Rev - Ch 2: Letter to - Thyatira

What we cover tonight

Chapter 2: letters of Jesus to: Thyatira

Welcome

(Opener for each class ) who am I: Ken Geer

Thanks for visiting our church. If your a member of another church, you remain a member of that church, and we bless your church, and thank you for joining us for this study. We look foreword to more unity in the body of Jesus.. each church of Jesus is a candle in the dark and we are praying that we may all grow brighter, in these end times. we must all work together.

Other churches may have slightly different perspectives on Revelation . That is just fine. I am comfortable with that . It is OK to have differences. I will give you my view, and why I hold my view. I will do my best to accurately represent other major views. we are looking to study the Bible, not confirm our bias. so we must be willing to study.

Our desire is to be like the good Bereans. they were challenged with a strange new teaching that Jesus was the messiah and had been crucified. they had to deal with a pretty unsettling set of thoughts. but they got through it.

If you do have a corrections for me. you may briefly state you concern in the class in the form of a question, but it would be best for others if we hold our discussion/or disagreements on these things till after class. - I am happy to learn and grow. I am not the final authority on revelation. For that I refer you to Jesus.

Pray

Invite the Holy spirit, ask him to give us a spirit of humility unity and love. Make us more like Jesus.

Jesus let us know and LOVE with our whole heart: “Your word, your Will and your Ways”

Intro

As we read each of these letters to the 7 churches, we are being asked to hear, (if we have ears to hear), what the spirit is saying to the churches. (plural). Not just saying to the 7 churches of revelation, but to all churches. Ours included. We are learning what it means to be Overcomers, and Conquers in our time in our place.

We are being challenged with issues, both alike and different to what the Churches in Revelation are facing. But we have the same savior and the same spirit. And we have an angel(s) over our church. The overcomer messages are all designed to show us how Jesus will help us in our weakness. Provide for us what we need in our testing. It is important that that we listen carefully with the ears that we have. Let us not be deaf to his messages.

Summary: 7 Letters to 7 churches.

We are at the start of revelation inside the first vision described in Revelation. Jesus among the 7 lampstands (churches) dictating his letters to the 7 angles of the 7 churches, who bear their 7 lamps. The messages are both specific to the church, and general to all churches, just like the other letters to the churches in the New Testament.

Seven is for completeness of God’s work. On the seventh day he rested.

See Chart on page 3 of Jack Hayford’s handout. https://www.jackhayford.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Studies-in-the-Book-of-Revelation.pdf

Summary: church in Pergamum Rev 2:12–17

City: Pergamum

Video Pergamum: Where Satan Dwells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ND_5JBnIw

Called “the most famous place of Asia” by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) (Pliny, Natural History, 5.126). Before the capital was moved to Ephesus.

The Temple of Athena was filled with Prostitution

The Temple of Zeus was constructed to look like a giant throne. And perhaps this was called Stan’s Throne? Hitler thought so and had it move to Berlin.

The Temple of Dionysius (DI-OH-NEES-IUS)- the god of Wine and festivity. and fertility and again sexual sin.

The Temple of Asclepius (ASS-KLEEP-IUS) - A god who heals with the use of snakes.

Plus Many more temples!

Christ’s Person: sharp two-edged sword. sharp two-edged sword. Penetrating sou & spirit. dicerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:12

Christ’s Commendation: They live where Satan's throne is at. But have not denied Jesus

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: They are falling into the trap of Balaam Num 22 - 24 allowing themselves to continue to be exposed to stumbling blocks of of sexual temptation and eating food sacrificed to idols, perhaps even getting some financial benefit to this compromise. This allows unsteady souls to be enticed into sin. (see 2 Peter 2:14–16)

Nicolaitans (skip) They are also holding to the teaching of Nicolaitans. We cover them in the letter to the Church Ephesus.will get to them soon And lean more about who they are.

Christ’s Consequence(Rev2:16): Therefore repent. If not, Jesus will come and the words of his mouth (the sharp double edged sword), will war against them.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers: To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Overcomers will receive some of the hidden manna - It will be Jesus, who is the hidden manna. As in the passover seder, The hidden matzah is the greater part. The promise of the future time with Jesus. Were he will be our Manna. He will be the WORD that is our sustenance, and our Life.

White Stone with a secret name.

Summary: church in Smyrna Rev 2:8–11

City: Smyrna

Video Smyrna | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlLRxFlnLo8

Famous beautiful pubic buildings on the hill, Population of 100K people!, Temple to emperors, Many guilds and membership required sacrificing to a pagan god

Christ’s Person Rev 2:8: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

Christ’s Commendation Rev 2:9-10: they are in Tribulation & Poor, but He calls them “rich”!

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. We do not like suffering! Jesus was willing to suffer out of love for us, because it accomplished a greater purpose. It was painful and heart wrenching not just for Him, but for His mother and all his followers.

The devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. What is clear is that this life is not the important thing. The important thing is exiting this life as Overcommers! This message is repeated for us in James. James 1:12.

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Some of them may indeed die. But this message is preparing all of us for that day of the first death. For it is appointed once for man to die, and then the judgement. Heb 9:27.

No need to multiply crowns. simplest explanation is often best. I feel there is only 1 crown because we only have one head. The simplest explanation is that we will receive an imperishable crown of Life, Glory, and Righteousness indicating our Righteousness and Glory in Jesus our Messiah. It will be a crown that somehow connects to our works of love don in and for Jesus that resulted in the Salvation and Growth of others in God’s kingdom.

Jesus tell us that there are reward (fruit) in heaven. And we can loose them, when we have wrong motives. The hypocrites who act religious in order to be seen publicly; have their reward already, but the Father will reward those who act in secret, or are not looking for an earthy reward or advantage (Matt 6:1–18). They were disqualified for their reward and crown.

Christ’s Accusation: What there is no accusation. (like church in Philadelphia) This church is doing well, other than going through tribulation, poverty and slander.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers: (Rev 2:11) Not be hurt by the second death. the one that happens at judgement (the lake of fire - glad we miss that one!) see Rev 20:14-15

Summary: church in Ephesus Rev 2:1–7

City of Ephesus - 250K people

video: Ephesus | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpJ-IWw5_Mc

Video: What would Ancient Ephesus have looked like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcemMtXm9Ns

Over a quarter of a million people lived in Ephesus, the chief seaport of Asia and one of the foremost cities of the Empire. Ephesus flaunted dozens of temples; Artemis, a mother-goddess. Two temples dedicated to the worship of the emperor. The city was known for magical scrolls called “Ephesian letters.”

The Navigators, LifeChange: Revelation, ed. Karen Lee-Thorp, The LifeChange Bible Study Series (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2011), 34.

major trade route thriving city. But its harbor was filling with silt. It’s days were numbered.

Christ’s Person: Walking among the lampstands (churches)

Christ’s Commendation: Working and not grown weary

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: This against You, you have Lost first love

This is a hazard of the last days: one of the signs of the last days. Matt 24:12, “the love of most will grow cold. BECAUSE of Lawlessness. It is happening Now to us. we must be willing to sacrifice to love others.

Christ’s Call to Repentance and Action: repent, and do the works you did at first. OR I will remove your lampstand from its place.

It the Church is loosing the culture war, (and it is in America) it is because we are No longer in love with Jesus

TO be in love with Jesus like Jesus described, with all our heart, all our soul, and all our Mind can be best described by studying the Shema in … Deut 6:4-5

Every morning and night Israelites will say. “Hear O Israel, the LORD is our God, the Lord is one. and as for you, you shall LOVE the Lord your God, with all of your HEART “Lev”, with all of your SOUL “Nephesh”, and with all your STRENGTH “Me’od”.

But wait… at least they are HATING well… you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Nicolaitans the Nicolaitins promoted the clergy over the laity. A class structure mandated by the church. God hates this. It is OK to have love and respect for your pastor and those that help you in the Lord. - But they are not over you in the Lord.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers. Paradise of God & the Tree of Life! Those who overcome will get to gain the intent of the original garden state were we can eat of the tree of life. The future paradise is particularly important for Ephesus to know. This world, as amazing as Ephesus was as the center-point of much of the known world the pinnacle of civilization at that time, was passing away, and the real world is with God. will we also receive this same reward if we overcome? Yes we will.

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

To the angel of the church in Thyatira

Read out loud Rev 2:18–29 The Message to Thyatira

Revelation 2:18–29 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

what questions do you have as you read this passage? what do you want to understand?

City: Thyatira

Video Thyatira & Philadelphia | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUsm9dZPrcY

a smaller city

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Christ and the Churches, Part 1 (Revelation 2)

The longest message was sent to the church in the smallest city! Thyatira was a military town as well as a commercial center with many trade guilds. Wherever guilds were found, idolatry and immorality—the two great enemies of the early church—were almost always present too.

further inland in the fertile Lycus River valley.

once belonged to the kingdom of Pergamum,

few archaeological remains have been found.

Christians pressured to accommodate Greek/Roman religious practices. The principal deities worshiped at Thyatira were Apollo and Artemis.

There were associations of linen workers, dyers, wool merchants, leather cutters, and other professions. - but the trade associations often included religious rites at their gatherings.

According to Acts 16:14 , Thyatira was the home of Lydia, a “dealer in purple cloth” and a “worshiper of God” whom Paul encountered at Philippi in Macedonia. The reference shows the city’s significance in connection with the dye industry

Christ’s Person: Rev 2:18: eyes like a flame of fire

Revelation 2:18 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Remember Jesus appearance in Rev 1:13-15

Revelation 1:13–15 ESV

and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

What does this picture of Jesus convey to you?

Words of the Son of God

This is interesting because the rest of the description used here is from the first chapter were Jesus is called “son of Man” in a clear connection with the reference in Daniel.

Some commentators, connect with the fact that the temple to Apollo is here, and he was also called the Son of God, and this is a direct contradiction to that.

Eyes like a flame of fire

Why does Jesus describe himself like this to the Church at Thyatira? what verses do we have about eyes that might shed some “light” on this?

Eyes are the lamp of the body: Luke 11:33–36

Luke 11:33–36 ESV

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

Jesus’ Eyes are flames of fire because there is no darkness in Him at all.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Flame of Fire

FLAME OF FIRE—is the chosen symbol of the holiness of God (Ex. 3:2; Rev. 2:18), as indicating “the intense, all-consuming operation of his holiness in relation to sin.”

Exodus 3:2–5 ESV

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

This is the first instance of a flame of fire being used to characterize God’s holiness, as can be seen by the fact that this is ground so holy that it must not be profaned by footwear. Well, horribly dirty, dusty and putrid footwear to be exact. definitely not Holy (set apart or clean).

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Fire

FIRE—(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).

Feet like burnished bronze

Burnished bronze was what all the vessels, basins, shovels and pots were made out of for Solomon’s temple. The clear association is with heavenly Holiness. (1 Kings 7:45), and in Ezekiel’s vision of 4 living creatures, their cloven hoofed feet sparkled like burnished bronze (Eze 1:7). This establishes the concept that the burnished bronze signifies the things in the presence of God. Clean, Pure, Refined, Valuable, Holy, without blemish or dirt.

What would this mean to a first century Jewish Christian?

To a first century Jew there would be immediate identification with a scripture in Daniel that combines the appearance of a man, and this same description in Dan 10. Daniel has had a word and a vision revealed to him about a great conflict. Daniel had been mourning for 3 weeks, and fasting meat, delicacies and wine. And he looks up, and sees a Man.

Daniel 10:5–6 ESV

I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

See the similarities.

Notice the reactions of Daniel and the people with him, when this vision occured:

Daniel 10:7–9 ESV

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

What did they do? THey fled, and he lost his strength, and he fell on his face in a deep sleep. WHat do we call this today? “being slain in the spirit” (yes it is in the Bible)

this is the same reaction John has when he sees Jesus in this same description.

Revelation 1:17 ESV

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Jesus also strengthen Daniel with a touch and causes him to stand and tell him to “Fear Not!”.

Why might that be important to know before we examine Sardis? The Christians at Sardis are in dreadful danger, as they have tolerated sin, and are being seduced into a deadly sin. They need to sense the incredible holiness of God and repent.

Christ’s Commendation: your love & faith & service are growing!

Revelation 2:19 ESV

“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

This is a nice list of commendations!

They know how to love!

They have faith

they are servants

and endure hardship with patience.

And, they are growing in the Lord!

This would be a good church by today’s standards, but Jesus is not done.

Christ’s Accusation & Approval:

Revelation 2:20 ESV

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

They are loving and faithful, but unwilling to stand against this evil woman. Instead they TOLERTATE her!

for the last few decades that was the cry of the left in our country… telling us to be “TOERANT”. But now, were is their tolerance. there is no more tolerance. Now it is flipped to cancel culture. if you don’t do as they say, they CANCEL you. this is because they are now more powerful than their opponents, and they can force them.

Just like the teaching of Mohamed before he had enough followers, the message of his suras was love, tolerance and kindness. But when he had a strong enough force, he began to use the sword to enforce his way. calling for Jihad against his enemies 66 times in his lifetime.

Jezebel the Queen

The name instantly reminds us of Jezebel the wife of King Ahab of Israel (874–853 bc) and the daughter of Ethbaal, the pagan king of the Sidonians. 1 Kings 16:31.

She may have been a priestess of Baal before she became Ahab’s wife.

She is certainly a Baal-worshiper and Gets King Ahab to becomes the state sponsor of the worship of Baal and Asherah. Jezebel looks like she wears the pants in this Marraige, and the bile says she feed 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 prophets of Asherah at HER table. 1 Kings 18:19.

She actively incited and promoted, not just stolidity, but pushes the entire northern kingdom into the worst sorts of sexual immorality, including the sexual rites of the fertility deities. 1 Kings 21:25.

She also murders the Prophets of God… Obadiah manages to hide 100 of them from her. 1 Kings 18:4;

Naboth refused to sell King Ahab his vineyard when it was demanded, because it was lawfully part of his Families land. Ahab is sad about that, so Jezebel gets false witnesses to have Naboth convicted and Stoned.

2 Kings 9:22 indicates Jezabel was a frequent whore, and sorceress.

Jezebel is killed at the command of King Jehu, who is chosen by God through Elijah to destroy the house of Ahab

Jezebel the Prophetess in Thyatira

Jezebel is a fitting nickname for the false prophetess of Thyatira.

If she resembled heretics later called Gnostics, she was teaching that people in whom the Spirit dwelt did not need to worry about morality, and that they could participate in pagan rites because the pagan gods did not exist

Revelation 2:21 ESV

I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

Just like Jezebel she is committing sexual sin.

She is also teaching spiritual adultery as she is leading them away from God.

God gives her time. and he has the power to kill her. He is showing some true tolerance. He is waiting on the church to remove her. But they do not.

Revelation 2:22 ESV

Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

So there is sickness that comes from this form of sexual immorality. does this pre-date syphilis and gonorrhea? Probably some sort of STDs at that time. In any case, Proverbs 5 lists many of the very piratical issues that flow from embracing prostitution with many following proverbs on this topic.

Revelation 2:23 ESV

and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

Revelation 2:24 ESV

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.

Revelation 2:25 ESV

Only hold fast what you have until I come.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers:

CONQUER, (Overcome): a description of devotion to God.

Do not succumb, Do not give in, stay in LOVE, and FAITH and HOPE. for there is great reward waiting for you.

What do the Christians at Thyatira (and all churches) need to do to overcome?

Revelation 2:26 ESV

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

Is this really what I want? Oh boy. lets think about this. this is work.

Jesus is the one who is to rules by a rod of iron

Revelation 2:27 ESV

and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

Rod of Iron

A shepherds staff can be used for discipline or punishment.

Messianic Prophesy that Jesus pointed to on the cross. psalm 2:9

Psalm 2:9 ESV

You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Revelation 12:5 ESV

She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,

Revelation 19:15 ESV

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

But here we see that Jesus like moses will delegate this task of ruling an reigning during the Millennial period to those who help oversee areas of the world. This time period is marked by peace, and Satan is bound. But it looks like peace is also maintained by by having a very energic executive branch (to use USA government parlance) to ensure that laws are quickly enforced, and that there are no exceptions. It may also imply that the punishment is very severe for infractions. I think rather that even small infractions will be met with swift punishments. It is proven that when small infractions are detected and quickly punished, the population takes notice and much greater infractions like murder and theft go way down.

Morning star

Revelation 2:28 ESV

And I will give him the morning star.

This is clearly Jesus based on the fact that Revelation give us this decode in the last chapter. We are given a close and face to face relationship with the creator of the universe. See Rev 22:16.

Revelation 22:16 ESV

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

This form of personal and close relationship is way beyond anything we can fully understand from our limited perspective. 1 Cor 13:12 describes a very intimate mutual understanding (knowing) of each other. this level of knowing in a warm relationship is what we all understand as love.

1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches:

Revelation 2:29 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

why is this phrase is moved to the end of the chapter after the overcoming/conquering.

before it was at the front...

Next week

Chapter 3- Jesus’ letter to Sardis - Dec 6

Chapter 3- Jesus’ letter to Philadelphia - Dec 13

Chapter 3- Jesus’ letter to Laodicea - Dec 20

Chapter 4 - the Throne of God in Heaven - Dec 27? / Jan 3

Chapter 5 - The lamb and the scroll - Jan 10

Outline of revelation

Intro

5 LESSONS: Bible is one unified story, Keys to eschatology 1,2,3,4 Matt 24, Daniel 9, Matt 25.

ch1 The Introduction: The revelation of Christ’s Person, Authority, and Presence

1 LESSON: Its all about Jesus

ch2, 3 The Epistles to the Churches: The revelation of Christ’s Administrating of His Church

7 LESSONS: Each of these Letters from Jesus are important! Dont speed past these.

ch4, 5 The Throne of God in Heaven: The revelation of Christ’s Right and Claim to Earth (The Lamb receives title to this planet.)

2

ch6 The Breaking Open of Seals 1-6: The revelation of Christ’s Ministry as Savior and Judge (Savior, “going forth”; Judge, “great wrath”)

ch7 The 144,000–The Redeemed Host: The revelation of Christ’s Own: Sealed and Delivered (Both are the Church; on earth/in heaven)

ch8, 9 The 7th Seal–the first 6 trumpets : The revelation of Christ’s People Precipitating release Through Prayer (Opening a mighty concept)

??? NOTE: The 7th Trumpet–The Last Trump 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess.4:16–appears as Revelation 11:15-19.

ch10 The Mighty Angel Announcing the End: The revelation of Christ as Consummator of History and as Commissioner of the End Times’ Message

ch 11, 13 Two Witnesses Christ’s, The Wonder Woman, The Beast: The revelation of Christ’s Church in Confrontation with Evil (In persecution, in spiritual warfare, and in conflict with the world-system)

ch 14 The 144,000 and Six Angelic Actions: Christ’s Own Redeemed in Triumph (Each angelic action indicating victory)

ch 15, 16 The 7 Vials of God’s Wrath: Christ’s Commission Unto Final Judgment (Set in an atmosphere of worship)

ch 17, 18 The Destruction of Babylon: Christ’s Sovereign Triumph Over Evil’s Spiritual and Economic Control of Mankind

ch 19, 20 The Two Last Battles: Christ’s Final Triumph Over and Banishment of All Evil (Pre- and post-millennial)

ch 21, 22 The New Heaven and New Earth: Christ’s Ultimate and Eternal Union With His Own Bride

Tribulation

Wrath

How long is the tribulation?

Is the Tribulation 7 yrs? or 3.5 years? or longer? Good teachers have decide there is a credible proposition that it could be much longer. (Jack Hayford). Jack thinks the tribulation started with Jesus leaving. In the World you have “tribulation” but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.

Come Quickly (for god it is quick)… and if you are upset about it that he has waited 2000 yr, it is not His fault. It is your fault for not recognizing that it could be up to him to decide what it means.

Rapture

Who will be taken when the Lord returns? Question Jack Hayford asked his mom as a young boy. His Mom came back with this after prayer. Those that are taken up with him now, will be taken up with him then.

Cessationism (distortion of scripture)

Often caused Christians to be filled with hate. Came up with the idea of Dispensation. Dispensationalism, is been given such a great spotlight, but not well defended by scripture. filmsy.???