Biblical Church History Following the Hand of God and the Hand of Satan

1st He tries to get her to question God’s Word 2nd He changes God’s Word 3rd He reinterpreted God’s Word HIS APPROACH WAS RELIGION!

to bring doubt, to change, and to reinterpret the Word of God So while tracing Church History we must be looking for Men, Movements and Institutions that are to bring doubt, to change, and to reinterpret the Word of God

THE CHURCH PERIODS

(2Ti 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

THE STRUCTURE OF CHURCH HISTORY IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION 2nd coming of Christ Ch. 19 Rapture Ch. 4 New Heaven New Earth Ch. 21 Eternity Ch. 22 The Church Age Ch. 1-3 Tribulation Period Ch. 5-18 Millennium Ch. 20

(Rev 1:19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

(Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

The New Heaven and New earth The Lords Day The Past Chapters 1-3 Covers History from 90 AD - Rapture of the Church The Present Chapters 4-19 Covers the 7 year tribulation to the 2nd Coming of Christ The Future Chapters 20-22 Covers the 1,000 year region and beyond “the things which thou hast seen” Church history The Application Historical (7 church of Asia Minor) Inspirational (to Churches and Individuals) Prophetical (The 7 church ages from where Acts left off to the Rapture) “the things which shall be hereafter” Chapters 20-22 The 1,000 year reign The great white throne The New Heaven and New earth “the things which are” Chapters 4-19 The Lords Day The Tribulation (and great tribulation) The return of Christ with his Saints The return is seen 4 times

The 4 accounts of the Tribulation Rev. 4-6 (under the figure of Seals) Rev. 7-11 (under the figure of Trumpets) Rev. 12-14 (The work and ministry of the Antichrist Rev. 15-19 (under the figure of vials)

The 4 accounts of the 2nd Coming of Christ Rev. 6:12-17 Rev.11-13-16 Rev. 14: 14-20 Rev. 19:11-21

THE CHURCH PERIODS

NOTE S Remember that every passage has 3 applications: An Historical application (is to look at from what really happen) A doctrinal (prophetical) application. (this is to see the why God allowed this to come to past or what is this trying to teach?) A Inspirational (devotional) application (This is to look how to apply this passage to my daily life) (hundreds of ways)

Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: NOTE S Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: Historically These were 7 letters written to 7 real churches in Asia minor around 90 A.D., and they address real needs and real problems in those churches

Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: NOTE S Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: Inspirationally These churches represent 7 types of churches that present today; and have been present since the church began

Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: NOTE S Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: 3. Doctrinally (prophetically) These 7 letters represent 7 periods of church history, that started with the ending of the Book of Acts to the Rapture of the church. God lays out the progression of what will take place through out the Church ages

THE 7 PERIODS OF CHURCH HISTORY Reference Approx. date Meaning Ephesus Rev. 2:1-7 90 – 200 AD Fully purposed Smyrna Rev. 2: 8-11 200-325 AD Bitterness and death Pergamos Rev. 2: 12-17 325-500 AD Much marriage Thyatria Rev. 2: 18-29 500- 1000 AD Oder of affliction Sardis Rev. 3:1-6 1000- 1500 AD Red ones Philadelphia Rev. 3: 7-13 1500- 1900 AD Brotherly love Laodicea Rev. 3:14-22 1900- Rapture Civil rights

E p h e s u s Revelation 2:1-7 c. 90-200 A.D. “fully purposed”

E p h e s u s I. The Commission Rev. 2: 1a

(Rev 2:1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Who is the “he that holdeth”? (Rev 1:13-16) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as 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: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

What are the “seven stars”? (Rev 1:20) 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.

A. THE PERSON BEING ADDRESSED E p h e s u s A. THE PERSON BEING ADDRESSED Person being addressed in the Scripture “ Angel” The word “Angel” (gk. Angelos) means messenger or implied pastor, but is never translated pastor, always angel or messenger All most all commentaries will tell you that the angel or messenger that is being addressed would the Pastor of the Church

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT THEORY (Rev 3:14-16) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

BREAK DOWN OF THE ANGELS IS THE BIBLE E p h e s u s BREAK DOWN OF THE ANGELS IS THE BIBLE Angels are indeed seen as messengers in the Bible Dan. 9 (Message from Gabriel of the 70 weeks) Matt 4 (Message from Gabriel of the Christ to Mary)

BREAK DOWN OF THE ANGELS IS THE BIBLE E p h e s u s BREAK DOWN OF THE ANGELS IS THE BIBLE But angels are not always seen as messengers in the Bible Dan 12 (fighting Angel) Luke 4 (helping Angel) Matt 24 (Group of Witnessing Angels)

BREAK DOWN OF THE ANGELS IS THE BIBLE E p h e s u s BREAK DOWN OF THE ANGELS IS THE BIBLE The one word that will apply to Angels everywhere in the Bible is “appearance” Angel of God (appearance of God) Angel of the Lord (appearance of the Lord) Angel of Light (appearance of the light) (God will not spue out a believer, but will spue out the angel that represents local churches

GUARDIAN ANGEL OF A NATION (Dan 12:1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

GUARDIAN ANGEL OF A PEOPLE (Mat 18:10) Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

E p h e s u s B. THE NAME OF THE CHURCH The name of each of the seven churches is actually God’s capsulation (brief description) of what is taking place in that time period of history from his vantage point. “Ephesus” fully purposed This church period was one that knew what was the purpose of God, and was fully positioned to accomplish that propose

What is the purpose of the church? E p h e s u s What is the purpose of the church?

What is the purpose of the church? E p h e s u s What is the purpose of the church? Answer: Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” So, according to this Scripture, the purposes / activities of the church should be: (1) teaching Biblical doctrine, (2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, (3) observing the Lord’s supper, and (4) praying. Rick Warren

What is the purpose of the church? E p h e s u s What is the purpose of the church?

What is the purpose of the church? E p h e s u s What is the purpose of the church? The major purpose of the church is worship. God has called us that we "may declare the praises of him" who called us "out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). God seeks people who will worship him (John 4:23), who will love him above everything else (Matthew 4:10). Everything we do, whether as individuals or as a congregation, should be for his glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are called to "continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15).

What is the purpose of the church? E p h e s u s What is the purpose of the church? Some think it is to be pure and stand against immorality (Abortion, homosexuality, long hair pants, etc) Some think it is to bring peace to the world (Peace corp., etc) Some thing it is to feed the hunger (so we go on drives to feed Africa and provide Christmas gifts to the needy Some think it is to grow (So we go on campaigns to boost are attendance and baptisms, and Sunday school)

(Eph 3:8-11) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

(Eph 3:16-19) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

C. Why was this church so fully purposed? E p h e s u s C. Why was this church so fully purposed? This Church would have been influenced directly or indirectly by the Apostle of the Lord

(Eph 2:20-22) 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.

C. Why was this church so fully purposed? E p h e s u s C. Why was this church so fully purposed? They had been directly or indirectly influenced by the teaching of the Apostle Initially by the verbal teaching

(Act 2:42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Heb 2:3) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

C. Why was this church so fully purposed? E p h e s u s C. Why was this church so fully purposed? They had been directly or indirectly influenced by the teaching of the Apostle Initially by the verbal teaching After time by their Written teaching Many of these Church leaders would have been discipled by the Apostles or discipled by some who was discipled by the Apostles

C. Why was this church so fully purposed? E p h e s u s C. Why was this church so fully purposed? They had been directly or indirectly influenced by the teaching of the Apostle Remember the promise of John 14

(Joh 14:25-26) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

(Act 1:3) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

(Luk 24:27) And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luk 24:44-45) 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,

C. Why was this church so fully purposed? E p h e s u s C. Why was this church so fully purposed? They had been directly or indirectly influenced by the teaching of the Apostle They had been directly or indirectly influenced by the example of the Apostle

(Mar 1:16-18) Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

(Mar 1:19-20) And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

(Act 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Act 2:14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: