Revelation Study

[Richard_1]

The Church of Pergamos was faced with many pagan elements creeping into the Church. The historic period is seen as the time of the Constantine influence on the Church and what followed after. The persecution of the Church is not mentioned in Pergamos and in the time of Constantine the persecutions had virtually stopped.



Jesus speaks to the Church of Pergamos and says

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Jesus greets the Church of Pergamos with the fact that he had the two edged sword in His mouth. Now in Hebrews 4:12 we are introduced to the two edged sword

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jesus establishes His word cutting through all the meaning of their existence as a Church and people to God. There is nothing that the word of God can't reveal or discern the truth about. The city of Pergamos was a city filled with sensuous worship of pagan deities. Also the historic time of what is believed the Church of Pergamos represents is one where the Church adopted many pagan rituals into its traditions and teachings. There was a great move made to draw in all from the pagan religions when the Christian religion became the state approved religion. There was a need to control the people without dissent so the blending of pagan rituals insured more people following the Christian religion and therefore more ability to control the people through religion.



In this period of time there still remained a Church given to God and that had kept the word of God in the midst of all the pagan influences. Jesus knew the works of the church of Pergamos, holding fast to His name in a pagan world, not denying the faith even at the martyrdom of Antipas, one of its members.

Revelation 2:12 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Yet the Lord also has several things that they were doing that He was not pleased with

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

The worship and rituals of these pagan religions was usually marked by the most abominable practices and idolatry. Many of those practices were being assimilated into the Church worship. Transubstantiation, conical hats and vestments for the priests, celibacy, certain feasts and celebrations and not the least of all absorbing the pagan temples of worship into the Church that became the pattern for cathedrals and monasteries. Also it was hard for some to depart from the form of prostitution that took place at the old pagan temples.



There were also the Gnostics who said that everything material was evil. Their belief was that God had nothing to do with the material world. Therefore, it didn't matter what you did to your body. They taught that you could do anything you wanted, because God wasn't concerned with your evil body. He was only concerned with your spirit. Thus, the Gnostics allowed all kinds of lasciviousness. Peter warned against this in his epistle (I Peter 4:1-3).



In Pergamos some were saying, "We can do whatever we want! We're Christians and we're covered by grace. The body doesn't count, anyhow." Even though they were now professing Christians, they advocated worshipping in these pagan rites. This was the doctrine of Balaam - the worship of idols and committing fornication.



Also they had those who taught the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. This was the same problem that was in the Church at Ephesis

Revlation 2:16 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

We can determine what a Nicolaitan is by just defining the composition of the Greek word used in that scripture, the doctrine of the priesthood and the laity. Notice that the Lord says that He hates this. He came to end the long abuse of the priesthood exercising power over the people of Israel and bringing them into bondage to the temple, and here the Church was starting to return to that same bondage.

Nikolaïtēs--- this is a compound of two words nike and laitos. Nike was used in describing victory or triumphing over someone. The word laitos meant people. So the literal meaning is triumph over the people. Jesus hated this and so did the Church and to see how it applies just look at the priesthood of Israel where eventually they became the rulers over all the people. What God started out as servants in the temple became the rulers over the people. Jesus came to do away with this idea and He called His apostles and disciple to become servants to one another not taking pre-eminance over one another.

The Lords word to them was

Revelation 2:17 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth

They were to repent of these things or the Lord would come with His word and fight against them. If they repented He promised them the bread of life and a new name that was pure that no one knew but them..

Revelatian 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Two evils had begun to creep into the church, the introduction of idolatry and the introduction of a priesthood. The church of Pergamos historically is the development of the church/state system under Constantine in 316 A.D. It was the beginning of the Roman Catholic Church.

[Richard_1]

Now we come to the letter to the Church of Thyatira. The Lord speaks to them in a manner that reflects judgement more than anything else.

Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

In the scriptures we have mention of fire in the judgement of God and that our works are tried by fire to see if they stand (1 Corinthians 3:13). And in this we see the Lords eyes as eyes of fire. The vision or eyes of the Lord see all things and reveal all things for judgement. Then there are the feet of brass. Brass is used in the scriptures in connection to judgement (the serpent of brass, the lavers in the temple). In this scripture we see the Lords feet in brass which I believe shows that the Lord walks in judgement of this Church.



This Church is known as a Church of great deeds and works.

Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

In the time from Constantine until the reformation the catholic Church is known for its many works and deeds in the name of faith. It is known for its charity and service. In the history of the Church there is a time when many men of faith arose that practiced charity works (giving to the poor, etc) and service to God (vows of poverty, chastity). That period of time can be quite illustrated in the catholic Church. Yet with all this Jesus says to them

Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Just as Jezebel introduced idol worship to the nation of Israel through her actions the Church of Thyatira also allowed the introduction of idolatry and spiritual fornication within the Church. The Jezebel system is the introduction of idolatry into the church and spiritual fornication. These same things also took place with the nation Israel and, thus, Israel was rejected by God.



In like manner the Lord speaks to the Church of Thyatira and tells them they will be rejected if they don't repent. The Lord tells them if they don't repent that they will thrown in the great tribulation. But the Lord is not unfaithful and He gave them time to repent and that if they did repent then they would not face this judgement.

Revelation 2:21-22 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

If someone wanted to make a case for the Church going through the tribulation then this is a good opportunity but it is quite specific in saying that if they repented they wouldn't face this judgement. The part of the church that does go through the great tribulation is the church of Thyatira, the woman Jezebel who failed to repent of her spiritual adultery and spiritual fornication. The unrepentant church of Thyatira will go into the Great Tribulation.



It is sad to see the Lord speaking to one of His Church's and calling them a Jezebel who was one of the greatest enemies of the prophets of God in Israel (Jezebel ordered all the prophets of God of Israel to be killed).



God, in the Ten Commandments, specifically forbid their making any images or likenesses of things in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water beneath, why do they adorn their churches with images of Jesus, Mary, or the saints? Why do they bow at altars other than the altar of God (Mary). Why do they kiss the relics and rosary beads? No this is spiritual idolatry and spiritual fornication that is being committed by this Church.



Jesus further makes His judgement pronouncement against the Church of Thyatira

Revelation 2:23-29 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which you have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

Jesus promise to the overcomers and repentant is a beautiful promise of ruling with a rod of iron in the Kingdom of God and being given the morning star, Jesus Christ. The rod of iron signifies the type of reign during the kingdom age. People will be forced to be good. Our duties as the church reigning with Christ will be to enforce His righteousness. The judgements of Jesus for this Church were not without promise and hope.

[Richard_1]

The message to the Church of Sardis is believed to be the Church age of the beginning of the reformation and has continued till now. You will see with these last three Churchs that they have overlapping timelines. They seem to be all existing within these timelines.



The first is Sardis

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

The Church's that came out of the reformation are generally know as the Protestants. If you look today you can see that Protestantism has a name that is alive but is dead. It's not the most pleasant to admit in the Christian world what has happened to the Protestant churches. There is a great percentage of Protestant ministers now a days that don't believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. They don't believe in His atoning death (actually paid for sin on the cross a substitutionary death for our sin). They don't believe in a literal heaven or hell. Some practically deny the faith and us the pulpit to preach social issues and politics. So many Protestant churches are just a social or activist organization, the term, born again, has become meaningless to them. They have a name that they're alive but really they're dead. The Lord encourages them to strengthen those things which are left within this Church, because He has not found their works complete.



One thing about the Reformation is that it didn't reform enough. Actually, the reformers continued to use many of the pagan customs adopted by the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira (catholic Church ages). They still had infant baptism. They still had so many pagan symbols. They still had the pagan holidays. The reformation was incomplete and the Church's of the reformation have become just like the dead and corrupt Church of catholicism that preceded them.



The Lord tells them

Revelation 3:2-3 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

The Lord tells them that He has not found their works complete before God. He tells them to remember what they had received and heard in the beginning. He tells them to hold fast to those things and repent. He warns this Church of His coming again and says that if they're not watching for His coming, He'll come upon them as a thief. They'll be taken by surprise.



Jesus said that we should watch and be ready for we know not what hour our Lord will come (Matthew 24:42,44). Paul the apostle said that "we are not the children of darkness that the day should overtake us as a thief, but we're children of light; therefore, walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). This attitude watching is clearly given to us in the scriptures.



The Lord also says that there are some who were still faithful to His name and that they should hold on to that until He comes

Revelation 3:4-6 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

What does Jesus mean about blotting names out of the Book of Life? He means just that and I am not going to take away from or add to this book. In Revelation 22:19 it says that if any man shall take away from this book, his name will be taken out of the Book of Life. I don't want mine blotted out! You say, "What did He mean by "Blotted out of the book of Life"? I don't know but I won't try to explain it away, it means what it says and I will let God reveal the meaning.

[Richard_1]

Now we come to the Church of Philadelphia. Historically speaking most believe the Church of Philadelphia is the Church of the last days just before the great tribulation. I see no reason why this is not so but I will say that probably of all the Church's in the book of Revelation probably everybody has thought they were or wanted to be this Church. It is one of the Church's that the Lord has no reproof for. This Church has nothing that the Lord points out as having against them.

Revelation 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The Lord starts out by saying He is Holy and true. This is telling them the as Lord Jesus was completely righteous, without sin, and completely set apart from the world. He was showing them that the Lord they served was separate from this world. He tells them that He has the key of David. I've wondered what the key of David is for a long time. Just recently while I was thinking of David I saw that He was the true anointed king of Israel. Even when Saul was still acting as king David was the true anointed king. David was the rightful king over Israel. But it was over time that God moved and revealed this and eventually David became the visible king of Israel. The same is taking place with Jesus. Jesus is the true anointed king of kings over all in the earth and in heaven, yet it does not appear that way right now. The Kingdoms of earth are still in the hands of another who thinks he is king. Jesus will return and be the total and rightful king over all and He was just telling this Church to wait for God to reveal this totally.



He tells the Church that He is opening a door that no one shut and then that He is shutting a door and no man can open. This is important when you look at Matthew 16:18 and see that Jesus called a Church and that even the gates of Hell can prevent the Church from being with Jesus. This is not saying that the Philadelphia Church was so strong that the gates of hell could not prevail. As you can see the Lord urges the Church to hang on to what little strength it has left and commends them for hanging on to His word and not denying His name. This little bit strength is known by the Lord and so I believe it is like the scriptures say in another place

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The coming great tribulation is a time that will try men beyond what they can bare

Luke 23:28-30 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.



Revelation 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

The time of the great tribulation is so troublesome and trying that people beg for the mountains to fall on them. I believe the open door that Jesus is providing is the calling into heaven of the faithful last days Church (rapture/harpazo). I do not believe anything can stop the Church from being called to heaven. I also believe that the shutting of the door and no man opening is after this calling to heaven takes place and the way of the Church on the earth is closed and can not be opened.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee

In the kingdom age the Jews will know that God has loved the Gentile church. Of all the tribulation and persecution that the Church has received will be recompensed in the kingdom age.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth

This is the open door this is the means of escaping the hour of great tribulation that the Lord provides the Church. Here is God's promise to the faithful church to keep them from the Great Tribulation. In Luke 21:36 Jesus said as He was talking of the events of the great tribulation,

Pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things... and to stand before the Son of man

Revelation 3:13 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and 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 an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

What a great promise He has given to us that we will reign and serve with Him in the Kingdom on earth and that we will be with Him forevermore and that no one can separate us from Him eternally. We will be pillars in His temple and have His name written on us.

[Onesiphorus]

Amen Richard_1

[Richard_1]

Revelation 3:14-22

We come to the final letter to the Church’s. These are the last of Jesus messages to the Church. The time of the Laodicean Church is seen as the last Church age on earth. There have been many opinions of who the Laodicean Church is in every age. There probably has been a certain Church in all parts of history that someone of that time thought it was the Laodicean Church. I’m not going to point out any particular Church of group but point to what the Lord says to this Church will be like in the last of the days of earth.

Verse 14

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

The first thing Jesus does is to tell this Church that He is the faithful witness. This is the same thing He said in Revelation 1:5 in describing Himself to John. The word in Greek that means witness is the word martys from which we get the word martyr. What Jesus is saying is that He is the faithful and true witness (that gave His life) who is also the creation power of God (the beginning of creation John 1:10). Jesus was establishing the fact that He was the beginning of all things. This Church is in a terrible condition and it isn’t from persecution. Their problem is from being lukewarm (apathy). They are neither on fire or totally turned off. They just sort of exist in an inbetween limbo. They exist in a manner that they really cannot discern their true estate.

Verse 15-16

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

The Church is told they are lukewarm and the literal definition of lukewarm is tepid which means--- a lack of force or enthusiasm. The Lord is not pleased with their lukewarm condition and gives this strong rebuke that they were to repent or He would spit them out of His mouth. We know that Jesus created and holds everything together with just the word of His mouth (Hebrews 1:3) and here He is saying that He will spit this Church out of His mouth. It seems as though He was saying that He would not hold them together as His Church unless they repent.

How many Church’s today can we point at and say that they are filled with apathy, not hot or not cold about the Lord, but just maintaining their position of comfortability and traditions without true life. You can see in this scripture the reason for this lukewarm condition in the Church.

Verse 17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

The reason for the lukewarm conditions is “Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17). Their trust in materialism has brought them to a lukewarm state. “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Mixing the two will lead you into becoming lukewarm.

When the Lord says to them “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” He is then telling them of their true condition. These contrasting views one was their own view about themselves, the other was God’s view about them. Jesus said that you do err if you judge yourself by men (Luke 18:9-14). They had become blind to this because of their serving mammon (materialism). The scriptures plainly say that you can’t serve two masters, that you can’t serve mammon and God at the same time (Matthew 6:24; Luke16:13). Today you see so many Church’s that claim their superior position from the fact of the huge buildings and television shows and ministries that all have prospered and are rich and have no needs. It seems like there are so many Churches now that are more business than they are a house of worship. They can’t see that the pursuit of mammon has blinded them from the truth riches of God and they are lukewarm not needing anything.

In the beginning of this message to this Church Jesus established an authority to speak to this Church (true and faithful witness). One thing Jesus said to the people once was that their righteousness had to exceed that of the Pharisees. He told them that they would never make it on your own righteousness. The only righteousness which is acceptable is the righteousness which God has imputed unto you by your faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness which is of Christ through faith is the only way you’ll get an entrance into the kingdom of heaven. It won’t come because your are rich and have all these goods. This is the point that Jesus makes with this Church

Verse 18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Each part of this statement has scripture related to it
1) buy of Me gold tried with fire ( the idea isn’t about material gold but what Jesus considered more precious than that)

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

2) white raiment (white in the scriptures was a symbol for purity/righteousness)

Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

3) eyesalve ( eyesalve is used to heal when the eyes are infected)

John 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

Verse 19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

These are all cures for the Church’s lukewarm condition
1) Chastening

Hebrews 12:5-6 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

If you’re not chastened then you’re a bastard. You’re really not His son. God only chastens His sons. Don’t get down on God when He chastens you. Rejoice! At least it proves you’re His son. If He didn’t care, He wouldn’t even bother. This is His first cure for being lukewarm.

2) be zealous
Get out of that lukewarm rut. Get out of that tepid state. Become zealous for the Lord. Find that fire of God inside.

3) repent
The final cure for lukewarmness is to open your heart to God and repent.

Verse 20-22

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Jesus tells them if they will only listen, repent and open up to Him He will come in to them. Those that do this will sit with Him in His throne with the Father.

This is the last message to the Church’s, next we will look at the open door in heaven.

[Pilgrim]

Brilliant stuff Richard! Whilst I'm not a Dispensationalist myself, I've found this incredibly edifying! Thank you so much for the time & effort you have put in & all glory to God! Might I ask a favour? Upon the Lounge forums we have an End times & Biblical Prophesy forum. Would you be so kind as to submit this there also? It would be a wonderful blessing.

Every blessing in Him be upon you & yours.

Your brother, friend & servant

Pilgrim.

[Richard_1]

At the end of the messages to the Church's the Lord is inviting Himself into the closest, deepest, most intimate communion and fellowship with you. Eating together with you, partaking with each other, becoming a part of each other by supping together. The Lord tells us we'll be ruling and sitting by Him on His throne even as He (Jesus) has been exalted and is sitting at the right hand of the throne of the Father on high. The big question that many ask is when does this begin. Some say at the end of tribulation that our being seated with Him takes place but I want to show you why I think that we will be seated with Him before the beginning of the great tribulation.



We have seen so far the working of the outline of what takes place Revelation in chapter 1 verse 19

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

We have seen the things that have been seen in chapter 1, then we have seen the things that are in chapters 2-3 in the messages to the Church's now we are going to see the things which shall be after. The words in Greek that are used in both Chapter 1 verse 19 and the beginning of Revelation 4:1

]After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Here we have the phrase hereafter again as in the 1st chapter. The words in Greek are "meta tauta" and they literally mean "after these things". So in reality it is saying that John was being shown the things that come "after these things". What are the things that will be shown coming after. We just finished the messages to the Church's and saw that they were spanning a period of history. That the things did not take place all at once but over time concerning the Church and now we are going to see things after the Lord has dealt with the Church. We are going to look at the things after the Church.



From Revelation 6 on there is never a mention of the Church again. The biggest section of the book of Revelation never mentions the Church again. The only open reference to the Church is in the first five chapters in Revelation, and in Revelation chap 3. We have now come to the end of the church history upon the earth and the final message to the churches, and in His messages to the last four churches, Jesus spoke of His second coming. He warned the churches of His return. "Behold, I come quickly," He said that if they didn't repent they would be cast into the Great Tribulation. If they kept the word of His patience, Jesus promised that He would keep them from the hour of temptation (tribulation).



So in saying after these things "meta tauta", after the church has finished her testimony upon the earth and God is through with us, there shall come from heaven, the time of the great tribulation.



I believe that it is at this time in the book of Revelation that the church will be transported into heaven for a seven-year period during which time there will be Great Tribulation upon the earth. I believe at this time there will be that event that people call the "rapture". There are people who say, "I don't believe in the Rapture of the church," because they have looked through the Bible and have never found the word "Rapture" in the Bible. But in I Thessalonians 4:17 we read

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The word translated "caught up" in the Greek is "harpazo", which means "to be taken away by force." It's usually used as a military term related to the taking of hostages. The Latin Vulgate translates "harpazo" as "raptuse", and that's where we get our English word "rapture". This event is separate from the second coming of the Lord which takes place at the end of the great Tribulation. There is a complete difference between Jesus coming for His church (rapture)

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

and Jesus coming with His church (second coming). He will be coming for His church at the Rapture. But at the Second Coming of Jesus, He'll be coming with His church.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,



Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

There is a distinct difference between Jesus coming for His church and Jesus coming with His church. He will be coming for His church at the Rapture. But at the Second Coming of Jesus, He'll be coming with His church.



I believe that it is here at the beginning of the 4th chapter of Revelation that the Rapture takes place. There are several elements that you can see that point to this being the time of the rapture.

1) the voice of an arch angel and the trump of God from 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and the voice and trumpet in Revelation 4:1

2) the open door in Revelation 3:8 with the promise of being kept from the hour of great tribulation and the door that John saw in heaven when the voice and trumpet called him up to heaven to see what is to come here after (meta tauta; after these things/these things of the Church)



In the coming study I will further expand on the rapture/catching away of the Church and why I believe it happens at this time in the vision John had about the end times.

[Richard_1]

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord

In speaking of the rapture these scriptures are quoted. There are some who try and make the trump of God correspond with the last trumpet judgement in Revelation 11:15 saying that the trumpet of God in 1 Thessalonians is the same as the trumpet sounded by the angel in Revelation 11:15. This they say would mean that the Church is not called to be with Jesus until the end tribulation. I think there is a clear misreading of what is being said to support the idea of a post tribulation rapture.



You need to look at two things here one the scripture in 1 Thessalonians speaks of the trump of God and it also says that Jesus is the one sounding the trumpet. In Revelations 11:15 the trumpet is being sounded by an angel not Jesus therefore I believe that these are speaking of two different trumpets. One is the trumpet of God sounded by Jesus and the other is the trumpet of the angel sounded by an angel.



Now as we look at Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The first thing to notice is the mention of a door being open in heaven. In Revelation 3:8 we have mention of an open door for the Philadelphia Church and it is the same Church that Jesus said He would keep from that great tribulation coming to try the whole world. I believe that that door and the one shown to John here in chapter 4 are the same door. Secondly we have the voice speaking to him sounding as the voice of a trumpet just as 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 speaks of Jesus speaking with the voice of an archangel. The arch angels in the scriptures always symbolized as a herald sounding out declarations or warnings of God. Jesus sounds out with the voice of an archangel that is heralding with the trump of God for the Church to come to Him. Here we have john being heralded by a trumpet sound to come up to heaven. I believe this is the same calling and invitation that Jesus gives the Church when He calls with the trump of God.



The last part is the statement in this verse is "things here after (meta tauta -after these things)". John has finished the messages to the Church and now after Jesus is through with the things of the Church He takes John into heaven to see the things that will happen after He finishes with the Church (the Great Tribulation). I believe it is at this time in the book of Revelation that the Church has been raptured. From this time on in the book of Revelations it deals with God pouring out His wrath on the wicked and judging the inhabitants of the earth and the Church is not specifically mentioned again until the marriage supper of the Lamb.

[Richard_1]

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

I have covered verse in showing the picture of the rapture and that in the chronology of the book of Revelation this is where the rapture occurs. Now we move on to see what takes place after the calling in verse 1. It says that after that John was immediately in the Spirit. John was transported immediately to heaven and then the Lord began to reveal the "meta tauta" after those things that took place before this time.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

The very first thing that John sees is a throne. A throne was always the symbolic of authority and power through out the scriptures and here that throne or authority and power in heaven. John says that there was someone sitting on that throne. The throne was not empty (unoccupied), so there was a person who was sitting in the place of authority and power. The one thing that helps in studying Revelation is to remember the idea that it is not a revelation of particular events but that is the revealing of Jesus as He prepares and comes back to rule in His kingdom on this earth.



John's next description is about the appearance of the one who sat on the throne (the authority and power). This is a description that is in beauty and glory. It was like fine arrayed gems stones and the rainbow showing a great picture of majesty.

Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Nothing of the throne or person on the throne was mediocre or plain but it was arrayed in fine glorious colors and substance. This is not the throne of someone who has been defeated but a throne that speaks of victory and glory. John saw God sitting upon His throne in majesty on high. He saw the brilliance of God like the brilliance of the jasper and sardine stones, a mixture of clear, crystal, purplish hue with blood red, and an emerald green rainbow "round about the throne" of God. John was clearly no longer on the earth but was viewing the very place of God's power and authority.



Then John sees 24 elders on seats (lesser thrones) gathered around the throne of God.

Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Now there is a lot of speculation as to who these elders are spoken of here. There are some who believe that the 24 elders are actually representative of the church. They believe because the elders are dressed in white robes (the Church being clothed with white robes washed in the blood of the lamb {Rev 19:8}) and have crowns of gold (Christians having been promised the crown of righteousness and the crown life). Many believe that this is the Church reigning with the Lord in heaven. This is a possible interpretation. It is also possible that these elders represent the saints from the Old and the New Testaments, the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles. It is also possible that they're created beings of God like angels and cherubs or these elders may be created beings for the specific ministry of sitting on the twenty-four thrones around God's throne. We cannot know for sure. The thing we know for sure is that this is a scene in heaven and these elders exist.



The next thing that John sees is lightnings, thunderings and voices coming out of the throne. This is not just a common throne but it is a throne active in the power of God

Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

John also saw the seven Spirits of God. If you will refer to Isaiah 11:2 and Rev 1:4 you will see this same reference given in those verses. This is the seven-fold working of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.



The next thing John sees before the throne a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four beasts

Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

In the next study we will deal with the beasts mentioned here.