Understanding Revelation Commentary 3

 Revelation chapter 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

Revelation is not a sealed book that is without understanding. It is the revealed testimony and prophecy of God. These things will come to pass on the earth. God gave it to Jesus. Jesus sent his angel to show it to John which he then wrote in the book. Things which must shortly take place doesn’t mean that they should have happened 2000 years ago. It means that the next event on the prophetic timeline is at hand. The rapture of the church. The removal of the Church from the earth. Once this event takes place, the earth will enter a dark and deceptive episode of history the likes of which have never been before nor will ever be again. Matthew 24:21

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

As one reads, studies, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy; one receives blessing and comfort. This should be the result of reading Revelation. Again, the time is at hand. Jesus is coming for His bride, the church. As we read we will discover that rapture of the Church could happen at any moment!

The Churches which are in Asia

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen 

Jesus comes twice

We know that Jesus is coming in two different ways. He is coming as a thief in the night and also with power and great glory in the clouds. The cloud reference is described in Matthew 24:29. This comes at the end of the tribulation period. The thief reference occurs at the beginning of the same period. Matthew 24:36 describes this event. Things are normal at the beginning or just before the tribulation period. This is when He comes as a thief. People aren’t expecting Him.

Explanation of the two comings

Matthew 24:29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

(We know when this day will happen. It’s immediately after the tribulation)

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (His elect will enter into the Millennium after the tribulation)

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

(What day? The verse 36 day is a different day than the one in verse 30. Know one knows when this one will happen. The one in verse 30 happens at the end of the tribulation period. The verse 36 day is a secret day.)

Jesus explains the “secret day” Watch the video by Amir Tsarfati

Matthew 24:37. But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

(Things are pretty normal when this day happens. This is in contrast to the day in Matthew 24 verse 30 which happens at the end of the tribulation period. Things are not normal at all at the end of the tribulation period!)

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

(These people are taken on the secret day which is before the tribulation period.)

The Alpha and Omega

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

(There were more that seven churches during this time. Seven refers to the complete church which would also include us.)

Seven golden lamp stands

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

The sound of many waters. Lake Mead in the US southwest has been shrinking for years. It’s now a fraction of what it used to be. Back in the early 80s it was full to the brim. Water was going over the spillways. You could walk the bridge over the spillway and experience that thunderous sound of many waters going over the dam. It was an awesome and frightening sound to be sure!

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 

(So we have a description of the Lord in his glorified form but we don’t ever get a description of his human form in any of the gospels or epistles.)

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 

(Jesus has the keys of hell and of death because after he died on the cross he descended into that realm. Afterwards, He ascended. He lead those captives from their captivity for He had the keys of death and hell and He presides over death and hell.)

The Key to Understanding Revelation

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 

The command to John in Revelation 1, verse nineteen gives the key to understanding Revelation. Understanding the book is dependent upon using the key. There are three divisions to the book of Revelation.

Write the things which you have seen (Rev 1:19), This is past tense; so, it was this vision that he wrote of Jesus Christ that he saw in chapter one. Secondly, the things which are (Rev 1:19), These are the present things. And thirdly, the things which shall be hereafter (Rev 1:19);

The words “here after” are a translation of the Greek words “meta autos”, which means “after these things”. So you have John writing that which he saw. He will be writing in chapters two and three the things which are during this present age, the things of the church. And then as you begin in chapter four, he is going to write of the things that happen after the church is gone, the things that will be hereafter, or after these things. This is a master key to understanding Revelation. 

Meta Autos

Chapter four begins with the Greek words “meta autos”. “After these things, I saw a door open in heaven: and the first voice was as of a trumpet saying unto me; Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be”. Again the repetition of the Greek words “meta autos”, “after these things.” Chapter 4 starts the third section of the book. The future aspects of the book. 

We are now living in the eras of chapters two and three, “the things which are”. The church continues to exist, and the testimony and the witness of the church, and the witness of Jesus concerning His church.

There are three separate sections of the book. If you don’t get this, confusion will ensue. You will see the church in the midst of the tribulation and try to make the 144,000 the church and so on. There are all kinds of mixed up and exaggerated ideas that have come from the book of Revelation because people did not see the key in this first chapter.

Mystery of the Seven Stars

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

(Now, the Lord explains the vision) The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the [messengers] of the seven churches (Rev 1:20):

The word “aggelos” in Greek is literally “messengers”. It is usually used of a heavenly messenger, but also used of earthly messengers too. Anyone who is bearing a message could be an aggelos, a messenger. The word by usage has come to mean a divine messenger, a heavenly being.

The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches (Rev 1:20) The seven churches are the complete church and those who are ministering (messengers).

Chapter one completes the vision that John was given. The “things that you have seen” portion of the book of Revelation. The first part of the key of understanding the book. Chapters 2 and 3 will complete the second part of the key of understanding. Things that are. The Church age which is here and now. Chapters 4-22 will complete the third part of the key of understanding. Things that are still future. The other side of the Church age. After the Church is gone.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 2

 

These verses are speaking to Israel

Verse 20 mentions the sabbath which identifies the intended recipient of the message as Israel. This helps in understanding revelation.

Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

The Lord will supernaturally care for and protect this Jewish remnant a thousand two hundred and  threescore days or 3 and a half years during the tribulation period. Revelation 12:6.

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

This isn’t the tribulation of John 16:33 which is worldly and a result of sin in the world. This is the great tribulation wrath of God poured out on the earth during the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy. The Church is missing during this period. It has been delivered from God’s wrath by the precious blood of Jesus. 1 Thess 5:9  For God hath not appointed us  to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

The elect are those who will enter the millennial period and repopulate the earth.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

The second half of the tribulation period will be the worst. The last 3 and 1/2 years.

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

This is when the protected Jewish remnant acknowledges the one whom they pierced and receive their Messiah. The feast of Trumpets  Yom Teruah (“Day of the Shofar”) and Day of Atonement Yom Kippur are realized at this time. The last feast of Booths Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles will be realized when they are escorted into the Millenial Kingdom by the Savior Himself!

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

All those who refused the mark of the beast and survived. All the saints of old. The resurrected and those elect alive on the earth.

The Fig Tree is Israel

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

The fig tree is Israel. The Lord had just cursed the fig tree in front of His disciples for failing to bring forth fruit. So the disciples were convinced He was once again speaking of Israel. Israel is now coming alive but still without fruit. This event corresponds with Israel’s national revival in 1948.

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

When we see Israel become a nation once again, 1948, we can know that the end of the world is near. Even at the doors!

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

The generation that witness’ the rebirth of national Israel will not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. The exact length of a generation is not clear. The bible speaks of a generation of 70 years, 80 years, 100 years. The important thing is that we make ourselves ready as a bride for His soon coming. Living each day as if it were the Day!

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Know one knows the exact day or hour of His coming. Not even Satan. But the Father only. But we can clearly see that we are living in the season of His coming. Prophecy and world events testify of His soon coming!

The Days of Noah

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Things were normal in the days of Noah. People eating, drinking, giving in marriage, working. The day came upon them suddenly and unexpectedly. The secret coming of the Son of man will be in the same manner. This is the secret coming down of the Lord. The last trump for the Church will sound. Jesus will come down to meet us. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive will be changed and rise to meet Him in the air. 1 Thess 4:16, Rev 4:1. He will come back at the end of the tribulation period. That’s a different coming. Everyone knows when that will happen. The end of the tribulation period. He will come back and defeat His enemies and establish His Millennial Kingdom on the earth.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Two in the field. Two people working. One is taken, rapture, one is left to experience the tribulation and wrath of the almighty. Verses 40-44 are kept in context and refer to the secret coming at the beginning of the 7 year tribulation period when Jesus comes down and lifts His church out of the tribulation that is about to happen on the earth. Just as Noah was lifted above the flood and destruction of his time.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Delaying His coming in the heart is evil. Thinking that there is lots of time. Things will go on just as they always have. 

Understanding Revelation Commentary 1

Matthew 24:1-15 is key to understanding revelation.

Matthew 24:1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 

² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?”

The end of the world

What is this "end of the world" that the disciples want to know about? Matthew 24:4-15 takes us right up and into the middle of it.

⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

⁵ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

⁶ And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

¹⁵ When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Why would Jesus say whoever reads this, let him understand? Because it's important information. Our goal should be to understand what He (Jesus) just said!

Daniel's "Abomination of Desolation"

The book of Daniel is a key to understanding Revelation. One of the chief angels of God came to Daniel and talked to him. 9:22 “I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding. At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Seventy weeks are determined. (Dan 9:22-24) (The word weeks in Hebrew means sevens.) Seventy sevens are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city or seventy “seven year periods.” (Dan 9:24), Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 

At the end of this seventy week period Jesus will return in the clouds to establish His rule and reign on the earth. Revelation 19:11

Seven weeks and threescore and two weeks

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah, the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: (this rebuilding would be done under Nehemiah’s leadership and equal to seven weeks of years. Then 62 weeks of years until the coming of the Messiah or 69 weeks of years. One week short of the 70 weeks required to finish the transgression, seal up the vision, and to anoint the most Holy). Then, the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.

Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: (Messiah was cut off. Jesus was crucified and cut off before receiving His Kingdom. This happened 69 weeks of years after the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem was given.) And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and its end shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (The people of the prince did come and destroy Jerusalem and the sanctuary.)

The Destruction of Jerusalem

SEPTEMBER 8th, 70 AD, the destruction of Jerusalem was complete. Titus, the future Roman Emperor, had starved the city for months. At the end of July, they broke through the walls and, according to historian Josephus, the Romans killed over a million Jews in their conquest.

The final week of years or 7 year period hasn’t happened yet. We have 69 weeks of years up and until the death of Christ who was cut off before receiving His Kingdom. The best way to describe it is that we are in a holding pattern. After the death of Christ a new age was instated. We are currently living in the Church age. At the end of this age (which is getting close) the final week of years or 7 year tribulation period will begin. Revelation chapters 4-22 describe this period and beyond. Now we jump forward to the middle of the final seven year period.

Daniel 9:27 And he (speaking of Antichrist here whom Titus was a type) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: (one week referring to the final week which is missing from the 70 weeks of years) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Notice also that the consummation time is poured out upon the desolate, not the church. The church isn’t around during this time.

69 weeks of years

Now, 69 weeks of years is an important date in history because according to the prophecy, from the time that the commandment goes forth to restore and rebuild Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens, or sixty-nine seven-year cycles, or 483 years. 483 years from March 14, 445 B.C., according to the prediction, the Messiah should have come.

The years in the prophecies of Daniel are 360-day years which were based upon the Babylonian calendar of a 360-day year. We use a Julian calendar of 365 and a quarter days a year. But Daniel’s prophecies were based upon the Babylonian calendar 360 days a year. It would be better to transpose the 483 years into days in order to figure out the time of the coming of the Messiah the Prince. And transposed into days, 483 times 360 would give you 173,880 days. Work it to our calendar and you’ll find it comes out to the date Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey

On this day, Jesus said to His disciples, “Go over into the city and on a corner you’ll find a colt that is tied. Untie him and bring him to me. And if while you are untying him the master say, ‘What are you doing untying my colt?’ just tell them that the Lord has need of him.” They went over and just where Jesus told them they saw the donkey tied and they untied it.

The owner said, “Why are you untying my donkey?” And they said, “the Lord needs him.” And they brought the donkey to Jesus and they began to lay their garments in the path between Bethany and Jerusalem. They began to wave palm branches as they cried, “Save now, save now, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Psalm 118 declares, “This is the stone which was rejected by the builders, but the same has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s work and it is glorious in our eyes. Hosanna, hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of Lord. This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

There is one seven-year cycle that has not yet transpired. Seventy sevens are determined upon the nation Israel. These seventy sevens were to begin at the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, 445 B.C. They were to culminate in the coming of the Messiah. That is, sixty-nine of them. But the Messiah would be cut off. The prophetic time clock stopped at that point. There is another event that will signal the beginning of the time clock.

The Prince of the People

(We’re still in Daniel Verse 27. This is the beginning of the tribulation period.) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week (the middle of the tribulation period) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The prince of the people that shall come is the Antichrist. He will be in league with ten nations federating together which were once associated with the ancient Roman empire. Go back to Daniel, chapter 2. Nebuchadnezzar had a vision of a great image, the legs of iron representing the Roman Empire and the feet of iron and clay with ten toes. Iron representing still the Roman Empire but mixed with clay showing that it is not as strong as the Roman Empire. It is weakened because it is a democracy, nations that are joined together with treaties.

Then there is the parallel vision of Daniel as he sees these nations as a beast with ten horns in chapter 7. This other little horn comes up and devours three of the horns. So the leader that will arise over this ten nation confederacy related to the Roman Empire will confirm the covenant with many for one week (Dan 9:27): or seven years.

Not with all of Israel, but with many of them. When he confirms the covenant it will not be with everyone in support of it, but with many. He will probably confirm the covenant that God established with Israel whereby they could relate to Him on the basis of temple sacrifices that they would offer.

The last 7 years

And when that covenant is confirmed by the little horn, the prince of the people, then at that point the last seven-year cycle will begin. The seventieth seven, the final seven-year cycle will begin. When it’s completed, Jesus' reign on earth will be established. It will complete an important stage in the prophetic picture.

(This prince of the people will break the covenant half way through the tribulation period. He’s a liar. 2 Thess 2:3 describes this guy.)

2 Thess 2:3. 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. 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

(In other words, the Holy Spirit has His hands on things at the present time. When the Holy Spirit who dwells in the church is taken out of the way, along with the church (rapture), the wicked one will be revealed.)

Revelation Chapter Three

 

Sardis the dead church Watch the video by Amir Tsarfati

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. The seven spirits are the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

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. Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 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.

The church of Philadelphia 

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. 

This is the only church where correction is not necessary. An open door of effective ministry is provided by the Lord. This is the only church with a promise. To be kept from experiencing the tribulation period. They will be kept from that hour, that time which shall come upon all the world. It doesn’t say I will keep you through the tribulation. It says I will keep you from the tribulation. Delivered from the tribulation via the rapture of the Church. 1Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: fir the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Whatch this video by Amir Tsarfati.

I will keep you from the hour of temptation (Tribulation)

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.

These verses speak of permanency. Secured and established. Overcoming the world (with His help) enables us to reap these wonderful benefits.

The church of Laodicea

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.

A lukewarm condition. People indifferent to what is happening in the church. Church leadership is probably more interested in numbers growth than personal growth and relationship with Jesus. A church in bondage is not a very effective tool of the Savior. Lukewarm!

Trusting in riches

The Laodiceans are probably trusting in riches and missing the mark. This brings to mind the story of Jesus and the rich ruler. Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through  a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Dining with Jesus

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.

Eating with someone signified becoming one with that person. Jesus was always wanting to eat supper with people. He wants to become one with us. Relationship is the currency of the kingdom. Gold and silver will not hold their value in the kingdom. As a matter of fact, they will be used as pavement which will be seen later on in the book. But right standing; relationship with the Lord holds much value. Drawing closer and closer to Him will translate into riches in the kingdom to come. It will also enable peace and blessed recreation in our lives in this world. Open the door, let Him in! Repent and trust in Him and His finished work at the cross.

Revelation Chapter 3 completes the documentation of the things that are of this current age. The Church age. The things which shall be hereafter starts with chapter 4 and are yet future after the rapture of the Church.