Always as a thief He come – exact timing is not announced. But sufficient warnings are given, to keep the people on their toes, in preparation for His arrival. • Unfortunately, only very few indeed heed those warnings which the majority are like those in the Scriptures who live under the self – induced impression that "My Lord delayeth His coming" (Luke>12:45-48) The Message • But the true Seed of God, continually walking in the light of the Word, not fainting nor growing weary in well doing. • They remain in their toes, watchful standing for righteousness lest that day overtake them as a thief. • "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. But ye are not in darkness that the day should overtake you as thief." (1Thessalonians.5:2 & 4) The Message • The Bible exhorts all Saints of all ages to prayerful, watchful and be sober , (Matthew. 26:41, Mark.14:38,Luke.21:36, Colossians.4:2,1Thessalonians.5-8, 1Peter.4:7) • "Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about , seeing whom he may devour" (1 Peter.5:8-9) The Message • Why does God demand such vigilance? The ANSWER is in Hebrews.9:28 • "UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION. The Message • "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy." (Revelation.3:4) • This statement is a "light" at the tunnel of spiritual darkness in the Sardis age. A few of the Saints were found to have kept themselves "free" from the fervor of the many- made protestant church. The Message • As the Lord revealed His word to these few faithful ones, they heard it, recognized and acted on it without succumbing to the temptation to put a "period" behind it, write a religious creed or make a denomination out of it. • If these "few" faithful ones in Sardis fell to the temptation to mix the Word with tradition and their own ideas, or join themselves to denomination they would be quality of defiling their garments by committing spiritual adultery and fornication against the Lord. The Message • In His message to this age the Lord acknowledge that they "had not defiled their garments" • Therefore, He counted them worthy to walk with him in white, in righteousness, in Glory, at the end of all ages. The Message • In looking back to this age most protestant church leaders view it as the great age of the church. • They saw only the breaking of the Roman yoke and a man Luther blasting forth his message on "the just shall live by faith" • What they did not see was the continuing influence of Nicolaitanism and Baalism on the heels of this new protestant move. The Message • "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father, and before His angels. (Revelation.3:5) • Again the emphasis is put on the "over comer" • "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith. (1John.5:4) The Message • "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation.21:7) • The over comer in Sardis received a three fold promise. • 1) to be clothed in white raiment. • 2) His name would remain in the book of life. • 3) His name would be confess before the Father and His angels. The Message • All that the Father giveth me shall cometh to me; and I will in no wise cast out… And this is the Father"s will which hath sent me I should lose nothing , but should raise it up again at the last day. (John.6:37 & 39) • To the undefiled saints in Sardis the Lord promised that he would not blot their names out of the book of life. • He foreknew them before the foundation of the world. The Message • Before the foundation of the world God gave them to Christ a part of His inheritance from among the gentiles to bear His name. • Our Lord promises to confess their names before the Father and His angels. • "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of God also confess before the angels of God. (Luke.12:8) • To "confess" Him is to say what He says in His Word – without denominational influence or man made religious creeds. The Sixth Parable • AGAIN, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO A MERCHANT MAN, SEEKING GOODLY PEARLS: • WHO, WHEN HE HAD FOUND ONE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, WENT AND SOLD ALL THAT HE HAD AND BOUGHT IT. • (Matthew.13:45-46) The Sixth Parable • With the close of the Sardisean Church Age, we enter into the Philadelphian age. Unlike the man we read in the fifth parable, this man was a merchant by trade. • He was in the business looking out for beautiful and valuable pearls. This man was the preacher John Wesley, the messenger to the age of Philadelphia, an age of brotherly kindness. The Sixth Parable • John Wesley"s "pearl of great price" became known as the doctrine of Sanctification, Consecration and dedication unto God. • His followers were taught to approach their religious activities methodically and discipline life. Hence they were called Methodists. The Philadelphian Church Age THE TIME PERIOD 1750AD TO1906AD THE MESSENGER JOHN WESLEY THE CITY PHILADELPHIA BIBLE REFERENCE REV.3:7-13 The Messenger – JOHN WESLEY • John Wesley was born at Epworth, England, June 17, 1703 and was one of the nineteen children born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley. • His father was a chaplain in the church of England. (the half sister to the Roman church) But the greatest religious influence in johns life was his mother"s highly commendable Christian life.. JOHN WESLEY • John was a brilliant scholar, and his brother Charles, attended the university of Oxford. It was while at Oxford that Lord began to deal with John. • When in Oxford he and his brother became a part of a group of students who felt that the emphasis should be on "living the Christ like life" rather than on making doctrine their standard. JOHN WESLEY • They drew up spiritual guidelines – a "method" by which they would discipline their daily lives. • They focus on such "works" as giving to the poor , visiting the sick and the imprisoned. For this they were called the Methodists. JOHN WESLEY • John Wesley , wanting to do something for the Lord, ventured forth as a missionary , traveling to America to take message of the Gospel to the American Indians in Georgia. • On His way there he found that many of the ship"s passengers were Moravians. He was deeply impressed by their meekness, peace, and courage in all circumstances. • His labors in Georgia in spite of self denials and hard work was a failiure. JOHN WESLEY • Wesley returned to England crying "I went to America to convert to convert the Indians but oh! Who shall convert me?" • Back in London he again met the Moravians. One of them Peter Boehler, expounded unto John the way of salvation which was "by grace through faith not of works" • The revelation was quickened in John"s heart and he was truly born again. JOHN WESLEY • John"s brother , Charles, could not understand how such a spiritual man as John could say he was not previously right with God. • But not long after John"s "experience with God" Charles himself came to experience the "New Birth" .Which is found alone "by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" JOHN WESLEY • With the anointing of God on his life Wesley now (London) to preach the Gospel of salvation in the pulpits in which he had previously preached salvation in through "works" • But He would soon discover that his "anointed preaching was not welcome in the pulpits which now preached by a " form of Godliness and works" religion. • Church doors were closed in his face. He was considered to be out of step with the organized church. John Wesley • Wesley"s old friend, George Whitefield invited John to come and help him preach in "God"s Cathedral" the open fields of England where thousands under Whitefield"s ministry were listing to the word of God. • At first Wesley was skeptical of preaching in open fields as opposed to being in a building. But he could not deny the results he was seeing. John Wesley • Thousands of souls being brought to the Kingdom of God through the Gospel that was preached in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. • Convinced, Wesley preached where ever when ever the Holy Spirit led Him, in open field, in buildings, in homes. John Wesley • So great was the response to the ministry of the word that Wesley began sending out numerous laymen to preached the word. • It was like in the days of the early church in the book of Acts. Almost overnight the Holy Spirit raised up men with power to preach and teach the word. • The revival spirit was in the air, men and women were born in to the church of the "first born", written in heaven. Not a church or a group dominated by men, but the true church which was under the power and leadership of God. John Wesley • In spite of tremendous and sometime violent opposition to Wesley"s work it kept growing and spreading. God was with him. • So powerful was the anointing of the Spirit of conviction on the people that it would take away their strength and they would fall to ground crying in great distress over their sins. • Today Methodists and rest of the Christian religion preach "forgiveness without repentance": "heaven but no hell": resulting in a Christianity without Christ. John Wesley • By the grace of God Wesley was a remarkably strong man. He says of himself that he could not remember ever having felt lowness of spirit for even a quarter hour since he was born. • He slept no more than six hours a day. Arose in time to start, preaching at five practically every day of his ministry. • Preaching up to four times on a single day so that in a year he would average over 800 sermons. The power of God was present to perform his word . John Wesley • John and his circuit of riding preachers traveled thousands of miles to carry the Gospel near and far. Infect Wesley traveled 4500 miles per year by horse. • He was a believer in the power of God and he prayed for the sick with great faith and wonderful results. • Many of His meetings saw manifestation of Spiritual Gifts. John Wesley • Wesley was not in favor of organization. It was not his intention that "the Methodists revival" be organized into a denominational church, replacing the word with a creed, and replacing spontaneous praise and worship with ritual and form of godliness. • He recognized time after his death the movement would be organized and Spirit of God leave them dead form. John Wesley • Wesley once remarked that he did not fear that the name of Methodist would leave the earth but that the Spirit might take His flight from the Methodist movement. • He based his eternal life on faith and the works or the living of the life rather than accepting a creed or doctrinal statement. John Wesley • John Wesley died at the age of 88 having served God as few men would even dare to think they might. • And the Methodist churches world over who would claim Wesley as their leader and founder have long lost the LIFE , POWER, CHARACTER which he possessed. Bible Reference (Revelation.3:7-8) • 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. The Bible Reference (Revelation.3;9-10) • 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 , to try them that dwell upon the earth. The Bible Reference (Revelation.3:11-13 • Behold I will 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 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. The City - Philadelphia • Philadelphia was seventy-five miles southwest of Sardis. It was second largest city of Lydia. It was built upon several hills in a famous wine – growing district. • And its coins bore the head of Bacchus, the pagan deity of the city. • The population of the city included, Jews, Christians, Christians of Jewish origin. • The city also suffered frequent earth quakes, yet its duration was the longest of the seven cites Revelation. The City Philadelphia • The important thing to remember about Philadelphia is the "meaning" of the name "LOVE OF THE BRETHEN" . • This attribute is characteristic of the Philadelphia age itself. This characteristic overflows into the beginning of the final age – LAODICEA. The Message • "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 on man openeth". (Revelation.3:7) • In the salutation to this sixth age we see another revelation of the CHARACTER of Him who is in the midst if the Seven golden candlesticks. • He is here described as being "Holy" and "True". It is a "Holiness of truth" which speaks of Him who is "Holiness" personified and "Truth" magnified. The Message • The LORD Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John.14:6) in Hebrew 12:14 Paul exhorts us to "Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see God". • Yielding our lives to Him who is the Way the Truth and the Life will produce the "HOLINESS OF THE TRUTH – THE WORD IN US." The Message • The LORD here identifies Him as One "that hath the key; not just any key but it is called the key of David". And with the "Key" He "Openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth" • This a direct reference to a Prophecy in ISAIAH.22:22 speaking of the Messiah "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 none shall open" The Message • The Spirit uses this old testament reference to show the Authority of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and His ministry in the Church After His resurrection. • The words of Isaiah were a mere shadow or Prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, found standing in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands. • It was after his resurrection that Jesus stood on the earth and said "All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth" (Matthew.28:18) The Message • Jesus announces that he has "the Keys of Hell and Death" (Revelation.1:18). But here in the Philadelphian age its speaks of the Key. • The POSITION of the KEY – it is not in His hand where one would expect to find a key. • IT IS ON HIS SHOULDER. !!! The Message • "And the Key of the house of David will I lay upon HIS SHOLDER; so He shall open, and no man shall shut: he shall shut no man shall open" (ISAIAH.22:22) • He alone "THIS KEY". He gave Peter some "keys" (plural). But This "KEY" (singular) is given alone to Christ. • Without "This Key" He would not have been able to give the "keys of the Kingdom" to Peter. The Message • The "KEY" of David upon our Lord"s SHOULDER signifies the " Absolute" authority and power of His kingdom. • " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his SHOULDR: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. • Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from hence forth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform this." (ISAIAH.9;6-7) The Message • The "KEY" on the SHOULDER also signifies our Lord"s "Responsibility For" and His "Headship over" the church. • In a wedding ceremony of the Middle East The phrase " Government upon his shoulder" represent the Bridegroom establishing His Headship over his Bride. The Message • When the Bride has been committed to the groom she takes off her veil and place it over the Groom"s Shoulder, signifying that not only she is under His dominion – that He is the Head. But also bears the responsibility for her. • HE AND HE ALONE - NO OTHER MAN – NO OTHER POWER. has any right or authority over her (The Bride). The Message • God being sovereign He foreknow by Divine decree exactly who would be His Bride. • By His foreknowledge (1Pet.1:2) He chose her. He called he. He died for her. He washed her in His own blood (Rev.1:5). Sanctified and cleansed her by the water of His word. (Ephesian.5:26) The Message • He paid the Price for her . She belong to Him and to Him alone. No other Denomination can lay claim to her. • She is wholly committed to Him and He accepts the obligation. He is her Head for Christ is the Head of the Church. He Speaks to her and she obeys. - His word is he delight. The Message • The key is referred to as "the Key of David" was to the "prophetic type" perfected in that David was the king of all of Israel. • Jesus is spoken of (after the flesh) as the son of David, promised to sit upon throne of David in the Millennium and reign and rule over his heritage. • Having the Key upon His shoulder our Lord Jesus has the power and authority to usher in the "kingdom age " and the Millennium reign. • This Philadelphia age gives way to the final age after which Millennium age is ushered in. The Message (The Key) • Having possession of also the keys to death and hell the Lord will raise up His Elect Gentile Bride to sit with IN His throne. That She may reign with Him in righteousness upon the earth. • "He that hath the key of David is able to open and shut, according to His own will; what He open no man can shut and what He shut no man can open" The Message (The Key) • To understand this clearly what it means that which opens and shuts at His will we need to refer to : • "But woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! For ye SHUT up the kingdom against men: for ye are neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering go in." (MATTHEW.2313) The Message (The Key) • Through false teaching and misrepresentation of the truth they "SHUT UP THE KINGDOM" preventing men and women entering into the REVELATION of God"s kingdom made flesh among them in the Person of Jesus Christ. • This take place in our time by the organized Christian religion by their form of godliness, programs and their religious activities. The Message • In Luke 11:52 Jesus said " Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away "The Key" of KNOWLEDGE ; ye entered not in yourselves, and them that entering in ye hindered" • But , here in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks stands Jesus Christ with "The Key" of power, authority and knowledge (Spiritual Revelation) on His Shoulder. • After His death burial and resurrection Jesus opening the revelation of the Kingdom to Two people on the road to Emmaeus. (Luke.24:45) The Message • Jesus in John. 9:39 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" • He came to "open" the eyes of the spiritually blind and "shut" the eyes of those who professed to see but had rejected His Message. • The eyes of understanding which He opened would never again be shut by man made theology. And the eyes which were made blind would never again see spiritual Revelation of the Word. The Message • Colossians.1:12-13 " Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partners of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." • Jesus who " hath "the Key" of power and authority on His shoulder has through the power of His Word, translated us into His kingdom. Others were shut out. The Message • "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 has kept my Word, and has not denied my name." (REVELATION.3:8) • The works are directly related to that portion of the word revealed to that particular age. The works required by God are always based on and judged by the Word given by God for the age. • No one is judged for what they "don"t know". His judgment on any one of us is based on that which He has revealed to us in our day. The Message • He knows your works and mine, whether they are based on what we know to be the true word of God, Or on a church creed. • Are we doing what the word of God says or what our church says. • May we allow the Holy Sprit to bring to our remembrance again and again the truth of Jesus "s Word. • "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (MATTHEW.4:4) The Open Door • "Behold , I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut." (Rev.3:8) • Our Lord Jesus set an open door for those who are willing to "come out" of man made religion and enter into the fullness of the word. • What God started in Luther, build on in Wesley, form into Pentecostal Revival, He crowns with the full revelation of the Mystery of God. • But one must go through the door to recognize it. Jesus said " I am the door: by me if any man enter in , shall be saved." The church is not the door. Christ the living Word is the door. The Open Door • In the last age " The Door" is swung wide open, according to Revelation.10:7 the "Mystery of God is finished" and revealed through the Messenger to the age. • Man made religion and man made theology would try to shut this door, and stop the unfolding of the Mystery of God. Little Strength, Kept the Word • "For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word." (Rev.3;8) • Strength comes by the word. " He sent His word, and healed them , and delivered them from their destructions" (Ps.107:20) • The Lord is my strength and song , and he become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my Father God, and I will exalt him" (Exodus.15:2) Little Strength, Kept the Word • "Go your way eat the fat ,drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry ; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah) • "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall be afraid ?" (Psalm) • Since the fall of man the lord has strengthen him with His Word. The only weapon of our defense is His word. Little Strength, Kept the Word. • I JOHN.2:14. "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." • Out of this age came some of the greatest preachers and teachers of the Word to give "strength" unto the "Elect of God". • The Servants of God such as Spurgeon, Parker, Edwards, Bunyan, Brainard, preached and taught the Word with clarity and boldness. Not Denied My Name • "And hast kept my word and not denied my name" (Rev.3:8) • The emphasis of all the teaching and preaching of this ace was on none other than the on who bore the Name by which were saved – the Lord Jesus Christ • He was glorified among the people, He was magnified before their eyes, and established in their hearts. Not Denied My Name • Satan"s false teachers of the word were exposed – truth was coming forth to ultimately being victory over death ,hell and grave, an the end of the final and the last church – Laodicea. • As promised God would send a restoration revival, • The Message • 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. • (Revelation3:9) The Synagogue of Satan • Now, here in the sixth age the word of the Lord rises to protect God"s believing remnants and make way for the last age to "finish the mystery of God" (Rev.10:7) • But as much as those of the Synagogue of Satan profess to be true church, Bible says they are lying. • And these things goes right back to Eden. There was Able and Cain, Jacob and Esau. Isaac and Ishmael, Jesus and Judas. And through the ages we are seeing the True church verses the pretenders. The Synagogue of Satan • But here in the Philadelphian age God makes a promise to His Bride, saying "Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee" • Our Lord drove Cain out His presence; Esau was deprived of his birthright. Jacob was loved, Esau was hated; Ishmael was out of from Abraham"s camp. And Judas was brought down to hell. • Here in this age God promised that He would cause the false synagogue of Satan" s Bride to come and bow before His true elected word bride and they would know that they are loved The Message • 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. (REVELATION.3:10) • "Thou hast kept the word of my patience" • Hear we have a compliment and a promise Thou hast kept the word of my patience • We live in a very impatient world. It demand everything NOW ! Most lack the patience to obtain the things for which they strive to live. • As Christians, we wait on the Lord – for His timing and His way in our lives. We are exhorted in the Word to "add patience to our Faith" With patience, in God"s we possess healing, the promise of the resurrection and the " catching away" of the living Saints. Thou hast kept the word of my patience • Recognizing this patience in the Philadelphian church age, our Lord Jesus Christ gave this promise " 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" • As this world moves into that time of the "end of all things". Jesus promised His elect Children that He would keep them from the hour of temptation which is prophesized to come upon all the earth to try them that dwell on the earth. Thou hast kept the Word of my patience • The elected Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ will not go through the time the great Tribulation, or the " hour of temptation" spoken hear. • If this " hour of temptation" would be a temptation to the Bride, then it would have to be in the "spiritual" realm – some great deceiving spiritual move, so much like the real thing that it would deceive the very elect if possible (Mt.24) • Our Lord Jesus promises that he would not suffer His bride to be tempted with it. He promised I will keep thee from the hour of temptatin. The Message • "Behold I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, no man take thy crown. • Him that overcometh will I make 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 God; and I will write upon him My New Name. • He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Church. (Revelation :3:11-13) Behold , I will come quickly • His second coming will indeed be "quickly" and as a thief in the night, because in this coming he seeks only His Bride. • For He will finish the work; and cut it short in righteousness: behold a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. • There " three" comings of Christ: • 1) To redeem His Bride. • 2) To claim His Bride. • 3)With His Bride to execute judgment. Behold I come Quickly • In this second coming for His Bride its as a thief in the night and will revealed only to those who are walking in the Spiritual light Revelation of His Word for this age. • "But ye are not in darkness that day should overtake you as a thief . Ye are the Children of light." (1 Thessalonians.5:4-5) • Not every eye will behold this coming, but when He comes with His Bride to execute judgment , then every eye shall behold Him. • Be watchful, watching the fulfillment of scripture for your day and walk in the Rapturing light. Behold I come Quickly • At the time of the "coming of Jesus FOR His Bride", the dead IN Christ shall rise first and appear to the living who are waiting for the Rapture. • No doubt it will be like as it was in the days of the resurrection of Jesus. • "And the graves were opened many dead bodies of the Saints which slept arose, and come out of the graves after His resurrection and went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many." (Mat.27:53) Behold I come quickly • Those resurrected Saints did not appear to very one, but perhaps it was as in the resurrection of Jesus Himself. • "Him God raised up the third day, showed Him openly ;not to the all the people, but unto witness chosen before God, even to us who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead." (Acts.10:40-41) • Are we ready should some those who come forth in the resurrection appear to you signifying the Rapture at hand? Hold fast which thou hast • We must needs hold fast the promise of God, with firmly established faith that nothing past , present or future can shake. • It is important that we be led by the Holy Spirit, walk daily in the Spirit and walk by faith, according to the Word for the age we are living. • Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation;" (Matthew. 26) • Watch ye therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke21) That no man take thy Crown • Hence forth 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 (2 Timothy.4:8) • Now we obtain an incorruptible Crown. (I Corinthians.9:25) • The Crown of life , which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. (James) • It is a most precious possession no wander our Lord exhorts us to "Hold Fast" not lightly but Tightly to the Word. That no man take thy Crown • This wondrous Crown also signifies a relationship with Him who is Crowned king of kings and Lord of Lord. • It signifies ,position, authority and power as promised to the over comer in the message to the last church age – Laodicea. • His Bride will sit up with Him In His throne. Ruling with the great king Himself. • Let no man , no creed no man made church or denomination deprive you of your Crown. That no man take thy Crown • Hold fast , persevere , don"t give up. Put on the whole armor of God; • Hold your shield of faith (Revelation of the promise) before you always, use the only weapon God has given us, The sword of the Spirit which is His Word. The Message • "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and He shall go no more out" • His promise – From Crown to a Throne, and now to be made a pillar in the temple of God. • Jesus was the temple of God. Now Jesus in the Bride make the Bride "The Temple" The Message • "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, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from God: and I will write upon him my new name." • (REVELATION.3:12) New Jerusalem • And I John saw the holy city , new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband. • And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (REVELATION.21:2-3) New Jerusalem • "Come hither, I will shew thee the Bride, the Lamb"s Wife. • And He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. • Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious , even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." • (REVELATION. 21:9-11) The Seventh Parable (Matthew.13:47-50) • Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: • Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. • So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, • And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew.13:51-52 • Jesus saith unto them," have ye understood all these things?" They say unto him , yea ,Lord. • Then said he unto them," therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old". The Seventh Parable • This is the last of the seven parables and it depicts the last of the Seven Church Ages. Christ was revealing the consummation of the Gospel (GRACE) Age. • What we see here is the final great Gospel revival of preaching the Word of God to masses of people around the world. • In the parable , the fishing net that was cast into the sea was not an ordinary and commonly used cast net. It was a Dragnet, a large fishing net. It took as many as fishermen as required to drag and haul it to shore. The Seventh Parable • On the shore the catch was then separated. When such great net is cast into the sea, it is inevitable to find every sort of creature from the sea in the net. • What the Lord was looking for, in casting the great net, were the fishers "Good" stuff. The matured ones which can be value for money. The Seventh Parable • The Great net was cast in the early 20th Century. It was so enormous that every religious sort in the sea of humanity found their way in to the net. • Upon sorting, "spiritual" fishes that were the good (virtuous, valuable) were gathered in to vessels. • The "religious bad (worthless, rotten) such as jellyfishes, crabs, turtles, sharks , octopuses, eels, were thrown away. Age of Separation • "WHOSE (LORD JESUS CHRIST) FAN IS IN HIS HAND , AND HE WILL THROUGHLY PURGE HIS FLOOR, AND WILL GATHER THE WHEAT INTO HIS GARNER; BUT THE CHAFF HE WILL BURN WITH FIRE UNQUENCHABLE. • (Luke.3:17) Age of Separation • "LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST: AND IN THE TIME OF HARVEST I WILL SAY TO THE REAPERS GATHER YE TOGETHER FIRST THE TARES, AND BIND THEM IN BUNDLES TO BURN THEM; BUT GATHER THE WHEAT INTO MY BARN." • (Matthew.13:30) The Seventh Parable • The revival under John Wesley went on for a good long while in the 19th Century before it began its decline. The movement found itself dividing into many groups, a result of squabbling over certain doctrines. • There were also other movements of Christian groups throughout Europe and America. • By the end of the century, there were hungry souls crying out more from God and this caused God to send wave of revival at the turn of 20th Century with great number of souls speaking in tongues. Evening Time Light • And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: • But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at EVENING TIME IT SHALL BE LIGHT. • (Zechariah.14:6-7) The Seventh Parable • In 1906 Azusa street Revival was the beginning of Christ"s final ministry to gather unto Himself an end time group of true worshippers before His return. In this revival the various spiritual gifts of God – prophecies, faith miracles, divine healing and others , being poured out upon the believers. The Seventh Parable • When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the true worshippers as they sought more from God, they not only spoke in tongues, but received the revelation of the One true God and His Redemptive Name in Water Baptism. • Like the true worshippers on the Day of Pentecost, they had no difficulty in accepting the truth. They all turned away from the false and pagan doctrine of a Holy Trinity of God to the true doctrine of One God. Azusa Street Revival 1906 WILLIAM J SEYMOUR 1906 – AZUSA STREET REVIVAL Azusa Street Revival 1906 The Seventh Parable • We are now living in the age where we do not only see the separation of the tares (false seeds) from the wheat (true seeds). • But also the gathering the good ( true elect who are beautiful , virtuous and valuable in God"s eye. For they conform to the Word) • And the throwing away of the bad (make – believers who are rotten and worthless for they do not conform to the Word) Laodiceans Church Age (Bible Reference) • REVELATION.3:14-16 • And unto the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith 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. Laodicean Church Age • REVELATION.3:17-18 • 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 eye-salve, that thou mayest see. Laodicean Church Age • REVELLATION.3:19-21 • 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 into 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. ISAIAH.55:1-2 • Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, buy wine and milk without money and without price. • Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Loadicea the Seventh Age • The Name , Laodicea, which means, "Peoples Rights" .The city was one of the most politically important and financially flourishing cities in Asia minor. • Its people were distinguished in the arts and science. The pagan god worshipped there was Zeus. Laodicea • How fitting were the characteristics of this last age. • The religious premise of this age is "Brotherhood of Man". Now bringing together the Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus , Buddhists. • A mutual form of worship will increase in this age Laodicea • In this church age we have seen all nations rising up and demanding equality , socially and financially. • This is the age of the Communists where all men are supposedly equal , though it is only so in theory. • The Political parties in this age call themselves, "Christian Democrats" "Christian Socialists" "Christian Commonwealth Federation" • According to the liberal theologians Jesus was Socialists. They preach the practice of Socialism. Laodicea • When the ancient city called Laodicea the metropolis it was looking forward to the ONE WORLD government that now we see setting up. • The of Laodicea city being the location of a great church council , we see foreshadowed the Ecumenical move (World council of Churches) taking place today. • Very soon we will see the "So Called" Christians come together. • Indeed, the church and state , religion and politics are coming together (tares are bound) Laodicea • Laodicea was a city of earth quakes , such earth quakes as finally destroyed the city. • This Seventh Age will likewise will end in God shaking the whole world that has gone off to make love with the old harlot. • Not only will the world systems crumble, but the very earth will be shaken and then renovated for the Millennial Reign of Christ. Laodicea • The city was rich, endowed by the wealthy. It was full of culture, science abounded. • Today the churches are rich, their worship is beautiful and formal, but cold and dead. • The culture and education has taken the place of the Spirit given Word. The faith has been suppressed by science , so that man is a victim of Materialism. Types and Shadows (Genesis.18:13) • And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; • And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground. • And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. • "I will certainly return thee according to the time of life" (God"s promised –Gen.18:10) Types and Shadows (Genesis.19:1) • And there came two angels to Sodam at even; and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; • "For we will destroy this place , because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it." (Gen.19:13) BILLY GRAHAM WARNS THE WORLD WITH GOSPLE MESSEGE ORAL ROBERT WARNS THE WORLD WITH THE GOSPLE The Messenger • God calls out the Bride and begins to reveal the Mystery of the Kingdom Through the Messenger to the Seventh age. • "Come out of her , my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev.18:4) • "But In the days of the voice of the Seventh Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." (Revelation.10:7) The Messenger • Before the coming of our Lord, ELIJAH must come back for a work of restoration in the church. • "Behold I send you ELIJAH the Prophet before the coming of the GREAT and DREDFUL day of the Lord. • He shall turn the Hearts of the FATHERS TO CHILDREN, and the hearts of the CHILDREN TO THEIR FATHERS lest I come and smite the earth with." (MALACHI.4:5-6) The Messenger • John the Baptist only fulfilled the prophecy of "turning the hearts of the (Jewish) Fathers to the Children (of God), before the "great day of the Lord" • "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke.1:17) The Messenger • In the ministry of John the Baptist the "Hearts of the Fathers were turned to the Children". • We know that because Jesus said so. But it does not say that the "Hearts of the Children were turned to the Father". • The hearts of the last day Children will be turned back to the Pentecostal Fathers. • John got the Fathers ready for Jesus to welcome Children into the fold. Now the Prophet upon whom the Spirit of Elijah falls will prepare the Children to welcome back Jesus. The Messenger • And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias (Elijah) truly SHALL first come , and restore all things. • But I say unto you, That Elias (Elijah) is come already, and they knew him not , but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise also Son of man suffer of them. • (LUKE.17:11-12) The Messenger • First of all , that Messenger is going to be a Prophet. He will have office of Prophet. • He will have a Prophetic ministry. It will be based solidly on the Word because when He prophesies or has a vision, it will always be "Word oriented" and it will always come to pass. • He will be vindicated as a Prophet because of His accuracy. The Messenger • The proof that he is a Prophet is given in (Revelation 10:7.) • "BUT IN THE DAYS OF THE VOICE OF THE SEVENTH MESSENGER WHEN HE SHALL BEGIN TO SOUND, THE MYSTERY OF GOD ,SHOULD BE FINISHED AS HE HATH DECLARED UNTO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS" The Messenger • Now this person who is also referred Angel is not an heavenly being. But is the Seventh Age Messenger, • Seventh age Messenger is going to finish the mystery of God as declared to his servants the Prophets. • God is going to treat this last Messenger as a Prophet because he is a Prophet. That is what Paul was in the first age. So Messenger to the last age will have ministry like Paul. The Messenger • "And he shall go before Him in the Spirit and Power of Elijah" • Now once again the Spirit of Elijah will back like in the day of John the Baptist before Jesus "s first arrival. • Another man will God raised with the same anointing , just before Jesus come again second time. • He will be a Prophet .He will be vindicated as such by God , demonstrating the power of with great manifestations, through his ministry. The Messenger • As a Prophet , every revelation will be vindicated, for every revelation will come to pass. • Wonderful acts of power will be performed at his command in faith. • Then will be brought forth the message that God has given in the Word to turn the people back to truth and true power of God. • Some will listen, but the majority will turn run true to their form and reject Him. The Messenger • The Messenger of MALACHI 4 and REVELATION.10:7 is going to do two things. • ONE – According to Malachi 4 he will turn the hearts of the Children to the Fathers. • TWO – He will reveal the Mystery of God which is in the Scriptures (Original Sin) and particularly Six Seals of the Seven Seals, Seven Church Ages. • It will be these divinely revealed "Mystery Truths" that literally turn the hearts of the Children to the Pentecostal Fathers. The Messenger • This Prophet Messenger will be in his nature and manners as were Elijah and John. • The people of This Prophet – Messengers day will be as they were in Ahab"s day, and in John"s. • It is "Only the Children" whose hearts will be turned, it is only the Children who will listen. • In the day of Ahab only 7000 true seed of Israelites were found. In the days of John there were also very few, the masses of both ages were in the fornication of idolatry. The Messenger • This Age will have One Prophet Messenger (Laodicea). Revelation 10:7 says " When HE (singular) shall begin to sound" • There has never been an age where God gave His people two major prophets at one time. • He gave Enoch (alone): He gave Noah (alone): He gave Moses (alone) .The Prophet/ Messenger alone had the Word though others prophesied. • John the Baptist came alone, now in this last days there is to be a Prophet Who will reveal Mysteries to the end time people , and turn the hearts of the Children to the Fathers. The Messenger • There will be people in this last age who will prophecy , who will teach, who will preach, The word. • Like in the day of Paul (First Age) there were many prophets, but Paul opened the Mysteries of the Word. • But there can not be more than One Major Prophet – Messenger who will reveal the Mysteries as contained in the Word, and who has the ministry to turn the hearts of the Children to the Fathers. The Messenger • In this last age God"s expectation is the manifestation of the Pure Word Bride. • That means the Bride will have the Word once again as it was perfectly given, and perfectly understood as in the days of Paul. • Therefore it will be a Prophet, thoroughly vindicated by God with His Voice and Sign. PSALMS.139:1,5 • LORD, YOU HAVE EXAMINED MY HEART AND KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME…. • YOU BOYH PRECEDE AND FOLLOW ME AND PLACE YOUR HAND OF BLESSING ON MY HEAD Behold I will Send You ELIJAH • HE SHALL TURN THE HEART OF THE FATHERS (JEWISH) TO THE CHILDREN (GOD) AND THE HEARTS OF CHILDREN (GENTILE - END TIME CHRISTIANS) TO FATHERS (APOSTELIC) , • (Malachi.4:6) • ……………BEFORE THE GREAT (IS OVER) AND DREADFUL (ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE) DAY OF THE LORD • (Malachi.4:5) The Mystery of God should be Finished • BUT IN THE DAYS OF THE VOICE OF THE SEVENT ANGEL, WHEN HE SHALL BEGIN TO SOUND, THE MYSTERY GOD SHOULD BE FINISHED, AS HE HATH DECLARED TO HIS SERVENTS THE PROPHETS. • (REVELATION.10:7) THE MESSENGER WILLIAM BRANHAM (1909 – 1965) CITY LAODICEA TIME PERIOD 1906 TO ???? The Messenger • "William Marrion Branham was an influential bible minister sometime credited with founding the Later Rain Movement within American Pentecostal churches, elements of which are present in most modern Pentecostal churches today. Many still acknowledge him as a true Prophet whose ministry was vindicated by God" • WIKIPEDIA (The free Encyclopedia) The Messenger • "Branham is considered by many to have initiated the faith healing movement that began in 1947. Other sub groups in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement were partially influence by Branham, including the later rain movement. • His ministry had effects felt around the world, and it fostered number of other ministers who became internationally known." • WIKIPEDIA (The free Encyclopedia) William Branham • William Branham was born in April 6, 1909 in the Kentucky hills , and was raised near Jeffersonville, Indiana. • Branham had a conversion experience in the late 1920 and was later ordained as an assistant pastor at a Missionary Baptist church in Jeffersonville. William Branham • From the accounts from his ministry, Branham had been conducting healing campaigns in late 1930 s and early 1940 s • Typically his story would resume in 1946 when he broke from daily life to seek God and meaning of his life as the Messenger to the age. • Many angelic visitations, results in beginning public ministry of Evangelism and Faith Healing. • The broadening of Branham ministry to a wider Pentecostal community came as result of his introduction to Gordon Lindsay in 1947, who became his campaign manager. . William Branham • His early work in faith healing attracted the attention and as stories began to spread of his Healing Gift.. • Local pastors came to ask Branham to minister to their congregations and pray for the sick. • When local churches could not accommodate the crowds, Branham meetings were moved to larger auditoriums and stadiums. • Other prominent Pentecostals joined his ministry including Ern Baxter, F.F. Bosworth. William Branham • A supernatural sign had been given him for the purpose of encouraging the people to believe. • Firstly , a physical sign in his hand would indicate a disease or healing. • Later on in his ministry the secret thoughts and needs of individual were revealed , resulting in faith for deliverance. • It became abundantly clear to any serious Bible reader that Branham was ordained a Prophet to fulfill the many scriptural Prophecies concerning our time William Branham • His success soon took him to minister in countries around world. According to a Pentecostal historian Branham filled the largest stadiums and meeting halls in the world. • In Durban South Africa in 1951 he addressed meetings sponsored by Apostolic faith mission, the Assembly of God, the Pentecostal holiness church, and the Full Gospel church God • The meetings were conducted in eleven cities, with a combined attendance of 500,000 people.. Meeting in Durban in 1951 (45000 in attendance) Mexico City 1956 Visit to India William Branham • From the mid 1950 s (1955/1956) onward Branham became more open with his beliefs and teachings indicating the Oneness of God (Godhead- falsehood of Trinity) • This was the beginning of many important doctrines and teachings which were considered to be unorthodox but was in line with the Word. WILLIAM BRANHAM WITH T.L OSBORN WILLIAM BRANHAM WITH GORDON LINDSAY The Messenger • On June 11th 1933, William Branham was baptizing in the Ohio river near Jeffersonville Indiana when a bright fiery light suddenly appeared over his head and a voice spoke out "As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Jesus Christ so are you sent to forerun His second coming" • The next Edition of Jeffersonville evening news reported the incident with the subheading "Mysterious star appeared over Minister when baptizing. William Branham • In December 1962 God gave William Branham a vision of an angelic visitation which he foretold in a message. On February 28,1963 the vision and the prophecy was fulfilled when a constellation of seven angels formed as the head of Christ, met him with a commission to speak the opening the seven seals Revelation. LIFE MAGAZINE (MAY 17TH 1963) CARRIED THE PHOTOGRAPE OF THE SUPERNATURAL EVENT , DESCRIBING IT AS A" "MYSTERY CLOUD OVER ARIZONA" JESUS and the Message • The ministry of Jesus followed very distinguish pattern Branham referred as "PULLS" • The first pull: The multitude flocked to hear His gracious words and received His miraculous healing touch. • The second pull: Prophecy and revealed the secrets of the hearts. • The third pull: His message, the Word of God which came in strength and contrary to the religious order of the day caused the multitudes leave Him. The Messenger and the Message • The ministry of William Branham too involved three distinguish stages that he referred to as "PULLS" • The first pull : Healing • The second pull :Prophesying • The third pull : The opening of revelation of the Word of God. The Messenger to the 7th Church Age • KEY TEACHINGS AND TRUTHS BRO BRANHAM RESTORED. • 1) Godhead – The revelation of One God and Three Manifestations. • 2) Fall of Adam and Eve, the Original Sin. • 3) The Baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. • 4) Infilling of the Holy Spirit , be led by Spirit , Holy living The Messenger to the 7th Church Age • KEY TEACHINGS AND TRUTHS BRO. BRANHAM RESTORED. • 5) Election and Predestination • 6) Eternal security of the Holy Spirit filled Believer. • 7) Translation and the Rapture of Saints. • 8) Second coming of Christ. • 9) Millennial Reign of Christ. The Messenger to the 7th Church Age • KEY TEACHINGS AND TRUTHS BRO. BRANHAM RESTORED • 10) White Throne Judgment. • 11) Eternal Age – No Eternal Hell. • 12) The Seven Church Ages. • 13) Opening of the Seven Seals. • 14) The Thunders. The Message ( The Sound Doctrine) • "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; • AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH, SHALL BE TURNED UNTO FABLES." • (2 TIMOTHY.4:3-4) The Message (The Sound Doctrine) • But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. • And many shall follow their Pernicious ways; be reason of whom the WAY OF TRUTH SHALL BE EVIL SPOKEN OF. • (2 PETER.2:1-2) The Message • Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and not perceive. • For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. • (ACTS.28:26-27) The Messenger • Now the age in which we are living is going to be very short one. Events are going to transpire very rapidly. • In every age When God raised His Messenger to each respective age is not truly recognized by the church. • Even in the first age Apostle Paul"s message was lost, so the last age only the Bride will recognized the Messenger and the Message. The Messenger • John the Baptist – The Prophet Messenger who proceeded Jesus" first coming. • People in John"s day mistook him (John) for the Messiah (John1:19-20) • Now this last day Prophet – Messenger will have such power before the Lord that there will be those who mistake him for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Messenger • There will be a spirit in the world at the end time that will seduce some and make them Messenger to the age is Son of MAN. (Matthew24:24-26) • He (The Messenger) is not Jesus Christ. He is not the Son of God. He is one of the brethren, a Prophet, a Messenger, a Servant of God. • He needs no greater honor bestowed upon him than John received when he was the voice that cried ,I am not HE, but HE is coming after me. The Messenger • Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the spirit whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John.4:1) • The antichrist spirit is identified with false prophet. A false prophet is one who is outside the word. • Antichrist means anti word of the Lord. So the false prophet come perverting the word, given meaning that fits their own devilish ends. • These people lead people astray and bind them closely themselves by fear. Bro. Richard Gan"s Visit • 24 AUGUST FROM 5 PM TO 7 PM • 25 AUGUST FROM 3 PM TO 7.30 PM • 26 AUGUST FROM 3 PM TO 7.30 PM • Please Be on Time and Bring somebody Who has a Hunger and Thirst for the TRUTH. The Parable of the Sower The Parable of Wheat and Tares The Parable of the Mustard Seed The Parable of the Leaven The Parable of the Hidden Treasure The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price The Parable of the Dragnet The Parable of Wise and Foolish virgins • Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamp, and went forth to meet the bride groom. • And five of them were wise and five of them were foolish. • They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil h them. • But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps (Matthew.25:1-4) The Parable of Wise and Foolish Virgins • While the bridegroom tarried, they all SLUMBERED and slept. (From 1906 in Denomination Beds) • And at MID NIGHT there was a CRY MADE, behold, the BRIDEGROOM cometh; go ye out to meet him. • Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. • And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (Matthew.25:5-8) Denominational Beds • Behold I will cast her into a BED, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (REVELATION.2:22) • Come out of HER, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (REVELATION.18:4) Mid Night Cry – The Shout • For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven (1) with a SHOUT, (2) with a VOICE of archangel, and (3) with the TRUMP Of God.; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. • The we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall and so shall be ever with. (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) Mid night Cry • Behold I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but shall be changed. • In a moment , in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPE : for the trumpet shall sound , and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. • (1 Corinthians.15;51-52 ) The Parable of Wise and Foolish Virgins • But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell , and buy for yourselves. • And while they went to buy , the BRIDEGROOM came; and they that were READY went in with him to the marriage: and the DOOR WAS SHUT. • Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord ,Lord, open to us. • But he answered and said Verily I say unto you, I KNOW YOU NOT .(You have no knowledge of me) Matthew.25:9-12 PAROUSIA (His Presence) EPIPHANIA (His literal, glorious Appearing in the Body form) APOKALUPSIS (Revelation, that is the, Unveiling, the Uncovering, the Disclosure) The Evening Time • In God"s reckoning, a new day begins when the sun sets. The OIL came about at the setting of the sun showing that the last of the Seven Church Ages, the Laodicean age, began in 1906. • The outpouring of the OIL in this last church age marked the beginning of the end of God"s final work to bring the Bride of Christ into perfection in the Word. • But the final Message to the Bride came at Midnight, about 50 years later in 1956. The Wise and the Foolish • Why "five wise" and "five foolish ? The Biblical numbers are God"s way of showing some simple yet profound truth. • Number "5" is the number of GRACE. This shows that who the wise and the foolish virgins represent were in God"s grace and they have their places in the kingdom of God. • Unlike the tares among the wheat in the field and the bad among the good in the dragnet, both of which were to be cast into fire, foolish virgins were not. Wise Virgins • A wise virgin is someone who is sensible, intelligent and prudent. She steadfastly takes inventory of herself in her relationship with the Lord and His Word as God illuminates Himself towards her. • She take the necessary care and the required preparation to facilitate her meeting with Him. Foolish Virgins • Foolish virgin is thoughtless and without consideration. Think of her as one who wants to go in the night to a certain town through a large sparsely inhabited rural countryside in a car with just enough fuel to get her there. • She has no thought that she might just take a wrong road and use up much of her available fuel and find herself lost some where out in the middle of the road. The Lamp, The Oil, The Light, The Oil Vessel • It is important to note that all the virgins carried a lamp. They each had light. If each lamp had light, then each lamp had oil. • The foolish virgins did not take any extra oil in an oil vessel for their lamps during the journey to meet the bridegroom. • The proof that the foolish had oil in their lamps is seen in verse 8 when they found out the light of their lamps was going out because the oil in them was almost used up. The Lamp, The Light • Without light to illuminate the pathway, surely one could easily get lost as the darkness deepens into the night. • Without of the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit Baptism) foolish virgins are not led to all TRUTHS. • Howbeit when he, the Spirit truth , is come, he will guide you into all truth:……..(John.16:13) The Lamp, The Light • Every oil lamp that was made to serve its purpose of holding light would receive an initial pouring of oil and, thereafter, constant in-filling. • The lamp represents the virgin, the believer. As a believer, she carries oil which represents the Spirit and the Word. The Spirit and the Word are One. (Ephesians.6:17) • The oil speaks of the Spirit . Jesus said "the words that I speak unto you they are Spirit , they are Life" (John.6:63) • "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm.119:105) The Lamp, The Light • The flame of the lamp represents the light of truth. As a lamp, the Spirit –filled believer lights up her life in testimony to the truth. • She exhibits the truths. As long as the lamp is filled with oil and the wick is clear of soot, the light will be bright, clear and steady. • It will not flicker. The wick speaks of the understanding of the believer in the word. It speaks of her revelation of the word of the God. The Lamp, The Wick, & The Light • The soot or carbon that is formed on the tip of the wick speaks of the darkening of her revelation by some man – made doctrines and teachings that have attached themselves to her understanding. • Hence, the virgin needs to trim her lamp regularly by lifting up the wick and snuffing off the blackened part and , if necessary, fill up the lamp with the oil from the oil vessel. The Oil Vessel • The oil vessel speaks of a ready source of the Spirit and the Word in the life of the believer to keep the lamp burning at all times. • The unction in a believer who continually walks with the Spiritual, inspired, absolute and authoritative word of Scripture provides the source through which the Spirit of the Lord flows through. • The life of the Spirit flows from His Word for it is stored in His own Word. Slumber and Sleep • From the beginning of the 20th century, these virgins had yearned for the Coming of the Bridegroom, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. But our Lord tarried His return. • "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept" (Mt:25) • About ten years into the journey, the virgins got weary and tired. They soon found shelter and beds and began to settle down. It was not long before they slumbered and slept in the denominational beds. Slumber and Sleep • It was not long before they slumbered slept, sipping right back into a denominational spirit. • It is during this period the Pentecostal Movement began to split in to factions. • Assemblies of God, Apostolic Assemblies, Church of God in Christ, United Pentecostal church, Apostolic church of Jesus Christ Slumber and Sleep • From 1906 all these virgins slumbered slept till 1956 for about 50 years,( nothing could wake them) • God prepared a man to take a message that would wake them all up. • At the same time this man was also to clear up the errors that surrounded the revelation of the Oil and the many false teachings that that existed in the Church. The Midnight Cry • "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." • The midnight cry was made not by one within the system. Rather it was the voice of one crying from without. Like John the Baptist, this man was a forerunner of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. • He came with a message , forerunning the coming of the Bridegroom. The Midnight Cry • This messenger was sent to forerun the Bridegroom, the Christ of God. • As was in a natural wedding procession of the bridegroom to the bride"s home, the "best man" would proceed before the Bridegroom to herald His arrival. • As soon as he was able to see the light of the village, he would raise his voice and shout. • This cry would not only awaken the Bridesmaids, it would also awaken everyone who heard the commotion. The Midnight Cry • For about 50 years the virgins of God had slumbered and slept in the system. • 1956 was the year that the messenger, William Branham, came out crying, "Come out! Come back to the Word! Back to the Original ! Back to the Apostolic Fathers" Faith !" • It was a message for all who had an ear to hear to break free out of the system, and to meet and receive the Word – Groom. The Midnight Cry • His message was to call the Elect out of "Mystery, Babylon the Great , the Mother of Harlots and the Abomination of the Earth" (Roman Catholic Church) and all her harlot daughters (Denominational churches) before the Lord destroys then all. • Bro Branham"s ministry revealed the Word of God to call the Elect back to the Original Word, the Word that was Christ. • The Elect was called to meet this "Revealed Word" and come to the fullness. The Midnight Cry • Fifty is the number of the jubilee. Jubilee represents liberty and freedom (Lev.25:11-13). • It was 50 years after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1906, which began the Laodicean age, that the MIDNIGHT CRY was made. The Midnight Cry (Foolish Virgins) • Having heard the cry the virgins began to stir from their slumbering. They had slept deeply and long, now their lights were dim. • The virgins, sleeping in the religious systems for such a length of time had certainly darkened their understanding of the Word for they were indoctrinated with many traditional man – made teachings. The Oil Merchants • Seeing that soon their lamps would consume the last of the oil, the foolish virgins had no choice but to quickly rush off in search of those who sell oil. • The Oil Merchants refer to Preachers of the Holy Spirit Baptism. There are numerous "Holy Spirit Baptism" Preachers (oil merchants) scattered throughout the entire church world. The Wise Virgins • When the Midnight cry was sounded forth in 1956, the wise virgins were awakened and they trimmed their lamps. • They , having the OIL and with their lamps burning bright, understood the message and all specifics that came with it. • They immediately went forth to meet the Bridegroom and to enter with him into the Marriage Feast. • Since that time, there have been many virgins, who were awakened by the SHOUT. The Wise Virgins • Throughout the years since 1956, from time to time , wise virgins within the other denominational systems have also been aroused from their sleep by commotion. • They woke up to investigate and found that the PAROUSIA (His Presence) of the Lord Jesus Christ had taken place. • They obtained information that told them they needed a certain specific OIL in their lamps to enter into the Marriage Feast, and they sought and obtained through the Five Fold Ministry. The Wise Virgins • The wise virgins easily could meet the Bridegroom and enter the Marriage Feast because they were full of the Holy Spirit (Oil). • They knew their oil. They had the Oil Vessels with them to have a constant supply for the flame. • They knew that the Oil, the Spirit of God, would light the way and reveal farther and deeper into His own Word, to make known to them the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives. Foolish Virgins • The foolish virgins were never full of the Spirit but had just what they need Him. Such are the many Pentecostals and the Charismatic"s even today. • The parable does not just tell about the virgins and the oil in their lamps but also about them being awakened by the CRY of the messenger. The Foolish Virgins • Both the wise and the foolish virgins heard the CRY of the messenger. They all heard the SHOUT. They all heard the MESSAGE. • Yet only the wise fully UNDERSTOOD the message and the added blessings and revelations uttered by the messenger. • But many of the virgins who had heard the CRY, whether it be in the late 1950s , 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s , 2000s , still have yet to enter into the Marriage Feast because they have not the OIL to get them to the Bridegroom and the Marriage Feast. The Foolish Virgins • The are many VIRGINS who have heard the Message of the Messenger, Bro. Branham, but they have not followed through into the Marriage Feast. • "The Marriage Feast" is the revelation of the Word which the has spread out by His "Ascension Gifts" Ministry of APOSTLES, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. • Some of the virgins are still confused for they do not know how to get ready to enter into the Feast. Oil Merchants selling lies as the truth. The Foolish Virgins • The foolish virgins will remain foolish until it is too late. Having started their journey foolishly, it is difficult for them to ever come to the realization of the importance of getting the true OIL before it is too late. • They have also fail to realize that the revelation of God and His Word is always progressive and of the importance of looking into the Holy Scriptures that God has written. The Door is Closed • After the Marriage Feast is over and the door is closed, the Lord will no longer open up the WORD to those who are on the outside. • The Wise virgins making up the Bride of Christ, would be sealed in. Lord will not let any one trouble Him as He and His beloved are shut in together for that grand period of wedlock. • In the Nuptial Chamber the Bride becomes Wife as She unites with the Bridegroom in Spirit and in Word. The door is Closed • Once she is wife, the Lord will give her the final revelation (The Seven Thunders) that will take her to the Fathers Home. • This Revelation will come about through the utterance of the SEVEN THUNDERS of the Revelation 10 that will give the Rapturing Faith to the Bride. For her translation. The Bride has made Herself Ready • Let as be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. • And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine line is the righteousness of saints. • (REVELATION. 19:7-8) VIRGINS • There are many Christians who have been awakened to the commotion created by the SHOUT but they have gone back to slumbering in their denominational system. • They may claim they are virgins but only to their own deception. • Virgins are no longer virgins if they "sleep" with the system of man, for that is religious harlotry.
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