THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST The 7 Churches of Revelation The Number “7” – The Biblical number of completion (7 days in a week, 7th day is Holy, 7 colors in a rainbow, 7 notes in a musical scale, 7 major oceans, 7 major continents, 7 Trumpets, 7 Seals, 7 Bowls, 7-fold Spirit before the Throne, etc.) 1. Ephesus –The Loveless Church 2. Smyrna – The Lasting Church - a “positive” name 3. Pergamum – The Lenient Church 4. Thyatira – The Licentious Church 5. Sardis – The Lifeless Church 6. Philadelphia – The Loved Church - a “positive” name 7. Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST THE THREE COMMON ELEMENTS OF THE LETTERS 1. Commendation - A recounting of the “good things.” 2. Condemnation – A listing of the “bad things.” 3. Challenge/Charge – A word of instruction or warning. Read Text: Revelation 3:7-13

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church I. THE COMMENDATION 1. OPEN DOOR NO ONE CAN SHUT! 2. LITTLE STRENGTH YET: a. Kept My Word b. Not denied My Name 3. I WILL MAKE YOUR PERSECUTORS FALL AT YOUR FEET!

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church COMMENDATION - CONTINUED… 4. “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently… I will keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world…” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Note the “rapture” and “tribulation” type language here. The Pre-Tribulation rapture camp uses this passage as proof. (Jesus said he would “keep you from it”) The Post-Tribulation rapture people use this passage as proof. (Emphasis on “patient endurance” – to preserve in the midst of) THEY CAN’T BOTH BE RIGHT!

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church COMMENDATION - CONTINUED… HOW CAN WE KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? CONTEXT! 1. Did it have a meaning THEN? YES. 2. Could it have prophetic significance as well? YES…but first… For proper Biblical interpretation… 1. What does the text SAY? (in the original language) 2. What did it mean THEN?

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church KEEP-FROM-HOUR-TRIAL-WHOLE WORLD 1. Keep – 5083 Tereo (TAY-REH’-O) – To guard something by keeping a watchful eye on it. To preserve in the midst of. NOT – 5442 – Phulaso (FOO-LAS’-SO) To preserve something by removing or isolating it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. From – 1537 – Ek or Ex – a preposition “from” or “through” – used interchangeably throughout scripture. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Hour – 5610 – Horah (Ho’-rah) Lit. or Fig. Season-time-day- an instant or a literal “hour.” Used interchangeably throughout the scripture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Trial – 3986 – Peirasmos (Pi-ras-mos’) Proving faith or character by facing adversity. NOT – 2347 – (THILPSIS) = TRIBULATION (Rev 7:14) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church 5. Whole World - 3625 – Oikoumene – (Oy-kou-men’-ay) Lit. or Fig. – “land,” “region,” “territory” – Most specifically - the ROMAN EMPIRE. Note: LUKE 2:1 - “a decree…that the whole world should be taxed…” So what does the text actually and really say? “I will preserve you- and give you strength in the midst of a time of great adversity in which your faith and character will be tested –This time that is to come upon the vast area in which you live and/or the entire Roman Empire.” SO WHAT DOES HISTORY SAY HAPPENED?

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church SO WHAT DOES HISTORY SAY HAPPENED? Tacitus – The Roman Statesman and Historian tells us…that shortly after the time in which this letter would have been written TWO TRAUMATIC EVENTS HAPPENED… 1. A devastating earthquake hit Asia Minor – leveling and destroying 12 complete cities. Philadelphia was particularly hard hit. 2. Shortly after this time a succession of Roman Emperors leveled some of the most wicked persecution and torture upon the Roman Empire Christians. Hundreds of thousands met their deaths during this time.

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church Can we apply this passage to the teachings on TRIBULATION and RAPTURE? Probably NOT – neither of these words, terms or concepts are used in the original language of the text. In fact, those specific Greek words are PURPOSELY not used. IF ONE DID USE THIS TEXT THAT WAY… it would have to support the POST-TRIB. Theory – because of the distinctive use of the words of “preserving in the midst of” Tereo (TAY-REH’-O) , rather than “preserving by taking out” (Phulaso).

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Philadelphia – The LOVED church II. THE CHARGE/CHALLENGE HOLD ON! I AM COMING SOON! I will make you a “Pillar” - Strength I will write on you a “new Name” - Ownership and Security If you belong to Jesus (TRULY) – then you are secure in Jesus! You are victorious regardless of what trials are around you or what fate befalls you. Jesus can and will “preserve you in the midst of” – If you will be FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD and NOT DENY HIS NAME!

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST