The 7 Churchs in Revelation:
Part 1
Now (continuing on from 2 Thessalonians 2 and the "falling away" that happens before the end); the book of Revelation gives us some description of what that looks like. This is where Christ speaks to the 7 churches and gives warnings and admonition to all except two.
Now granted, all these churches did exist historically and the specifics of the messages to the individual churches, do stand in a historical context that was relevant to their individual circumstances. Yet this does not mean that what is said to them, is of no consequence to us.
What's written that's relevant to us, is that even in their historical context, we see "types" of "churches". Adding to this; careful observation of the language indicates that three of these "types" of churches (Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia) will be "present" at Judgement Day.
The rest still "exist" but are no longer recognized by God as His body. The previous mentioned "types" of churches; I think in some respects are more representative of "types of christians" in the larger body than specific "types of churches". Although certainly individual congregations can bear these characteristics as well.
Ephesus has their candlestick removed. Smyrna is martyred, having entered God's presence before Judgement Day. Those truly faithful to God are purged out of Pergamos and Laodicea is spewed out of Christ's mouth. Laodicea appears to me (at this moment at least) to be more of a "type of Christian" than a church with a specific doctrinal issue.
Ephesus = They hate evil. They recognize false doctrine, but they've left their first love. (A congregation that has become "intellectually saved"; but not born again.) God states that if they don't repent, He will "come unto them quickly" and remove their candlestick.
This action of God is not confined to a specific time in history, but happens to all congregations (and or denominations); comprised of individuals, who "leave their first love".
Smyrna= A church in heavy persecution. This is the only church which doesn't receive a warning. They are told they will endure tribulation and prison and simply to hold fast because they will be martyred.
Again, not a circumstance confined to a specific point in history. This applies to Saudi Arabian, Afghani or Chineses Christians today, as much as it applied to Christians in 1st century Rome, or those who were martyred in the Inquisition, the Reformation, or 17th century Puritan America.
Now the rest of the churches described; Scripture gives us a lot more information about them and I believe this is given to help us navigate dealing with these circumstances, because the closer we get to the end; the worse shape "the church" is in.
Pergamos = They are permanently established in "satan's throne". "Throne" here means someone who exercises a position of authority. They are said to "hold fast to the name" (of Christ) and "not deny the faith" going back to the days of "Antipas" "my witness, the faithful one of me who was killed among you where Satan dwells": (Satan is permanently established.)
"Antipas" means "in opposition to father". This Antipas was one who was "killed" by the "church fathers" because he confronted them with their sins. God states that Antipas was indeed His witness and faithful servant.
Now the context in which they did this?
God's admonition is that they have those among them that teach the "doctrine of Balaam" which is to "lay a stumbling block" before the people causing them to "eat things sacrificed to idols" and "commit fornication". Also they tolerate the "doctrine of the Nicolaitanes".
Now although there is some historical explanation on who the Nicolaitanes were and what they believed; the word itself is derived from two other words that mean "conquer people". This hearkens to 1 Peter 5:2 where leaders (which could be pastors or elders) aren't to "lord over the flock".
Christ tells them to repent or He will "come unto them quickly" and "fight against (them) with the sword of His mouth". The "sword of (HIs mouth) / the Spirit" is the word of God. Christ fights against them with the sword of His mouth using "Antipas" who confronts them using Scripture. The result of this is "He (the "Antipas"(s)) that overcomes I will give hidden manna and a white stone and in that stone is a new name that no man knows save him that receives it."
"White", in this passage means "brilliant". It's something that's so white it shines. It's most often used in the context of clothing, to describe what angels, saints (or God) is wearing. "Stone" on the other hand, is the system in the ancient world they used to vote. A "white stone" was a vote in favor of and a "black stone" was a vote against. So in essence; the "Antipas"(s) who've been "martyred" by this church have a vote of favor from God. The "stone" of that "vote" contains a "new name".
Now the "new name" is interesting too. "New" means "original", "fresh", "novel", "unique". "Name" means "the reputation by which one exercises authority". Obviously the "reputation of authority" exercised by these "martyrs" has to do with their "witness" of "declaring the gospel". God has validated their witness.
Yet as I contemplate this scenario; (having personally had this experience multiple times) it draws me to question "those who overcome" as opposed to the "sheeple" who just follow along? What about the sheeple? Do they prove their state of spiritual lacking by not leaving? I don't know the answer to that? The ones who speak up, tend to be the ones who get singled out and depending on how "dysfunctional" the church is; if it comes to a major split, multitudes tend to "file out" the door. Granted when people "split" for Biblical reasons, it's not a bad thing. These types of congregations though tend to self destruct.
So, this is a congregation (probably) geographically in a place of influence; or at least they exert some sort of influence in their city. People seeking power don't congregate in sparsely populated areas. Historically Pergamos was a large pagan city.
They appear to be sound in basic tenants of Christian doctrine; yet their leaders are "lording over" them, laying stumbling blocks before people causing the congregation in general to "swallow" doctrine that's causing them to commit idolatry.
In churches with these types of issues, one would see traditions that actually end up violating Scripture; a prevalent example being denying communion to people who aren't members of that denomination or congregation. These churches will undoubtedly see conflict among the leadership over who's really in charge. This is to be expected because Satan is really the one "running their show".
And consequently, this congregation is actually guilty of "martyring" the true people of God. Of course this is not literal. We know this by the language of "he that overcomes". "Overcomes" is a figurative speech element. None the less this is a grave sin and these types of churches will be judged for it.
An example of how this can play it's-self out is found in 2 Timothy 3.
Thyatira = They are charitable, faithful and patient servants who's "ministry" grows. Their "works" started small and have gotten large. God's admonition to them though is that they suffer "Jezebel" who "calls herself a prophetess" but who teaches the people to "eat things sacrificed to idols" and "commit fornication".
The explanation of the action God will take in their situation is interesting. He states that he gives "Jezebel" "space to repent" and when she does not; He will cast her and those who commit adultery with her into a "great tribulation" unless they repent. He will kill her children so that "all the churches will know" that He "is the one who searches the reigns and hearts" and will "give unto everyone of you according to your works". Now the last statement is ominous because to "earn according to one's works" is language of judgement.
He follows this with telling the rest in "Thyatira" that He will put upon them no additional burden "who have not this doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan". To hold fast until He comes.
Keep in mind this phrase "known the depths of Satan" because as we walk through "doctrinally" what this error becomes; (in the next chapter) we will see this "end of days" church phenomena actually has ties to the occult. It's historical origins come from the occult. And the occult and Kabbalah are tied together; which ties this church phenomena to apostate Judaism. This is one manifestation of how beast #2 in Revelation 13 tells the world to worship beast #1.
Historically, Thyatira was a city in the province of Lydia that was known (like the rest of the province) for making purple textiles. Purple was a color worn by kings. So proverbially speaking the people of this province "dress royalty". Thus spiritually speaking "dressing the saints" is historically what this "ministry" in Thyatira was probably referring to. "Lydia" a woman who was a "seller of purple" who lived in Thyatira; was likely known (via occupation) for providing clothing for the church. (Acts 16:14)
Thyatira in the Last Days:
Now, is the "no additional burden" God won't place upon them; increased labor of "dressing the saints", or is it increase of false doctrine beyond fake Jezebel prophetesses? I'm not sure; but the remainder of the text seems to indicate that it's the work they are doing.
This also makes contextual sense, in that false doctrine is usually weeded through the lives of the elect by revelation from the Holy Ghost. Practically speaking, the "weeding of false doctrine" usually happens by exposure to other people, preachers, Bible studies, historical church documents, etc that teach things other than what the individual has already been previously taught.
I come to this conclusion based on the final words God tells the faithful in Thyatira. "He that overcomes and keeps my works until the end, I will give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron and they shall be broken to pieces even as I have received of my Father."
If we take "dressing the saints" into church history's greater context of "power over the nations"; we see the consequence of what the going forth of the gospel has produced in the world. The "power of the nations" is supplanted by God's power via the gospel. The spread of Christianity obviously has profound impact on how societies come to be constructed. And here is how this is demonstrated in the address to this church.
The "prophetess":
Translated to today; this is a congregation working of a large charity organization. I.E. an "ecumenical" type set up. Yet among the group(s) are people claiming to be receiving revelation from God who aren't. Post completion of the Scriptural canon; these are people who's perception of what is "God's authority" consists of more than Scripture alone.
This could be (and historically has been) any number of things. People who believe they've received revelation from God and start false religions (Mormons / Seventh Day Adventists etc.) This could also be branches of Christianity who've "denominationally" adopted the stance of putting tradition above Scripture. (Roman Catholicism and many Eastern Orthodox sects fall into this error). That being said; there are Protestant denominations who do this too. (Lutheran, Episcopalians, some branches of Presbyterian) This seems to be a phenomena that's "par for the course" as denominations get established; seeing how it's obvious we have multiple examples of this in church history.
Yet as we see in the letter to Thyatira; not all individuals connected to these church bodies are condemned of these sins. There is a variety of discernment of individual Christians across the denominational breadth of Christendom. And God uses all the saints regardless of where we are; in terms of our own understanding, access to Scriptural truth, as well as access to a local congregation.
So if you are in a church where you know there is error, but are in a certain amount of loss of ability at the time for any "lateral move"; fret not, God knows your circumstances. This goes for believers in locations of religious / family, or political hostility as well. Remember Naaman who was the military commander tasked to assist the Syrian king when he went into the pagan temple. He asked Elijah about this as an issue of conscience. Elijah told him: "Go in peace." 2 Kings 5:18-19
Jezebel and Zionism?:
Historically, Jezebel was king Ahab's wife who maintained her pagan religious practices. In this context in Revelation, "Jezebel" calls herself a "prophetess". This is someone who's claiming to be receiving revelation from God; yet they are actually practicing paganism and so thus (he / she / them) their "prophecies" are of a pagan nature.
Now there's an interesting historical connection here.
Jezebel and Ahab were Old Testament rulers. Ahab was king between 874 and 853 BC. Ahab's reign commenced 173 years from King Saul who began reigning in 1047 BC (133 from King David - 1007 BC) and ended 144 years before the 10 tribes were destroyed in 709 BC. (Ahab's reign began 165 years before the 10 tribes destruction.) Which means Ahab's reign fell half way between Israel's founding as an independent theocratic entity and its 10 tribes destruction; (half way from King David for sure).
(Solomon's temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC. This is 420 years from King David. Israel was in Egypt 430 years.)
So does Ahab's time table mean anything? I don't know. This could just be another "interesting coincidence" but it's certainly an intriguing one!
2033 minus 165 years brings us to 1868; which is the first year settlements of Jews began moving into Palestine in our modern era. Judah Ben Shalom brought the first Jews from Yemen to Palestine in 1868. Judah Ben Shalom was a student of the Kabbalah.
It is believed that Jezebel married Ahab about the beginning of his reign (874 BC) as this marriage was to secure a treaty between Priest / King Ethbaal (Jezebel's father who was king of the cities of Tyre and Sidon to the north); and Israel. She'd brought her pagan religious beliefs with her; but it did not become an issue in Israel until she began to import prophets of Baal into Israel. When this started, no one is exactly sure; but based on the appearance of Elijah; it is estimated to be within the first half of Ahab's reign.
Elijah appears in Scripture approximated at 864 BC; about 1/2 way through Ahab's reign.
2033 minus 155 years brings us to 1878. Apparently a lot of things in the history of Zionism happened in 1878.
(from: wikipedia -Timeline of Zionism)
1878 (June)
A German-language memorandum addressed to Disraeli and Bismarck is submitted to the Congress of Berlin by an anonymous Jewish group advocating the establishment of a Jewish constitutional monarchy in Palestine. It was originally thought to have been written by Disraeli himself, but later thought to be by Judah Leib Gordon. The memorandum was not discussed at the Congress, although Bismarck called it "a crazy idea".
Galician poet Naphtali Hertz Imber writes a poem Tikvatenu (Our Hope), later adopted as the Zionist hymn Hatikvah.
Petah Tikva is founded by Jerusalem Jews, but abandoned after difficulties. Resettled in 1882 with help from first aliyah.
The first Hovevei Zion ("Lovers of Zion") groups were founded in Eastern Europe
End of King Ahab's reign to the destruction of the 10 tribes is 144 years.
2033 minus 144 years brings us to 1889. Which, maybe this might be more of a comical "interesting coincidence" that has no real historical relevance; but the only thing related to Zionism I could find for 1889 was that Theodor Herzl married Julie Naschauer. The marriage was said to be a very unhappy one.
(Wait until we get into the "church" side of this and the "signs and wonders movement" Some interesting things happen about 1890.)
Julie (like Jezebel) was the daughter of a prominent leader. (Jacob Naschauer was a Vienna business man who owned oil fields, factories and riverboats in Hungary.) Of which much of Herzl's wealth came from Julie's dowery. Out of this venture, some where in this mix, apparently came a cosmetic invention; nail polish, which Naschauer's daughter was the first of Vienna to have been said to wear it.
Despite this they had 3 children and did remain married until Herzl died in 1904. Julie died in 1907.
Ahab died in 852 BC; approximately 15 years after difficulty with Jezebel's religious beliefs brought Ahab a lot of grief.
Herzl died 15 years after marrying Julie Naschauer.
Although both Jezebel and Julia outlived their husbands; Jezebel by 9 years and Julie by 3 years. Both couples also had 3 children. Ahab had two boys and a girl, where as Herzl had two girls and a boy.
Ahab's daughter; (although mother disputed and birth year unknown) was King Jehoram's wife (King of Judah - his birth year also unknown.) Which if this is true and Jezebel was her mother; Jehoram would have been her full brother. She died in 845; he in 840 BC
Ahab's other son (birth year also unknown) ruled the 10 tribes and also died 840 BC.
Julie Naschauer though; was not eaten by dogs and according to one source is (was) the only one of the family who's remains were not reinterred in Israel. (Another source says she is buried in Jerusalem.) Julie was cremated and allegedly one of her children left the urn that contained her remains on a train.
Herzl's oldest daughter died of a heroin overdose in 1930. Her brother committed suicide that same year after hearing about his sister's death. Their youngest daughter "died of starvation" (or more likely Typhus) in 1943 while contained in a ghetto / concentration camp in Theresienstadt; which is actually a township in the Czech Republic. (It was not a formally built "concentration camp"; but was a ghetto town that was part of the transport network in the east.)
Now again; because of length, these chapters get broken up. The next segment will be about the origin of the modern "signs and wonders movement" and how that is connected to the "end of the end" as represented by this church in Thyatira.
