Letters to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2-3)

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
PART 1…THE LETTER TO EPHESUS.

Written by J. Leland Earls, Word of Life Fellowship (of Shelton, Washington) in about 1977.


The Lord has spoken to us by means of the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2-3). Seven is the number of the church, and the seven letters portray a prophetic picture of the course of the church throughout the dispensation which is now drawing to a close. This is the day that all things pertaining to the church are coming to a consummation, and before long the final trumpet shall sound the call to battle. During the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God will be finished, and only those prepared shall be able to stand victoriously and help bind the power of Satan's fury (Rev. 10:7).

EPHESUS

The Lord's first message was to the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:1). Of the seven churches mentioned, only to the church of the Ephesians did the Apostle Paul also write an epistle. This is significant for it shows that the letter which the Lord sent to Ephesus portrays the condition in the early church during the days of the Apostle Paul and those associated with him. Even though it was conveyed through John to that church a number of years after Paul's ministry was sealed by death, it portrays by symbolic representation, the church of the Apostolic period. This is why the Lord is represented as the one "that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (Rev. 2:1). In those days the Lord was still in control of the ministries of the church, and He was still walking in power in the midst of His people. He is still walking in the midst of His people, but He is not manifesting the living Word and power through them as His heart desires, because they are as yet unwilling to give Him all the glory, and He will share His glory with no man. He is still holding in His right hand certain special ministries of His choosing, and they are being prepared in this hour for a mighty work; but so many of those ministries are as yet unwilling to let Him hold them completely, having so many desires and ambitions of their own. So, by His Spirit He broods over His people and ministries, longingly waiting for the time that He can once again assume full control and Headship over all that is His. This He will do, and very shortly, for none shall be able to thwart His purpose, and those who have been prepared shall rise up in power as ONE MAN, fitly joined together as His Body, ready to fulfill their destined calling in this end-time.

Now the glory of the Apostolic church is seen in the words of commendation which the Lord spoke unto it.

"I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My Name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. " Revelation 2:2-3

The early church was vigilant against evil which corrupts and against false apostles sowing seeds of error. But they were lax in guarding against the intrusion of interests which began to capture their attention and affection to the extent that their love for the Lord was no longer the primary, all-consuming focus of their lives. Therefore the Lord said, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Rev. 2:4). Here is the key to maintaining freshness and vigor in your Christian life as well as power and vitality in the church. Ever make the Lord the object of your love and adoration. Let no person or thing become more important in your life than Him. Let not your primary concern be the doing of things for Him, but let it be the outpouring of your love to Him as you spend much time in the secret place of meditation on His Word and the uplifting of praises unto Him. When you become primarily occupied with the doing of things FOR Him, in works and labors, you are focusing your attention on that which is secondary, and like those in the early church you are in danger of leaving your first love. Live in His love; let it consume your very being; then your labors will indeed be great. But they will be a demonstration of LOVE WROUGHT OUT, and not merely the attempt to gain something: whether that be in the sight of men, for praise and recognition, or in the Lord's sight, to gain His favor and reward. The Lord does not care for your works, as such, but He prizes highly that which represents love poured out, in obedience and faithfulness.

His admonition to the church at Ephesus, as representative of the Apostolic period, was to "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" (Rev. 2:5). The "first works" which the Lord wanted them to return to were the works of obedience, demonstrating love. For those who love Him keep His commandments. He is not interested in His people doing works for works sake. He is interested in His people loving Him and obeying Him. When the early church began to get its eyes on labors and works, no matter how well intentioned, forgetting to look unto Him in obedient love, to do His will, then were they commanded to repent. But having failed to heed that warning, their lamp was removed, and the glory and power of the Apostolic period began to wane until it was as a lamp which had ceased to shine.

But there were those who rose above the wayward tendencies of their brethren. They were sensitive to the Spirit’s wooing and leading. To them did the Lord speak:

"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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7

The "overcomers" were given special promises because of their fidelity to the Lord and obedience to His Word, overcoming the tendency to laxness in seeking Him and His will first. They were privileged to eat of the "tree of life." This tree is none other than the Lord's own life and righteousness imparted to those who receive Him by faith. But the eating of the fruit thereof speaks of the joys and blessedness of those who have so yielded unto Him in love and obedience, that the fruits of righteousness, the fruits of the Spirit's working in their inner being, have been brought forth in profusion. This is the tree of life bearing its fruit in the midst of the paradise of God. That paradise, in one application, represents the 'garden' of the human body, in the midst of which divine life is at work, watered by the Word and the Spirit, and quickened by the warmth of reciprocating love.

The Lord commended the church of Ephesus for one other attribute. "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" (Rev. 2:6). The Nicolaitans were those who slyly sought to elevate certain leaders above the people in such a way that they gradually assumed sacerdotal importance, even as the priests of the pagan religions. But such deeds were clearly evident in those who were followers and promoters of false apostles, and the true saints refused to be misled by those who sought to substitute spiritual authority for authority appointed and enforced by men. If God's people in this day are to enter into His purposes, and receive the glory awaiting, they must have the spiritual perception to discern between the false and the true, and "hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans" even as the early Christians did. The Lord's true ministries do not need the carnal ways of man to fulfill their calling, and He will hold His people exalt and promote the flesh of men as a substitute for true spiritual authority and power. That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in God's sight (Lk. 16:15).



Letters to the Seven Churches,
Part 2,
SMYRNA
Written by Leland Earls in about 1977. Word of Life Fellowship. Shelton, WA.
www.wordoflifefellowship.com

The Lord's second message was unto the church of Smyrna. Since this letter followed the one to Ephesus, it portrays, by symbolic representation, the period in the history of the church following the Apostolic age. It was the period of the great persecutions under the Roman emperors. That is why the Lord's salutation at the beginning has to do with life forevermore; for many saints were martyred during this period of history. So it is written: "These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive" (Rev. 2:8). It was the Lord's assurance that as He was the first to die by the hands of the persecutors, so would He be with all who had to lay down their lives for His Name's sake, even unto the last one. And even as He was made alive after death, so would He quicken to life all who laid down their lives in death: first in the eternal realms of the soul, and finally in the resurrection of the physical body.

During the time of these intense persecutions by the Roman beast, it was a common practice to confiscate the property and belongings of the Christians who would not deny their faith. Therefore did the Lord speak unto them:

"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." Revelation 2:9

Many found themselves in great poverty as far as material things were concerned, but they were rich in faith and in spiritual verities. Although the persecutions were carried out by the Roman powers, in many instances, behind the scenes, the instigators were the Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire. These Jews, though claiming to be descendants of Abraham according to the flesh, were not 'true Jews', or Israelites indeed, according to the spirit of faith (Rom. 2:28-29). Having rejected the Messiah, and having sinned against great light, they became blinded captives of the enemy, even Satan, and thus the very manifest enemies of all Christians. Their 'blasphemy' consisted of their laying claim to the Name of the Almighty as His chosen, but not in truth and righ¬teousness. Yet they have been preserved according to the flesh, for a purpose yet to be fulfilled at the close of the age.

So great was the persecution of these saints that untold thousands were imprisoned. Therefore the Lord spoke,

"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 2:10

For many, the imprisonment was unto death; oft times by means of savage torture at the hands of men or by the mouths of lions. The ten days mentioned is symbolic of the ten great persecutions which rose and receded during a period of over two centuries. The ten also portrays the completion of a soul cycle, whereby that life which had been received into the souls of those persecuted was tested and proven through the 'fires' of opposition, engendering completion unto 'life crowned'. This 'crown of life' promised to those who would be faithful unto death is life on a higher plane of being. It will be received when the Lord returns to gather His full overcoming saints unto Himself. This life will be manifested in a glorified physical body, like unto the Lord's own glorious body (Phil. 3:21). It goes beyond eternal life in the soul realm, or resurrected physical life on the earth plane. It is the ultimate of that which the Lord has planned for those who love Him and keep His commandments.

A promise of assurance is given in this letter unto those who overcome, even in a measure. The Lord states that, "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11). There are degrees of overcoming, as seen in the fact that in all there are seven special promises to the overcomers in the seven letters. The assurance given here is for those who go beyond the initial believing in the Lord's vicarious atonement for their sins. The escaping of the second death is possible only through being 'born anew' of the incorruptible seed (Jn. 3:3-5, I Pet. 1:23). When His very own LIFE is imparted to the soul, it is forever free from death, and the eventual restoration of the physical body is also assured, if that body has been laid aside in death. The second death has to do with a future judgment day, and those who have "passed from death to life" (Jn. 5:24) need have no fear, for they remain secure, and when the “lake of fire:” is activated, netting the second death for both body and soul (Matt. 10:28), they shall have no part therein (see Rev. 20:9-15). "He that has an ear, lei him hear what the Spirit is saying unto the churches."
Written by J. Leland Earls, Word of Life Fellowship (of Shelton, Washington) in about 1977. www.wordoflifefellowship.com. They hold the copyright.

Letters to the Seven Churches,
Part 4, Thyatira

THYATIRA

The fourth church to which the Lord delivered a message was Thyatira. During this era, the apostasy culminated with the complete centralization of power in the bishop of Rome who was given the title of Pope' (or papa) of bishops, The Eastern section of the organized church resisted this centralization of power in the West, and gradually a schism developed to such proportions that an open split resulted After commending the faithful of the church of Thyatira for their works and charity and service and faith and patience, the Lord expressed His displeasure at the increased apostasy:

"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." Revelation 2:20

That which was the "doctrine of Balaam" during the Pergamos era, became, in the Thyatira period of the church, the seducing tactics of "that woman Jezebel." Jezebel was the wife of the wicked king Ahab during the days that Israel had almost completely abandoned the faith of their fathers. She was the daughter of a foreign king who brought her alien religion into Israel, and because of the weakness of Ahab, she dominated the religious life of the nation, destroying the true Prophets of God and establishing the prophets of Baal and Asherah (see 1 Kings 16:30-32; 18:4,13,19). This is the typical picture the Lord chooses in order to portray the religious condition of the Thyatira period, commonly referred to as the Middle Ages: the inception of which was in the years of growing Papal power.

The Lord declares that Jezebel seduced His servants to commit fornication. Symbolically, this Jezebel is one and the same as the great whore described in Revelation 17,

"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
Revelation 17:2

This "fornication" has to do with the illicit relationship of church and state, primarily; however, it relates also to the unholy union of church and manmade organizations which purport to speak for the Lord. It is the church turning to the "arm of flesh" for its sustenance and propagating power (Jer. 17:5). This "mother of harlots" is symbolic of false religion -that which is alien to the true spirit of Christ. She has filled the earth with her abominations, and the inhabitants of the earth are drunk with the wine of her fornication.

This woman has plied her trade for many centuries, even before the Christian era began. She is pictured as sitting upon many waters, or peoples, and also upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 17:1-3). From the over-all historical perspective, the seven heads are seven major nations or empires which have been, or will be, influenced by this woman. They are: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (both pagan and Christian, including those nations which have apostatized into Communism, taking upon their heads the name of blasphemy - (Rev. 13:1), and the coming world government of the False Prophet which must continue for a short time (Rev. 13:11-18, 17:10, 19:20). The woman, or false religion, will continue to hold sway in the coming era of the seventh head, for the corrupt religious systems, both Catholic and Protestant, will enter into league with it. The sixth head, which ruled in the Apostle John's day (Rev. 17:10), has continued until this day, as its hereditary power has continued through Christendom, even though apostate and blasphemous.

Historically, the woman, which is the priestcraft of false religion, has affected the affairs of the nations directly through the close relationship of government and an officially sup ported priesthood. The priesthood has helped the ruling forces to maintain their power and control by keeping the masses of people in subjection through fear and supposed paternalistic favor. Thus the woman is supported or carried by the Beast through an official working relationship between religion and state. In those former Christian nations which have taken upon their heads the name of blasphemy, however, there is a different relationship between the woman and the Beast. The woman is responsible for the coming into being of such Marxist dictatorships by fostering conditions leading to severe reaction against the corrupt system which prevailed through her fornication. Thus false religion actually is responsible for spawning the likes of Communism; it is her offspring. And because she has spawned it, she shall be judged by it.

This is portrayed in the prophetic picture by the following:

"And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” Revelation 17:16

The ten horns are ten nations which will be completely taken over by Beastial elements and become an integral part of the "sea beast" (Rev. 13:1). They shall then turn against the religious systems and decimate them, both Catholic and Protestant. This will include the very stronghold of the Roman church system in Italy - the Vatican. Think not that only the Catholic branches of apostate Christianity will feel the wrath of the Beast. The harlot daughters of the Protestant fold will also be greatly affected.

In the letter to Thyatira, the Lord gave this warning concerning Jezebel:

"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds." Revelation 2:22

It will be during the Great Tribulation that the great whore will be decimated by the Beastial powers, which correspond to the dogs that ate Jezebel after she was cast down and trodden under foot (II Ki. 9:30-37). The Lord has given her much opportunity to repent of her fornication but she has refused, therefore He will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that it is He which searches the reins and hearts: and He will give unto everyone according to their works (Rev. 2:21, 23). The time is drawing near when all of these things will take place. Therefore consider, for even now we are being tried; and the Lord is searching our hearts,

"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." Revelation 2:24

As in the other letters, there is a promise given to the overcomers in the message to Thyatira.

“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.” Revelation 2:26-28

In the letter to Thyatira, the first mention is made of the Great Tribulation which comes at the close of the church age. This is because the apostate religious system which became entrenched during the Thyatira period continues until the Tribulation and will be judged at that time. The initial fulfillment of the promise to the overcomers will come at the beginning of the Tribulation period. The Lord will translate and take unto Himself 144,000 of the choicest of saints, and they will be given power over the nations during the Tribulation. They will be functioning in their glorified bodies and will have the power to appear and disappear on the earth. This ability will constitute the "rod of iron" which will be used as the means to speak God's word and enforce His judgments. Jesus received of His Father authority, and He will give to His servants authority to implement His will among the nations, and those nations which do not that which they make known will be broken in pieces as a potter's vessel. These Firstfruits saints are also given the pledge of the "morning star," which is the Lord's betrothal to them as the Bridegroom. They are the wise virgins, received into the marriage at the midnight hour (Matt. 25:10). They make up "the queen in gold of Ophir” to be "brought unto the king in raiment of needlework" (Ps. 45:9-14). "The virgins her companions that follow her" will be brought unto Him at the close of the Tribulation (Ps. 45:14 15). They are the foolish virgins who are not completely read) at the beginning of the Tribulation, when He comes as a thief in the night (Matt. 25:11-13). He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.


Part 5, Sardis

SARDIS

Following the Thyatira era was the period of church history represented by the church in Sardis. To this church the Lord spoke saying,

"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."
Revelation 3:1

After many centuries of entrenched apostasy, the Sardis era dawned with the raising up of the great Reformers who protested the abuses and falsehoods of the Roman system. The Scriptures began to be opened to them and they began to speak the truth with power. The discovery of printing and the invention of the printing press also enabled them to print and distribute portions of the Scriptures to multitudes of people. In time a mighty movement was sweeping across the formerly Catholic dominated countries of Europe, and that which was later known as Protestantism was born. That is why He spoke as the One Who "has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars." For the first time in hundreds of years there was a large scale spiritual awakening: a coming forth from slumber and darkness. The "seven stars" indicate the coming forth during that time of a true spiritual ministry, and the "seven spirits" portray the working of the spirit of revelation and power. Thus it was fulfilled that the church of the Reformation had a name that lived; but, immediately following, the Lord said: "and art dead" (Rev. 3:1). Why? Although the Reformers broke away from the dead forms of the Roman church, they very soon began to establish church systems patterned after their Catholic mother. Although avoiding the complete centralization of power, they began to erect hierarchies of authority by means of man-made denominational councils and clerical bodies of various kinds. There was also a further turning to the 'arm of flesh' by entering into the church-state relationship in various countries A further deadening influence came from the creedal battles which ensued for many years. Thus that which had sprung forth as a living movement gradually became crystallized into well-established and organized denominations with rigid lines of demarcation, and fixed creeds and forms. Therefore did God speak:

"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 holdfast, 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." Revelation 3:2-3

The fact that He spoke of His coming "as a thief indicates that the Protestant denominations, along with their Catholic mother, will not be expecting His return, but will be taken completely by surprise. There are a few, however, who will be ready. Of them did He speak:

"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." Revelation 3:4

Their garments, which they have kept undefiled, are their inner soul garments. Originally washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 1:5, 7:14), they have been kept continually white and pure through obedience to the Truth, and the washing of the water of the Word (I Pet. 1:22, Eph. 5:26-27). They will "walk with Him in white" by being received of Him when He comes as a thief at the beginning of the Tribulation period, and by being clothed with their glorified bodies.
As in the other letters, a further promise was given to the overcomers.

"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." Revelation 3:5

The white raiment mentioned here symbolizes the glori¬fied bodies with which the translated saints will be clothed. On its own plane of existence such a body glows with the soft white light of the glory of God. When manifesting on the earth plane and appearing to those yet in the flesh, the glori¬fied body vibrates to the pitch of flesh and bone (Lk. 24:39) and is as tangible as any flesh and blood body; but its sustaining principle is no longer the life in the blood, which links the body with the earth and its elements, for the very life-substance of God sustains it and relates it to the plane of divine life and light. It is because the overcomer is so clothed that the Lord is able to confess his name before His Father and before His angels. None except those so clothed will ever be ushered into the Presence of the Most High God. And to them is the added assurance given that under no circumstances will their name ever be removed from the "Book of Life." They will be sons of glory, manifesting the life and light of God on their own plane of existence, but also ministering to and watching over those who are yet on the earth plane. They shall be joined by a great host at the close of the Tribulation as many more overcomers put on their garments of light and glory, to be united with Him in joint-heirship and joint-rulership of all that is His (Rev. 7:9-17).
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LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES, PART 6, CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA

The sixth message was given to the Philadelphia Church. This church represents that era out of which arose the great evangelical and missionary witness which has caused the Gospel to be sent to many lands. It had its inception during the time that the Protestant churches had become virtually dead and ineffectual in their witness. Especially in the English speaking countries there was a turning to the Lord by individuals and small groups of Christians seeking revival because of the desperately wicked conditions prevalent. The Lord heard their cry, even as His words indicate:

"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." Revelation 3:7-8

He is presented as the One Who is holy and true, because the emphasis was placed on holiness of life, and the present¬ing of the Gospel of truth to the ends of the earth. Flaming evangelists arose calling sinners to repentance. Missionary societies of various kinds began to mushroom, and over a period of a number of years, thousands of missionaries went to heathen lands. Many movements arose placing the emphasis on the simple life of the New Testament in faith and order. Other movements arose placing the emphasis on holiness, sanctification and separateness from the world.

Hand in hand with this spiritual resurgence, primarily in the English speaking world, went the advent of Britain and the United States to positions of world leadership. Thus tru¬ly an open door was set before the church of the 19th century to present the Gospel witness throughout the world. The two greatest Christian nations had both the opportunity and the means presented to them; for as the sovereign King, having the key of David, the Lord pledged that no man would shut that door.

During the era of the sixth church the Lord gave the Christian peoples an unprecedented opportunity, an open door, to come into the fullness of that number, for on the sixth day He created man, and said "let him have dominion” (Gen. 1:26). If God's people had been willing to pay the price, spiritual dominion could have arisen throughout the earth and the way prepared for a 20th century of righteousness and peace. But instead, the 20th century has seen two World Wars, many smaller ones, and a third World War is now on the horizon. It saw the beast of Communism arise and enslave multitudes of people. It saw the rapid decline of Britain in world leadership. It is now seeing the power of entrenched evil fasten itself upon the nations as never before; and the breakdown of law and order is a growing menace. It is seeing the rapid loss of individual liberties and the increasing control by expanding governments. It is seeing unprecedented moral breakdown on all levels of society, and the increasing deterioration of the organized churches into the practical infidelity of liberalism and modernism. All of this BECAUSE the Lord's people failed to avail themselves of the open door which He set before them to vigorously carry forth the commission to evangelize the nations.

Because of the faithfulness of a small remnant which has kept the Lord's Word, and has not denied His Name, He will continue to keep this door open even unto the end of the age, and the Gospel of the Kingdom will yet be preached in all nations for a witness before the end comes (Matt. 24:14). But because of the failure to carry forth the Word during the years when the way would have been relatively easy, the battle will now be hard fought, with much opposition. Only at a great cost will the message now be carried to the ends of the earth, for the martyrs will be many, as Satanic power in full fury arises to encompass the earth. And those who truly love Him will have to give up most of their earthly wealth and possessions in order to remain true to the Lord and keep from receiving the mark of the Beast in their foreheads and in their hands (Rev. 13:16).

How can we fulfill the Lord's Word? Our strength is small (Rev. 3:8). It will be because of the Lord's secret strategy! Spiritual power unprecedented will be available when He suddenly translates the 144,000 Firstfruits and commissions them to uphold and guide His end-time Body on the earth, and when He pours out His Spirit in profusion in fulfillment of the end-time Pentecost. And through the supernatural guidance of His glorified ones, and the anointed ministry of His chosen saints on earth, His Word shall go forth in power, accompanied by signs, wonders and miracles. So will the true spirit of the Philadelphia church continue until the end, that a mighty harvest might be brought forth unto the Lord.

Even as the apostate Roman church of the Thyatira period continues to the end to be cast into a bed of Tribulation (Rev. 2:22-23), and the dying Protestant churches, which had their inception in the Sardis era, continue to be taken by surprise when He comes as a thief (Rev. 3:3), so will the faithful remnant represented by the Philadelphia church continue as a witness of the Lord's faithfulness until through them He has accomplished the fulfillment of the open door that no man can shut. Those nations which seem to be shut to a vital Gospel witness shall yet be penetrated with mighty revival.

After the Lord has poured out His Spirit on the prepared and waiting remnant, and a mighty revival begins to sweep across the earth, then will the words be fulfilled:
"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." Revelation 3:9

One of the great phenomena of the end-time revival will be the turning of many Jews to the Lord as their Messiah. This will be brought about by the unusual witness of those who have been especially prepared and commissioned for a Spirit-powered ministry that will convince and convict. Many who have been the Satan-impelled enemies of the Cross and the Christian Gospel will suddenly make an about face and become outspoken witnesses for the Truth. They will come in humility and repentance, and in great contrition, and sit at the feet of those who are gathered together in the spirit of the Philadelphia church, where the love of God is manifested in reality and power. Then they will be 'true Jews' indeed, in the spirit of the New Covenant of faith, and the circumcision of the heart (Rom. 2:28-29). And they shall worship the Lord in oneness of heart with those they had formerly despised.

The Lord spoke a further word to the Philadelphia church,
"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." Revelation 3:10-11

This has a two-fold application. First, the 144,000 wise virgin Firstfruits will be taken and translated into the Heavenly realm just before the great hour of trial begins. They shall be redeemed from the earth to stand before the Son of man, that they might be commissioned for duty among the saints yet on earth during the Tribulation (Lk. 21:36, Rev. 14:4).

Secondly, all those who faithfully keep the Lord's Word and put their complete trust in Him, will receive His protection and guidance, that they be not confused, confounded or harmed by the trying events and circumstances of the Tribulation period. There will be those who will die for His Name's sake that they might receive the martyr's reward, but only because they have willingly agreed to make such a sacrifice. But until their time comes, they will be kept from all harm. The "crown" mentioned is that which He has spoken of elsewhere. It corresponds to the prize of the high calling: those who will be received into the Heavenly Kingdom to rule and reign with Him. Give diligence, therefore, to make your calling and election sure (II Pet. 1:10).

Finally, in the Philadelphia letter, there is the sixth promise to the overcomers.
"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 cometh down out
of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new Name." Revelation 3:12The temple which the Lord is building is a spiritual one made of living stones (I Pet. 2:5, Eph. 2:20-22). The stones are now being hewn and prepared, as each overcomer yields to the working of the Lord's Spirit in his or her life. He is the chief corner stone of this temple which is to be filled with the fullness of the glory of God. This temple will be fitly joined together, first on earth, and then in the heavenlies. He is now moving by His Spirit to bring about the fulfillment of that which we read about in the Scriptures.

The type of that which the Lord is doing is portrayed in the events which led up to the construction of the physical Temple under Solomon. You will notice that David prepared in abundance for the temple before his death, and he set masons to work to hew wrought stones for the building thereof (see I Chron. 22:1-5). David's reign is a type of the Christian dispensation, even as the preceding reign of Saul is a type of the era of the Law. Solomon's reign is a type of the Kingdom era which is now at hand. The Temple was not actually joined together until Solomon began his reign, but the preparation was made in the reign of David by the gathering of the material and the hewing of the stones. The stones were prepared in the quarries before they were brought together at the building site. So perfect was the preparation that each stone fit in its proper place so that "there was neither hammer nor axe not any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building" (I Kings. 6:7).

This is why the Lord must do a perfecting work in our lives now, for as living stones in His Temple you must be prepared to take your place in that which He has chosen for you. For before long He will begin to move mightily to join together the living stones as a mighty witness to His power and glory. Even as Solomon was anointed king before David'; death, so does this portray the fact that there is an overlap ping of dispensations. The Day of the Lord, or Solomon's reign, has its inception before the Christian dispensation, or David's reign, is completely over. The overlapping period is signaled by the beginning of the blowing of the seven trumpets recorded in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 8:2). Historically this period had its inception during the years that the secret of the atom was being unlocked and, more specifically, when the first atomic bomb was exploded. But the actual joining together in power of the Lord's glorious Temple does not take place until the blowing of the seventh trumpet when His secret strategy takes place and He pours out His Spirit in a second Pentecost.

What He joins together on earth as a witness to His Glory, and to bring forth a mighty harvest as one age is closing and another is beginning, He will also join together in the heavenlies. For immediately following the Great Tribulation, a great host of overcomers will be joined to Him in the Heavenly Kingdom, being united with one another and with the Firstfruits who preceded them (Rev. 14:2-4). This glorified body of saints will then be the means whereby the Lord will dwell in the midst of the people who are on the earth within the confines of the earthly kingdom. For those in the earthly kingdom will receive constant teaching, guidance and counsel from the glorified saints.

Because of the destiny of the overcoming saints, and their coming inheritance as joint heirs in the Heavenly Kingdom, being associated with all the Heavenly retinue, He will write upon them the name of His God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and His new Name (Rev. 3:12). The writing of these names has nothing to do with an outward inscription of any kind. They are expressive of Spirit impartations, making the recipients equal to that which is required for participation in and fulfillment of their assigned positions. The "name of My God" must be written upon the foreheads of all overcomers while yet in the flesh. It is their 'sealing' for the Spirit-powered ministry that is to come forth in His spiritual temple, or Body in this end time (Rev. 7:3, 14:1). After the overcoming saints have been glorified they shall receive the name, or power- potential, necessary for them to dwell within the New Jerusalem, which will come down out of the upper heavens and be stationed in the stratosphere above the earth. This will then be the home and headquarters for the glorified saints, who will descend and ascend to and from the earth to carry out their duties. They will also receive the power-potential of the Lord's new Name, in order that they may be fully equipped for the task of ruling and reigning with Him. He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Posted by Joel Jones at 4:38 AM 0 comments Links to this post



THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES, Part 7
LAODICEA
Written by J. Leland Earls, Word of Life Fellowship (of Shelton, Washington) in about 1977. See www.wordoflifefellowship.com


The final message in the Book of Revelation that was given to John was to the church of the Laodiceans. To this church is written:

"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." Revelation 3:14-15

The church of the Laodiceans portrays the final era of the Christian dispensation. It represents the prevailing conditions extant in the organized church world as this age draws to a close. Insipid lukewarmness is the chief characteristic. Because of this He has spewed the entire organized church out of His mouth, both Catholic and Protestant. This does not mean He has repudiated those individuals who truly believe in Him and are yet in the organized systems. But before the end comes, they must hear His call:

"come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4)

The Lord is presented in this letter as the "faithful and true witness" in contrast to the unfaithfulness and distorted witness of the Laodicean church. He is also presented as "the beginning of the creation of God" because of the inception of the new thing that He will do as the Laodicean era comes to a close. He will raise up a mighty witness in the remnant that is being called out of the Babylonish church systems, and they shall manifest the power and glory of that new creation which is coming forth through His resurrection life. Since the Lord is the firstborn among many brethren, there will be many who will come to that measure of maturity which will enable Him to unveil them as the sons of God, giving them immortality for their physical bodies (Rom. 8:19, 29). Some will put on the glory of the celestial as their bodies are changed into the likeness of His glorious body (Phil. 3:21); and others will manifest sonship on the terrestrial plane, having their bodies changed from corruptible to incorruptible (I Cor. 15:40-41, 53-54).

Now notice a further characteristic of the Laodicean period.

"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 eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Revelation 3:17-19

A contributing factor to the spiritual lukewarmness of the present day church-world is the prosperity which abounds in most Western nations. A feeling of smug complacency has blinded the churches to their spiritual poverty and their desperate need. Clothed with their own self-righteousness, they know not their nakedness in His sight. Therefore He has raised up messengers to expose and rebuke the carnality, apostasy and ineptness of the spiritually destitute churches. This calls for repentance! The Lord is moving in His providence to bring chastening through adverse conditions in civil life and international affairs. Conditions will become so severe that the people of the predominantly Christian nations will either repent or perish. It is because of His great love for those who know not their folly and the consequences thereof that He rebukes and chastens. The Lord must awaken those who are asleep and destined for destruction. Otherwise there would be no hope.
There is a great need now for the three things which the Lord offers. The first is gold tried in the fire. Gold is a symbol of true spiritual character, brought about by the working of His Spirit and forged in the crucible of testing experiences. He must have a people who are completely receptive to His workings in their inner being and thoroughly purged from the dross of their own ways. The second is white raiment. This is symbolic of that righteousness and purity which only He can impart. Only those who are fully clothed with this raiment can enter into the end-time ministry of that spiritual Body which He is raising up. The third is eye-salve to anoint the eyes. Only the revelation of the Lord's Spirit can cause us to see the mighty truths which He wants us to know in this hour. Since He counsels to "buy" of Him, there is a price which must be paid. The price is simply the willingness to let Him have your life to do with it as He pleases. Only as there is complete yielding and obedience, can He be the means of bringing forth in your life pure gold, impart unto you white raiment, and anoint your eyes to see His truth.

"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." Revelation 3:20

He longs to have that intimate communion with us which is described in these words. But so few want to invite Him in to take complete control of their lives. This is the day that He is offering to make Himself real unto a people as never before in history. Open your heart and let Him have His way in you. He is then ready to show Himself strong on your behalf. No other generation has had as great an opportunity as He is offering unto you in this hour. He stands at the door and knocks; the choice is yours.

Now, look at the final promise to the overcomers in these seven letters.

"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." Revelation 3:21
Even though He was the very Son of the Highest, functioning on the plane of Deity, He emptied Himself and took on the form of man, that He might overcome as a man. Then was He highly exalted and given a place of rulership on the Throne of His Father. This is the pattern for those who love Him and let Him bring them into an overcoming experience, rising above the spiritual level of most Christians. To "overcome" means to 'rise above', to 'come up over to a higher spiritual plane'. It comes only through greater yielding and submission to the Lord's will. The time is coming soon when He will sit upon the Throne of His glory in the Heavenly) Kingdom which will be set up in the realms surrounding the earth. Then shall the overcomers of all the church eras be exalted to sit on that throne with Him. They will then be kings and priests to rule with Him over the earth (Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 20:4). Truly this is the PRIZE of the high calling; it is both joint heirship on the plane of glorified life, and joint rulership with Him in His Kingdom. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Again notice that in each of the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia, it is unto the angel of the church that He addresses His words. What does this mean? In the vision which John saw, the Lord was standing in the midst of the seven lamps and in His right hand He held seven stars (Rev. 1:13, 16). Then He spoke concerning this mystery:

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Revelation 1:20

We have already viewed the mystery of the seven churches; as portraying the seven epochs, or eras, of time from the Apostolic church unto the end of the age.
Now let us look at the mystery of the seven angels. In its first application, the seven angels are seven heavenly beings who have been given charge over the church during this age one over each of the seven epochs. In its second application the seven angels or messengers are seven men who have been raised up: one within each of the seven church periods with a special commission and message for that time. Each of these men has fulfilled his commission; the seventh and last has finished his work. This means that a new day is breaking and a new era is at hand. And the Lord is now raising up messengers to bring His people into the truths and powers of that new day. Do not look back to the past; neither to any of the messengers of the past. But receive that which the Lord is making known through messengers of the new day. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

posted by Joel Jones at bible-based-studies.blogspot.com , copyright Word of Life Fellowship, Shelton, Washington USA .... www.wordoflifefellowship.com