Revelation Timeline of the Church

The Purpose of the Revelation, Revelation 1:1-20

Given to Christ in His Humanity for His Servants, Revelation 1:1

Revelation 1:1

A revelation belonging to Jesus Christ which the God gave to Him to show to His servants, what is necessary to come to be in haste. And He signified after sending through His messenger to His servant John,

Those who read it will be happy from its prophecy, Revelation 1:3

Revelation 1:3

Happy is the one reading and the ones hearing concerning the words of the prophecy and guarding the things having been written in her. For the Lord is near!

This revelation was given to John while in exile on the island of Patmos in 95 A.D., Revelation 1:9

Revelation 1:9

I, John, your brother and co-companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience in Jesus, came to be on the island, the one called Patmos, because of the Word of God and the testimony concerning Jesus Christ.

The Mystery of the Seven Stars - the seven periods of the Church on earth, Revelation 1:20

Revelation 1:20

The mystery of the seven stars which you discerned upon My right hand and the seven golden lampstands; the seven stars are seven messengers of the seven assemblies and the seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

The Assembly in Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7

They properly handled those doing wrong and those calling themselves apostles, but were not, Revelation 2:2

Revelation 2:2

“I intuitively know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and that you are not inherently able to bear wrong ones, and you tested the ones calling themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be liars.

Patient in the situations they face because of Christ, Revelation 2:3

Revelation 2:3

And you have patience and have borne up because of My Name and have not grown weary.

They lost their first love in the process of defending the faith, Revelation 2:4

Revelation 2:4

But I have against you that you abandoned your first love

They are indifferent to the Nicolaitans (those having victory over the people), Revelation 2:6

Revelation 2:6

But this you have, that you are indifferent to the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also am indifferent.

Describes the predominate condition of the Church from around 96 to 170 A.D.

At the end of the Apostolic Period

Many false apostles came through the assemblies and were found to be false

What We Learn From This Assembly

Hold fast to the truth of the word against those doing wrong

Test those who claim to be apostles who are not, showing them to be liars

Do not abandon the love for the brethren - we are to seek the best for the ones loved

Reject Clergy separation

The Assembly in Smyrna, Revelation 2:8-11

Dealing with those who call themselves Jews, but are not, Revelation 2:9

Revelation 2:9

“I intuitively know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich, and the blasphemy out from the ones calling themselves to be Jews and are not but are of the synagogue of Satan.

They faced ten different periods of persecution, Revelation 2:10

Revelation 2:10

Do not fear that which you are about to suffer. Behold, the slanderer is about to cast out from you into prison in order that you should be tempted, and you will have tribulation ten days. You become faithful up to the point of death and I will give to you the crown of life.

Nero 64 to 68 A.D.

Domitian 81 to 96 A.D.

Trajan 112 to 117 A.D.

Marcus Aurelius 161 to 180 A.D.

Septimus Severus 202 to 210 A.D.

Decius 250 to 251 A.D.

Valerian 257 to 259 A.D.

Maximus the Thracian 235 to 238 A.D.

Aurelian 270 to 275 A.D.

Diocletian and Galerius 303 to 312 A.D.

They are to be faithful to the point of death, for the second death will not harm them, Revelation 2:11

Revelation 2:11

The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. The overcomer will never be unrighteously harmed out from the second death.”

Describes the predominate condition of the Church from around 170 to 312 A.D.

What We Learn From This Assembly

Earthly wealth has no value in spiritual things

The Gentiles do not take the place of the Jews and those claiming so are of the synagogue of Satan

Be faithful to God in whatever we face, even to the point of death

We are promised life

The second death will not harm us

The Assembly in Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17

They dwelt where the throne of Satan was, Revelation 2:13

Revelation 2:13

I intuitively know your labor and you dwell where the throne of Satan is. And you all grasp hold of My name and have not denied My faith in the days in which Antipas My faithful martyr, who was killed alongside you, where Satan dwells.

They had those who grasped hold of the doctrine of Balaam, Revelation 2:14

Revelation 2:14

But I have against you a few things because you have there the ones grasping the doctrine of Balaam who taught to Balak to cast a scandal before the sons of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and to fornicate.

They had some who grasped the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, Revelation 2:15

Revelation 2:15

Thus likewise you have also the ones grasping the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

Describes a time period in the Church from 312 to 606 A.D.

What We Learn From This Assembly

Reject association with the government in church activities and business

Reject those who seek to make merchandise of the saints (Book stores, coffee shops, selling books).

Reject Clergy separation

Even in the area of Satan’s throne the saints can prevail - Satan’s throne involves the world system and government

The Assembly in Thyatira, Revelation 2:18-29

They did great works, Revelation 2:19

Revelation 2:19

“I intuitively know your works and love and faith and service and your patience and your last works are greater than the first,

They permitted spiritual idolatry and sacrificing to idols, Revelation 2:20

Revelation 2:20

but I have against you that you have forgiven the woman Jezebel, the one calling herself a prophetess and she teaches and deceives My servants to fornicate and to eat things sacrificed to idols

Describes the predominate condition of the Church from 606 to 1520 A.D. under the rule of Catholicism

The Papal system is implemented in which the teaching of men supersedes the Word of God.

They introduce idol worship into the assembly.

The crusades and the rise of the Inquisition, which was the Jezebelistic persecution on the Church.

Many did not follow the doctrine of idol worship, spiritual fornication, and the things of Satan, Revelation 2:24

Revelation 2:24

And to you I say, to the remaining, the ones in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, whoever does not experientially know the deep things of Satan as they say, ‘I will not cast upon you another burden;

What We Learn From This Assembly

The harm of idolatry - the worship of saints

The perversion of object worship - crosses around the neck or on the wall

The destructive nature of the doctrine of the Nicolaitans

Many of our present-day holidays come from spiritual fornication - taking over the holidays of Pagans

Reject the worship of saints, the division of Clergy, and idol worship

The Assembly in Sardis, Revelation 3:1-6

They have a name that is alive, but are dead, Revelation 3:1

Revelation 3:1

And to the messenger of the assembly, the one in Sardis write, these things the One having the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says, “I intuitively know your works, that a name you have, that you are alive, and you are dead

Their works are not finished before God, Revelation 3:2

Revelation 3:2

You become watchful ones and strengthen the remaining, which is about to be cast out. For I have not found your works to be finished before My God.

There are a few among them that have not soiled their garments, Revelation 3:4

Revelation 3:4

But a few have a name in Sardis, which they have not defiled their garments and they will walk with Me in white because they are worthy.

Describes the predominate condition of the Church from 1520 to 1730 A.D. during the reformation period

The reformation was more of a political movement than a Christian one.

The assemblies did not completely shed the ritualistic idolatry of the Catholic church and many sects rose from which much heresy was spread and still impacts the Church today.

Reformed theology claims the name of Jesus but does not proclaim the gospel for salvation.

What We Learn From This Assembly

Reformed/Covenant Theology does not have life for it teaches another gospel

Denominations come from this dividing of the Church

Their works are not of value, for they are not finished

The Assembly in Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13

They are small assemblies, but God has opened a door for them, Revelation 3:8

Revelation 3:8

“I intuitively know your works. Behold, I will give before you an open door which no one has the inherent ability to close, because you have little inherent ability and you have guarded My Word and have not denied My Name.

Those of the synagogue of Satan will know that those of this assembly are loved by God, Revelation 3:9

Revelation 3:9 ESV

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

They guard God’s Word, Revelation 3:10

Revelation 3:10

because you guarded My Word of patience, and I will keep you out from the hour of temptation, the one about to come upon everyone dwelling to tempt the ones inhabiting upon the land

Describes the predominate condition of the Church from 1730 to 1900 A.D.

A great missionary movement arises, and the church becomes more focused on the Word of God and teaching it correctly.

Highly impactful time in the history of the Church to revealing the truth within Scripture.

Major Textual Criticism Development Resulting in Over 99 percent accuracy to the original letters

Archaeological proof

What We Learn From This Assembly

Strength in God’s Word is more valuable than numbers

There are not many of these assemblies, and they are small in attendance, but strong in truth

Being Faithful to God’s Word opens doors that cannot be shut

The Assembly in Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-22

They are lukewarm, which is repulsive to Christ, Revelation 3:15-16

Revelation 3:15–16

“I intuitively know your works, that they are neither cold nor hot, I wish they were cold or hot. Thus because you are lukewarm and not hot nor cold, I am about to spew you out from My mouth.

They consider their wealth to be of more value than God’s Word, Revelation 3:17

Revelation 3:17

Because you say, I am rich and I am in a state of being wealthy, and I have no need, and you do not intuitively know that you are wretched and pitiful and poor and blind and naked.

Christ is outside of the Church, Revelation 3:20

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand over the door and knock. If anyone should happen to hear My voice and opens the door and I will enter in towards him and I will dine with him and he with Me.

Describes the predominate condition of the Church from 1900 A.D. to present.

The Church is run more like a business and as a result is very wealthy; however, in order to maintain this wealth, it has forsaken the truth of the Word of God and embraced community and social teachings and events

These are liberal and progressive assemblies

What We Learn From This Assembly

A focus on wealth corrupts and blinds

Just claiming the name of Jesus is not true Christianity

They reject truth

They are repulsive to God

These are large assemblies

They have many events, and groups

Their focus is on money, not truth

Summary

Pay attention to what assembly you are involved in

Where possible, find the smaller ones that are holding true to God’s word

The Pastor will know the original language

The focus of Sunday is on teaching and preaching, not singing

They will not have resources for many groups and events

If you are in an assembly that is not keeping God’s Word

You be faithful to His Word

Reject false doctrine

Do not soil yourself with idolatry or spiritual fornication

God is faithful; therefore, our trust should always be in Him alone

We are at the end of the time period of the Church on earth, make yourself ready for the return of Christ