the messages to the seven churches an eschatological application the messages to the seven churches...

The Messages To The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological Application

The Messages To The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological Application

23 May 2002 Prophecy Research Initiative ConferenceBryan E. Canter

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Basic Premise

In their eschatological application, the Seven Churches of Revelation describe the collective church on earth just before Jesus takes the reigns into His own hands and brings the history of the earth to a close. The description is that of the state of the church immediately prior to the “time of the end”. The messages to the Seven Churches are intended to prepare the church for its role in end time events and for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.


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Method of InterpretationIn order to arrive at this conclusion, do we have to throw out the traditional Adventist historicist reading of the book of Revelation?

NO!!

Adventist methods of interpretation allow for multiple applications of prophecies like the ones found in Revelation. In fact, we can use the historical and historicist applications to shed further light on an eschatological application.


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Method of InterpretationMultiple Applications of Prophecy

“How should the Seven Churches be understood? Should the Seven Churches be read in a preterist way?...I think the answer is clearly ‘yes’… Should it be read in Idealist form?...I think very clearly the book says, ‘yes’…But let me ask another question. Should these letters to the Seven Churches be read in historicist fashion?...I don’t believe that that is the primary intention of these seven letters. Having said that, however, I would not entirely rule out an historical reading of the book of Revelation. It is just possible that…these letters may in some way be representative of the course of Christian history as it would move along.

– Dr. Jon Pauline: Seven Churches and a Heavenly Vision, Tape 3, Seven Letters to Seven Churches


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“It is reasonable to conclude that the characterization of, and admonition to, the church at Ephesus was particularly appropriate to the needs of that church at the time the message was written. It is similarly appropriate to the needs of the entire Christian church in the apostolic age, and thus, in brief, represents the experience of that period in the history of the church. It was recorded for the inspiration and encouragement of believers in every age, for under similar circumstances the same principles apply. By analogy, the same is true of the messages to the other churches. In view of the fact that the focus of each of the four major lines of prophecy is on the closing scenes of earth’s history, the messages of the book of Revelation have particular import for the church today.

“That a single prophetic passage may embrace more than one fulfillment is evident (see on Deut. 18:15). Some such prophecies have both an immediate and a more remote fulfillment, and in addition contain principles that are generally applicable at all times…”

– Introduction to the Book of Revelation, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol 7, pp. 725-726.


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What did that just say?Valid preterist (historical / typical) application ك

Valid historicist application ك

Valid idealist application ك

Valid eschatological application ك

Original Literal Seven

Churches

History of the Church From Apostolic Age to Second Coming

Collective Church Just

Prior To Jesus’ Return

All Churches Throughout All Ages


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Biblical Examples


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What is meant by an “Eschatological Application”?

The eschatological application incorporates some of the characteristics of futurism, except that modern futurists have corrupted the term with the following ideas:

Dispensationalism ش

Ultra-literalism ش

Secret Pre-Tribulation Rapture ش

The eschatological application simply means a special application of the prophecies to a short period of time just prior to the Second Coming.


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Isn’t an eschatological application contrary to Adventist theology?

On the contrary, a proper eschatological application is uniquely Adventist and is built on concepts that are foundational to Adventism and Adventist interpretation of prophecy, such as:

The Great Controversy ش

The sanctuary system ش

The state of the dead, the millennium, and the Sabbath ش

The literary structure of Revelation ش

The principles of accepted historical, historicist, and idealist شapplications

A rich understanding of Biblical typology ش


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“Revelation says that seven trumpets blow before we take possession of the Promised Land. Now, I’m really going to get myself out on a limb. I believe that not only do the prophecies of Revelation have a historical [historicist] application…I think that there is a literal last day application of these things, when you read them in their context. And I think that there might be a rapid repeating of these things, of the seven trumpets, just before Jesus comes…Those trumpets are getting ready to blow.”

– Doug Batchelor: Through the Wilderness – Into the Promised Land, Tape 7, The Red Rope of Rahab

Isn’t an eschatological application contrary to Adventist theology?


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Method of InterpretationExegetical Approach

ك Use Historical-Grammatical methods

ك Identify key terms, phrases and imagery in Revelationش Identify OT and NT background passages and cross references

ش Determine whether background passages have an eschatological application

ش Identify OT prophecies to literal Israel which will be fulfilled in the last days in relation to Spiritual Israel

ش Interpret the terms, phrases and imagery as literal, symbolic, or both based on context and on cross references (e.g. 12 Apostles)

ك Adopt a “Great Controversy” perspectiveش Favor universal/global over literal/local application of passages in Revelation

and in cross references

Note: In Revelation, John did not choose the symbols and imagery to use. He was instructed to “Write in a book what you see…” – Rev 1:11. God determined the symbols and imagery of the book of Revelation and their correlation to other Biblical cross-references.


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Though the prophet looked at events about him, he also could see far beyond his day. …the prophets words were sometimes to meet their fulfillment in the far distant future. At times they had an import, not only for the age in which the prophet lived, but also for a day far future; in other words, they had a dual application. Similarly, the ways in which God dealt with men in crises of the past are often cited as examples of the manner in which He will deal with the world in the last day. For example, Sodom and Gomorrah…

The student of the Bible who hopes to secure from it the greatest help will first proceed to reconstruct the historical context of each passage. He will listen to the prophet speaking to Israel of old and endeavor to understand what his words meant to the people who originally heard them. But he will listen also for the further import the prophet’s words may have for latter times, particularly, our time. Indeed this secondary application is for us today the more significant. – SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, pp. 37. “The Role of Israel in OT Prophecy”


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Method of InterpretationExegetical Approach – An Example


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Method of InterpretationExegetical Approach – An Example“Babylon” in Revelation

And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” – Rev 14:8

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! …For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality…Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” – Rev 18:2-5

And a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. – Rev 18:21


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Method of InterpretationExegetical Approach – An Example“Babylon” - Background Passages

Genesis 11: Tower of Babel – Salvation by Works, Religious Confusion, False Doctrines

Daniel 3: Fiery Furnace – Government Dictates Worship & Executes Dissenters

Daniel 6: Lion’s Den – Government Dictates Worship & Executes Dissenters

Daniel 5: Belshazzar’s Feast – King Uses Holy Things for Unholy Purpose and Babylon Falls

Is there an eschatologicalapplication of these principles?


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Has this prophecy reached its final fulfillment?

Then the lookout called, "O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, and I am stationed every night at my guard post. Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs." And one answered and said, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” – Isa 21:8-9

And I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer. – Rev 6:1-2 (Compare with Zechariah chapters 1 & 6.)

Context of reference in Isaiah 21 – Chapters 13 - 36 describe judgments on Babylon, Moab, Damascus, Etheopia, Egypt, Edom, Israel (Judah) etc. Read Isaiah 13:1-10; 24:1-6, 9-10, 14-16, 19-23.

“Babylon” - Key Phrases


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She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. – 1 Pet 5:13

1. Literal Babylon during Daniel’s time – (Type)2. Rome during the Apostolic Age – (Preterist or Historical)3. The Church during the Middle Ages – (Historicist)4. All false systems of worship throughout all time – (Idealist)5. The ecumenical movement in the last days lead by an alliance between American

Protestantism and the Vatican – (Eschatological)

“Babylon” - Multiple Applications


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Isa 14:4, 7-8, 12-15… take up this taunt against the king of Babylon, and say, “How the oppressor has ceased, And how fury has ceased! The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they break forth into shouts of joy. Even the cypress trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you were laid low, no tree cutter comes up against us.’

“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.‘ Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit.”

“Babylon” - A “Great Controversy” Perspective

Is this the king of Babylon or Satan?…or both?


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ك “Israel” and “Jews”

ك “…beginning of birth pangs” or “like a woman in labor”

ك “living beings”

ك “Balaam”

ك “eat things sacrificed to idols”

ك “commit acts of immorality”

ك “Egypt” or “Sodom” – maybe also “Tyre” or “Edom”

ك “trumpets”

The same method could be applied to...


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The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological Application

ك Most come to an understanding of the eschatological through the Seven Trumpets or through Daniel 12

ك There are few, if any, existing expositions of the eschatological application of Seven Churches

Why begin with the Seven Churches?

ك The Seven Churches portray the clearest example of the complete set of applications of the different methods – Historical, Historicist, Idealist, and Eschatological

ك The Messages to the Seven Churches contain some of the clearest internal literary evidence of an eschatological application

ك If you accept an eschatological application of the Seven Churches, the rest of Revelation naturally follows


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The Seven ChurchesLiterary Structure of the Book of Revelation

INTRODUCTION

1:1-8

7 Churches(1:10-3:22)

New Jerusalem(21:1-22:5)

CONCLUSION

22:6-21

Sanctuary Scene(1:10-1:20)

7 Seals(4:1-8:1)

Heavenand the

Millennium(19:1-20:15)

Messages to 7 Churches(2:1-3:22)

Sanctuary Scene(4:1-5:14)

7 Trumpets(8:2-11:18)

7 Last Plagues

(15:1-16:21)

Seals 1-4(6:1-8)

Sanctuary Scene(8:2-5)

Great Controversy(11:19-14:20)

Sanctuary Scene(15:1-8)

Fall of Babylon

(17:1-18:24)

Seals 5-6(6:9-17)

Trumpets 1-4(8:6-12)

Plagues 1-3(16:1-4)

Interlude (7:1-17)

Brief Interlude(8:13)

Sanctuary Scene(11:19)

Interlude(16:5-7)

Seal #7(8:1)

Trumpets 5-6(8:13-9:21)

Scenes 1-4(12:1-17)

Plagues 4-6(16:8-12)

Interlude(10:1-11:13)

Scenes 5-6(13:1-18)

Interlude(16:13-16)

Trumpet #7(11:14-11:18)

Interlude(14:1-13)

Plague #7(16:17-21)

Scene #7(14:14-20)

Adapted from: C. Mervyn Maxwell, God Cares, Volume II, pp.60-61.


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Context of Revelation

Rev 1:7 – Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen.

“The salutation having been concluded with v. 6, John announces the theme of Revelation. The Second Coming of Christ is the goal toward which all else moves forward.” – SDA Bible Commentary on Rev 1:7.

What is the central theme of the book of Revelation?

Ultimately, the theme of Revelation is the Second Coming of Christ and the consummation of the plan of salvation. The central theme is not the history of the Christian Church, although that historicist application does have some validity in that it chronicles the conditions which lead to the Second Coming.


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The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological ApplicationIntroductory Sanctuary Scene

ك Introduces each major section of Revelationك Provides contextual backdrop for the sectionك Provides chronological backdrop for the section

e.g. – Seven Seals occur between the “taking of the scroll” and theشfinal “song of praise of the great multitude in heaven”

ك Is not part of the chronological sequence of the events of the section e.g. – The “throwing down of the censor” does not precede theش

sounding of the first Trumpet

It is impossible to interpret the sections of Revelation correctly without a proper understanding of the context

provided by Introductory Sanctuary Scenes !!!


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The Introductory Sanctuary Scene

The Sabbath dayك

Rev 1:10 – “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day…”

Exod 20:10but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

Isa 58:13"If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor it, desisting from your own ways, from seeking your own pleasure, and speaking your own word,

Matt 12:8"For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."


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”The eschatological “Day of the Lordك ”The language and themes of the great “Day of the Lordش

passages match the language and themes of the book of Revelation



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Joel 2:28-3:2"And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;

and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

"And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

"And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered…

"For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.


“Day of the Lord” – One Example


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“Day of the Lord” – One Example

ك “Pour out My Spirit” – Latter Rain (Rev 18:1-4)

ك “Display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire, columns of smoke” –Trumpets 1-4 (Rev 9:7-12); 7 Last Plagues (Rev 16)

ك “Sun to darkness, moon into blood” – 6th Seal (Rev 6:12); 4th Trumpet (Rev 8:12); 5th Plague (Rev 16:10)

ك “I will gather all nations and bring them to the valley of Jehoshaphat (i.e. Yahweh judges) – Armageddon (Rev 16:12-16)

ك “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” – Second Coming

* See also: Is 2:12; Is 13; Is 58; Eze 13; Eze 30; Joel 1,2,3; Amos 5; Ob 1; Zeph 1; Mal 3,4; Acts 2; I Thes 5; II Thes 2; I Cor 5:5; II Peter 3:9-10


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ك The Sabbath and the Eschatological “Day of the Lord” – A Link Between the Twoش The “Sabbath” of the great “Week of Time”


2 Pet 3:8But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Ps 90:4For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.


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”The “Sabbath” of the great “Week of Timeك


Matt 16:28-17:328 "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."17:1 And six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves.2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

The Mount of Transfiguration is a miniature representation of the Kingdom of God


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”The “Sabbath” of the great “Week of Timeك


Exod 21:2"If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment.”

Exod 23:10-1210 "And you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield,11 but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.12 "Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor in order that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.


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ك The “Sabbath” of the great “Week of Time – The Prophecy – Why Israel went into captivity in Babylon


Lev 26:27-28, 31, 33-3527 'Yet if in spite of this, you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me,28 then I will act with wrathful hostility against you; and I, even I, will punish you

seven times for your sins.31 'I will lay waste your cities as well, and will make your sanctuaries desolate;

and I will not smell your soothing aromas.33 'You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword

after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste.34 'Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while

you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths.

35 'All the days of its desolation it will observe the rest which it did not observe on your sabbaths, while you were living on it.


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Lev 26:27-28, 31, 33-3527 'Yet if in spite of this, you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me,28 then I will act with wrathful hostility against you; and I, even I, will punish you

seven times for your sins.31 'I will lay waste your cities as well, and will make your sanctuaries desolate;

and I will not smell your soothing aromas.33 'You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword

after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste.34 'Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while

you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths.

35 'All the days of its desolation it will observe the rest which it did not observe on your sabbaths, while you were living on it.


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Jer 34:14, 17, 2114 "At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother, who has

been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me, or incline their ear to Me.

17 "Therefore thus says the LORD, 'You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release each man to his brother, and each man to his neighbor. Behold, I am proclaiming a release to you,' declares the LORD, 'to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

21 'And Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials I will give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life, and into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon which has gone away from you.


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ك The “Sabbath” of the great “Week of Time – The Fulfillment – Why Israel went into captivity in Babylon


2 Chr 36:20-2120 And those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were

servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,21 to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its

sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete.

Neh 13:17-1817 Then I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing you are

doing, by profaning the sabbath day?18 "Did not your fathers do the same so that our God brought on us, and on this city, all

this trouble? Yet you are adding to the wrath on Israel by profaning the sabbath."


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ك The Antitypical Jubileeش Occurred after seven “Sabbath’s of Years”

ش Represented the final release from captivity (in spiritual Babylon) and restoration of the inheritance in the Promised Land

ش Began as the trumpet was blown on the Day of Atonement (Lev 25:9)


Lev 25:8-128 'You are also to count off seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years, so that you have the time of the seven sabbaths of years, namely, forty-nine years.9 'You shall then sound a ram's horn abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall sound a horn all through your land.10 'You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.11 'You shall have the fiftieth year as a jubilee; you shall not sow, nor reap its aftergrowth, nor gather in from its untrimmed vines.


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The SabbathكThe Eschatological Day of the Lordك”The Sabbath of the Great “Week of TimeكThe Antitypical Jubileeك


Yes, John meant the Sabbath…as well as much more that the Sabbath represents.


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ك All seven messages in one bookش Symbolism of “Seven” – Completeش One message to the collective, but divided church

ك God picked the symbols, the imagery, and the sequence of the visionك The whole section of the “Messages to the Seven Churches” is

completely devoid of any sequential languageش None of the churches is identified by numberش No sequential language is usedش No specific events are described ش Compare with Rev 8:13 (from Seven Trumpets) – “…because of the

remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.”

Rev 1:11 – “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches…”


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ك The scene is a general scene Jesus is not tending the lamps; He is merely among theش

lampstandsه Note that the churches are described as “lampstands” – not lamps

ك The only event associated with this scene is Jesus giving John the messages for the Seven Churches

Does this Introductory Sanctuary Scene describe an event or a general scene?

Are there any clues as to the chronology of the scene?


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Which of these pictures represents the Jesus of Revelation?


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The Introductory Sanctuary Sceneك Jesus, our High Priest, is in the garb of an ordinary priest

ش No ephodش Parallels with Daniel 10 (robe is bad not shesh)

ك The uses of bad in the OT – 23 times in 11 passagesش 5 passages – the garments of ordinary priestsش 1 passage – the garments of the high priest on the Day of Atonementش 2 passages – the garments David wore when he brought the Ark of the

Covenant back to Jerusalemش 2 passages – Daniel’s vision of Jesus in chapters 10 & 12ش 1 passage – Ezekiel’s vision of the sealing angel in chapters 9 & 10

This is a “Day of Atonement” vision !!!


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ك In Revelation, we never see Jesus performing taymid, or daily, servicesش Jesus is among the lampstands, not tending the lamps (Rev 1:12, 2:1)ش No mention of the Table of Shewbreadش Jesus burns incense on the golden Altar of Incense (Rev 8:3-5)ش No mention of any veil

ه We see God’s throne (i.e. the Ark), seven Lamps, and Sea of Glass (i.e. Laver) all in the same scene – with no veils mentioned (Rev 4)

ش Jesus stands before God’s throne (i.e. Ark of the Covenant) (Rev 4-5)

Revelation is a “Day of Atonement” vision !!!


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The Introductory Sanctuary SceneDescription of Jesus

ك Golden Girdleش Parallel to “belt of pure gold of Uphaz” in Daniel 10ش Represents purity of faith – purified by the fire of tribulationش “Gold of Uphaz” – represents distinction between Creator God and false

idols (Jer 10:1-13 - Read)

ك Feet like burnished bronzeش In sanctuary “bronze” associated with the courtyard (i.e. earth)ش Jesus walked through the fires of tribulation on earth as a man

ك Head and hair like white woolش Parallels white turban of ordinary priestsش Denotes intrinsic righteousness of Jesus


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ك Voice like the sound of many watersJesus speaks with the authority of the Father and in the name of His peopleش

ه Parallel to “great multitude” (Rev 19:6-7) & 144,000 (Rev 14:2-3)ه Parallel to God the Father (Ezek 43:2) – Context of God entering the restored temple

,Uses natural elements as tools of influence (Jer 10:12-13; 51:15-16 [Identical]شand to distinguish between true God and false Gods)

Jer 10:12-1312 It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.13 When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from His storehouses.

Compare with Elijah on Mount Cramel and the Trumpets, Seals & Plagues


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Face like the sun shining in its strengthك ”Light of truth and righteousness – “I am the light of the worldش

(John 8:12)

Light of the new earth (Isaiah 60:19-20; Rev 21:23-24)ش

Commissioning of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 26:12-15)ش

Elijah message & Commissioning of 144,000شه Elijah prophecy – “sun of righteousness will rise” (Mal 4:1-6)

ه Mount of Transfiguration – “His face shone like the sun” (Matt 17:1-13)

Note the eschatological parallels.


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Description of Jesus

ك Represents the Word of God & the standard of judgment…out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” – Rev 1: 16

Eph 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Heb 4:12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Rev 2:16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

Rev 19:21And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat upon the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.


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ك Eyes – Discernment & Judgment (Eschatological)ش “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth

that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” – 2 Chr 16:9

ش “…a Lamb…having…seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth” – Rev 5:6

ش Replacing Joshua’s filthy robes with robes of righteousness – “the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes…I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day” (see Zech 3:1-10)

ش “the plumb line…these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth” (see Zech 4:2-14)ه Compare plumb line with the measuring of the temple in Rev 11ه Two olive trees and two lampstands – Two witnesses of Rev 11ه Four colored horses “sent to patrol the earth” – Zech 1, 6

“His eyes were like a flame of fire”– Rev 1:14


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“His eyes were like a flame of fire… out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” ”– Rev 1:14

Taken together these two symbols denote judgment. In this case the imagery denotes the beginning of the final phase of judgment – perhaps the time when the Investigative Judgment moves from the dead to the living. In the parallel passage in Revelation 19, the imagery denotes the beginning of the executive phase of judgment at Jesus’ second coming.


Slide #51


Description of JesusRev 19:11-1611 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.12 And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.“


Slide #52


A Speculation

ك Right Handش Power or strength, honor, salvation, judgment, ownershipش Consecration of priests (blood on right earlobe, thumb and toe)ش The blessing of the firstborn

ك Angelsش Leaders of the churches (messages addressed to them)

ك Jesusش “Firstborn of the dead” – Col 1:18ش “Firstfruits of those who are asleep” – 1 Cor 15:20, 23

ك 144,000ش “Firstfruits to God and the Lamb” – Rev 14:4ش Sealed before the Little Time of Trouble – Rev 7:3

Rev 1:20 – “As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand…the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches”

Could the seven stars represent the 144,000 as last day apostles?


Slide #53


Key Chronological VersesRev 1:19 – “Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things” (Introductory Sanctuary Scene for the Seven Churches)

ك The Seven Churches describe the “things which are” – i.e. the state of the collective church on the verge of end-time events

ك The Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Last Plagues, etc. describe the “things which will take place after these things” – i.e. events which God will initiate in order to bring the history of the earth to a close.

Rev 4:1 – “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, ‘Come up here and I will show you what must take place after these things.” (Introductory Sanctuary Scene for the Seven Seals)


Slide #54

The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological ApplicationStatements From Inspiration

“Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who Joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness." TM 300.


Slide #55

The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological ApplicationStatements From Inspiration

"Do you believe that the Lord is coming, and that the last great crisis is about to break upon the world? There will soon come a sudden change in God's dealings. The world in its perversity is being visited by casualties, --by floods, storms, fires, earthquakes, famines, wars and bloodshed. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power;...but His forbearance will not always continue. Who is prepared for the sudden change that will take place in God's dealings with sinful men?" - Fundamentals of Christian Education, p.356, 357.


Slide #56


Common Characteristics of All 7 Churchesك The messages are to the church, not the “world”ك The messages represent an investigative judgment of the state of the

churchش Jesus says, “I know your…” to every church

ك The condemnations do not represent Jesus’ final judgmentش Every church is given an opportunity to repent

ك Every church is instructed to listen to the Spiritش Compare with the parable of the ten virgins (lamps without oil)

ك Some people from every “church” respond to the messagesش Every promise has a fulfillment in the chiastic counterpart (Rev 21 – 22)

ك The problematic, divided church becomes a pure united brideش Promises made to separate churches are all realized by the one united collective

church in the chiastic counterpart (Rev 21 – 22)ش The “things which must take place after these things” cause the change


Slide #57


Internal Textual Evidence

I will come” is never used in Scripture to denote“شanything except the literal Second Coming of Jesus

Jesus says this, in one form or another, to every churchشexcept Smyrna

ه Smyrna represents the martyrs of the Little Time of Trouble - “Be faithful unto death…[and you] shall not be hurt by the second death”

– The “coming” is to deliver a reward or punishmentشCompare with Rev 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

“I will come to you…”


Slide #58



ك To Ephesus – Rev 2:5

ش Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place-- unless you repent.


Slide #59


Internal Textual EvidenceTo Pergamum – Rev 2:16

“Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth” – Rev 2:16

Compare with – Rev 19:11-1611 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it {is}

called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.12 And His eyes {are} a flame of fire, and upon His head {are} many diadems; and

He has a name written {upon Him} which no one knows except Himself.13 And {He is} clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The

Word of God.14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white {and} clean,

were following Him on white horses.15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the

nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.“

This refers to the literal Second Coming of Jesus!


Slide #60


Internal Textual EvidenceTo Thyatira - Rev 2:20-2220 'But I have {this} against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.21 'And I gave her time to repent; and she does not want to repent of her immorality.22 'Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.

Compare with - Rev 18:2-52 … "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!...3 "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality."4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues;5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

This is the Great Tribulation! (Compare also Rev 17 & 18; Ezek 16 & 23)


Slide #61



ك Also to Thyatira – Rev 2:25-2625 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.

26 And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.

ك “Hold fast until I come.” – What else could this possibly refer to except Jesus’ Second Coming???

ك This particular counsel from Jesus only makes sense in an eschatological application


Slide #62



ك To Sardis – Rev 3:3Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.

ك The phrase “like a thief” occurs five other times in the New Testament (Matt 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40; 1 Thes 5:2-4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 16:15). In every one of those cases, even the other one in Revelation, the phrase refers to the literal Second Coming of Jesus!


Slide #63


Internal Textual Evidenceك To Philadelphia – Rev 3:10-11

10 Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.

26 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown.

ك Compare withش Rev 18:10 (also Rev 18:1-4)

10 … “Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.”

ش Rev 7:1414 These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes an made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

ش Psalms 91:5-13…You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you…No evil will befall you nor any plague come near your tent.


Slide #64


A General PatternJesusAnointed byHoly Spirit

Preached1260 Literal

Days

Little Time ofTrouble in

Gethsemane

Death Sentence & Great Tribulation

On the Cross

Resurrection&

Glorification

Christian Era

Anointed byHoly Spirit

(Early Rain)

Preached1260

Symbolic Days

Little Time ofTrouble During

Papal Persecution

Great TribulationIn

Last Days

Resurrection&

Glorification

Church in Last Days

Anointed byHoly Spirit

(Latter Rain)

Elijah MessageFor 1260

Literal Days

Little Time ofTrouble

(7 Trumpets)

Death Sentence & Great Tribulation(7 Last Plagues)

Resurrection&

Glorification


Slide #65


Other Textual Evidence“…those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

ش To Smyrna and Philadelphia (Chiastic Pairs)

“…those who call themselves apostles and are not...”ش To Ephesus

Matt 24:11And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.

Matt 24:24For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

2 Tim 3:1-51 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents,

ungrateful, unholy,3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power…


Slide #66


Other Textual EvidenceTo Smyrna: (Rev 2:10)

'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Compare with the “Signs of the Times” chaptersMatt 24:9

Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name.

Luke 21:12-19

12 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake.

13 "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

14 "So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;

15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

16 "But you will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death,

17 and you will be hated by all on account of My name.


Slide #67


Other Textual Evidence…hold to the teaching of Balaam

ك The journey of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land parallels the journey of the Church from the cross to the Second Coming

ك Moses represents the Law – Joshua is a type of Jesusش The Law could lead them through the desert of sin, but only “Yeshua” could carry

them into the Promised Land

ش Moses’ last action on behalf of Israel was to take vengeance upon the Midianites for the sins that they caused the Israelites to commit based upon Balaam’s guidnce

ش Balaam’s counsel was designed to entice God’s people to sin

Num 31:16-1816 "Behold, these [women] caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD.17 "Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately.


Slide #68


Other Textual Evidence…hold to the teaching of Balaam

ك The book of II Peter gives special counsel to the church in the last days2 Pet 2:13-2213 ... They [false prophets] are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you,14 having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;15 forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.20 For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.


Slide #69


Other Textual Evidence…Jezebel

ك A false prophetess (i.e. false church) who allied with the king (i.e. political power) to lead God’s lukewarm people into idolatry.

ك Persecuted (issued a death decree) Elijah after he proclaimed the “Elijah Message” to God’s people

ك Enticed the king to steal Naboth’s vineyard by murder and deceit

ك The descriptions of Jezebel and end-time Babylon are nearly identicalش Babylon’s judgments and plagues (Rev 18) are the same as Jezebel’s “tribulation”

ك The church of Thyatira “tolerated” Jezebel (See II Thes 2:8-12)

2 Tim 4:1, 3-41 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and

the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their

ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;

4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.


Slide #70


Other Textual Evidence

…eat foods sacrificed to idolsك Common to teachings of Balaam and Jezebel in messages to Pergamum & Thyatiraك Represents false scriptures & false doctrines

ش Paul tells us that eating literal food sacrificed to idols is meaningless (I Cor 8:4-8)ش Both Ezekiel and John were instructed to eat scrolls and then to prophesyش Book of Mormon and the Doctrine of Covenantsش Papal dogma in the form of Bulls, Encyclicals, and Apostolic Letters

ك Parallel to the “gold cup of abominations” and the “wine” of Babylonك Parallel to “food” in Daniel 11:26ك Contrasted with the bread from heaven that God strengthened Elijah with when he

fled from Jezebelش Elijah proclaims his message, flees from Jezebel, is strengthened with bread from heaven for

forty days, discovers the presence of God in a gentle breeze on Mount Sinai, and then is commissioned by God to anoint a new king and a new prophet over Israel, and later is taken up to heaven.

ش In the last days, God commissions the 144,000 to proclaim the Elijah message, then pours out the 7 Last Plagues on the wicked. This enrages “Babylon” against God’s people who flee into the wilderness to confront their faith (Time of Jacob’s Trouble), await the coming of their Prophet, Priest & King, and are taken up into heaven.


Slide #71


Other Textual Evidence…commit immoralityك Common to teachings of Balaam and Jezebel in messages to

Pergamum & Thyatira

ك Represents following after false Gods – i.e. spiritual immorality

ك Parallel to the “immorality” of spiritual Babylon

II Cor 11:2-42 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband,

that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.3 But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be

led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you

receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.


Slide #72



…commit immorality

Ezekiel 16:38-4238 "Thus I shall judge you, like women who commit adultery or shed blood are judged; and I

shall bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.39 "I shall also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your shrines,

demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare.

40 "They will incite a crowd against you, and they will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords.

41 "And they will burn your houses with fire and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women. Then I shall stop you from playing the harlot, and you will also no longer pay your lovers.

Rev 17:16-1816 "And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot [Babylon] and will

make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.17 "For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by

giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be fulfilled.18 "And the woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth."


Slide #73



…commit immorality

Rev 14:1-51 And I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and

with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.

3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.


Slide #74

The Seven ChurchesAn Eschatological ApplicationA Proper Eschatological Application is

Uniquely Adventist !!

You can only arrive at a proper eschatological application of the prophecies of Revelation through an Adventist path. A proper eschatological application is dependent on a number of uniquely Adventist characteristics, such as:

The Great Controversy ش

The sanctuary system ش

The state of the dead, the millennium, and the Sabbath ش

The literary structure of Revelation ش

The principles of accepted historical, historicist, and idealist applications ش

A rich application of Biblical types and antitypes ش


Slide #75


How might each message apply today?

ك Individual ChristiansLocal Churchesك The Church in a Particular Geographicalك

RegionDenominations, Movements or SectsكOther General Groupings of Christiansك


Slide #76


EphesusKey Characteristicsك

ش Performs many good works for the Lordش Is doctrinally sound and rejects false teachers

ه Nicolaitans – “victorious over the people” – the spirit of Satanم Affects many of the churches with false teachings which lead to bad deedsم Could represent the Pentecostal Movement

ش Has lost their first love – Works result from sense of “duty”

ك Possible Group Application Todayش Seventh-day Adventist Church

ه There are signs that Adventists are beginning to re-embrace the Gospel and to once again “love His appearing” (II Tim 4:8)

ش “First” of the Seven Churches – SDA Church has a special role of leadership in the worldwide church


Slide #77

The Seven ChurchesThe Role of the SDA Church

Israel10 Tribes

Judah Apostasy

Apostasy

Babylon

The call of the prophets to repentance

NT Church

CatholicChurch

Protestant Church Apostasy

Apostasy

Babylon

The SDA church fills the role of the OT prophet


Slide #78


SmyrnaKey Characteristicsك

ش No admonishment – Only Praiseش Materially poor but spiritually richش Persecuted by nominal Christians

ه “Those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan”

ش Jesus only counsel is to stay firm in their faith through the increased persecution and martyrdoms to come in the Little Time of Trouble

ك Possible Group Application Todayش Martyrs of the Little Time of Troubleش Persecuted Christians in the world today, particularly in the

10/40 window


Slide #79


Pergamumك Key Characteristics

ش Strong in the faith experience – even in the face of persecutionه Antipas (the faithful witness) – “Anti Pater”, i.e. Against the Pope

ه Live where Satan’s throne is

ش Weak in doctrinal purityه Teachings of Balaam – Lead true Christians astray

م “Eat things sacrificed to idols” – False Doctrines

م “Commit acts of immorality” – Spiritual unfaithfulness to God

ه Accept teachings of the Nicolaitans

ك Possible Group Application Todayش True Christians in the Catholic Church

ش Christians living in geographic areas dominated by the Catholic Church

Note - “Teachings of Balaam” Charismatic Catholic Renewal


Slide #80


Thyatiraك Key Characteristics

ش At the apex of the chiasmش Strong and growing in deeds of faith, love, service & perseveranceش Severe doctrinal problems

ه Tolerate the Teachings of Jezebel – Lead true Christians astrayم “Eat things sacrificed to idols” – False Doctrinesم “Commit acts of immorality” – Worship a “different Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4)

ش Some do not hold to these false teachings

ك Possible Group Application Todayش Non-denominational churches and the Ecumenical Movement

ه Fastest growing church group in the world – Excel in works of charityه Doctrinally neutral – Have no strong core beliefsه Sacrifice doctrinal purity for the sake of “unity”

ش Ecumenical movement was fostered by the Vatican and predicted by Ellen White


Slide #81


Thyatiraك In many ways, Thyatira represents a composite of the whole world

just before probation closesك Babylon and her daughters who know the “deep things of Satan”

are warned of being thrown into “great tribulation” unless they repent

ك The faithful few in Thyatira are counseled only to “hold fast what they have” until Jesus comes

144,000Faithful Remnant

CatholicismApostate Protestantism

Ecumenical Movement / Babylon

Other World Faith Groups

Salvation


Slide #82


SardisKey Characteristicsك

Have a name of being alive, but are spiritually deadشه Call themselves “Christians” but “lack the power” of true

Godliness (2 Tim 3:1)

Once had true faith and teachings, but are now asleepش”They must wake up or Jesus will come “like a thiefش

ه Compare 1 Thes 5:1-11 – Christians will not be caught unawareه Refutes idea of “once saved - always saved”

”Some have not “soiled their robesش

ك Possible Group Application TodayEvangelical Churchesش Christian Church in Western Europe – The birthplace of theش

Reformation


Slide #83


PhiladelphiaKey Characteristicsك

No admonition from Jesus – Only praiseش

City of “Brotherly Love” – Doctrinal purity is impliedش

Jesus has “key of David” – Cross reference to Eliakim in Is 22:20-25ش

Jesus will keep them from the “hour of testing” – i.e. the GreatشTribulation

”They will be made “pillars in the temple of Godش

ك Possible Group Application TodayA group of individual Christians – Not a denominationش

ه No denomination or even local church displays this kind of purity

Could represent the 144,000ش


Slide #84


LaodiceaKey Characteristicsك

”Laodicea – “The judging of the peopleشMaterially rich, but spiritually poorشLukewarm – Unaware of their conditionشMessage to the “church” – Probation is not yet closedش They need true faith, the righteousness of Christ, and the Holyش

Spirit

ك Possible Group Application TodayGeographically – the collective church in the United StatesشThe Charismatic Movementش

ه Prosperity preaching and positive thinkingه Spiritual pride – “Speaking in tongues” is the sign of the Holy Spirit

Applies to many local churches and some other denominationsش


Slide #85

Nothing is as powerful as a prophecy whose

time has come.- Unknown


Slide #86


Comments or Questions ??For more information see the paper entitled:

Revelation(A Study of the Eschatological Application of Prophecy)

Part 2

Messages to the Seven Churches(www.bible-truth.net)

Or Contact:Bryan E. Canter

1818 Clover Creek DriveLongmont, CO 80503

[email protected]

the messages to the seven churches an eschatological application the messages to the seven churches...

Documents

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churches of revelation

churches history

special application

major lines of prophecy

historicist applications

book of revelation

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