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Have you ever been confused by the book of Revelation?
Chapter one is the background of whose revelation it is and to whom it was given.
Revelation 1:2-3 NIV
1. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what
must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
2. who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
There are many who believe that Revelation 2 & 3 is the history of the church following the book of
Acts.
Here is a study of Revelation chapters 2 & 3
Note that it is written to ALL believers describing ALL the seven churches( Rev 2:7,11,17,29 &
Rev 3:6,13,22).
What is a church but a group of believers?
Believers who have a focus of the description of the named church.
Based on the meaning of the name of the church as a description of the age.
Many believe that each relates to a parable in Matthew 13.
Also see an Epistle of Paul for a further description of the church.
On careful inspection you will observe that some of the members of the roman church will be raptured (harpazo GSN-726)some will not be. Most of the members of the reformation churches will not be raptured. And none of the current word-faith ( rule of the people )so-called Protestant churches will not be raptured. The only church that will be raptured will be the church of Philadelphia.
All this is pre-supposes a pre-Tribulation millennialist View. Which also assumes Dispensationism.
This does not mean that all will not be saved, but those not raptured will have to go through the 7 year tribulation as outlined in Daniel. With the rise of the revived Roman Empire ( European Union ) coming against Israel, first by war and then by peace treaty. Times will be difficult.
|
Church name |
Meaning of name |
Age |
Dates |
Matthew 13 |
Paul's epistle |
| Ephesus | Maiden of choice, Darling | Apostolic age | < 100AD | Sower & Soil | Ephesians |
| Smyrna | Myrrh "death" | Age of Persecution | 100 - 313 | Tares & Wheat | Philippians |
| Pergamos | Mixed Marriage | Imperial Church | 313 - 590 | Mustard Seed | Corinthians |
| Thyatira | Semiramis | Age of Papacy | 590 - tribulation | Woman & Leaven | Galations |
| Sardis | Remnant | Reformation | 1517 - tribulation | Treasure in the Field | Romans |
| Philadelphia | Brotherly Love | Missionary church | 1730 - rapture | The Pearl | Thessalonians |
| Laodicea | Rule of the People | Apostate church | 1900 - tribulation | The Dragnet | Colossians |
Revelation 2 & 3 is followed by Revelation 4, which many believe is a description of the Rapture.
Revelation 4:1 NIV
1. After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.
And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what
must take place after this."
After the Rapture in chapter four, beginning in chapter five is the opening of the seven seals. Followed by the four horses. A description of the tribulation as outlined by Daniel.
The above is from "Letters to Seven Churches" by Chuck Missler Http://www.khouse.org
Revelation 22:18 NIV
18. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will
add to him the plagues described in this book.
jIhsouv" Cristo>" Qeouv JUio< Swth<
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour
Thank you my brother,
I had never realized before that the church of Sardis was left as well, I had been preaching that at this time, there were but three entities left, The Church of Philadelphia (the body of Christ, those who are Born Again Christians, we who will be raptured), the church of Laodicea (Those trying to work their way into heaven and therefore denying the Lord, liberal christians, ones we need to reach out to) and the synagogue of satan, those who have absolutely denied the Lord such as Muslims, atheist, agnostics, Jews etc.(lost).
Now I must go study, the Lord bless you and be with you my brother and again thanks.
Bob
BTTT
On careful inspection you will observe that some of the members of the roman church will be raptured (harpazo GSN-726)some will not be. Most of the members of the reformation churches will not be raptured. And none of the current word-faith ( rule of the people )so-called Protestant churches will not be raptured. The only church that will be raptured will be the church of Philadelphia.
I'm kind of struggling to understand this... why would most members of Reformation churches not be raptured? Were/are they mostly non-Christians? And what about the "word-faith (...) so-called Protestant churches"? What does that mean? This is making Revelation more confusing for me.
I must admit I don't quite understand Missler's interpretation of the 7 churches referring to 7 ages. My pastor did a study on these passages about 2 years ago and he looked at it as 7 different types of churches.
I'm kind of struggling to understand this... why would most members of Reformation
churches not be raptured? Were/are they mostly non-Christians? And what about the
"word-faith (...) so-called Protestant churches"? What does that mean? This is
making Revelation more confusing for me.
why would most members of Reformation churches not be raptured? Were/are they mostly non-Christians?
Revelation 3:1-6 NIV
1. "To the angel of the church in Sardis
write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of
being alive, but you are dead.
2. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight
of my God.
3. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you
do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come
to you.
4. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who
have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are
worthy.
5. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his
name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
6. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The church has a good reputation but are not on fire for the L-rd.
Their deeds are not complete in the sight of the L-rd.
Some have not soiled their clothes and will be raptured.
And what about the "word-faith (...) so-called Protestant churches"? What does that mean? This is making Revelation more confusing for me.
Revelation 3:14-21 NIV
14. "To the angel of the church in Laodicea
write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's
creation.
15. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or
the other!
16. So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my
mouth.
17. You say, `I am rich; I have acquired
wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful,
poor, blind and naked.
18. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and
white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your
eyes, so you can see.
19. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20. Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and
he with me.
21. To him who overcomes, I will give the
right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father
on his throne.
Have you hear of Benny Hinn, Marilyn Hickey, Kenneth Copeland,
Kenneth Hagin?
These are all examples of Word-Faith pastors
`I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'
I must admit I don't quite understand Missler's interpretation of the 7 churches referring to 7 ages. My pastor did a study on these passages about 2 years ago and he looked at it as 7 different types of churches.
I have heard it preached both ways however Missler's is the first that made sense to me.
Baruch HaShem Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach
Praise the Holy Name of the L-rd Jesus the Christ
xeni>a
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
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