General Outlines in the Book of Revelation
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Outline: Seven Key Notes
Ephesus: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. —Revelation 2.4 ION QuestionsEphesus: Is the seal of God's foundation found wanting here in this indictment? 2 Tim 2:19, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
I. Does the Lord know Ephesus's leaders and do they know the Lord? 2. If they are fallen and need repentance, have they avoided evil or sin? 3. If they are leaders, then they have at some point named the name of God, and tested them which say they are naming the name of God and found them liars? |
The Letters to the Churches [Looking into the Words: From Thayer's Commentary and The Bible Analyzer] Ephesus: Rev. 2.4 : ...Thou hast left thy first love… Left = send away, let go, released, permit to depart, leave alone. Somewhat = inadvertent, only one Against = down from, through out First = First in time or place, first in rank, honor or influence; first in principal, at the first Love = Affection, good will, brotherly love, love feast. [agape typically refers to divine love (meaning, what God prefers) ] Fallen = to be cast down from a state of prosperity, from what a height of Christian knowledge and attainment thou has declined Remember = {how it is used in this verse} to make mention of, recall by memory [mark, calculate, estimate] First = first, before, principal, most important Repent = change after being with, think differently after Work = employment, to work or accomplish, a work that accomplishes something, a deed that carries out or completes an inner desire, intention, or purpose. Do = make, manufacture, construct, cause Place = a place, region, seat; an opportunity First Love = Matt 22.37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. [And both of these commandments are Love = the agape type level. This word 'love' expresses the exact intensity of the work—and involves all the energies of the body, soul, and the mind. Great = Dimenionally: great, large, spacious, long, old; Quantity: numerous, large, abundant; Intensity: great effort, emotions of the mind, affections, senses, mighty, strong. Of Rank, or Nobility: authority, power, a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence, a thing which surpasses the province of a created being.] Putting Out the Whole Candlestick This letter is addressed not to a sinless angel of heaven, but to the leadership of this church. Remember, it is Ephesus’s elders and leaders who had tested them which said they were apostles—diamond to test diamond, as it were. So if the leaders today have lost their savor, how truly desperate is our condition? How truly have we lost the ability to test and reject them which say they are 'apostles' among us. We accept them into our institutions and our Conferences, to let them stand where they ought not, so to speak. And we are fallen; we are leaving our prime directive, and are trying to find our way back. Individually, we also allow them who are not ‘jews’ into our lives, and our sanctuary of soul is polluted; we listen to these and their doctrines and think we can give 5 hours of energy to the game—weekly, and sometimes more—and still deem we are in the first love. But we have left that love commandment, and like the rich young man who left his discussion with Christ with a real sense of shame, so are we all in honest reflection touched by our sadnesses, both the ones we see in the church collectively and within our lives. Though, this first church’s somewhat is short and is summed up into only one line mostly, it represents a very grievous thing which pollutes deeply into error and degradation—and so have we observed. This love which Ephesus has abandoned is much more than a common love. For if one abandons the Agape type love, then they have abandoned righteousness as well, and further they have abandoned the light and life of God. If one is loving the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind, then they are also doing fervent acts of righteousness with all their heart, soul, and mind; for love and righteousness are the same. The words of Jesus also confirms the same: this loving is the great commandment. Commandments deal in righteousness: doing the right things, being the right person of character, choosing the right as a habit. Righteousness connected to Love—what a careful thought. The preaching of love from the church is not inseparable from preaching the commandments, the ten words of the covenant. And God is love. His love lights the life of ever man that cometh into the world. (John Chapter 1) To focus and preach only on the love of God to win souls, and not speak about the righteousness of God, doesn't help the new christian avoid evil. Jesus here connects love with the idea which His nation was missing: that they were not loving enough and had lost belief in the connection of love with the commandment and the covenant. The use of the words 'Great Commandment' put indication that they were aware of many commandments. And that He wanted them to keep this one as chief. At Ephesus, this great commandment, they had abandoned. Matt 22.37-40 = Love on equality with Law; He here amplifies the law they already knew. He adds a dimension they had lost sight of. John 1:17 = While Moses brought to them the law, Jesus brought to them dying-grace and the reality of the fulfillment of the Law: He did everything righteously. 2Tim 2:19 = The foundation of God, the beginning of the creation—Christ, the Son—is sure and sealed with this seal. Written in Jesus Christ's life are two major things: law and love: To know God is to love him; and to love him in fervor is to depart from iniquity, i.e. do the righteousness which he patterned for us: gain and have the righteousness of Christ by faith; also, i.e. knowing God is loving him with all heart, mind, and soul, and doing no iniquity to ones neighbor, with all heart, mind and soul. A Cup of Time If we look around, surely we can see individually and collectively that these conditions are true of us in a very cup-filling way. Every one of us has grossly misused our time, and every one of us can say that we have left our first love, from time to time. In this first church letter, it is reported that they have abandoned love almost to the point of permanency. It is declared as if their action was a Fall. That word 'fall' is never to be used lightly; for Eve and Adam, great was the fall of their trespass: and here we are. With honest sight, we can clearly see that something has been wrong in the church for many years. This church indictment from Christ can directly and correctly be seen as applicable to us today, owing to the fact that the church is still in this world, ere this long time. Robbing God And again, we are dealing with the question of what is this first love that has been left, abandoned, and for what has it been left for. It is obvious: things that take out energies, energies that should have been used in living the first great commandment. Will a man rob God, yet we have robbed him of a tenth of our time, talents, have not offered the unblemished profit of our christian development. We have lost time, we have lost momentum, we have fallen in the race for our lives. Enduring The Times, For They Are Evil Think, additionally, how long have we been in this bitter condition (Wormwood, the condition that is fed to those in the last day who turn from salvation's first love; and the deep deliberation of the rich young ruler who was left in great bitterness of soul because he loved his great riches) How long have we been told we were in this condition by the Holy One of Israel, and else, and advised to repent and perform? How long? Many have pined the rich young ruler's illness of decision, however, his sickness of response to Jesus only lasted his life time, our sickness of response to the call of Jesus to the churches, has lasted more than a century. No Fall is Small And one more additional: how often have you heard this 'letters passage' message sermonized in seriousness for what the context is really identifying, or sermonized about the depths of the fall involved, for that fall involves the human mind that has become ‘deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who really knows how bad it is,’ and that the condition if it goes unremedied will require eventual removal from our place. Collectively, we are in need of a deep and long return-trail to the first love, and like the addict who is returning to normalcy of desires, we must struggle daily with the maintenance of that lost level of salvation only by abiding in Him. If the story of the 5 foolish virgins applies to the waiting church, and the coming of the bride is yet future, then we can expect that some of those waiting will lose their lamplight needlessly, then this will be reason enough for Christ to remove the lampstand—because its flame is gone out and it will be past the deadline of probation. Two Provision Abandonment Here before, in our church experience and discourses into this first letter, we have spoken about it quite often trivially and with less detail of discussion. It is far worse than having just less love, the words above clearly mean abandoned. Think, Abraham giving Hagar, and her baby, only two provisions to take her through that desert; the total abandonment was the exact detail in that departure, that divorce. The removal of the nation Israel's lampstand happened when the curtain tore in the sanctuary. All the existing priest and their lawyers were removed, and replaced with Jesus, the Christ. So in our day, when the leaders of Ephesus are unrepentant, they will be replaced by Jesus Christ. He will take the reigns and ride the white horse, 'conquering and to conquer.' The head, Ephesus, is at the first. The head of the churches are its leaders, apostles, bishops etc, and this first of seven indictments directly involves the leadership. If our personal head is damaged, we are very disaeased, indeed. Thus, the leaders' condition at Ephesus is far graver than we have often presented it, but we shall see that the other church indictments are worse—much worse—and more revealing.] |
Smyrna:
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. —Revelation 2.8 ION QuestionsSmyrna: is the seal of God's foundation found wanting here in this indictment? 2 Tim 2:19, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
I. Does the Lord know Smyrna's leaders and do they know the Lord? 2. If they are rich in faith, then they have been tested, and have avoided evil or sin? 3. If leaders, then they have named the name of God. Here in Smyrna, God says he doesn't have a somewhat against them. 4. He explains that he will further refine them by testing, but that they should not fear any evil, but if they are faithful to the end, he will give them a crown that comes from his life. |
Smyrna:
...I know thy works, and tribulation and poverty, (but thou art rich) Tribulation = Properly, pressure: what constricts or rubs together, here used of a narrow place that ‘hems one in’; tribulation especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined, restricted, without options. (this is contrasted with another Greek word used (stenoxoria) which focuses on the external pressure exerted by circumstances, abstractions) [In comfort, Jesus is saying that he knows especially what they are ‘going through’, the inner compression. It says less to comfort someone if you tell them that you know what their persecutors are doing, but when you express and deal with what the inner person is feeling, you truly pinpoint the fact that are with them, even to the ends of the world.] Works = (omitted in some texts; Ergon = energy, in others.) Poverty = destitute of riches and abundance [Interestingly the opposite of Laodacea; Smyrna knows they are poor.] Rich = abounding in Christian virtues and eternal possessions. Blaspheme = switches right for wrong (wrong for right), calls what God disapproves, ‘right’ and which ‘exchanges the truth of God for a lie.’ Romans 1.25 [It is not the calling of themselves jews that is to be highlighted but their slander, the other things they are saying about God and the bible. This is what harms people, and could cause them to believe a lie and then die without salvation. They slander the true Christian, in addition, they confuse by calling good evil and evil good. Those that do this are not of the Godly synagogue. The Devil was a liar during Eve's conversation with him.] Fear = to fear, or dread to undergo some suffering. None of those things = None of those men, nothing, none of those things which you shall suffer. Cast = to throw, either with force, or without force yet with a purpose, or even carelessly. Tried = to try, tempt, test; for the purpose of ascertaining quality, or what is being thought, or how someone will behave. (particularly in rev 2.10, to tests ones faith, virtue, character by enticement to sin, or in other words to tempt.) Ten = to last a short time Days = evening mornings Faithful = trustworthy, believing Death = the death of the body Crown = the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God Life = real life after resurrection [thus a prize made up of real life, i.e. the eternal life of God. [Tribulation: Consider if one could even last physical torture or affliction for ten days and ten nights before expiring to death. The meaning of the ten days of tribulation: if years for a day, then…well, it is still somewhat a mystery of what happened in the past to those in Smyrna, for if they were to be tortured, or pressured for ten years, who could have individually survived that kind of length. Than again, if this is applied to the dark ages, there are still questions about the ten days because the dark ages ranged for many hundreds of years. But today, for us, what could it possibly mean? Today’s Christians are, in fact, dying for the word of God in all countries. There are many more laity than elders today, so these deaths we here about today must apply to the laity primarily; and one could imagine the number of deaths by martyrdom of those who will have this Smyrna message apply to them in out time, could be in the millions. If so, imagine millions dying in a ten day period. Remember, too, the Devil is twice predicted to make war on the church (Rev. 12): once after the birth of the manchild who ascends to heaven, and then some time later he is wroth and goes to make war on the remnant. This prophecy is special war, a decided war on a specific people. The first prediction was about the 1260 years and the flood which the Devil sends out of his mouth after the woman, secondly, the later period where he makes war on her remnant. The first lasted about 1260 years, the second is unspecified. Hard to imagine or I think hard to find another prophecy about martyrdom lasting a length of time similar to that of the dark ages. We just don't see mention of another lengthy persecution. Today we sermonize that the time is short before the return of Christ. And so it just may be...and this mention here of an intense short time of persecution that will involve many people being asked to be faithful unto death, and given a specific reward of a crown of life. It is also obvious, that Smyrna was not the only church that was cast into prison etc. for their faith and words. Others from these seven were also persecuted. But Smyrna’s condition represents again, somehow, our time because, as in smyrna, those that die for their faith in our future will die as a church collective and also as individuals, and they will have been well prepared by the leadership, and by their God. Someone will have done their job: what is that job—the task, scope, and extent of it? And will the players be largely made up of children, the aged, or else-groups? What will be the Holy Spirit’s role in our church at this time? Addendum: The early christian church received the magnanimous out pouring of the Holy Spirit, they evangelized the then known world, and then followed with them a persecution of 1260 years whose aim was to take peace from the earth. The last church will receive a former and a latter rain of this same Holy Spirit, the Gospel will go to the 7 or so billions, and then will repeat a history of another 1260 years of martyrdom....No, no; probably no.] |
Pergamum:
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. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2.12-16 ION Questions |
Pergamum:
Hast = have, hold, possess Hold = not to discard or let go; to keep carefully and faithfully Doctrine = teaching, what is taught Balaam = a swallowing up of the people, ‘a most abandoned deceiver.’ Cast = to give over to one’s care with uncertainty about the results, i.e. haphazardly. Stumbling-block = words or deed that entice one to sin To eat = partake of food; metaphorically, to devour, consume: used only in future tense. Things Sacrified = things, but particularly flesh left over from the sacrifices. (they were eaten at feasts, or sold in the market) [think image of the beast owing to the word maket place.] Commit fornication = to fornicate, practice idolatry Nicolaitans = [lacking legal or moral restraints, especially in sexual matters; licentious.] Hate = to hate, pursue with hatred, detest Fight = make war, contend, fight, battle Against = with, among, after Sword = a sword, piercing grief. [rhomphaia: a long Tracian sword; a large broad sword that both cuts and pierces...an imposing sword synonymous with finality or dominance.] Mouth = a figure, portraying the destructive power of the words of Christ, the judge In Our Right Hand [We have, still here in our days, some who still hold the doctrine of Balaam: we leaders, we pastors today allow, turn blind eye, etc. to them who teach that doctrine, and thus have them—do not meet them—and do not make a thorough work for their removal. Thus we hold them in our right hand as it were; the Hand of Christ holds the seven stars, and the seven stars hold in their right hand, a somewhat of death. A Mixed Holding And if that first somewhat of death was not enough, we have also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Again, we allow them to be among us doing their doctrine (it certainly is not the first love doctrine of purity). They like the doctrines of Balaam have the right hand of fellowship among us as it were, and we do not correctly and directly deal with them. Thus we have them here. One Who Chose It is worth noting that Balaam, a leader, a prophet, etc., was the one who chose to devise a stumbling block for Balac, for money. We should know the story well, how this prophet whose origin was from far—approximately 370 miles away— came for the money at the invitation of an enemy of the Children of Israel. Balaam was not an Israelite; he was from the outside; he also more resembled Judas Iscariot than anything. Today, we allow a Balaam to be in our midst and allow that teaching; we even seek to invite Balaam type counsel on how we can win souls and build larger churches. It Was Just a Tiny Pimple The biblical story about Balaam and this stumbling block shows the exact number of deaths which immediately resulted from it. So, too, in our time a leader(s) is the cause of this state, and someone who is an Angel is allowing these teachers to sneak into the camp on their watch. They, the leaders, are unlike Phinehas, however, who was watchful and was zealous for the Lord, and saw what he saw, then took actions which finished it. Though the company of Israelites was about 2.5 million, 24,000 infected people (those mentioned which died) amounted to only a small percentage, maybe about 1/100th of their total, it was a careful detail when you think of how quickly that infected 'pimple' of an idea took hold an became a raging boil. And all this just months before they entered and began defeating Canaan: crossing of the River. The specific mention of Balaam’s name in this passage is also intended to give us the true nature of those who hold this doctrine today. And where the responsibility lays for those who are dying during this, our time, as we approach the end. It is truly an awesome deal in this church assessment; far graver in peril and death numbers, than we give it when we do our discourses on it. They are not just deceived or ensnared in an error ignorantly; Balaam’s choice for money was the cause of his action of devising the stumbling block, and his persistence in this choice of character formulated this doctrine. But when Moses was made aware of it and the other leaders saw it in the camp, they dealt with it by shamefully facing their God in repentance. The number of those who died in the plague was 24,000. These included, and may have been just the heads of the people. (Numbers 25:4, God's plague) Heads= heads of families (Thayer's Lexicon) Christ is telling us today about something that has serious consequences —a grievous stumbling block is now riving in the church, and once again, it centers around, or stem from the leadership, but directly affects the family. The Phinehas event illustrates the status of the two who were thrust through: prince of a chief house in Israel, and Cozbi, daughter of a chief house of Midian. (The story of Ahab’s over-love for Jezebel is another parallel, too. She was the daughter of a chief house, and Ahab was King of his father’s house of Israel.) The Pergamum letter is sent to the Angel of the church, and indicts the leadership as perpetrators in the having and the allowing. Winds of Doctrines We see, on every turn of the daylight on this planet, an abundance of doctrinal disagreements in the church. We are not of one accord of the scriptures, which should be our only safeguard. If we look closely at the two indictments here mentioned, we see a physical, and a philosophical departure from safe doctrine. Most assuredly, these two cause other departures from the original faith of our past witnesses. Also, the fact that these two glaring problematic departures are even allowed to be here unchallenged, as it were, is easy insight into the gross errors that caused their entry into the church state of affairs. Something has gone wrong, and as stated here by Christ, it surely again centers around, or stem from the leadership—both from inside and without. Even more definitively, we see the fact that it is a cooperation with two chief houses (like Ahab; like Cozbi and Zimri). This is not a sign about a departure among the sheep; but the leaders, the leaders—us who pastor. When Eve left her first love, that departure precipitated other deeper woes into the human family. They were family heads. The first love issue came first, then the deaths of heads of family followed—dying, thou shall surely die. There is much more to be seen. There are different and many other words in the letters which follow these which should be looked at so that we can see our true, really true condition.] [The Nicolaitans: Then comes those who believe that the gospel of love replaces the ten laws and all it means to believers, so that they can do what they want fleshly wise and that their deeds won’t harm the spiritual relationship: they have been made free, set up in liberty to do all things they choose. They believe this grievous error that they can be eventually saved in their sins; that they don’t have to completely depart from evil.] Hold = (Strong’s, krateo) grasp, to use strength, seize or retain, put under control. [Note, this is not the same ‘hold’ as in the Sardis passage: tereo,‘remember and hold fast…’ there, it means to properly maintain, spiritually guard, keep intact, and to do that zealously with much strength and effort of intent.] |
Thyatira:
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. 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. 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 ye have already hold fast till I come. Rev. 2:20 - 25 ION QuestionsWhere in our time does a woman find herself in a time of trouble, and is the focus center of that great tribulation: in our future? Not in the historical past, but in our future. Where do we find a woman's probation closed, a church of wicked doctrines that come from the depths of Satan; and a woman whose filthy practices have reached a level of Heaven: in our future. And He, our God, says, I ...will deal with her.
Do the beginnings and ends of probation for both the Jezebel and those cohabitating with her, run concurrently? Or does the woman's probation run out before the deceived leaders? When are the children killed with death? ION ThoughtsThink, also, that while some of the leaders marry Jezebel, other leaders have the condition of abandoning the first prime directive of love; and then there are those who allow Balaam into their churches—and can we imagine some of the leaders manifesting all three conditions in their deportment. When we see all the letters as a package deal (where applies) and not just an historical deal, we can more accurately see how miserable and sick we are hurting. And, that it is due mostly because of the leaders.
Many, many words of context in the seven letters clearly show that these letters are simultaneously active and are one group of conditions; directed and applicable through time till now as a package group (where applies). The seven churches in Asia were local to each other and were thus at lease regionally conferenced with each other. So also, today. In the bed and great tribulation event the all the churches get to see what happens to these two 'people' as it were, and from the event they will learn that God is just, and that he rewards all for their part in sin. His eyes see deeply, his feet burn and travel to everywhere in the planet. When are the children killed with death? Some Bible Versions say 'her' (which adds another dimension to the verse: that being that they are doing not their own will or doctrine but hers, and her works will end in their deaths; she is causing their death.) New International Version So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. New Living Translation "Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. English Standard Version 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, Berean Study Bible Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. Berean Literal Bible Behold, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they shall repent of her deeds. New American Standard Bible Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. King James Bible Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Christian Standard Bible Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, Contemporary English Version I am going to strike down Jezebel. Everyone who does these immoral things with her will also be punished, if they don't stop. Good News Translation And so I will throw her on a bed where she and those who committed adultery with her will suffer terribly. I will do this now unless they repent of the wicked things they did with her. Holman Christian Standard Bible Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her practices. International Standard Version Look! I am going to strike her with illness. Those who commit adultery with her will also suffer greatly, unless they repent from acting like her. NET Bible Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds. New Heart English Bible Look, I will throw her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “Behold, I shall cast her into a coffin, and those who commit adultery with her into great suffering, unless they repent of their deeds.” GOD'S WORD® Translation Watch me! I'm going to throw her into a sickbed. Those who commit sexual sins with her will also suffer a lot, unless they turn away from what she is doing. New American Standard 1977 ‘Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. Jubilee Bible 2000 Behold, I will cast her into a bed and those that commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of their deeds. King James 2000 Bible Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. American King James Version Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. |
Thyatira:
Sufferest = permit, let fall; (Online Dictionary: permit, to send through, to let go through) That woman = a woman, especially a wife Jezebel = meaning: chaste; an impious and cruel queen, wife of King Ahab, who protected idolatry and persecuted the prophets. In revelation, a symbolic wife of the leaders in Thyatira. Calleth = to call by a name Prophetess = a woman to whom future events or things hidden from others are at times revealed. Teach = to impart instruction, instill doctrine into Seduce = lead into error, deceive; deviate from the correct path, mislead. My = proceeding from me, pertaining or relating to me, appointed for me Servant = of all who obey God’s commands, his true worshippers Fornication = practice idolatry; figuratively, to be unfaithful to Christ, while posing as his true follower. Eat things = (as above) Space = time Repent = to turn one’s soul from Fornication= (the greek word is porneia: to sell off) properely, a selling off or surrendering of sexual purity; symbolically, idolatry. Cast = (differently than above) to be violently displaced from a position gained Bed = to cast into a bed; i.e. to afflict with disease Adultery = drawn away into idolatry Great Tribulation = great: in the widest sense; tribulation: affliction, distress, straits Deeds = employment, a working with Kill = to kill in any way whatever Children= a child living in willing dependence on father or mother Death = given over to the peril of death; Peril = (online etymology dictionary: an attempt, trial, experiment; danger, risk) Churches = those truly called out from the world, an assembly, church, congregation, the whole body of Christian believers. Know = to know, understand, have knowledge of Searcheth = to search absolutely, examine into Reins and hearts = reins: as a general emotional center and used of the inmost thoughts, feelings, purposes of the soul; heart: the center and seat of spiritual life, mind, fountain and seat of the thoughts. Give = reward, response to their deeds According = down upon with regard to Rest = left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. [The indictment is not only a holding or allowing certain teachers into the camp of God, but a sending of that offending agent, a wife, throughout the camp, unchecked. This was the case of the historical Jezebel. The leaders in this letter are not presented as separate from the Balaams, etc, but in this indictment are now seen as married, joined to this Jezebel, and they love her. A Marriage To an Over-Love Jezebel, like the red dragon and the beast, used force to compel the people in Israel to believe her doctrines. Like Ahab, these leaders still stay married to her, even though she pollutes the good saints. It is because of their over-love of their wife that the leaders say nothing when they see her seduce, teach, cause to commit fornication and cause the saints to eat things. The Worst of It The pure servant now commits adultery with the wife of the leaders: they believe and turn away from the leaders as their teachers and responsibility and partner with Jezebel directly learning from her. What they learn from her which they never learned through the leaders, is now the depths of Satan. This condition in Thyatira, as was in the times of Ahab, is the lowest state of corruption to be reached. The true servants learn and believe the depths of Satan's doctrines. The leaders are now accounted responsible for that state of the church. Their wife, their darling is now also joined to their brethren. The brethren now cohabitate with Jezebel. And children are produced. During all of this worse predicament that the church can go through, the probation of the Jezebel is closed. She was given her time to repent. When her probation closes, we are likely to see those of her husbands closed soon thereafter. He Says, I God says, I will deal with her. And so he throws her into a bed of affliction, a time of great tribulation. This tribulation finds her, the wife, in severe agony. "Let Not One Escape!" The children are dealt with separately. The them that partner with Jezebel are cast in a great tribulation together. The children are killed with death. Because they have been seduced, they are given time to repent if they choose; not during the tribulation, but before the tribulation. For the woman, though, her probation is closed. There are three segments of this condition. Only one of the segments is directly killed as a segment. The Jezebel is sick in bed, and the husbands are sick in tribulation with her. The last segment are killed—the group named 'her children'. They are the third whom are killed during the verse Rev 9:18. Again, He says, I...will kill with death. Affliction Reserved Both Jezebel and Husbands are to suffer affliction. Both the words bed and great tribulation are the same meaning, affliction. Are they concurrent time frames? If not, they are quite certainly consecutively joined: the two cohabitors are joined, though are distinct individuals. The leaders sent, or permitted Jezebel to go out, and in that act they therefore executed powers of authority that Jezebel did not have. Note: Balaam and the Nicolaitans were only allowed (casually, carelessly, lazily, mistakenly, etc. ) into the camp as a marginal group of teachers—they were from, and still, on the outside, if you will, but Jezebel is married and brought into the camp and housed, her status was that of Queen with some authority given to her by her husbands. This is obviously worse for the children of God in the camp than the Balaam scenario. Worse in decision and worse in results. Their decision shows the depths of the degradation of the leadership: they decide to marry a woman who teaches the depths of Satan. A central thought: A large segment of over 15 million members have married a wicked person; we have her doctrine among our churches,—and some of them, know—really know—the depths of Satan. Some have had traditional parents and great grandparents christian upbringing. These are not just new mixed-multitude persons (remember Cozbi above). Foundational Courses Remember how vicious the historical Jezebel was, and that her religion came from her idolatrous country and upbringing. The Thyatira condition is not just another balaam espisode, or a misinterpretation of truth like the Nicolaitans. This is a really bad condition. The church in this letter really knows the good and the evil of this world, and there is more bad reasoning for the evil doctrines than for the good pillar doctrines: those that marry the bad doctrine have fallen to a depth like that during Elijah's time, when the prophet thought that he was the only one left who believed the foundational courses of the church. To know her doctrine means to have known the woman, to have been defiled by her. To know her doctrine is to have known the depths of Satan—which is the same as knowing the Dragon. Ultimately, it appears that there are a few others who do not have this doctrine [but may have been responsible for allowing its entrance into the church, and now mourn that decision.] Verse 24-25: 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 ye have already hold fast till I come. Hold! Hold! Hold! These are the final remnant; the task of these survivors, these 'left behind' is enumerated by Christ: they are told to hold safely onto His theological position, while He kills Jezebel, her husbands, and her children. This is directed toward the time period after they are thrown into bed and great tribulation and death of the third part; this is after those events. They are to hold till this last period of time: till he comes.] Thyatira: Addendum
"Jezebel is a figurative name, alluding to Ahab’s wife; and points her out as the fit type of the papal church. She taught Israel to worship idols and to commit fornication, and the papal church did the same to Christians; for popery was only another form of idolatry." --Josiah Litch, PSC page 126, about 1838.
From the above narratives and from 'looking into the words' about Thyatira's condition, it can be seen that the closer the relationship the church has with Jezebel, the more dire the church's condition. But after the above quote, when we consider that the mention of the name Jezebel is connected with papal church and that our leaders consent to allow her to teach, this with the leaders of Thyatira consent, the relationship brings a very serious indictment to those leaders who allow.(certainly not all leaders of the protestant churches today agree with allowing Jezebels to teach.) Now perhaps we can see deeper into the condition of the christian church. |
Sardis:
I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 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. ION Questions
If every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God contains life in it, why don't we study more, why don't we remember more, talk more, teach more?
If there are 300 people in a church, why is the church building closed on certain days, and open on other days for one or two hours—for prayer meeting and study by the members? Do dead people ask more questions than the living? Do dead people see more beauty than the living? Is the church (both the building and the spiritual collective) made to be a repository for answers; a belly from which flows living waters? |
Sardis:
Name = character, reputation (this whole phrase is rendered: thou art said to live…) Livest = (see above under name =) Dead = lifeless, covered by death, from what is death Watchful = vigilant, alert Strengthen = to fix firmly, direct onself towards; establish, support up something. Train by physical exercise, train up the spiritual things in the way they should go. (interesting: Greek word, gumnazo...think gymnasium.) Things that Remain = remnant, residue, the rest of it, the remainder Ready = about to, almost Die = die, wither, decay; focusing on the separation that goes with the dying off or away. Apo: away from; thnesko: to die. Perfect = to fulfill, complete; fill to individual capacity or to the extent it is ‘meet’ or appropriate. Before God = God looking on and approving (where does the Christians in the gospel era worship: the new testament says we are come unto mount Zion in the heavenly...the sanctuary, the throne—Worship) Remember = hold in memory, keep in mind (and with an intensity that is always inherent when God asks us to do, or be something...with all your mind, soul, and strength…) What = (how important this little placement is...very significant) how, in what manner, by what means Received = lay hold of, taken Heard = hear, listened, comprehend by hearing Hold fast = properly maintain, preserve, keep intact Repent = change the inner man, change your mind Ephesian Twist [Name is the manifestation or revelation of someone’s character. i.e. as distinguishing them from all others. Hebrew: a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs. It is something of his essence. Another commentary: thou are said to have life—vigorous spiritual life bringing forth good fruit—and yet thou are dead ethically, spiritually. So, the worse of this is that some of our leaders are dead. Their condition is one of having the name (reputation) of the only one who can save them, yet they are dead. They also are at the place almost opposite to the Ephesians, in that they are, as it can be thought, the ones who are being tested by the Ephesian Apostles—The Sardis leaders are those who say they are apostles and are found liars. And this condition is evocative of the wise and foolish people where the foolish members of the church's lamps 'are going out' (as the Greek renders the phrase: 'lamps are gone out'. The experience of the church here is at a time when they are admonished to strengthen the things that remain. The life of the persons is included in this admonishment. This church's condition is one where the worshippers come to gather and instead of a living worshipful service one finds death and not the living God, and a funeral and not rejoicing over the saints with singing. Zeph. 4:19. We think we are making a joyful noise unto the Lord, but it is here said otherwise. Such we find in many of our churches the condition of Sardis. And where this condition applies, other 7 churches conditions may apply as well. And we can think that the whole collection of our state of union is far worse than we can see. That is the reason for this passage. Again, the placement of this passage in the book of Revelation is needfully at the very beginning even before the worst of the worst is displayed on the impenitent who will die en mass under the plagues. Later, in the end time of this event, the foolish vigins come to the places where the wise are and worship at their 'feet' as like the response of Peter: 'to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.' The foolish people can't go to the beast or the woman who sit on it, because they don't have the words of eternal life and never did. These foolish people have been deceived by these two.] Dead=Literally what lacks life, not able to respond to impulses, stimuli, unable to perform functions, unresponsive to life-giving influences, opportunities; inoperative to the things of God. We have a name that we live, but are dead. Like Israel in Jesus’ time, the leaders were painted on the outside but were dead, rotten corpses on the inside. They had a name, and fancy colors which they flaunted but were blind vipers, etc.. And think too, at a time when they reproached Christ, the other 144,000 person in symbol, their probation was nearly up. So with this worse condition of the leaders mentioned in Sardis. We Deny the Power Of... Strongs Concordance: Revelation 3:8, is used of followers of Jesus who, for fear of death or persecution, deny that Jesus is their master, and desert his cause (to disown) Today our leaders say we are a church (ecclesia); we say we are Israel, spiritual Jews, but are not. Like Israel in Jesus’ time, the leadership is presenting a façade that is very pleasant on the outside, but has no living quality of life, or name character on the inside. We have many forms of Godliness, but the power is not there, else we would have entered into the kingdom some time earlier. Form of Godliness and emptiness equals ‘wanting.’ And so the Christ, in his examination of us today, finds us wanting. Hold Fast Hold fast to your beginnings and repent. The householders, the leaders, are responsible for this condition in our church; if they do not remember, hold fast and repent, the thief will steal all they have. [Not just remove, as in the Ephesian letter, their candle stand from its elevation, but take all they have. It is both an individual and a collective situation here.] Concurrently, as individuals we are responsible for the condition in our own lives. Here, we too are counseled to hold fast and inspire what remains. Sodom: But For the Few 'That remain' implies that which is remnant... and but for those who remain, we would be like Sodom and Gomorrah. In all these conditions in this passage we see a remnant who truly get it right and do exploits. The Smyrnians are for martyrdom and crosses, the Philadelphians are for the translation. The few in each of the other churches mentioned are those whom Abram argued with God about. These will be plucked, as it were, as brands from the fire. Within these reproofs there is spotlighted the great hope—the few whom are not all spewed out of his grace. Teachers That Are Wise Today we are dead, tomorrow we die the rest of the way—if we do not repent; if we do not change the inner man, change the mind. In Daniel, it says, "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits..." Dan. 11:32 and ". And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days." Dan. 11:33. So, at the same time as when those who know are entering that time period, there are those who do wickedly against the covenant. These, are corrupted. They are not with the main pillar of the Church of God, and this sets up their ability to be corrupted. Wickedly = condemn as guilty (as in departing from my God, Samuel 22:22; Psalm 18:22) Against = upon, above, over Corrupt = make profane, make godless The group that departs (do wickedly) from the testimonies, from the pillars, and condemn them, these are keepers of the covenant (leaders) and end up godless and profane. So in the book of Daniel; so in the book of Revelation. If We Only Knew God Individually, if we knew God we would be doing exploits. If a church knew God, it would be doing exploits. (Jesus knew God, and he did exploits.) The teachers in this Daniel passage know their God, because they read the word. They act like teachers do, they study deeper and explain; teach and perform the things in their encounter with scriptures.(Jesus read, taught, corrected the Pharisees, discoursed with the elders at 12-ish, and loved using and talking and writing about the words of scripture) Here in Daniel, the contrast is presented of those who condemn and those who know their God. So too, in the letters we see in each one the contrast of those which condemn the covenant and those who know their God. Those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan is contrasted with those who detect them, oppose, and deal with that condition. Those whose lamps have gone out, do less exploits, than those whose lamps stayed trim. One class does less with God and the other does more with him—exploits of many variety. |
Philadelphia:
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. 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. 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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown Rev 3:8-11. Laodicea:
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; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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: 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. 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 in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:15-20 ION Thoughts The Beginning of the Creation of God Properly, it means from the beginning (temporal sense), i.e. “the initial (starting) point”; (figuratively) what comes first and therefore is chief (foremost) i.e. has the priority because ahead of the rest (pre-eminent). The Most Unholy Phrase Ever Spoken in the House of God When we describe in our churches the words that we are in the Laodicean condition, this can be looked upon as the most unholy phrase ever spoken in the house of God by the leadership—if...there is not attended with the phrase the immediate tears, and distraught of facings, and the falling of the face toward the ground in the sight of the people as Moses did when even a small reproach was accused of his administration. So sensitive to the condition of the people that, Moses and others tore their righteousness (made themselves naked to the underwear) before the people as if they were the cause of the condition |
Philadelphia:
[Note: even here we see the most despicable case of the members of the church in the ones who come and worship at the feet of the leaders in the Philadelphia experience. These are probably not the gentiles, as it were; these are those who finally recognized that God had loved those who had stayed true to the word, to the gospel, and these finally see what they have lost—a taken crown. These who come and worship at the feet probably represent, at the least, those whose lamps were gone out. ] Set = I offer, I give, I place Before = in the eye, in the presence of, before your face Open = an opportunity offered Door = opportunity No One = categorically excludes all, declaring as a fact that no valid examples exist (who can shut) Shut = cover, prevent from understanding Little strength = power and resources arising from numbers Kept = keep, guard, observe, watch over Word = doctrine of faith; the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of god Denied = refuse, refuse to affirm, own or confess; disown (repudiate). Deny: a statement. Repudiate: a person, or belief. Name = essence, life Jews = as respects birth, race, religion Satan = an adversary, satan Synagogue = either the place or the people gathered together in the place Lie = to speak deliberate falsehoods Make = contruct, cause, manufacture Come = to be present, arrive, come Worship = to go down on knees, do obeisance Feet = a place of supplication, saluting, homage Make them know = to know one, his person, character, mind, plans Loved = wish well to, take pleasure in (in whom I am well pleased), valued Word = (same above) Patience = endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for, remain under Keep = to keep one in a state in which they are, i.e. virgin daughter; keep one in perseverance, standing firm; and keep out of the power and assaults of (satan) The Hour = a definite time, appointed time, an hour ( as in, a twelfth part of the daytime, Jewish practice) Temptation = trial, probation, testing, calamity affliction. (Adversity, affliction, or trouble sent by God to serve as a test or proving one’s faith, holiness, or character) World = the whole inhabited earth Try = Adversity, affliction, or trouble sent by God to serve as a test or proving one’s faith, holiness, or character Dwell = settle down as a permanent resident, one’s personal residence, to be exactly at home Earth = soil, land, region, country Hold that Fast = be strong, mighty, rule, master, prevail, take hold of; not to discard, let go, to keep carefully and faithfully Take = to take in order to carry away, and to do so violently Crown = metaphorically, the eternal blessendness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servant: the reward of righteousness What has made all those other works not perfect before God...maybe, namely, that the little pollutions allowed in, spoil all the good.These have kept his word; have not denied his name; there is a door or mission or something of great importance that is placed before this condition of people. Here, again as in the church Smyrna, God sees those which he can praise...those who have not denied His name...those in our day who have kept his word...up till today. Those of Philadelphia have a somewhat for him, instead of finding a somewhat against them as in the other churches, he finds two somewhats that parallel the great directive of God: to believe in the name that is on the cross, and to do his words (commands). (2 Tim 2:19) Today’s Philadelphians do not deny that Christ died on the cross thus doing a work for them that they could not do themselves; they also they take his name as their name; and they keep his commandments to do the noblest of deeds towards the fellowship of man. As to those others, who say they are Jews and lie, they will come and worship before the feet of those who have kept his word. They will be brought to a realization that God has especially loved those who have praise-worthily not denied his name, and who have kept his word with understanding, avoiding iniquity. In the keeping of this word, ones patience is extremely exercised, ‘for all those who would live godly will suffer persecution.’ Endurance is the meaning of this word patience, and because these have kept his word they will have the character that, though praise worthy in its high standard of development, still is not enough to endure the hour of temptation that will come upon all the world. But because the end time hour of temptation will be so horribly chaotic and eschatolistically strong, that God must give his own help of endurance to keep them through this hour of time—‘hide us in his secret pavilion’, so to speak. [If math is done and context is mixed into the thoughts here, we can think that the foolish virgins' probation has not closed, otherwise their lamps would be gone totally out; therefore the phrase could be rendered as other translations have put it, that their lamps are about to be out. Additionally, the suggestion from the wise is that they go to those who sell. If the foolish virgins lamps are totally out they would not be able to find their way back to a seller in the total dark. They must have a little flame left. But when they come back—late, the door is shut and their probation is final. The issue with the wise and foolish is with redeeming times, and with keeping words. When we hate words, we damn ourselves.] Those today, who are in the Philadelphian condition, just need to hold fast what is already attained (story of the virgins: keep your lamps), so that no man takes the crown. [The promises here written are particularly written for those who live proceeding the time of the hour. We are believed to be in those hours before the time of trouble. Those who say they are Jews just before that hour will live out their part of the promise. Those in past who could be labeled with the Philadelphian condition will have been long dead when the whole world enters into the eschatological chaos which is still in our future. The fullest revelation of this church’s condition of excellence is to be seen in the future, owing to the words in this verse connecting them to the hour of temptation that will come upon all the world. Think of the many times (about 29 times) the phrase ‘all the world wondered, the whole world, the earth, upon the earth, in the earth, four corners of the earth, breadth of the earth,' are written...and in just one small book of 22 short chapters. By these 29 Phrases, we can see that indeed, Revelation was written for this last generation; that most of the passages: The seals The sealing The trumpets The plagues The letters The descending of the Rainbow angel The Beast in 13 ...et al deal with those 29 phrases, or are connected to them directly and correctly in word-ways. Again, to state it plainly: The seals happen—all six of them—on the future generation highlighted above...The trumpets happen applicably on the future generation highlighted above.....etc.. Clearly, if the Seven churches apply to our generation individually and collectively, then the other distinct passages dealing with the Global Issue (controversy he has with the nations) which involve every eye, the whole world, and that last generation of saints which dwell during that last days will apply, directly and correctly. See the Book of Revelation: The Global Phrases Involving the Earth-World in the addendum below. Laodicea: The Beginning = that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause Creation = institution, ordinance, foundation; (Greek context: the sum or aggregate of created things) Cold = cold-hearted; (Greek context: cold, sluggish, inert, in mind, one destitute of warm Christian faith and the desire for holiness.) Hot = boiling hot (Greek context: of fervor of mind and zeal) [note: like on Mt. Carmel they halted between two...they knew the hot very well and they knew the cold very well. They did not choose either. Additionally, it is said that the graver sin is done by one who knows how to do right and does it not. Israel as compared to Sodom in the day of judgment.] Wish = [used to express an unattainable wish or vote; this word is defined with the exclamation point, which carries the equivalent of: would that I were dead! In all, a very intensive and anquishing word] (Greek context: (Thayer's) used where one wishes that a thing had happened which has not happened, or that a thing be done which probably will not be done) Neither = [translated: neither(11 times); nor (32); nothing (10); useless (1)...more] (Greek context: neither...nor; best rendering is probably the word not, or nothing in this verse, i.e. there is really no grey area—it does not exist—when it comes to good and evil and there are no ‘in betweens’ between cold-hearted and boiling hot; one will be in his eyes, one or the other...it is invominating to be in the gray or middle, or halting.) Lukewarm = (greek context: of the condition of a soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor and a fervor of love, spirituality, or other) I Will = at the very point of acting; ready (about to happen) used in Greek context: in general of what is sure to happen. Mouth = the mouth, as organ of speech or word. [during the time in which this is happening, the Lord is confessing (owning up to) his Father those who are his, pleads, advocates, prays, gives speeches about them to God. If they are no longer a part of his mouth, then he will mention them no more to his father as in John 15, and 16 where he prays that God will keep them one.] Spit = vomit forth, or away (Greek context: repulsed, showing utter rejection, desiring total separation; to reject with extreme disgust, rememberance to: they shall be cut off from thy people...Numbers 19:20) Say = as denoting a speech in progress, or continuous expression as in daily, etc. ; mean, tell, mention, call, name. (Greek context: Greek word, lego, originally “lay down to sleep” used later of ‘laying an argument to rest, concluding, summing up. Interestingly, Lego is used in our modern society as a building process involved with laying down pieces of colored toy matter.) Rich = fully resourced, rich (meaning filled), having God’s ‘muchness’ [verse: filled with bread Exo. 16.12; Pro 20.17 The Laodiceans had success in banking, trade, and commerce – but heir spiritual lives paid low spiritual dividends (yields)! The Laodiceans were too highly motivated (conscientious) about earthly matters, and lacked real spiritual commitment for wise prioritizing.] Nothing = properly, not one; no one, nothing. ("no one, nothing at all") is a powerful negating conjunction. It rules out by definition, i.e. "shuts the door" objectively and leaves no exceptions, declaring as a fact that no valid example exists. Wretched = properly, beaten-down from continued strain, leaving a person literally full of callouses – describing a person with severe physical side-effects from great, ongoing strain. Miserable = pitiable, wretched; in great need of mercy (because desperate). Poor = properly, bent over; (figuratively) "to crouch or cower like a beggar"; deeply destitute, completely lacking resources (earthly wealth), the extreme opposite of the rich. Blind = to raise a smoke; hence, properly, 'darkened by smoke'), blind (physically or mentally). [smoke: doctrines, deceptive ones] Naked = properly, (Rev. 3.17) unclad: without clothing at all; (Elsewhere in bible: ill-clad, clad in the undergarment only, and of the soul, i.e. stripped of the body, without a body. (metaphorically: laid bare, vulnerable.) Counsel = to plan, a resolute plan; properly, to consult (counsel) together; like when people plan something out together with high resolve (keeping to their pre-set goals).[I offer you this advice: to plan with me; Jer 1.18 come now let us reason together.] Buy = properly, to make purchases in the marketplace, i.e. as ownership transfers from seller to buyer; i.e. where something becomes another's belonging (possession). [In salvation-contexts, (agorázō) is not redeeming ("buying back"), but rather focuses on how the believer now belongs to the Lord as His unique possession (J. Thayer). And as with the sup idea later in the verse, the Lord becomes a possession of ours as well, this presence is transferred to us as well. We confess—own up to the gospel—that he is our friend, redeemer, and king. ‘we have no king but Caesar!’ The marketplace is what—the sanctuary, the earth, this planet? Is it a public place open to perview of the rest of the inhabitants in the universe? What is traded, what is the transaction; does it involve the law, justification by faith? ] [note: on wretched, miserable poor blind and naked; this all happened to Eve. The counsel given to Laodicea is or was given to her as well, let’s plan and sup together, Eve, and I will let you produce fruit that will crush the serpents head. The plan of salvation, the gospel, was first needed by Eve in Eden. The gospel is involved in this buying process He here advises. The persons who must spread that gospel a final time to the dying world, is also here greatly needed by the saviour: else why would he be knocking so loudly at the door of hearts.] Of Me = properly, close beside, in the presence of (implying intimate participation). Gold = expresses gold as what it potentially acquires; focuses on the results (effects) that go with "unlimited ability to purchase (or acquire). Also, a golden article, i.e. Gold plating, ornament, or coin. [think the sanctuary, where wood was overlaid with gold tried in the fire, purified gold that becomes a covering of sorts and think, every pot in Jerusalem shall be holy at some future eschatological time.] Fire = strife, trials; the eternal fire. [Did the eternal death come upon the Lamb; did He die the death caused by eternal fire. ] Rich = be rich, having many resources Garment = the outer garment worn over the skin. Clothed = to put on or clothe oneself [He provides the robe, but you choose to put it on; you enjoy the covering and by wearing it you increase knowing Him for the eternal of your life. The might be clothed is a parallel of that they might know thee the only true God.] Shame = a thing to be ashamed of [why is nakedness mentioned in Genesis fall of Adam and Eve. What was there to be ashamed of? God had provided their clothing and they had sought higher office, bequiled by the serpent into thinking they deserved higher office. Our own righteousness is filthy, and shameful thing, our deeds are also shamefully and pitifully as are filthy rags. What is the thing which is not good to have appear in the judgment or the wedding.] Nakedness = nudity. [The shame that comes from thy nakedness as you walk before the rest of the whole universe, without the garment that was designed for one at the beginning. And are the only one in all that chooses not to put on the or in Adam’s case, keep on, the proper garment for the sanctuary work as what he had made the church of Laodicea. Why wouldn’t want to have on this robe, it is a very powerful item and one of distinction because the god of the universe has given it and designed it and for our glory before the rest of the beings in the universe.] Revealed = properly, illumine, make manifest (visible); make plain, in open view; to become apparent ("graspable"). [in 1 Jn 3:2, 1 Jn 3:2: "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that if (Gk ean) He becomes manifest (5319 /phaneróō), we will be like Him, because (hoti) we will see Him just as (Gk kathōs) He is." If he appears and has on his robe and we are not found like him, then we are an embarrassment to him; likewise, we are showing that he must say to us also, ‘depart from me, I never knew you, you who do things without a robe of mine; you cannot do works like my name if you haven’t worn the robe I provided. You will hide from me when I come to the earth looking for you, because you don't want to know my eternal life any longer. You will be ashamed of me, and I of you.] Anoint = to rub in, besmear, anoint; to anoint for oneself Eye-salve = coarse bread of a cylindrical shape, a preparation shaped like eye orbital, composed of various materials and used as a remedy for tender eyelids; properly, a poultice (as made of or in the form of crackers). [Bread is the word, and the eye receives words the more strongest, than the ear, skin, etc.. Also, it is something we must do, read, know, repair the eyes that see as through a glass darkly.] Might See = properly, to see, be observant (watchful); to see something physical, with spiritual results (perception). [Important because every eye shall see him on his return, but seeing before he returns is the most important time of seeing or perceiving, because when we see the something approach it will require zealous action and that is when we work out our own salvation and help stabilize our position on the battle field. Seeing his appearing, though grand, will not impact the judgment, what we see and do just before that will be our 'weighed in the balance' deeds.] The e-Merchant Church The counterpart of the last day human church who will run the world and suffer the plagues will be the merchants: some of the children of the whore. These have been made rich because of the whore's costliness. These will throw their monies away at the end at a time when they watch their rich mother go through the plagues of perdition. Their mother is the rich whore, increased with the whole world and the whole worship of the entire world. She is finally vominated out of existence, nevermore to have costly weddings or sounds of joy in her city. God makes her naked at that time and we understand that spiritual nakedness is the absence of righteousness. So if this church, Laodicea is naked, she is without most of her righteous clothing. If she is without most of her righteous clothing that means she has taken off most of her doctrine, her beliefs in the Way; only the individual can decide to take off spiritual clothing. And this condition is the same as 'the lamps are gone out'. It is also interesting that the wise virgins suggest that the foolish go to the merchants in the city to buy more oil. Those who are rich and increased with goods who belong to the church of God are become a merchant church and not a church that God would want to ride as his pure church. Judas was merchant minded. Israel's leaders were of this mind—money, as long back as before they went to Babylon. Gone out = to be quenched, to go out Quenched = to go out, to be extinguished [If math is done and context is mixed into the thoughts here, we can think that the foolish virgins' probation has not closed, otherwise their lamps would be gone totally out; therefore the phrase could be rendered as other translations have put it, that their lamps are about to be out. Additionally, the suggestion from the wise is that they go to those who sell. If the foolish virgins lamps are totally out they would not be able to find their way back to a seller in the total dark. They must have a little flame left. But when they come back—late, the door is shut and their probation is final. The issue with the wise and foolish is with redeeming times, and with keeping words. When we hate words, we damn ourselves.] The Worst of the Worst...is Us Those in this condition are neither cold nor hot, and Jesus’ response will involve an action of total ejection, in flaming consequences. The Laodicean condition is more than just a somewhat or two. It is so bad and awful a condition that it is here described in invominating terms(google it!): The church at Laodicea is ‘weak and defective’; they are described as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—and don’t know it—deceived. And on top of that they are proudly boasting of increasing goods and assaying themselves that they are in need of nothing. This is a condition which will result in total depravity (desolation), and they are unaware; compare this condition with that of Israel in ancient times just before their Babylonian experience, and just before Christ’s first advent. But yet Jesus is still there, counseling, asking them, as a doctor would, to buy and take the prescribed remedies—and to do so with great fervency of zeal. Because things must shortly come to past when they do finally start to happen at the end. The time we have is now. When Christ came, the state of Israel was that they had merged with Rome—the building of the temple was 40 years or more of partnership, and they were owned by Rome at that time; many peoples were raged by demons, leprosy, Sadducees did not believe in Angels or the resurrection and a whole lot more mess of departure from the pillars of the faith delivered to Moses and Abraham. Bam! Bam! Bam! The other letters to the churches do not employ the use of Christ knocking at the door following an appeal for repentance, but because of the deplorable condition of this people, he arrives, stands and knocks every second of their lives. He knows that the insides of the this church is as rotten as the description that he had for the Jewish leaders. And these leaders he is knocking at the door of are the only object that has his single attention. All the entire church is meant to be leaders, priest, and kings. Jesus' death has provided such, so we see (it is revealed by Jesus) in this last condition the total depravity of the leadership, also, the need which God has of developing the 144,000 kings and priest who will show and explain his glory on the earth during 'His day'. He needs them healthy and well; so he comes and stands, bamming on their doors. Stand = I make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint; mid: I place myself, stand, (b) I set in balance, weigh; intrans: (c) I stand, stand by, stand still; met: I stand ready, stand firm, am steadfast. Contextually, to stand in the midst of you, living here with. Knock = I knock, beat a door with a stick, to gain admittance. Contextually, to beat with heavy blows [In almost all the accounts in scripture where the word knock is used, the story in those passages reflect this heavy kind of knock, this urgency decibelled kind of knock.] My Voice = a sound, noise, voice, language, dialect. [To hear 'His way of knocking', the loudness of its physics, and the tragedy heard in the events or messages that are being relayed, one must listen to the words that are in that message to see the loudness, the blaring that is in the message. Additionally, at the end of the age, our time, there is to come a loud cry: no soft knocking, tapping, secret kind of voice or sound, but a very noticeable report of the 'I want to get in and help you' kind of knock. We must change our telling of this verse from its passage, wimpy way in which we now mean it, for it shames the meanings of the words used in the passage. And, it also defames the image that Jesus is trying to show: urgency on his part because he has in the prior verses told the rottenness of the Laodiceans and then says he is knocking. Would a physician coming to a door of a person he has diagnosed as wretched, miserable, poor and blind and naked—would that physician knock softly? The patient inside is obviously laying in bed, dying with not much energy, upstairs in the back room suffering in quiet and safety. The knock would be loudly, people. (Collectively and individually, will we come to the door anyway, even though we have not much clothes on?) Please honor this entire situation which we see in our churches (where it applies), and then let them know that God, whether they want to hear it or not, is giving his loud Bamming! at the door in all we see and hear in our lives—death and tragedy in our families as well as decline in those who we love in the world community.] The Most Unholy Phrase Ever Spoken in the House of God When we discourse in our churches the words 'we are in the Laodicean condition', this can be looked upon as the most unholy phrase ever spoken in the house of God by the leadership--if...there is not attended with the phrase the immediate tears, distraught invocations, and the falling of the face toward the ground in the sight of the people; as Moses did when even a small reproach was accused of his administration. So sensitive to the spiritual condition of the people that, Moses and others tore their righteousness (made themselves naked to the underwear) before the people as if they were the cause of the condition. These past leaders, showed that they had gotten it right. An immediate reaction followed the reproach, a zealous change moved outward to meet and counter the indictment. If this is the worse of the worse of the seven churches condition, and if this condition alone would have required a tearing clothes response from Moses, say, then what do we have to think, when we survey and find that in the Laodicean churches where this condition applies, we find two, three or four other 'church' conditions in the same church (or of the individual). We must weep. Adam and Eve Eve’s and Adam’s condition, also, were all of the above conditions. When they took of the tree and ate with thoughts which ran through their mind of increase or in adam’s case presumption, they became naked, blind, wretched, miserable, and were cast out of their home with the richness of their kingship removed, and placed temporally onto the deceiver. They left their first love. Their oneness was no longer focused on the prime directive: with all your mind, soul, and body. They entertained the serpent—a created thing and allowed its apparent wisdom beguiling to pantheize them, making them think that Godliness was in the nature of the plant. The serpent beguiled, and she did eat, and Adam likewise. They married with Jezebel and ate at her table...they lingered in her presence...They died and surely dying did die...They had conversation with a medium and had interchange (think, intercourse ) with the serpent’s kind of thinking, did not listen to the warnings that prophesided that it was be attempted. That it would happen; that they would die if they did not watch unto prayer, did not watch with eye-salve, and did only the bread of heaven. In the garden story we find spiritualism. We also see a licentious act in the desiring of the forbidden 'fruit'. We see them which say they are part of God's friendship, but are the synagogue of Satan. Satan was a liar from this beginning tree. Eve was first to seek higher office, not unlike Jezebel which acted like King more than Ahab did. Adam and Eve did not keep the word of his patience, and denied his name (seeking a higher different name for herself.) And in finality, they were deceived and didn’t know how deceived and became wretched, poor, blind and miserable and naked. Book of Revelation:
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