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

SEEING THE PATTERNS OF GOD IN HIS WORD

(Ecc 3:15) That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

SEEING THE PATTERNS OF GOD IN HIS WORD PATTERNS IN CREATION

GOD’S PATTERN OF THE EARTH

7 GOD’S PATTERN OF SEVENS

GOD’S PATTERN OF TIME

GOD’S PATTERN OF THE NIGHT WATCH

SEEING THE PATTERNS OF GOD IN HIS WORD PATTERNS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

I. THE POSTION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

II. THE PROVISION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

III. THE PLACES OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

IV. THE PATTERNS OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

A. The Council

B. The Priests

C. The Martyrs

SEEING THE PATTERNS OF GOD IN HIS WORD PATTERNS OF SATAN

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

things which thou hast seenthe things which arethings which shall be hereafter (Rev 1:19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day (Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

I. 7 LETTERS TO 7 CHURCHES

NOTESNOTES  Remember that every passage has 3 applications: 1.An Historical application (is to look at from what really happen) 2.A doctrinal (prophetical) application. (this is to see the why God allowed this to come to past or what is this trying to teach?) 3.A Inspirational (devotional) application (This is to look how to apply this passage to my daily life) (hundreds of ways)

NOTESNOTES Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: 1. 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

NOTESNOTES Plugging these applications in to the 7 Churches: 2.Inspirationally These churches represent 7 types of churches that present today; and have been present since the church began

NOTESNOTES 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

NOTESNOTES Why 7 periods?  7 means completion  59 times is the number 7 used in the book of Revelation

NOTESNOTES If you fail to see the doctrinal application: 1. You're left to the fields of the fatherless (no landmarks) 2. You are depending on man to discern church history for you. 3. They become the standard or the authority, rather than the Word of God

II. 7 CHURCH PERIODS

ChurchReferenceApprox. dateMeaning EphesusRev. 2:1-790 – 200 ADFully purposed SmyrnaRev. 2: ADBitterness and death PergamosRev. 2: ADMuch marriage ThyatriaRev. 2: ADOder of affliction SardisRev. 3: ADRed ones PhiladelphiaRev. 3: ADBrotherly love LaodiceaRev. 3: RaptureCivil rights THE 7 PERIODS OF CHURCH HISTORY

NOTESNOTES 7 times in Rev. 2-3 God says “I’ve got a message to the Churches” 2:7 2:11 2:17 2:29 3:6 3:13 3:22

III. Indentifying the strategy of Satan against the Churches

(2Co 2:11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

NOTESNOTES Question: What was and is the greatest desire and plan of God? Answer: To populate the Earth with sons of God who would love Him and worship Him

NOTESNOTES Question: What is history? Answer: The study of that plan, and how God has moved through time to accomplish that plan.

NOTESNOTES  God’s plan has never changed, what HAS changed, is the who He has moved through to accomplish that plan

NOTESNOTES  The definition of Church history as provided by the Book of Acts:  It is the movement of God through the Church to accomplish his plan. counterfeit  And it is the movement of Satan to counter, counterfeit, and confound God’s plan

(2Co 11:13-15) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

NOTESNOTES  Under stand if the Lord Jesus Christ has a Church (Bride), Satan will find a way to get a Church (bride)

NOTESNOTES  Satan’s Strategy against the church as outlined in the book of Rev. chapter 2 Satan gets a synagogue 1. Satan gets a synagogue. (Rev. 2:9) This refers to the system of religion. That doesn’t speak of a physical building 2.Next Satan has a seat in that that synagogue 2.Next Satan has a seat in that that synagogue.(Rev. 2:13a) This refers to him taking control and leadership of this system.

NOTESNOTES  Satan’s Strategy against the church as outlined in the book of Rev. chapter 2 3. Next Satan is dwelling in this synagogue (Rev. 2:13b) 4. From this point forward Satan begins to fill this system with his Doctrine

IV. Understanding the patterns of Satan

NOTESNOTES 