Remember the song, “When We All Get To Heaven.” I learned that song in my childhood, and occasionally we sing it now in my adulthood. This song reflects Revelation 4-5. In these chapters, we see some of the inhabitants of heaven. In chapter four Jesus is seen sitting on the throne in all of His majestic glory and seven lamps of fire burning around the throne which were the seven spirits of God (Isaiah 11:2) Around the throne of God were the twenty-four elders and the four beasts. The four beasts remind me of the alien beings seen in the movie “Star Wars” As humans we feel that we are the superior creation of God, but in heaven, I think we are going to be a bit surprised by what we see.
In these chapters and other heavenly scenes, we find the inhabitants praising and worshipping Jesus. As I often say to folks if you have problems praising God on earth, you will probably be very uncomfortable in heaven. So brothers and sisters get your praise on!!!!!!!!
I Thessalonians 3:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The next significant event of the church is the rapture: the catching away of the children of God. The word “rapture” can not be found in the bible. However, this is the meaning believers have given to the event that takes place in the above verses. When Jesus arose from the grave the scriptures states in Ephesians 4:8, He took the souls that were His but were held captive to the heavenly paradise, where they now rest. Their spirit, soul, and body will be reunited on that day and believers will all meet Jesus in the air. All of our bodies, as stated in I Corinthians 15:51-55 will be changed from mortal to immortality; no more sickness, no more death. Praise the Lord Jesus!!!!!
Are you ready and listening for the trump of God?
As in all things religious, there is controversy about when the rapture will take place. The main schools of thought are as follows:
Pretribulation – the belief that the church will be caught up before the tribulation.
Midtribulation – the belief that the church will be caught up in the middle of the tribulation
Posttribulation – the belief that the church will be caught up after the tribulation.
Pretribulationist believe Revelation 4:1a that states, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither” is reflective of the church being rapture just before the tribulation commences in chapter 6:1
No matter when the rapture takes place, be ready! On earth, it will be a day of chaos. People will be disappearing right in front of peoples’ eyes, and accidents will be occurring all over the world at the same time. Can you imagine the aftermath? Wall Street will suffer greatly on that day. Creditors, loan companies, and banks will be unable to collect their monies. How will they know who is gone and who has remained? There will be identity theft, and break-ins to empty houses and stores. Families will be unable to collect insurance death benefits because their loved ones are not dead. The church (intercessors) will no longer be here. The wrath of God is getting ready to be poured out on earth. Whenever it takes place, I don’t plan to be here. How about you?
We started the study of Revelation 2-3 with a blog on hearing and overcoming. Each of the seven churches had something they needed to overcome. Since seven is the number of completion, I believe the information obtained on the churches covers the main problem areas that believers need to address in their Christian walk. In the closing address to the church of Laodicea Jesus said, “…..even as I also overcame” (3:21b), which shows believers that there were areas that the man Jesus had to contend and triumph over. Let us follow His lead and overcome:
- The decline of a relationship with Jesus
- Fear of suffering
- Acceptance of false doctrines
- Compromising godly moral practices
- Spiritual lethargy
- Surrendering to worldly pressures (letting go)
- Lack of commitment
Remember, this is what Jesus desires of believers:
- Relationship
- Faithfulness unto death
- Repentance
- Seekers of truth
- Watchfulness
- Steadfastness
- Commitment
As you do your own personal study, your list may differ from the ones stated. The Holy Spirit may cause you to focus on specific areas of your life that you need to overcome. Go with what He gives you. Our main purpose is to be an overcomer and please God.
The church of Laodicea was located in a city of economic prosperity and social prominence.
Jesus greets this church, acknowledging Himself as the first, last, faithful, and final authority.
No expressions of commendations were found here. They were rebuked for being spiritually lukewarm. Materialism overshadowed their spirituality; thusly, causing awareness of their true condition (wretchedness, misery, nakedness, blindness, and spiritual poverty) to be lacking.
Jesus exhorted them to invest in righteousness, purity, spiritual insight, zealousness, and repentance. The promise to the overcomer was a place of honor and rulership.
The characteristics and state of this church were that of a rich, materialistic, complacent church.
When I studied this church, which supposedly represents this present age, I was saddened, and tears came to my eyes. Here is a picture of our Savior standing outside of the church knocking, trying to get in, and attempting fellowship. This is a colossal indictment against us. I am sure we ask Him in when we have a need, but as soon as that need is met, like the children of Israel, we soon forget Him and kick Him back to the curb. My prayer for all of us and our churches is that this scenario is not existing in our lives.
The church of Philadelphia was located in the city situated on the route of the Imperial Post from Rome to the East. It was recognized for its’ temples Artemes, Zeus, and Aphrodite.
Jesus introduces Himself to the church as Holy, Truth, and a Controller.
This church had access to Jesus; there was no rebuke found here. They were physically weak; however, they kept His Name and His word. For this, Jesus commended them. He recognized the persecution done to them by Jewish impersonators and informed them He would show His love for them by making their enemies subject to them.
They were exhorted to hold fast and not surrender to the world: thusly, losing their victor’s crown. The overcomers would have a secure place in God.
The characteristic feature of this church is that of a missionary, and its’ state was obedience, faithfulness, and favor.
Jesus said that this church stood before an open door. I believe that this door was not just for the natural things of the world but also for spiritual. If you stood before an open door, what would be your priority, the natural or the spiritual?
The church of Sardis was located in the city rebuilt by the Romans. This city was known for its’ trade, military center, and manufacture of woolen garments.
Jesus greets this church identifying His composition of the seven spirits (Isaiah 11:2) and control of the leadership.
This church was found lacking. They were known to be influential yet spiritually lifeless. For this, they were rebuked. This church was encouraged to repent, be alert, build on things that were spiritually correct, and to remember and endorse former teachings.
Jesus commends the true remnant who will walk with Him. The promise to the overcomers were their names in the book of life and representation to God
The characteristics of this church were that of a well-known, influential church. Their state was lethargic and deteriorating.
The lesson to be learned from this church is a great name means nothing to God. What he desires to see is the power of the Holy Spirit in operation. As a believer, let us repent for our slothfulness, and become vigilant to the things of God.
The church of Thyatira was located in a city that had a large number of trade guilds, such as bakers, tanners, potters, and linen workers.
Jesus introduces Himself with authority to this church as a judge and discerner.
He acknowledges their toil, love, convictions, endurance, and ministry. However, he rebuked them for permitting a false prophetess to teach, promote fornication, and condone digestion of foods sacrificed to idols.
Jesus says he gave this prophetess and opportunity to repent, but she refused. The consequence of her actions and her followers were severe, along with generational curses. Jesus reminds them; their reward results from the intent of their heart and what controls them.
Rejecters of the prophetess are exhorted to keep pure and not to give in. To the overcomer is given the promise of receiving Christ and rulership in His millennium kingdom.
The characteristic of this church is a growing church; their state is a compromising, corrupt church.
Remember, though you are abounding in God, do not accept erroneous teachings. God wants us to be seekers of truth.
The church of Pergamos was located in the capital city of the Roman province. The scriptures called it the place of Satan’s throne because it was the Asian headquarters for the cult of the emperor – worship. Numerous spectacular temples, such as the temple of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and Esclepius, were erected there.
Jesus introduces Himself as the sharp, double-edged sword. He is the one who discerns and judges.
They were commended for their loyalty to their faith despite experiencing one of their members, Antipas, martyred for his belief. Jesus rebuked them for allowing supporters of the following false doctrines:
The doctrine of Balaam permitted eating things sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, and preaching for hire.
The doctrine of Nicolaitans taught immorality and idolatry.
Jesus exhorted them to repent, or the Word of God would challenge their life and actions. The promise for overcoming was receiving a white stone which represented acquittal in ancient times and the opportunity to be fed (receive revelation knowledge).
The feature characteristic of this church was licentiousness. Their state was worldly, and a willingness to compromise their morals, teachings, and doctrinal standards.
Today, believers are being questioned about civil liberties. It is necessary for us to stand for the truth of God’s word. Say, what the bible says. If we compromise our stand, we must repent so that we appear guiltless before God. Remember, Mark 8:34-38:
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
The church of Smyrna was located in a wealthy seaport city that was on the direct trade route from India and Persia to Rome. The wealth that surrounded them did not exist in this church; however, they were spiritually rich.
Jesus introduces Himself to this church by emphasizing His eternal nature, His death, and His resurrection. He knew the churches toil, persecution, and extreme poverty.
This church had no rebuke. They were commended for their faithfulness even to the point of death. They were informed of future persecution and told not to fear but to remain strong. A crown of life which comes to those who perseveres under trials will be given to the faithful. Finally, the believers who overcame fear and endured suffering would not partake of the second death, which is spiritual death or eternal separation from God.
Their characteristics and state were that of poverty and persecution.
For those of us that reside in countries that allow religious freedom and welfare to the poor, we cannot comprehend real suffering. We cry because of wants, pleasures, and someone talking about us. In this age, there are people living in countries where Christians who do not deny their faith are being slaughtered. For them, there is a constant struggle for the basic necessities of life. Let us remind our flesh, who fear and hate pain, and lack, that longsuffering which is part of the fruit of the spirit is in our life for a reason.
The city of Ephesus is the largest city of the seven churches. At one time John and Timothy ministered there. Paul established a church in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. The Temple of Diana was located there, and it was a crucial commercial and political center.
Jesus starts His message to this church stating His position of the keeper, supporter, and moving amid the churches. He informs this church and the subsequent churches that He knows their works. Sometimes believers act like Jesus is uninformed, that we can hide from Him, and that He does not see all that we do. Guess what? He does.
The church of Ephesus was commended for their labor in the ministry, intolerance of evil, discerning the character of leadership, patient endurance of adversity for Jesus’ namesake, and hating the deeds of Nicolaitanes who taught immorality and idolatry.
The church was rebuked for their decline in a relationship with their savior. They were cautioned to remember and return to their enthusiasm for God and all things that pertained to Him. This was to be accomplished with a repentant spirit. If they did not get it together, the church would eventually cease.
Their characteristics were that of a busy church; however, their state was loveless as seen in their faults. If they overcame their waning love and pursued the right relationship, He would feed them resulting, in eternal life.
As believers, our aim is to have a right relationship with our Lord. Remember the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was a busy person, and Mary just wanted to be in the presence of Jesus. Jesus positively acknowledged Mary’s action, not Martha. Thus, our goal should be pursuing a love relationship that deepens and not falters. Anything that hinders this must be overcome.
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