Message to the Church

The Feast of Trumpets is next Sabbath, September 19th, beginning at sunset on Friday, a day that pictures the return of Christ. So let's look at the messages to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation as we prepare for the observance of the Feast of Trumpets and also the return of Jesus Christ. If you would, turn to the Book of Revelation, Revelation chapter 1. In Revelation chapter 1, we shall see that Revelation begins with God the Father. You know, Jesus Christ was asked just before His ascension if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time. And He said to know the times and seasons is not in the hands of the Father. You wait here in Jerusalem until you receive power from on high. And that is, of course, the Holy Spirit that came upon them on the day of Pentecost. So in Revelation 1.1, the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him. So God gave the revelation to Christ. Jesus Christ is the revelator in that sense to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass. And He sent and signified it by His angel and His servant John. Now, remember this word angel, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Hebrew word for angel in the Old Testament is malek. Malek can refer to a spirit messenger, divine messenger, or to a human being. And in the New Testament, the Greek word for angel is angelos, and it can refer to a human messenger or to a spirit being. Now, in this case, it appears to be a spirit being, an angel, who communicates this revelation to John. So the chain of revelation is the Father, Christ, the angel, John, then to the churches. Verse 2, who bear record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that He saw. Now, the word that is translated testimony here in verse 2 is also an interesting word. In the Greek, it's maturia, M-A-P-U-R-I-A, and it means a testimony to witness to, to testify, to give witness, or to bear record.

So who bear record, same word, of the word of God and of the maturia, testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all the things that He saw. Blessed is He that reads, so there is a blessing upon those who read the book of Revelation. And they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia, grace be unto you and peace from Him, which is, which was, which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne. The seven spirits are equated with the seven candlesticks and the seven, seven spirits, seven candlesticks, seven lamps. Let's notice that quickly. Look at Revelation chapter 4.

Revelation chapter 4.

I'm sorry, it's Revelation 5. Revelation chapter 5.

And verse 6. Revelation 5, 6, And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts in the midst of the elders stood a lamb, as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And in Revelation chapter 1 and verse 20, the mystery of the seven stars, which you saw in my right hand in the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks, which you saw are the seven churches.

Now back to Revelation chapter 1.

Once again, verse 4. John of the seven churches.

Now, historically, and commentators, and this is what we have taught through the years regarding the book of Revelation and the message to the seven churches, I taught the book of Revelation at the college for a few years.

We have taught that, one, there was a mail route in which there were seven churches in Asia. It says right here, the seven churches in Asia probably lined up on a mail route, and that when one of the apostles wrote a letter to one of the churches, it would be passed on to the next church and read there. If you hold your place there and look at Colossians 4 in verse 15, I can show you some proof of that in Colossians chapter 4 and verse 15. For this we say unto you, I'm reading from Thessalonians, Colossians 4 verse 15, Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea. Remember that one of the messages is sent to the church at Laodicea. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea and Memphis and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. So you can see that this, the pattern, that they would pass these letters along to the various churches for them to read.

Now in verse 5, Revelation 1.5, and from Jesus, Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness and the prototichos, the firstborn. New King James has firstborn. The firstborn, and here we see, and this is a very important point, that born here is equated with resurrection. The firstborn of the dead.

There had been people raised from the dead again in the past, but they were raised to physical life. It was not a life, a resurrected life, to spirit life. Remember Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. Paul, when he was preaching, when the man fell out of the loft and fell dead, that Paul raised him from the dead. Jesus Christ is the firstborn to a spirit existence on the God plane, a plane which he had left, gave up his glory, not his divinity. He was still God in the flesh, Emmanuel, as it says in Matthew 1.23. But he gave up his glory and came to the earth. Now he's been resurrected in the firstborn of the dead, the prince of the kings of the earth, unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and have made us. And one of the great things about, of course, our great reward is made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Behold, he comes with clouds, and every eye shall see him. So it won't be a secret kind of rapture.

It says here that every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him and all the kindred of the earth shall wail because of him, even so, amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was, which is to come the Almighty. The eternal one, the one who always is. Two beings, two spirit entities have existed in eternity. God the Father, the Word, the one who became Jesus Christ. I, John, who also am your brother in companion and tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, as we'll note just in a minute here, John was in prison in exile, put there by Roman authorities on the Isle of Patmos. And so the book of Revelation is written in figurative and code language to a large degree. And you have to interpret many of the passages by using other passages in the Bible. He is your fellow, your brother, and companion in tribulation.

He was in the Isle of Patmos for the Word of God. He was put there because of his testimony of Jesus Christ, because of what he was preaching, what he was saying, what he stood for, what he believed, what he boldly proclaimed in the face of the Roman authorities.

Verse 10, I was in the spirit. The correct translation is on the day of the Lord. In other words, the time setting basically for the book of Revelation is the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord means when God directly intervenes in the course of human affairs. Now, of course, there are some events and some things recorded here that take place way before God directly intervenes in the course of human events at the end of this age. But this term here, the Lord's day, is translated correctly in 1 Thessalonians 5.2. It's the same Greek koriyakehe kimera. Koriakehe kimera is literally the day of the Lord. So I was in the spirit during the day of the Lord, not Sunday, or any other day of the weeks being talked about here. And some try to use this to prove that Sunday is the day of worship. I was in the spirit on the day of the Lord and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet. Now, the trumpet was used in Israel to on the feast days. We sing that song blow the trumpet on your solemn feast days. It was used to alert the people to danger. It was used in Victoria's celebrations, used on the feast days. It was used when they marched to war. There's something about a trumpet that tends to energize the whole body and nervous system, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. And what you see right in the book, send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia. And he lists the seven churches. In verse 12, I turned to see the voice that spoke with me, and being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. Now, we've already read from Revelation 1.20 that the seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one likened to the Son of Man. So we see here that the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, has human-like qualities and features. This is called anthropomorphization, that is, ascribing human-like characteristics to to God. Humankind was created in the image of God, not of the same essence as God. God is spirit. Man, made in the image of God, is made out of the dust of the earth and is subject to sin and death. But God is spirit and immortal. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. So, the Son of Man is walking, verse 13, in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, girt about with a paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, and white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire.

And his feet likened to fine brass as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice is the sound of many waters. Powerful, powerful voice. And this voice is likened unto a trumpet. And of course, the Church has been given the commission to lift up their voice as a trumpet, like a trumpet. Isaiah 58, verses 1 and 2, talks about lifting up your voice like a trumpet, and showing the people their sins, and calling them to repentance. Lift up your voice.

So, his voice was like a trumpet. And the sound of many waters, verse 16, he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. And we know in other places that that sharp two-edged sword is the Word of God. You hold it in your lap, the precious Word of God.

And his countenance was as his sun shining in his strength. And when I saw him, I felt that his feet is dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the last. I am he that lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And have the keys of the grave and of death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will be hereafter. So John wrote in past, present, and future tense.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. Now, we can get into some controversy here, if we would like.

Just talk about this a moment.

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.

Now, some theorize postulate that there is an angel assigned to quote each church era. Now, the United Church of God has not taken a position on church eras, per se. You'll notice it's basically silence on that topic.

Some of the other groups that branched off from Worldwide Church of God talk about that they, in essence, say, we're more righteous than you because we strictly believe in church eras. But we shall examine these seven messages and see more about them. Remember that the Greek word angelos can refer to a human messenger or to a spirit being. The seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.

Unto the angel of the church at Ephesus, so did John write a letter to a spirit being. A spirit being was giving him the revelation.

So did John turn around and write a letter to a spirit being.

I doubt it. I doubt that a spirit being would need it put down in writing. So you can notice, I believe, even in Strongs, it says, pastor, that this kid and angelos can refer to a human messenger. We read from Colossians 4 16 to cause this letter, and I don't know if Paul was talking about exactly this message. I don't think he was. His letter, not this, caused this letter to be read in Laodicea as well. So, unto the angel, the messenger, the angelos of the church at Ephesus, write these things and then let's note once again what these messages, how they have been viewed historically before we really get into the message there. One, seven literal churches in Asia, on a mail route, perhaps. Two, church eras that these are successive eras describing the chief characteristics of the churches that existed at that time in history. Or three, and or three, which basically everyone subscribes to, even if they also subscribe to eras, is that it depicts conditions extant in the church through the ages. And basically, that's what we have emphasized. Conditions that are extant in the church through the ages. You will notice at the end of each message to the churches. It says, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches, plural. Not just Ephesus, not just Smyrna, Pergamos, Iotarius, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laosia, but to all of the churches. So those three things, seven literal churches or church eras, and conditions extant through the ages in the churches.

These three messages, I mean these seven messages to the churches, have a distinct structure. First of all, at the beginning of each message, the characteristics, some characteristics of Jesus Christ are enumerated or listed or given. Next, there is what is wrong in that church era, or in that church, perhaps a Freudian slip with church era. But anyhow, what is wrong with that church? Then there is also, if there's something wrong, the punishment that they might be facing if they don't repent, along with an admonition, and there is the reward. So once again, you'll see characteristics of Christ, what's wrong, and you'll see commendation, and then the admonition and the reward. So first of all, we're going to look at each church era with regard to characteristics of Christ. So, Ephesians 2.1, under the angel of the church of Ephesus, right, these things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, which are the seven angels, holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, and the seven golden candlesticks are the churches. So Jesus Christ walks among the seven churches. That's clear.

Now in Smyrna, verse 8, and under the angel of the church in Smyrna, write these things, says the first and the last. Once again, characteristics, qualities of Christ. Write these things, says the first and the last, which was dead and is alive.

Now in Smyrna, I mean Pergamos, verse 12, characteristics of Christ. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos, write those things, says he which has the sharp sword with two edges, which we know is the word of God. So once again, characteristics of Christ are given at the beginning of each message. Now in verse 18, Thyatira. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira, write these things, says the Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, his feet are like undefined brass. So you see in these characteristics that are given, it's basically a repeat of what you read in Revelation 1, verses 11 through 18, probably.

Now in chapter 3, verse 1, Sardis, under the angel of the church in Sardis, write these things, says he that hath the seven spirits of God, so Christ has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, I know your works. Then in Philadelphia, in verse 7, Revelation 3, 7, to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write these things, says he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David. Remember, it said in chapter 1 that he hath the key of the grave and of death. Here it hath the key of David, he that opens and no man shuts and shuts and no man opens. And then in Laodicea, verse 14, under the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write these things, says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. He was the firstborn from the dead and a new order of beings, as it were, of someone who had lived in the flesh and then made spirit, first born into the kingdom of God as an eternal spirit being. Now let's go back to chapter 2.

It's interesting, too. In fact, I've got a handout and I'll try to bring it two weeks from now, the handout on the seven churches where I have all these things listed out very systematically. But now we're going to read it through and comment on it.

In Revelation chapter 2, we get to the commendation of Ephesus. I think I left that out when I was giving a little outline. I know your works, your labor, and your patience, and how you cannot bear them which are evil. You have tried them which say they are apostles and are not and have found them liars. Of course, the Church of God within the past 20 years for sure has faced this very theme. You have tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars which they were. And of course, some still are.

You cannot play games with the Word of God. You cannot make the Bible say what it doesn't say. Of course, you can deceive some people that those who truly love the truth will find you out. Verse 3, You have borne and have patience for my name's sake and have labored and have not fainted.

You know, and of all the messages to the seven churches, it seems in some ways a message to Ephesus is more applicable to us, at least to us in recent years, than some of the other messages.

The average tenure of church members in this survey taken in the feast three or four years ago was 35 years. And through the years, even before Mr. Armstrong died, over 50% of those who were baptized left the church. The average time to cycle out of the church was 15 years. People stayed with it for 15 years.

The sermon title, one sermon title I have, A Sermon at the Feast, is what excuse will you use to keep you out of the kingdom of God? And so many people use various excuses about men and about the organization, about the church and people in it. Whereas when all is said and done, what the Bible is about is your relationship, your relationship with God and Christ.

And whether or not you love the truth and believe the truth and willing to die or go to prison for the truth that John was in prison when he received this revelation.

But in verse 4, Nevertheless, see, this is what's wrong. I have somewhat against you because you have left your first love. Now, people talk about first love, and there is a first love of when you first have the veil removed from your eyes and you begin to see that I've been deceived all these years. I didn't really understand who God is, what God is, what is His purpose. I didn't really understand who man is, what man is, and what is His purpose.

And now I see that the purpose of human existence is to become a member of the family of God, to be made a kings and priests, to rule and reign with God and Christ through eternity. Actually, you don't go through eternity, it's in eternity. Wrong preposition. In eternity.

And that first love, and you couldn't get enough. You didn't worry about so much whether the sermon was an hour or more. You wanted to learn. You didn't worry so much about how long it was, what the distance was to church or to get to the feast and so many other things. That we could list. You had your first love. I would say that this part is very applicable to us today. I see people who do not bring their Bibles to church. They do not follow along in the Scriptures. See, the more ways that you can get the information into your cerebral cortex, the more apt you are to be able to remember it, understand it, and be able to teach others. And one of the great callings that we have, and one of the things we're preparing for, is to be teachers in the wonderful world tomorrow. There's also the aspect of me of first love with regard to... You can't really love unless you're willing to do judgment, mercy, and faith. That is, to go before God continually, ask for forgiveness, and He's faithful and just to forgive you of all unrighteousness. And in addition to that, to exercise judgment and mercy and faith with your brother, whether it be your wife, your husband, children, or your neighbor, or some other other brethren. So He admonishes them, verse 5, Remember therefore, for whence you are fallen, and repent. This is not just a small matter. Now, all this wonderful accommodation for Ephesus, but then how serious is the punishment? Remember from which you are fallen and repent and do the first works. So when it says, do the first works, I tend to think that it is more than just this flush of first love of you're so excited about learning the truth and all that goes with that. That there is something that you're actually doing. And I think of all of the greatest weaknesses historically in the Church of God, it's probably failure to exercise judgment, mercy, and faith before God and with each member of the body of Christ. You know, Christ said in John 1335, Hereby shall you know that you are my disciples, and that you love one another. And you cannot love one another if you don't walk together reconciled.

How serious? Repent or else I will come unto you quickly. We'll remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent. So if the candlestick is moved out of its place, then it's no longer in the menorah or the bowl. We could relate this and probably should relate this to Zechariah 4. So we'll hold our place here. Look at this for a moment. Zechariah's prophecy definitely has New Testament implications because the two Ollie branches on either side of the bowl represent the two witnesses. Remember, who does the Holy Spirit proceed from? The Father. John 1526. Christ says, And I will send you, the Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the Father. Jesus Christ plays a role in it.

And God uses human instruments to stir up the Spirit, hopefully, and to encourage, motivate the members of the body of Christ. Like Paul writes to Timothy and says, And you know, stir up the gift that you receive by the laying on of my hands. And all of us have received that gift of the Holy Spirit.

Are you stirring it up? And that word stir is similar to the meaning to, like, you take a striking a match on a surface that has friction on it to get inflamed to be fired up.

I'm not going through. I don't have time to go through this whole vision in Zechariah chapter 4. But just briefly, Zechariah saw a vision. You draw a bowl, just a circle like this, you put seven candlesticks in it, and these candlesticks are on a pipe. And on either side of this bowl, there are two olive branches or two olive trees. And the oil is being emptied out of the olive trees into the bowl, and thus the oil illuminates the candlesticks. It was a very interesting archaeological find this past week in the synagogue, I believe, north of Jerusalem. Anyhow, they unearthed a carved relief that had a very well-defined menorah on it. In other words, the lampstand with the seven candlesticks. They said it was at least 2,000 years old, and it had an inscription about Jerusalem on it. And more and more, they're finding archaeological artifacts that point directly to the veracity of the history of the Bible. Another archaeological find in recent days coins found in a cave, and these coins are in very good condition. And they talk about Jerusalem in the temple on the inscription.

So Zacharias sees this vision of this bowl with these seven candlesticks and holly branches on either side, and he wants to know what these are.

And you notice in verse 10, Zacharias 4.10, For who had despised the day of small things, for they shall rejoice, shall see the plumbing in the hand of the rubble-bell, with those seven, they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. And of course, the Church has been given the commission of preaching the gospel to the whole world and discipling all nations. Then answered, I and sent unto him, what are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side? He entered again and sent unto me.

I'm sorry, I didn't read it all. Verse 12. I answered again and sent unto him, What be the two olive branches, which through the two golden pipes, empty the oil out of themselves? Now, once again, the two witnesses are not the source of the Holy Spirit, but the two witnesses come on the scene and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they certainly energize a certain segment and remnant of God's people when they come on the scene. And I believe that inspired preaching and teaching can start up and energize our people today. But probably we have to be a lot more forceful and direct than what we have been.

So, verse 13, he answered me and said, Don't you know what these are? And I said, No, my Lord, these said he are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole world. Now, you go to Revelation 11 and you'll see that these two anointed ones are identified as the two witnesses. The point that I'm making here is that to remove the candlestick out of its place means that what it means to me is you're cut off from the Holy Spirit. So, it is very serious.

Revelation 11 and verse 3, I will give power unto my two witnesses. They shall prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. So, it's a very serious thing. Now, back to Revelation chapter 2.

Verse 5, Remember therefore, from whence you are fallen, repent, do the first way it works. Or else I will come into you quickly, I will remove the candlestick out of its place, except you repent. But this you have that you hate the deeds of the Nicolae Iotans, which I also hate.

Now, there's great controversy over what the doctrine of the Nicolae Iotans is, but most believe that it has some have to do with Nicolae Iotans, saying, well, it has to do with mistreatment of the laity. And so, some have said, well, you know, the Church has mistreated the people in the Church through the years, and they talk about that.

Probably the more accurate interpretation of the Nicolae Iotans are the people who taught that the more sin, the greater God's forgiveness and the greater God's grace. So therefore, the more sin, the more grace. That truly would be amazing grace, wouldn't it? License to sin.

So it's probably the doctrine of licentiousness.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches, to him that overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Does everybody in the resurrection get the tree of life?

Why, if you didn't, you'd be dead. So everybody gets tree of life, right? And under the angel of the church in Smyrna write, these things says the first and the last, which was dead, which is alive. I know your works and tribulation and poverty that you are rich. And it's rich in the spiritual sense, in contrast to Laodicea, who was rich in the physical sense, but poor spiritually. I know the blasphemy of them, which say they are Jews, and they are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Fear none of those things which you shall suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be you faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. Does everyone get a crown of life if you're in the kingdom of God? Yes.

All rights. I know that there is a crown stored up for me. You get a crown of life if you're in the kingdom of God? Yes. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says under the churches. He that overcomes shall not be hurt of a second death. For the angel of the church in Pergamos writes these things, says he which has the sharp sword with the two edges, the word of God.

Accommodation. I know your works and where you dwell, even where Satan's seed is. So is a very difficult place to live. Sort of like living inside them in Gomorrah, I guess, but in a different way, where Satan's seed is. Satan's activity was there. Satan's influence was there in a way that wasn't apparently in other places. And you hold fast my name, have not denied my faith. And in those days where in Antipas was my faithful martyr. So even in the face of death, you remain faithful. Who was slain among you where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you.

Because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. To eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication. See, the principal doctrine of Balaam was that he told the Moabite leaders, if you really want to trip up the Israelites on this march to the Promised Land, is that you get the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men, get them to intermarry, and you will trip them up. And that's what they did. And there's hardly anything new under the sun. And so one of the main things that Satan has going for him today is that of seduction, in which basically the whole commercial world is geared toward some form of seduction. Also, verse 15, you also have them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolae Iotans. Once again, the Nicolae Iotans, the Ephesians, hated the doctrine of the Nicolae Iotans. They had in Pergamos those who held that doctrine, and apparently they were putting up with it. And once again, I'm pretty sure it is, licentiousness, license to sin. Go ahead and sin. You know, God is merciful. We even have people, children of some ministers who have grown up in the church, still attend the church occasionally, who are in their 40s and 50s, who say things like, you know, God is so merciful, there's no way that He's going to let anyone burn in the lake of fire. Well, which Bible are you reading? Which Bible are you reading? Have you ever read these messages? You have them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolae Iotans. Which thing I hate? Do you think God was angry when people tried to do away with, and of course you can't do away with, the law of God?

Heaven and earth shall pass away, it says in the Scripture, but my word abides forever.

Now, the word of God is not going to pass away. ... ...Admonition to them, repent, or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against you with the sword of my mouth, the word of God. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. To him that overcomes 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 knows, saving he that receives it. Are we all going to get that new name? Yes.

Hold your place there in Revelation 22. Revelation 22.

Verse 4, ... And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Now we come to Thyatira in verse 18. And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write these things, says, The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, his feet are like the brass. Commendation, I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works, and the last to be more than the first. And that is really a high commendation, because in so many ways with so many people, you know, I had a saying back when I used to coach football, good starters are many, good finishers are few. We reach our psychological limits oftentimes way before we do our physiological. We think we just can't go any more. Don't become weary with well-doing, as Paul writes to the Galatians in Galatians chapter 6.

Your works are, the latter works are greater than the first. That is very high commendation. Will we finish strong, or will we try to coast to the finish line? Not withstanding, I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman, Jezebel, which called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things, sacrifice, and idols. Very similar to the doctrine of Balaam. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I would cast her into a bed, and then to commit adultery with her in the great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. You know, we look at this from a spiritual point of view, and we talk about spiritual fornication. Perhaps those who said spiritual fornication, you know, it's all right.

It's all right to eat unclean foods. We don't have to keep the feast.

We don't have to keep the Sabbath. What a great burden that is. You know, we have been freed. We're free to commit spiritual fornication. And it's really easy to do so. Even our leader says it's okay. And if our leader says it's okay, it must be okay. Never mind what God says. It's what our leader says.

So it says, you know, I'll make it easy for you to do it. I have a few things against you because you permit that woman Jezebel, which caused herself a prophetess, some big teacher, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication and eat things, sacrifice unto idols. Of course, spiritual fornication is very bad. Physical fornication is bad and usually precedes spiritual fornication. I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed and then to commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. This term, great tribulation, does not appear very often in the Bible. Great tribulation.

Verse 10 in chapter 2 talks about, shall have tribulation, but it doesn't say great tribulation. And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the rains and hearts, and I will give unto every one of you according your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest, entire Tyre, as many as have not this doctrine, which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak. I will put upon you none other burden, but that which you have already, hold fast till I come. And he that overcomes and keeps my works, and to the end him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter shall they be broken into shivers, even as I received of my father, and I will give unto him the morning star, he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. The morning star, look at Revelation 22, is a reference. Of course, the contrast here, Satan the devil, in his original name Lucifer, was light bringer, and some refer to him as a morning star, but the true morning star is Jesus Christ.

In Revelation 22, verse 16, I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. Now we come to Philadelphia. Philadelphia, we've heard so much about through the years because we always said that we are Philadelphia. Of course, one of the branches of the church today, or one of the branches, well, however you want to word it. I don't know how to word it, but anyhow, they call themselves Philadelphia in church.

I've skipped one, Sardis. I better do Sardis. Revelation 3, under the angel of the church in Sardis, right, these things says, he that had the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works, that you have a name which you live and are dead. So it looks like their lamps are full. It looks like that they are doing a work. But according to this, they're dead. Are they growing in grace and knowledge? Or are they just saying, we've learned it all, everything was restored. We just sit here and wait. We have a name that we're alive, but we're dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember, therefore, how you have received and heard and hold fast and repent.

If, therefore, you shall not watch, I will come unto you as a thief, and you shall not know the hour that I come upon you. You have a few names, even in Sardis. Which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment. Will all of us be clothed in white raiment? Yes. Everyone is at the married supper, and the Lamb will be in white raiment, which is the fine linen and the righteousness of the saints.

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 says unto the churches. To the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

These things says, He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David.

He that opens, and no man shuts, and shuts, and no man opens. What is the key of David?

Some claim that the key of David refers merely to the identity of David and David's royal line.

In Revelation chapter 1, in describing characteristics of Christ walking among the seven golden candlesticks, it says that He has the key of the grave Hades and death. Jesus Christ has the keys to the kingdom. Jesus Christ has the keys to eternal life.

No other being, no other name given under heaven whereby men must be saved. You would hold your place like in Matthew 18. Matthew 18.

In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus Christ speaking here in verse 16. Matthew 18 verse 16. 16.

It's not the one in this thing. I want 1618. I reversed it. I'm getting more and more dyslexic.

1618. Let's read 16. Matthew 16. 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, You are at the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed be you, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood have not revealed at any you, but my Father who is in heaven. I say unto you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Now, oftentimes we leave off there, but verse 19 says, And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

In other words, the church has been given the keys to open the way up to eternal life. 21. On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and preached, and he preached that we should repent and be baptized so we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the earnest down payment on eternal life.

22. I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whosoever whatsoever ye shall bind unto earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. So the keys of the kingdom, I believe, have to do with how do you attain unto eternal life? Now, back in Revelation 3. Verse 8, I know your works, behold, I have set before you an open door.

No man can shut it, for you have a little strength, and that term little strength. The word strength there in the Greek is dunamis, D-U-N-A-M-I-S, and it means supernatural power. You have a little supernatural power. In other words, don't expect great miracles. Don't expect great miracles from this church. You have a little strength and have kept my word, have not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews that are not but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that you have loved me. Because you have kept the word of my patience, I will also keep you from the hour of temptation or trial.

This is the only promise here about keeping someone from the Great Tribulation or the Hour of Trial. I'll keep you from the Hour of Trial, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24 that the Tribulation would be a time such as never was or never will be again. Behold, I come quickly, hold fast at what you have, that no man take your crown. You know, who is the principal man that's going to take your crown?

We can talk about what others do to us, and others can cause us to stumble, and many have been made to stumble because of other men. And all of us, at times, or at one time or another, have probably caused somebody else to stumble. But when all is said and done, I am the man that will take my crown if it's taken. I am the man that will allow my crown to be taken if it's taken. But if your relationship with God and Christ is what the Bible teaches, no man can take it. As Paul writes, you know, in the last few verses of Romans 8, I am persuaded that neither, and he goes through a long list of things, can separate us from the love of Christ.

Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. He shall go no more out. I will write upon him the name of my God, which we read in Revelation 22, verse 4, in the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and I will write upon him my new name.

He that hath in the air let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. And unto the angel of the church of Laodicea, write these things, says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. I know your works that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. If you remember Mr. Erickson's sermonette, Laodicea did not have a fresh water supply. Water had to be piped in over a long distance. They had everything else.

They were rich. It was one of the great gold centers of the world. But by the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm. They also had in Laodicea, it was the seat of one of the gods of medicine, Ascalopius. His seat was in Laodicea, and they were known for their eyesab. They were known also for their fine wool. And so, some of the things that they had or didn't have, they are used here as symbols to represent what they need spiritually. Because you say, I am rich. And there are different ways.

Of course, this can be literally physically, or this can be spiritually. This can be dedicated to those who think, well, I got everything physically. But it also can be to those who say, I got everything spiritual. I know it all. All I got to do is just wait. Because you say, I am rich and creased with goods and have need of nothing. And know not that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. And that is spiritually speaking. I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire.

And that's, of course, you have to go through the fire trials of life to experience that. Like Peter writes about in 1 Peter 1, verses 6 and 7, that the trying of your faith is more precious than gold. That you may be rich, how rich? Physically, no spiritually. And white raiment. Remember, white raiment is the righteousness of the saints. That you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness, nakedness symbolize sin all the way back to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness with fig leaves.

The shame of your nakedness do not appear in an orchard eyes with eyes salve that you may see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and I will sit with him, and he with me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. Well, brethren, here we are one week before the Feast of Trumpets, picturing the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. In Revelation 19, let's look at a couple of verses there. We see the description of the marriage supper of the Lamb. And of all the things that you have to have on is that wedding garment, that fine linen, which is the righteousness of the saints. There are many lessons that we can be, that we can learn from the message to the seven churches, messages that are applicable for all times and to all people. Revelation 19.7.

Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be a raid and fine linen clean and white, for the linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he said unto me, write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me, these are the true sayings of God. So, brethren, I hope we are ready for the return of Jesus Christ and for the Feast of Trump.