Our Text …

“14 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 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: 18 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. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Note that Jesus calls Himself the “Amen!”

That’s one of the Names by which Almighty God (Jehovah) is known in the Old Testament! Look …

Isaiah 65:16 … That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth (in Hebrew spelled AMEN); and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth (again, AMEN); because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

Yes, Jesus is God!

***

The wealth of the Church at Laodicea, a wealth in which they trusted, is a verifiable fact of history. It also may be modeled (as is much of Revelation) on something Isaiah said of ancient (and backslidden) Israel …

Hosea 12:8 … And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

***

In verse 18 Jesus offers the Laodicean Church “counsel,” instead of some kind of fierce retribution!

Reminds me of Isaiah 9:6 …

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

And what a wise Counsellor He is!

***

Our Lord chastens those whom He loves …

Job 5:17 … Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

Proverbs 3:12 … For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

He even reserves the right to chasten His Churches!

***

After the word “Church” (actually “Churches,” plural) is used in our Text, in verse 22 … it is not used again in the Book of Revelation until 22:16, five verses from the end! So, here’s another reason I do not believe the Church will have to endure the seven-year Tribulation! (The Tribulation covers Revelation chapters 6 through 19!)

***

Now, as I usually recommend, watch the whole Class if possible …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

The Text …

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 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. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

***

Talking about the “door” of the synagogue that had no doubt closed to these fervent Christians at Philadelphia … in John chapter 9 the man born blind was also excommunicated from an apostate synagogue!

John 9:34-35 … They (the unbelieving Pharisees) answered and said unto him (the healed man), Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Here the poor man’s excommunication from religion brought him straight into the arms of Jesus, to real salvation!

***

Paul the Apostle, like the Philadelphian Christians, had “little strength!” And here’s the way that great man adapted …

“And he (the Lord) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (little strength). Most gladly therefore will I (Paul) rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

1 Corinthians 12:9

***

Jesus’ three interruptions, specific things He is doing (or will do) for these faithful saints at Philadelphia …

Verse 9 … Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Verse 10 … Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Verse 12 … 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.

Notice the “I will” Statements!

Be faithful to the Lord … HE WILL BLESS YOU!

***

In teaching God’s Word, I often call the Seven Year Tribulation by the name Jeremiah used for it. Here’s that Reference …

Jeremiah 30:7 … Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

***

Can a Chrisitan lose (not his salvation) his rewards, her crowns for serving the Lord? Yes … and here is part of why I believe so …

Verse 11 … “loss of reward” …

2 John 8 … Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

1 Corinthians 3:15 … If any man’s work shall be burned (at the Judgment Seat of Christ), he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

***

It was interesting to learn that the precise term “New Jerusalem” is only found twice in the whole Bible! Both times in the Book of Revelation … at 3:12 and again at 21:2. But look at what Ezekiel calls that glorious City in the very last verse of his Prophecy …

“And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” Ezekiel 48:35

What a Name!

***

Wow, watch the Class if you can …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

The Return of Jesus is SURE! The time of that Return is UNSURE! Therefore, we must be ready!

Our Text …

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. “

***

I thought this quote was interesting …

As the Lord “found” some even in Sodom who were “righteous” … so does He even at Sardis!

***

Jesus had no complaints to the Church in Smyrna …

And Jesus had no commendations for the Church in Sardis!

***

Walking with the Lord? (Verse 4)

Only two men that I can find are specifically said to do this! Enoch (Genesis 5:22) and Noah (Genesis 6:9)! What a promise Jesus made here to some at Sardis!

***

Eight times (8) in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 the verb “repent” (or “repented”) appears. And this Counsel is for those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Sinners must repent to be saved!

Believers must repent to stay in fellowship!

***

The majority in Sardis have defiled their garments! (A word picture for living sinful lives.) A few have not defiled their robes!

But in Laodicea, the members of that Church were “naked,” Jesus says!

Revelation 3:17 … 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 …

***

The dead Church … but a few of its people are promised by our Lord …

“I will not blot out his (or her) name out of the book of life.”

***

We are going to talk more about that “Book of Life” in a subsequent Class, the Lord willing.

***

Now, here’s the entire video Class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

There is no Bible record of “how” the Church at Thyatira was established. No indication that Paul the Apostle ever visited there.

I also forgot to mention the linkage between that city and Lydia. The lady Paul met at Philippi. Acts 16:14 … “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

Our Text is longer, but read it please …

REVELATION 2:18-29

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

***

Jesus is here called the “Son of God.” This is the only time He is knows as Such in the whole Book of Revelation. But 47 more times He is so honored in the rest of the New Testament! (He IS the Son of God, indeed!)

***

Can a Christian lose his or her reward, or a portion thereof?

Looks like Thyatira’s ever increasing good works were about to be nullified! I do believe the Bible teaches that one’s salvation is secure, but one’s rewards for faithfulness can be lost due to careless living or unfaithfulness to the dear Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:15 … If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

2 John 1:8 … Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Revelation 3:11 … Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

***

No previous Church has been commended for its love! (We have studied these three so far … Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos!) But, almost surprisingly, Thyatira has love that is abounding! See verse 19 above.

***

In the case of Thyatira … doctrinal and moral purity then must be more weighty than good works? Ot at least as important as good works for the Christian!

Here … right Belief precedes right behaviour!

Then a Bible student may deduce … Orthodoxy (right belief) is certainly as important as orthopraxy! (right behaviour)!

***

The “deep things of satan” in Thyatira can be contrasted with …

1 Corinthians 2:10 … But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

(I forgot to give the Bible Reference.)

***

Brother Bagwell, how do you know Jesus is the “Morning Star?”

Revelation 22:1 … “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

He says so!

***

Jezebel, some of her most wicked overt acts … …

(1) She sought to kill God’s Prophets!

1 Kings 18:4 … For it was so, when Jezebel cut off (murdered) the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.

1 Kings 18:13 … Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

(2) She supported the Prophets of Baal!

1 Kings 18:19 … Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves (asherah = consort of Baal) four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.

(3) She planned to kill Elijah!

1 Kings 19:1-2 … And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

(4) She was guilty of framing and murdering an innocent man named Naboth!

1 Kings 21, that chapter!

***

One more point …

Thyatira was THE ancient city of Trade Guilds, Labor Unions!

History has learned of these … wool workers, linen workers, tanners, leather workers, potters, bakers, shoemakers, slave traders, bronze workers!

Each was associated with some “patron” god or goddess and if you were a member of a “union,” you worshipped its god!

(What would that situation do to the job prospects of a godly Christian of that day?)

***

Well, watch the class if you can …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

Oops! I also “forgot” which day to post our next Class! Instead of Sunday, the proper time in our “every-other-night” sequence … I uploaded Class Saturday as we drove to this week’s Revival!

So, next Class now will be Monday, the Lord willing. (None of which will matter a few days from now anyway!)

“12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

The Lord has both good things and bad things to note about this Church.

MANY OF REVELATION’S WORD PICTURES REFER/ALLUDE BOTH TO THE OLD TESTAMENT AND TO SOME LOCAL COLOR SITUATION! SUCH IS THE CASE HERE AT PERGAMOS AS WELL, THE SEAT OF SATAN, THE HIDDEN MANNA AND THE WHITE STONE! 

(These are briefly discussed in the video Class!)

***

I also mentioned this fact in passing, but here’s more detail …

Balaam, his story is recorded in Numbers 22-25. And it is “loaded” with the Sword motif!

Numbers 22:23 … And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

Numbers 22:29 … And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

Numbers 31:8 … And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

So, the local Church that has accepted tinges of Balaam-ism is surrounded (both in verse 12 and verse 17) with “sword” imagery!

***

Some beloved historians (Alexander Hislop for example, 1807-1865) teach that when Babylon fell, Pergamos became home to the devils, principalities, etc! This apostasy was later headquartered at Rome, and still is in many ways! (As we shall see when we reach Revelation chapters 17 and 18.)

***

The name Balaam actually (in Hebrew) means “not of the people!” Compare that to the Greek name Nicolaitans (meaning “to conquer the people”)! Seems that God’s dear people are always under attack from the devil!

***

One of my favorite quotes in the whole Lesson …

 IF BALAAM COULD NOT CURSE THEM … HE WOULD CORRRUPT THEM!

The devil’s strategy has not changed much, has it?

***

THIS SWORD JESUS HAS IS NOT THE SHORTER WEAPON (MACH’AIRA) A SOLIDER MIGHT CARRY … BUT 2-FOOT-LONG HANDLE ATTACHED TO A THREE-FOOT-LONG BLADE, DESIGNED TO BOTH SLASH AND THRUST … SPELLED IN GREEK (RHOMPHA’IA)!

***

“Cultic Meals” of that Day, which a Christain could not (in good conscience attend) were …

Always centered around some god or goddess!

Always associated with prostitutes, religious or otherwise!

Always serving meat offered to said idol!

Ubiquitous, synonymous with social life!

Dining room located in the heathen temple!

Always included “foul songs!”

Often the invitations were printed as from the god himself!

Two altars were generally present!

One for the Lord Caesar, Emperor … the other for the god or goddess himself or herself!

No wonder Paul exhorted his people to … “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17

***

Now, watch the video if possible …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.