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Revelation (7)

Have you been at peace in the Lord over the past week? I hope those who continue to read, hear, and keep the word today will hold on to the hope ahead, overcome the world with faith, and overcome pain and difficulties by studying the words of the prophecy that the blessed Lord himself gave to the Apostle John. What historical things have happened to the church so far in terms of the types of churches we live in? Through these, what is the condition of the church in our day today? We are hearing what lessons the Lord gives those of us who are living just before His coming. Last week we heard about the sixth church, the church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Church is where no one is condemned, that has an open door and many evangelists spread the gospel to the whole world and brought great blessings. Historically, this church existed between 1500 and 1900. There are churches that preach the gospel by following this church today.

I’ll Read Revelation 3:12 about the church of Philadelphia, and after studying a little more, we will move on to the last church in Laodicea. Revelation 3:12 (KJV) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  How blessed are these words? Whosoever overcomes to the end will become a pillar in the temple of God, and write the name of God and the name of God’s city on that person, the name of New Jerusalem. What a great blessing this is. Why? In the Age of Grace, the children of God who are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ and are born again of the Holy Spirit go to prepare the eternal world, New Jerusalem, as our Lord said in John 14. He said that my father’s house had many mansions.

This is the New Jerusalem. In the old days, Abraham looking forward toa city with a new foundation. Although he physically received the promised land of Palestine, he was not satisfied with it, and while he was living in that land, the Bible says that he looked forward to the coming new Jerusalem. Soon when the Lord comes, we will see the New Jerusalem at the end of the tribulation. If we do not live in that hope like Abraham, like many of our fathers of faith, and like these Philadelphia church members, we will be deceived. Because of the world’s lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, we are deceived by the devil and become discouraged by meaningless things, and we end up living hopelessly. We must never lose this hope by waking up and praying. The Christians during this time were called Protestants, because during this era their biblical Christian faith had reached its peak, as they were rising against Roman Catholicism. Back in those days, without the Bible, according to the law of the Roman Church, the Pope’s words were above the Bible. However, true Christians believed in the Bible, and biblical Christianity reached its highest point. After that, from 1900 onwards we can see the churches gradually entering into apostasy and converting into the Laodicean church, which is practically absorbed into the Roman Catholicism.

Meanwhile, the the Church of Philadelphia of this time was said to be a church with an open door. God opened the door. He opened the door of evangelism, of the gospel, and of the rapture. When God opens, no one can close, and when He closes, no one can open. Through this church approved by God , they were able to catch many fishes through the open door of the gospel. The Lord said to Peter, I will make you fishers of men. A soul is more precious than the world, but if you catch one, you will lead that person out of the world from the devil to our Lord. It’s greater than standing on top of the world. May not know now, but the soul winner will find out later when the Lord comes. This is the reward from the judgment seat of Christ. Now, this was a time when many great preachers, evangelists, and missionaries were shining.

Also, in 1611, during the reign of King James, this church translated the first Reformation Bible, the German Bible, into English, and it became what is known today, the Authorized Version. Having many of this Bible published worldwide, England was blessed as a country where the sun never sets. During this time, Martin Luther translated the German Bible, which is called the Luther Bible. We learned last time that these two Bibles, Martin Luther’s German Bible, and the English King James Bible spread all across the world, and for about 400 years, various blessings were poured out into this world. Through the Industrial and Agricultural Revolution, many useful inventions and advancements were created for the mankind. Many people came out of the Roman Catholic church and were born again of the Holy Spirit. Starting with Martin Luther, a series of figures separatedfrom Catholicism. Such event that shook the nation to its core for God took place between 1500 and 1600. It remains the same today. Anyone who goes out with the Gospel shakes the heavens and the earth wherever they go. Back when the Apostle Paul preached the gospel with Barnabas, they were known as “the ones who turned the world upside down” Why? When they proclaimed Jesus Christis the King of kings, all the kings and rulers of the time went insane and hated hearing about it.People didn’t want to hear about it as they were living just fine under the rule of the Roman Empire at the time.

Also at that time, people like Zwingli and John Calvin began to teach the Word of God. People were forbiddent o even have a Bible during these Dark Ages. When they killed just having the Bible, they cut ties with the Pope completely and preached anti-celibacy. God’s will is to be fruitful and multiply. Also famous preachers such as John Wesley, George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards appeared. John Wesley prayed two or three hours a day. They especially preach, “You must be born of the Holy Spirit, repent and return to Jesus.” At the same time, when preaching outdoors, there was a history of persecutors who shot them with a pistol, and the pistol exploded and the shooter was killed and injured. When Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon on hell, his listeners held onto the pillars of the building, trying not to fall into hell. While preaching, there was a scene where they screamed as hellfire was in their eyes, holding onto the pillars and begging for life. Not even Jonathan Edwards yelled. Such a work happened when he slowly read the Word of God with faith. Human words, human persuasive words, inflammatory words, charismatic words in today’s language. These words may shake the human heart a little, but not spiritually at all. Only the Word of God, the Spirit, can shake people’s hearts to realize they are sinners, repent, and accomplish the work of believing and receiving Jesus Christ. Revival took place especially through Charles Finney, Spurgeon, Dwighty L. Moody, and R.A. Torrey. It is hard to find such revival these days.

What really happened to this generation? This generation needs to realize that it has passed the Philadelphia church age and is deeply immersed in the corrupt church just before the coming of the Lord. God gives new grace to those who realize, and repent. The Apostle Paul said to the Ephesian church members, Ephesians 5:14 (KJV) …Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Arise and shine forth. As the Lord spoke through Isaiah, even today, we need to wake up and shine the light of the gospel in the world and the church that are like the dead. The father of orphans like George Muller as we know him well, by faith he raised orphans. He didn’t ask for handouts to people when he had nothing. Even with nothing to eat, he had hundreds of orphans lay down napkins, knives, and forks, and offered prayers of thanksgiving. Just then, a bread truck  overturned and all the bread in it spilled out making them unsellable. The bread was brought to the orphans, and the children ate the bread right after they gave a prayer of thanks. We also know this true story.

Now let’s move on to the last seventh church. It is the current generation where we live in, and we must understand it through the Word of God. God’s word is light. It lights the darkness. Lights up our souls. It lights our churches and shines the world in which we live. The church of Laodiceabegan just after 1900 and spans until the coming of the Lord. Laodicea means civil rights. Not God’s right, but of the  people’s rights. This is the last church before the rapture. Now, if we look back at the churches, the church in Ephesus and the church in Smyrna had passion. But their love turned cold. The churches of Pergamos and Thyatira were spiritually ruined completely. But the churches of Sardis and Philadelphia were again zealous and filled with the Holy Spirit. Finally, the church in Laodicea is destroyed again. History repeats itself. How should we conduct ourselves on the wheel of history? We live in the age of  church that is perishing. Please don’t settle in your current spiritual state, but I hope that you will be the ones who listen to the word of God and wake up.

Revelation 3:14 (KJV) 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;  as mentioned earlier, this age is characterized by human civil rights against the Word of God. This is the last church agewherethe authority of God’s Word has been lost. What do you guys think? What kind of conversations do you have at church, or when you hold meetings or planning, what come up often? You’ll most likely hear a lot of “Well, I think(s)” instead of “The Bible says…”We’ve reached the point when those who say yes to God’s Word are criticized as fanatical believers and considered outdated. As this generation lead the churches with human wisdom and ideas rather than the Word of God, it is heartbreaking for God to see the church’s lawsuits are taken to the world judicial systems. The beginning of the creation of God,by misunderstanding this verse, the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim Jesus is God’s first ever creation. They have it incorrect. He is The Creator. The Holy Spirit testified like this in Colossians 1:15,16 through the Apostle Paul. Colossians 1:15-16 (KJV) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Was it like that when God created man in Genesis? Let us make man in our image, afterour likeness. Us, Our. God has three godhead. God the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. According to 1 John 5:7 (KJV) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  Some people say that this Word does not exist in the original text, but the Word of God clearly states this Trinity. Even if Satan takes away the word, we can see that the word of God speaks in many places that the three are one. Our Jesus Christ is our Creator. The Creator came in the form of a human being in the form of this very flesh. How can a Creator become like a creature? If God told any of us sinners to be a dog or cat for 33 years, would you? There will be no one. But our Lord, even though he is God the only begotten Son, obeyed God the Father in complete obedience to the point of death. This is meekness. Those who obey the word of God are meek.

Revelation 3:15 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. “This is the end-time churches that I am orthodox, our theology is orthodox.” They claim, but in the end, we can see them slowly moving towards the side of the Roman Church of the Old Dark Ages. This is apostasy. So, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the Holy Spirit warned us through the Apostle Paul. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

This day speaks of Jesus Christ making an aerial descent and taking the regenerated saints of God, the church out of this earth. But before that day comes, two events must occur; First is apostasy. It is a departure,falling awayfrom the word of God. The Roman Catholics was the first to fall away from the Word of God. Later on they went underground and began to alter the Bible. We all need to know this clearly. Sooner or later, the man of sin, the Antichrist, will appear. Therefore, the Bible clearly states that the rapture will take place just before that time. How precious are these times? Will you be saying, “Peace and safety, I’m safe” when you don’t know when the Lord will come? Be cold or hot. Some people say, if they passionately believe in God, they’ll call that person is a fanatic. An Extremist! In fact, God is an extremist. God asks: above or below? In other words, heaven or hell? Is it black or white? Are you saved or not? It’s one or the other. There is never a middle ground. There is no purgatory. God is an extremist. God hates sin,butloves sinners. That’s why he said get remission of your sins. That is why he said it is a sin to not believe in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and rose again for that sin. There is no option for those who do not believe. Not believing in Jesus Christ is an irreparable sin. Whatever adultery, lies, and theft we commit, we just need to repent. But not believing in Jesus Christ is blasphemy, and this is a sin that cannot be forgiven.

Revelation 3:16 (KJV) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Isn’t lukewarm water stagnant to the taste? But, how sweet and refreshing is it when we drink it ice cold?Verse 17. Revelation 3:17 (KJV) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  In other words, this Laodicean church wears out God. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came into this world. As John said,  “Look at this Lamb,” but he died, took on all the sins of the world, went down to hell, where we should end up, and threw it all away. As the east is far from west, He distanced us away from our sins. It isallfound in Psalm 103. But what are you doing? Shouldn’t even one more person be saved? I died for everyone, what are you doing? You only worship, hold events, and have fellowship, but how much are you really preaching the gospel? How many souls do the churches open their doors and go out to preach the gospel to and bring these people to salvation?

Our Lord became a man and took all the sins of this world upon his body to save all people. And he sent the Holy Spirit to establish a church. This church is established on this earth to quickly convey the work of the Lord and lead all people to the Lord. That is why this church is the rescue ship. However, if you do other things and do not preach the gospel, you will tire the Lord’s heart. The Church of Laodicea is symbolized by tremendous material blessings. ‘How many vehicles does the church have? Do you own assets? Also, how much money do you have in your bank account? How many donations come in a week, and how much is the mission offering?’ It’s such a generation to talk about these things. Of course, it’s not a bad thing to have. However, shouldn’t the church lead more souls to the Lord than he has given? Small churches have to do as much as they are given, and large churches have to do as much as they are given. A large pelagic fishing vessel has to catch a lot of fish, and a smallfishing boatcatches a little. However, I know that the Lord will be pleased when we do our best as much as the Lord has given us. Here again in verse 17 saysI am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, but God says they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.Materially wealthy, but spiritually lacking.

Revelation 3:18 (KJV) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Let us hear the counsel of the Apostle Peter in this regard. 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  The Apostle John said the same, that faith overcomes the world. It is this faith that God valued most. What is faith? What is faith in God? It is the substance of things hoped for. Because heaven is real hope, nothing in this world can destroy this faith. The underground church members have nothing. There are no church buildings. There are no church vehicles. They have neither material nor honor. If they have anything, they have gained much more precious faith than perishable gold, even though they have been tried through persecutions, trials of faith, and fire. In this age of the Laodicea, what we need most is faith. amen. The measure of this blessing is not material, but how much faith? So, among the philosophers of the old days, there were people who transcended the world, much less, if those who have received the eternal life of God that transcends philosophy live on this earth and are not sure of their hope for heaven, they will have no choice but to be shaken easily in this world unable to overcome troubles. It’s not about material things that gives them peace and comfort. It’s about believing that God’s faith is through the word of God, and if you were to tell and beleve the mountain to be thrown into the sea, it will come true. This faith is the most important. The message here is: ‘This is the age of lack of faith’.

Here we see the white raiment. Buy and wear the white raiment, so that the shame of your nakedness is not exposed. He speaks of spiritual things. In Revelation 3:18, 16:15, and 19, this white raiment speaks of the saints’ righteous deeds, their hard work for the Lord, their own righteousness. After Christians have confessed their sins and been saved through faith in Jesus Christ, they must put on these clothes with good deeds. This will be revealed at the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment seat of Christ will be taken up at the time of the rapture by the saved children of God, the church, and will all stand individually before Jesus Christ. This is the judgment seat of Christ, where we are judged according to our works. You will be rewarded and you will be rebuked. Those who built with gold, silver, or precious stones receive a reward because they do not burn, but all those built with straw or wood or stubbles will be burned. That is why this judgment seat of Christ is a rewarding place. However, the Great White Throne Judgment Seat that appears after the Millennium Kingdom will be the judgment of eternal destruction where the unsaved and those already in Hell will fall into the lake of fire and be separated from God forever. To these Laodicean saints, God tells them to open their spiritual eyes.

Blind Bartimaeus was physically blind. He asked the Lord to open his eyes. Then when the Lord opened his eyes, he followed the Lord. At that time, however, the disciples did not know who the Lord was because their physical eyes were open but their spiritual eyes were closed. It’s the same today. Are my eyes really open spiritually? Am I not seeing the Lord like the blind Bartimaeus? He cried out to the Lord, ‘Have mercy on me. Son of David, have mercy on me. I want to be born again. I want to see the kingdom of God.’ Did our Lord say? He said that unless you are born again of water and the Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. We must enter this kingdom of God. We must have this cry. We need to call on the Lord.

Revelation 3:19-20 (KJV) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  At the end of the church age, the Lord is outside the door. Have you put the Lord outside? Because he is standing outside the door, if anyone hears his voice and opens the door, the Lord will come in and eat, drink, and have fellowship with him. Long ago, Abraham received the Lord. Look at Genesis 18:19 when the Lord appeared in human form with two angels. Then Abraham welcomed him and treated him. The Lord treated him like a friend and he ate and drank. In this day and age, even though when we worship at church, we seem to be togetherwith the Lord, but the moment we step outside the church, the Lord is left outside the door.You should look into whether this is not the case and repent.

Revelation 3:21-22 (KJV) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. ‘If you come to your senses now and receive the Lord, you will be entitled to sit on the throne of the Lord when the Lord comes soon. Together with you, He gives you the right to judge the world.’ This is His word. What a precious word. He has raised us up with Christ and has seated us together on the throne of Christ. Now, when you meet the Lord, you must live a life of praise. Today’s text is the conclusion of the message to the seven churches. Historically, it refers to the seven churches in Asia Minor at the time of the Apostle John in AD 90. Spiritually however, it refers to the history of the Church Age from the Book of Acts to the Rapture of the Church. History repeats itself. Finally, we are in the lukewarm church age in the church age of Laodicea. The time has come to rise from the dead and speak the light. When we pray together during this time, I hope that you will repent before the Lord and speak the light once again.

Father God, thank you for bringing me to my senses again through these words. I repent for having the Lord standing outside the door at this time. Forgive me for not letting you in because of my sin and my wrong conduct. Please come in now, wash me with your blood, and eat and drink with me and walk with me. When I am with you, I have joy and can live by faith. Lord, help me and guide me. Thank you and I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. amen.