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PENTECOST – 2000
“The Seven Church Harvest" #1
Ephesus
Fred R. Coulter – April 29, 2000
Well now we’ve gotten through the Feast of Unleavened Bread and all the
meaning of that, and also during the Feast of Unleavened Bread we have the
first connection between the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost.
And that is the Wave Sheaf Offering day. And so I’ve already done the
sermon on the Wave Sheaf Offering day, and let’s look at something which I
think there’s a parallel with. And that is you know that when you
count to Pentecost that you are to count seven complete weeks and come to
the 50th day. Now there’s a parallel with this concerning
the harvest.
Let’s begin by going to Matthew 13 because the harvest could not begin in
Jerusalem, or around Jerusalem, until first the wave sheaf offering was cut.
And Edersheim, who wrote a book about the times and practices in Jerusalem
in the time of Christ, showed that they had a special ceremony that they
would do on the regular Sabbath during Unleavened Bread. And that is
they would have a team, officials. There’d be priests and Levites and
so forth. And they would walk out to a special place on the mount of
Olives where they had a special patch of barley. This barley was to be
used for the wave sheaf offering, the very first one. So what they
would do, they would have a man ready with a sickle. And he was to
cut. But first there was someone who would ask, “Has the sun gone
down?” He would ask it three times, and they would time it in such a
way that after the third time “Has the sun gone down?” then they would
cut that first sheaf.
Now this first sheaf, as we know from Leviticus 23 is the primary sheaf, or
the one that pictures Christ, meaning that He was the first one resurrected
from the dead. And the timing of it was exactly when He ended His
three days and three nights in the tomb. Now, He was the first of the
firstfruits. And as I pointed out in a sermon, He is the firstborn
among many brethren. And we are the Church of the firstborn.
Now let’s pick it up here and let’s see. Matthew 13, we won’t go
through all the parables, but it shows here in verse 23 the good seed.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word,
and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,
some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matt. 13:23).
Then the other parable is the one of the tares. Now let’s come down
here to verse 36. “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into
the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the
parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He
that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the
good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of
the wicked one” (vs. 36-38). And as we will see all the way
through all the Churches of God, when we come to Revelation 2 and 3, there
is this confrontation continuously between those who are of the children of
the kingdom, have the Spirit of God, and those who are of the children of
Satan the devil, the children of the wicked one.
“The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the
world…”, or the end of the age. And then so this shows that it is
going to be a harvest. And the harvest feast that we have that relates
to this is the Feast of the Firstfruits, the harvest which is at the end of
the 50 days. Seven weeks plus one day. “… And the reapers are
the angels.” And Jesus said that we would be brought up, you know
resurrected, and the angels would take us up. “As therefore the tares
are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this
world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall
gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth” (vs. 39-42).
Now let’s come here to Revelation 2 and 3 for just a minute and let’s see a
parallel. And as we look at this, before we go back and begin at the
beginning of Revelation, let’s ask the question: why are there only seven
churches in Revelation 2 and 3? Now it’s interesting, Paul wrote to
seven churches. You have the epistles to the seven churches that he
wrote. And there’s one that’s overlapping, which is Ephesus.
Then there is mention in Colossians of Laodicea but we don’t have the letter
from Laodicea. Another thing that is interesting too is that all of
these churches are Gentile churches. Nothing whatsoever to do with any
of the Jewish churches. This is nothing of Jerusalem.
Furthermore it says nothing of Rome, says nothing of Corinth, or the other
churches over in Greece. All of these churches are connected by mail
route, as we know by different commentaries in history concerning it.
But what I want to show you is this: we have the seven churches in
Revelation 2 and 3, and I believe this represents the harvest of God down
through time right to the end. The seven churches represent the Church
harvest. Now when we come to Revelation 7 we have another harvest.
Revelation 7, what do we have? The 144,000 and the great innumerable
multitude. This harvest is God’s special harvest, which we will see on
Pentecost, that He sends the angels to seal with the Holy Spirit. So
this is quite different than what the Church does through baptism.
This harvest in Revelation 7, I believe, represents the 50th day
harvest and that is God’s harvest alone. So you have the seven
churches plus the harvest of Revelation 7, which then you could liken unto
the eighth church if you want to put it that way. Eight is the number
of new beginning and this is a new beginning for all these people here that
are called, beginning with the children of Israel and the great innumerable
multitude.
So that’s the overview with how it connects with Pentecost. We know
that the Church began on Pentecost with the giving of the Holy Spirit, Acts
2. Now let’s look at some other things here. Now Revelation
means “the revealing”. It says here the revelation…let’s come to
chapter 1 and verse 1, we’ll read a few verses here, and then we will look
at how some of these things have developed.
“The Revelation of Jesus Chris, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His
servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: who bare record of the word of
God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear [that is hear to
understand] the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are
written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:1-3). Now we can get an awful lot out of here.
First of all we have the word of God again, “…bare record of the word of
God. This ties in with John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God…”. So there’s the
connection with that again. “…And of the testimony of Christ…”, and
the testimony of Christ is everything that He taught us of the Father.
And there is a blessing which comes from hearing it. There’s a
blessing which comes from reading it. And there’s a blessing for
keeping those things which are written therein. And I think as we go
through here we will see, not only do the people of God keep the
commandments of God, but also especially in the seven churches, which we are
going to take a quick overview of, is that they always fought the children
of the wicked one. So this harvest in Matthew 13 with the children of
the kingdom and the children of the wicked one, here that battle is
constantly going on and then manifests itself toward the end of the book of
Revelation with the man of sin, the son of perdition, and the whole world
going after the beast and the false prophet.
Verse 4, “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to
come…” Now there are a lot of people who think that has to do with the
trinity but it doesn’t because the One Who is, is Christ. He was the
One Who was dead, rose again, and which is to come. “…And from the seven
Spirits which are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first [born] begotten of the dead…” Now that’s the way it should
read. Whenever it talks about “begotten” concerning Christ, it is He
is the only begotten of the Father. “Only begotten” in the Greek is monogenes. And the “firstborn” is prototokos, meaning a
birth, prototokos. So this should be “firstborn from among the
dead”, because that’s what all of this is about, how to receive eternal
life, and that through Jesus Christ.
Now let’s understand something about the Church. Let’s look at some
basic things. Let’s come back here to Matthew 16. Christ is the
head of the Church. We’ve gone through that so many times, but we’re
going to do it again. Because His message to all of the churches is
His message as the head of the Church. Matthew 16:15. After He
asked the disciples who do men say He was, and they said some of them say
He’s John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. And
He said to them, verse 15, “…But Whom say ye that I am? And Simon
Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona [now
Bar just means son, son of Jona]: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 16:15-17).
Now this is profound. Who does the calling? John 6:44, “None can
come to Me unless the Father draw Him.” So the Father is the One Who
draws. The Father is the One Who reveals.
How is it that one day in your life you wanted to know about God and where
the Church of God was? How did that happen? Something happened
in your mind. Something changed. And that something that changed
was the Father dealing with you with His Spirit. Otherwise you’d still
be out in the world doing what the world is doing. And today there are
so many things out there in the world that it’s really quite a profound
thing to understand how God intervenes and deals in peoples lives.
There was a young man recently, who he said he, from a child he went to
Sunday-keeping church. And when he began to understand when he was a
little older he would sit there in the Sunday-keeping church and say, “I
wonder why we’re not keeping the Sabbath. I wonder why we’re not
keeping the Sabbath.” See so even in that Sunday-keeping church God
was beginning to deal with him, see.
So one of the brethren back there in Dayton gave him the first four tapes
on the “Holy Sabbath”, and he knew that was it. He knew precisely that
was it. So here God had been dealing with him all this time and
finally the knowledge of the Sabbath, you see. And that was revealed
not because the person gave him the tapes, that was only the vehicle to make
it happen. It was God the Father Who did it, see. Just like here
with Peter.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter…”, which means petros, a
little stone. This is the great lie that the Pope repeats over and over
again every time he gives a mass. You are Peter, meaning himself.
And he sits in Peter’s throne and chair. Not so. Petros, means a
little stone. Hold your place here and go to John 1 and let’s show
you. The Aramaic word for Peter is Cephas. John 1:42, “And he
brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art
Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by
interpretation, A stone.” And it really means a small stone. Now
if you’ve ever done any building you are not going to build on a small
stone. When they built their mammoth buildings, and we’ll see it talks
about Christ as the chief cornerstone in just a bit, that was a cornerstone
not a capstone. A cornerstone because it’s a foundational stone, and
that stone has to be perfect. Perfectly square, perfectly flat,
because every other stone in building that building will come from this
cornerstone.
Now let’s come back here to Matthew 16:18. “And I say also unto thee,
that thou art Peter [that is a small stone], and upon this rock…” Now the
Greek changes there from petros to petra, and petra means “large massive
cliff”, or that cornerstone that the builders rejected. “…I will build
My church…” So He’s building the Church on Himself. He will build it.
“…And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Now let’s see what else where this follows through, Christ being the chief
cornerstone. Let’s come to… No, since we’re here in Matthew
there’s a parable that Jesus brought out to the Scribes and Pharisees
showing about the stone and the builders. Let’s come here to Matthew
21. Christ referring to Himself, and of course He knew all of these
prophecies. He knew that He was going to be the stone. Let’s
pick it up here in verse 42.
“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures…” Now
isn’t that interesting? Almost all the religious leaders during Jesus
time didn’t read the scriptures. Most of them today don’t read the
scriptures. They have traditions, they have their own things you see.
“…Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders
rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s
doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” And it really should mean “is
it not marvelous in our eyes?” because you are asking a question. It
is so marvelous. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall
be taken from you [who should have been the builders], and given to a nation
bringing forth the fruits thereof.” And that is all those who are
called. They are a holy nation, as we will see. “And whosoever
shall fall on this stone shall be broken [that is through repentance]: but
on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Matt. 21:42-44).
And that’s something we need to understand. Though God is a God of
love and mercy and peace and all of those things, if we reject Christ…
And as I said with the short summary of the book of Hebrews is that you
either accept Christ or it’s the lake of fire. That’s it. So
here we have another comparison of it – will grind him to powder. Did
that not happen with Jerusalem? Everything there, yes. “And when
the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parable, they perceived that
He spake of them.” Of course since they were political “…they sought
to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a
prophet” (vs. 45-46).
Now let’s come to 1 Peter 2, and of course this is quoted over and over and
over again. It shows the same thing. 1 Peter 2:6, “Wherefore
also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner
stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be
confounded. Unto you therefore which believe He is precious:
but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed,
the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. but ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation…” And that’s why
Jesus said it will be taken and given to a nation which will bring forth the
fruits. “…A peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of
Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter
2:6-9).
All right let’s look at some more scriptures showing that Christ is the
Rock. And this will help bring it altogether concerning the harvest,
concerning Christ being the head, concerning what He’s doing, concerning the
seven churches.
Ok, let’s come to 1 Corinthians 10. Here it says that Christ is that
Rock. Let’s pick it up right in verse 1 here. “ Moreover,
brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers
were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized
unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual
meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink…” Because it was
miraculous food, which was sent being the manna, and it was miraculous water
which they drank because it came out of the stone. “…For they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor.
10:1-4).
Now since we’re here in 1 Corinthians let’s come to 1 Corinthians 3 and see
about the foundation. Then we will see that the Church which Jesus
said He would build, would be built upon Himself Who’s the chief
cornerstone, and then also as we will see, on the apostles. But first
let’s pick it up here in verse 11.
“For other foundation can no may lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation…” (1 Cor. 3:11-12).
Now we’ve covered this before but what I want you to understand is this: we
will see that the problems within the seven churches can relate directly to
the quality of their spiritual life as defined here by gold, silver,
precious stone, wood, hay, or stubble, because of the problems and doctrines
which will come against them, and their behavior and reaction to it.
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s
work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be
burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved: yet so as by
fire” (vs. 13-15). Then he goes on showing, “Know ye not that ye are
the temple of God…”, because God desires to live in us, to dwell in us, to
build the very character of Christ in us, you see. “…And that the [Holy] Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” That is the Spirit of God,
the Holy Spirit. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (vs.
16-17).
Now let’s go to Ephesians 2 and we will see that is the individual temple,
but collectively we are being made into the temple of God overall. Now
let’s pick it up here, Ephesians 2:18. “For through Him we both have
access by one spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in Whom
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord: in Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through
the Spirit” (Eph. 2:18-22). So this gives us some background
concerning the Church that Christ would build. He is the Head of it.
No man is the head of it. He is the One Who is going to deal with His
Church, deal with His people. And everything we are going through now
that we see happening in the Church’s of God is all part of it. Every
bit of it is a part of it.
Now let’s come to chapter 4 and let’s see it all put together where there
are the individuals and then the whole body of Christ of individuals
together. Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from Whom the
whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph.
4:15-16). That gives you a good statement of what it is that the
Church is to do, right there.
We also have the statement there… Let’s go to Matthew 28 and see what we
are to do. We are to do this, not only, not only does this tell us to
go to the world and preach to the world, but this tells us something else
that we need to do also. Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in[to] the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy [Spirit] Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you…” Now when you teach them all things
then you have what we have right now, that when you begin to teach them,
then there’s more to learn, more to learn, there’s more to learn, there’s
more to teach and we have all the Bible now and the New Testament now, and
so we have to teach that. “…And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:19-20).
Now let’s see how this teaching started. First of all, the teaching
started with Christ teaching the disciples. And He taught them as much
as He could, and He brought them up to a certain point, as He said before
His crucifixion, and then He gave them a promise that they would be able to
understand through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now let’s go to John 16. So Christ taught them. He also
promised that the Holy Spirit would bring all things into remembrance that
He taught them. But here in John 16, let’s begin in verse 7.
Let’s see how He does it once He ascends into heaven. So first of all
you have Christ’s direct teaching. Next then you have the teachings
through the Holy Spirit and those things are written down now for us.
Ok, verse 7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you
that I go away; for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send [it] him unto you. And when [it] he is
come, [it] he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment: of sin, because they believe not on Me…” Now this is
quite a profound statement, see. If you don’t believe on Christ it is
sin. Another way of looking at it is, if you don’t believe on Christ
you remain in your sin. Another one is, you believe in Christ and you
have your sins forgiven. So either way the Holy Spirit is going to
convict.
“…Because they believe not on Me; of righteousness…” And that is the
true righteousness that comes from God, the imputed righteousness that we
receive. “…Because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; of
judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many
things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (vs. 9-12). So
then there would be a revelation of truth, see, because the book of
Revelation is called revelation, that’s the final revelation.
But here are the stages of revelation that God gave to His apostles.
First the calling, this one here in verse 13. “Howbeit when [it] he,
the Spirit of truth, is come, [it] he will guide you into all truth: for
[it] he shall not speak of [itself] himself; but whatsoever [it] he shall
hear, that shall [it] he speak: and [it] he will shew you things to
come.” So the Holy Spirit is going to be doing the teaching.
Now the third one is… Let’s come to Luke 24, because He told them “I
have many things to say to you, which you cannot now bear.” But after
He was resurrected, and of course John 16 was just prior to the crucifixion
there, but in Luke 24 now we find Jesus teaching them things, some things
that they could not bear.
Now verse 44, “And He said unto them, these are the words which I
spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled,
which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened He their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures…” (Luke 24:44-45). So number
3 you have Christ opening their understanding.
1. Direct teaching.
2. Through the Holy Spirit.
3. Christ opening their minds to understand it.
And it was the Holy Spirit that gave all the inspiration for the New
Testament, that God used to show what He was going to do.
Now the next major revelation that comes, number four is Acts 10, and God
gave this through vision. And this was the calling of Cornelius and
his household. And this was a major revelation. Now let’s come
right down here to verse 28. This is the short interpretation of it
rather than long. We have a lot of things to cover so I’ll give the
short interpretation here. “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it
is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto
one of another nation…” So with this revelation God was showing how He
was going to break down the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles.
Now this statement, “is an unlawful thing”, has to do with the law of
Judaism. It does not have to do with the commandment of God.
“…But God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
Now let’s come to the very last part of the chapter here, after he spoke
the gospel to them beginning in verse 44. “While Peter yet spake these
words, the Holy [Spirit] Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came
with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the
Holy [Spirit] Ghost.” Because the Jews and especially those of the
circumcision party, figured that they were the chosen ones of God and the
Gentiles were forever, forever going to be second-class citizens even though
they were converted. “For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God.” Meaning these who went probably knew Greek, and they
probably knew Aramaic and Hebrew. Maybe there were some that were
there, traveling with them that knew other languages. So when you come
to these band of Italian soldiers and how they’re speaking in Hebrew, or
they’re speaking in Greek, what are you going to believe, especially if they
are magnifying God when they did not have God before. And now here
they are uncircumcised you see.
Then Peter answered, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy [Spirit] Ghost as well as we?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days” (vs. 47-48). So this was the
fourth major revelation.
4. That God was going to deal with the Gentiles,
grant them repentance, and purify their hearts.
Now then the fifth major revelation that takes place has to do with Paul.
Let’s come to Galatians. Paul was the one who was going to carry on
then the preaching to the Gentiles. Now let’s read about Paul here in
his own writing, Galatians 1:13. “For ye have heard of my conversation
in time past [or that is conduct in time past] in the Jews’ religion [which
should be translated Judaism]…” And Judaism was not the law of
Moses, by the way. It’s much like religions today. They claim
the Bible but they don’t follow it. “…How that beyond measure I
persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: and profited in the Jews’
religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly
zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, Who
separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to
reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately
I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them
which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia and returned again
unto Damascus.” Now he was there approximately three or three and a half
years because he says, “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see
Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw
I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write
unto you, behold, before God, I lie not” (vs. 15-20). So that was the
fifth revelation.
Let’s see how that was given here. God taught him. Taught him
everything he needed to do. Then he increased that revelation, so the
sixth one… Let’s come here to Ephesians 3 and we will see that there
was this revelation given having to do with our destiny to becoming the very
sons of God. Now let’s pick it up here in Ephesians 3:1. “For
this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have
heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore
in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of
men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit;” (Eph. 3:1-5). So that is the sixth revelation.
“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and
partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a
minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the
effectual wording of His power” (vs. 6-7). So this shows the added
revelation. And he goes on showing where it is there that we are going
to have the fullness of God, which is all in all.
Yes, the fifth was his initial revelation {in response to question from
audience}, which he spoke of right here in chapter 3. He talks of it
twice, see. Then the sixth was when he’s writing this letter and then
it’s to the rest of the apostles, and you might put there the whole purpose
of life.
Now the seventh revelation we come to, and all of this is through Christ,
see. Either directly personally in teaching them, or teaching them
through the Holy Spirit, or through, in the case of revealing to Peter there
through a dream. And then the revelation of how that of the full
fellowship of the mystery of God, as we find there in Ephesians 3.
Now the seventh one is the Book of Revelation. That’s why it’s called
revelation. It is being revealed. So let’s go back to the first
chapter here. What is so important in this is that this again
establishes when this was written approximately 95 A.D., that Christ is the
head of the Church. That He is going to be dealing in His Church, and
in the world from then until His return. And then it goes on and
reveals in chapter 20 and 21 the millennium, New Jerusalem, and on into
eternity after that, you see. So this is quite a profound thing.
And it’s what the Father gave to Christ to give to His servants and He gave
it to John. Now let’s read a little bit here and then we’ll put a
little history with this as we go along. I’m not going to bring in too
much history because I could get so bogged down in history that we would
never get through this and wouldn’t have it finished for Pentecost, so I
don’t want to do that.
Now let’s pick it up here, verse 5, that’s where we left off. “And
from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first [born] begotten of the dead, and
the prince [or that is the ruler] of the kings of the earth…”, whether they
are righteous or wicked. Remember the account of Nebuchadnezzar.
God gave the lesson that He puts upon the governments of men the basest of
men. And that’s important. And we will see that there is still
the struggle between those who are Christ’s and those who are Satan’s.
And this battle is something we are always in. You can’t avoid it.
It’d be nice to go someplace and not have to fight it. But he’s the
prince of the power of the air so bing, it’s there too. The ruler of
the kings of the earth, “…Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our
sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His
Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever” (Rev. 1:5-6).
So right in here we have defined the whole gospel through Christ, through
His blood, through His resurrection. And the whole purpose in life, to
be kings and priests unto God and unto the Father. To Him be the
dominion, or sovereignty, into the ages of eternity, Amen.
“Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him…” This
tells us what? There’s no such thing as a secret rapture. Every
eye will see Him. And of course this is what people have wanted.
They have wanted Christ to return in many different ways, and many different
forms but He’s not going to. He’s going to come the way that He said.
“…And they also which pierced Him…” Now this is a prophecy going clear then in what?
Let’s ask the question: who pierced Him? Well the Roman soldier did.
Is that Roman soldier dead? Yes. When will he see Him? The
second resurrection see, so this is even projection clear forward into that.
Who also killed Him? The Jews did, but who also? Everybody.
So in a sense everyone who pierced Him, because of their sins, shall see
Him. “…And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.”
That is they won’t want Him. “Even so, Amen” (vs. 7).
“I am Alpha and Omega [which is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and
the last letter of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega], the beginning and
the ending, saith the Lord, which is, which was, and which is to come, the
Almighty” (vs. 8). Now this is how we know that it applies, not to a
trinity, but this applies to Christ, the Lord, which is now existing in
heaven, which was in flesh on the earth, which is to come in the power and
glory of God the Father, the Almighty. So this sets the stage.
It is not just some, how shall I say? This is the most profound
revelation of the seven that we’ve covered here.
“I John…” It’s interesting, we’ll talk a little bit about John here
in just a minute. “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the
isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of
Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” And that
means the Day Of The Lord, the day of His return and it doesn’t mean Sunday.
“…And heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet saying, I am Alpha and
Omega, the first and the last…” So He’s Alpha and Omega, first and
last, the beginning and the ending. He’s the one totally in charge of
God’s plan. “…And What thou seest, write in a book…” And that’s
profound because all the apostles wrote. They knew what they were
doing when they were writing. They knew that it was going to become
scripture. “…And send it unto the seven churches which are in
Asia…” (vs. 9-11). Now why not send it to all the churches? He did.
But specifically, because if you send it to all the churches and list off
how many churches there were then you’d have a long listing of it plus then
you would be describing each one, so as we will see, God chose these seven
churches, which then fit into the whole pattern and plan that God has, which
ties into the time and leading up to Pentecost here. So then He lists
all of them.
Verse 12, “And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And
being turned, I was seven golden [lamp stands, as it should read]
candlesticks.” Now what you think of when you think of this, you think
of the candelabras, as it were, of seven that was to be in the tabernacle.
But these are lamp stands. “And [notice] in the midst of the seven
[lamp stands]…”, so in the middle. So it’s kind of like that they are
in a circle, and in the middle is Christ, meaning He is always in His
Church. And we will also see that He always knows what is going on.
“…One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the
foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle [or that is His chest].
His head and His hairs were white like wool, and white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a
furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His
right hand seven stars…” It’s interesting the seven stars are what,
the seven churches. Right hand is the sign of work, isn’t it? So
Christ uses the seven churches to do His work. “…And out of His mouth
went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (vs. 12-16).
Now let’s look at John concerning this because then John would know that
this is Christ. Let’s go to Matthew 17 because John saw Christ in a
glorified form already before Christ has ascended into heaven. And
that is on the mount of transfiguration, as we find here in Matthew 17.
And let’s notice how similar the description here is with what we just read
in Revelation 1.
Matthew 17:1, “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his
brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was
transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun [same
description], and His raiment was white as the light” (Matt. 17:1-2).
Now that’s the only description that we have here, but notice how similar it
is. Similar it is to what John saw back there in Revelation 1.
So he knew that this was the Christ. Now we’re going to see one other
thing concerning this. Let’s come here to John 21, and that is what
was going to happen to John.
John 21:20, “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved
following; which also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, Lord, which
is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and
what shall this man do?” What about this man? You
told me about me, what about him? Still political till the end.
“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry [or remain] till I come, what is that to you? [You] follow thou Me. Then went this saying abroad
among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not
unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” (John 21:20-23). And so he did remain to see the
return of Christ in vision.
But you can imagine, the Church as they went along, you know the various
apostles were killed but John was still alive. And you can just
imagine since this saying went abroad, they said, “Well it’s going to be
true. John is still alive.” And you know we heard that to, only
it wasn’t John it was HWA. We heard it, you know, that he won’t die
till Christ returns. Well, it’s been 14 years since he died.
Hasn’t returned. But in John’s case he wrote about the return of
Christ. So when John is there on the isle of Patmos and he sees this
vision, he knows exactly Who it is. Without a doubt.
Let’s come back to Revelation 1 and let’s see, there’s a lot in here which
sets the stage for everything else that is to happen. So John
understood that it was Christ. Now let’s come back here to Revelation
1:17. “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He
laid His right hand upon me, saying unto Me, Fear not; I am the first and
the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive
for evermore, Amen; and [I] have the keys of hell and of death [not the
Pope]. Write the things which thou hast seen…” (vs. 17-19), which is
up to this point. So there are three things that he’s going to do.
l. Write the things which you have seen.
2. The things which are. And the things
which are have to do with the seven churches. Those seven churches
that existed then.
3. The things which shall be hereafter.
Which then takes it clear to the completion of God’s plan.
So you have all three things there. “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 [or lamp stands] which thou sawest are the seven churches” (vs.
20).
Now angels, in the Greek is angelos, which can also mean
“messenger”. This is where some people will interpret it and say “to
the messenger of the seven churches” because… And I think it is more
probable to the ones who are the leaders of the seven churches, being men,
because how can you have an angel doing the things like Thyatira? You
know. In other words, if it meant just angels who are righteous angels
of God, do they become Laodicean? Do they become nearly dead? Do
they get in and know the depths of Satan? No. Do they set up a
hierarchy against the brethren? No. See, so this has to do with
the human leader, the messenger, and it would be whoever that particular
person is. But one note of caution. No one should go into the
Bible to try and find themselves except one place. All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God. Too many people make mistakes… “Oh I’m
going to go and see if I’m Elijah, or Elisha, or you know, I’m one of the
angels, the messenger to the seven churches.” No, no. We don’t do
that. What ever is, is. But all that is just a bunch of
self-exaltation. And we won’t do that so we’ll pick up here in chapter
2 in a bit.
Now let’s come to Revelation 2 and let’s begin in verse 1. Now let’s
understand something about these churches here. Let’s understand what
it’s telling us at the last part of the first chapter of Revelation.
Verse 19. Write. Now that’s something all the apostles knew they
were to do. They were to write. Paul knew it. Peter knew
it. John knew it. And Christ commanded them because Christ does
not want His Church to be without His word. Since He is no longer on
the earth then He sent His word to be on the earth. Now it’s very,
very important to understand, as I will mention again about the NIV Bible as
brought out by this book, “If The Foundation’s Be Destroyed”, and also by
Gail Riplinger’s book, “The New Age Bible Versions” how much the Bible has
been subverted and corrupted. So it’s very important that we have the
right text.
So, “Write the things which you have seen, the things which are…” Now
this tells us this is a layout for the whole book of Revelation. “…The
things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” So this
helps us understand how we can answer the question: were the seven churches
there literal churches existing side by side at the same time? The
answer, yes. And they were on a direct mail route, one following the
other. So this is the mail route beginning at Ephesus. And
Ephesus was where the apostle John ended his ministry. He was exiled
for a time on the isle of Patmos, as we saw earlier in the first chapter.
Ephesus was the great center for the Church of God, and that was where the
main text of the Greek New Testament that we have, was preserved right at
that area of Asia. “…And the things which shall be hereafter…”
So this is a continuous prophetic revelation of events to take place until,
or unto the setting up of New Jerusalem. All the way to the end.
So this is very important for us to understand. So the question is,
yes there were seven churches then.
The next question: does this picture a prophecy of the phases or eras of
God’s Church through history. Answer: yes. And we will see that
also, although I won’t go to it in great detail because I just want to do an
overview.
Next question: could this be seven churches existing at the end time just
like there were seven churches at the beginning? Because Christ says,
“I am the beginning and the ending.” So it’s very possible. And
it’s very possible that that could be because we have the example throughout
Revelation. And if you don’t have the series that we’ve done on
Revelation be sure and write for it. Which shows that you have seven,
and then out of the seventh one, like with the trumpets, comes…out of the
seven seals then the seventh seal is opened and there are seven trumpet
plagues. Then the seventh trump sounds and then after that, out of
that comes the seven last plagues. So you have seven out of which
comes seven, out of which comes seven. So it’s entirely possible that
that could be with the churches at the end time, that you could have as God
looks at the Church on the earth, which is entirely different than how we
view it. There may be seven categories of those Christians who fit the
seven churches. But never the less, what we are dealing with here,
we’re dealing with all the problems that the Church will confront. So
I’ll bring in a little history. But I’m going to bring out mainly
their problems so that we can see today, since we are at the end time, how
we need to learn the lessons of the seven churches.
Now it’s also very interesting that Paul wrote epistles to seven churches,
one of which was Ephesus. So we have a connection with Paul and John
beginning with Ephesus. The other connection with Paul and John was
Laodicea. Laodicea, we don’t have the letter that Paul wrote to
Laodicea, but we have a reference of it in Colossians 4 where Paul said,
“When this epistle is read in Colossi, you send it to Laodicea and have them
read it over there and you get their epistle and you read it over here.”
So it’s interesting how all of these then tie together.
So let’s pick it up here in Revelation 2:1. “Unto the angel…”
Now angel in the Greek is angelos, and can also mean messenger.
John the Baptist was a messenger, an angelos. He was not an
angel as an angel is an angel. But when you stop and think about it,
when it talks about the angels here, how can an angel lose it’s first love
and then have it’s candlestick removed? So this has to mean to whoever
the physical leaders are, as in whoever the messenger is. “…Of the
church of Ephesus write; these things saith He that holdeth the seven stars
in His right hand…”, and the seven stars are the seven churches. Now
the right hand is symbolic of work, so Christ is showing that He is working
through the seven churches. That’s important to understand because
Christ is always the head. And we are going to see all the problems
and difficulties related to the seven churches, whether the seven right
there at that time, or the seven down through history, or if there be seven
at the end, all relate to Christ doing His work through His Church. We
need to understand that. Therefore no man is to take upon himself to
do a work for God. God will do the work through whom He chooses.
“…Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks…” The
seven golden candlesticks being then the seven churches. The seven
stars are the angels or the messengers. So whoever is doing the
teaching and preaching, God is doing a work through them, doing a work
through the Church.
Verse 2, “I know thy works…” First thing we need to learn, there are
works. There has to be. So let’s just read the whole message
down here through verse 7. “I know thy work, and thy labour, and thy
patience, and how you 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
laboured, and hast not fainted” (vs. 2-4). So it shows, boy they were
really working. Talks about all the work that they were doing.
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left
thy first love.” And we’ll ask the question: what is it to leave your
first love? What constitutes that? Verse 5 then is a warning.
And of the seven churches five of them are given warnings to repent.
Two of them are not. The two that are not are Smyrna and Philadelphia.
But all the rest are commanded to repent.
“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.” Now
we’ll find out what that is when we come to the church at Pergamos.
“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” (vs. 5-7).
Now let’s begin right here in verse 7. The message is to the
churches. So what we need to do with everyone of these messages is
this, there’s an old saying in English: “If the shoe fits, wear it.”
So if this describes your condition as a Christian then you better accept
the admonition from Christ and repent. Now not only can He remove the
candlestick, being the whole church if He needs to, but He can remove an
individual who has the same attitude that way just as well.
Now let’s come back to verse 2 and let’s focus in on two things here.
“I know your works and your labour, and your patience, and how thou canst
not bear them which are evil…” Means we don’t have to put up with evil
within our midst, We do not. We don’t have to cow-tow to it.
And as we were discussing last night after doing the video last night, if we
have the right structure, and if we have the right preaching perhaps we can
keep the infiltration of tares down to a very few. Because Satan is
going to always trying, cause he’s always against the Church. You
cannot bear them that are evil. And of course evil then has to do with
going against the commandments of God, giving license to sin and all that
sort of thing. “…And thou hast tried them [or proved them, or tested
them] which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars…”
Now how do you test? How do you know concerning false prophets?
Because that’s one of the first things that Jesus said. Remember in
Matthew 7, we’ve gone over it many times. He says, “Beware of false
prophets.” One of the first things He preached, “Beware of false
prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.” He also told the disciples many times, as it’s
recorded in Matthew 24. First thing He says, “Beware [one of the signs
of the end] that no one deceive you for many will come in My name saying I
am the Christ and shall deceive many.” So they were on guard.
Beware means to be on guard. So they were.
Let’s look at several of the things here and see where the first encounter
of a false prophet takes place, coming back to Acts 8, and this is a key
which helps us unlock all of the other false doctrines that come along.
Every one of them. And we’re going to talk about a certain man called
Simon. Simon Magus. He’s quite a guy. He was a religious
leader, in Samaria. Now if you remember the history of the Samaritan
temple, which we wrote about in “The Passover Book”, it’s very significant
that he was there, and what kind of religion that was being foisted off on
the people.
Verse 9 now, “But there was a certain man, called Simon [which is the same
as Peter], which beforetime in the same city…” Now notice what he did.
He used sorcery, which is witchcraft. So these were the powers of
Satan the devil. “…And bewitched the people of Samaria, [that means
deceived them, had control over them], giving out that [he] himself
was some great one.” Now a “great one” means, as it explains here. “To
whom they all gave heed…” Just like the Pope, right? And as a
matter of fact, the religion that Simon had, as we will see later, was part
of what was Gnosticism, which then is Satanism, witchcraft, all of that put
together under the guise of good. “…From the least to the greatest,
saying, this man is the great power of God.” Now that’s quite a title.
That is quite a title. “And to him they had regard, because that of long
time he had bewitched them with sorceries” (vs. 9-11).
Now what happens when something comes along that looks a little bit better?
You want to join yourself to it. What if you have the lust for power,
because he saw there was another power now of healing and casting out demons
that Philip was doing, that he wanted. Well you go after it. And
that’s what Simon did. Now if you want a very interesting study, get
out McClintock’s and Strong’s Encyclopedia of Religion, and look up Simon
Magus. And in there you will see there is no question whatsoever that
he was the Simon that went to Rome. The apostle Peter never went to
Rome. We have no record of it. As a matter of fact, he was
undoubtedly martyred in Babylon because that’s where he was sent to preach
to the circumcision. He was never an apostle to the Gentiles. He
did, however, write one letter, the epistle of 1 Peter from Babylon to those
who were in Asia, and that was apparently after the apostle Paul was
martyred. So here’s the beginning foundation of the false religion,
the false apostle, which came to then develop into the Catholic church and
this is the whole system that the Churches of God have had to fight down
through history. So let’s go on a little bit more here and read some
more about it.
Well, “When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men
and women. Then Simon himself believed also…” Now it’s easy to
believe. But notice the difference here. It is not believe with
all your heart. It is easy to believe from the point of view to
accept. “I accept the fact. Yes, that will be a great idea.”
“…And when he was baptized…” Now think of the misplaced zeal of the
near fatal mistake of what Philip did. Now if you would like a
comparison of this, it would be like going to Rome and the Pope comes out of
the Vatican. He sees you doing miracles and says, “I believe.
Baptized me.” Now that’s how serious the problem was. That’s why
this is recorded here in Acts 8. This is the first encounter with a
false prophet who wanted to take the name of Christ and attach it to
everything that was pagan. “…He continued with Philip, and wondered,
beholding the miracles and signs which were done”(vs. 12-13). Cause
this was greater than he could do with his sorceries. This was greater
than he could do with his demons.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.” Now why
send Peter and John? Cause they had to go down there and make sure
that everything was all right. Let’s see what happened. “Who,
when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
[Spirit] Ghost: (For as yet [it] he was fallen upon none of them: only they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy [Spirit] Ghost” (vs. 14-17).
So apparently at this particular juncture God inspired Philip somehow to not
lay hands on for the receipt of the Holy Spirit, because Simon Magus was
baptized. That’s the only explanation that I can have for it because
this is the only occurrence where you find that hands were not laid on, and
the apostle Peter and John both of them came down there and did it. So
they must have recognized the seriousness of this problem.
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy
[Spirit] Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this
power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy [Spirit]
Ghost” (vs. 18-19). You see now, there’s no repentance, there’s no
understanding of the truth of God. It’s just a lust after the power,
which then he would use if he could receive it, to control people.
Well God’s Spirit doesn’t work that way. God’s Spirit does not control
you. It leads you.
Now notice verse 20, “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee…”
The equivalent today, in English saying, “You go to hell.” “…Because
you thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
Let’s understand something very important. All the gifts of God cannot
be purchased. The Holy Spirit, the gift of righteousness, the gift of
faith, the gift of love. You cannot purchase spiritual things by
physical means. So we learn a lesson here which we have learned: do
not merchandise the people of God. Do not think that money is going to
bring you power. Do not think that power is going to bring you money.
Because if we all don’t serve Christ, and serve Him from the heart then we
just missed the whole thing, period.
Now notice verse 21, that becomes a very important thing to understand.
“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter…” Now hold your place
here and go back to Acts 1. This is talking about an apostleship.
Simon Magus wanted to be an apostle, hence then in his religious office was
the first major false prophet that they encountered and tested and resisted
and rejected. This is all a part of the beginning Church in the era of
Ephesus.
Now let’s pick it up here in Acts 1:20. Now they’re talking about the
field of blood that was purchased with the 30 pieces of silver that Judas
had. “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Wherefore of these men which have companioned with us all the time that the
Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John,
unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one [now that means in
the Greek it’s obligatory for one to be ordained] be ordained to be a
witness with us of His resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph
called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Mathias” (Acts. 1:20-23).
Now this was a special thing. Why? Because Christ was the One
Who ordained the 12 apostles. So this had to come directly from
Christ. It couldn’t be something that a man would choose or they sit
down and they voted about it.
Notice verse 24. “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which
knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast
chosen, that he may take part of this ministry…” And when we’re
talking back here in Acts 8:21, “…you have neither part [that’s talking of
the ministry] nor lot in this matter.” He was showing here clearly,
because in order to select an apostle to replace Judas they did what?
They cast lot. That’s the only instant in which it was done.
“That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by
transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave
forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with
the eleven apostles” (vs. 24-26). Now there we have it, part or lot,
that’s what it means.
Now then let’s come back here to Acts 8:22. “Repent therefore of this
thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be
forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,
and in the bond of iniquity” (vs. 22-23). Now gall of
bitterness then has to do with idolatry and an attitude coming from Satan
the devil as well as the bond of iniquity. Now doesn’t that sound very
similar to the mystery of iniquity, which we’ll talk about later when we
come to the synagogue of Satan.
“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me…” Isn’t
that the same philosophy that Catholicism has to this day? The priest
will pray for you, yes, see. In other words, he had the attitude that
no one could pray directly to God on his own behalf. He would do so in
relationship to others. He would do the atonement for them in his
false religion. So that was really something. He says, “…Pray ye
to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon
me” (vs. 24). So there may have been some other things that were said
which were not included in this summary. And I imagine it was a fierce
denunciation.
Now we’ll look at one thing here in just a minute concerning the
…{missing words}… that helps us to understand. No we’ll do that
later when we come to the Nicolaitans. Let’s come to Acts 13 and let’s
see where there is another encounter with a false prophet. And we are
going to see when we get done with this, a lot of these false prophets and
apostles were Jews. Now that’s hard to comprehend, because most people
have the idea in mind that Jews all believed in God. Not so. So
I’m going to make a very startling statement. Judaism is Gnostic
paganism using the days of God and the Bible as cover for their religion.
But it is not of God. Where did Jesus say that their father was from
whence they got their religion? Acts 8, from Satan the devil.
Same thing as Simon Magus on the pagan side, the Gnostic side, the Gentile
side. Now we’re going to see in Acts 13 that we have a Jew who is also
a Gnostic and have the pagan Judaism. So you’ve got pagan heathenism
on one side, pagan Judaism on the other side, So we need to understand what
we’re dealing with here.
Now let’s come through here, verse 4, so we can get the story flow.
Let’s go ahead and end this tape here and we’ll pick it up on the next tape.
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