Revelation Revealed - Part 1by Dan Peek In "Highway to Tribulation" we discussed the matters of the number 666 and the existence of the Revived Roman Empire at the time of the Rapture and subsequent Great Tribulation. In "Highway" we were focusing primarily on the book of Daniel and his prophecies as he looked forward in time. Now we shall try to see the panorama that John the Beloved saw on the Isle of Patmos where the Angel of the Lord gave him the Book of Revelation. In essence John looked at history, our present day and the events of the Rapture, the Great Tribulation and the 2nd Coming of Christ to earth whereupon He sets up His Millennial Kingdom. John then looks even further ahead, into the Everlasting which begins with the final act in the struggle of satan against God. A futile struggle it is, because it ends with satan and his demons being cast into the lake of fire. Although many dismiss the Book of Revelation as too difficult to interpret or question the reason we should read and study the events described, many of which we will escape, there is one tremendous reason to read it. "Blessed is he that readeth and they that heareth the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:3 Secondly it is a part of the Bible, God's written word to mankind and "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim. 3:16 So to leave out the study of Revelation is to miss a promised blessing from God and to miss out on becoming the complete person which God desires you to be. The Book of Revelation begins with John, now a very old man in exile as a convict on the Isle of Patmos. John describes an Angel from Heaven who reveals to John things which he is instructed to write about. The events which he describes in a 1st Century vernacular and vocabulary are awe-inspiring and frightening. This is no "ordinary" angel and from his description it is clear that he has a face to face meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory. It is Jesus' story which is to be told specifically to the Jews alive and living on earth during the Tribulation. Peripherally it is also revealing Himself to those who believe on Him who are gentiles. Finally, it is the revealing of Himself to the unbelievers who will fall under judgement as they bow and kneel to the King of Kings. " ...every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. " Revelation 1:7 The Lord confirms to John that He is the Christ and that His testimony is sure and exact and prophetic in nature. He then "shows" John what He wants him to write about. Firstly, John describes 7 letters that the Lord is dictating to 7 Churches in existence in John's day. They are literal, historic Church bodies and they are chosen by the Lord to reveal a deeper truth about the condition of the Church as a whole during it's 2,000 year existence on Earth, or what is known as the "Church Age" or "Age of the Gentiles". Each one of the 7 Churches has attributes which are prevalent during specific time periods during the Church Age. The seven Churches addressed in letters from Christ are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos,Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and finally Laodecia. Of many, many churches those seven were picked specifically to describe the 7 stages of the Church throughout its history. Some were praised, others rebuked, some received both praise and rebuke. Only one Church, Philadelphia, received all passing marks. Interestingly, that is the stage of the church which corresponds to the great Revivals of the 18th and 19th Centuries and the tremendous explosion of Missionary activity that began then and continued up to the middle of the 20th Century, an age in which many of us were born. The dates are approximate and it should be noted that each age overlaps the next slightly. As we mentioned, the last Church, Laodecia, is a symbol of the "Last Days" Church that will typify the False Church of the Endtimes and specifically the 7 year Tribulation period. By the time Jesus stands atop the Mount of Olives at His return, the last 3 and 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation will have destroyed most of life, both human, animal and even vegetation on Earth and in the waters on Earth. The seas will have been turned to blood, the rivers, lakes and streams as well. Earthquakes and Tsunamis of a size never before seen will have decimated islands and coastlands. There is a description of a possible asteroid strike which destroys much of Earth. Wars of unprecedented magnitude will have been waged globally, but centered mainly in the Middle East. Nuclear holocausts will be widespread. The destruction of the Earth's atmosphere will render the planet into a hot-plate. The unfiltered rays of the Sun will scorch man, beast and plant. Grievous sores will cover those who survive. Money and commerce will have evaporated. Although the Earth itself will remain, it's the end of the world as we know it. Because so much of History and indeed Biblical History is cyclical, there is a pattern which emerges in the 7 Churches. In short the Lord Jesus himself described the various Churches in the following manner: 1) Ephesus: Losing its first Love, in other words taking Christ out of the center of their lives and concentrating more on works. (AD70-AD170) The Lord exhorts them to "return to their first Love", which means putting Him first in their lives. 2) Smyrna: The word means "bitterness" and describes the terrible persecution that the Church was undergoing (AD170-AD312) In spite of this persecution the Church grew exponentially. 3) Pergamos: Believing false doctrine (AD312-AD606) Amazingly this corresponds with a lessening of persecution and the "adoption" of Christianity as the State Church under Constantine. Rome began to absorb the Church and by so doing sewed the seeds of its demise. 4) Thyatira: Visibly contaminated by Paganism (AD606-AD1520) This is the culmination of the Church being "Romanized". This "Roman" State Church is now a political and ecomomic powerhouse. The infallability of the Pope is decreed, indulgences are invented, goddess worship and idol worship is amalgamated into the "Church". Worship of "Mary" (goddess, Queen of Heaven) and "Saints" (idols substituted for local pagan deitys) is sanctioned. 5) Sardis: Jesus says that though many in Sardis are "dead", there are some who are worthy. This correlates to the Dark Ages coming to an end as true Christianity is rediscovered in Scripture by Martin Luther and the printing press makes it available to the populace. The shackles of Rome are coming off as the Reformation begins. (AD1520-AD1750) 6) Philadelphia: Tremendous missionary drive. Jesus proclaims that he has opened a door which no man can shut. This "door" that the Philadelphia Church used to proclaim the Gospel far and wide corresponds to the outpouring of Missionary activity in what is often called the "Great Awakening" as revival swept Europe and the New World. (AD1750-1948) 7) Laodecia: This was a "Rich" lukewarm Church. Jesus had stinging rebuke for it. This corresponds to the Last Days False Church which denies that Christ is the exclusive path to Heaven, which concentrates on works, lusts after money (Prosperity Gospel) and is self-satisfied. It will also be ripe for Ecumenism or the melding of other religions with itself. World Council of Churches etc.. (AD1948 ---- ?) |
